Horsesdaily News: 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Kicks Off Aboard the Duchossois Yacht, Blue Moon

2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Kicks Off Aboard the Duchossois’ Yacht, Blue Moon

Randy Mullins, Carol Kent and Tracey Topping Photo credit: File Photo, Phelps Media Group Wellington, FL- December 9, 2004- Tis the Season to Celebrate – Not just the approaching holidays, but also the start of the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival coming in January. Bruce Duchossois and Scott Culp kicked off the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival with a dinner party aboard the family’s 165- foot yacht, Blue Moon on Tuesday evening, December 7, 2004.

Over 80 equestrian notables were welcomed aboard by Captain Watson Dasilu and his courteous and polished staff. With four decks to peruse, each separated by circular stairways, guests escaped to a favorite locale. Many gathered together on the Sky Deck to enjoy good company amidst the gentle breezes of sea air from the Palm Beach Harbor. Others chose the Boat Deck or the Main Deck with several lounge areas and living rooms. Champagne flowed as guests were treated to scrumptious hors d’oeuvres while the melodic sounds of Mary White played in the background. Then, guests chose either the Boat Deck or Main Deck to dine on delicious buffet selections.

Guests included Mason Phelps, Jr., Holly and Ralph Caristo, Michelle Grubb, Margie Hough and Tommaso Sabbatini, Tom Wright, Betsy and John Perry, Scott Williamson, Sue Ashe and her daughter Molly, Nancy and Tim Hooker, Gene Mische, Tim Bolton, Caroline and Steven Morrison, Bridget Hallman, Caroline Moran Hasbrouck, Meghan Moran, Tracy Topping, Judy Berens, Rob Bielfeld, Randy and Pam Mullins, among others.

The Winter Equestrian Festival kicks off in Wellington at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on January 26, 2005 with eight weeks of back-to-back horse shows through March 20. The festival will then move to Tampa for two weeks at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, and close with the Budweiser American Invitational on April 2 at the Raymond James Stadium. The Winter Equestrian Festival, produced by Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world.

2005 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

January 26-30	Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic CSI***
February 2-6	Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic CSI***
February 3-8	Wellington Dressage
February 9-13	Kilkenny/ICH Internationale CSI***
February 16–20	Lincoln Florida Classic CSI-Ch - WCHR
February 17-20	Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
February 23-27	Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters CSI***
March 2-6	Cosequin Palm Beach Open CSI-W
March 9-13	CSIO United States – CN Wellington Finale
March 17-20	Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y
March 23–27	Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
March 29-April 2	Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
April 2	Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)