Exciting Equestrian Action Takes Center Stage At PBIEC During The 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival

World-class equestrian sport has returned to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center this winter for the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, which opened Jan. 10 and continues until April 1.

With more than 70 divisions of hunter-jumper competition featuring everything from short-stirrup up to Olympic-level show jumping, WEF is the premier winter equestrian destination for many of the world’s best horses and riders.

Managed by Equestrian Sport Productions, WEF is the largest and longest-running equestrian festival in the world, with more than 7,000 horses competing throughout the winter circuit. The managing partners of WEF also run the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina, which hosts international events throughout the year, and will host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games from Sept. 11 through Sept. 23.

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has long been recognized as one of the finest equestrian venues in the world. Each winter, riders from 33 countries and all 50 U.S. states travel to Wellington to compete there. The venue covers 500 acres, with 80 acres of competition rings alone. Over the course of the 12-week circuit, more than 6,500 horses will descend upon the venue and host more than 100 divisions for professionals, amateurs, juniors and children.

“Each year, we see the Winter Equestrian Festival grow in the number of exhibitors and in competition opportunities, and we feel that is a great sign as to where equestrian sport is going in terms of mainstream exposure,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners. “It has been our goal to bring these talented riders and athletes, and this unbelievable sport, to a larger audience, and are committed to doing so long term as we look toward the future of WEF and PBIEC.”

The four CSI 5* Grand Prix classes, the highest designation of international show jumping in the sport, will take place on Feb. 10 (WEF 5), Feb. 24 (WEF 7), March 10 (WEF 9) and March 31 (WEF 12) in the International Ring at PBIEC. These competitions feature the top horse and rider combinations in the world, and include four FEI World Ranking classes during each week.

The final CSI 5* competition of the circuit is in WEF 12, when PBIEC hosts the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5*, the most prestigious international class of the 2018 season. This year, the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* will once again take place on the final Saturday of the season.

The $75,000 Battle of the Sexes, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, kicked off the Saturday Night Lights season on Saturday, Jan. 13, pitting males against females in a battle to see which gender comes out on top.

WEF welcomes Equinimity LLC as the new title sponsor of the popular WEF Challenge Cup classes, Thursday’s weekly highlight competition. The Equinimity WEF Challenge classes began Thursday, Jan. 11 and will continue through Thursday, March 29, ranging from $35,000 up to $132,000 in prize money.

The 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic classes also welcome a new sponsor, as Hollow Creek Farm takes over presenting honors in 2018. The Hollow Creek Farm Championship Classic competitions are set to take place throughout the circuit at both PBIEC, Equestrian Village and on the Derby Field, culminating with a final class under the lights on Saturday, March 24 with the $132,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Championship Classic Final.

The season will also see a return of the prestigious Under 25 Grand Prix Series, this year presented by Hermès, showcasing the next generation of talent for five editions of competition. Hosted at both the PBIEC main grounds and at Equestrian Village, the Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series is sure to impress once again with many of the world’s top riders under the age of 25.

The Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, a profound philanthropic event hosted annually at PBIEC, is set for the evening of Saturday, Feb. 3. The GCC has raised more than $10.5 million for more than 250 Palm Beach County charities through a pro-am style relay race between teams of riders in costume. This year’s theme is “A Night Where Everyone’s a Star,” and teams will dress as their favorite iconic Hollywood movie characters. The winning team will present more than $150,000 to their paired charity, while all participating charities receive at least $15,000.

A continual crowd favorite, the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO 4*, featuring team format competition between riders representing their home countries, will be part of Saturday Night Lights on the evening of Saturday, March 3 during WEF 8. Last year, Team Ireland claimed top honors and went on to capture the coveted team gold at the FEI European Championships later in the season.

The $100,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular during WEF 6 draws eyes to an evening of beautiful hunter display, as riders competing for one of the discipline’s yearly top honors take to the International Ring for an evening of traditional and classic hunter competition. WEF 6 also features a varying group of hunter divisions competing in the International Ring throughout the week, while FEI CSI 3* jumper classes will take place at Equestrian Village.

WEF concludes on Sunday, April 1 with the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Derby Field to officially end the 12 weeks of the season. Top hunter riders will set out on the Derby Field in an attempt to capture the final major prize of the winter circuit. Spectators are encouraged to enjoy the final day of WEF from the berm on the Derby Field or on the adjacent grassy hill.

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center general admission is free to the public during the WEF circuit, which hosts competitions from Wednesday mornings through Sunday afternoons. Numerous vendors and shops are open throughout the circuit, showcasing items and products ranging from horse wear and tack to art, jewelry, fine clothing and emerging technologies.

The Saturday Night Lights competitions serve as the highlight class of the week for top international show jumpers and the most popular for spectators, and take place on each Saturday of the season beginning at 7 p.m. Family-friendly entertainment is offered throughout the evening, including live music, face painting, carousel rides, children’s activities and more.

For more information about the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the Winter Equestrian Festival, visit www.pbiec.com.