THE EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE DESTINATION PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER WELLINGTON, FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELENA LUSENTI
“DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. FIGHT THE UNBEATABLE FOE. STRIVE WITH YOUR LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE, TO REACH THE UNREACHABLE STAR.” Lyrics to “The Impossible Dream”
While Shakespeare’s King Richard offered his kingdom for a horse, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) has created nothing less than a horse kingdom. Located in sunny Wellington, Florida, the PBIEC encompasses 160 acres with world-class competition, state-of-the-art facilities, a 7,000 spectator International Arena, luxury shopping and dining experiences, beautiful residences and picturesque farms. Palm Beach International Airport is a mere fifteen minutes away and participants can also enjoy the ocean beaches and social and cultural life of Palm Beach. In 2008, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo and the Wellington Equestrian Partners embraced a vision of a world-class facility which would not only provide the best of horse sport but also create a premier equestrian lifestyle destination for families who call Wellington home for three to six months a year. In the $37 million dollar expansion, the partners have vowed to develop a family-friendly environment and broad-based community asset. Bellissimo, as CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, assembled a top-notch team to take a seven-week horse show and expand it to 42 weeks of USEF-rated competition including the 12-week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) which runs from January to April. The FTI WEF is the largest and longest running horse show in the world with $7 million in prize money, drawing the top athletes in show jumping from 50 states and 33 countries with 5,500 horses, 10,000 exhibitors and 250,000 attendees.
WEF More than 5,000 horses 160 Acres 100 Food and retail vendors 73 Professional and amateur divisions for hunters, jumpers, and equitation 72 Average winter temperature 20 minutes from Palm Beach 12 Weeks of competition Over $7 million in prize money $1.5 million in annual charitable giving One picture‌ worth 1000 words Many thanks to FTI Consulting and all of our sponsors.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Elena Lusenti brings her insightful eye to a sport she knows well, having competed with great success in show jumping on her legendary 15’2” stallion, Larone, in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper division for many seasons that included WEF. Her ability to “capture the moment” created a natural transition from rider to photographer. Elena’s travels around the world, from India to Brazil, always bring her back to her equestrian roots here in Wellington. With gratitude she thanks Mark and Katherine Bellissimo and Equestrian Sport Productions for the amazing opportunity to create this project.
$100,000 TRUMP INVITATIONAL CSI 2*
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The $100,000 Trump Invitational is a one-of-a-kind show jumping event on the stunning grounds of The Mar-a-Lago Club, and the first ever equestrian event held on the island of Palm Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Melania Trump were the hosts of this spectacular event, which serves as an exciting kick-off to the FTI WEF season.
$55,000 Nespresso BATTLE OF THE SEXES
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Ten women compete against 10 men in this fun, spectator-friendly exhibition where riders compete through three phases, including speed rounds, match races, and a challenging six-bar competition. The women are dominant, having won all six years it has been held.
$75,000 FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP presented by G&C Farm CSIO 4*
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The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is host to the only FEI Nations Cup in the United States. The $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm is a unique team event where national pride is on the line as countries from around the world compete against each other. At one of the most well-attended events at FTI WEF, spectators fly their favorite flags and exult when their winning national anthem is played.
EQUITATION Equitation competition is offered for junior and amateur riders and is judged based on the style and form of the rider. Horses are not judged in this discipline, but successful riders will ensure that their horses are well behaved. Riders can be judged over fences or on the flat. Two major equitation events are held at FTI WEF – the Sam Edelman Equitation Championship, and the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship – and both feature the top junior riders in North America.
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HUNTERS
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Hunt seat competitions are based upon elegant traditions arising from the foxhunt. Hunters differ from jumpers because they are judged on the style, movement, and technical proficiency of the horse and rider within the constraints of the set course design. Hunters should display jumping ability, manners, style, an even pace, and quality. The hunters seen at FTI WEF are the best in the nation.
THE ADEQUAN ® GLOBAL DRESSAGE FESTIVAL
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The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring top FEI events such as the CDI 5* and CDIO 3*. The AGDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world.
$500,000 FTI CONSULTING FINALE GRAND PRIX CSI 5* After 11 weeks of intense competition, the best 40 horses and riders of the circuit qualify to compete for the richest purse offered at FTI WEF. The grand prix features Olympic and World Championship medalists, up-andcoming stars, and those striving for the top of the sport. The jump-off is always fast and exciting while showing what equestrian sport is all about.
