May 2, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth Kraus of Phelps Media Group, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpsmediagroup.com

WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. Press Releases and Photos are available for download at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/

PHOTO CREDIT: 2005 Stillwell Hansen Grand Prix winner Laura Chapot and Sprite.
©2005 Kenneth Kraus & PhelpsSports.com. High resolution copies of this image are available at Phelps Media Group. This photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

111th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show Features New Grand Prix, More Money and Expanded Facilities for 2006

Wellington, FL – May 3, 2006 - The 111th Monmouth County Horse Show returns to East Freehold Park in Freehold, New Jersey on August 16th - 20th, 2006, and exhibitors will see a number of upgrades both in prize money and continued improvements to the facility.

The show, first held back in 1895, is one of the nation’s longest running and most prestigious horse shows, and will again feature the Ride for Riverview to benefit Riverview Medical Center. Carol Stillwell returns as Show Chairman, and the show is run under the guidance of long time New Jersey horseman, Leo Conroy.

“Carol brings such enthusiasm and such a high level of energy to this horse show,” Conroy said. “She adds a warm and wonderful dimension to the show. As far as the sponsors and community involvement, Carol is the one that brings that all together for the Monmouth County Horse Show.”

The show has grown tremendously under the stewardship of Stillwell and Conroy, and this year marks continued improvement. The Jumper division prize money has been increased, the Hunter Classics revamped, and the Grand Hunter ring schooling area vastly improved.

For the first time ever, the show will offer a Thursday Grand Prix competition.

“We’re excited about Thursday,” smiled Show Manager Leo Conroy. “Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Paul Miller Automotive Saab/Land Rover of Woodbridge, we will now have a $25,000 Grand Prix on Thursday. This is in addition to the $30,000 Stillwell Hansen Grand Prix on Sunday. With this new class, we feel we’ve really upgraded our jumper division at Monmouth this year.”

Conroy pointed out that the increase in prize money was not necessarily meant to attract new competitors. “I’m more excited than ever, especially with the two big events rather than just the one,” he said. “We did this to reward our jumper competitors that have supported our horse show over the years, rather than to attract new exhibitors. We have more than enough horses. We have a pretty loyal following in the jumper division and I’m happy that they will now have two chances at some big prize money.” According to Conroy, part of the charm and popularity of the Monmouth County Horse Show is the already workable schedule. “There are a certain number of horses that we can accommodate, and when we reach that number, we stop,” he said. “I’m thrilled with our time schedule. My goal is to have the horse show done by 5:30pm everyday, and if it’s not, then that’s a failure on my part.”

Part of the $35,000 in additional prize money this year will go to Junior and Amateur Owner Jumper exhibitors in the form of two new classics. “We’re adding a Low Junior and a Low Amateur Jumper Classic,” Conroy explained. “This is in addition to the High Classic that we’ve always had.”

This year, to accommodate the weekend competitors at the show, the format for the Hunter Classic has been changed as well. This year, the Hunter Classic will be for Junior and Amateur riders. “I was very concerned about making our Hunter Classic have some real value for our Junior and the Amateur Owner riders,” admitted Conroy. “With their classes ending earlier in the week, it has been tough to get the professionals to stick around until Sunday. Plus, with the combined classic, it didn’t allow for Horse of the Year points to count. So, I wanted to reward our weekend riders with their own event that means something.”

In addition to the increase in prize money, exhibitors will benefit from the greatly expanded all weather schooling area for the Grand Hunter ring.

But, as Conroy points out, some of the things that make the Monmouth County Horse Show special will never change. “Some horse shows are cookie cutter and others have a personality,” Conroy suggested. “We think the Monmouth County Horse Show has a personality, and a lot of that comes from all of the people that volunteer their time to make it a great event. We have great support from the local people and especially the local horse community. They are a huge part of what makes the Monmouth County Horse Show special.”

Through the efforts of the show and Carol Stillwell’s hard work, the Monmouth County Horse Show has been able to contribute almost $100,000 to Riverview Medical Center from every horse show for the past six years.

“I made a commitment to give back to the community and combine my love of horses with that,” said Show Chairman, Carol Stillwell. “The horse show has been gracious enough to allow us to use their venue to raise money. It has been a wonderful partnership.”

