WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE – March 2022

WELLINGTON MARCH 2022

Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

FA C E S O F

DRESSAGE Dressage Olympian

Sabine Schut-Kery

Plus

Irwin Family Has Grown With Wellington’s Dressage Circuit Seven Axes Brings Unique New Sport To The Wellington Area Palm Beach Meets New York City At Maxwell’s Plum Restaurant Darren Edgecomb Of PBCHS Keeps His Eye On The Next Generation

Is Back!

Watch world-class dressage talents compete at the longest-running and most prestigious dressage competition on the globe.

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March 2022

contents

Features

17

PARTY FOR A CAUSE THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY AS BROOKE USA’S WHITE PARTY GOES GREEN Brooke USA’s annual signature event will be held Thursday, March 17 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Wellington National Golf Club. The coveted event is a special edition of the annual Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo & White Party series, returning in 2022 with a twist, as Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

20

DRESSAGE OLYMPIAN SABINE SCHUT-KERY FINDS MANY OPPORTUNITIES IN WELLINGTON

33 26

There is nothing simple about making a 3,000-mile trek from Napa, California, to Wellington, Florida, every winter with horses, but for Tokyo Olympic Games team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery, it’s a trip she does gladly for the opportunity it affords her to progress in the sport of dressage. BY JENNIFER WOOD

26

JAIMEY AND TINA IRWIN HAVE GROWN WITH WELLINGTON’S DRESSAGE CIRCUIT Canadian dressage riders Jaimey and Tina Irwin grew up riding in Ontario. As a husband-and-wife team, they have each been successful in the dressage world and are familiar faces at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. They have been coming to Wellington every winter since 2006. BY JENNIFER WOOD

33

FACES OF DRESSAGE 2022: SALUTING THE AMAZING EQUESTRIANS RIDING AT THE AGDF The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is back in action. Many of the top dressage riders are here this winter, including Adrienne Lyle, Sabine Schut-Kery and Steffen Peters, who won the silver medal last summer in Tokyo. From elite, international dressage to the sport’s more introductory levels, all levels of this unique discipline are on display here in Wellington. In Faces of Dressage 2022, we highlight just a few of these riders.

55

PARLANTI INTERNATIONAL OFFERS RIDERS THE PERFECT FIT FOR EVERY OCCASION Walking the showgrounds anywhere in the world, riders can be seen wearing Parlanti boots at any level and in every discipline. After becoming a household name in Europe, Parlanti International brought its boots to North America, basing its headquarters here in Wellington. BY LILY YAMPOLSKY

59

NEXT LEVEL: NEWLY BUILT DRESSAGE AND JUMPER FACILITY IS NOW OPEN A newly constructed, world-class facility, Next Level Performance Center was established in June 2020 with the intention of providing a top-notch establishment for athletes of the dressage and jumper disciplines. BY CASSIDY KLEIN

63

SEVEN AXES BRINGS THE UNIQUE SPORT OF AXE THROWING TO THE WELLINGTON AREA You can now add a new activity to the diverse list of recreational interests in the Wellington area. If you visit Seven Axes, which opened in mid-November, you’ll be able to practice and hone your axe-throwing skills on a regular basis. BY MIKE MAY

63 77 66

on the cover

Dressage Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery rides Sanceo at the AGDF in Wellington.

PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE

Departments WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE 10 12 13 14

More Than $1.7 Million Distributed At Great Charity Challenge World-Renowned Athletes Compete In Equestrian Triathlon Provident Jewelry In Wellington Hosts B&G Club Fundraiser Great Futures Golf Classic Supports Glades-Area Children

66 WELLINGTON TABLE The opening of Maxwell’s Plum, a new restaurant on South Shore Blvd., brings a piece of history to life in Wellington.The vibe: think Palm Beach meets New York City with tantalizing tapas, a delectable raw bar and entrée options for every taste. BY JENNIFER MARTINEZ

71 WELLINGTON HEALTH The Wellness Experience is a one-stop shop for all things health and wellness. Owner Dr. Randall Laurich has created a healthcare facility that doesn’t just appeal to one kind of client. BY SYDNEY JONES

77 WELLINGTON SCHOOLS Our Wellington Schools series continues with a profile of Palm Beach Central High School Principal Darren Edgecomb, who keeps his eye on the needs of the next generation. BY DEBORAH WELKY wellington the magazine | march 2022

7

from the

publisher FACES OF DRESSAGE 2022: AGDF RETURNS ON THE HEELS OF A HUGE OLYMPIC VICTORY The equestrian season is always an exciting time of the year, but when it comes on the heels of incredible Olympic victories for our riders, it just adds a ton of sparkle when these decorated athletes return to Wellington. Featured on our front cover this month is U.S. dressage Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery, who has returned to compete at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival after helping her team win the silver medal last summer at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The return of in-person spectators for this year’s Great Charity Challenge was nothing short of spectacular. A total of 32 teams were riding for a share of more than $1.7 million, which was split between local nonprofits. The storybook theme of the evening culminated with a storybook ending, which saw Wellington schoolchildren the night’s big winners. Look for photos in this issue.

Also this month is our annual Faces of Dressage pictorial, which includes a look a just a few of the amazing riders competing this season at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival here in Wellington. You will also meet the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Jaimey and Tina Irwin, who have made Wellington their winter home since 2006, growing their dressage training and sales business along with the growth of Wellington’s importance on the international dressage circuit.

Featured as well this issue is Parlanti International. After becoming a household name in Europe, Parlanti brought its boots to North America, basing its headquarters here in Wellington and now expanding with a new line of dressage products.A newly constructed, world-class facility, Next Level Performance Center provides top-notch amenities for athletes of the dressage and jumper disciplines. And, if you’re looking for a new sport to try out, look no further than Seven Axes, where you’ll be able to practice and hone your axe-throwing skills right here in the Wellington area.

Wellington Table this month visits the amazing new Maxwell’s Plum restaurant that opened recently in Mizner Place on South Shore Blvd. Owned by famed restaurateur and equestrian Jenny Oz LeRoy, Maxwell’s Plum brings a piece of New York City history to life here in Wellington. Next, Wellington Health profiles Dr. Randall Laurich of the Wellness Experience. Laurich and his team began 2022 with a new and improved office space, offering quality care in a positive atmosphere. Finally, our Wellington Schools series continues with a look at Palm Beach Central High School, led by Principal Darren Edgecomb.

As we go to press with this annual Faces of Dressage issue, we must take a moment to acknowledge how full of energy and exciting our village has become this equestrian season. We want to thank all our loyal advertisers, readers, community partners and the Wellington Village Council for their unwavering support!

Dawn Rivera

Dawn Rivera, Publisher

8 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

volume 19, number 3 MARCH 2022

executive editor Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior graphic designer Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designers Nancy Pobiak Yolanda Cernicky

account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo

bookkeeping

Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman

photography Abner Pedraza

contributors

Erin Davisson Denise Fleischman Sydney Jones Cassidy Klein Melanie Kopacz Jennifer Martinez Mike May Callie Sharkey Y.A. Teitelbaum Deborah Welky Jennifer Wood Lily Yampolsky

WELLINGTON Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.wellingtonthemagazine.com

published by

Wellington The Magazine, LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2022, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

wellington | social scene

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN AND SPORTFOT

MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION DISTRIBUTED AT GREAT CHARITY CHALLENGE

The Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, welcomed back supporters and enthusiasts on Saturday, Feb. 5 to the Winter Equestrian Festival’s biggest night of philanthropy.A total of 33 teams representing local nonprofit organizations took to the ring dressed as childhood storybook characters to compete for a share of more than $1.7 million in prize money.

The winning team of riders — Caroline Mawhinney, Mia Albelo and Jessica Mendoza, sponsored by Sexton Engineering and Triple M Farms — came in the ring representing “The Ugly Duckling” and finished with a time of 93.779 seconds, winning $100,000 for the Wellington PTA/PTO/PTSA. Coming in second place to win $90,000 was the team for Friends of Palm Beach, sponsored by the Lignelli family and La Victoria Farm.

Friends of Foster Children, sponsored by Spy Coast & Preston and Merryburn Farm, finished third and won $80,000.

(Top) Caroline Mawhinney rides Ballerine de Ravel as part of the winning team.

(Bottom) The top teams at this year’s GCC rode for the Wellington PTA/PTO/PTSA (first), the Friends of Palm Beach (second) and the Friends of Foster Children (third).

(Left to right) Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone, Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO Pam Tahan, Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes, Councilman Michael Drahos, Vice Mayor John McGovern, Mayor Anne Gerwig, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind and Councilman Michael Napoleone; Lucienne and Mark Bellissimo with GCC Executive Director Anne Caroline Valtin; and the Alice in Wonderland team was sponsored by Forget Me Not Farm and Hunter Creek Farm and rode for Danny & Ron’s Rescue.

