WEF's Internationale Arena Resurfacing Ahead of Schedule
Equestrian News Release

Stadium Jumping's summer show grounds improvement schedule on target

Wellington, FL - August 14, 2007 - While the National Horse Show (NHS), the first major event of the upcoming fall season is still months away, the show grounds at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is a beehive of activity, preparing for that event and the upcoming 2008 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show season that begins in January.


The biggest project on this year's agenda is the resurfacing of the Internationale Arena.

The problems with the footing in the Internationale Arena, created in part by last year's drought, became the focus of controversy at this year's festival. "Our intention is to not let that happen, ever again," stated Stadium Jumping Chairman of the Board Eugene R. Mische. "I'm confident that David Steffee and Robert Jolicoeur, who have worked endless hours on this resurfacing project, have found the right solution for the upcoming season."

"It looks really good," said Stadium Jumping's Chief Operating Officer Michael Morrissey. "After only 10 days since the planting, we think we're ahead of our schedule. The grass is coming in nicely."

"By the first of November it's going to beautiful. There's a daily water regime, plus a pesticide program and fertilization on going, but really, for the next month or so, it's a matter of sitting back and watching the grass grow," Morrissey laughed.

Also at the Internationale Arena, the ring fence is being repaired and painted and the spectators areas are being upgraded and repaired.

In addition to the Internationale Arena, there are countless other projects underway to assure that the show grounds will be in first class shape for the National Horse Show and for WEF.

Landscaping work, and on-going project 365 days a year, is in full swing. New shrubbery is being planted, and the already installed plants are being trimmed, fertilized and maintained.

The miles of ring fencing located around the eight different show rings, and the paddock fences throughout the grounds are being restored and improved.

"We're doing a lot of work right now on the permanent barns," said Stadium Jumping's Matt Morrissey. "The first thing we did was clean up the stalls and the aisles. We removed all the strings, and hooks and accessories that were left behind after WEF. We're replacing the facia boards in all of the barns and our crews are beginning the painting process in all of the permanent barns. By the end of the summer the permanent barns will look brand new," he smiled. "We've already completed the work that needed done on the roofs."

Over the coming months, all of the ring surfaces will be re-worked in preparation for the arrival of horses this fall.

"We're totally confident that the show grounds will be in better shape than ever before," said Mische. "We've committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to improvements this year in order to maintain the level of excellence that people expect from Stadium Jumping."

Photo Credit: Grass beginning to show on the newly planted Internationale Arena at the WEF show grounds in Wellington. Photo (C) 2
007 by Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com. This photo may only be used in association with this press release.