Elbridge Gale’s Nicole Crane Named Florida’s Outstanding Art Educator Of The Year Teaching Art

The old adage goes, “Choose a career you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” That’s what Dr. Nicole Crane, art teacher at Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington, has done, and she has enjoyed every day of her vocation.

The award-winning teacher recently garnered her latest acknowledgment, the Florida Outstanding Art Educator of the Year award.

Crane has been teaching for 23 years, the last 14 at her current post.

“I have been at Elbridge Gale since the school opened in 2006,” said Crane, who added how satisfying it is to work with all the students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Elbridge Gale Principal Gail Pasterczyk is extremely proud of Crane and her accomplishments.

“I try to hire the best as an administrator, and this is verification that Crane is indeed a superstar, and she continues to choose to teach and make an impact on children’s lives,” Pasterczyk said. “She believes so much in art that she wants to instill the love of it at an early age when she can make a difference in students’ lives.”

Pasterczyk still recalls when she first met Crane so many years ago.

“When I interviewed her for the job, I pointed out her impressive qualifications and that she has a PhD, and the pages of accolades and awards on her curriculum vitae, and she said, ‘To be honest, I’ve been offered other jobs such as the curator of a museum, but that’s not where my heart is. I like educating students and showing them options for the future. That is what’s important to me,’” Pasterczyk remembered.

The Outstanding Art Educator of the Year award is presented annually by the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA), which is a nonprofit organization of some 700 members dedicated to ensuring the highest quality visual art education instruction possible to all students in Florida. Crane is a past president of the organization.

Crane explained the award process. “A teacher is nominated by a peer, then a committee including past winners provides a blind assessment to make the determination of the winner,” she said, adding that all art teachers in Florida are eligible for the award.

Crane’s education and activities are extensive. She earned her bachelor’s degree in photography from Virginia Intermont College, followed by her master’s degree and doctorate in art from Florida State University. She has a program evaluation certification, is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, is a national STEM-certified instructor and is clinical educator certified. She is also an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and an elementary art instructor, responsible for instruction of art education for classroom teachers, including the arts-integrated curriculum.

“The best part is working with kindergarten through fifth-grade students,” Crane said. “Because I teach art, I come into contact with all the students in the school, and I get to meet and teach siblings, and I have even had a student where I taught her father my first year when he was a fifth grader. I enjoy the interacting with and knowing the students.”

Typical art instruction for elementary school students includes a variety of mixed media projects. “Because I am a STEM teacher, science is incorporated into the projects,” Crane said.

These projects include drawing, sculpture, sewing, photography, painting and more.

“We try to have each project use a different media and material,” said Crane, who added that some of the older students are working with 3-D printing. “We try to expose all the students to a variety of art mediums.”

Many who remember back to their own days in elementary school art classes might still be wondering what makes an “A” project and why another would be marked a “D.”

“I grade on the process versus the product,” Crane said.

She explained that it involves the thinking, the creativity, the collaboration and originality, as opposed to being product oriented. She pointed out that it is important to expose students to different opportunities for activities and even careers for the future.

Pasterczyk stressed the significance of Crane’s most recent award.

“This is not her first award. Many of them are national, and she came from Sarasota, where she was Sarasota’s Teacher of the Year for the whole district, and she was a finalist here [in Palm Beach County] as well. She has a multitude of incredible accomplishments, and it is important the way she shows students there are multiple careers and opportunities available for all kinds of students,” Pasterczyk said. “On a personal level, my daughter was not the academic kind of student. She was the artist, and it’s near and dear to my heart because I believe so strongly in art education, that we provide a well-rounded educational environment for children, and I am glad that [Crane] is being recognized for her outstanding achievement.”

WCF’s Red, White & Blue Jeans  ‘A Salute To Our Heroes’ Fundraiser Goes Virtual

The Wellington Community Foundation and its donors are not going to let the COVID-19 pandemic stand in the way of helping Wellington’s seniors, children and veterans in need.

Throughout Wellington, this local nonprofit has continued to support and improve the quality of life for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents by providing food, home repairs that enable seniors to age in place, school uniforms, backpacks, summer camp programs, equestrian riding programs for disabled students, school grants, college scholarships, as well as beautifully wrapped gifts that include the essentials, such as socks, underwear, sneakers and an age-appropriate gift for young children to open on Christmas, many of whom would go without if not for the generous donations, sponsorships and volunteers.

