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Enjoy Polo At Its Best With Fieldside Dining The International Polo Club’s Sunday Brunch Brings Some Elegance To The Weekend

Enjoy Polo At Its Best With Fieldside Dining The International Polo Club’s Sunday Brunch Brings Some Elegance To The Weekend

One of the International Polo Club Palm Beach’s most popular traditions is returning to Wellington this season, offering polo enthusiasts a chance to liven up the end of their weekends. Say goodbye to boring Sundays, because Sunday brunch at IPC will be the most exciting part of your week, setting the tone for the next seven days.

Every week of the 2022 high-goal polo season in Wellington, which begins Jan. 2 and runs through April 24, guests have a chance to get close to the polo action with champagne in hand and a delicious brunch spread to enjoy.

IPC’s flagship events are the Sunday feature polo matches, which showcase some of the best players and polo ponies in the world as they vie for the top prize in seven separate tournaments.

The season opens with the Iglehart Cup, Joe Barry Memorial Cup and Ylvisaker Cup in January, and then continues with the coveted Gauntlet of Polo series in February, March and April, which includes the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship.

Every Sunday at 2 p.m., the doors open to the Veuve Clicquot Pavilion for eager brunch-goers, and the match starts at 3 p.m.

The best part? No horse sense or polo know-how is necessary. The thrill of the game, paired with the elegance of the outfits and the wonderful hospitality offerings, combine for a uniquely memorable experience for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of the “sport of kings.”

“We are proud to showcase some of the best hospitality that Palm Beach County has to offer at IPC. Our chefs and caterers are second to none, and I would encourage everyone to spend a Sunday afternoon with us to try the food, drink champagne and enjoy the incredible sport,” said Paul Regal, vice president of operations and catering services at IPC.

On the east side of the field, the Veuve Clicquot Pavilion can fit up to 300 people on the covered patio, a perfectly comfortable setting for a respite from the sun, while staying close to the equestrian action — sometimes just feet away. The chefs create beautifully crafted food stations that range from shrimp and steak to fruit and desserts, so your plate will surely be full. And as with any great brunch, don’t hesitate to get seconds and thirds!

At halftime, brunch guests are invited to participate in the divot stomp, where fans walk onto the field and flip the grass divots back into place that have been kicked up from the horse’s hooves. Take advantage of the champagne truck, which drives the length of the field during the divot stomp to pour free champagne.

Tables for brunch can accommodate two to eight people, with upgrade options available for bottles of champagne, VIP seating or to ensure a front row seat in order to have an unobstructed view of the amazing polo action. Ticket sales close the Friday before each Sunday match, so don’t wait until the last minute.

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

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Wellington Real Estate

Equestrian Dream Home Stunning Palm Beach Point Estate With Equestrian Amenities Was Recently Renovated By One Of The Top Design Firms in The Nation

Equestrian Dream Home Stunning Palm Beach Point Estate With Equestrian Amenities Was Recently Renovated By One Of The Top Design Firms in The Nation

This stunning property in the exclusive Palm Beach Point neighborhood sits on seven-plus acres located an easy hack to the showgrounds. Separate entrances to the home and barn provide privacy and ease. An equestrian-themed gate opens up to a grand, tree-lined driveway with a fountain. The home itself has four bedrooms and 5.5 baths. It was recently renovated by one of the top design firms in the country. The living room looks out over the inviting pool and entertainment area, that includes a gazebo, covered sitting area with a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, large hot tub and a pool with a sitting bar area. The formal dining room shines with a spectacular Venetian chandelier. The open, well-appointed kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, a Thermador 6-burner gas range, double ovens and a large working island. With two pantries and an additional butler’s pantry, there is plenty of room for entertaining. The kitchen looks out over a family room with cathedral ceilings, a fireplace and a double-sided aquarium. The stunning master suite also boasts a fireplace, as well as a private patio overlooking the riding ring and barn. The marble master bath has an oversized shower and a Jacuzzi tub with separate vanities and a large closet. Also featured is a second-floor loft with an expansive patio that overlooks the gorgeous property. The eight-stall barn area includes a studio apartment with a full bath, a laundry room with an additional half bath, feed room and two air-conditioned tack rooms that look out over the 185-foot-by-150-foot riding arena and four paddocks.

Front Elevation: As you enter the seven-acre property, there is an
equestrian-themed gate that opens up to a grand driveway lined
by royal palm trees and a fountain that adds a unique wow factor.

Living Room: The living room looks out over the inviting pool and entertainment area, which includes a gazebo and covered sitting area with a fireplace. Dining Room: The formal dining room shines with a spectacular Venetian chandelier purchased specifically for this home in Murano, Italy. Kitchen: The open well-appointed kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, a Thermador 6-burner gas range, warming drawer, double ovens and a large working island. Master Suite: The stunning master suite also boasts a fireplace, as well as a private patio that overlooks the riding ring and barn.

Office/Bedroom: The office/bedroom has its own private bathroom. Second floor loft: A second floor loft has a pool table, game table and an additional seating area. Barn: The current eight-stall barn can be easily enlarged with plenty of space to add more stalls or an additional barn. Pool Deck: The pool and entertainment area includes a sitting area with a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, large hot tub and a pool with a sitting bar area.

Palm Beach Point Property presented by
the Wellington Equestrian Realty team

Meet Chris Desino, Craig Martin & Rob Desino

Chris Desino, Craig Martin
and Rob Desino
Real Estate Agents
13501 South Shore Blvd.,
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 818-4299

As Wellington horse farm owners and equestrian competitors, Chris Desino, Craig Martin and Rob Desino of the Wellington Equestrian Realty team know the Wellington horse farm market intimately. They don’t want their clients to buy just any farm; they want clients to buy the right farm for their unique lifestyle, business and investment.