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A HORSE, A HORSE MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE! William Shakespeare
THERE ARE A LOT MORE FOREIGN RIDERS COMING OVER AND THEY ALL THINK THE SAME THING. THE WEATHER IS GOOD HERE AND I THINK THE HORSES DO BETTER IN THE SUNSHINE. Nick Skelton
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$100,000 TRUMP INVITATIONAL CSI 2*
THE TRUMP INVITATIONAL PROVIDED A FANTASTIC SHOWCASE FOR THE INCREDIBLE HORSES, RIDERS, AND THE SPECTACULAR GROUNDS OF MAR-A-LAGO. IT WAS AN EVENT THAT WE WILL LONG REMEMBER! Donald Trump
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YOU CAN’T ASK FOR A BETTER SETTING THAN THIS. Kent Farrington
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$55,000 NESPRESSO BATTLE OF THE SEXES
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IT IS NICE TO PARTICIPATE IN A TEAM COMPETITION AND TO REALLY BE ROOTING FOR EACH OTHER. Georgina Bloomberg
“EVERY YEAR I THINK WEF GETS BIGGER AND BETTER AND THE STANDARD IS VERY HIGH”. Shane Sweetnam
WE HAVE ALL GROWN UP TOGETHER. I HAVE KNOWN REED KESSLER AND KATIE DINAN SINCE THEY WERE ON PONIES. IT IS GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF THE GIRLS AT THE TOP AND IT IS NICE FOR THE SPORT. Brianne Goutal
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$75,000 FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP PRESENTED BY G&C FARM CSIO 4*
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THIS IS A GREAT COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY. Laura Kraut
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BEING A SPONSOR IS A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT AND TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE SPORT. Gustavo Mirabal
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THE STRATEGY WHEN YOU GO FIRST IS TO TRY TO HAVE YOUR PLAN AND EXECUTE IT THE BEST YOU CAN AND JUST PUSH THE REST TO CATCH YOU. Rodrigo Pessoa
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EQUITATION
WITHOUT EVERYONE’S HELP - AND IT’S A LOT OF HELP - THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. Lillie Keenan
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THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS. Eleanor Roosevelt
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The EQUINE CONDITIONING CENTER, at PBIEC
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HUNTERS
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WHAT COUNTS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, IT IS THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG. Dwight D. Eisenhower
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TALENT WINS GAMES, BUT TEAMWORK WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. Michael Jordan
IN RIDING A HORSE WE BORROW FREEDOM. Helen Thompson
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OUR VISION FOR WELLINGTON IS TO CREATE A MAGICAL PLACE CENTERED AROUND THE LOVE OF HORSES. Mark Bellissimo
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THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES IN THE WORLD TO SHOW, THERE IS NO DOUBT. Steffen Peters
THE ADEQUAN GLOBAL DRESSAGE FESTIVAL 速
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LIFE IS LIKE A DRESSAGE TEST. IF YOU ARE TOO BUSY THINKING ABOUT YOUR LAST MOVE, THE NEXT ONE WON’T BE ANY GOOD EITHER. Anonymous
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THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH ISN’T DOUBT, IT’S CERTAINTY.
Anonymous
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IT MEANS A LOT TO WIN A BIG CLASS. PEOPLE DREAM OF THIS THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AND NEVER COME CLOSE. Andrew Bourns
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FEELING DOWN? SADDLE UP!
Anonymous
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NO HOUR OF LIFE IS WASTED THAT IS SPENT IN THE SADDLE. Winston Churchill
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A HORSE CAN LEND ITS RIDER SPEED AND STRENGTH HE OR SHE LACKS, BUT THE RIDER WHO IS WISE REMEMBERS IT IS NO MORE THAN A LOAN. Pam Brown
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DECIDE THAT YOU WANT IT MORE THAN YOU ARE AFRAID OF IT. Bill Cosby
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$ 500,000 FTI CONSULTING FINALE GRAND PRIX CSI 5*
YOU FELT LIKE THE CROWD WAS REALLY BEHIND YOU. Charlie Jayne
YOU CAN TELL A GELDING, YOU CAN ASK A MARE, BUT YOU MUST DISCUSS IT WITH A STALLION. Anonymous
YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, BUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, ONCE IS ENOUGH. Mae West
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DON’T THINK ABOUT PULLING OFF MY SHOES. IN 2013, I’M WORKING HARDER THAN EVER. George Morris
WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT HORSES ARE SO NOBLE THAT THEY ALLOW US TO SHARE THEIR STRENGTH AND PASSION. HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan
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MASTHEAD Publisher and Editor Katherine Bellissimo Contributor and Associate Editor Jennifer Wood, Heather Buchanan Creative Consultant Suzy Drasnin WEF www.equestriansport.com Conception and coordination Equestrio S.A Concept Equestrio S.A – Paolo Meregalli Design and Pre-press production Equestrio S.A – Sébastien Sixt Photography Elena Lusenti www.elenalusenti.com Printed in Italy 2013 © Equestrio S.A – Geneva/Switzerland