(Left to right) This Waste Management group was part of the Pet Parade & Costume Contest; the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory team rode for the Spirit of Giving Network and was sponsored by Little Brook LLC; the Wizard of Oz team was sponsored by Madison Hills Farm and rode for Grandma’s Place; and the Ugly Duckling team, the big winner on the night, was sponsored by Sexton Engineering and rode for the Wellington PTA/PTO/PTSA.

(Left to right) Mayor Anne Gerwig, Mark and Lucienne Bellissimo, and County Commissioner Gregg Weiss with a county proclamation given to Mark Bellissimo; the winning team of riders — Caroline Mawhinney, Mia Albelo and Jessica Mendoza, sponsored by Sexton Engineering and Triple M Farms — celebrates with local school officials; students from Elbridge Gale Elementary perform; and J.J. Krane, State Rep. Matt Willhite and Laura DeLuca Hirsch.

10 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

wellington | social scene

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

WORLD-RENOWNED ATHLETES COMPETE IN EQUESTRIAN TRIATHLON

Riders and Boys & Girls Club supporters gather on the field.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s World Championship Equestrian Triathlon returned to EyeCandyLand Farm in Wellington on Monday, Feb. 7. World-renowned athletes gathered to compete in a thrilling equestrian competition to benefit the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. Event Chair Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome led a committee that also included Jennifer Schecter, Julie Khanna, Grace de la Gueronniere, Mariana Savage, Marie Fraisse, Pauline Watterlot and Robert Dover.The teams were made up of one polo player, one hunter jumper and one dressage rider.

The competition included a big twist — the athletes did not compete in their field of expertise.

(Left to right) Ford’s Garage team members Marie Fraisse, Delfina Blaquier, Daniel Bluman and Katherine Coleman; Sebilion team members Betsy Van Dyke, Nic Roldan, Grace de la Gueronniere, Vanessa Mannix and sponsor Olexa Celine; Team Eye Candy’s Paul O’Shea, Pauline Watterlot, Nacho Figueras and Kendall Cox; and Major League Show Jumping’s Pamela Flanagan.

(Left to right) Kerstie Allen rides with the flag; Tom Blake sings the national anthem; Nacho Figueras, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County CEO Jaene Miranda and Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore; and Event Chair Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome watches as Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Valencia Jean addresses the attendees.

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PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

wellington | social scene

PROVIDENT JEWELRY IN WELLINGTON HOSTS B&G CLUB FUNDRAISER

Provident Jewelry in Wellington Town Square held a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County on Thursday, Jan. 27. During the store’s Wellington Season Kickoff Party, a portion of sales went to the nonprofit, while guests enjoyed refreshments and an exciting raffle.

(Left to right) Provident Store Manager Jayne Hernandez, Managing Partner Geoff Fear and Boys & Girls Club Development Director Elena Corsano; Wellington Boys & Girls Club Board Member Grace de la Gueronniere, Equestrian Triathlon Chair Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Vice President Tim Tracy and Boys & Girls Club Development Director Elena Corsano; Gemma Maxime, Jules Sacks and Patti Bouchard; and Gillian Lieberman with Scott Diament.

(Left to right) Mary Bryant McCourt with fashion designer Caryna Nina; Elena Corsano, Tim Tracy, Lisa Marchitto and Nicole Miranda; Alex and Hanna Suarez; Chris Victor and Sheryl Lieberman; and Santi Gahona, Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome, Elena Corsano, Hugh Welton, Grace de la Gueronniere and Andy Lott.

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wellington | social scene

GREAT FUTURES GOLF CLASSIC SUPPORTS GLADES-AREA CHILDREN On Friday, Jan. 14, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County hosted its inaugural Great Futures Golf Classic at the Wellington National Golf Club. Fifteen teams gathered to compete under ideal weather conditions to raise money and awareness for seven Boys & Girls Clubs located in the Glades area.

“We appreciate our local sponsors and all who helped make the golf tournament for Boys & Girls Clubs in Belle Glade and the surrounding area a tremendous success,” said Boys & Girls Club Board Member Brannan Thomas, community relations manager for U.S. Sugar.

“With this additional support, we can help change lives and empower even more children living in the Glades communities.”

Between registration fees and donations, $51,000 was raised for the seven clubs located in Belle Glade, Canal Point and South Bay. Leading the charge were committee members PBSO Capt. Emory Payne, Caroline Larris, James Spafford and Michael Sharf. The event was a success with the support of sponsors such as the City of Belle Glade, the City of South Bay, Everglades Equipment, Finfrock, Life Safety Management, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office,Toyota and U. S. Sugar.

“This is a remarkable beginning for this event, and we’re excited to see it

Al Savery sets up his shot.

grow in the years to come,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County President & CEO Jaene Miranda said. “We are very appreciative to everyone who came out to support our tournament and most importantly the children we serve in the Glades.”

Clubs that will receive funding from the event are the Belle Glade Elementary Boys & Girls Club, the Canal Point

Elementary Boys & Girls Club, the Glade View Elementary Boys & Girls Club, the Gove Elementary Boys & Girls Club, the Pioneer Park Elementary Boys & Girls Club, the South Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Smith & Moore Family Teen Center.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, visit www.bgcpbc.org or call (561) 683-3287.

(Left to right) Jerry Curless, Spencer Davis, Tyler Baker and Bryant Layson; and Greg Nowak.

(Left to right) PBSO Capt. Emory Payne; Rachel Redmon and Mike Norwood; and Steve Cornette.

14 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

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Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green For St. Patrick’s Day

BY KENDALL BIERER

This year, St. Patrick’s Day is about more than green beer and bar crawls. Locally, attention is turning to a celebration for the Brooke USA Foundation, a charity near and dear to the hearts of many Wellington residents.

Brooke USA’s annual signature event will be held Thursday, March 17 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Wellington National Golf Club.The coveted event is a special edition of the annual Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo & White Party series, returning in 2022 with a twist, as Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.The event boasts a Las Vegas-style casino under the stars, where guests will enjoy an evening of fun while raising funds for working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them for survival worldwide.

Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green with St. Patrick’s Day Casino Night is planned to be a spectacular affair as guests fittingly test their luck.

Appropriately, Wellington National will transform into a Celtic-themed extravaganza, including décor, food, drinks and entertainment. Upon arrival, partiers will be greeted by Irish River Dancers from the Kelly Irish Academy of Dance, sure to set the mood for the St. Patrick’s Day-inspired event. Guests will also be able to meet miniature horses and donkeys brought to the party by Millar Brooke South. The equine ambassadors are an icon of the annual event.

Upon entering, guests will secure their play chips and arrive at the grand patio, where they will experience the sights and sounds of a real casino as play-

Initiation of Azola Cultivation: During Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green, guests will have the opportunity to fund the Azolla Cultivation in India, supporting equines and people living below the poverty line in the most vulnerable communities. © BROOKE/ACTION FOR WORKING HORSES & DONKEYS

ers roar with every roll of the dice at the craps table or try a hand at outhustling the blackjack dealer while sipping on the signature drink of the night, sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

(Clockwise from top left) Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green will once again feature its signature poolside white party, as it has done in previous years; a working equine in India’s brick kilns; equine partners will be onsite to meet and greet guests and pose for photos; the Touch of Orange Dinner, presented by Lugano Diamonds; and this year’s Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green will feature an array of gourmet dishes with an Irish twist in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

© EQ MEDIA

© CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

© BROOKE/ACTION FOR WORKING HORSES & DONKEYS

© CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

© BROOKE USA

wellington the magazine | march 2022 17

Guests will dance to music by acclaimed South Florida DJ Adam Lipson. © DJ ADAM LIPSON

The roulette tables are sure to be popular as participants decide on what to bet only moments before the dealer flicks the ball into the spinning wheel.

When taking a break between bets, guests are encouraged to take part in

the fabulous silent and live auctions, as well as the luxury travel auction provided by AmFund. Music will fill the air as guests move to the rhythm of acclaimed DJ Adam Lipson, who has played some of the most prestigious parties and events in South Florida and is brought to the event by entertainment sponsor, Celebrity Cruises, Hotels at Sea and the International Polo Tour.The March Madness games will also be shown throughout the night, so guests won’t have to miss a beat.

This event is yet another milestone in Brooke USA’s remarkable journey, raising more than $2 million to date from the annual signature event series, Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo & White Party.

What began as a humble nonprofit just six years ago has turned into an inspiring tale of what board members, donors and volunteers can do for those who are less fortunate, human and equine alike.

General admission tickets are $100

per person, while children’s tickets are $50. The price of tickets increases March 1. Each ticket includes an Irishthemed buffet dinner, a welcome drink for those over 21 (soft drinks and water for children), as well as admission to the party; casino chips need to be purchased separately.VIP Poolside Lounges and VIP Tables are also available, taking the experience up a notch, with 2,500 gaming chips for each guest to kick off casino play. The casino gaming tables are provided for entertainment purposes only by Casino Party Nights Florida Inc. Guests must be 18 years or older to play.