This year has been a challenge for everyone due to the pandemic, which has forced the foundation to cancel its one annual in-person fundraiser. Expectations for this event were to surpass last year’s $100,000 accomplishment. But the needs of the community have not been canceled. So together, foundation supporters must find a way, and will go above and beyond to continue helping Wellington residents in need.

This year, the Wellington Community Foundation’s Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute To Our Heroes” fundraiser has gone online, converting the in-person event into a virtual experience. Meet up with foundation supporters on Facebook to show your support and help spread the word beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Grab a flag and wave it proudly, snap a selfie and post with the hashtag #wellathon2020 in support of the foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Traditionally, this event brings the community together under one roof to share in the honoring of our heroes. This year, the foundation is dedicating the event to its “superheroes,” the donors. “Without their generous support, the efforts of the foundation would not be possible,” WCF Chair Tom Wenham said.

The WCF board is urging the community to rally behind those in need, now more than ever. Join them in supporting the Wellington Community Foundation and help them keep their commitments to the community’s most vulnerable seniors, children and veterans.

“Over the last four years, the foundation has been able to help hundreds of those in need through the generous support of our donors, just like you,” said WCF Board Member Jim Sackett, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the Nov. 10 event. “Together, we have made an impressive impact in the lives of hundreds of our neighbors, adding enormous value to our community and its most vulnerable.”

Supporters can donate online during the Wellathon 2020 fundraiser beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org, or drop a check in the mail to: Wellington Community Foundation, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 19F, Wellington, FL 33414. Either way you choose to give will help the foundation, so together you can continue “Building A Stronger Community.”

Meanwhile, the Wellington Community Foundation looks forward to once again hosting everyone all under one roof at next year’s Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute To Our Heroes” event.

Gauntlet Of Polo Action Returns For 2021 Season Watch From Wherever You Are Around The World Through A High-Quality Livestream Experience

Thundering hooves, the race of the horses, the whack of the mallet, a score. This season, polo fans can enjoy everything about the sport of kings right from their own living room.

With the pandemic making it difficult for some fans to watch from the sidelines, the United States Polo Association and its partners are making sure that polo comes to the fans when the Gauntlet of Polo series returns to the International Polo Club Palm Beach in February 2021.

First there was broadcast, then cable and satellite television. Now there is the over-the-top (OTT) media service hosting by Global Polo TV. This exciting livestreaming media service uses the internet to bring all the action of polo matches as they occur.

“In January 2020, we launched a new OTT network called Global Polo TV,” said Shannon Stilson, assistant vice president of marketing for Global Polo Entertainment and USPA Global Licensing.

Available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire and Hulu, spectators are now able to access high-quality polo media using any of these applications simply by visiting www.globalpolo.com.

Timely and convenient, Global Polo TV will allow fans to enjoy the Gauntlet of Polo when it returns to Wellington with a full roster of the best teams and best horses from around the world.

But only the team with unsurpassed stamina, talent, determination and strategy can endure three full months of competition and win the entire series of tournaments. A winner of all three will earn not only world-renowned bragging rights but substantial prize money.

Global Polo TV fans, new and old, can watch these incredible games as they unfold, up close and personal, featuring the most talented equestrian athletes in the world.

“The number-one-rated tournament in the United States is the U.S. Open Polo Championship,” Stilson said.

The U.S. Open is overseen by the United States Polo Association, the governing body for the sport of polo in the U.S. It will be held March 31 through April 18, 2021 at IPC in Wellington.

“The U.S. Open has been contested more than 110 times,” Stilson said. “It is the final of the three events that comprise the Gauntlet of Polo, the $1 million prize tournament series only won by Team Pilot in 2019.”

The other two tournaments are the C.V. Whitney Cup, scheduled for Feb. 17 through March 7, 2021 and the USPA Gold Cup, scheduled for March 10-28, 2021.

“Together with the USPA communications department, we film more than 110 games during the polo season,” Stilson said. “The amount of games depends on how many teams are in the tournament. In 2019, we had 16 teams, 14 in 2020, and we expect 8 to 10 teams in 2021.”

Many spectators enjoy expert broadcast coverage of sporting events as much or more that being there in person. No inclement weather, no heat and all the comforts of home.

