Gretchen Almy Designs creates traditional equine and canine portraits in graphite and pencil, and she is also a specialist in photography and in a new medium for portraiture: Digital Color Renditions.

"It's a great honor to be the Official Artist for the National," commented Almy. "It's an amazing opportunity. I've gone to the National Horse Show since I was about eight years old. When it was held at Madison Square Garden, the National always landed on my birthday, and my mother would take me to see the show as my birthday present. To be involved with the show from a new perspective, as the Official Artist, is very special to me."

As a long-time rider and horse lover, she started to draw horses and dogs when she started riding at the age of five. She later earned her Fine Arts degree at the Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA.

"After I lost my father six years ago to cancer, I decided life was too short," she said. "This was my inspiration for when I decided to pursue art full-time. He always encouraged me to follow my passions and for that I am truly grateful. I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love to do. When I made this decision, I was working in product development for a company that did picture frames. It wasn't very exciting," she laughed. "The best thing about being an artist is the freedom to create what you want and be expressive on a regular basis."

Almy offers commission work for clients in the categories of: Graphite/Pencil, Digital Color Renditions, Fine Art and Prints, Equine and Canine Photography, and Children Photography.

The National Horse Show and Family Festival showcases top hunter, jumper, and dressage competitors at their highest levels. This year's event will be held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL, from December 5-9.

To learn more about Gretchen Almy, please visit her Web site at www.galmydesigns.com.

124th NATIONAL HORSE SHOW & FAMILY FESTIVAL FAST FACTS
WHAT: 124th National Horse Show & Family Festival

WHEN: December 5-9, 2007

HOURS: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to approximately 10 p.m.

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, Wellington, Florida

HIGHLIGHTS- Competition:

- The $5,000 Palm Beach Post National Welcome Stake, CSI (December 5)

- The $15,000 NHS Speed Classic, CSI (December 6)

- The Zada Enterprises, LLC 6th Annual Dressage at the National (December 7-9)

- The $25,000 NHS Jumper Classic for the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship, presented by Equine Motorcoach, CSI (December 7- evening competition)

- The $25,000 National Horse Show Hunter Championship (December 8)

- The $10,000 NHS Speed Stake, CSI (December 8)

- The $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper National Finals (December 9)

- The $80,000 Young Jumper Championships(R) International Finals (December 9)

- The $100,000 NHS Grand Prix FEI World Cup(TM) for the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship, presented by Equine Motorcoach, (December 9)

Exhibitions and Special Events:

"Jumping Under the Stars" Gala (December 7, evening)

Children's Fair (December 8-9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Wellington Chamber Business Showcase 2007 in Grand Hunter Ring (December 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

SPONSORED CLASSES & PRIZE MONEY:

$155,000 FEI International Jumper section

$125,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship, presented by Equine Motorcoach

$5,000 Palm Beach Post National Welcome Stake

$80,000 Young Jumper Championships(R) International

$20,000 Palm Beach Daily News Amateur-Owner Jumper division

$20,000 ASPCA Junior Jumper division

$11,000 Pasmore Stables Adult Amateur Jumper division

$11,000 Martha Jolicoeur P.A. Illustrated Properties Children's Jumper division

$11,000 Bainbridge Farm Adult Amateur Working Hunter divisions

$6,500 "All the Gold" Second Year Green Working Hunter division

$6,500 National Horse Show Ladies Committee Side Saddle division

$5,500 Large Pony Hunter division sponsored by Suzy Marquard

$5,500 Alyana Farms Small Pony Hunter division

$5,500 Reflection Farms Green Conformation Hunter division

$5,500 Moxie Equestrian Inc. Regular Conformation Hunter division

$5,500 Tara Management Amateur-Owner 18-35 Working Hunter division

$5,500 Kilkenny Amateur-Owner Over 35 Working Hunter division

$5,500 William Barlow Redfern Regular Working Hunter division

Zada Enterprises LLC Dressage at the National

Palm Beach Equine Clinic

Florida Coast Equipment

RV Sales of Broward

TICKETS: 561-793-JUMP, or visit www.stadiumjumping.com

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate.

Adults: $10 Wednesday through Saturday (including $10 for Friday evening performance), Sunday- $15

Seniors/Children 13 and up: $7 all performances

Children 12 and under: Free

VIP SEATING: Box Seats Tickets may be purchased at the gate. (Limited availability)

Location: Internationale Arena

Prices: $25 every day (plus $25 for Friday evening performance), per person

Box of 4 seats for entire week, including Friday night: $500

Box Seats are available for purchase through Stadium Jumping, Inc. Please call 800-237-8924 for more information.

VIP tables in The Diamond Horseshoe Club (located at the Internationale Arena):

Gold Member Front Row- $5000 for six seat table, luxury amenities provided for all performances including Friday evening. Silver Member Second and Third Rows- $3500 for six seat table.

Tables in The Diamond Horseshoe Club are available for purchase through Phelps Media Group, Inc. Please call 561-753-3389.

THE FACILITY:
The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is also the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400' x 400' grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include the Diamond Horseshoe Club VIP area.

DIRECTIONS:
Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11 miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left - Equestrian Road.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday.

FOOD: A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the vendor courtyard and at vendors around the Internationale Arena, and are open during show hours.

SHOPPING: The vendor courtyard and individual booths around the Internationale Arena offer equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings.

HOTELS:

*Hampton Inn and Suites Wellington

2155 Wellington Green Drive, Wellington, FL 561-472-9696

*Hampton Inn at Emerald Dunes

2025 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach, FL 561-682-9990

*Hampton Inn Lake Worth

8205 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 561-472-5980

CAR RENTAL:
Use Enterprise Rent-a-Car for your car rental needs at the National Horse Show and Family Festival! Call 1-800-593-0505 and use the National Horse Show reference number 41W0080 for a discount.

PALM BEACH POLO EQUESTRIAN CLUB:

14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL 33414

561-793-JUMP (phone)

561-753-7727 (fax)
www.stadiumjumping.com.

STADIUM JUMPING, INC.: Corporate Office-

1301 Sixth Ave West, Suite 406, Bradenton, FL 34205

941-744-5465 (phone)

941-744-0874 (fax)
www.stadiumjumping.com.

NATIONAL HORSE SHOW ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, LTD

Carolyn Vincent

P.O. Box 386, Greenvale, NY 11548

516-484-1865 (phone)

516-484-1982 (fax)
NationalHS@aol.com
www.nhs.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Phelps Media Group, Inc.

13833 Wellington Trace

Unit E-4 #221

Wellington, FL 33414

561-753-3389 (phone)

561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Photo Credit: 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival Poster. Artwork by Gretchen Almy. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.