Do not miss the opportunity to purchase your tickets to the soiree of the season and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for a great cause. All donations and proceeds go to the Brooke USA Foundation.

For more information about Brooke USA’s White Party Goes Green, visit www.brookeusaevents.org.

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U.S. Dressage Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery Finds Many Opportunities In Wellington

BY JENNIFER WOOD

There is nothing simple about making a 3,000-mile trek from Napa, California, to Wellington, Florida, every winter with horses, but for Tokyo Olympic Games team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery, it’s a trip she does gladly for the opportunity it affords her to progress in the international sport of dressage.

Sabine is one of the world’s best dressage athletes, and she has regularly attended competitions during South Florida’s winter season, from its early beginnings at the White Fences Equestrian Center in Loxahatchee, to recent years at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).

Sabine, who is 53 years old, first came to Wellington in 2000, two years after she made the move from her home country of Germany to Proud Meadows in Texas. She brought with her two Friesian stallions,Tinus PM and Jorrit PM, and a career of not only classical dressage, but training and performances in a traveling horse theater in Germany, similar to the Cavalia show in the United States. She continued these special exhibitions in the U.S., including shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City, but despite having traveled the world, she was still awed by the equestrian scene in Wellington.

“I was blown away,” Sabine recalled.

20

march 2022 | wellington the magazine

Sabine Schut-Kery with Sanceo during the AGDF and the Nations Cup at AGDF. PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE

“I had never seen anything like Wellington. It was quite special. It does get better and better. I think the community is growing so much more and improving.”

When asked about her favorite memory of Wellington, a big smile lit up her face as she recounted when she brought Jorrit PM, the Friesian stallion that was the first horse she owned, to compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle when dressage was held at the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds in

2001. At the same event, she also won the Prix St. Georges with Tinus PM. “It’s just a neat story for myself, personally, because I bought him when he was just a green three-year-old back then in Germany, I was competing at Second Level,” she recalled. “I bought him, and I remember my dream was, ‘Oh my God, if I could ever ride Third Level.’And here I am winning the Grand Prix Freestyle in Wellington with a Friesian against the warmbloods!”

While Sabine did not come every winter since 2000, she made a point to make the trip when she could to advance her competition career. When her top horse and Olympic partner Sanceo was ready for international competition in 2014, she decided to attend AGDF each winter to give him the experience and exposure that the circuit brings.

“The concentration of the opportunity to compete, that is why I come. I don’t think that’s the case anywhere else in the world,” she explained. “You have the opportunity and the option of showing on an almost weekly basis for all the horses you’re bringing: your students, clients, young horses and your top horses. The atmosphere is one of the biggest in the country, as well. It’s so concentrated and a bigger stage. It’s

AGDF

Dressage star Sabine Schut-Kery in the ring during the Tokyo Olympics last summer. PHOTO BY TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

so competitive, so I think you can measure up and be your best against the best in the country. That is always very encouraging, that you stay on the top of your own game. It’s also inspiring to

see other amazing horse-and-rider combinations. It’s all-around really wonderful and positive.”

Unlike many riders in Florida, Sabine doesn’t come for the pleasant weather

— “It’s actually better at home!” — but she finds that she can take advantage of the competition and help train others while she is in Wellington for the threemonth stay.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 21

AGDF “I’m always pushing myself to be a better rider and mentor for my horses and my students.”

— Sabine Schut-Kery

Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo with Adriana Popovich, Sabine’s partner in Dressage Wine.

PHOTO COURTESY SABINE SCHUT-KERY

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march 2022 | wellington the magazine

Watching others and learning is something Sabine has always considered important in her quest to always be a better horsewoman than the day before.

“I really learned a lot here from the availability of having top-notch farriers and veterinarians, just horsemen and horsewomen in general,” she said.“Seeing colleagues, riders I look up to, I get inspired and get ideas. You learn a lot from watching other riders compete, or training even. Here it’s easy to go watch someone work with their horses.”

Yet it isn’t all horses, all the time, for Sabine. She has made an effort to check out more of the area and takes an occasional “Sabine Day” to the Four Seasons Resort for the spa, pool, restaurant and walks on the beach. She has also started to explore Miami.“I’m very interested in learning about different cultures and seeing different cities,” she said. “My dream was always to go around the world with a backpack. But with horses, maybe this occurred; it’s my little version of that.”

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AGDF Sabine has a strong string of mounts that she is working with this winter, including Alice Womble’s 16-year-old Hanoverian stallion Sanceo, with whom she won the team silver medal in Tokyo last summer and took the team gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.

Sanceo has competed in 18 classes at AGDF since 2015 and won 11 of them.

In 2018, they helped the U.S. team take the silver medal at the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* at AGDF, and Sabine and Sanceo took home the individual silver medal as well.

She is also excited about four other young horses that she has in Wellington this winter, including six-year-old stallions Gorgeous Latino, owned by Sandy Mancini, and the Andalusian Fuego TG, owned by Bridget Walker, who made the trip from Spain. Her personal horse Falou is five years old, as is a “very, very exciting” gelding Mr. Spielberg, a horse owned in partnership with her friend Adriana Popovich of Castle Rock Wines in Napa.

Sabine Schut-Kery with her Tokyo teammates Steffen Peters and Adrienne Lyle.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

Sabine and Adriana recently announced a new line of wines called “Dressage” that includes a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay, which is Sabine’s personal favorite. Both wines are carried in Wellington, as well.

Sabine is competing once again with Sanceo in the main international arena

Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo and her groom Christie Erickson and trainer Christine Traurig.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR PENCE/US EQUESTRIAN

24

march 2022 | wellington the magazine

at AGDF in 2022 with the goal to make the U.S. Short List to compete in Europe this summer and represent the American team at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, in August.

Bringing along young horses is close to Sabine’s heart — she found Sanceo as a three-year-old and has cultivated that winning partnership over the past 13 years — and she will aim to move her young horses through the pathway of young horse, developing horse and high-performance programs.

“I’m always pushing myself to be a better rider and mentor for my horses and my students,” she said.“I want to develop the horses into beautiful athletes that will showcase classical dressage on a competitive platform.”

To learn more about Sabine SchutKery, visit www.sabineschutkery.com.

Visit www.globaldressagefestival.com to find out more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, including the schedule, riders and horses competing this season.

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Tina and Jaimey Irwin with their son Gavin and daughter Marlies.

PHOTO COURTESY TINA IRWIN

26

march 2022 | wellington the magazine

AGDF Husband-And-Wife Team Jaimey And Tina Irwin Have Grown With Wellington’s Dressage Circuit

BY JENNIFER WOOD

Canadian dressage riders Jaimey and Tina Irwin grew up riding in Ontario, Canada. As a husband-and-wife team, they have each been successful in the dressage world and are familiar faces at Wellington’s Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).

Tina’s sister, Sarah, and Jaimey ended up on the same Young Riders championship team, and Tina connected with Jaimey immediately when they met at a horse show.

Their partnership began nearly 20 years ago, and a business relationship at Stoney Lake Equestrian began soon after.

Jaimey and Tina were both born into families involved with horses and quickly took to the sport themselves. Jaimey’s family ran the Irwin Inn resort on Stoney Lake in Lakefield, Ontario, where Jaimey got his start teaching lessons and leading trail rides. Tina’s mother, Ute Busse, was a successful dressage rider in her own right, so Tina competed at local shows around Ontario from an early age.

The Irwins first came to Wellington in 2006 after a client found the young couple a six-stall barn in Palm Beach Point to operate out of for the winter.

They brought with them six horses to train and compete and lived in the

barn’s small apartment.With no support staff, the Irwins did everything themselves.

“We knew about Florida, but we just didn’t think it was possible for us until a client pushed us and said,‘You can do this,’” Jaimey recalled.

At the time, the Winter Equestrian Festival hosted both hunter/jumper and dressage competition, and additionally there were dressage shows at Littlewood Farm and the White Fences Equestrian Center. Wellington was still evolving toward what it is today. But even then, Wellington’s grandeur was a lot for the Irwins to take in. As Jaimey noted, it was “like Disneyland for horse people.”

“It was a little overwhelming at first,” Tina added. “Our first experience was very eye-opening.”

Wellington has grown dramatically in the past 15 years, and the Irwins’ careers and Stoney Lake Equestrian business have as well. They balance their own competition schedules with the training of clients and the marketing of sales horses. From Canada, they arrive with a full barn of 20 horses, their own as well as horses belonging to clients in training with them.

Being in Wellington allows the Irwins to simultaneously operate their busi-

ness, continue toward their personal goals, and keep an eye out for new, promising equine talent. In addition, the mild Florida climate helps keep the Irwins and their horses in the best possible shape, giving them valuable months of making progress and advancing their careers.

AGDF itself provides seven international events during the three months of their stay in Wellington, giving them the opportunity to earn scores to be considered for championship teams.