“We cover the events with multiple cameras, five in total: one in the center, two in the goal mouths, an aerial drone and one roaming,” Stilson said. “We have been livestreaming games in Wellington for more than eight years with ChukkerTV, our production partner, and founder Melissa Ganzi. The emphasis has been to provide instant replay for quality umpiring. Now, we have a new, better, global platform to showcase every game and utilize the game footage to build great feature stories on the players and horses who are a central part of the game.”

The shows seek to extend the traditional on-field polo experience. “Our goal is to continue to provide ‘Polo 101’ explanation to teach new viewers, so they can enjoy the games as well,” Stilson said. “For the final U.S. Open, scheduled for April 18 at the International Polo Club on the U.S. Polo Assn. stadium field, we film the game with an additional production crew, so we have six additional cameras on site, professional broadcast talent, and this is carried on CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network, Eurosport and Dsport, to an audience of millions.”

Initial feedback and pending COVID-19 developments, IPC and the USPA are working on opening in January at 50 percent capacity.

The broadcasting of the games gives fans an opportunity to enjoy brunch at home with their family and then watch a match in their living rooms, if they are not able to make it to the stadium.

Global Polo Entertainment is the for-profit subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing that manages the media and broadcast rights for the USPA. U.S. Polo Assn. is the USPA’s global apparel brand and the only official apparel brand for the sport of polo in the U.S.

The polo season will begin at IPC on Sunday, Jan. 3 with the Joe Barry Memorial Cup, which launches the 18-goal series. The 18-goal series also includes the Ylvisaker Cup and the Iglehart Cup.

Prior to the start of the 22-goal 2021 Gauntlet of Polo series, the remainder of the 2020 USPA Gold Cup, which was postponed due to COVID-19, will be played. The semifinals will commence Wednesday, Feb. 10 and culminate with the final on Sunday, Feb. 14. The Gauntlet of Polo will return for the third year to the U.S. Polo Assn. Field on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with the start of the C.V. Whitney Cup.

IPC will also be welcoming back the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship beginning on Wednesday, March 10 and concluding with the final on Saturday, March 20.

Plans regarding spectators, stadium seating and brunch are still being finalized and will be released soon. The safety of staff, players and spectators are of the utmost importance, so IPC will have various safety protocols in place. Visit www.internationalpoloclub.com for updates regarding these new procedures.

Visit www.uspolo.org to learn more about the upcoming winter season and the Gauntlet of Polo series. Visit www.globalpolo.com to check out all the polo action available to view.

Wellington Looks Forward To Top High-Goal Polo Action This Winter Season

Seventeen years ago, longtime Wellington resident and renowned polo player Hector Galindo was lining up at midfield ready to play in the inaugural game at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach stadium.

Then, Galindo was an 8-goaler and leader of Tommy Lee Jones’ San Saba team against Bob Daniels’ Pony Express foursome. Now, the 2016 Hall of Fame inductee plays and umpires year-round.

Then, Pony Express defeated San Saba 13-9 in that first stadium game before a large, boisterous crowd on that Sunday in early January.

Now, after almost eight months of uncertainty since being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, another season of world-class polo is planning its return, but it is unknown if any fans will be allowed at the games.

The tournament schedules for both high-goal polo clubs in Wellington have been released, and several plans for having fans attend games are in place, depending on what the local government and health officials will allow.

“As we begin to re-open the International Polo Club Palm Beach, we look forward to seeing the sport of polo and special events return to the facility,” said Vaneli Bojkova, vice president of event operations for IPC. “We are working closely with county and local officials, as well as the United States Polo Association and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to make sure that everyone on property has a peace of mind that we are doing everything we can to re-open safely.”

At IPC, a triumvirate of 22-goal tournaments celebrated as the Gauntlet of Polo is shaping up to be another riveting competition, featuring many of the world’s top players. Last year, 14 teams competed for the coveted trophies. Officials expect 8 to 10 teams this season.

In an interesting twist, the postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup is scheduled to be concluded prior to the start of this year’s trio of tournaments. The semifinals — Pilot vs. La Indiana and Daily Racing Form vs. Las Monjitas — are set for Feb. 10, with the final on Sunday, Feb. 14, closing the chapter of a shortened 2020 season.

The UPSA’s U.S. Open, considered the most prestigious polo tournament in North America, did not get started last year and will not be rescheduled. It is the first time that it has not been contested since World War II. The U.S. Open was first played in 1904.

