Experience Irish Culture & Heritage At Inaugural Wellington Irish Festival

The inaugural Village of Wellington Irish Festival will be held Saturday, March 7 at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., presented by Brian Marketing Group. The public is invited to celebrate Irish culture with authentic food, entertainment and a fun day for the entire family.

The event will include a day of Irish entertainment. On the Slane Castle Stage will be the Black Thorne Pipe Band, Rogue Theory, the Tir Na Greine Irish Dancers, Clar Killoran, Bangers & Mash Celtic Irish rock and more. Franny from mornings on 98.7 FM the Gator and Real Radio will host a “Split the G” challenge with attendees and Guinness. The public is invited to sign up for the Irish Dance competition with more details to be announced on Facebook.

An Irish festival isn’t complete without Irish food favorites, such as corned beef sandwiches, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie and more. There will be a Guinness Beer Garden and a full-service bar serving mixed drinks, wine, a Phoenix Park Whiskey tasting, Baileys and Irish coffee. Additional family fun will include facepainting, activities for kids and games.

The best way to enjoy a VIP cultural experience at the festival is to reserve an Irish Cottage, which includes seating and a table for eight, a 10-foot-by-10-foot tent and general admission, or VIP stage pods, which include four seats and a table close to the stage. Both offer cocktail service for the day. These special seating areas can be reserved through Eventbrite.com.

Ireland U.S. Experience will be raffling off a trip for two to Ireland. Proceeds will benefit Southeast Florida Honor Flight, an organization that flies local World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials honoring their service and sacrifices. Proceeds from a 50/50 cash raffle will benefit the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, which provides emergency financial support to qualified disabled veterans living in Florida.

Sponsors include Brian Marketing Group, the Village of Wellington, Guinness, Cairlinn Bay, Kettle One, Captain Morgan, Johnny Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff, Lake Preserve Management, Guarantee Garage Doors and Repair, the Town-Crier newspaper and Wellington The Magazine.

Ireland U.S. Experience is a family-owned and operated travel business providing customizable trips to Ireland. With more than 20 years in the travel industry, it aims to ensure that customers have the vacation of a lifetime. They are currently offering a 10-day trip July 17-26, 2026, and a seven-day golfing tour Sept 14-20, 2027. Learn more at www.irelandusexperience.com.

General admission is free to the Village of Wellington Irish Festival. For VIP seating options, search for “Wellington Irish Festival” at www.eventbrite.com. Learn more by finding the event on Facebook.

Dressage Olympian Laura Graves Building Her Next Chapter At Home In Wellington

By Mike May

Veteran dressage rider Laura Graves, who has been traveling here for competition since 2009, recently decided to make Wellington her full-time home.

“Wellington is unlike any other place,” said Graves, who is busy this season training up her newest dressage mounts.

Highlighted by medal-winning performances at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, Graves continues to compete as a top-level dressage rider traveling the world circuit.

While today, Wellington is her home base, for Graves, it all started in her native New England.

“I grew up near Waitsfield, Vermont, with two sisters,” said Graves, now 38. “My family had friends who owned horses. While in elementary school, my dad, who was in the hardware business, was able to swap a used washer and dryer for two ponies. One was an Appaloosa, and the other one was a Welsh Cob pony. We also had access to a free barn, which my father carefully dismantled piece by piece. He labeled each piece, and then rebuilt the barn on our property. That’s where the two ponies lived. That barn remains standing to this day.”

Taking care of those two ponies was a hobby for Graves and her two sisters. As a result of getting them, the three girls had to pitch in to take care of them.

“We fed them, mucked the stalls, groomed them and provided water for them to drink,” Graves recalled.

It didn’t take long for her interest in riding horses to become “a serious hobby.” Graves’ passion for taking care of and riding horses ended up being more serious than it was for her sisters.

The next equestrian purchase by Graves’ parents was a horse that she rode and looked after for many years.

“We bought a four-year-old Quarter Horse from Canada. His name was Sunny,” Graves explained. “I first rode Sunny while competing in eventing, and later in dressage.”

Graves soon decided that she preferred competing in dressage, and Sonny was her first dressage partner. The first big dressage event that the pair won took place when Graves was in middle school.

“I had a high finish in the New England Junior Young Rider Dressage Championship, when it was held in Connecticut,” she said.

Graves was recognized by the judges for her high level of horsemanship. For her impressive performance, she received a number of prizes, one of which was a new saddle. She was thrilled to do so well and enjoyed the benefits of her high finish. It was the beginning of a very promising career in dressage. And, looking back, Graves gives much of the credit to Sunny, who lived until his mid-20s and died in 2021.

When Graves was in high school, a new, young horse entered her life. It was a foal from The Netherlands who was born in the fall of 2002. The horse was a Dutch Warmblood, and his name was Verdades.

“We had a small, limited budget to buy a horse. Verdades was what we were able to afford,” Graves said. “We bought this fancy horse, and I was ready to live the dream.”

While Verdades was a major upgrade from Sunny, he provided Graves with many restless days and nights, and a few nightmares along the way.