“We wouldn’t be able to qualify for some of the major competitions like the World Cup Finals and the Pan American Games. I don’t think our careers would be where they are without Wellington,” Tina explained.

“It’s unfortunate we don’t have indoor competitions at home at the beginning of the year, and the deadline for qualification happens so early in the year. It’s not really possible most years to qualify only in Canada,” Jaimey added.

“If you are trying for a team, then you do have to come to Florida. Without AGDF, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we’ve done.”

In 2011, Tina represented Canada at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, riding Winston and brought home a team silver medal.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 27

AGDF In 2013, Jaimey qualified for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he and Lindor’s Finest made their overseas debut representing Canada.

After a remarkable 2016 for Tina and her mount Laurencio, a then 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding the Irwins owned themselves, Equestrian Canada — the national governing body of equestrian sport — named Laurencio the Horse of the Year. True to his title, Laurencio and Tina achieved a world-record score at WEF in the small tour, a 78.708 percent. Then, in 2019, Tina and Laurencio competed at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where Canada won the team gold medal, and Tina took home the individual silver.With the exception of 2021 due to the pandemic, the Irwins have made Wellington their winter home every year since 2006.

Many riders from around the world have also realized the benefit of being in Wellington, and consequently, the equine professional community here has boomed. The community has become a great business resource for the Irwins, who rely on the connections they make in order to buy and sell horses both for themselves and for their clients.

Since the birth of their children, the Irwins have made Wellington a family affair. With the support and aid of their own parents,Tina and Jaimey have been able to bring Gavin, 11, and Marlies, 8, to Wellington every year.They recognize that traveling each winter has the potential to be jarring for their kids, so it was important that Wellington was a place the children could also enjoy. As a family, they are able to enjoy the beaches, nature preserves and other local activi28

march 2022 | wellington the magazine

Tina Irwin rides Fancy That at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington.

PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE

ties such as visiting Lion Country Safari.

Sometimes, however, it’s equally as nice to just be at home together by the pool.

“They feel really at home here,” Tina

said. “We work hard all year to make Florida a go, so when we come here, we want to really immerse ourselves and enjoy the whole experience.”

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AGDF Tina Irwin rides Laurencio.

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For the 2022 AGDF circuit, Jaimey and Tina are very enthusiastic about the horses they have in their string.

Tina has younger developing horses, as well as her trusted, longtime partner Fancy That, a 16-year-old Oldenburg mare. Tina and Fancy will be working on a strong return to international competition, after COVID-19 disrupted their plans to aim for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Jaimey has a coming-seven-year-old named Flirtfaktor, a horse he brought to Wellington for the invaluable experi-

Jaimey and Tina Irwin, joined by Esther Mortimer, on Jaimey Irwin aboard Stiletto. the podium in Wellington. PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTO BY TAYLOR PENCE/KTB CREATIVE GROUP

ence. He also has Stiletto, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare co-owned by Tina’s mother, Ute, and Ute’s friend, Patricia Scherrer, that Jaimey is competing in the national Grand Prix and building toward the international level.

Perhaps most exciting is Simsalabim, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned

by Kimberly Wynd. While Simsalabim has not shown at the Grand Prix level yet, Jaimey competed her in small tour classes last year and Intermediare II at home in Canada. Based on what they have seen of the mare, Jaimey has his

Judge Hans Voser, Jennifer Baumert, Tina Irwin, Ashley Holzer, Tuny Page of Stillpoint Farm and Allyn Mann of Adequan after Irwin’s win in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle CDIO3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm at the 2019 AGDF in Wellington. PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE

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march 2022 | wellington the magazine

eyes set on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Amid all the moving parts, Jaimey and Tina have found it easy to work together, despite their kids telling them they have incompatible astrological signs. “There’s an exception to every rule,”Tina laughed.

Though they each have mostly their own horses and students to train, they are always collaborating to run a successful business and communicating about any issues.

“It’s great to have the support emotionally, and to have that other person to bounce ideas off of,” Tina said. “I feel lucky to have Jaimey as my business partner.”

“And I feel lucky to have Tina,” Jaimey added.

While luck may have played a part, it has been the Irwins’ hard work that has paid off in a successful business, dressage careers and the ability to make Wellington their winter home for the foreseeable future.

To learn more about the Irwins, visit www.teamirwindressage.com. For more information about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit www. globaldressagefestival.com.

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Faces of

DRESSAGE

The unique elegance that is the sport of dressage has returned to Wellington once again with the 2022 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, where some of the best horse-and-rider combinations can be seen in action. While classes exist for all levels, the most popular are the top-level Grand Prix events to the amazing Musical Freestyle classes. Dressage is often called “ballet with horses.” This comparison helps people understand the extraordinary level of dedication, training and effort it takes for a rider and horse to become one in a sport dating back centuries. Many of the top dressage riders are here this winter, including Adrienne Lyle, Sabine Schut-Kery and Steffen Peters, who won the silver medal last summer in Tokyo. From elite, international dressage to the sport’s more introductory levels, to the uplifting sport of para-dressage, all levels of this unique discipline are on display here in Wellington. In Faces of Dressage 2022, we highlight just a few of these riders.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 33

PHOTO ©ESP

STEFFEN PETERS FACES OF DRESSAGE

German-born Steffen Peters, who competes for the U.S., began riding at age 7, and by age 15 was competing at the international level. After receiving his first horse, Udon, at age 16, he began seriously training in dressage.

It was aboard Udon that Peters won the team bronze when he represented the U.S. at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Peters has represented the U.S. at numerous other international competitions, including the World Equestrian Games in 2006 and 2010, when he secured bronze medals, and 2018, when he took silver. He returned to the Olympics in 2016 and helped the U.S. to the bronze medal in team dressage. At the Olympics last summer in Tokyo, Peters and Suppenkasper helped the U.S. win team silver. He is a regular at the AGDF in Wellington.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 35

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PHOTO ©ESP

ADRIENNE LYLE FACES OF DRESSAGE

Adrienne Lyle was raised on a small cattle farm in Whidbey Island, Washington. She originally rode western, then switched to English at age seven. She tried eventing before dressage became her calling. Lyle was a member of the silver medal team at the 2002 Cosequin Junior Dressage Championships and the bronze medal Region 6 team at the 2004 North American Young Rider Championships. Career highlights include competing in the 2012 Olympics in London and contributing to a fourth-place team finish at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France.

Lyle and her mount Salvino qualified for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, where the U.S. team won the silver medal. At last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, Lyle and Salvino again led the U.S. to the team silver.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 37

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*Program is available for a limited time for active workers and is subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply, see a Minto New Homes Sales Professional for details. Base price of the home does not include homesite premium or options and upgrades. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2022. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, Westlake and the Westlake logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. 2022.

*Program is available for a limited time for active workers and is subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply, see a Minto New Homes Sales Professional for details. Base price of the home does not include homesite premium or options and upgrades. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2022. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, Westlake and the Westlake logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. 2022.

PHOTO ©SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

NICK WAGMAN FACES OF DRESSAGE

Nick Wagman is a California-based rider with big wins on the Wellington circuit. He represented the U.S. at the 2019 FEI Dressage Nations Cup in the Netherlands and the FEI Dressage Nations Cup France with his longtime partner Don John. Also in 2019, Wagman won the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship with Ferano and the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with Don John at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. With Don John, Wagman collected second-place finishes in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special during week five of the 2020 AGDF. Wagman also collected victories during the 2021 AGDF, including the CDI3* Grand Prix during week five and the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special during week eight.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 39

PHOTO ©SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

YVONNE LOSOS DE MUÑIZ FACES OF DRESSAGE

Born to Canadian parents in Nigeria, Yvonne Losos de Muñiz rides for the Dominican Republic, her home since 1990. She became the first Dominican rider to participate in the Olympics when competing at the 2016 games in Rio. Her career began early with support from her parents before formal training in Germany. Listed among the best riders in Latin America, Losos de Muñiz won bronze at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio, repeating the feat of the 2003 Pan-American Games in Santo Domingo. Prior to that, Losos de Muñiz won individual gold and bronze as a team in the 2002 Central American Games in El Salvador. A regular on the Wellington circuit, she was back representing the Dominican Republic at the Olympics last summer in Tokyo.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 41

PHOTO ©SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

KEVIN KOHMANN FACES OF DRESSAGE

Kevin Kohmann grew up around horses in Germany. His success started with ponies, where in 2002, he won the pony regional championships. After that, Kohmann was regarded as a talented young professional and recruited to the U.S. to work under top trainers. This gave him the opportunity to ride more difficult horses. It was soon apparent that Kohmann could take even the most difficult horses and turn them into successful and willing partners. During this time, he managed to show several horses at the Grand Prix level. Kohmann joined the Diamante Farms training team in 2014, and he remains based in Wellington. He was part of the winning German team in the 2021 AGDF Nations Cup CDIO3*. Now an American citizen, he plans to ride for the U.S. in the future.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 43

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PHOTO ©SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