The 2021 Gauntlet begins in earnest with the C.V. Whitney Cup (Feb. 17 through March 7) followed by the USPA Gold Cup (March 10-28) and finishing with the U.S. Open (March 30 through April 18). The winners of the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Gold Cup will receive $125,000 each, while the U.S. Open champion will earn $250,000. If the same team wins all three tournaments, they will receive a $500,000 bonus.

Prior to the Gauntlet, IPC will host a series of 18-goal tournaments, beginning with the Joe Barry Memorial Cup (Jan. 3-17), followed by the Ylvisaker Cup (Jan. 20 through Feb. 7) and concluding with the single-elimination Iglehart Cup (Feb. 10-21).

The club is also hosting the U.S. Open Women’s Championship from March 10-20 with some of the top players in the world expected to participate.

In addition to the featured Sunday games at 3 p.m. at the stadium, there are numerous weekday games spread among the club’s several fields. While there is world-class polo on the immaculate fields, action off the field usually presents an equally impressive atmosphere.

There is the Mallet Grille for members and their guests that features a lavish Sunday brunch. The club also has 7,000 square feet of indoor event space, highlighted by the grand marquee pavilion adjacent to the stadium field. Normally, hundreds gather every week to enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch. The venue also hosts numerous private affairs, such as weddings and charity events. At this time, it is unknown whether the Sunday brunch will be available this season.

“We are hopeful that once all of our updated protocols and safety practices are implemented throughout the various departments, guests will feel confident to attend events at the facility, whether those are charity fundraisers, weddings, private gatherings or sports competitions,” Bojkova said. “IPC is committed to investing in resources and continued employee training to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all. While we understand some events and activities may look different for a while, we are excited to re-open and welcome guests back to our facility safely.”

IPC also has four tennis courts, where, in 2008, Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian played an exclusive charity exhibition match for members only. Several polo players, including Adolfo Cambiaso, Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, and Nic Roldan also showed off their skills on the courts with the two tennis stars.

To learn more about the International Polo Club, including season updates, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

Also this polo season in Wellington, the 26-goal World Polo League, which plays at various area clubs, is still in the planning stages for its third season that kicks off in early February.

“We’re looking forward to a great season of high-goal polo in 2021,” said WPL co-founder Melissa Ganzi of Wellington, owner of the Grand Champions Polo Club. “We’ll be continuing the safety protocols we followed at Aspen Valley over the summer, and we’ll adapt our policy regarding spectators as conditions allow. As always, we’ll adhere to recommendations by the CDC and local public health regulations. Despite any pandemic-related restrictions, we’ll welcome a full roster of top players from around the world and continue to play at the highest level in the U.S.”

The World Polo League offers the highest level of polo outside of Argentina. There were up to 10 teams in the various tournaments last season. The WPL was co-founded by Ganzi and Valiente Polo owner Bob Jornayvaz, whose idea for the league filled the void when 26-goal polo was about to be eliminated in the U.S.

Using the last two years as benchmark, among the polo superstars expected to compete include 10-goalers Juan Martin Nero (who missed most of last season with an injury) and Pablo MacDonough, along with 8-goaler Nic Roldan of Wellington.

The season begins with the All-Star Challenge (Feb. 5-21), beginning with a Draw Party in which team owners will randomly choose their players — reminiscent of choosing sides when in school or the neighborhood.

The season continues with the Founders Cup (Feb. 19 through March 7), the Palm Beach Open (March 3-21) and concludes with the Triple Crown of Polo (March 24 through April 17).

Featured games will be Saturday at 4 p.m., usually at Valiente, and Sunday at 4 p.m., usually at Grand Champions.

For more information, including weekday game times as well as tickets for the Sunday featured game, visit www.worldpolo.org. All games are open to the public.

As it has been for decades, IPC and the World Polo League will make sure that Wellington is the center of high-goal polo action during the winter season.

Plans And Preparations Underway For An Exciting
2021 Winter Equestrian Festival 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seasonal equestrian visitors are part of the fabric of Wellington.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2021 Adequan Global Dressage Festival Ready To Welcome Top Competitors From Around The World

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2021, and while things will look different at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, hundreds of the best dressage horses in the world will still come to Wellington to compete from Jan. 13 through April 4.