“Verdades was a talented, but a very difficult horse. But I believed in him and all his electric energy,” Graves said. “Riding him was the easy part. It was like wearing a glove. It was unfairly easy.”

But that was the case only for Graves. She quickly realized that she was really the only person that Verdades would respond to on a daily basis. Outside the training and competitive arenas, Verdades was non-compliant with other people, and only Graves could connect with him.

Graves’ frustration with Verdades was so high that she twice sent him to a horse trainer. In both instances, she received phone calls where she was told to come pick up Verdades because he was so uncooperative and impossible to work with for the trainers.

“He forced patience on you. He was a very sensitive creature,” Graves said. “Everything was difficult with Verdades, whether it was grooming him, clipping him, washing him and getting him inside the horse trailer. I eventually broke him by trail riding him.”

While competing, Verdades and Graves formed a formidable partnership.

“I was the only one who could ride him,” Graves said. “In the end, he picked me.”

Even though Verdades had a unique spirit, Graves understood, tolerated, respected and loved Verdades. And the two were very successful inside the dressage arena.

“That horse took me all over the world,” Graves recalled. “I have traveled many miles in a horse van. Over the years, I have competed at many places in the U.S., and all over Europe. I have also been invited to compete in Dubai and Australia.”

The list of global dressage events that Graves and Verdades competed in is impressive. This dynamic duo had a dominant stretch from 2014 to 2019. During those six years, Graves was the best rider on the U.S. dressage team, and at one point was the world’s top-ranked dressage rider.

At the World Equestrian Games in 2014, held in Normandy, France, Graves took fifth in the freestyle. That same year, she was an American reserve Grand Prix champion. In 2015, Graves and Verdades were fourth at the World Cup Finals. Also, in 2015, Graves competed in the Pan American Games for the United States, where she won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal.

In 2016, Graves and Verdades traveled to Brazil to represent Team USA in the Rio Olympics, where they won a team bronze medal. The highlights of 2017 for Graves and Verdades were their second-place finish at the World Cup and winning the Grand Prix Special at the COD in Aachen, Germany.

At the World Equestrian Games in 2018 in Tryon, North Carolina, Graves and Verdades were part of the U.S. dressage team and took home two silver medals.

Finally, in 2019, Graves and Verdades recorded a second-place finish in the World Cup Finals.

At the end of 2019, Graves and Verdades concluded their competitive partnership. He lived out the rest of his life in Wellington and died just recently, in December 2025.

For Graves, she remains committed to returning to the spotlight as a world-class dressage rider, but it will be with a new horse. Two of her new horses are Sole Mio, a Rhinelander stallion, and Java Dulce, a Dutch Warmblood. She is focused on earning a spot on the U.S. squad that will compete in the World Equestrian Games this summer in Germany. She also has her eye on earning another competitive trip to the Olympic Games, specifically Los Angeles in 2028.

Right now, in addition to enjoying all that Wellington has to offer, she has never been as busy as she is now. Her days are filled with training, competing and teaching dressage, exercising her six horses, and overseeing an online dressage educational platform — called Performance Riders — via Zoom.

“I am busy seven days a week,” Graves said.

To keep up with dressage star Laura Graves, you can follow her on Instagram @lauragravesdressage.

World-Class Dressage Competition On Display At AGDF

By Fiona Slusarev

The 2026 Adequan Global Dressage Festival hosts seven weeks of CDI competition and weekly national shows over three months, finishing March 29, at Wellington International’s Equestrian Village. The 2026 AGDF season has seen exciting improvements and updates across the facilities and class offerings. Wellington The Magazine recently had the opportunity to speak with AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur to discuss all things dressage and this season’s highlights.

Baur has been the director of sport at AGDF since 2014. He started out working for a sports event management company in Europe before becoming a sports director for a variety of athletic world championships. Baur entered the equestrian world when he took on the role of running a horse show in Europe. Over the years, he has done numerous European horse shows, shows across the United States, and notably the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, this year. For Baur, his fascination with horses keeps him in the equestrian sphere. “This huge animal — that people can ride — still touches me,” he said.

How is Global a unique show experience for dressage competitors?

Global is the only real series of shows. There are many other international dressage events all over the world, but not seven international shows in three months in one place. It’s also very unique because most of the riders have their farms around here. Usually in Europe, you drive a couple of hours to go to a show, but here it’s done in 10 to 15 minutes. It’s less travel and more comfortable for the horses. We also offer everything from World Cup qualifiers to qualifiers for this year’s World Championships in Aachen, Germany. AGDF is really special and not something you can find anywhere else in the world.

Why might someone outside the horse world want to come to Friday Night Stars?

I would say because of the great atmosphere here at the International Stadium at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. You can see the top riders dancing with their horses. It’s always fun and something for the whole family.

What is new at Global this year, for the facility and for the experience?

For the first time, we have covered bleachers, so spectators can comfortably enjoy dressage in the shade. We have set up a new FEI lounge for the riders, next to the FEI barn. Grooms, trainers and riders can quickly get something to eat and drink on the way in and out. There is more to come in the future when we move to the new south venue across the street. It will be more than dressage there — it’s the new covered arena, the grass field, the extra rings and the FEI barns.