The Wellington Equestrian Realty team believes it is their responsibility to educate clients on every aspect of investing in a Wellington horse farm and will direct them toward an area with the most potential to increase in value. The team comes with an uncompromising commitment to ensure that clients are properly advised every step of the way.

The team shows clients every Wellington farm listing that suits their unique needs, whether it’s an in-house listing or from another agent. They leave no stone unturned and realize that buying through Wellington Equestrian Realty is a major investment that they do not take lightly. Call (561) 818-4299 to learn more.

Learn more about the Wellington Equestrian Team at www.wellingtonequestrianrealty.cm

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Feature Stories, Wellington Education

35 Years Of Middle School Excellence Lindsay Ingersoll Is Proud To Be Serving As The New Principal At Wellington Landings Middle School

35 Years Of Middle School Excellence Lindsay Ingersoll Is Proud To Be Serving As The New Principal At Wellington Landings Middle School

Story by Deborah Welky | Photos by Denise Fleischman

Wellington Landings Middle School opened in 1987 as the second public school and first middle school serving the fledgling community of Wellington. Since then, it has become a thriving academic home to generations of Wellington youth and has consistently ranked among the county’s top middle schools.

The school is currently led by Lindsay Ingersoll, who took over the role of principal not quite one year ago. Before that, she served as an assistant principal at Wellington Landings since 2012.

Ingersoll recalls having a difficult time in middle school, and that’s what led her to becoming a middle school principal.

“Elementary school was fine and dandy, and by high school, I’d found myself a little bit, but middle school was a tough time for me, as it is for many kids,” Ingersoll said. “There are so many changes in a child who comes in as an 11-year-old and leaves as a 14-year-old. They need extra love and support to get through that stage of life. When my career choices led me to education, I found myself wanting to impact as many middle school students as possible.”

Today, the students at Wellington Landings are the beneficiaries of Ingersoll’s love and support.

“When I was a kid, I wanted to become a psychologist, and I pursued that degree,” Ingersoll said. “I’m really thankful I did that because it helps me every day in my current role as principal. In the beginning, I knew I wanted to work with kids, but I was not sure where I wanted to go. A special education teaching opportunity arose at Lantana Middle School and, even though it was not my original plan, that’s where I ended up.”

Helping this unique population of students had a deep impact on her.

“As I learned more and saw that I had leadership qualities in me that were growing and becoming more expansive, I became the special education coordinator,” Ingersoll recalled. “During that period of time, I went to school to get my master’s degree, and shortly thereafter, I was offered the position of assistant principal at Wellington Landings.”

Although her entire teaching career has been in Florida, Ingersoll’s youth was spent in California.

“I grew up in Calabasas — a suburb of Los Angeles — in what resembled an old west kind of town,” she said. “It had a small-town feel, nothing like it is today. Today, it is a very different place, but it’s still fun to go back there.”

Ingersoll got her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University-Northridge before making the move to Florida, where she later earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

“I was brought up in a house that, luckily, valued education,” she said. “My mother was a former elementary school teacher, so when I began looking at entering the field of teaching, she was excited and supportive.”

There were other key mentors along the way.

“In my career, the person who has mentored me the most is the former principal here, Blake Bennett. We were actually teachers together, so we have known each other going on 20 years,” Ingersoll said. “Blake had faith in those leadership skills I had, and when I was able to come here to work underneath her, she always challenged me to go out of my comfort zone, to garner those skills to become a better leader.”

When Bennett was named the new principal at the A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Ingersoll took over the top job at Wellington Landings in March 2021.

The past two years have been challenging times for educators, trying to balance safety with the academic needs of students.

“The challenges I come across every day are just molehills to be navigated and climbed over, but I always give challenges to myself as well,” Ingersoll said. “Like making sure I’m always a step ahead, looking outside the box, being ahead of the game, being creative and innovative in order to support our students and our staff. For the last two years, almost all of that was technology-related, but now we are trying to find a balance — a combination of what we learned during distance-learning and how we want to teach now that all our students are back on campus.”

And Ingersoll is glad the students are back — all 1,300 of them. A great many of them spent all of the last school year working remotely.

“There’s nothing to compare to having the students here in school,” she said. “Some students have the ability to be successful online, but they have to be intrinsically motivated. I’m so happy to have all our students back here.”

Wellington Landings is home to several choice academies, such as its fine arts and pre-information technology programs. It has consistently been ranked as the highest-performing non-magnet middle school in Palm Beach County for years.

“We’re very proud of that,” Ingersoll said. “Our kids continue to perform at a very high level. We’re also a Florida Five-Star School, which means that the Florida Department of Education recognizes that we continue to show evidence of exemplary community involvement. I think it’s important that I’m part of the community. Wellington is a really unique community, particularly in the support it gives our schools. The Keely Spinelli grants, for instance, help us support students who are struggling. We are able to purchase supplemental instructional tools to help those students.”

Also offering sometimes unexpected insights are Ingersoll’s own children — ages 6, 13 and 17 — who have attended Wellington schools. “It gives me a little extra insight on everything,” she laughed.

Looking back on her own middle school years, Ingersoll doesn’t think the children have changed, but some of their needs have, and the school must be sensitive to that.

“As a school, we have several problem-solving teams. We meet regularly to adjust, based on student needs. Sometimes, things in the world change. We need to make changes at that point in time,” she said. “We do that a lot through our positive behavior support (PBS) — a whole school approach to setting expectations, encouraging positivity and focusing on using those expectations to help students reach their highest potential.”

