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World’s Top Equestrians Return To Wellington For The 38th Annual Winter Equestrian Festival

World’s Top Equestrians Return To Wellington For The 38th Annual Winter Equestrian Festival

The 38th annual Winter Equestrian Festival has returned to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington for 12 weeks of world-class equestrian competition. The largest and longest-running equestrian circuit in the world, WEF awards more than $9 million in prize money and offers unrivaled opportunities for international show jumpers to earn valuable FEI World Ranking points.

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is home to the season’s major events. It encompasses a total of 500 acres, with competition rings alone covering more than 80 acres. PBIEC has two core facilities containing 18 competition arenas, including a grass jumping field and the largest covered arena in the world.

Making the event unique, WEF hosts more than 70 different divisions for competitors of every level, from leadline to Olympic-level show jumping. Children, juniors, adults, amateurs and professional riders of every age, from 43 countries and all 50 states, bring more than 6,500 horses and ponies to participate in events throughout the winter season. With so many opportunities to compete during the 12-week circuit, WEF provides valuable education and experience for every horse and rider, making Wellington the world’s most popular winter equestrian destination.

Georgina Bloomberg, the No. 8 rider in the Rolex/United States Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Ranking List, has been coming to Wellington since she was junior rider. She enjoys being based in Wellington for the winter in order to enhance her riding and her horses’ education. Having horses at all levels, the Winter Equestrian Festival gives her a chance to improve them all.

Bloomberg is competing with two young horses at WEF this year. Both are 6 years old and are homebreds where Bloomberg rode both their dam (mother) and sire (father). “It’s great to have many classes each week for them to keep getting the experience of competing in the show ring,” she explained. “It really shows how much they develop over the months.”

While young horses are the future, Bloomberg is excited to compete with her top-level horses at WEF against the best in the world.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday Night Lights. I love being in the spotlight and the feeling of pulling off a clear round in front of the crowd that comes to watch,” she said. “WEF is the hardest competition in the world because you not only deal with the best riders, but also the biggest numbers. You are riding against good riders, and a lot of them. You have to be on your game every class if you want to win. There are no easy wins at WEF.”

The extended amount of time that horses and riders spend at WEF can be a benefit to both, Bloomberg added.

“You get a chance to develop yourself as a rider and work on your relationship with your horses,” she said. “We travel so much, and when we are at other shows, we can usually only bring a few horses. To be able to ride and compete all of your horses every week, like at WEF, is rare and gives you more time with them.”

Top international show jumper Lauren Hough calls Wellington home but spends much of her year traveling to compete around the world. She also enjoys the opportunity to show in one location throughout the winter months, taking advantage of the 12-week circuit to develop her young horses, while also competing her more experienced horses in grand prix competition.

“Wellington is home for me, so it is always nice to be in one place, and not have to pack a bag,” Hough said. “Florida is great for developing the young ones, and, obviously, it is top-level competition at the five-stars. There is a place for all of the horses to develop and showcase the best ones at the highest levels of competition.”

Between Hough and her three students, the circuit is going to be busy, with 18 to 20 horses showing.

“I will be bringing along a new group of young horses,” Hough said. “My top horses won’t start until a little bit later, as I am still competing in Europe until the start of the circuit. My students will get going early on. We are all very excited for a new year, and Florida is always a nice way to start it off.”

Oliver Kennedy is another familiar face (and voice) of the WEF circuit each year, serving as an international judge and ring announcer, as well as bringing horses and riders to Wellington from his family’s ESP Farm in Maryland, where his wife Rachel is head trainer.

“This is my 12th year in Wellington working at WEF,” Kennedy said. “It is always fun for me to work at WEF because the quality of the horses and riders is so high. The competition is some of the best we see all year long.”

Spending time in Wellington is always special, he added.

“What is fun for my family is that I can come down and work either judging or announcing all winter long, and my wife Rachel can bring the whole barn and all of the clients down for the winter season,” Kennedy said. “We always have great circuits in Wellington, and we have riders showing in the Low Adult Hunters, all the way up to the big jumpers.”

While trainers from across the country and around the world bring their students to train and compete at every level of WEF competition, the world’s best riders have unparalleled opportunities to participate in top competitions in Wellington.