Global recently presented a well-attended masterclass event. What did this year’s masterclass offer?

We have done several masterclasses over the last seven years; one with Carl Hester, one with Isabell Werth and one with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. This year’s masterclass was presented by Three Graces Dressage with Olympians Kyra Kyrklund, Cathrine Laudrup Dufour and Jan Brink. We try to offer something educational every year.

What qualifying classes are offered this year at Global?

Once you move to the international level, you have a chance to qualify for the international dressage competitions for the World Championships in Aachen, Germany. The United States itself has different qualification criteria because they can only send four riders. Individuals from other countries may be able to directly qualify here, if you fulfill the minimum requirements of the FEI. However, if you are on a team, then the team qualification criteria applies. We also have individual qualifications for the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, in April. Getting to the finals is done with a point system through the World Cup qualifiers. There are a total of three World Cup qualifying classes, one in Week 1, one in Week 7 and one in Week 10. This will determine which three riders from the North American League, consisting of the United States, Canada and Mexico, go to the World Cup final.

What names should dressage fans keep an eye out for this season?

We have seen in Week 1 already, the U.S. shooting star, Christian Simonson, with Indian Rock. In Week 7, we have Isabell Werth from Germany. Werth is the most decorated equestrian athlete across all disciplines, including the Olympic Games, world championships and European championships. This is the first time she will compete in the International Ring at Global.

Dressage can sometimes be overshadowed by show jumping. What makes dressage not only beautiful but also exciting?

For me, the most beautiful part is always when you see a ride that is harmonious. The horse and rider are in sync, and everything looks light and easy. It’s really a kind of dance. This is something you don’t see every day, even though everyone who is involved in dressage would like to see it all the time. You’re working with a living, breathing animal — that’s the hard part. In jumping, you want the horse to jump clear, but in dressage, we focus on achieving harmony.

Do you have a personal highlight for this season?

My personal highlight is definitely having Isabell Werth compete with us. We’ve waited 16 years, since she competed over at WEF, for her to compete at Global.

What do you see as the most important aspects of dressage as a sport?

I think we have a great responsibility to make sure that the welfare of the horse is paramount in every single situation. For most riders, the well-being of their horse is the first priority. Horses cannot tell us what they feel or how they feel. We have to be the guardians of the horse. That means if a rider doesn’t think their horse is feeling well one day, then they do not compete them the next day. It’s a hard decision because competitors might need points to go to a championship or to win a series, but they need to be able to make the decision to not compete and to protect the horse. As a rider, you work with your horse every single day and know your horse inside-out. Equestrians can tell when something is wrong or if their horse needs to be checked.
What do you want people to know about this season at Global?

I really encourage everyone to come out and see what we are doing. It’s open; you can watch the riders in the warm-up and watch the riders in the test. You can see how competitors work with their horses and that horses are athletes. Come out and see for yourself how we treat our animals, who are really our partners. In society today, people are moving away from animals more and more because we don’t need them for transport or for farm work; now horses have become athletes. It does not matter the discipline, we need to preserve horses.

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival showgrounds is located at Equestrian Village at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.

 

Master Saddler Kate Ballard Helps Riders Get The Perfect Fit

By Fiona Slusarev

For equestrians, no other piece of tack is quite as important as their saddle. It is vital that it fits both rider and horse to prevent injury and allow everyone to perform at their best. However, getting a correctly fitted saddle is a perennial issue for riders across all equestrian disciplines.

Kate Ballard of WestHill & Son Saddlery is one of only two master saddlers registered with Britain’s Society of Master Saddlers working in the United States, and she is the only woman in the country with traditional British qualifications to design and craft bespoke saddles by hand. Starting her training at age 15, she now makes custom tack at her Loxahatchee workshop.

“I’ve wanted to make saddles since I was 11 years old,” Ballard recalled. “I remember writing my French essays at school — they were all about saddle making.”

Ballard apprenticed with a master saddler in Suffolk, England, before training at Cordwainers Technical College in London for three more years. She not only studied saddle making but also learned the biomechanics of horse and rider, the muscular system and skeletal frame of the horse, bridle making, harness making and lorinery. Lorinery is considered a heritage craft in the United Kingdom and consists of making all the metal components used on the horse, including bits, buckles and stirrups.

Her studies at Cordwainers were followed by a four-year apprenticeship with master saddler and harness maker Geoff Dean, for a total of nine years of education. She was requested to create ceremonial saddlery for the King’s Troops, to be presented at the Royal Tournament, Earls Court, London by Princess Anne. Ballard was also chosen for the Prince of Wales Award for Rural Craft and invited to St. James’s Palace to receive the honor from then Prince Charles, now King Charles III.

Ballard came to the United States in 2002 after her highly successful career in England, into a void of professional saddlers. “America is starved for saddlers and saddle fitters. There isn’t anywhere in the United States where you can get the education that I was lucky enough to have,” Ballard said.