111th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show Fast Facts

EVENT: 111th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show and Ride for Riverview to benefit Riverview Medical Center

WHAT: New Jersey’s Longest Running and Most Prestigious Hunter and Jumper Horse Show. Sanctioned and recognized by: United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) “AA” USEF 3*, American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF), New Jersey Professional Horseman’s Association (NJPHA), New Jersey Horse Show Association (NJHSA), Marshall and Sterling and USGPL, North American League, Washington International Horse Show, A Member Event of the World Champion Hunter Rider Program Tour. (AHJF/WCHR Series)

WHERE: East Freehold Park, Freehold, New Jersey

WHEN: August 16th through 20th, 2006

ADMISSION: Admission is free to the public.

PARKING: Parking is free to the public.

VIP SEATING: Spectator Club Tables:
Front Row Tables (seating for 12) $1,500
2nd & 3rd Row Tables (seating for 8) $1,000
Includes lunch Wed through Saturday 12-2, Sunday 1-3
We DO NOT sell individual seats.

Caterer is "David's World Famous"

Contact Pam Morris – 732-741-3847
or email at:MCHSA1@aol.com

VENDOR/TRADE: Prices range from $225 to $275 with oversized spaces available. Hook ups and water extra. Vendors, please call Pam Morris, 732-741-3847, fax is 732-530-7939 or e-mail to MCHSA!@aol.com

DIRECTIONS: From North:
Garden State Parkway to Rte. 9 South. Rte. 9 South to Rte. 18 South. Rte. 18 South to Rte. 537 West. Rte. 527 West to Kozloski Rd. jughandle (right turn). Follow ramp to Kozlowski Road West. Show grounds 1 ½ miles on the right.

From South:
Garden State Parkway to Exit 98, Rte. 34 North. Rte. 34 North to Rte. 33 West. Rte. 33 West to Kozlowski Road. Turn right on Kozlowski Rd. Show grounds after first light on left.

From Turnpike:
Exit 8 (from South). Take Rte. 33 East, stay on alternate route (not business) to Halls Mills Road East. Halls Mills Road turns into Kozloski Rd. after third light. Show grounds is on left.

THE FACILITY: East Freehold Park
1500 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ
(732) 842-4000 or (732) 431-4664
http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/index.asp

81 beautiful acres of show grounds for horse shows, dog shows, and special events each year, including the Irish Festival. East Freehold Park is the home of the annual Monmouth County Fair. Upwards of 100,000 people enjoy the 5-day late July event. Permanent show rings. Tens of thousands have attended the Monmouth County Horse Show over the years.

HIGHLIGHTS: The 111th Annual Monmouth County Horse Show and the Ride for Riverview will once again benefit the Jane H. and John Marshall Booker Cancer Center at Riverview Medical Center, located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Through the generosity of sponsors and exhibitors, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised for this worthwhile cause.

Thursday August 17, 2006
$25,000 Paul Miller Automotive Group Grand Prix

Friday, August 18, 2006
$3000 NAL Jumper Speed Stake
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic

Saturday, August 19,,20, 2006
“Family Day at Monmouth” 10am-4pm featuring Pony Rides, Face Painting, Clowns, Rides and Games
Monmouth Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter Classic and Children and Adult Jumpers
Marshall & Sterling Adults Hunter Classic

Sunday, August 21, 2006
Stillwell Hansen Leadline classes
Pipe and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs
$2,500 Junior-Amateur Owner Jumper Classic
$30,000 Stillwell-Hansen Grand Prix
Marshall & Sterling Jumper Children's and Adult Classics

CONTACT: THE MONMOUTH COUNTY HORSE SHOW

The Monmouth County Horse Show
Pam Morris
732-741-3847
www.monmouthhorseshow.com
e-mail:MCHSA1@aol.com

Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave West Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205

INFORMATION:
Prior to August 14 (941) 744-5465
From August 15 (732) 780-3150

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
Kenneth Kraus
Mason Phelps, Jr.
Jenny Ross
13833 Wellington Trace
Unit E-4 #221
Wellington, Florida 33414
561-753-3389
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

PHOTO CREDIT: 2005 Stillwell Hansen Grand Prix winner Laura Chapot and Sprite.
©2005 Kenneth Kraus & PhelpsSports.com. High resolution copies of this image are available at Phelps Media Group. This photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

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