What To Do At WEF: A Guide To Enjoying A Visit To PBIEC
The Winter Equestrian Festival, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, is the world’s largest and longest-running horse show circuit, with an elite combination of competition, community, social activity and more. Each WEF season brings the best of the best in the equestrian world to Wellington.
Serving as a seasonal home to more than 7,000 horses worth more than half a billion dollars, the 12-week circuit runs from January through March and has something for everyone. Competitors of all ages can participate in a multitude of world-class events, with divisions in hunters, jumpers and equitation available for each level of experience.
Spectators are invited to watch horses and riders from around the world vie for more than $13 million in prize money, with the Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix events being the cherry on top of each week’s exciting competition. Dubbed the world’s premier winter equestrian event, it is easy to understand how WEF entices competitors from more than 50 countries and more than 500,000 visitors annually.
WEF is not just an exceptional competition hub for athletes and spectators, it also provides a luxurious hangout for activities and events outside the show ring. From shopping and casual dining, to exhilarating entertainment and educational opportunities, WEF offers a unique experience for all those who come to visit. General admission to PBIEC is free and open to the public all season long.
Looking to purchase a new top for your night on the town? Searching for the perfect gift for a friend to give them a little slice of South Florida heaven? Maybe you are a few minutes away from competing and forgot your boot socks. Whatever you are searching for, you’ll find it within minutes at the WEF retail shops.
More than 100 vendors occupy the show grounds each week and offer a wide variety of products, styles and sizes. The shops are spread over several locations on-site, including on Hunter Hill, over the iconic PBIEC bridge, in Vendor Row, and around the many competition rings. Best of all, there are new vendors every week, so your fab finds are sure to be up to date as the season progresses.
Vendor Row hosts the majority of vendors in the center of the grounds but be sure to check out the boutiques located by the International Arena. Both areas have shopping that caters to all equestrian and non-equestrian needs, ranging from luxury products to inexpensive merchandise. For those looking to commemorate their visit to the horse show, the WEF Boutique offers clothing, posters and souvenirs with the iconic WEF logo.
In addition to shopping opportunities, WEF also has an abundance of food and drink options, ranging from a quiet lunch to a large private event. If you are searching for a quick bite during the day, visit one of the on-site vendors that offer everything from burgers and fries to salads and wraps. Interested in a taco to go? Swing by the new Don Chepo’s spot on Hunter Hill or Tito’s Mexican out by Pony Island. Another popular choice is the Oasis Café, which offers an assortment of fresh and light meals that can be ordered on-site or ahead of time by phone.
You can also sit down at the Tiki Hut to eat a delicious meal while enjoying panoramic views of the International Arena. Health gurus and riders looking to fuel up before mounting are sure to love the new Farm Stand food trucks stationed by Ring 11, where you can grab a vegan bite on the way over to the Yoga Deck.
If you are looking for a more upscale dining experience, be sure to try out Whitehorse Fashion Cuisine. Located by the main entrance to the show grounds, Whitehorse provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing and refreshing dinner with a wide range of food and drink choices. PBIEC also caters special and corporate events throughout the season. No matter what type of food or experience you are craving, there is something for everyone at WEF.
Of course, the main attraction to WEF is the high level of show jumping competition. And there is no better night to witness this exhilarating entertainment than on Saturday evening. The Saturday Night Lights attraction has become a favorite for both competitors and spectators.
Beyond watching the best riders in the world, there are numerous attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Pony rides, petting zoos and stilt-walkers are just a few of the many things you’ll see when you walk through the front gates at WEF on Saturday night — and it’s all free to the general public. Saturday Night Lights is not just for the kids, because adults can also have fun at one of the many bars located around the International Arena both during and after the Grand Prix. You can also dance the night away at the Gallery following the equestrian competition. If you can only attend WEF one day a week, Saturday is the best choice.
Outside the ring, the Winter Equestrian Festival continues to offer several learning experiences and activities for everyone. Come take a tour of the world-renowned facility followed by a catered lunch. Explore all 12 of the competition rings, the stabling area where horses prepare for competition, and a stroll through Vendor Village and Trailer Row.
Perhaps you’d like to forgo the tour and sit in and expand your knowledge at one of the popular Lunch & Learn events. Hosted on Thursdays weekly during WEF, the Lunch & Learn series provides educational platforms for horse enthusiasts to learn more about a variety of equine-related topics, including management and maintenance, horsemanship and care, as well as emerging technologies and treatment methods available in the equine veterinary industry. Speak with experts in their respective industries and enter to win fun, end-of-season prizes.
Whether staying for the entire 12 weeks of competition or just passing through for a few days, there is plenty to do at WEF. You can witness the world’s best riders compete daily, dine at a variety of restaurants, shop until you drop, entertain the kids, enjoy an adults-only night out and learn more about various equine topics — all without leaving the showgrounds.
For more information about the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, visit www.pbiec.com.