That education is what separates her from saddle fitter representatives from the big tack brands, who often only have a few weeks of training.

This is what keeps Ballard fitting three to six horses per day. With her experience in leather crafts, combined with her knowledge of horse and rider physiology, she is able to make truly custom tack to fit niche needs. She even dabbles outside the equestrian sphere with other leather items.

“I’ve done incredibly specific saddles for para-riders, each saddle completely unique to that horse and rider,” she said. “I’ve covered driving shafts in patent leather, made bonnet straps for old classic cars, gun holsters, leather boxes, all sorts of leather goods, and made-to-measure bridles.”

From consulting for the para-dressage Olympic team, to making completely bespoke bridles, Ballard is well versed. She also provides some clarity on the perpetual wool versus foam panel debate. Ballard is unquestioningly in favor of wool, which allows her to easily make adjustments as needed. It is not a question of if the horse changes, she said, it is a question of when the horse changes.

“The only reason foam panels exist is because, when saddles were produced years and years ago for the American market, there weren’t saddlers here to make frequent adjustments. That’s different now,” Ballard explained.

Foam panels mean that the customer has to ship the saddle back to the manufacturer and lose it for weeks at a time while it is completely redone to correct the fit. Ballard, however, can adjust wool flocking in an hour at the stables. Which is important, since saddle fit must be checked “twice a year minimum,” Ballard stressed. “It doesn’t matter if the horse is 3 or 33.”

Corrective padding can be another point of stress for the rider. If the saddle itself isn’t a perfect fit, how can it be corrected? With so many options — half-pads, riser pads, shims, new gel-pads and more — it’s hard to know what is actually going to help the horse. For Ballard, corrective pads are not a final answer:

“There is a time and place for pads; most are absolutely useless. If it’s needed, it’s not a long-term solution,” she said.

When investing in a saddle, riders might be tempted to put their fit above that of their horses. Perhaps a saddle is a perfect fit for you and within budget, but isn’t a complete match for your horse. However, Ballard said, the horse should come first. “The saddle has to fit the horse for maximum performance,” she explained.

While Ballard holds the horse’s fit paramount, she acknowledged that if the saddle is not fit to the rider, some issues, like imbalance, can transfer back to the horse. “The saddle is designed to put you in a certain place, and it can create chaos if it’s incorrect,” she said.

All equestrians know a horse that is “hard to fit.” Perhaps a little too high in the withers, wide at the shoulders or long in the back. Whatever the reason, Ballard hears this complaint all the time. She credits this issue, not to the confirmation of the individual horse, but to industry standards that haven’t kept up with changing sporthorse measurements.

“Over the last 7, 10 even 15 years, breeding has changed horses significantly, affecting back shape, so saddle design needs to evolve alongside those changes,” Ballard explained.

Ballard is also educating professionals in other equestrian fields on the very basics of saddlery. For experts in various horse care careers, such as veterinarians, chiropractors and bodyworkers, understanding and recognizing an incorrectly fit saddle can be a pivotal part in treating an issue.

“We all play a part in these horses’ lives, and if I can help other professionals, it’s ultimately better for the horse,” said Ballard, who offers a one-day class for these professionals, as well as a two-day class for aspiring saddlers. She is not teaching how to fit a saddle in a day, but rather providing insight into understanding the complete picture of the horse.

Even though Ballard has worked fitting saddles for more than 35 years, it seems the job hasn’t gotten old yet. Starting out as a child in pony club, then fox hunting, eventing and show jumping, and now a retiree from riding, she still holds a great deal of admiration for horses and riders.

“I love what I do. I’m addicted to it. I am so lucky to have had the education I had,” Ballard said. “One of the best feelings is seeing the horse and rider connect in harmony because the horse can move uninhibited and the rider can stay in balance.”

For more information about Kate Ballard and WestHill & Son Saddlery, visit www.westhillandson.com.

USET Foundation’s Aachen Benefit Gala Raises $1.2 Million

Story by Jennifer Ward/Jump Media  |  Photos by Luxeciné

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s “Aachen” benefit gala raised nearly $1.2 million in support of U.S. equestrian sport ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.

Held on Friday, Jan. 16, at ROasis Riding Oasis in Wellington, the event brought together members of the equestrian and philanthropic communities for an evening dedicated to advancing and honoring U.S. excellence on horse sport’s greatest international stages.

Hosted by USET Foundation Trustee Rowan O’Riley, guests enjoyed a night of celebration that included an authentic German-themed cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and a highly anticipated live auction, with proceeds directly benefiting the USET Foundation’s mission to provide critical resources for US Equestrian’s High Performance Programs and U.S. equestrian athletes and horses.

The benefit’s live auction featured an exclusive lineup of sought-after experiences and one-of-a-kind items that garnered enthusiastic bids in support of U.S. equestrian teams. A standout moment was the bidding for a stay at the luxury Mexican retreat Casa de Casas, donated by the Casas family, which was sold twice, generating significant excitement among the attendees. A signed Fender guitar donated by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa also drew spirited bidding and added to the night’s celebratory momentum.

