Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to announce that they will host the Young Horse Show Series and Year-End Championship in partnership with North American Studbook and Spy Coast Farm.

The 2011 Young Horse Show Series Year-End Championship will award $10,000 in total prize money and will be held on December 8-9, 2011, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The final round of the competition will be held in the evening on December 9 at the International Arena and will include a stallion show of six to eight stallions.

The judges for the finals will be Jan Olof Wannius of Sweden and Jos Sevriens, with B. Nicho Meredith announcing. "We are both honored and delighted to have two top international young horse judges and a fun and informative announcer to present the show," said Equestrian Sport Productions CEO, Mark Bellissimo.

Mr. Wannius was Sweden's most winning rider for 11 years and was the Swedish riding team's captain for 10 years, spanning three Olympic Games. He is the show director of the Falsterbo Horse Show and served for 10 years as chairman and judge in the Swedish selection committee for 3, 4 and 5 year old stallions. He has instructed the Swedish judges for free jumping for 10 years and has judged young horses in Denmark, Germany, England, Canada and Finland.

Mr. Sevriens is a native of the Netherlands, and has been living in Georgia since 1985. He was an instructor at the Dutch National Riding School and is a certified instructor through the USDF. He is a USEF 'r' breed judge and has been involved in the breeding and training of many young horses, specializing in young stallions. He has trained the Belgian eventing team as well as many jumper and dressage riders. He is the former president of the American Holstein Assoc. and has judged at many keurings in the United States.

B. Nicho Meredith speaks 13 languages and is well known for his upbeat and informative announcing skills.

Over 78 horses qualified for the final over the five shows held at three different show venues over the course of 2011.

"We are impressed with both the level of participation and the quality of the young horses presented during our first year of having Young Horse Shows," said Lisa Lourie of Spy Coast Farm. "There was clearly a need for this type of show in the U.S."

To help fill this void in the North American market, Equestrian Sport Productions partnered with North American Studbook and Spy Coast Farm to offer the Young Horse Show Series and Year-End Championship. These show events are for all sport horses aged 1-5 who are intended to compete as a jumper, hunter, eventer or dressage horse.

"Europe has a system of shows that have classes which are designed to highlight a young horse's talent, while simultaneously building their exposure and their confidence," said Jean-Yves Tola of North American Studbook. "There are many such local events throughout Europe where youngsters are developed in a low-cost, low-pressure environment and where their mistakes, kinks and hijinx are understood and forgiven. We are very happy that Equestrian Sport Productions was enthusiastic about partnering with us in this effort."

The Young Horse Shows' in hand classes include an "at-liberty" phase which allows young horses to show off their gaits and athleticism. Under saddle classes have been re-designed to allow riders to school horses at age appropriate flat and jumper environments which are conducive to learning and the very popular jump chute classes allow young horses a venue to test and prove their prowess over fences.
The shows are attended by breeders, trainers, riders, owners and spectators and should prove to be an ideal marketplace for young horses.

Show participants and attendees of the final round have the option to sit for free in the stands or to reserve tables of up to 10 people for $25/person. They may also purchase open table seating at the door for the same price. Table seating will include a light buffet and a glass of Moet Hennessey Champagne compliments of White Horse Tavern. A cash bar will be available to everyone.

Please contact Annette Goyette at 561-779-1660 or [email protected] for reservations.

The 2012 Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series will continue on February 7 and February 28.

For more information on the North American Studbook and to view the Young Horse Show Series prize list and entry forms, please visit www.northamericanstudbook.com.

For more information on Spy Coast Farm please visit www.spycoastfarm.com.

For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions, please visit www.equestriansport.com.