The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
August 19 - August 25, 2011
Page 35
SPORTS & RECREATION
Big Improvements Made To Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Wellington Classic Dressage is gearing up for its 2012 show season at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, and major improvements to the center will mean that no matter the weather, the show will go on. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, a Palm Beach County’s Parks & Recreation facility, has been host to dressage and other equestrian events for the past six years. The facility has undergone major improvements this summer including landscaping and beautification, but more importantly footing. The FEI rings and warm-ups have new footing, and an additional $100,000 was spent on a state-ofthe-art drainage system in the show arenas and barns. The new footing is courtesy of Wellington Classic Dressage, said Joan Hutchinson, facility manager at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. “And we’re grateful for that,” she said. “Those footing improvements were paid for by Wellington Classic and yet it benefits everyone, not just dressage riders.” The new drainage system was covered by Palm Beach County, and Hutchinson said that while it’s one of those vitally important improvements, it’s also not one that is easily
noticed. “When it floods, people notice that, but the idea here is that neither the rings nor the barn will flood, and people don’t usually notice an improvement that’s good,” she said. Noreen O’Sullivan, managing partner for Wellington Classic Dressage and president of Gold Coast Dressage Association, agreed. “Florida is in a tropical climate and is subject to heavy rainstorms at times, so although we can’t control the weather, it’s great that we have such a great system in place,” she said. Wellington Classic Dressage and Gold Coast Dressage hosts shows year -round at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The Wellington Classic Dressage Series again will host the Palm Beach leg of the World Dressage Masters CDI5* presented by Axel Johnson Group at the center. The World Dressage Masters is one of the richest dressage series internationally, with each show boasting over 100,000 Euros in prize money. The WDM Palm Beach will take place during the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3* on Jan. 26-29, 2012 with the Interna-
tional Polo Club Palm Beach as presenting sponsor. Wellington Classic Dressage does much more for the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center than contribute new footing, Hutchinson said. “Dressage brings a lot to our facility,” she said. “Not only does it contribute to our overall budget, but it has increased our profile. Most facilities are struggling right now, but the fact that dressage has embraced us with so many shows helps increase the visibility of the Jim Brandon Center. Dressage has made us better known to the entire equestrian community.” O’Sullivan noted that admission is free to the public for most events. “We also try to really work with Jim Brandon’s management to make this one of the best competitor and community-friendly facilities for all of its users,” she said. Hutchinson said Wellington Classic Dressage not only draws a tremendous following of spectators and competitors, but the show series management has also done an excellent job of marketing its shows, which has given the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center some added publicity. “They do the work of letting peo-
ple know that we are here,” she said. For more information about upcoming shows, call (561) 227-1570
or visit www.wellingtonclassic dressage.com, www.gcdafl.org or www.ihspb.com.
The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center has undergone major improvements to its footing and landscaping this summer.