“Sustaining competitive excellence at the highest levels of equestrian sport requires hard work, unwavering commitment and meaningful resources,” USET Foundation Chairman, President & CEO Kristi Mitchem said. “Unlike many other countries, the United States does not receive government funding for equestrian sport. Our teams rely largely on support from the USET Foundation and our dedicated donors. We are tremendously grateful for the generosity shown at this year’s benefit, which raised nearly $1.2 million for the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen and U.S. equestrian programs.”

The USET Foundation’s prestigious annual awards were also presented during the gala. Akiko Yamazaki, a committed champion of the USET Foundation for almost two decades, was presented with the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award. She has served as a USET Foundation trustee since 2010 and was elected an officer of the board in 2019. She is also co-chair of the USET Foundation’s “Pathway to the Podium” campaign, helping to lead the foundation as the United States prepares to host the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Show jumping athlete and Wellington resident Lillie Keenan was awarded the Whitney Stone Cup. Presented annually, the Whitney Stone Cup acknowledges an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and sportsmanlike conduct exemplify the USET Foundation’s highest ideals and traditions.

Eventing athlete Cassie Sanger received the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, awarded annually to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the U.S. Equestrian Team’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship. Sanger, 21, had an impressive 2025 season, stepping up to the five-star level, where she enjoyed strong performances riding Redfield Fyre.

In addition to supporting the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, funds also support the USEF High Performance Programs and elite athletes and horses, including developing athletes through USEF High Performance Pathway initiatives and international programs that help identify, develop and prepare future team talent.

The USET Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of the U.S.’s elite and developing international equestrian athletes and horses in partnership with the USEF.

For more information, or to support the USET Foundation and U.S. equestrian athletes and horses, visit www.uset.org/donate.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Announces Exciting 2026-27 Season

By Sheryl Flatow

World premieres. Co-productions. A luminous, thought-provoking musical. An absurdist classic. A contemporary play that should be more widely known. These are the colors of Palm Beach Dramaworks’ exciting 2026-27 season, which features five disparate plays that together provide a microcosm of the company’s mission: a commitment to producing classic, contemporary and world premiere plays that entertain, enlighten, stimulate discussion and illuminate our shared humanity.

It is a mission guided by the spirit of the original regional theater movement, which was created as an alternative to the artistic restraints and commercial necessities of Broadway; by the desire to bring quality professional theater to communities throughout the country, nurture local talent, cultivate new audiences and become integral to the cultural fabric; by the opportunity to explore and experiment and develop new, thought-provoking and unconventional work, while also showcasing some of the great plays of the past.

Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 2026-27 season opens on Oct. 9 with the world premiere of Alejandro Rodriguez’s Alba, which is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s La Casa de Bernarda Alba and was part of the 2025 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Alba is followed, on Dec. 9, with the second world premiere of the season, Jennifer Maisel’s Provenance (rights pending), which will be a co-production with the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota. This unique play, about the life of a painting, was initially seen by PBD audiences during the 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Next up, opening Feb. 12, is the romantic and deeply moving The Light in the Piazza, written by Craig Lucas (book) and Adam Guettel (music and lyrics). Winner of numerous Tony Awards, the musical will be a co-production with the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Moving from the sublime to the absurd, Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, a classic comedy of menace, opens April 2. Closing out the season will be Richard Strand’s Ben Butler, which opens on May 21. This very funny comedy is inspired by an event in the life of a historical figure who will likely be unfamiliar to most audiences on the way in, but unforgettable on the way out.

“The 2026-27 season really does epitomize who we are, and is also an indicator of our continuing evolution,” Producing Artistic Director William Hayes said. “For some time now, we’ve been exploring the possibility of doing co-productions with other theater companies. We’ve done a few in the recent past, but we’ve come to believe that collaboration is the wave of the future — and not simply for the financial advantages. They will be the exception, not the rule, but when you work with other respected institutions, you learn from each other, discover new ideas and develop more resources. You make new connections, open new doors, build name recognition and expand your audience. We’re excited by the possibilities.”

Also featured is a special, limited-engagement event.

“Bringing in major talent to share their special gifts is another way of expanding our vision,” Hayes said, “which is one of the reasons we’re so delighted to be presenting internationally renowned artist Hershey Felder for a limited engagement.”

Felder, who has been called “a world-class singular artist” by American Theatre magazine, brings his newest and most personal show, The Piano & Me, to PBD on Oct. 30.

Seasonal subscriptions are on sale now. Although The Piano & Me will be performed shortly after the closing of Alba, it is not part of PBD’s subscription season. However, subscribers have the opportunity to add the show at an exclusive rate.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit theater company founded in 2000 and located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the award-winning company produces five shows and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the theater and in schools. Committed to fostering the future of theater, PBD has become a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the country to nurture their work through the Perlberg Festival of New Plays. PBD is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the Florida Professional Theatre Association and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Post-performance discussions follow Wednesday and Thursday matinees. There are a few differences in the schedule for Provenance due to the Christmas holiday. Check www.palmbeachdramaworks.org for dates.

