WEF
Celebrate Saturday Night Lights At The Winter Equestrian Festival Every Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, members of the local community are invited to attend the Saturday Night Lights events at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The 12-week WEF circuit features top horses and riders from around the world competing five days a week at PBIEC, with the best of the best contesting the most challenging obstacles each Saturday night under the lights in the International Arena. Complementing each week’s actionpacked competition, Saturday Night Lights features live music, a variety of performers, shopping, dining and more. Every Saturday night through April 1, PBIEC is the place to be in Wellington. Equestrian Sport Productions, the management company that produces the Winter Equestrian Festival, welcomes all Wellington-area residents to come and experience the nightlife and thrilling sport. Always family-friendly, Saturday Night Lights features a kids’ fair with a Venetian carousel, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, magicians, a petting zoo and more. Prior to the start of competition, each week features members of a different Wellington school showcasing their talents, from singing to dancing, as well as a performance of the national anthem. Wellington Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, who is just wrapping up six years as president of the Binks Forest Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, enjoys how WEF has brought the community together through Saturday Night Lights.
“I think it has been fabulous to bring the children and their families out to the horse show,” Siskind said. “The Saturday night events really engage the schools and the whole community. I think there were a lot of people who had lived in Wellington their whole lives and never gone out to the showgrounds because they thought they had to be a rider or be involved in the sport.” She thanked the horse show promoters for working to really engage the whole community. “We have this wonderful facility right in our back yard, and a lot of people started going out there more often,” Siskind noted. “[A Saturday night event] is a really great way for the schools to fundraise and showcase the students and their talents, and it is great for other people who attend these events regularly and are able to see how great the Wellington schools are and what they have to offer. I think it is a win-win event for everyone.” In addition to her involvement through the school, Siskind’s daughter rides and shows at WEF and trains at the Palm Beach Riding Academy, which is based at PBIEC. They look forward to another successful WEF season. Also part of the pre-competition fun and community involvement each Saturday night, local dog rescues are given the opportunity to set up at the entrance to the show grounds, where everyone can meet the adorable pups wellington the magazine | february 2017
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