Season is officially here for 2019, and Wellington, Florida is . You’ll see everything from fancy 18-wheeler ‘air ride’ horse trailers to the latest maserati’s and exclusive Porsche’s, and even souped-up designer golf carts zooming around town. The “Village of Wellington” is home to approximately 70,000 residents, and during the Winter months it becomes a winter home to many prestigious olympic equestrians and celebrities alike. “I grew up just southeast of here, about fifty minutes south on I-95 in Pompano Beach and I remember coming here just on the weekends to compete as a junior rider back in the 90s. The Winter Equestrian Festival was always known as the “prestigious A-circuit” equestrian series, but it was only a fraction of what it has become today. The International Arena ‘back in the day’ used to be grass, and the seats were quiet during the night events – so much so that maybe just a handful of people filled the stands. Now, it’s a full-fledge nighttime scene with thousands of Wellington community and surrounding West Palm Beach locals attending these events complete with carousel rides, food trucks, premier shopping experiences, and live entertainment. It’s the most exciting event to have in our back yard!” explains Ashley Cagle of EquestrianStylist.com
The Winter Equestrian Festival is the longest running “AA” horse show series in the United States beginning early January and running through the end of March. The 2019 festival will offer an unrivaled amount of FEI events including four CSI 5* grand prix events during weeks 5, 7, 9 and featuring the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* the final week. This year, the first week includes the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes that will return as the first “Saturday Night Lights” of the 2019 season on Saturday, January 12. Sponsored by the Wellington Regional Medical Center, this multi-phase event provides a night of excitement with fans cheering for the either side. The men’s team scored their first victory in Battle of the Sexes history last year.
Another Saturday Night Lights highlight is the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments® which will return for its tenth season during week 4. Both professional riders and amateur riders alike team up with elaborate costume themes to engage the crowd. The amount of viral equestrian costume content that is created from this night alone is worth experiencing in person! The Great Charity Challenge has raised over $12.2 million to date and benefited more than 230 nonprofit organizations.
While the nighttime showjumping events are a place to ‘see and be seen’ and enjoy a vibrant nighttime atmosphere, the daytime life at the Winter Equestrian Festival can be equally as fun. With over 12 arenas on site at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, you will see different divisions based on size of the fence, rider, ages of riders, young horses, and “made” or seasoned horses competing at all levels. The young junior riders compete with their ponies at ‘Pony Island’ in rings 10 and 11 on Saturday and Sundays during the Winter Equestrian Festival, and makes for excellent family-friendly fun. The relationship between these little riders and their ponies is something so special that everyone should get a chance to experience.
Excellent shopping is always available at the Winter Equestrian Festival with vendors coming in from all over the world to exhibit the latest and greatest equestrian functional and fashionable apparel, accessories, art, and more. Vendor row and the International arena both have excellent stores to shop while on site, and many boutiques come and go throughout the season, so be sure to check out both areas each week of season to see what’s new on site.
Also, for those looking to gain more interest in the venue and the sport, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center offers group tours which will allow you to explore twelve of the competition rings, the stabling area, and a stroll through vendor village. There’s a good chance you’ll see some Olympic Riders and multi-million dollar horses trotting right past you. Equestrian Lunch & Tours are available by appointment only during the WEF Season, January 10 – April 1st, 2018. For more information or to reserve your tour, please call Barbara Lang at (561) 793-5867.
For more information on what’s happening from a weekly basis, please visit www.pbiec.coth.com.
