Riders Are Building And Expanding Foundations At Boutique Local Horse Show
By Holly Johnson
The Ridge at Wellington Groves is a show designed for the horse, and by default their riders. The Ridge offers customized offerings to benefit not just the day-to-day show schedules of its competitors, but also the long-term success of the sport.
Founded by U.S. Olympian Nona Garson and Grand Prix rider and trainer George D’Ambrosio, The Ridge’s roots span back decades to Garson’s early days riding in New Jersey. After she realized her Olympic dreams, she and D’Ambrosio began hosting the Turf Tour in 2012, a weekly series that toured the many manicured polo fields in Wellington, offering show jumping classes up to Grand Prix. As a great training ground for everything from young riders to Olympic athletes — including eventers, who loved getting their horses out for show jumping on the grass — the Turf Tour developed a strong following that began to grow beyond the limits of its white-fenced show arenas.
After their final years jumping on the turf at Polo West and Black Watch Farm, the show’s owners sold their smaller farm and purchased a 20-plus-acre farm between Southern and Okeechobee boulevards, just north of Wellington. With space to spread out and the basic framework for a horse show, they began upgrades that foreshadowed what the events would become: a show designed for horse and rider to grow and develop.
These upgrades included an oversized main arena and a second arena with the latest footing, lights and jump materials; wide driveways and long lanes for horse trailers to easily enter, park and exit; permanent high-end tent stabling; and multiple fenced pastures, wash racks, water access points and grazing areas.
But the real upgrade at The Ridge is the effort that has been placed on events since those first shows on the Turf Tour: making shows accessible, affordable and welcoming, while providing the atmosphere and feel of a world-class venue. The result is a unique experience for riders and horses, where a teenager may do their first 1.30M with an Olympian on a green horse.
One interaction that stands out as typical at The Ridge was a young trainer finishing their round when the next rider, an Olympian, asked them a question about the course. After answering, the young trainer rode away, saying, “Why is he asking me? He’s a gold-medal-winning Olympic rider,” but her smile spoke volumes about a level playing field that was more metaphorical than the perfectly leveled jumping arena.
In 2026, The Ridge has expanded its offerings to include not only USEF-rated show jumping, but also a series of bi-monthly schooling shows dubbed the Sunshine Tour, a college preparatory showcase for aspiring collegiate athletes to meet schools and ride at The Ridge. Also included is the latest in their charity efforts, a two-day breast cancer benefit charity horse show, complete with per-jump pledges, horses and riders decked out in pink and joker fences that when cleared double the donation.
“Our riders come for the convenience and the classes we offer but stay because we truly focus on horsemanship and simplicity in the experience,” Garson said. “We source the best judges, management, stewards, sponsors and course designers, including FEI and Olympic level, even for our .60M to 1.15M classes. We offer complimentary hospitality to all of our riders. Our schedules are flexible, without strict orders of go, so riders can plan around our events with consistency.”
As an Olympian herself, Garson knows exactly the challenges and obstacles that must be cleared by any horse and rider as they gallop toward the international level.
“We run multiple courses at most heights, so horse and rider pairs can show two to three times at a height, and even come back for an hors concours round, meaning ‘beyond the competition,’ so they can gain experience and confidence,” Garson said. “We’ve woven so many benefits into our shows to allow our competitors to really make the most of their time with us and their growth with their horses.”
As a USEF ‘r’ hunter and jumper course designer herself, Garson has been setting fences that give riders options to push their limits, gain back their or their horse’s confidence or just warm up before a big class.
In 2024, The Ridge’s weekly $15,000 1.40M Grand Prix and $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic hosted many riders who went on to jump at the Paris Olympics for the first time: Israel’s Ashlee Bond and Daniel Bluman and Venezuela’s Luis Larrazabal, as well as Olympic veteran riders like Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa.
The Ridge’s horse-friendly approach has drawn many top riders from around the country during Wellington’s winter show season, but all the events have a touch of something special. Community impact has always been at the heart of the story. In 2026, in addition to supporting breast cancer research, The Ridge has contributed to local food drives and given a pro bono sponsorship to the Kids Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports families dealing with childhood cancer. You can spot their colorful, candy-cane-striped jump in The Ridge’s Grand Prix ring all this season.
Whether during the rated or unrated shows, small magic moments unfold daily at The Ridge. Adult amateurs take their first rounds with new mounts. A leadline rider gets their first round of applause. A young horse afraid of a faux wall fence at first clears it multiple times after the grounds crew drops the height just for the first attempt. An Olympian watches their son jump around a cross-rail course.
Recently, newly minted Olympian Daniel Bluman watched his son show at The Ridge. Grand Prix rider Mario Garcia has attended The Ridge multiple times in 2026, coaching his children in the .90M divisions as well as his students. This is what gives The Ridge the feel of family, horsemanship and growth, all wrapped up in a horse show.
The Ridge at Wellington Groves is located at 1815 E Road in Loxahatchee Groves. Visit www.ridgeshowjumping.com/the-ridge-at-wellington for more information.