Highlights of the 2017 WEF circuit include four weeks of CSI5* competition. The five-star grand prix events will be featured on Saturday nights, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 11 and March 25. The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5*, previously held in the 12th and final week of competition, has been moved to Week 11 this season.

An international fan favorite, the popular $150,000 Nations Cup, returns during Week 8 of CSIO 4* competition, where teams represent their countries over two rounds of competition to see which nation is best. A fantastic night of sport and fun at PBIEC, the exciting event brings horses and riders from around the globe to compete on Wellington’s international stage on Friday, March 3.

As always, several events are taking place on the grass jumping field at the PBIEC Stadium this season. Two of the big events scheduled for the derby field this year include the $216,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 4* on Sunday, Feb. 5 and the $50,000 USJHA International Hunter Derby to conclude the circuit on Sunday, April 2.

The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series returns in 2017 with events hosted both on the Stadium’s grass jumping field and in the main International Arena at PBIEC. The annual series features great prize money and more opportunities for international riders to earn valuable world ranking points.

While the established show jumpers take on the major grand prix events throughout the circuit, the Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series returns this year, offering opportunities for up-and-coming grand prix competitors to gain valuable experience as well.

Thanks to new title sponsor Hollow Creek Farm, the U25 series will offer 10 events throughout the circuit, totaling $215,000 in prize money and giving young riders a valuable steppingstone from the junior and amateur ranks to the grand prix level.

Another highlight is the eighth annual Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, which returns to WEF on Saturday, Feb. 4, with professional and amateur riders competing to raise money for a good cause. To date, the event has distributed more than $9.2 million to more than 200 nonprofits in Palm Beach County. This year, the Great Charity Challenge has a minimum fundraising goal of $1.5 million to add to its already incredible fundraising amount, surpassing the $10 million milestone.

Hot off an Olympic year, many of the world’s best will return to utilize the WEF circuit as an important part of their seasonal training. The Winter Equestrian Festival has proven to be a valuable training ground for both riders and horses at different points in their careers, especially in championship years.

Equestrian Sport Productions looks forward to welcoming international competitors to Wellington for another fantastic season. Don’t miss all of the fun and excitement at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival. To learn more, visit www.pbiec.com.

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Feature Stories

Sponsors Continue To Make WEF

Sponsors Continue To Make WEF

One Of The Best Shows In The World

The success of the Winter Equestrian Festival would not be possible without the dedication and generosity of many wonderful supporters.

An iconic sponsor of equestrian sport since 1957, Rolex stepped up to become the “Official Timepiece” of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in 2014 and has since taken competition at WEF and PBIEC to the next level.

Rolex is the title sponsor of the Week 11 CSI 5* competition this year on March 22-26. An important change to the schedule in 2017 will see the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* featured in Week 11 on Saturday, March 25.

Of course, there is plenty of action before then. As the 12-week circuit began, WEF Week 1 kicked off Jan. 11 thanks to title sponsor Wellington Regional Medical Center, which also served as the presenting sponsor of the always popular $75,000 Battle of the Sexes. Week 1 then hosted the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden Grand Prix on Sunday, Jan. 15.

International competition began with Week 2’s CSI 2*, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, which ran from Jan. 18 to 22. They presented the $86,000 Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is a longtime supporter of the Winter Equestrian Festival, and returned as this year’s title sponsor for the Week 3 CSI 3* competition on Jan. 25-29. Week 3 featured the $130,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, Jan. 28, under the lights of the International Arena.

Ariat International is the sponsor of Week 4’s CSI 4* on Feb. 1-5, which features the highlight $216,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 4* on the grass jumping field at the PBIEC Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Week 4 also features the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, on Saturday, Feb. 4. The event is a unique pro/am team challenge where the world’s top riders join forces with equestrian sport’s most prominent families to earn a sliding scale of prize money for Palm Beach County charities. In addition, Fidelity Investments is the title sponsor of Week 5’s CSI 5* competition on Feb. 8-12, which will feature the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Suncast sponsors the 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, which runs throughout the 12 weeks of WEF competition, and is also the title sponsor of Week 7’s CSI 5* competition on Feb. 22-26. The week will feature the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Lugano Diamonds presents Week 8’s CSIO 4* event on March 1-5. The exciting week hosts the $150,000 Nations Cup on Friday, March 3, which sees teams of riders representing their countries on the world’s stage. That Sunday, March 5, also features the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSIO 4*.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the title sponsor of Week 9’s CSI 5* competition, running March 8-12. The week will feature the $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 11.