Subscription packages are available for four or five plays. Most single tickets go on sale in July; tickets for The Light in the Piazza and Hershey Felder will go on sale separately. Individual tickets for all performances are $97, except for opening night of each production ($117) and previews ($77). Student tickets are available for $15 with a valid K-12 or university/college ID, and anyone under 40 pays $40 (no additional fees) with a photo ID. Tickets for educators and active military are half price with proper ID (other restrictions apply). Group rates are also available. All titles are subject to change.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is located at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre at 201 Clematis Street in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Tickets can be purchased through the box office, in person or by phone at (561) 514-4042, ext. 2, and online 24 hours a day at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

 

Saddle Up for Style, Sport and Philanthropy at Wellington’s Derby Party

By Shannon Anastasio

Wellington’s social season will once again reach a stylish crescendo this spring as community leaders, equestrian enthusiasts and philanthropists gather for one of the area’s most anticipated signature events — the annual Wellington Derby Party. Set for Saturday, May 2, this celebrated affair promises an unforgettable afternoon blending southern charm, world-class hospitality and meaningful community impact at the stunning Diamante Farms Dressage venue in Wellington.

Now firmly established as a hallmark fundraising tradition, the Derby Party captures the spirit and spectacle of America’s most iconic horse race while uniquely reflecting Wellington’s deep equestrian roots. Guests will step into an atmosphere inspired by classic Kentucky Derby elegance — where wide-brimmed hats, seersucker suits and vibrant spring fashion are not only encouraged but celebrated.

Few communities in the country embody equestrian excellence quite like Wellington, making the Derby Party a natural extension of the community’s identity. Hosted at the picturesque Diamante Farms Dressage facility, attendees will experience an environment that perfectly marries refined equestrian beauty with upscale sophistication. The venue’s expansive grounds and manicured surroundings provide an ideal backdrop for an event designed to feel both festive and elevated.

Doors open at 3 p.m., allowing guests time to mingle, explore and settle into the celebratory atmosphere before the excitement of race day festivities officially begin. From the moment guests arrive, the tone is set for an afternoon where sport, style and social connection intersect seamlessly.

At its heart, the Wellington Derby Party recreates the pageantry synonymous with Derby culture. Guests can expect the beloved traditions that make race day so memorable, like cheering for their favorite horses, enjoying signature mint juleps, and embracing the friendly competition and camaraderie that define the occasion.

Fashion plays a starring role. Attendees are encouraged to “crown the day with your fanciest hat,” transforming the event into a living showcase of creativity and personal style. From timeless Southern elegance to bold contemporary interpretations, the Derby Party has become known for its vibrant fashion moments and photo-worthy flair — all of which can be on display underneath the signature step and repeat banner.

Beyond the visual spectacle, the event offers immersive experiences designed to engage guests throughout the afternoon. The excitement builds alongside curated entertainment, social interaction and opportunities for attendees to connect with neighbors, business leaders and community supporters who share a passion for giving back.

No Derby Party would be complete without exceptional cuisine, and this year’s event promises another elevated culinary journey crafted by talented executive chefs. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully prepared menu featuring refined dishes that complement the festive atmosphere while celebrating seasonal flavors.

Signature beverages — including the quintessential mint julep — will flow throughout the afternoon, enhancing the authentic Derby experience. Whether savoring gourmet offerings or raising a glass with friends, attendees will find that every detail has been carefully considered to create a luxurious yet welcoming environment.

The result is more than a party; it is an experience designed to delight all the senses while fostering meaningful community engagement.

While elegance and entertainment define the Derby Party’s ambiance, its true purpose lies in philanthropy. Proceeds from the event directly benefit the Wellington Community Foundation, supporting initiatives that strengthen children, seniors and veterans right here in Wellington.

The foundation serves as a driving force behind impactful programs that enhance quality of life for neighbors in Wellington. From educational grants and youth initiatives to community outreach and charitable partnerships, funds raised during the Derby Party help sustain projects that make a tangible difference close to home.

Attendees are not simply guests but participants in a collective effort to invest in Wellington’s future. Each ticket purchased and sponsorship secured contributes to programs that uplift residents and foster long-term community success.

Part of what makes the Wellington Derby Party so special is its ability to unite diverse segments of the community under one shared mission. Business owners, equestrian professionals, civic leaders, families and longtime residents gather in a relaxed yet refined setting where networking feels natural and connections flourish organically.

The event’s welcoming spirit ensures that both first-time attendees and returning supporters feel equally at home. For many, the Wellington Derby Party marks not only a highlight of the social calendar but also a cherished annual tradition and a chance to reconnect with friends while supporting causes that matter deeply to Wellington residents.

Tickets for the 2026 Wellington Derby Party are available at $350 per person, which is all inclusive, start-to-finish. Sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations and businesses wishing to align their brand with one of Wellington’s premier philanthropic events.

More information about sponsorships, or to buy your tickets, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

Sponsors gain meaningful visibility while demonstrating commitment to community investment, making participation both socially rewarding and strategically valuable.

