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Peter Pletcher and HH London Dominate the Western Hay & Suncoast Bedding First Year Green Hunters at the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

January 14, 2010

Wellington, FL --- Today the first championships of the 2010 FTI Wellington Equestrian Festival were awarded in the professional hunter divisions. The Green Working hunters, sponsored by Western Hay & Suncoast Bedding, took center stage in the Rost Arena this afternoon.

The season's inaugural First Year Green Hunter Championship was awarded to Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, with Double H Farm's HH London. Pletcher describes HH London, a 7-year-old Dutch bred gelding by London Times and Voltaire, as "fantastic."

Double H farm bought the bay gelding in the middle of the summer, and Pletcher sat on him for the first time in October 2009. Pletcher and the team from Double H Farm knew immediately that this would be a great match. "I tried him and I thought that he was really nice, easy, and straight forward," Pletcher commented. This was only the second show for HH London, and his first time competing at the 3'6" height.

Peter Pletcher and HH London

Impressive scores of 83 and 87 earned Pletcher the second and first place honors yesterday, as well as a second place in the under saddle. Those ribbons, combined with today's two fourth place ribbons over fences, helped Pletcher to secure the championship. Also in the top ribbons today were Havens Schatt and Louise Serio. Schatt and Humor Me, owned by R. Bruce Duchossois won the first class, while Serio took home the blue in the second class with Gillian Grant's mount, Ledger.

Pletcher was excited about this week's results and hopes to earn more blue ribbons in the future. HH London will continue to compete in the First Year Green division throughout the circuit, and then Pletcher hopes to "introduce him into some hunter derbies, and maybe introduce him into the Small Juniors or Amateurs." Pletcher plans to compete for eight weeks of the 12-week long FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.

Many significant improvements have been made in the hunter rings for the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, including new jumps, as well as the installation of GGT all-weather footing.

"I think the jumps are colorful, and everything looks really nice," Pletcher commented on these changes. Riders, trainers, and owners, alike are thrilled with the new "pink" footing in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Field and the Rost Arena. "I love it," said Pletcher when asked about the new footing in the hunter rings. "As far as new footing goes, it is excellent," he continued.

While the new footing makes it possible for exhibitors to compete under any conditions, it also promotes the health, safety, and longevity of horses. The new footing in these arenas will raise the bar for hunter standards around the country.

The quest for championships will continue throughout the weekend, when the Adult, Amateur, Junior, and Children's Hunters will be showcased in the hunter arenas.

For full results, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are "AA" rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment. FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

WEF will offer many exciting events this year, including: the $500,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix, the USEF WEG Show Jumping Trials, the $150,000 World Dressage Masters, CDI-5*, the AHJF/WCHR Hunter Spectacular, the $150,000 Spy Coast Grand Prix, the $100,000 FTI Rider Challenge, the $75,000 CN Nations Cup, the $50,000 CN Palm Beach Derby, the $50,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Rider Grand Prix, the Nespresso Battle of the Sexes, the Third Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition, and the Palm Beach Charity Pro/Am Exhibition.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, "Saturday Night Lights" headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun.

The competition areas include the 360' x 280' all-weather International Arena, the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena, Mogavero Ring, and E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Field each with their own schooling ring, in addition to several other competition rings. The competition and warm-up rings have all-weather footing. Amenities include VIP seating in the International Club, refreshment and food vendors, and shopping areas.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

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