AGDF is the largest and longest-running dressage circuit in the world. There are 10 weeks of competition, with seven of those weeks offering international, FEI-level classes. While current health guidelines will not allow for spectators this season (as of late October), fans of dressage can watch the best of the best on the livestream.

“With all the changes that have happened in the past year, Equestrian Sport Productions has been working very hard to produce an event that will strive to keep everyone safe while still offering the same high level of competition and quality experience,” AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur said.

Two of the anticipated divisions at AGDF will feature young horses ready to make their names on the world stage. The $15,000 Lövsta Future Challenge/Young Horse Grand Prix series and the $10,000 Future Challenge/Young Horse Prix St. Georges series will return for another successful year. Due to last year’s cancellation of the final week of AGDF, both series will hold their 2020 finals during the 2021 circuit.

The $15,000 Lövsta Future Challenge/Young Horse Grand Prix series idea, originally set up by seven-time Swedish Olympic dressage rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Louise Nathorst in Sweden as a talent development program, is for horses age eight to ten years old at the Grand Prix level.

“We want to give them a platform to develop, and with this series, help them take the step toward the highest Grand Prix level,” Vilhelmson Silfvén said. “We hope that the interest for educating and producing young Grand Prix horses will grow. Our goal is that this series will be successful so we can take it to an international level in the future.”

The $10,000 Summit Farm Future Challenge/Young Horse Prix St. Georges series has been popular for horses seven to nine years old.

“Trainers and riders can enter a horse in this series and get notoriety. In Europe, young horses get a lot of praise and press, with financial gain by showing young horses and developing them,” said U.S. Pan American Games gold medalist Sarah Lockman of Summit Farm. “To support that idea in the U.S. and give that incentive and reward meant a lot to us at Summit Farm.”

The 2021 AGDF lineup features three CDI-Ws, two CDI 4* weeks, a CDI 5*, as well as a CDIO 3* and CPEDI competition.

With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games until the summer of 2021, AGDF will once again serve as preparation for horses and riders vying to represent their country in Tokyo next August.

One of those riders is Sabine Schut-Kery. Originally from Germany, Schut-Kery moved to the United States in 1998. She helped the U.S. team win the team gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

“I am continuing my quest to earn a spot on the team for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” she said. “To be in one place for an extended period of time [at AGDF] with so many team members, coaches, [everyone] looking out for you, helping you, cheering you on, is an important part of that journey.”

Competing at the AGDF is a crucial part of her schedule.

“It makes me a better rider to be competing with the best in the country in one place, and AGDF is it,” Schut-Kery said. “For me, the next step would be Europe. I do look at Florida as the focal point of dressage here in the United States, and I believe that it’s important to ride at that caliber. It makes me a better competitor, it makes my horses better and it makes the discipline better here in America. On top of that, it is a wonderful way to get more recognition for our sport. AGDF does a great job of bringing horses from all over the world into the public light.”

Schut-Kery appreciates the opportunity and all of the work that goes into a 12-week horse show circuit like AGDF.

“It’s very amazing to accomplish it all so successfully,” she said. “I go because it is so professional, the setup is wonderful and the show grounds are lovely. There are so many blood, sweat and tears moments in this sport. It’s important to me to be able to go somewhere where I don’t have to worry about injury because of footing or poor setup. I am extremely lucky that I have the opportunity to spend time learning and competing in Florida.”

The AGDF season begins on Jan. 13-17 with CDI-W competition. It is followed by the first CDI4* on Jan. 27-31 that runs concurrently with CPEDI classes, which is competition for para-dressage riders. AGDF 5 will once again offer CDI-W classes on Feb. 10-14. The highest caliber of international competition, CDI5*, will be at AGDF 7 on Feb. 24-28. The schedule is tentative and venue guidelines are subject to change. Be sure to check www.globaldressagefestival.com for the most recent venue updates and schedules.

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby features CDI-W classes during AGDF 9 on March 3-7. In AGDF 10, nations go head to head in the CDIO3* Nations Cup competition and the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships (FIYDC) will be featured.

FIYDC competition is for riders in the under-25, young rider, junior, children’s and pony divisions, offering them a chance to compete on a larger scale, with events throughout the week to increase camaraderie and sportsmanship. Young riders wishing to compete internationally are provided with an opportunity to showcase their talent at one of the largest dressage shows in the world.