Week 10 brings longtime WEF sponsor Horseware Ireland back to present CSI 3* competition from March 15-19. The week’s major grand prix will present a $130,000 purse on Saturday, March 18.

The 12th and final week of WEF hosts CSI 4* competition from March 29-April 2, sponsored by the Wanderers Club, and features the final Saturday Night Lights event, the $216,000 Wanderers Club Grand Prix CSI 4*, on April 1.

Along with its weekly sponsors, WEF welcomes Hollow Creek Farm as the new title sponsor of this year’s U25 Grand Prix Series. With 10 events throughout the circuit totaling $215,000 in prize money, the series gives young riders a valuable steppingstone from the junior and amateur ranks to the grand prix level.

The Winter Equestrian Festival comes together each year thanks to these and many other generous supporters. Learn more at www.pbiec.com.  

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Feature Stories

There’s Plenty To Do At The Winter Equestrian Festival This Season

There’s Plenty To Do At The Winter Equestrian Festival This Season

The Winter Equestrian Festival is not just a horse show. For horse lovers, WEF is the epitome of equestrian sport, but the event also offers family-friendly fun and many activities for everyone to enjoy. From social events, to fabulous shopping, dining and nightlife, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center caters to many different interests throughout the winter season.

Anyone can visit WEF during the day from Wednesday through Sunday to watch equestrian competition in 12 different arenas, featuring everything from children on ponies to Olympic show jumpers riding the world’s most talented horses.

In between competitions, spectators can enjoy a walk through the beautiful tropical gardens and scenery of the venue, sample delicious food and drinks at a variety of dining locations, and shop at many vendor boutiques.

This year’s shopping experience at PBIEC includes something to fit every budget, with low-cost options, high-end luxury items and everything in between. Clothing, jewelry, art, horsewares and much more are offered in various locations throughout the venue, including Vendor Village, Hunter Hill and the Bridge Deck. Shoppers can also find the WEF Boutique located on the South Bridge Deck overlooking the International Arena, and in Vendor Village, where fans can find the perfect WEF clothing, posters or souvenirs.

For the discerning equestrian, the Equis Boutique delivers superior service, while offering top quality brands and made-to-order, customized products. By providing a unique shopping experience, Equis rises above an ordinary tack shop to offer luxury brands worn by some of the top riders in the world. Equis Boutique founder César Hirsch enjoys the experience at WEF each season, as top equestrians from around the world stroll the showgrounds daily.

“Having the opportunity to showcase our products to a concentrated group of elite riders for an extended period of time is a unique opportunity for vendors like Equis Boutique that follow show jumping around the country,” Hirsch said. “The Winter Equestrian Festival offers exactly that, and we are grateful to be involved in the circuit. Equis Boutique carries brands sourced from European companies and strives to introduce their products to a new market in North America. There is no better place to accomplish that than in Wellington during the winter season.”

For anyone looking to grab a bite to eat throughout the day, a variety of food vendors are located around the property, including: Tito’s Tacos, the Tiki Hut, Coliano’s Pizza, Loopy’s Crepes, Nathalie’s Café and much more.

On Saturday nights, the family-fun atmosphere and adult nightlife comes alive at the popular Saturday Night Lights events. The Kid’s Fair is always popular, featuring the Venetian carousel, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, magicians, a petting zoo and more. As always, families can choose from a variety of food vendors. A live band and different performers from local elementary schools also entertain the crowds each week.

For PBIEC guests who are of age, the Gallery Night Club is a stylish, modern lounge that is open to the public every Saturday night with table seating and VIP bottle service featuring Veuve Clicquot champagne. The club features great DJs and dancing following every Saturday Night Lights competition.

Also available on Saturday evening for those who wish to enjoy the competition in style, the Special Events Pavilion will now be the site of the Veuve Clicquot Suites. With a special signature Veuve Clicquot branded look, the suites will offer the same great gourmet buffet and table service with the opportunity to purchase Veuve Clicquot by the bottle and special Veuve Clicquot highlights throughout the 2017 season.