Yet the thing Ingersoll is the proudest of is the level of collaboration at Wellington Landings.

“The students, teachers, non-instructional staff, custodians, PTO and SAC all help us be successful,” she said. “We’re always collaborating together. Everybody puts their heart and their soul into making our campus what I consider to be the best place. I would like to see us continue on our tradition of excellence, making sure that we’re always creating innovative opportunities for our students. We don’t ever want to be stagnant. I am so happy to be staying here for a while. I feel like I am where I belong, and I want to put all of my focus on making sure that Wellington Landings continues to be the wonderful school that it is.”

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Wellington Health

Latest Treatments For Cataracts And Eye Disease Ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Naids Has Joined The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute Team

Latest Treatments For Cataracts And Eye Disease Ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Naids Has Joined The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute Team

Story by Deborah Welky | Photos by Abner Pedraza

Dr. Steven M. Naids, a highly skilled ophthalmologist with sub-specialty training in cataract surgery and eye disease, has joined the team at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute, which has offices in Wellington, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton.

Inspired by his father, Dr. Richard Naids, an ophthalmologist still practicing in New Jersey, Naids was drawn into the medical field. “Growing up, I saw how he would interact with his patients and the joy he brought to their lives, and I found myself wanting to do the same thing. He is my biggest influence,” Naids said.

A diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Naids received his medical degree from the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national honor medical society.

He completed his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and trained at the renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, where his research interest included visual outcomes after cataract and corneal transplantation surgery.

Upon relocating to Beverly Hills, California, Naids was named an “LA Top Doctor” and national “Super Doctor.” He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, where he has received awards for outstanding research.

Yet the pull of South Florida was strong, as much of Naids’ family had already made the move.

“My family has been in Florida for the past decade,” he said. “I finished my training, went to LA and practiced alongside the top ophthalmologists in world. But with two young kids — and the pandemic — my wife and I realized it was so important to be with our family. So, I brought my family here, and I brought what I’ve learned over the last 10 years of training.”

While continuing to focus on comprehensive care of the entire eye, Naids practices the newest modalities of cataract and refractive surgery, as well as corneal transplantation.

“Cataract surgery has evolved tremendously over the last decade,” he said. “There are a number of amazing technologies to make surgery easier for patients, as well as to provide outcomes that we weren’t capable of obtaining even five years ago.”

Using a laser at the time of surgery is one such evolution, allowing patients with astigmatism to obtain some correction during the cataract surgery itself. Improved lenses for implantation is another scientific advance.

“When you have cataract surgery, we remove the natural part of the eye that has become cloudy and put in a lens that focuses light,” Naids explained. “But lenses have evolved to the point where we can provide an extended range of vision and tailor a patient’s vision to their needs. Assuming that the rest of your eye is healthy, with no glaucoma or macular degeneration, you should come out of cataract surgery with the best possible vision you’ve ever had. In the old days, we’d put in a lens, but you would probably still have to wear glasses every day. Today, cataract surgery has evolved into a refractive procedure, like Lasik. Many patients will enjoy a fuller range of vision after the surgery and may only have to wear reading glasses.”

In the case of a corneal transplant, the organ must be replaced with donor tissue.

“The cornea is the clear, front covering of the eye that protects the eye from the outside world,” Naids said. “But it is also one of the most important organs of the eye in terms of getting light to where it needs to go. A patient may have a disease of the cornea, or an infection, or have experienced trauma to the cornea that has left it swollen, scarred or irregular. In order to get them better vision, we have to replace tissue in full or in part.”

However, doctors have found that only one layer — the innermost — may have to be replaced. “The cornea was the first organ ever transplanted, and the art has definitely evolved over time,” Naids said. “Within the last 15 years, we’ve been able to do these selective layer corneal transplants, and patient recovery is much faster.”

Naids urged patients with frequent dry eye to seek help from an ophthalmologist. It is often much more than an irritating nuisance.

“Dry eye is a multi-factorial disease that results from either diminished tear production or problems with the oil glands in the eyelids. In virtually everybody, it’s a combination of both,” said Naids, who has a specialized interest in the management of dry eye disease. “Millions of people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with it, and we are probably underdiagnosing. We’ve seen it in people from teens on up. One of the biggest problems with it is that it affects both the patient’s eyesight and quality of life. One could blame it on body and hormonal changes, or on working with computers at home, but, again, in order for you to have your best quality of sight, your eyes can’t be dry. Your vision is affected, and it’s not just uncomfortable. As the day goes on, your vision becomes less clear, and you find yourself blinking to get a good quality image.”

Dry eye syndrome is something Naids takes into consideration when a patient comes in to discuss cataract surgery.

“The cornea is responsible for focusing light,” he noted. “If your cornea is dry, we won’t be able to accurately hit our targets as far as cataract surgery. We’ve got to get the dry eye under control first, even if it means delaying surgery for a few months. We suggest intense treatment in the beginning, and then decide on the best maintenance for each patient… There are a few excellent prescription eye drops out there that increase tear production, as well as some other anti-inflammatory medications. We treat oil glands with thermal pulsation — like a massage treatment for the eyelids — wait a few months, then proceed with the cataract surgery after we make sure the patient feels better. But dry eye is a chronic issue. If you let up, it will come back.”

When he’s not working, Naids enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, playing golf and tennis, and watching his hometown Philadelphia sports teams.

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is located at 2575 S. State Road 7 in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 792-1205 or visit www.fleyedocs.com.

