Winter Equestrian Festival
The Winter Equestrian Festival is the largest and longest-running circuit in the horse sport industry. The 12-week schedule offers a variety of competition for all ages and experience levels in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Beginning in January and concluding in April, WEF sees riders from more than 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states, competing for nearly $10 million in prize money. Simply put, there is a reason that it has been named the world’s premier winter equestrian event.
But WEF is not just an exceptional competition hub. It also provides many activities outside of the show ring throughout its 12 weeks. From shopping and casual dining, to exhilarating entertainment and educational opportunities, WEF offers a unique experience for all those who come to visit. Looking to purchase a new outfit for your night out on the town? Hoping to find the perfect birthday present for your nonequestrian boyfriend? Maybe you just need a new pair of boot socks. Whatever you are searching for, you’ll find it within the WEF shopping boutiques. More than 100 vendors occupy the show grounds each week, offering a wide variety of products, styles and sizes, spread across several locations at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Vendor Village hosts the majority of vendors in the center of the grounds. Be sure to also check out the boutiques located by the International Arena. Both areas have shopping that caters to equestrian and non-equestrian needs and range from luxury products to inexpensive merchandise. For those looking to commemorate their visit to the show grounds, the WEF Boutique offers clothing, posters and souvenirs with the popular WEF logo. wellington the magazine | february 2018
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