The Veuve Clicquot Suites offer a spectacular setting to watch the largest grand prix class of the week, as top equestrian athletes and Olympians compete for international titles. Guests are treated to a VIP evening with family or close friends while enjoying live music, food and crowd performers from the comfort of their suite. The suites provide an intimate setting with optimal viewing for small groups of six or parties up to 22 people — all right in the middle of the equestrian action. To book a Veuve Clicquot Suite, call (561) 784-1136.

Beachside at WEF, one of the most popular seating areas to watch show jumping action, is an open-air ringside seating area just steps away from world-famous show jumpers galloping by. Table purchases include buffet and table service, offering Veuve Clicquot with VIP packages. To book a table at Beachside, call (561) 603-2958.

Be sure to make plans to come on out to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this winter to experience the finest in equestrian sports, shopping, dining and more.

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Feature Stories

Elizabeth Fountain Brings Her Clients A Lifelong Passion For Interior Design

Elizabeth Fountain Brings Her Clients A Lifelong Passion For Interior Design

By Julie Unger

Design has always been a passion for Elizabeth Fountain, owner of Elizabeth Fountain Interiors in West Palm Beach.

“I’ve been doing it my entire life. I remember as a little girl, there was a store in the town I grew up in,” Fountain recalled, adding that she would frequent the store with a friend. “We would purchase all of this stuff, we’d come back to our homes, and I would decorate both of our rooms. I’d decorate her bedroom, I’d decorate my bedroom, and in six months’ time, we’d completely redo everything.”

Later, in college, Fountain was the go-to decorator for her friends’ apartments.

“It never occurred to me to do this for a living,” she said. “In college, I majored in international business.”

When her husband suggested she pursue decorating as a business, Fountain wasn’t sure what to do. She had a successful career as a professional speaker focusing on communications that took her around the world. She didn’t have any decorating credentials.

However, one day Fountain had someone from a consignment store come to her home to look at some furniture she wanted to sell.

“She came over to the house to look at what we had, and she said, ‘Who did your house?’ I said ‘I did.’ She said, ‘Are you a designer?’ and I said ‘No.’ She said, ‘Well you ought to be.’”

With so many people telling her the same thing, maybe there was some truth to it, Fountain thought.

At the time, Fountain and her husband, a general contractor, had just moved to Florida. When she visited a friend who had also just moved, she noticed that the friend had barely unpacked.

“I went back a month later and offered to decorate,” she said. “They purchased all of the things that I recommended for them to buy. That was really the beginning of me doing this professionally.”

That pivotal moment occurred in 2002, and the rest is history.

“I quit my speaking career, and I became an interior decorator,” said Fountain, who recently opened a boutique showroom in West Palm Beach.

The showroom is open to the public. With more than 3,000 square feet of show space, Elizabeth Fountain Interiors showcases furniture, rugs, carpeting, flooring, artwork, mirrors, accessories, lighting, fabric samples, wallpaper samples, carpet samples and catalogues from vendors. “We are a full-service interior design firm,” she said. “We do floor planning, we sell furniture — we sell everything you absolutely need for your home.”

Fountain prefers to come to clients’ homes to see how they live before creating a design plan.

“Design isn’t taste or style,” she said. “You have to take into consideration how the people live — their lifestyle. Are they casual? Are they formal? Are they into animals such that you’re going to have all sorts of dogs and cats and kids running around the house? You have to take all of those things into consideration.”

Her firm is able to come in and completely redo a house. Fountain is respectful of clients’ budgets, and works to stay within the budget and not surprise them in the end with a larger bill than they were expecting.

“If I see it can’t be done for the amount of money they want to spend, I tell them that up front,” she said.

Working with many different budgets, Fountain’s reputation has been built on more high-end customers, she said.

The key to decorating, Fountain explained, is to do what the client wants, because it’s their home.

“It’s our job to really get into the personality of the people who live in the home and create their nest based on that, because that’s where they will feel the most comfortable,” she said. “With my training in communication, I think that has really helped me in being successful in this business — to really listen, not only to what they’re saying, but to listen and look and observe, and then give them what they want.”

While Fountain doesn’t have a favorite style, she is often attracted to contemporary, transitional and earthy styles.