 

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Feature Stories

50 Over 50: Unique Photography Project Celebrates Women 50 Years And Better

50 Over 50: Unique Photography Project Celebrates Women 50 Years And Better

Photography Project Celebrates Women 50 Years And Better

“Beauty has no expiration date.” It’s a popular quote, but putting the idea into action took on a whole new meaning for longtime Wellington resident and professional photographer Dannielle Judd. “It was time to start a conversation about the beauty of aging and to embrace the confidence about being comfortable in our own skin,” she explained. And with that, 50 women joined Judd on an adventure to share the common bond of being over 50. This month, Wellington The Magazine joins them in celebrating the strength, wisdom and beauty of 50 Women Over 50.

Judd has been a professional photographer for the past five years, but she has always loved photography and knew it was her passion. Yet it wasn’t until she turned 48 that she began to look at it as her career. Although she had already taken thousands of photographs, and always had the urge to create, it took her time to make the leap.

Judd is not the first photographer to do a 50 Over 50 project, but when she saw the idea, she knew it was something she wanted to do. Being a woman over 50 herself, she knew there are so many stereotypes out there about aging. She wants people to know that many women are just finding their groove at age 50.

Judd wanted to showcase all different nationalities, personalities and professions in this unique photography project. So many women spend their lives as either a wife, mother or both, that they never really find their own identity. She took to social media about the project and asked those interested to complete a questionnaire.

“After speaking to them on the phone and explaining the entire process, we then would book their wardrobe consultation, where they come into my studio and get to use my ‘Dream Wardrobe Collection.’ It consists of more than 250 dresses and gowns, along with tons of accessories, all for my clients to use during their photo shoots,” Judd explained. “Then the super fun part — the photo shoot! We generally have the ladies wear anywhere from three to five outfits during their session.”

This experience was transformational for many of the participants. Many would come in with low expectations. But after their hair and makeup are done, their inner light shines through. “You can just see them oozing with confidence,” Judd said. “It truly is inspirational for me as a woman, and a photographer, to share this experience with them.”

Judd tries to share her own experiences with clients in hopes of them opening up and trusting the process. Many were just waiting for the opportunity to shine in their own way, to let the world know that today’s women aren’t slowing down just because they’re over 50.

The project took approximately 14 months from beginning to end, and the results are priceless. There was never a moment that Judd didn’t believe the project would work out. “These ladies fed my soul,” she said, adding that their stories of inspiration kept her going. “My confidence going in was a bit shaky, but each lady is so different from the next, that I quickly realized that creating customized sessions was going to be a no-brainer.”

The first woman photographed for the project was Amy. “She came in with the best energy,” Judd recalled. “A breast cancer survivor, her story is so moving. Her resilience is what captivated me.”

Fast forward to the last shoot, which was Clare. “She turned 60 this November and was hosting her own birthday bash and had some fantastic ideas she wanted specifically for her party,” Judd said. “I remember after photographing Clare, I sat in my studio and looked through all the images and was just blown away at the beauty, wisdom, creativity and uniqueness of every single woman who entered my studio.”

Now that the inaugural project is on the books, Judd is ready to do it all again. There will be another round of 50 Over 50 for 2022. “This was such an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

While some came in without a clue how they wanted to be photographed, others came in with big ideas.

“I love empowering women,” Judd said. “I think of these ladies as my friends now, and some even as sisters, we got that close. The relationships formed are truly priceless. I believe that we, as women, should support, uplift, embrace and root for each other. Together, we can do anything.”

As a woman over the age of 50 — soon to be 55 in January — Judd wanted to show that women are beautiful at every age. “Beauty has no expiration date,” she reiterated. “You deserve to be celebrated and honored.”

Danielle Judd unveiled the results of her year-long 50 Over 50 project with a celebration on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Live 360 Studio in the Mall at Wellington Green. Learn more about her upcoming project at

www.danniellejudd.com.

 

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Feature Stories

The Gates To Brilliance Dressage Olympian Robert Dover’s Surprisingly Candid Memoir Is This Season’s Must-Read Book

The Gates To Brilliance Dressage Olympian Robert Dover’s Surprisingly Candid Memoir Is This Season’s Must-Read Book 

By Deborah Welky

Longtime Wellington resident and internationally renowned dressage rider Robert Dover can now add published author to his long list of accomplishments. Dover’s memoir, The Gates to Brilliance: How a Gay, Jewish, Middle-Class Kid Who Loved Horses Found Success, was released by Trafalgar Square Books last month.

Gates to Brilliance is a book for anyone who has struggled to overcome personal challenges and the judgment of strangers to become the best they can be.

“We moved very often when I was a child,” Dover remembered. “From Chicago to Toronto to the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta. My father worked for my grandfather’s automobile headlamp company and my mother was an actress. In the Bahamas, they both sold real estate. They divorced when I was 17, then, seven years later, got back together and spent the rest of their lives together. So, I didn’t make friends or have the kinds of roots that children who stay in one location end up having — no lifelong pals and no strong memories of my times in those schools. I didn’t speak much for one full year in high school.”

The one constant in Dover’s early life was the Pony Club — whether in the United States, Canada or the Bahamas.

There, among other young riders, he learned horsemanship — and began to come to terms with who he was. The book includes a frank discussion regarding how he was abused by a teen neighbor as a child and his long road to dealing with the repercussions.

“Because of that, I ended up having an aversion to men,” Dover said. “I would basically stay away from men and, consequently, my sexuality was suppressed. I liked being with girls and went out with girls. Then, one girl I had a relationship with — and really loved — broke up with me. A guy at the barn said we should go out and get drunk — and I ended up waking up with him. That was a big change in my life! There was a lot of crying and a lot of trying to figure out who I was and what was going on.”

