Photos and Story by Lois Spatz
For the past 51 years, Wellington has hosted the Winter Equestrian Festival which is now the largest and longest horse circuit competition in all of the sport, offering a unique experience of magical horses and riders jumping tall elaborate decorated fences while others elegantly dance under the stars.
The 2025 season of WEF at Wellington International promises to be one of the best yet with a new ownership and the past president of the United States Equestrian Foundation Murray Kessler leading as the new CEO along side past and present WI President Micheal Stone and Thomas Baur continuing as Director of Sport for Adequan® Global Dressage.
WI enhanced production sets the pace for a World Class destination. Offering an elevated spectator experience, improved light and surface conditions for riders and horses, WEF will host of a new series of competition known as the US Equestrian Open that will further participants for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. “The US Equestrian Open is going to be a major championship, the same level as Wimbledon is for tennis,” CEO Murray Kessler said during the WEF press conference last week.
WEF is set to be the backdrop for 10 of the world’s top show jumpers with athletes from over 35 countries competing Wednesday through Sunday from now until end of March. A season filled with 13 weeks of some of the best riders in the world competing for the ultimate grand prize in the 5 Star Finale Series hosted by premier sponsor Rolex. The Rolex purse upped from $500k to $750k will make the stakes even higher. Other big name sponsors include Lugano, Weather Tech, Net Jets, Mars, Bainbridge Companies, IDA and KASK.
Olympic Grand Prix competitions happen each Saturday evening, officially known as Saturday Night Lights. SNL offers a variety of seating options such as the VIP International Club, the upscale Blue Ribbon Club, Net Jets Landing open air dining and the Tiki Hut for a more casual atmosphere. The Gallery and the Wellington Club are often open to the public while some evenings will offer private dining options or may be booked for corporate events and large groups. Reservations are available online. Regular admission for SNL is free with just a $22 parking charge for each vehicle.
Gates open at 6 pm with the Grand Prix beginning at 7pm. Various food vendors are located throughout the show grounds as well as many bar areas serving wine, beer and liquor drinks. Saturday Night Lights offers the entire family a night of free fun with a petting zoo, pony rides, a carousel, magicians, carnival games and face painting all located at the front entrance.
WEF week 4 Saturday Night Lights held February 1st will feature one of the largest charity events in Palm Beach County known as The Great Charity Challenge. For the past 15 years, riders and their horses compete relay style for selected non-profits in themed costumes. To date, GCC has distributed over $19 million dollars to over 300 local Palm Beach County non-profit organizations and Palm Beach County School District PTA/PTO associations. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Global Music” and is sure to thrill every age group. For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve VIP seating you can visit GreatCharityChallenge.com.
Also for families there is Friday Night Under the Stars featuring the top Dressage riders of the world with ten national competitions and two Para-Equestrian competitions. “Eight Para-Equestrian medalists at the Paris Olympics came from Wellington,” stated Director Thomas Baur. Adequan® Global Dressage is located at the Equestrian Village -13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL. Gates open at 6pm with show starting at 7PM. Parking is also $22 per vehicle and regular admission is free. For more information visit gdf.coth.com.
“WEF is an opportunity to see some of the very best in the world,” WI President Micheal Stone added. “There are few opportunities like it in the United States. Where else can you watch Olympic Champions and have a fun night out, right in your own backyard?”
For more information on the venue, reservations and competition schedules visit https://wellingtoninternational.com/ or call (561) 793-JUMP / (561) 793-5867 for the latest updates or to host a special event.