The best part of her profession, she said, is the creativity. Working with a client, putting together their vision, and then unveiling it, she said, is very fulfilling.

Fountain’s advice for those looking for an interior designer to make their dream home into a reality is to find someone you feel comfortable with.

“Find somebody who they really click with, who they feel comfortable with, who they feel understands what they’re saying,” she said. “Because we’re in the construction business, I have actually worked with other designers, and I am appalled by the way they treat their customers… I think respecting your customer is very important.”

Located off of Decorator’s Row, which is off of Antique Row in West Palm Beach, the Elizabeth Fountain Interiors showroom is located at 5908 Georgia Avenue. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with appointments on Saturday.

For more information about Elizabeth Fountain Interiors, call (561) 801-2474 or visit www.elizabethfountaininteriors.com.

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Wellington Health

Retina Group Ophthalmologist Dr. Kevin T. Kelly Protects Patients’ Vision

Retina Group Ophthalmologist Dr. Kevin T. Kelly Protects Patients’ Vision

Story by Deborah Welky • Photo by Abner Pedraza

It wasn’t so long ago when a diagnosis of macular degeneration — a common eye problem in seniors — meant almost certain blindness.

“The prognosis was pretty grim unless it was caught really early,” recalled Dr. Kevin T. Kelly, an ophthalmologist partner with the Retina Group of Florida. “We had laser, but most patients don’t even notice that their vision is being affected until it’s near the center of vision.”

But by then, it used to be too late. “Once the blood vessel burst, and it bled or scarred, it was over,” Kelly said.

Fast forward to 2017, and this fairly common condition can be treated with medication — and the expertise of ophthalmologists trained in retinal care. “You think your vision is lost but, after we dry up the blood vessel, the macula is preserved and the patient is able to see,” Kelly said.

Kelly practices at the Wellington office of the Retina Group of Florida, which is located on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center.

A New Jersey native, Kelly completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, earning degrees in chemical engineering and biology. He continued on to medical school at Rutgers, and completed his medical internship at Staten Island Hospital. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. That was followed by a two-year fellowship in retina care at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

“Many fellowships are only six months, but all the ophthalmologists in our practice have completed their residency and done two-year fellowships in retinal surgery,” Kelly explained.

Those ophthalmologists include Dr. Darin Goldman and Dr. Eduardo Uchiyama, who work with Kelly at the Wellington office. Kelly sees patients in Wellington four days a week, and can be found at the Stuart location of the Retina Group of Florida on Thursdays. Other offices are located in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Hollywood, Plantation and the main office in Fort Lauderdale. Surgeries are done on the retina equipment at Broward Health Imperial Point.

The practice continues to grow. This is due largely to an aging population, as well as a growing prevalence of diabetes, which is known to cause vision problems.

“I opened my office in 2007, and began working with Retina Group in 2009. We see patients with diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular degeneration and uveitis, an inflammation of the eye sometimes associated with autoimmune diseases,” Kelly said. “We focus exclusively on the retina and even cater to other ophthalmologists when they encounter a tough problem.”

In the case of eye emergencies, the Retina Group is available around the clock.

“What makes us unique is we’re available 24/7,” Kelly noted. “Someone is taking the call.”

The Retina Group gets referrals from across Florida and the nation, especially for those patients who live in Florida only part of the year.

“I have one patient who I’ve been working with for 10 years, keeping his macular degeneration in check,” Kelly said. “Since 2007, there are new medications to treat it. Today, rather than being blind, his vision is 20/25. The point is, you still have a chance.”

The Wellington office of the Retina Group of Florida is located at 1397 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 240, on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center. To make an appointment, call (561) 784-3788 or visit www.retinagroupflorida.com.

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Wellington Home

Home In Wellington Classic Estates Features The Finest In Equestrian Amenities

Home In Wellington Classic Estates Features The Finest In Equestrian Amenities

Story by Deborah Welky • Photos courtesy Lisa Timm

There are only 10 properties available in Wellington’s newest gated equestrian community, and the first one to be developed has set the bar high. Wellington Classic Estates is located at 50th Street South and South Road, just about a mile south of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and bordered on one side by the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The main house is situated on five acres, with another four available next door, and includes four bedrooms, three baths and a cabana bath. In addition, there is a one-bedroom, one-bath guest house and a fully appointed barn complete with grooms’ apartments and equestrian amenities.

