WELLINGTON, FL – December 2, 2025 – “Jumping Under the Stars” is one of the most fabulous horse show evenings in the USA, featuring a black-tie gala in the Diamond Horse Shoe Club during the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship competition. The celebration, held last night, December 1, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida, was the highlight of the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival social scene and hosted nearly 600 guests.
An elegant affair in the chandelier-lit Diamond Horse Shoe Club, which is the Winter Equestrian Festival’s posh Jockey Club re-named for the occasion to coincide with the traditional venue at the National Horse Show when it was at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Rows of tables decked out in the National’s traditional colors of orange and black, highlighted by orange napkins and lovely orange flower centerpieces, the Internationale Arena where the evening’s action took place. “Jumping Under the Stars” provides an opportunity for equestrian elite to don their finest for this affair, and the gents’ tuxedos were complemented by the ladies’ evening attire, which ranged from full length sequined gowns to super skin-revealing short little black dresses.
Gala attendees enjoyed a sumptuous three-course dinner catered by La Peche that was served by a uniformed wait staff. While they watched the jump course preparation, rider course walk, opening parade, hunter awards presentations, and side saddle competition, diners enjoyed cocktails and a plethora of hot buttered hors d’oeuvres, ranging from mini beef Wellingtons to cheese blintzes.
By the time Broadway star Maureen Hamill sang the National Anthem, the first course of Boston Bibb Salad with fresh fruits and cheese was on the table, and when the first of 32 horses galloped onto the field, guests were supping on the second course of roast pork loin pinwheel (an inventive combination of baby spinach and cheese with a mushroom demi-glace and artichoke fritter), while an attentive wait-staff kept beverages flowing.
During the seven-horse jump-off (Belgium’s Eric Flameng aboard Roxanne won), diners finished their meal and then had a leisurely 30 minutes to enjoy the awards presentation and an exquisite dessert of white and dark chocolate mousse before trouping off to the PhelpsSports Club (the Winter Equestrian Festival’s Special Events Pavilion) for “The Five Faces of Madonna After Party” presented by Show Circuit Magazine and hosted by PhelpsSports.com and RV Sales of Broward.
Guests at “Jumping Under the Stars” included: Edie Dickson, Bruce and Ellen Miller, Marsha and Dennis Dammerman, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Tuny and David Page, Betty Jane Henry, John and Kim Walker, Jim Corbin, Joe and Ashley McGuire, Tim and Nancy Hooker, Carol and Ludwig Sollack, Ron Neal, Dennis and Mary Kay Shaughnessey, Leo and Samantha Conroy, Ted and Sharon Weise, Jerry and Peggy Jacobs, Lou and Joan Jacobs, Pam and Willie Surtees, Douglas Mutch, Joan Trantor, Allan and Jill Shore, Gene Mische, Maureen Hamill, Sally Ike, Maria Partlow, Scott Carling, Bob Drennan, Marley Goodman, Anne Miller, Jennifer Oz LeRoy, Michael Millor, Ken and Emily Smith, Don Stewart, Richard Schechter, Jennifer Reid, Gigi Stetler, Michael and Laura Whitlow, Ernest and Betty Oare, and Sandy and Dennis Quinlan.
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