National Horse Show Indoor Championships Cancelled

Las Vegas, NV - November 6, 2003 - The National Horse Show Indoor Championships, scheduled to be held at the Orleans Arena November 19 - 23, has been cancelled, the National Horse Show Association of America (NHSAA) and Coast Casinos announced today.

The majority of the National Horse Show's entrants are from California. The fires in California have left many entrants unable to compete and potential spectators unable to travel to Las Vegas.

"Our primary concern at this time is for the safety of our competitors and their horses," said Alan Balch, NHSAA president. "Many of our entrants were forced to relocate their horses, seriously disrupting their training schedules. This event is the least of their worries." More than 2,000 horses have been evacuated from several towns in California since the fire started a week ago.

The Indoor Championships will not be rescheduled for 2003. Tickets may be refunded at the original point-of-purchase. Patrons who purchased tickets through the National Horse Show should call 516-484-1865. Patrons who purchased tickets online will automatically receive a refund on their credit card. Patrons with questions about refunds should call 702-284-7777.

"This year's Las Vegas show was a first time event, at a new facility, where there has not been a show operation of this type installed, with all the attendant infrastructure investment required to serve stalls, arenas, and so forth," Balch added. "A show like the one planned for Las Vegas does not rely on large numbers of horses, but on a relatively small number compared to other shows, and it also relies on box office as few shows do."

"As the fires were raging, and even as they wound down, we had exhibitors asking about the refund policy, owing to their actual hardship or their interruptions in training, moving, and so forth, because this was a new event on their schedule, too. We certainly did not want to get into an adversarial situation with exhibitors where their advance fees might become an issue, given the fact that they had to send them so far in advance, even though the show depended on them financially.

"In addition, let's not forget that a show like Las Vegas depends financially on box office, and lots of potential box office is in horse country in Southern California that was swept by the fires. Many people other than people actually showing were seriously affected by the fires, financially and otherwise in their lives and planning.

"Of course, shows that are well-established, with significant permanent stabling, like the two weeks of Los Angeles shows, don't have to deal with these factors to the extent we do.

"Finally, the timing of the fires came at a critical point on the calendar when many installation decisions and commitments had to be made, by everyone involved, exhibitor, management, suppliers, and public. After several days of very deep consideration, we swallowed hard and made the decision, feeling it was the overall best for everyone and for the future prospects of the show.

"Fortunately for the show and the long-term interest of the sport, the management and leadership of the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas has been superlative to work with all along, through over a year of planning, and through this decision-making process. One of the biggest downsides of the decision is that we will have to wait a year to unveil what we believe is the best indoor arena for this sport in the entire world. But we all felt it should be unveiled in the best possible circumstances, with the best possible event, and not hindered in the least by events beyond anyone's control."

"We are saddened that the Indoor Championships will not take place this year as planned. We look forward to hosting this historic event next year," said Orleans Arena vice president Steve Stallworth. The arena has dates on hold to host the event in late November 2004.

The Orleans Arena, a 9,000 seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena is owned and operated by Coast Casinos. For additional information about the Orleans Arena, call 702-365-7469 or visit www.orleansarena.com.

Further information about the National Horse Shows may be obtained by contacting the NHSAA, PO Box 386, Greenvale, NY 11548, telephone (516) 484-1865, e-mail NationalHS@aol.com, or by consulting the official website at www.nhs.org. Additional details may also be obtained by contacting show manager Bob Bell at bbell@classiccompany.com. Media inquiries may be directed to Hallie McEvoy at nationalhsnews@aol.com.

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