But being gay in the sports world was not easy at the time.

“It was complicated back then,” Dover said. “I didn’t come out publicly in the horse world until 1988, when Greg Louganis hit his head on the diving board and was bleeding into the pool; it was the time of AIDS. But Louganis ended up changing the game for people in sports. Coming out is difficult as an Olympic athlete — you’re concerned for your career.”

In his 30s, Dover confronted the man who had abused him decades before. “I found him and called him,” he recalled. “I said, ‘I just want you to know you had a real impact on my life. I’m not looking for an apology, but I just want you to know it was not an inconsequential thing that you did.’”

As an adult, Dover has lived all over the United States and spent a great deal of time in Europe. As a young Jew in the Atlanta area, he was the only kid in the barns not to be invited to the Christmas parties, but he didn’t know why.

“Looking back on it, it’s interesting,” Dover said. “I didn’t look at it as discriminatory at the time. Later, as an adult, I had a wonderful client who went to Europe with me to look for a horse. A German trainer was driving us and, in leaving one of the barns, he asked me to drive because he had been drinking. It was raining hard, and I crashed the car into a lamp post. I was apologizing profusely when he said, ‘Don’t worry — it’s only a Jew’s car,’ meaning, ‘It’s only a cheap car.’ The lady in the backseat, my client, was about to pounce over the seat and strangle him, but I begged her not to because I was working for him as well. Yet it was one of those moments where you just see that there is still racism, and it abounds in places.”

It is a concern he sees rebounding here in the United States. “Seeing people who used to hide under rocks, come out with boldness because they felt empowered by politics to blatantly show their stripes — I have seen it and known it, and I look back at these little moments in my life, recognizing that those things were there and probably still are,” Dover said. “I’m hopeful that someday people will see each other as equals — respect and honor each other for all their diversity. It’s so different now in sports than when I was doing my first Olympics. Someone recently asked me if I ended up having people embrace me because I owned my gayness, but what I think really happened is that they started to embrace me because I started to win. In winning, you command respect whatever your sexuality is.”

And winning is something that Dover has experience in. A six-time Olympian (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004), Dover has earned more honors than any other U.S. dressage rider, including four Olympic medals. He also participated in seven FEI World Equestrian Games. In 1987, he also became the first American since 1960 to win the Aachen Grand Prix — something Dover considers a distinguishing moment in his career.

His many wins, however, overshadow the many difficulties along the way.

“There were so many failures that were extremely dramatic in some of the biggest arenas in the world,” Dover said. “I was on the 1984 Olympic team, then a world championship team in 1986. But I was ranked 32nd. I still was not understanding the way of a winner. I was high up in rankings in America; but winning on the international stage was not happening. So, I said to myself, ‘I am going to Europe and not coming back until I become a winner.’ I stayed until 1988, and during that time, show by show, judge by judge, and with the help of many mentors, I learned a lot. It was the difference between entering with a low degree of confidence and entering with the knowledge that I have the ability to actually win those classes.”

With victory came respect. “Once I started winning classes, it just changed everything,” he said. “I had a winning streak going with multiple horses in Europe. Suddenly, the Europeans stopped treating me like ‘that stupid American’ and more like just another touring professional. Of course, then they made it sound like they were responsible for my winning. Many of them helped me a lot, but what helped me the most was my friends. The more my friends believed in me, the more I believed in myself. When I came home in 1988, having been No. 1 in the World Cup rankings in 1987 and fourth in the World Cup finals — that changed everything.”

In more recent years, Dover has served as technical advisor and chef d’équipe for the U.S. Dressage Team. Under his leadership, the U.S. Dressage Team returned to the podium at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where the team won a bronze medal. Additionally, Dover coached the U.S. Dressage Team to a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 2015, and a team and individual silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018.

Dover has also been a major supporter of the greater equestrian community. In the 1990s, he was a founding member of the Equestrian AIDS Foundation, which provided financial assistance to those in the horse industry stricken with AIDS. Now the Equestrian Aid Foundation, it helps all equestrians in need overcome adversity. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Global Dressage Festival series here in Wellington, and also spearheaded American Equestrians Got Talent, the largest equestrian fundraising talent show.

And what about Dover? What if he could change everything? Where would he start?

“There would be no doubt that I would try to get everybody on the same page about the things the world is grappling with right now, beginning with climate change,” he said. “Mother Nature has pretty much had it with us. She began hinting, and now she is speaking pretty loudly that we get our act together. While we’re worried about other things and fighting with each other about politics, we’re neglecting the fact that we’re not going to have anything to fight about pretty quickly.”

A fearless competitor, Dover fears just one thing now: death.

“Life is going by so fast. The story of my life is being written faster than I had hoped for,” Dover said. “When you think you’re on the way up, it appears that you have your whole life ahead of you. Then you blink, and most of it is behind you. I’m having such a fabulous life. I just don’t want it to end.”

With his new book, Dover is excited about being able to tell his story — the good and the bad — to the entire world. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it resonates with the public,” he said. “I hope readers find it helpful to their own lives — to achieving happiness and success.”

Visit www.horseandriderbooks.com to secure your copy of Robert Dover’s new book.

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Feature Stories

Wellington’s Own Ninja Warrior Jordan Fernandez Fulfills Her Dream By Appearing On Peacock’s ‘American Ninja Warrior Junior’

Wellington’s Own Ninja Warrior Jordan Fernandez Fulfills Her Dream By Appearing On Peacock’s ‘American Ninja Warrior Junior’

By Mike May

Sometimes, if you visualize your dream, it will materialize. Jordan Fernandez, a 14-year-old Wellington resident and current Wellington High School freshman, was seven years old when she first saw the show American Ninja Warrior on TV. It made a life-altering impact on her young life.

