Plans And Preparations Underway For An Exciting 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival

Plans And Preparations Underway For An Exciting
2021 Winter Equestrian Festival 

With the vast changes across the world in 2020, planning and preparing for the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has been a complicated and fluid process. Working closely with the Village of Wellington, Palm Beach County and State of Florida officials, with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the national governing body for equestrian sport, U.S. Equestrian, Equestrian Sport Productions was able to start back with competition at the Equestrian Village show grounds in June after the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the final two weeks of the 2020 WEF.

The 42nd Winter Equestrian Festival has expanded to include 13 weeks of competition starting on Jan. 6 and running through April 4 with world-renowned hunter, jumper and equitation competition.

Twelve of the 13 weeks will feature FEI-sanctioned competition, welcoming some of the most talented and highest-ranked show jumpers in the world.

As of late October, the management company for WEF, Equestrian Sport Productions, is following current guidelines that prohibit spectators at the show grounds. But while the local community won’t be allowed to view the shows in person, the impact of the equestrian industry on the local community will still be impressive.

“We at Equestrian Sport Productions have been working every day in order to provide safe competition for the competitors and our staff while also providing a way for those in the industry to continue making a living during this incredibly difficult time,” ESP President Michael Stone said. “We are certainly very cognizant of the serious and heartbreaking toll of the pandemic, and we have kept safety our number one priority as we held shows this summer and fall and planned for the 2021 winter season.”

In a 2018 economic impact study, it was shown that visitors to Wellington and Palm Beach County contribute to a “very positive economic stimulus” for the local community. Some of that impact includes filling 88.6 percent of Palm Beach County’s available hotel rooms, paying more than $6 million in state and local taxes, and spending an estimated $89 million on equine expenses in Palm Beach County.

With the growth in the past three years of WEF since the report, it can be expected that these numbers have only increased along with the influx of more competitors, their families and support staff at the horse show.

“WEF is the economic engine that powers Wellington,” said Michela Green, executive director of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. “Our businesses now, more than ever, need the bump in economy that our seasonal equestrians bring.”

Seasonal equestrian visitors are part of the fabric of Wellington.

“From a business perspective, the equestrian season brings national and international guests to our village who patronize our local businesses for a good part of the year,” Green said. “Our businesses have formed lasting relationships with them and rely on them each year as they call Wellington home for the season. From our medical to our retail community and everything in between, our seasonal guests make Wellington what it is today — unique and vibrant.”

Jose Gomez, owner of horse show sponsor Wellington Agricultural Services, not only provides a service to the horse show with livestock waste removal but is also a horse owner whose family competes at WEF.

“Horse shows have resumed since June of this year and since then, I have seen everyone making 100 percent effort to run a safe operation,” he said. “I feel comfortable knowing that ESP is very serious about protecting everyone by strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. I am confident that WEF will run smoothly because ESP does not take shortcuts and is clearly committed to the best interests of everyone involved.”

Gomez recognizes the great influence that WEF has on the community.

“Wellington as we know it would not be here without the horse shows and polo,” he said. “We all work together to maintain our community by fulfilling our respective roles. WEF gives context to my business. Horse sports are a great passion, and that shapes lives, homes, lifestyles and businesses. WEF has a massive economic impact on the local area as well, making it a critical part of the community.”

The 2021 WEF will begin with a new week, WEF Premiere, on Jan. 6-10 with nationally rated competition. WEF weeks 1 (Jan. 13-17), 2 (Jan. 20-24), 3 (Jan. 27-31), 6 (Feb. 17-21) and 10 (March 17-21) will host CSI 3* competition. CSI 4* competitions will take place during WEF weeks 4 (Feb. 3-7) and 12 (March 31 – April 4). Week 8 (March 3-7) will once again welcome the international CSIO 4* and will host the historic Nations Cup, where teams of three or four riders represent their countries in a thrilling display of team sports. The beautiful grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village, a true horse and rider favorite, will see action this year during weeks 2, 4, 6 and 12.

The schedule is tentative and venue guidelines are subject to change. Be sure to check www.pbiec.com for the most recent venue updates and schedules.

The 2021 Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, will be held during the fourth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival. The GCC is a relay-style equestrian jumping competition with teams consisting of two junior/amateur riders combined with one Olympic or world-class rider. The 20-plus rider teams are randomly paired with charities that serve Palm Beach County.

The GCC has distributed more than $14.8 million to 256 local Palm Beach County charities and nonprofit organizations since its inception 11 years ago. The theme for 2021 will honor the everyday heroes who have stepped up and helped everyone through the worldwide pandemic.

Hunter competition will also take place throughout the 13-week span, including during WCHR week, a favorite among the hunter community, during WEF week 6 (Feb. 17-21). The season will continue to feature international and national hunter derby competitions, along with top equitation and hunter classes offered for children, juniors and adults of all levels.

The 2020 season is set to include four weeks of CSI 5* competition on WEF weeks 5 (Feb. 10-14), 7 (Feb. 24-28), 9 (March 10-14) and 11 (March 24-28). The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* will be held during WEF week 11 featuring the best riders of the season.

Despite these challenging times, WEF will still welcome thousands of horses competing throughout the winter circuit, and everyone looks forward to a safe and successful season.

Keep up with your favorite athletes and horses by watching all of the competition on the live stream, along with keeping track of results. Learn more at www.pbiec.com and by following WEF on Facebook and Instagram.

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