CAMILLE CARIER BERGERON FACES OF DRESSAGE

Camille Carier Bergeron is a talented Canadian dressage rider. She has been a regular at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington since 2015. That year she rode in the FEI Pony with Monte Carlo and the FEI Junior with Lowelas. In 2018, she was part of the Canadian team that won the North American Young Rider Championship. Bergeron, riding Acouer, served as the anchor rider for Team Canada, which won 2021 CDIOU25 Nations Cup at last year’s AGDF in Wellington. Also last year, she claimed the 2021 Florida International Youth Dressage Championship and earned the overall high point combination with a score of 73.629 percent riding Sound of Silence 4, a horse she has been working with since 2017.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 45

PHOTO ©SUSAN J. STICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY

ALICE TARJAN FACES OF DRESSAGE

Alice Tarjan, a dressage rider from New Jersey, has had a stunning few seasons, both at the AGDF and elsewhere. She capped last year’s season by winning the Lövsta Future Challenge/Young Horse Grand Prix Series Final, making it the second year in a row that Tarjan won the prestigious honor. The 42-year-old has a history of success competing her own young horses through the levels. In 2020, she took home multiple titles from the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, including the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with Donatella M. She was reserve in the same class with Harvest. Last summer, she won the 2021 U.S. Grand Prix Championships, undefeated aboard her mounts Candescent and Donatella M.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 47

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BEATRICE DE LAVALETTE FACES OF DRESSAGE

U.S. Paralympian Beatrice de Lavalette was born in France but now lives in Wellington. Growing up in a horseloving family, she started riding early, studying both dressage and equitation. Her entire life changed on March 22, 2016, when, at age 17, she was critically injured in a terror attack at the Brussels airport. Suffering massive internal injuries, burns, a spinal cord injury and the amputation of both lower legs, she worked her way back into the saddle of her beloved mare, Delegada X. She has since become an accomplished para-dressage rider, competing in her first show in April 2017. As a member of U.S. Para Dressage Paralympic Team, de Lavalette represented her adopted home country at the Paralympic Games last summer in Tokyo aboard her mount Clarc.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 49

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REBECCA HART FACES OF DRESSAGE

Rebecca Hart was born with a progressive genetic disease that causes her muscles to waste away, but this disability hasn’t stopped her from becoming an elite dressage Paralympian. Hart, who has hereditary spastic paraplegia, has competed in Wellington and around the world, including four Paralympics and three World Equestrian Games. She won the bronze and silver medals at the 2018 WEG in Tryon. Hart, who lives year-round in Wellington, is a regular in the para-dressage classes at the AGDF. She frequently represents the United States at top para-dressage events, such as the Perrigo CPEDI3* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center last October.

Last month, Hart was on the team sent to compete at the CHI Doha in Qatar with her mount El Corona Texel.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 51

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KELLY LAYNE FACES OF DRESSAGE

Kelly Layne is an elite Australian dressage rider based out of Wellington who competes regularly at the AGDF. She is an international competitor with dozens of CDI starts at the Grand Prix level in Australia, Japan, Germany, Austria and here in the United States. Layne is the daughter of Helen Anstee, a Grand Prix rider, FEI judge and breeder of dressage horses. Her riding career started before she could walk, and by the time Layne was 12 years old, she was the Under 12 National Dressage Champion twice on two different horses. Layne rode in her first Grand Prix at age 18. She has worked with a number of top trainers, including Ulla Salzgeber. Layne represented her native Australia at the Tokyo Olympics and is back in action this winter in Wellington.

wellington the magazine | march 2022 53

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Paula Matute sporting the new Parlanti Evo Dressage ready-to-wear boots.

PHOTO BY GEORGIE HAMMOND/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

THE PERFECT FIT FOR EVERY OCCASION Wellington-Based Parlanti International Leads The Market For Show Jumping Boots And Is Expanding Into Dressage Products

BY LILY YAMPOLSKY

Walking the showgrounds anywhere in the world, riders can be seen wearing Parlanti boots at any level and in every discipline. After becoming a household name in Europe, Parlanti International brought its boots to North America.

Headed by President Francesco Iannelli and CEO Alan Greenstein, Parlan-

Parlanti’s Francesco Iannelli and Alan Greenstein.

PHOTO BY ALLYSON LAGIOVANE/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

ti continues to extend into all spheres of the equestrian community, making it the No. 1 show jumping boot in the sport.

Basing their headquarters in Wellington has given Parlanti International the opportunity to grow exponentially.With both a storefront in Wellington and a

booth at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Parlanti has become an integral part of Wellington’s renowned equestrian community and the village itself. Wellington is the epicenter of all equestrian disciplines during the winter months, giving the brand the ability to quickly integrate into the North American market. wellington the magazine | march 2022 55

Jessica Springsteen competes for Team USA in Tokyo wearing Parlanti boots.

PHOTO BY ANNAN HEPNER/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

“There’s no other city in the world that attracts so many riders,” Iannelli said. “You have three different disciplines from show jumping and hunters, to dressage and polo. Parlanti is very famous for hunter and show jumping boots, and now we are expanding into the dressage market as well.”

Parlanti International’s brand is a well-known name in nearly every hunter and jumper barn. Iannelli has headed the Parlanti brand for many years, starting in Italy and then expanding to all of Europe and Asia. Iannelli saw an opportunity in North America for Parlanti to expand further, and he spearheaded Parlanti International in 2015.

Greenstein and Ianelli joined forces in 2016, and with Greenstein’s vast business experience, they quickly made Parlanti the top show jumping boot in the sport. Greenstein’s daughter, Leah, competed on the Wellington equestrian circuit, while Greenstein and his wife owned a law firm in Palm Beach that represented many equestrian athletes, giving him both the industry and equestrian experience to help grow the Parlanti International brand.

“It has just been a great friendship and partnership with Francesco,” Greenstein said.“Francesco focuses mainly on the sales front, and I’m really focused on 56 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

the administrative and marketing side of the business. Our goal is to remain in the forefront of innovation and technology, resulting in the most comfortable and durable boot.”

Recently, Parlanti decided to expand its dressage offerings by creating the Evo ready-to-wear dressage boot, in addition to the company’s established custom and semi-custom dressage offerings.

Ridden in by top dressage athletes like Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Steffen Peters and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Kasey Perry-Glass, the Evo boot is quickly becoming a go-to for dressage riders across all levels. Peters likes the quality of Parlanti dressage boots.“They provide the best combination of comfort and rigid support for both the competition arena and daily training,”he said.

After more than a year in research, Parlanti International has taken the dressage world by storm in combining the tradition of a stiff dressage boot with the comfort the Parlanti brand is known for, culminating in the Evo ready-towear dressage boot. While Parlanti has specialized in the show jumping arena for more than 30 years, the creation of the new dressage boot is completely different than developing show jumping boots.

When producing a dressage stock boot, Iannelli explained the need to create a totally different fit and style than the show jumping models. “The legs, the muscle, the structure of the dressage rider’s boot is totally different from a jumper rider’s,” he said. “The fit is totally different.”

Established as a leader in the hunter/jumper circuit, Parlanti boots are being worn by the very best athletes on the hunter and jumper circuit.Twotime Olympian Kent Farrington, Tokyo silver medalist Jessica Springsteen, and world champion hunter rider and trainer Scott Stewart all choose the Parlanti International brand as their steadfast boots.

Top professionals trust that Parlanti boots will be made with the highest standards of craftsmanship and detail, while also enjoying the right-off-therack perfect fit. Parlanti boots are made to have virtually no break-in time, so riders can enjoy their new tall boots right away with no pain. Parlanti constantly experiments with new materials and technologies, so riders know they are getting the best possible boot design on the market.Athletes from pony divisions all the way to the international Grand Prix level feel confident in and trust Parlanti to manufacture tall boots with the best quality materials — from the leather, to the zipper, to the sole.

Generations of athletes recognize Parlanti International for its show jumping boots. With the addition of the new ready-to-wear dressage Evo boot, the firm is ready to dominate the dressage market as well. In 2022, Parlanti will continue to research new technology and styles, while keeping the traditional look of the beloved tall boot. Parlanti is perfectly situated to remain as the preferred choice for top athletes around the world, no matter the discipline.

For additional information about Parlanti International products, visit www.parlantiinternational.com.

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NEXT LEVEL PERFORMANCE CENTER

Boarding horses enjoy Roewer & Rueb stalls with Nelson automatic waterers at the Next Level Performance Center.

Newly Constructed World-Class Dressage And Jumper Facility Is Now Open STORY BY CASSIDY KLEIN | PHOTOS BY OLIVIA AIRHART/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

A newly constructed, world-class facility, Next Level Performance Center was established in June 2020 with the intention of providing a top-notch establishment for athletes of the dressage and jumper disciplines.

The training and boarding facility provides a boutique environment to a select number of dressage and show jumping clientele with a luxury European experience.The team behind Next Level designed the state-of-the-art facility with the latest amenities for the everyday professional rider in mind.