If you haven’t heard, Fernandez was recently a contestant on Peacock’s American Ninja Warrior Junior show. But while her debut on national television is a story unto itself, what’s noteworthy is the path she followed to get from South Florida to southern California.

“I was seven years old, and I was watching American Ninja Warrior for the first time on TV at my uncle’s house,” Fernandez recalled. “I liked it so much that I wanted to get on the show, but I was too young.”

Fast forward to age 12. She still had the American Ninja Warrior dream, but had done very little to pursue it because of her young age. That’s when American Ninja Warrior Junior started, and she was old enough to appear on this version of the show.

However, Fernandez realized that she was not yet strong enough to compete among the show’s contestants. So, Fernandez started working out at her home in Wellington, mostly in the backyard. Her goal was to get fitter, stronger and ready to compete.

“I had to start working on my upper body strength, lower body strength and my balance,” Fernandez said. “In the beginning, I worked on pull-up bars, rings and monkey bars — all in the backyard.”

It didn’t take long for her family to realize that she was serious about pursuing a spot on American Ninja Warrior Junior, so they built an indoor obstacle course within the family’s garage. That gave Fernandez 24/7/365 access to a workout facility. The goal was to re-create a scenario that was somewhat similar to the obstacle course, without the water hazard, used on American Ninja Warrior Junior.

In early May of this year, Fernandez was notified that casting was open for this year’s season of American Ninja Warrior Junior. She applied immediately. It was the chance she had been waiting and working for since she was seven years old.

“At the beginning, I had to complete a number of forms for the producers to let them know I was serious about being on the show,” she said.

If the producers liked her application, they would ask for more information. And they did.

“For the second application, I had to record and send the producers a few videos with me on camera convincing them how serious I was about being a contestant on the show,” Fernandez explained.

If the producers remained convinced about her being a great candidate, then they would speak with her mother. And they did. “The third part of the application was when the producers spoke with my mom [Traciann] on the phone to confirm my interest and availability to be on the show,” Fernandez explained.

That conversation took place in late May with her mother confirming that her daughter’s interest was serious and sincere. Then it was time for Fernandez to start packing her bags for a trip to Hollywood.

On Monday, June 28, Fernandez traveled to Los Angeles to film season three, episode four of the American Ninja Warrior Junior show. She was joined on the trip by her mother, brother and sister. They were in LA for a week and stayed at a hotel downtown. It was an amazing experience.

“It was a crazy week,” Fernandez chuckled. “It was absolutely insane. It was so unreal. It was my first time under the lights.”

As much as Fernandez enjoyed the chance to compete as an athlete on national television, the best part of the trip was the time spent at the hotel with the other contestants.

The friendships began when they traveled in the bus from the airport to the hotel with the other competitors. It only got better from there.

“One of the best parts of the entire week was the time spent at the hotel with everybody on the show, eating together and swimming in the hotel pool,” Jordan said. “It was like being at summer camp. About 15 of us still stay in touch through a group chat.”

While in LA, they taped the show, which eventually debuted on Thursday, Sept. 23 and remains available to stream. Fernandez and her family watched the show from their home in Wellington.

“I would have done better had I been less nervous,” she admitted. “But I was pleased with how I performed.”

Fernandez’s performance entailed two attempts on the obstacle course, with each attempt lasting about 90 seconds.

The competition format remained virtually the same as it had been during the first two seasons. In all, 96 children, from all parts of the U.S., competed in three different age divisions — 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Each bracket featured 32 contestants mentored by two top American Ninja Warrior competitors, Najee Richardson and Jesse Labreck.

“Jesse went out of her way to provide coaching and encouragement, advice and guidance to me,” Fernandez said. “We also took some selfies.”

The episode includes a biographical sketch of Fernandez, including her desire to become a firefighter in honor of her late father, Lt. Alvis Fernandez, who served with Boynton Beach Fire Rescue.

When it came to the actual competition, two youngsters raced side-by-side on an obstacle course — ninja versus ninja.

Fernandez recalls the taping of the show with great clarity. It was a long and memorable day. Her wardrobe consisted of a gray tank top, black shorts, low-cut socks and sneakers.

“We woke up at 6 a.m., and we started work on the set at 9 a.m.,” she said. “We finished taping by 3 p.m.”

According to Jordan, the obstacle course tested her strength, balance, speed and flexibility. To get from the beginning to the end, it took about 90 seconds. The goal was to reach the buzzer at the end, without falling into the water hazard that lurked below.

“I competed twice, but didn’t reach the buzzer,” Fernandez said. “I was always one obstacle away.”

It was not easy, but Fernandez did her very best and was able to fulfill her dream.

She plans to continue being physically active at Wellington High School, playing soccer this winter and flag football next spring for the Wolverines. In soccer, Fernandez is a midfielder. In flag football, she’s a receiver. But, at home and in Hollywood, she’s a ninja, because that’s what she visualized, and it actually materialized.

Season 3 of American Ninja Warrior Junior is currently streaming on Peacock, available through many streaming platforms and apps, and at www.peacocktv.com.

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Feature Stories, Wellington Real Estate

Real Estate Is All About Relationships Realtor Sophie Ghedin Recently Helped Three Generations Of The Wandell Family

Real Estate Is All About Relationships Realtor Sophie Ghedin Recently Helped Three Generations Of The Wandell Family

By Mike May

Sophie Ghedin, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Wellington, prides herself on developing ongoing relationships with her many clients — and that has led to Ghedin working with three generations of Wellington’s Wandell family: Rosie Wandell, her daughter and her mother-in-law.