As anticipation builds, the annual Wellington Derby Party stands poised to deliver another resounding success, combining elegance, gastronomy, entertainment and generosity into one extraordinary afternoon. It is an event where every detail, from the fashion to the festivities, serves a greater purpose.

In Wellington, Derby Day is more than a celebration of horse racing tradition — it is a reminder of what can be achieved when a community gathers with shared enthusiasm and charitable intent.

On Saturday, May 2, guests will once again saddle up not only for racing and revelry, but for something far more meaningful: the opportunity to support the heart of their community — proving that, at the Wellington Derby Party, everyone truly is a winner.

Vinceremos Has Been Harnessing The Healing Power Of Horses For More Than Four Decades

 By Fiona Slusarev

From humble backyard roots, the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center has grown exponentially over the past 44 years. Located on 15 acres in Loxahatchee Groves, Vinceremos offers riding and equine-centered programs to children and adults with disabilities, people suffering from mental health conditions and veterans.

The vision of Vinceremos is to “unleash the power of equine therapy,” and that is exactly what this local nonprofit has done on a daily basis since 1982. As a premier accredited center, Vinceremos is subject to the strict administration, facility, program and safety standards of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International.

Ruth Menor founded Vinceremos after graduating from Florida State University with a degree in therapeutic recreation.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Michigan, Menor was always around horses. In fact, one of the first centers for therapeutic riding in the United States was in the area, and she started volunteering at an early age. Horses were a support for Menor when her father passed away and her family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and later to South Florida.

“It was something that always helped me make transitions in my life. I always joke about the ‘stable’ environment. I had my horse friends: the horses and the human friends that were always connected to the horses,” Menor recalled.

Vinceremos began in the backyard of a friend who saw value in Menor’s vision, and soon the organization outgrew the original location and leased a property in Lake Worth. In 1995, they raised enough money to buy the current property in Loxahatchee Groves.

“We are very fortunate that we are in the Wellington area, where we have so many people who have horses and understand the value of the horse-human interaction, so they immediately get the therapeutic benefits,” Menor explained.

CEO Susan Guinan joined Vinceremos almost 19 years ago when the organization had just two employees. From the original two programs, the adaptive riding and hippotherapy programs, the nonprofit has added equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted psychotherapy and the Freedom Reins program for veterans.

“Inspiration is outside my window every minute of every day,” Guinan said. “Whether that’s the inspiration that comes from watching children in the hippotherapy programs start to build strength, the inspiration that comes when parents see potential that may have been hidden by their [child’s] condition, or inspiration comes from donors who support the programs and see the benefits. There is inspiration behind every corner.”

Today, Vinceremos serves approximately 250 individuals each week. Adaptive riding empowers individuals with disabilities to improve their core strength, coordination and balance, while providing a sense of accomplishment and independence. Lessons are taught by PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructors with skilled volunteers to provide support.

“When you’re doing adaptive riding, you’re learning to ride a horse like anybody else is, but those professionals have a disability education [and] a huge toolbox of different adaptive equipment and adaptive skills in terms of working with individuals with disabilities,” Director of Operations Jessica Rhinelander explained.

Rhinelander, like Menor, grew up volunteering at a therapeutic riding program. She later went on to have a professional dressage career and coach Paralympic athletes. After leaving the horse world for three years and working in a corporate job, she returned to work at Vinceremos and has been a part of the team for nearly four years.

Hippotherapy, like adaptive riding, can help individuals with disabilities like cerebral palsy and autism. Hippotherapy differs from adaptive riding because of the additional therapist — physical, speech or occupational — that joins the therapeutic riding instructor to help the rider reach a therapeutic goal. The movement of the horse’s body mimics the motion of the human pelvis walking, which combined with a therapist’s guidance, helps riders with issues like a traumatic brain injury, stroke or spinal cord injury.

“We have individuals who have come to us and said, ‘Nothing else works: We’ve tried all these other therapies, and this is the only thing that works. And my child loves coming here.’ Everything is designed in a way that it’s a game or an interaction or empowering in some way,” Rhinelander said.

Equine-assisted learning also echoes these same principles. This is an unmounted program that teaches life skills to individuals through interaction with horses. Exceptional student education (ESE) students from Wellington and Palm Beach Central high schools regularly participate in equine-assisted learning and gain experience in teamwork, sequencing, life skills, communication and understanding body language.

“The feedback we get from teachers is, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize how engaged the students would be,’” Rhinelander said.

Students learn about self-care while they groom horses and understand measurements in the feed room as they measure out grain for the horses. Teachers find their students are often better able to self-regulate with this hands-on learning.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is another unmounted program, which uses the horse as a bridge for individuals to talk about their emotions under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist. Freedom Reins is a similar program for veterans; a free 10-week program helps empower individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is beneficial to children and adults who have experienced traumatic events, or for foster and adoptive families experiencing change. The mental health professional works with the equine specialist to develop lesson plans and activities that tackle the individual’s needs and ensure safety around the horse.

