WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL
AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur, dressage rider Ben Ebeling, Wellington International CEO Murray Kessler, hunter rider Liza Towell Boyd and show jumper Laura Kraut at the press conference. PHOTO BY FIONA SLUSAREV
2026 SEASON KICKS OFF WITH RECORD PRIZE MONEY AND RIDERS FROM ALL LEVELS BY FIONA SLUSAREV
Wellington International welcomed the 2026 season with a panel of industry leaders and top riders on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Winter Equestrian Festival and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival have seen a period of growth and improvement since Murray Kessler was appointed CEO in late 2024 when ownership of the showgrounds changed hands. Kessler, a former United States Equestrian Federation president and CEO of three Fortune 500 companies, has been attracting the top riders across the world to compete in Wellington. One way he is doing this is by offering a record $16.55 million in prize money across all the competitions, including the $1 million Rolex Grand Prix.
The facilities see advances every year with Kessler’s long-term plan to complete the south showgrounds and continue with more seasonal updates for competitors and spectators alike. Competitors will appreciate the new footing in the International Arena, renovations to Pony Island with new bathrooms and upgrades in the Grand Hunter Ring. The FEI barns have been completely overhauled with new stalls and flooring. Dressage fans will be excited for the newly covered stands at Global to protect them from the Florida rain and sun. Friday Night Stars now have new themes, and a masterclass with dressage legends was held during Week 3. Top riders also come to Wellington International because of the variety
of qualifying classes and experience the venue gives their horses. Laura Kraut, currently the seventh top rider in the world, four-time Olympian and U.S. team silver medalist, believes that competing at WEF is key to success for the U.S. Olympic Team and for her jumper horses at the highest level. “I first rode here in 1978, so I really have seen the evolution of it, and I will tell you that it is crucial to us preparing and trying to have our horses up to the level we need for international competition,” Kraut said. Liza Towell Boyd of Finally Farm, the 2025 winner of the USHJA World Champion Hunter Rider Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, considers WEF an important venue for hunter training, as well as competiWELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | February 2026 35