Wellington, FL - Preparations are under way at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL, as the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, the American leg of the world's premier dressage series, draws nearer. The Jim Brandon Center will welcome a group of the most successful international dressage riders and horses from North America and Europe on March 9-11, as they compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Wellington Classic Dressage is the producer of the WDM Palm Beach. Managing partner John Flanagan has announced a footing sponsorship which has been signed with Premier Equestrian and GGT footing. "We've been working on this sponsorship for the past five months," says Flanagan, who adds that the multi-year contract is for all of Wellington Classic Dressage's competitions and venues. "We have reached an agreement to put GGT Footing in the covered arena, warm up ring #1 and the ten minute warm up at the Jim Brandon Center." The new footing will be in place shortly, well in advance of the WDM Palm Beach.

"I've been working with John Flanagan and his group since last July," says Cynthia Keating, GGT Footing's US Sales Manager. "We have created a custom blend of our footing specifically for the Jim Brandon Center." GGT (German Geo Textile) fibre footing is the same competition surface used at many top venues, including at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

The Jim Brandon Center opened for business in December 2006 as a purpose-built equestrian facility designed to provide Palm Beach County riders a venue for equestrian sport and recreation. The 111 acre county park has six rings, including the covered arena where the WDM Palm Beach will take place. The facility also has equestrian trails and an Open Riding Area that is open free of charge seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Joan Hutchinson is the Equestrian Facility Manager at the Jim Brandon Center. "We are thrilled to be hosting the Masters, and are doing our best to have the facility in top shape and beautiful for the event," she says. "We are still committed to the community as well. The Open Riding Area and trails remain open, even during major events such as the Masters."

The highlight of the WDM Palm Beach will be the Grand Prix Freestyle on the evening of Friday, March 11. Guests will enjoy a five course French-inspired meal catered by the renowned International Polo Club Catering while watching the eight top placed pairs from the Grand Prix competition ride uniquely choreographed programs to music. The music the riders use will have been selected to match their horses' rhythm and to enhance the visual performance.

Dressage freestyle to music has become immensely popular and has brought dressage to a much wider public. The freestyle is now always the first event to sell out at major equestrian championships such as the World Equestrian Games - outselling even the top show jumping competitions.

Tickets for table seating and a limited number of general admission tickets for the WDM Palm Beach can be reserved at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

ENDS