Living Room: Vaulted ceilings keep everything cool in the formal living room. Look out the windows through the large covered patio to the equestrian action taking place in the home’s private arena.

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Wellington Real Estate

Shane & Peggy Clarke Share A Mutual Love For The Real Estate Business

Shane & Peggy Clarke Share A Mutual Love For The Real Estate Business

Story by Matthew Auerbach • Photo by Abner Pedraza

It takes a lot of hard work to keep a partnership together and thriving over the years. When that partnership is both professional and personal, the achievement is that much more impressive. Such is the case with Shane and Peggy Clarke of Keller Williams Realty.

The Clarkes have found success in both their marriage and their work. Shane was born in New Zealand, while Peggy originally hails from Boston. They wound up in Wellington for different reasons: he, for the great golfing; she, for the relaxing lifestyle and beautiful year-round weather.

They met while working independently in the real estate business. It didn’t take long to realize that they shared similar views of their profession.

“We have the same vision, and work to achieve it with love, respect and a sense of humor,” Peggy explained. “It helps that we know and complement each other’s particular strengths. We can also agree to disagree at times, but we make the tough decisions together. We can’t imagine not working together.”

The Clarkes have been serving the community for 26 years. Over that time, they have become experts at handling all areas of the real estate buying and selling process.

“We specialize in all facets of real estate sales, including some commercial dealings,” Shane said. “We are certified by the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing and have earned the special acknowledgement of being members of the Million Dollar Guild. We are passionate about this business, and it brings us pleasure to find the perfect homes for our customers.”

They have an extensive knowledge of the area and pride themselves on knowing the details of the local real estate market. Their association with Keller Williams allows them to use their know-how to the fullest. “We have associated ourselves with Keller Williams Realty, as they are a high-achieving, progressive company that puts their agents first,” Shane said. “They have implemented models and scripts that direct agents to reach their maximum potential.”

While the support from Keller Williams is crucial to their success, the Clarkes know it is their deep involvement in every transaction that keeps them flourishing.

“We have always created a personal brand for all of our marketing products, which stand out and get us noticed,” Peggy said. “We will not sell a customer a home that we would not buy for ourselves. This has made us successful, and most of our business has been generated by personal referrals from past customers.”

The Clarkes have four children, all of college age or beyond. Raising a family was a big reason they chose to settle in Wellington.

“We love living in Wellington,” Shane said. “We were drawn to the young families, A-rated schools, organized sports and activities, equestrian events, quality hospitals and fine doctors. Having close proximity to the beaches and many fine restaurants in the surrounding areas is also a big plus.”

The Clarkes don’t have a crystal ball when it comes to predicting the future of the real estate market. Still, their instincts lead them to believe that the future is strong for both buyers and sellers. “While mortgage rates remain low, they have risen over the past few months,” Peggy said. “With these changes, we may see sellers being more flexible with their pricing to generate a contract.”

Shane also expects more people coming into the market.

“We are seeing more first-time buyers than usual,” he said. “Area rent prices are increasing, which is motivating millennials and others to move to purchase.”

The Wellington office of Keller Williams Realty is located at 12008 South Shore Blvd. To reach Shane and Peggy Clarke, call (561) 798-0888 or (561) 307-1506. For more info., visit www.shanepeggy.com.

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Feature Stories

Young Equestrian Leah Greenstein Aims For Stardom In The Show Ring

Young Equestrian Leah Greenstein Aims For Stardom In The Show Ring

By Y.A. Teitelbaum

At first glance, Leah Greenstein is a typical teenager in many ways. She gets up early and goes to school and spends a lot of time on her phone. But the 15-year-old is passionate about horses. And that separates her from many teens.

She is one of the up-and-coming riders to watch during the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival, which is underway at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. Greenstein, who turns 16 next fall, will be competing in the Children’s Hunter and Children’s Jumper divisions, proving grounds for potential grand prix riders.

The ninth-grader begins her day with three hours at the King’s Academy from 8 to 11 a.m., and then returns home for her daily riding routine that begins around noon under the scrutiny of trainer Steven Gregorio of Aster Hill. She is also watched closely by her dogs — Sophia, a 9-year-old Chihuahua that the family rescued, and Gracie, an 11-year-old Saint Bernard.

