The inaugural Exquis World Dressage Masters Musical Freestyle in Wellington is this weekend.
The Grand Prix will be held Friday afternoon in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Grand Prix Special will be held Saturday afternoon.
The Grand Prix Musical Freestyle is scheduled for Saturday night under lights, with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. with a live band, and the first horse to enter the ring at 7 p.m.
Anky van Grunsven, triple Olympic gold medalist and nine-time World Cup champion, also expanded her Friday night clinic to include six invited riders.
Equestrian Sport Productions that is managing the event announced the following schedule:
Friday 5 p.m. -- Anky van Grunsven, Steffen Peters and Edward Gal autograph signing in Tiki Hut beside International Arena.
Friday 7 p.m. -- Anky van Grunsven clinic in International Arena. Back on Track product giveaways to spectators.
Friday post clinic -- Anky van Grunsven autograph signing at the Special Events Pavilion overlooking the International Arena. Live band, food and beverages available.
Saturday 3 p.m. - Grand Prix Special in International Arena. Free admission for all. Spectators who have made reservations for VIP tables and boxes for the Friday night clinic will be able to use their assigned seats. Food and beverages available for purchase.
Saturday 5:30 p.m. - Autograph signing with Steffen Peters and winner of Grand Prix Special at Tiki Hut.
Saturday 6 p.m. - Festivities begin for Grand Prix Musical Freestyle in International Arena.
6:30 p.m. Parade of Nations--Musical Freestyle riders paraded in convertibles around International Arena. Back on Track product giveaways, Brian O'Connor special demonstration, live band and more. First horse in arena 7 p.m.
Awards ceremony and special finale exhibition by Anky van Grunsven. Live band, food and beverages in Special Events pavilion.
Tickets for WDM are available online www.equestriansport.com and clicking on Buy Tickets.

Ticket options are:

-International Club $750 for a table of six per night on Friday night or Saturday night, or $1,350 for both nights. Dinner and open bar included.

--International Club individual seats $125 per night on Friday night and Saturday night, or $225 for both nights. Dinner and open bar included.

-VIP boxes $50 for individual seats on Friday night and Saturday night, or $90 for both nights.

-Reserved General Admission is $20 per night, or $35 for two nights.
General admission tickets are available at the gate for $10 or $25 for assigned seating for each night.

For more information, call Annette Goyette at 561-793-5867.

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Palm Beach County’s Animal Care and Control Division is seeking nominations for its 2009 Animal Kindness Award. They are looking for individuals or groups who have shown commendable care and devotion to animals, domestic or wild.
The nominees must be Palm Beach County residents and their good deeds must have taken place in the county.
The honoree will be recognized before the Board of County Commissioners for a special presentation.
Nomination forms can be picked up in person from the Animal Care and Control shelter, 7100 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach, or downloaded from the Web site.

Call 561-233-1222 for more information or to have a form mailed to you. Forms must be returned by March 15.

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The village of Wellington's 2009 Father Daughter Dance is sold out. The event is for fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and girls between the ages of 5 and 14. On Saturday, Feb. 7 doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the event at the Village Park Gymnasium, 11700 Pierson Road, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Mark your alendars: The Mother Son Prom will take place on Saturday, May 9. Tickets will go on sale beginning, Monday, Feb. 2. Visit www.wellvillage.com for information.

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WELLINGTON - Registration for the Susan G. Komen for Cure will be taking place 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Fit2run at the Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
The 18th annual race is Jan. 31 along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Last year 21,000 participated and raised nearly $1.6 million.
Other registration locations include:

Boynton Beach Mall at JC Penney, 801 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Jan. 29.
There's ongoing registration through Jan. 29 at The Runners Edge, Boca Raton, and Fleet Feet Sports, Stuart.

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The Mercy Me concert set for Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the South Florida Fair has been canceled. The Fair was informed of the following official statement from the artist’s representatives:
“Due to a family emergency the scheduled performance of Mercy Me at the South Florida Fair for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 has been cancelled. Lead singer, Bart Millard's five month old child was admitted to ICU Tuesday morning making this a crucial time for him to be with his family. The band apologizes for the cancellation and appreciates the understanding and prayers at this time.”
Those who purchased tickets for the concert with a credit card will receive a credit on their account for a full refund of the purchase price and all applicable service charges. Those who purchased tickets with cash, check or gift card must present their ticket(s) at any South Florida Fair admission ticket window for a full refund between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. After Feb. 1, call the Fair office at 561-793-0333 to secure your refund.

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A Palm Beach Speedway driver reunion with a public meet and greet will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd.
The reunion will include former NASCAR drivers, brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison, Red Farmer, the Alabama Gang and others.
The Palm Beach Speedway was once located at the fairgrounds.