Wrapping up the 2021 AGDF will be the final week of competition, a CDI4* on March 31 – April 4.

For more information about the 2020 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

COVID-19 Relief And Recovery Will Be A Key Focus Of The 2021 Great Charity Challenge

Founded by the father-daughter team of Mark and Paige Bellissimo in 2009, the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, came forward as a way to increase funding to local nonprofits following the 2008 economic crisis, at a time when donations were scarce.

The impact of COVID-19 replicates the situation of 12 years ago. For local nonprofits, their staff and volunteers, the effects of the pandemic have been consequential as they have stepped up to meet their neighbors’ emerging needs, ranging from food insecurity, loss of income, access to basic needs, healthcare support and more.

While the logistics of putting on an event at this time are unclear, the GCC team shifted quickly from “can we even do this” to “how could we not do this?”

Through the support of the equestrian industry and the local community, the GCC has acted as a catalyst for charitable giving over the last 11 years, distributing $14.8 million to 256 Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations.

The 12th edition of the GCC will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, where fortunate selectees will have the chance to receive a share of a purse of more than $1 million. The winning team’s nonprofit will receive a minimum of $100,000, while all pre-selected participants are guaranteed a minimum grant of $15,000.

“Experts in all fields agree that the lasting effects of COVID-19 will be felt for months and years to come,” event co-founder Mark Bellissimo said. “Not holding this event in 2021 simply isn’t an option for our team at Equestrian Sport Productions and Wellington Equestrian Partners. We are going to make this happen!”

If you know of a deserving Palm Beach County-based charity or nonprofit, invite them to visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com for additional information regarding application requirements and the event’s unique selection process.

The application process for the 2021 GCC opened on Monday, Oct. 26 and will remain active through 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. At stake? A chance to win up to $100,000!

In addition to fund disbursements, the GCC’s 2020-2030 strategy involves capacity building, enabling and growing invaluable partnerships, as well as concentrating on amplifying the event’s impact.

Based on a community needs assessment with Palm Beach County, in partnership with local agencies and in direct response to the unique setting surrounding COVID-19, the 2021 edition is committed to shifting a majority of its funding priorities toward local nonprofits who are directly supporting and assisting the most vulnerable and affected populations in Palm Beach County.

With a strong focus on community empowerment, the exciting show jumping competition blends equestrian sports and philanthropy. The Great Charity Challenge raised and distributed $1.3 million to local agencies through its 2020 edition.

With grants ranging from $1,000 to $150,000, a cumulated 150,265 lives were impacted in Palm Beach County. The latest compiled fund use report can be found at https://bit.ly/3chfv1r.

“We hope that donors and sponsors from the equestrian industry and beyond will once again join forces to support so many worthwhile organizations,” event co-founder Paige Bellissimo said. “Equestrian Sport Productions’ generosity of covering all costs associated with the GCC means that 100 percent of the funds raised go straight to work in our local communities.”

For additional event information, including information about the application process and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com. Find the GCC on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest news and happenings via @greatcharitychallenge.

M&R Equestrian’s New Program Fills  A Void In The Wellington Winter Circuit
Training Days

Between them, they boast three Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games appearances and eight appearances at the Pan American Games. International show jumpers Alberto Michan (Israel) and Juan Andrés Rodriguez (Guatemala) might be best known for their competitive exploits, but together, they’ve teamed up to bring greater attention to their training habits.

These two industry figures started M&R Equestrian Services in January 2020 and, along with it, “Training Days,” an initiative designed to offer riders of all levels an unprecedented opportunity to school over a full course of show-quality jumps, set by FEI course designers.

Every Tuesday, beginning Nov. 3 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, three arenas — two jumper rings and an arena with hunter courses — will be available and set at varying heights throughout the day to accommodate horses and riders of all ages and levels.

Each entry awards a horse and rider combination two minutes and 30 seconds in the arena, allowing them to jump as many fences or courses as they’d like in that time.

This concept provides the perfect horse show dress rehearsal. Once on course, participants face many of the tests they would meet in a show course, including heights and spreads set to spec, as well as colorful and eye-catching gates, planks and jump fillers.