Greenstein’s horses include two jumpers and one hunter for the 2017 season. Branson, an 8-year-old, is her hunter. The jumpers are Lorenzo and Quo, both 9. All three are recent additions to Greenstein’s stable, having been purchased in the first quarter of 2016.

“I have a lesson first, then I’ll hack the other two later,” said Greenstein, who frequently rides several of Gregorio’s horses throughout the daily sessions. “I usually ride four horses a day; it depends. It’s six days a week, with Mondays off.”

And her dogs are her constant companions, whether it’s in the practice ring or at home.

“My dogs are always there, sitting in the ring, or on the outside of the ring. They follow me everywhere,” Greenstein said. “Quo — he’s so good to the dogs, so nice to them. Lorenzo and Branson chase them.”

Greenstein is focused on riding, forgoing other sports. At home, she typically declines offers to play basketball at the hoop in the driveway or throw a football around with her younger brother. Like many equestrians, however, she finds time to support a charity. For Greenstein, it’s Place of Hope, which provides a safe, nurturing environment for foster children while they’re in state custody.

“My plan for 2017 is being really competitive in children’s hunters and jumpers,” said Greenstein, who expects to participate in WEF shows almost weekly. And for the first time, she is planning to compete in selected events on the fall indoor circuit at the Capital Challenge in Upper Marlboro, Md., followed by the Pennsylvania National in Harrisburg. She also hopes to qualify for the prestigious National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky.

Greenstein has been champion and reserve champion several times and won numerous ribbons in her brief career at major shows in Wellington, Lexington, and Tryon, N.C., on all three of her horses and two of Gregorio’s mounts.

That’s a long way from her start at a local summer riding camp when she was 8.

She and Gregorio acknowledge that Greenstein must continue to improve. They have already seen a large leap of progress over the past year. Part of the improvement is from having better horses, but she is also spending more time in the gym.

“We’re at a horse show almost every week of the year,” Gregorio said. “She has improved tremendously, and she gets tons of mileage; on top of her three horses, she usually shows mine. More time in the ring has made her better and better and better.”

The pair are virtually inseparable and have a special bond and that extends from the barn to their local restaurant choices, including Lutina’s Pizza and PDQ.

“When I don’t see him for one day, it’s kind of weird,” Greenstein said. “Even on Mondays, on our day off, we’re at the barn. Obviously, we’re together so much, we usually get along — not like not get along, but kind of older brother, little sister; sometimes dad, sometimes brother.”

They share one brain cell, according to her father, Alan. “Steven took her to a whole new level,” he said.

“Leah is an extremely outgoing young lady, very talkative, extremely talkative,” said Gregorio, who met Greenstein about five years ago. “She tends to overthink things and be a little bit of an anxious person. But that’s better than being lazy and sitting on the couch.”

Greenstein agreed with Gregorio’s assessment.

“I’ll be telling her to do something and before I can finish, she picks up a canter,” Gregorio added. “She’s just anxious, always wanting to get to the next step too soon.”

Greenstein is able to observe the world-class riders at WEF and other venues, but doesn’t have a favorite or someone she wants to emulate. Her emphasis is on improving at a slow and steady pace.

“I know what I want to show in; I don’t know who I want to be like,” Greenstein said. “I just want to be a good rider, do the junior hunters and some junior jumpers eventually when I’m older.”

There’s no doubt that Greenstein loves what she does. Her favorite part of competing in the epicenter of the winter equestrian world is simple.

“Being around the horses and meeting many people,” she said.

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Try The Spinach Eggs Benedict At Oak Bistro & Wine Bar Story and Photos by Julie Unger

Try The Spinach Eggs Benedict At Oak Bistro & Wine Bar Story and Photos by Julie Unger

Oak Bistro & Wine Bar has become known throughout the western communities for its weekend brunch specials, and if you stop by, be sure to order the Spinach Eggs Benedict.

Oak’s Spinach Eggs Benedict is special. The fresh brioche bun is the perfect bed, warm and cozy, for fresh-cooked spinach and expertly prepared poached eggs. Over the eggs is a generous serving of homemade hollandaise sauce.