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Popular local song stylist, composer and entertainer Rick Nelson of The Acreage will perform from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 in the courtyard by the café and waterfall at Veterans Park, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., in Royal Palm Beach. The entertainment is part of the monthly Saturday Morning “Music In The Park” series.
Nelson is well known in the area for his tropical sounds of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. His magnetic personality and jovial banter with audiences is part of the attraction that draws the crowd. His repertoire encompasses popular folk and rock ballads—think Jimmy Buffet and more.
Veterans Park is located one block south of the intersection of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards. For more information call the Cultural Center at 561-790-5149.

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WELLINGTON - Twenty of the top jumper riders, 10 men and 10 women, will compete for a $55,000 prize at the Winter Equestrian Festival's Battle of the Sexes 7 p.m. Saturday at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road.
This year's event will include many Olympians as part of the line-up including Eric Lamaze of Canada, 2008 Olympic individual gold and team silver medalist; the USA's double Olympic team gold medalist Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut of the 2008 Olympic gold medal team. Also included in the line-up is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's daughter, Georgina Bloomberg.
Pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce house, street performers, balloons and face painting will start at 6 p.m.

Admission is free to the event.

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WELLINGTON - The EQUUS Foundation is bringing back its Equestrian Idol, which will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, 3667 120th Ave. S.
The event will feature cocktails, dinner, silent auction and a musical talent show, which will be performed and judged by equestrians.
Individual seats are $175 or a table of eight can be sponsored for $1,800 and up.
Reservations can be made by calling 203-259-1550 or online

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Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s this evening throughout the Western Communities and the Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management has again activated its Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Plan for the entire county.

Two shelters will be opening at 7 p.m: Salvation Army Center of Hope, 1577 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach and West County Senior Citizens Center, 2916 State Road 15, Belle Glade.

Transportation can be arranged by dialing 211, the county's crisis hotline.

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WELLINGTON - Cassie Stafford, 19, won the title of Miss South Florida Fair after beating out 11 other contestants. Besides the title Stafford also takes home a $3,000 scholarship, a $1,000 cash prize and will reign over all official events at the South Florida Fair for the next year.
Stafford, a psychology major, attends Palm Beach Community College where she made PBCC's Dean’s List. The Palm Beach Gardens High School graduate is also a recipient of the Presidential Honors Award and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
Her accomplishments include graduating with honors from the Pre-Med magnet program at Palm Beach Gardens High School and she was a Radio Disney Mousketeer performer. Her talent in the pageant was vocal and her platform issue is “Love Your Body,” which promotes a healthy body image. By winning Miss South Florida Fair she will now advance to this summer’s Miss Florida pageant, a Miss America qualifier.
The other winners included first runner-up Courtney McKenzie of Florida International University, second runner-up Nicole Vega of Berean Christian School, and third runner-up Meghan Orsley, a Palm Beach Community College sophomore. While Indiantown resident Burgess Duane won Miss Congeniality and captured first place for interview.

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WELLINGTON - Tickets are selling fast for the Exquis World Dressage Masters taking place Jan. 29 and 30 at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road.
On the evening of Jan. 29 there will be a clinic with three-time Olympic individual gold medalist and nine-time World Cup champion Anky van Grunsven. On the evening of Jan. 31 the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle will be held.
Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 561-793-5867 for more information. Tickets can also be purchased online.

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WELLINGTON - BTA, a new team joining this season of polo at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, came on strong during the season's first tournament winning 13-10 against actor Tommy Lee Jone's San Saba team.
More than 3,000 people attended Sunday's game.
The tournament is named after Joe Barry who played polo in the 1960s and '70s and won six U.S. Open Championships. He was inducted in to the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999.
Next up is the Ylvisaker Cup that starts Thursday, Jan. 22 with nine teams competing in a single elimination tournament. The tournament kicks off at 1 p.m when Lucchese takes on Isla Carroll and then continues at 3 p.m. when Patagones faces off against Audi.

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The last day to purchase advance tickets to the South Florida Fair is Thursday, Jan. 15. The fair opens Friday, Jan. 16 and runs through Feb. 1. Advance tickets holders will not only receive a discount off of the regular price, but will also receive free admission on opening day.
Advance tickets can be bought online at www.southfloridafair.com or at any Publix in Palm Beach County, Bud’s Chicken and Seafood, Wachovia Banks, Arby’s, TD Banks, Riverside Bank and Washington Mutual Banks.