Something as simple as watching herd dynamics in a group of horses that are meeting for the first time can be an avenue to discuss bullying. “You can lead the conversation into one of their experiences, but talk about the horses,” Rhinelander explained.

All these therapies are only possible because of the network of devoted volunteers at Vinceremos, many of whom come to the facility with no prior horse experience. Care and consideration are even reflected in the construction of the facility and color-coding of horse supplies, so volunteers can learn as they go. “We are very much a volunteer-centric organization,” Guinan said.

Everyone is learning and growing at Vinceremos. Volunteers leave with horse-care knowledge and a better understanding of individuals with disabilities. “They’re getting to volunteer, but at the same time, they are being introduced to individuals with different abilities, and they start to look beyond the disability and see the human being,” Guinan said.

Many children and adults are able to come to Vinceremos on scholarships because of volunteers giving their time and donors covering horse care and facility costs. They are also now registered with Sunshine Health, so the facility can accept that insurance. “We firmly believe that no one should be turned away because of their inability to pay,” Rhinelander said.

Menor, Guinan and Rhinelander hope that the program will keep expanding, as it has over the last four decades. The search for patient and easygoing horses themselves to serve the needs of specific individuals is also ongoing. The horses have a 90-day trial and numerous activities to complete before committing to Vinceremos.

The 10-person board of directors also hopes to construct an additional facility to better serve the growing clientele base, adding to the existing 24-stall barn and 45,000-square-foot covered arena.

Vinceremos will host a Nashville Songwriters Night fundraiser on Sunday, March 8. Rhinelander was instrumental in creating this fundraiser with Dean Alexander, whose daughter rides in the hippotherapy program. As the second year of the event, supporters are welcomed into the Vinceremos covered arena and treated to dinner and an open bar. They have the opportunity to go into the barn and meet the horses firsthand before the two-hour songwriters’ performance featuring Dean Alexander, Marv Green and Terry McBride.

“What you feel at this event, and what the music makes you feel, is exactly what our clients feel when they come here,” Rhinelander said.

For information and tickets to the event, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for “Nashville Songwriters Night in Support of Vinceremos.”

Vinceremos is located at 13300 6th Court North in Loxahatchee Groves. For more information, call (561) 792-9900 or visit www.vinceremos.org.

March Is Wellington’s Season Of Momentum

In local government, momentum rarely happens by accident. It is built quietly over time, through planning, collaboration and countless small decisions made with care.

March carries a different kind of energy in Wellington. The days grow a little longer. Our parks and fields are full. The equestrian season is in full stride. Families are settling into the rhythm of school, sports and community events. There is movement everywhere you look — not rushed, not chaotic but purposeful. March is the month where momentum becomes visible.

In local government, momentum rarely happens by accident. It is built quietly over time, through planning, collaboration and countless small decisions made with care. By the time spring arrives, many of the initiatives we began discussing months ago are taking shape in ways residents can see and feel.

I was reminded of this recently while at Village Park. Parents lined the sidelines, volunteers coordinated schedules and our parks team had prepared the space before sunrise. To most, it may have looked like a simple Saturday morning. But what I saw was something deeper: a network of people, staff, coaches, families and neighbors, each playing a role in creating a moment that mattered to a child on the field. That is momentum. It is community in motion.

March is also a time when many residents return from winter travels, seasonal visitors reconnect with friends and long-time neighbors gather at events that have become traditions. Our community calendar reflects this vibrancy — cultural celebrations, athletic competitions, public meetings and neighborhood gatherings that remind us Wellington is not just a place we live; it is a place in which we participate.

Participation is what transforms a village into a community. When residents serve on advisory boards, volunteer at local events, support small businesses, or simply show up to listen and engage respectfully, they strengthen the fabric that holds us together. Government can provide infrastructure and services, but it is the people of Wellington who create its spirit.

That spirit of participation is especially important as we approach our local elections on Tuesday, March 10. Local government decisions shape our neighborhoods, public safety, parks, roads and the quality of life we experience every day. Voting in local elections is one of the most direct and meaningful ways that residents can help guide the future of our village. Regardless of perspective or position, civic engagement, whether through voting, attending candidate forums or learning more about the issues, reflects a shared commitment to Wellington’s continued success.

March also invites us to look forward. In this season of growth, we continue advancing projects designed to preserve the character of our neighborhoods, enhance public safety and invest responsibly in the future. Progress in a community like ours requires balance; honoring what makes Wellington special while thoughtfully preparing for the years ahead.

As your village manager, I often reflect on the responsibility we share in stewarding this momentum. It is easy to focus solely on what is next; the next project, the next meeting, the next event.

But it is equally important to pause and recognize the collective effort that makes progress possible. Every team member who answers a call, every resident who offers constructive input and every volunteer who gives their time contributes to the forward movement of our village.

If February is about connection, March is about action grounded in that connection. It is about taking the relationships we have built and channeling them into meaningful progress.

Thank you for continuing to show up, for your families, for your neighbors and for Wellington. It remains a privilege to serve this community and to witness, firsthand, the steady momentum we are building together.