The meal is a favorite for owners Lisa and Brian Jacobsen.

“It’s special because we only do it Saturday and Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as part of our brunch. During season, from Jan. 9 through May 1, we are doing Monday Funday, so that will be brunch on Mondays as well,” Lisa said. “We make everything from scratch.”

Homemade, gluten-free home fries, tossed in rosemary, are added to the plate.

“That’s what makes them the best,” she said, noting that the entire dish can be prepared gluten-free as well.

Every few months, Oak Bistro changes its menu, Brian noted. The new menu for 2017 features several unique dishes and will be in effect until spring.

“And then we’ll change it again, when it will be geared toward lighter flavors. During the wintertime, it’s more hearty,” he said.

With each season’s menu change, the artwork on the walls, supplied by the Wellington Art Society, changes as well.

One of Brian’s favorite dishes is Oak’s Bacon Burger.

“The bacon burger is a creation I came up with,” he said. “The bacon is actually in the burger. We take a mix of ground beef and ground bacon and make that into patties. The bacon permeates throughout the whole burger. If you’re a true bacon lover, you can always add bacon on the top, you can add cheese, you can add a fried egg. You can really kick the burger up a notch or two. To have the bacon actually cooked in the burger is something that is very unique. Each bite that you’re getting is going to give you a nice bacon flavor.”

Another big draw would be the Bacon Wrapped Dates, which debuted on the menu shortly after Oak Bistro opened just over two years ago. They take dates, stuff them with goat cheese and wrap them in bacon, serving them with a balsamic glaze on the bottom.

“Once you take the sweetness of the date, the creaminess of the goat cheese and the smokiness of the bacon, it all combines so well together that it’s absolutely delicious,” Brian said.

Few places offer bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys during brunch like Oak Bistro does, even letting diners switch between the two. Brunch is a relaxed atmosphere where diners aren’t rushed. Reservations, however, are suggested.

Everything is made fresh to order. The menu features breakfast tacos, a build-your-own omelet, eggs Benedict, cinnamon French toast, and an egg, meat and cheese sandwich. Cappuccino, espresso, hot tea and coffee, as well as cold brewed coffee from Hollywood Brewing Co., is also offered. “It’s just a good time,” Brian said.

Regular menu items are also available during brunch, Lisa added, such as the popular Charcuterie & Cheese Board, the Puff Pastry Tart, Croque Monsieur and Soupe Du Jour.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming back our snowbirds and equestrian people,” Brian said. “Many small businesses close on Monday, or have very limited menus on Monday, so we wanted to create something that was fun and give people a place to go.”

During the off-season, Oak Bistro doesn’t serve brunch on Monday, but during equestrian season, it is a special treat, especially when many equestrians are off on Monday.

Happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m., and every Thursday evening, there are wine bottle promotions. Limited quantities are available of a reserve wine list that is not listed on the menu. Oak Bistro has more than 25 craft beers by the bottle and four on draft. Draft samples are available. There are nightly entree specials, as well as American-style tapas; sharing is suggested and encouraged.

Oak Bistro & Wine Bar is located at 11051 Southern Blvd., Suite 210, in Royal Palm Beach. It is in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza in between Stein Mart and Rack Room Shoes. For more information, call (561) 753-6217 or visit www.oakrpb.com.

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Feature Stories

POLO THE WORLD’S TOP PLAYERS ARE BACK TO COMPETE AT IPC THIS SEASON FACES OF

POLO 

THE WORLD’S TOP PLAYERS ARE BACK TO COMPETE AT IPC THIS SEASON FACES OF

It’s the time of year where world-famous athletes come from all corners of the globe to play polo in Wellington. Along with the action — horse and rider pairs flying down emerald-green fields, all eyes on the goal posts — is a whole other set of entertainment, whether it is people watching, high fashion, tailgating, the halftime divot stomp, Sunday brunch and more. The International Polo Club Palm Beach attracts the best of the best, playing in its annual winter high-goal season. Once again, IPC is the place to be to see the action. As we do each year, Wellington The Magazine is highlighting just a small handful of the amazing athletes you will see vying for top accolades on the polo field. Turn the page and meet the Faces of Polo 2017.

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