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The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has scheduled a special meeting 10 a.m. Jan. 14 at Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County 7501 N. Jog Road, in its auditorium to possibly decide where the western county landfill site will be located.
The selection committee's recommendation is Southern Boulevard and U.S. Route 98 known as the Smith site. Three proposals were sent to the board with the Southern Boulevard site as their top choice said Dan Pellowitz, assistant to the executive director.
The Village of Wellington sent out a press release urging residents to attend the meeting. In July the Village Council passed a resolution opposing the Southern Boulevard location.
Pellowitz said the predominant factor in why the Southern Boulevard site was chosen is because, out of the three, it was the furthest from the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
He said the board may or may not make a decision Wednesday.
The other two locations include the Hundley property, which is four miles west of 20-Mile Bend on County Road 880 and the Okeelenta property , which is five miles south and five miles west on South Bay on County Road 827. The selection committee ranked the Hundley property as their second choice. No members of the committee ranked the Okeelenta property as their first or second choice.
The Village Council has said the landfill should be located at the site that the SWA currently owns. However, that site is located in the Everglades Agricultural Area and the Solid Waste Authority believes it is too close to environmentally sensitive lands.

Jason Parsley can be reached at jeparsley@tribune.com.

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Rebecca Caruso, 17, of Wellington recently won first place for her poem "Bayou Blues" in the fifth annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival's high school competition.
Below is her poem. On Jan. 22 she will read it aloud at this year's Palm Beach Poetry Festival Jan. 19 to 24 at the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, 51 N. Swinton Ave., in Delray Beach.

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An upcoming showcase at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in West Palm Beach will feature Laura Pucker, the reigning 2009 Mrs. US America, who will perform the cha cha.
Pucker, a passionate dancer with a background in hip hop, will perform her routine for the first time with her teacher Andreas Luetzner, a U.S. National Finalist and professional ballroom instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio West Palm Beach. The showcase will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 4603 Okeechobee Blvd., in the Emporium Shoppes Plaza.
 The theme of the Showcase is Disney´s 1997 animated film “Anastasia,”  and will include dancers performing to classic “Anastasia” songs such as “Once Upon A December,” “In The Dark of the Night” and “Journey To The Past.”
 An after-show party with general dancing will follow the showcase. General admission is $25 and $15 for Fred Astaire Dance Studio members. For information, call the studio at 561-478-1400 or visit www.fredastairewpb.com.
 

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WELLINGTON - The polo season kicks off at 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, 3667 120th Ave. S with the start of the Joe Barry Memorial Cup. There is no charge for admission.
The tournament's opening game will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Admission is $15 for Sunday games.
The tournament is named after Joe Barry who played polo in the 1960s and '70s and won six U.S. Open Championships. He was inducted in to the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999.

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The village of Wellington’s Water Utility department has begun the process of replacing every water meter within the village’s utility customer base. The village is moving to the Badger Meter Orion Automated Meter Reading system for improving water conservation and providing better service to water customers. The centralized system will allow water meters to be monitored in real time, enabling faster leak detection and reducing water loss. The system will also be able to provide daily reading history for customers.
Customers will receive notices in their utility bills throughout the month. Notices will also be placed on every door two days before installation of the new meters. The entire change-out process should be complete by June.

For more information, call 561-791-4010. General replacement schedules will be included in the utility bill inserts.

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The horses return to the village this week to kick off the equestrian and polo seasons, promising intense competition and new additions.
The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road, in Wellington is offering prize money of more than $5.5 million. The show grounds have been dramatically upgraded with millions invested in improvements.
The festival begins one week earlier than last year with the first event, the Speed Derby/Six Bar, on Sunday, Jan. 11 which has a $50,000 prize.
The center has improved the grounds with the construction of permanent spectator areas around the International Arena. It also has improved the International Club, the primary VIP hospitality center through expansion. The number of VIP boxes has been increased to about 90 and 1,500 permanent stadium-style, flip-up seats have been installed.
PBIEC officials said they want the center to become a venue not only to show horses and accommodate the horsey set, but also to make it a beautiful place to visit. To increase attendance, PBIEC has made most of the events free to attend with the exception of top headliner events.
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s festival will be a new dressage event. PBIEC will host the inaugural event of a new World Dressage Masters series that has a total purse of $150,000 on Jan. 31.
Among the top events in 2009 are:
The “Battle of the Sexes,” a highly anticipated event that many of the top riders have agreed to contest the mix of jumping events Jan. 24.
The $100,000 World Dressage Masters attracts some of the world’s top riders Jan. 31.
The WCHR Hunter Spectacular, which is always an eagerly awaited Saturday night event, is slated for Feb. 14.
The CN Nations Cup, in which teams from several nations compete in probably the most popular and emotionally charged event, will fill the traditional Friday night slot on Feb. 27.
Two jumper Grand Prix with prize money of $150,000 each and one with $200,000 are scheduled for both Saturday night and the traditional Sunday afternoon.
The show jumping finale is the FTI Grand Prix with a purse of $400,000 and is also the final of the popular $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge. On March 21, a total of $600,000 will be at stake.

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