Wellington, FL - The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) announces that the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Hunter Classic Spectacular will be returned to its original format in the 2012 season. With input from riders and trainers, the decision was made to return the class back to a one-night event on Saturday during Week 6 of the 2012 FTI WEF. A Hunter Forum meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 22, at 3:30 pm at The Wellington Club for riders and trainers to identify various ways to improve the hunter experience at WEF and give input to horse show management.

R. Bruce Duchossois, a member of the Wellington Equestrian Partners, stated, "We talked within the partnership and decided that the best move was to bring back the Hunter Spectacular to its original format. Hunters are a very important part of the horse show here, and we want to give them the spotlight they deserve."

The Spectacular first debuted in 1997 as an expansion of the popular World Championship Hunter Rider program. The Spectacular was created as a premier Hunter Classic, and is part of the member event series for the WCHR program, which culminates with the WCHR Finals at The Capital Challenge Horse Show in October.

During the sixth week of competition at the 2012 FTI WEF, exhibitors will have the opportunity to display the very best in show hunters on center stage. Returning to its original format, the event will be held on Saturday night under the lights in the International Arena, with professionals, juniors, and amateurs all going head to head in the class. Qualifying for the Spectacular will be held in Week 6 at the 2012 FTI WEF.

For more information on the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

ENDS