Exciting Season Of Events Highlight The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, held at the worldrenowned Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, runs 12 weeks from Jan. 7 through March 29, awarding more than $8.2 million in prize money. WEF is the world’s largest and longest-running equestrian circuit, featuring riders from 33 countries and all 50 U.S. states. WEF hosts the nation’s premier events for children, juniors, adults and amateurs; for riders ages 2 to 70 in more than 70 unique divisions of competition. More than 5,000 horses with a net value of well over half a billion dollars compete in the circuit. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) is the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in the United States. It encompasses a total of 500 acres, and the competition rings alone cover more than 80 acres. PBIEC has two core facilities containing more than 18 competition arenas, including one derby field and the largest covered equestrian arena in the world. Both show grounds are operated by Equestrian Sport Productions. ESP owns and operates 42 weeks of United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) rated horse shows from September through June. The main show grounds house 256 permanent stalls, wash racks, horse trails, pedestrian paths and golf cart tracks, along with dedicated shopping areas like Vendor Village, Hunter Hill, The Bridge and the International Shoppes. The 18 arenas with adjoining schooling rings all feature state-of-the-art footing from Equestrian Services In40
february 2015 | wellington the magazine
ternational. In the center of it all is the 357-foot-by-256-foot International Arena surrounded by VIP box seating, general admission seating and hospitality pavilions. It is highlighted by the famous bridge arching over the in-gate, where horses enter into the arena, serving to welcome everyone to the world’s top equestrian facility. Highlights of this year’s WEF include four weeks of CSI 5* competition with two World Cup qualifying events. The $372,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments, will be the highlight event during week four on Saturday, Jan. 31. The $372,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Douglas Elliman, will be featured during week nine on Saturday, March 7. International competition will also feature the popular $100,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, Feb. 27, during week eight’s CSIO 4* competition, as well as 48 FEI World Ranking classes throughout the circuit. WEF hosts the best equestrian competition in the country with 73 professional and amateur divisions for hunters, jumpers and equitation. Special hunter and equitation events include the USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, Feb. 14 in week six; George Morris Excellence in Equitation presented by Ales-