The newly built facility is located in the horse-centric community of Davie, on the outskirts of Miami. This prominent location provides easy access to those flying in and out of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

and is a short drive to Wellington. With many cutting-edge amenities, Next Level aims to provide services to clientele all over South Florida.

The founders of Next Level Performance Center chose the location due to the welcoming horse community in the western Broward County area, along with easy access to the airports, so clients can easily fly in to buy a horse or even just to ride. Its location between Wellington and Miami gives clients easy access to both the horse world and city life.

Next Level sets the bar high with its offering of premier care, boarding, rehab and training at the new facility, made up of 32 Roewer & Rueb stalls offered to

top horses and competitive riders. All 32 stalls are spacious and fully equipped with cameras for 24-hour monitoring of every horse. Each stall also has Nelson automatic waterers to monitor each horse’s water consumption, while 16 of the stalls include a runout.

The facility was also built to accommodate stallions, providing them with special stalls and turnout. All 12 paddocks at the Davie location contain permanent concrete run-in sheds fully equipped with fans for the warmer summer days. wellington the magazine | march 2022 59

Next Level Performance Center dressage prospect Sonata MF, enjoying life in Davie.

The indoor and outdoor arenas contain premier footing and an innovative underground drainage system specifically designed to withstand the six-month rainy season in South Florida.

With access to some of the world’s

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top international trainers, Next Level clients will have full access to unprecedented education and knowledge. In addition to an impressive lineup of talented in-house staff, Next Level Performance Center has partnered with

renowned dressage trainer Austin Webster, and top Brazilian show jumper and World Equestrian Games rider Celso Luis Camargo Ariani, to provide its dressage and show jumping clientele with the best training opportunities.

Next Generation’s founders understand that show jumping is a huge industry all across the world, especially in the United States. They have also noticed that dressage is starting to take off like show jumping and decided to merge the two disciplines under one umbrella so that everyone’s needs are met in one place.

Offering an all-inclusive experience, Next Level Performance Center will house a private rehabilitation center that will offer multiple amenities, including hydrotherapy, electromagnetic therapy, a dry treadmill, and both indoor and outdoor walkers. The hydrotherapy includes a sea salt water spa and an AquaTred, which is an underwater treadmill

renowned for its ability to rehabilitate and condition horses without additional stress being added to their joints.

Not only does the Next Level Performance Center offer on-site exercise and training equipment for clients and their mounts, the Davie facility is uniquely located just a five-minute ride away from renowned Vista View Park. Vista View Park has more than 70 miles of trails and rolling hills perfect for horses.

As one of the highest elevations in South Florida,Vista View Park is a highly sought-after destination for conditioning and training horses. This is known to help horses mentally, as they are able to get outside of the ring and enjoy the beautiful trails, which are very safe, offer a great view and have amazing footing.

The professionals at Next Level Performance Center also operate a worldclass sales program featuring some of the top up-and-coming, young dressage and show jumping prospects in the United States. They are currently developing two top dressage prospects, Sonata MF, a 6-year-old mare by Sir Donnerhall out of EM Duet MF, and Dreamgirl, a 4-year-old mare by Dreamline out of EM Duet MF. They are also currently working with the talented up-and-com-

The founders of Next Level Performance Center chose the location due to the welcoming horse community in the western Broward County area, along with easy access to the airports, so clients can easily fly in to buy a horse or even just to ride. Its location between Wellington and Miami gives clients easy access to both the horse world and city life. ing show jumping prospect, Pacha Van Het Costersveld, a 7-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Casall out of Kornetta D’Heyboght.

The owners aim for Next Level Performance Center to be known for the highest standards of quality sportsmanship and are seeking clients who enjoy their discipline and want to take their riding to the “next level.”

Learn more about the Next Level Performance Center at www.nlpc.co.

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Mary DiMarco Miller Realtor/Associate (561) 324-6175 mary@marymiller.net www.marymiller.net wellington the magazine | march 2022 61

CALLING ALL AXE THROWERS!

(Above) There are 10 throwing stations at Seven Axes. (Below) Seven Axes owner Laura Delgado with her daughter Bianca.

Seven Axes Brings The Unique Sport Of Axe Throwing To The Wellington Area STORY BY MIKE MAY | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA

You can now add a new activity to the diverse list of sporting, athletic and recreational interests in the Wellington area. In addition to the many equestrian sports, team sports, individual sports, recreational endeavors and fitness activities that are popular here, the newest activity to hit the western communities is axe throwing!

Yes, people are having fun throwing axes. Fortunately, they are being thrown at wooden targets and not people.

If you visit Seven Axes in the Marketplace at Wycliffe, which opened in midNovember, you’ll be able to practice and

hone your axe-throwing skills on a regular basis. It is the place to go if you want to have some target-shooting fun with a small axe or hatchet.

The owner of Seven Axes is not who you expect it might be. It’s a 45-year-old single mother without a long history as an axe thrower. In fact, her professional experience is in the world of education.

Her name is Laura Delgado, and she’s thrilled to be in the fast-growing, axethrowing business.

“I work in the early learning education field. A couple of years ago, while traveling across the country looking at

preschool investments, I kept seeing axe-throwing venues,” recalled Delgado, who is also the vice president of curriculum and professional development for Learning Beyond Paper in West Palm Beach.“One day, curiosity got the better of me. wellington the magazine | march 2022 63

Axe throwing is an exciting sport for people of all ages.

That’s when she first went into an axe-throwing establishment.

“It was a lot of fun!” she said.“I took my daughter, and she loved it as well. I then started looking at this from a business perspective and thought it would be well-received in the Wellington and western communities area.There aren’t many options for active entertainment — and 90 percent of our customers make a similar comment and have thanked us for opening in this area.”

For Delgado and her new business, the number of potential clients is quite large, which helps the bottom line.

“We require that all throwers be at least six years old,” said Delgado, currently an intermediate axe thrower who is improving every day. “There are no other requirements. This sport is very inclusive of all heights, weights, genders, abilities and skill levels. We have seen people in their 90s, people in wheelchairs, as young as six years old, and everyone in between successfully throw hatchets. It’s a very inclusive sport.”

To expand its reach, Delgado started a series of youth clinics in December.

And there are now a number of seniors taking regular trips during the week to Seven Axes. They take part in a new senior citizen league called the Silver Axes.

Normally, Seven Axes is open Thursday through Saturday to the general public. Tuesday and Sunday nights are set aside for league competition. For the winter season, Delgado also will be 64 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

opening her doors to the general public on Mondays, while Wednesdays are by appointment only.

While nearly everyone who walks in the door is allowed to throw an axe, the vast majority of customers have little or no experience in throwing these sharp objects. Delgado bridges that gap.

“We’re all about safety,” said Delgado, whose business is an officially sanctioned affiliate of the World Axe Throwing League (WATL), which is based in Canada. “We have six qualified coaches on staff who provide instructions on how to grip and safely throw an axe.

Our coaches are very hands-on and present with each group of participants.

The key to success in axe throwing is mental focus and not strength.Axes can be thrown with one hand or two. I think axe throwing is a great stress reliever.”

The coaches at Seven Axes have been professionally trained by two-time world axe-throwing champion Miguel Tamburini.

Two of the safety rules which are strictly enforced focus on footwear and form. Customers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and to not take trick shots with axes. Flip flops and sandals must be left at home when you visit Seven Axes.

At Seven Axes, there are 10 axethrowing stations where the action takes place.The targets are circular and made of poplar, which is a soft wood.There are points attached to each target, similar

to what you would see while shooting a bow and arrow. With each axe throw, you can get up to eight points. If you hit the red bullseye in the middle of the target, you get six points. If you hit one of the two circular targets, known as either the “kill shot” or the “clutch,” you get eight points, but you must declare your intention to hit them before you throw the axe. When you compete against an opponent, you get 10 axe throws each.

The winner is the person with the most points.A game can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

One of the great, unexpected benefits of Seven Axes’ location is its nextdoor neighbor, Hurricane Grill & Wings.

According to Delgado, Hurricane Grill sends its customers next door to have fun throwing axes, while food and drink specials are offered by Hurricane Grill to the clientele who visit Seven Axes.

When you walk in the door at Seven Axes, the charge is simple and reasonable. It’s $25 per hour, per customer.And just like at a restaurant, Delgado’s team of coaches willingly accept tips for their time, teaching and tutelage.

So, why is this business called Seven Axes? It’s simple, really.“Seven is a lucky and spiritual number for me,” Delgado said.

If you are curious about Seven Axes, visit www.sevenaxes.com and follow its growth and popularity on social media @sevenaxespb on Facebook and Instagram. Seven Axes is also a great place to visit if you like artwork, as the artistic creations of artist Nelson Perez adorn the walls and are for sale.

Are you ready to join the growing number of people who are having fun throwing axes? If so, plan your visit today.