This unique business relationship and friendship among the four people has seen to it that the three Wandells ended up as happy homeowners. Ghedin is thrilled to have three friends who are now also happy clients.

“Rosie Wandell and I have been friends for a long time. She’s my physical therapist,” Ghedin recalled. “We started talking about her selling her house. I was able to help her sell the house rather quickly.”

That led to more real estate business for Ghedin with the Wandell family from Rosie’s daughter Juliana Rose Wandell and mother-in-law Rosalie Wandell.

According to Ghedin, Rosie and her husband Eric lived in Lakefield West. They wanted to sell their house and find something smaller. So, Ghedin stepped in and delivered.

“We were ready to downsize, but we wanted to stay in the greater Wellington area. Sophie helped make it happen,” said Rosie, who has her own business as a physical therapist in Wellington. “We found a new home in the Arden community.”

With Ghedin’s assistance, Rosie and Eric put their Lakefield West home on the market soon after the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. The home sold in June. Ghedin played an integral role in finding a buyer and facilitating the sale.

The entire process went so well that it got the attention of Rosie and Eric’s daughter, Juliana Rose Wandell.

Juliana Rose had made plans to move north to Orlando in order to start her career, and she wanted to buy a house. Naturally, she turned to Ghedin for assistance. Not only was Juliana Rose buying a home, it was going to be newly built. Again, Ghedin stepped in and delivered.

“I was really impressed how she sold my parents’ house so quickly, so I thought she could help me. And she did,” Juliana Rose said. “She was very helpful. She helped me make decisions on the floor plan and the location of the home. She gave me peace of mind throughout the entire experience. We closed in July of this year. She still stays in touch with me to check on the home. I love my home.”

Juliana Rose said that she probably would not be in her current location and so pleased with the final outcome without the assistance from Ghedin.

“I highly recommend Sophie as a Realtor, as I have seen her in action as a representative of both the seller and the buyer,” Juliana Rose said.

One of the memorable aspects for Ghedin of working with Juliana Rose was her age. Juliana is just 18 years old.

“She was my youngest ever client,” Ghedin said. “And probably my smartest. She’s a genius. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree at age 17.”

Juliana Rose may be a computer engineering/computer science graduate from Florida Atlantic University, but she was a rookie in the world of real estate.

Having helped two parts of the Wandell family, it was time for a “hat trick” of Wandell clients.

As they say, great things happen in threes. The next member of the Wandell family that needed real estate assistance was the matriarch of the family, Rosalie Wandell, Eric’s mother.

According to Ghedin, Rosalie had been living in Binks Forest for 24 years and needed help selling her home so she could also move to the Arden community. Again, Ghedin stepped in and delivered.

Naturally Rosalie followed the well-known path and enrolled the services of Ghedin. Her house was put up for sale in mid-October, and Ghedin expects a quick sale.

Rosalie has already purchased her new home in Arden. The closing was in early November. This new home is not far from where Rosie and Eric now live.

“We’re thrilled that she’s living in Arden,” Rosie said.

It was an easy decision for Rosalie to team up with Ghedin.

“I was a Realtor for 26 years, so I know the business,” Rosalie said. “I trusted her. She did what she said she was going to do. She did it all in a timely manner.”

Looking back, Rosie had the same strong, positive feelings about Ghedin.

“Her personality clicks with me,” Rosie said. “I knew I was in good hands. She took care of me and my husband.”

Not surprisingly, Rosie and Ghedin have a shared interest: Wellington’s tight-knit equestrian community.

“Sophie is a para rider in dressage, and many of my physical therapy clients are riders,” Rosie said.

“And I sell real estate to many people within the equestrian world because I understand their lives and needs,” Ghedin added.

Clearly, Rosie Wandell and Sophie Ghedin share a common bond — and it all started with a massage.

For more information about Sophie Ghedin, call (561) 236-1977 or visit https://sophieghedinrealtor.kw.com.

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Bright Colors & Delicious Flavors Eat Like A Local At For The Luv Of Food, Which Opened Recently In The Original Wellington Mall

Bright Colors & Delicious Flavors Eat Like A Local At For The Luv Of Food, Which Opened Recently In The Original Wellington Mall

By Callie Sharkey

Foodies know that the best way to find memorable meals is to find where the locals go. For those who grew up in Wellington, nothing says local more than the original Wellington Mall. One of the newest additions to the familiar site is a smart little café called For the Luv of Food.

The menu is filled with bright flavors and lots of healthy options, but a highlight is the variety of taste-tempting bubble teas. Not sure what makes a bubble tea? Owner Kim Seow is happy to provide some insight and help you find the perfect drink to match your mood.

“The whole concept of bubble tea is milk-based, so it’s creamy, but not heavy or as thick as a smoothie,” Seow said. “We have the milk-based ones and the fruit teas, that’s the difference. They also come with boba toppings, like a chewy tapioca boba or mango popping boba.”

These refreshing teas are highlighted by the boba pearls that burst with flavor in a way so satisfying it reminds one of finding the prize in the bottom of a cereal box. Popular bubble teas at For the Luv of Food are the taro (a sweet and delightfully purple concoction), mango dream, and strawberries and cream.

“Bubble tea people often ask me, ‘Why doesn’t this taste like the ones I find down the street?’ I explain that it’s all about the ingredients. I’m very picky with our products and won’t accept anything that tastes chalky or artificial,” Seow said. “It is lighter than a milkshake — creamy but light. We also do almond milk and oat milk for people who want the creamy taste, but not the milk.”