Seven Axes is located at 4075 S. State Road 7 in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at the northwest corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7. For more information, call (561) 420-7552 or visit www.sevenaxes.com.

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PALM BEACH MEETS NEW YORK CITY Maxwell’s Plum Restaurant Brings A Piece Of History To Life In Wellington STORY BY JENNIFER MARTINEZ | PHOTOS BY LIBBY VOLGYES

Wellington just got a little sexier with the opening of Maxwell’s Plum, a new restaurant on South Shore Blvd. The vibe: think Palm Beach meets New York City.The food: tantalizing tapas, a delectable raw bar and entrée options for every taste. The cocktails: handcrafted, thoughtful and always craveable. And, of course, an entertainment lineup that

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has already solidified its place on the social scene.

“We are excited to have opened with season here in Wellington,” owner Jenny Oz LeRoy said. “I grew up in the original Maxwell’s Plum and loved what the restaurant meant to so many.

In day-to-day travels, we always hear the most incredible stories from those who

visited. It became a dream of mine to open a new Maxwell’s Plum, and what better place than Wellington?”

LeRoy, the great-granddaughter of Jack Warner, a legendary Hollywood director, producer and one of the founders of the film studio Warner Brothers, spent her youth in New York City’s iconic Tavern on the Green, the Rus-

wellington | table

sian Tea Room and the original Maxwell’s Plum, all of which her parents Kay and Warner LeRoy owned and operated. And, her middle name, that is no accident. With a life of adventure and excitement, it was only fitting to incorporate a little of her grandfather’s heroine, Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz. In this new venture, LeRoy, an avid equestrian who has been visiting and competing in Wellington since 2001, and her team have captured the original New York City restaurant vibe while crafting a new dining experience. The focus was a marriage of creating a destination for locals and knowing the importance of events that complement Wellington’s equestrian season.

The restaurant has quickly become a must-visit for world travelers and, yearround, South Florida residents. Aside from the weekly drag nights and polo after parties, the culinary team has designed a menu of locally sourced ingredients presented among impeccable tablescapes.

The menu already has standout favorites, including the house-made chips and Truffled French Onion Dip; Steak Tartare with wagyu terres major, smoked egg yolk, traditional garnish and crostini; and Whole Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with olives, capers and

(Clockwise from top left) Prince’s Pear is one of the unique signature cocktails at Maxwell’s Plum; Deviled Eggs with herbs, jalapeño and trout roe can be found on the snack menu; the Bavette Steak is one of the restaurant’s signature steaks; enjoy a Grasshopper cocktail at the bar; Maxwell’s Hummus is a popular choice on the appetizer menu; the Ora King Salmon is served with a miso glaze; Roasted Bone Marrow is a unique appetizer available at Maxwell’s Plum; Wagyu Steak Tartare is served with smoked egg yolk, red onion, capers, dijon mustard and crostini; there are several pizza choices, such as the White Pie with wild mushrooms and farm egg; featured cocktails include Take Me to Tulum and Velvet Brown; Mac & Cheese is one of the popular side items; Whole Roasted Yellowtail Snapper is one of the house creations; WoodRoasted Carrots is among the choice of sides; and Hamachi Crudo is on the appetizer menu. wellington the magazine | march 2022 67

Like its New York City namesake, Maxwell’s Plum features a unique decor all its own.

lemon confit. Pizzas, steaks, chops and a full raw bar round out the menu.

Leading the beverage program is Christian Hartmann, who hand selects each and every ingredient being served in the cocktails. While his talents speak for themselves, it is his warm and en-

ergetic personality that puts guests at ease while encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones to try new cocktails. His hand-curated wine list is not to be missed, nor is the Rosé Café, which will soon feature a drive-through option.

Just as important as what is being served, is the setting. As the original Maxwell’s Plum was known for being a showcase filled with Art Nouveau decor, kaleidoscopic stained-glass ceilings and walls, Tiffany lamps, ceramic animals, etched glass and crystal, LeRoy knew that opening a new location without several pieces of art from the original location would be a miss. Using her stylistic eye, she was able to incorporate pieces into the new look, while keeping that fresh, South Florida feel.

“My dad was very theatrical and larger than life in his trademark paisley suits. Maxwell’s Plum is where he met my mom and basically where I grew up,” said LeRoy, who noted that the family’s popular restaurant was once serving an average 1,200 customers a day.

“He hand-selected so many of the décor pieces, and I wanted to honor him by bringing them here.”

Following her father’s passing in

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wellington | table 2001, LeRoy successfully managed Tavern on the Green until 2009 when she married two of her biggest passions — horses and events. She founded Shale Hill Hospitality and turned her 82-acre Hudson Valley working horse farm into a magical wedding and unique event venue specializing in outdoor dining.

That experience is the perfect addition to the offerings of Maxwell’s Plum’s off-site catering and experiences, which can be brought to life from Wellington to Palm Beach and everywhere in between and beyond.

“My father often quoted director Elia Kazan, who told him,‘You’ve got to go out on a limb, and if you don’t fall off the limb, you haven’t gone out far enough.’ I’ve remembered this at the start of every new challenge,” said LeRoy, whose love of horses also led her to Wellington, where she continues to offer private events to clients both on and off-site.

Maxwell’s Plum features a fully stocked bar with an array of signature cocktails.

Maxwell’s Plum is currently serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday, beginning at 5 p.m. Happy hour/social hour is 5 to 7 p.m. daily, and special nightly events happen weekly. Stay tuned for lunch and brunch service coming soon.

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Maxwell’s Plum is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington’s Mizner Place plaza. To learn more, call (561) 793-2110. For up-to-date information, visit www.maxwellsplum. com and follow @maxwellsplum for updates.

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wellington the magazine | march 2022 69

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wellington | health Chiropractor Dr. Randall Laurich (back) with Wellington Experience team members (L-R) chiropractor Dr. Hart Collier, physician of acupuncture Sabine Clarke, front desk assistant Jeannie Forney, office manager Melanie Gratton and office administrator Nicolle Wax.

QUALITY CARE IN A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE The Wellness Experience Is A One-Stop Shop For All Things Health And Wellness STORY AND PHOTOS BY SYDNEY JONES

No one lives a 100 percent healthy life.

Regardless of how well you take care of yourself, injuries and illness will eventually find you. Every profession and lifestyle present their own effects on your overall health and wellness.Therefore, it is important that you know where to go when problems arise.

With a vision that started more than 20 years ago, Dr. Randall Laurich has fostered the development of a healthcare facility that doesn’t just appeal to one kind of client. He understood that overall health and wellness is the key to living a quality life. The Wellness Experience was born with the intention of

combining traditional chiropractic principles with up-to-date technology to give his patients the best overall results.

“I wanted to build a home for both practitioners and patients that provided quality care, a positive atmosphere and a place to feel comfortable,” Laurich explained. wellington the magazine | march 2022 71

wellington | health

“Our hope is that each patient receives the best outcome in regard to their health, experience true care by compassionate providers, and truly have a Wellness Experience.”

— Dr. Randall Laurich

Dr. Randall Laurich has more than 24 years of professional chiropractic experience.

After graduating from the Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in 1998, Laurich dove headfirst into his chiropractic career, opening his first Wellness Experience location in Boca Raton in 2001. It was there that he grew his business from the ground up, acquiring new clients and offering a variety of services to appeal to a wide variety of patients.

After five years of sustained success, he opened his second office in Wellington. After operating between both offices for two years, Laurich decided to close the Boca Raton office and make Wellington his primary location to dedicate his services entirely to the local community.

“I knew back in the seventh grade that I wanted to be a chiropractor,” Laurich recalled. “I saw the benefits early on with my own health, by recovering from sports injuries faster under chiropractic care. It’s through these personal experiences throughout my youth, coupled with 24 years of professional experience, that has given me the ability to help people reach their healthcare goals and help improve their quality of life.”

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Taking his expertise and education a step further, Laurich structured the Wellness Experience franchise model and formulated a chiropractic coaching program called “Chiropractic Adventures.” With a heart for giving and helping people achieve their healthiest selves, he helped to create the Medical, Health and Wellness Committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

He currently serves as a trustee on the chamber’s President’s Circle, after previously serving on the board of directors for five years, as well as the president for the 2014-15 term. In 2021, he was nominated as “Man of the Year” by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society after raising more than $100,000 from 2012-18 as an administrative volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Starting off 2022 with a new and improved office space, Laurich is accompanied by chiropractor Dr. Hart Collier and Physician of Acupuncture Sabine Clarke. Together, they offer chiropractic

services, therapy services, acupuncture services and even fitness recommendations through their partnerships with various local gyms throughout the area.

The Wellness Experience wants to offer as much as possible to promote their clients’ overall well-being.

“Our hope is that each patient receives the best outcome in regard to their health, experience true care by compassionate providers, and truly have a Wellness Experience,” Laurich said.