Light, refreshing options are a must-have in South Florida, and Seow’s café also is a great resource for those dealing with dietary restrictions. Instead of being bored with the same flavor profiles, she has made it her mission to bring new, fun flavors that anyone can enjoy.

“Years ago, my diet changed a lot. There are things I cannot eat, and I didn’t know what to do with myself,” Seow said. “That’s how I learned about gluten free and dairy free. So, we are sure to offer gluten free and vegan options. We are trying to make everything healthier but tasty, because if something doesn’t taste good, I know I can’t eat it.”

With Jamaican and Chinese heritage, Seow’s passion for food developed to include signature recipes for a made-from-scratch Asian aoli, cilantro lime, Asian vinaigrette and jerk sauce. She embraced a menu of subs, wraps and sandwiches, but quickly found that the healthier cauliflower crust paninis stole the customers’ hearts.

“The cauliflower panini is off the chain!” laughed one repeat customer stopping by to grab a quick lunch. “Oh, and the matcha tea — you have got to try the matcha tea.”

Grab-and-go meals are ready for those who find themselves in a rush, but don’t be surprised to find locals asking for specials like a banh mi sub or Seow’s one-of-a-kind chai bread. The latter is often ordered by the loaf.

“I made chai bread for a family dinner years ago,” Seow recalled. “I saw something on the internet, played with the ingredients and recipe, and then made it into a bread. Now our family always requests it, and my kids said I had to sell it. The minute I tried it, people started ordering it by the loaf.”

Seow originally opened For the Luv of Food in a different location two years ago, but still customers follow and order some of their favorite goods, like brilliant purple ube cupcakes. After two years in Royal Palm Beach, Seow finds herself finally at home, back in Wellington.

“I’ve always wanted to be here. I grew up here. I graduated from Wellington High School,” she said. “I’ve been a Realtor for 22 years out here, but I’ve always loved food. I’m always the one cooking — everyone who comes over, they know they’re gonna eat. My friends said if you love it so much, why wouldn’t you just open a place?”

Seow has always been inspired by “mom-and-pop” eateries and supported them whenever possible, but she never expected to be running one.

“We are food people, we travel everywhere. We did a trip when my boys were younger and went from Maine to New York,” she recalled. “It was literally based on restaurants I found — mom-and-pop places I’d researched.”

Since opening its doors at the end of September, Seow continues to adapt the menu and explore a love of textures and color while listening to what her customers want. Her growing team not only laughs like a family, but also incorporates family, including her talented and experienced brother-in-law, Rod Seow, who has been a chef for years.

For the Luv of Food is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 5B. The café is currently open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about the most recent offerings, find For the Luv of Food on Facebook and Instagram @LuvofFoodRPB, or call the café at (561) 408-2113.

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Wellington Real Estate

Beautiful Home In Greenview Shores This Unique, Custom Home In Central Wellington Is Expertly Designed With Magnificent Details Throughout

Beautiful Home In Greenview Shores This Unique, Custom Home In Central Wellington Is Expertly Designed With Magnificent Details Throughout

Photos by Lux Photography and Video

The moment you enter this Greenview Shores home, you know that it is going to be magnificent! Every detail has been meticulously designed by the owner and reflects a sophisticated, yet rustic taste. It features a spacious split floor plan that includes four bedrooms, three baths, an impressive library and too many upgrades to list. Enter the front door and you see the rustic elegance of the living room complete with a fireplace, and dining room with ceilings that have inlaid wooden beams. The gourmet kitchen features custom cabinets and coffered ceilings. The kitchen and breakfast bar are combined with the family room to make one big great room — all with beautiful views of the custom-landscaped pool. The custom library is complete with wood cabinets and a unique fireplace.

Front Elevation: Beautiful landscaping and custom lighting
give this Greenview Shores home amazing curb appeal.

Library: The pièce de résistance is this private library just off the family room. Escape to work or to just watch the football game in this cozy room with a stone fireplace and high-beamed ceilings.

Living Room: Beautiful architectural details are center stage in this custom living room, featuring a wood-beamed coffered ceiling, a working fireplace, a specialty inlaid tile floor, arched doorways and a magnificent view of the pool.

Kitchen: The custom, gourmet kitchen with an eat-in area plus a breakfast bar connects to the family room to create the open flow of the house. Wooden coffered ceilings from the living room and dining room continue into this open space.

Pool: An elegant outdoor oasis features a lovely pool with a spa and custom landscaping with specialty lighting, making this unique home like a retreat in paradise.

Greenview Shores Property Presented By
Donald and Maureen Gross

 Donald and Maureen Gross

Donald and Maureen Gross are seasoned real estate professionals with Keller Williams Wellington and trusted members of the western communities. With a combined 20-plus years of experience, they have diligently worked together to support hundreds of individuals and families achieve their real estate aspirations.

Donald and Maureen have built out one of the most trusted real estate teams in the industry in large part due to their active participation within the community. Clients stem from friends, neighbors and the many respected community organizations they support. Donald has held executive positions with leading organizations, including the Wellington Rotary Club and Wellington Historical Society. Maureen has held various executive level memberships with organizations such as the Wellington Women’s Club, the Palms West Community Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Realtors Take the Runway.

Few real estate teams are as well versed in the neighborhoods, schools and lifestyles of Palm Beach County. Residents of the communities they serve, they continue sharing their passion for the lifestyle by helping identify a client’s real estate aspirations and expertly guiding them through the transaction. Call Donald and Maureen Gross today at (561) 723-8461 to discuss how they can transform your real estate dreams into reality.

Learn more about Donald and Maureen Gross at:
https://maureengross.kw.com

Donald Gross
(561) 723-8461
Maureen Gross
(561) 714-0887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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