Whether you’re a current or former athlete, have those pesky aches and pains from a lifetime’s worth of work, or just need routine adjustments to feel your best, Dr. Randall Laurich and his team at the Wellness Experience can provide you with everything you need to live life to the fullest.

The Wellness Experience is located at 1400 Corporate Center Way, Suite 120, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 333-5351 or visit www. wellness-experience.com.

The Wellness Experience started 2022 with a new and improved office space.

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wellington | real estate

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Front Elevation: Four-bedroom owner’s residence with pool. wellington the magazine | march 2022 75

wellington | real estate

Wellington Equestrian Property Presented By Matt Johnson

Meet Matt Johnson Consistently, year after year, Matt Johnson has been one of Wellington’s topproducing agents representing some of the community’s finest luxury estates and equestrian properties, closing over $150 million in sales in the past 24 months.

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Along with the traditional sales approach, Johnson has a proven track record of success with luxury real estate auctions with some of the village’s most prestigious properties. Johnson has been a Wellington resident for 30 years and has been selling Wellington successfully for almost 25 years.

A competitive equestrian himself, Johnson has risen to the pinnacle of top real estate advisors worldwide at the international firm of Engel & Völkers, and this month will be honored with an award at the firm’s annual convention being held in Las Vegas.

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wellington | schools

HELPING STUDENTS CHANGE THE WORLD Palm Beach Central High School’s Darren Edgecomb Keeps His Eye On The Next Generation STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY | PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

Palm Beach Central High School became the second public high school serving Wellington when it opened in August 2003 on the north side of Forest Hill Blvd. at Lyons Road. For the past eight years, the principal has been Darren Edgecomb, a longtime Palm Beach County educator.

Having graduated from Belle Glade High School in the top five percent of his class and fresh from the University of Florida with a degree in business, Edgecomb took a job as assistant manager of the same grocery store that he had worked at as a teenager. Except this time, he was the one hiring teenagers — as cashiers, bagboys and stock crew.The year was 1987.

“I knew their parents and older siblings, and it was pretty cool talking to kids — who were doing the same things I used to do — about interviewing techniques and the management side of things,” Edgecomb recalled.

“Then one day, Mr. Antoine Russell came into the shop. He was an educa-

Principal Darren Edgecomb stands in front of Palm Beach Central High School, home of the Broncos.

tor, and he was about to become the principal of a new alternative school, School of Choice, opening up in Pahokee. He saw how I enjoyed teaching the teens, and he suggested I transition into teaching. He was my mentor.”

Although School of Choice was late in opening due to construction delays, Edgecomb was eager to begin his teaching career.

“I began subbing at Rosenwald Elementary School in South Bay, work-

ing with seven-year-olds and wondering what I had gotten myself into. But I loved it and, when School of Choice finally opened, I took a job there, teaching math to grades 6 through 12. Eight years later, I tried to spread my wings,” Edgecomb said. “I had been fortunate enough to have just been selected as Math Teacher of the Year for Secondary Education, and that made me feel as if could take more of a risk, move out of my comfort zone.” wellington the magazine | march 2022

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wellington | schools

Principal Darren Edgecomb works at his desk at Palm Beach Central High School.

Edgecomb was hired at Okeeheelee Middle School, then led by Chuck Shaw, who later went on to serve on the Palm Beach County School Board.

“He gave me lots of leadership opportunities,” Edgecomb recalled. “He appointed me as a team leader — someone who rotates in as an assistant principal when an assistant principal is out — and I found I enjoyed working with adults at the same time I was working with kids. This was an opportunity to ‘sit in the chair,’ and the chair felt good.”

Edgecomb’s next stop was Royal Palm Beach High School.“I still enjoyed teaching, and I taught math there for another eight years — algebra to calculus. I loved every second of it. Then, the last year I was there, I had an opportunity to serve in a similar role as a team leader at the high school level. I got my master’s degree in educational leadership alongside my wife, Linda. I finished the admin program required by the County and then secured an assistant principal position at Seminole Ridge High School, just as it was opening up,” he said.

Edgecomb has a wealth of experience working in brand-new schools.

School of Choice, Okeeheelee, RPBHS 78 march 2022 | wellington the magazine

and SRHS were all opening their doors for the first time when Edgecomb arrived.

After working at Seminole Ridge for four years, he served as principal of Turning Point Academy, another alternative education school, for two years.

Then it was back to Belle Glade as principal at Gove Elementary School.

“It was a blast,” Edgecomb said. “It was a dual language school, and it was also the school my own kids attended; where my wife was a former teacher. I knew all my co-workers.”

After spending three years at Gove, Edgecomb became principal at Palm Beach Central. His eight years there has brought him to a running total of 34 years with the School District of Palm Beach County.

“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “The late Antoine Russell ignited my passion, set the fuses and gave me the motivation in the community I grew up in. He talked about being a role model for young men. He made it intriguing.

But my faith is definitely the biggest influence in my life. I’m an educator, and I see it almost as being in the missionary field. Educators bring hope and answers to kids who need them.

I take it very seriously. We’re the great-

est impact on their futures that these kids have.”

Next to his faith, Edgecomb cites his wife, Linda, as his biggest inspiration.

She is the principal at Golden Grove Elementary School in The Acreage.

“I’ve been in education for 34 years and married for 34 years. We grew up together. She was my high school sweetheart. We talk every day. We’re still just as passionate about what we do, and we bounce ideas off each other,” Edgecomb said. “The greatest challenge I face is working with the kids, but that has always been the fun part, the motivating part. I also work to find the perfect mesh of how to motivate the adults. In all my experience, I’ve discovered that the way people are motivated is totally different. How can I make them each feel validated?”

At the high school level, the expectations are high, and the students are mini-adults. “It’s a delicate balance of pressure and support to get the best out of teachers for the sake of the kids, while also acknowledging that they’re the ones on the front lines, doing the heavy lifting,” he said.

The “culture” of a school is something Edgecomb studies and works to perfect.“For me, the biggest success is putting your brand on the school,” he said. “Culture translates into student success. When you have a great culture, people will run through a wall for you. That said, having been through so many places, the commonality I have found is that memories and relationships are what last. Testing, standards and classwork aside, I feel successful when I’ve achieved relationships with people.That is my greatest reward.”

Academically, Edgecomb is proud of the fact that Palm Beach Central has an A rating from the state and that graduation rates went up 2.6 percent to 97 percent despite the difficulties of the pandemic.

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wellington | schools “I’m really thrilled about that, and the credit goes to our amazing teachers and staff members. The greatest thing about Palm Beach Central is that we’re a microcosm of society,” he said.

“It’s one of the more diverse schools I’ve worked at — a tapestry of many cultures. Our almost 2,900 students are 20 percent Black; 41 percent Hispanic; 31 percent White; 14 percent of our students have disabilities; 6 percent are English Language Learners.

And, even though we’re in Wellington, 56 percent receive free or reducedprice lunches. Despite that, we have a 97 percent graduation rate. Our diversity is our strength. We learn from being around other cultures. We try to connect with, include and accept everyone while still having high expectations for every student.”

He’s also proud of the school’s extra-curriculars, such as the football team that was undefeated this season going two games into the playoffs.

“In addition, there’s student government, the arts, a plethora of activities,” Edgecomb said. “There’s always something going on at the school, day and night. Our students are philanthropic.

They give back to society. Right now, they’re planning a dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Pre-pandemic, they raised more than $100,000. The students are wonderful; the teachers are skilled; and the parents are super supportive.

Edgecomb has watched students evolve over the course of his 34-year career.

“Since 1988, when I started, I’ve seen many changes,” he said. “The most pronounced and obvious is the technology. It has changed how we teach and how they receive information. To capture today’s kids’ attention,

you need more tools in your tool belt.

And they don’t see the teacher as the person with all the answers like I did growing up. The kids want to know the ‘why’ behind everything. Everything has to be proven.”

In this way, the teacher is now more of a guide and facilitator who leads kids to the answers. “Before, teachers just told them how to do it and whether they were right or wrong,” he explained.

Professionally, Edgecomb would like to see Palm Beach Central “continuing to ride the wave of the momentum of student achievement” well into the future.

Personally, he feels blessed as a successful family man.

“My faith and family are the most important things to me,” he said. “I am blessed to have a wife with a similar career, and two daughters working in our schools. Danielle is teaching prekindergarten and Kamille is providing mental health support at the elementary level.”

Whether at home or at work, Edgecomb seeks to provide a living example of the value of a good education.“I tell my students,‘Go change the world with the knowledge and opportunities you’ve had here at Palm Beach Central,’” he said.

Palm Beach Central is the third recipient of the “Our Schools” Arts Program Grant 2022, a new Wellington Community Foundation initiative.

Shown below is Palm Beach Central Activities Coordinator Gail Marshall with the check.

This year, the Wellington Community Foundation will be delivering a $1,000 grant to each of the 11 schools in Wellington to specifically support the arts program.

For more information on this project, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

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