“Training Days can benefit horsemen in so many ways,” Michan said. “They’re a great way to develop young horses and prepare them for the show ring; to create sales videos; to practice [horse show elements like] the open water; and to have a confidence-building experience at a top venue. It also creates an opportunity for trainers to scout multiple sales horses in a single location and in an atmosphere that’s as close as you can get to the show ring.”

With Michan and Rodriguez at the helm, participants can enjoy an experience designed from the rider’s perspective. The result is an event that models modern show jumping and meets current industry needs, with the success and development of both horse and rider at the forefront of every decision and detail.

“We are really looking forward to kicking off our second season of Training Days,” Michan said. “We began this journey last year, because we felt it filled a void in our industry, and the response we got was incredible. Some of the top names in our sport became regular participants. We hope even more riders — of all levels — will come take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

When it comes to the Training Days series, the phrase, “If you build it, they will come” resonates. There aren’t many “off” days in Wellington during the winter season, and on any given weekend, there are multiple show venues to choose from within a five-mile radius. But while prize lists are extensive, so too are the entry fees, with limited opportunities to get in productive training time.

Michan and Rodriguez recognized the need in the sporting community for affordable, productive training experiences that build horses up for a positive experience in the show ring.

When Training Days debuted, some of the industry’s biggest names came out in full force — from former world No. 1 Kent Farrington, to two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden, and several of Michan’s teammates on the Israel Equestrian Team, including Daniel Bluman and Ashlee Bond.

Jim Brandon, located just east of the Winter Equestrian Festival’s home at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, boasts the space and facilities that have and will continue to allow Training Days to grow.

The series is expanding to 24 weeks, and its third hunter arena is an addition from the program’s inaugural year.

The standout amenity, however, is its superior lighting. Training Days expands to its two-day schedule for 12 weeks beginning in January 2021, with Monday evenings featuring a one-of-a-kind opportunity to school under the lights. Before her victory in the CSI5* Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix at WEF in March, Bond could be found at Training Days with her winning mount Donatello, practicing the open water at night. Outside of WEF’s premier Grand Prix events at Saturday Night Lights, opportunities to jump a show course at night are scarce.

“We believe that our Training Days season is the perfect complement to the winter circuit in Wellington,” Rodriguez said. “There are virtually no opportunities to school a horse under the lights before going into the show ring for a major event like a Saturday night Grand Prix, but Jim Brandon affords us the ability to offer that and so much more. We are very excited to get underway with our season and build upon what we started last year.”

A variety of individualized sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2020-21 Training Days season. For more info., contact Liz Porath at lizporath@aol.com.

To learn more about M&R Equestrian’s Training Days, including updated weekly schedules and timing, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MREquestrianServices and Instagram @mrequestrianservices.

Carriage Hill Farms’ Unique Program  Has Something For Every Equestrian  All Levels

Nestled just outside of Wellington, Carriage Hill Farms is far from the typical equestrian program. Ranging from boutique competition barns to busy lesson programs, it is not often that one barn is able to accommodate everyone. However, Carriage Hill Farms has come to be known as a one-stop shop for South Florida equestrians, providing the rare opportunity for horse enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to gain valuable experience and receive world-class instruction.

Carriage Hill Farms was founded in 1979 by Jane Fennessy after she moved from Michigan to South Florida. Fennessy worked tirelessly from the beginning to build a brand and training program based on principles of ethics and passion, and the belief that there is a much greater lesson to be learned from equestrian sports than how to win. Through her meticulous process, Fennessy built Carriage Hill Farms from the ground up.

“I grew up taking riding lessons in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I always knew I wanted to do something professionally with horses, so when I eventually got sick of the cold weather in Michigan, I packed up my van and moved to South Florida with $1,000 in my pocket. I lived in my van for a year until I could get on my feet,” recalled Fennessy, who is now the owner and head trainer at Carriage Hill Farms. “When I created Carriage Hill, my imagination was not strong enough to ever dream up what we have grown to be today. Amazingly, we have our lesson program, an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team, high school and middle school Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) teams, and we show horses from the local level, all the way up to the international levels in Europe.”

Over the past 41 years, Fennessy has created an all-encompassing program that takes a team of nine strong professionals dedicated to the care and education of every horse and rider. Carriage Hill is a successful, multi-faceted business with a one-of-a-kind teaching program that caters to first-time riders all the way up to seasoned athletes at its home base, a 200-plus acre facility with four show-sized rings, a grass field, a dressage ring, a euro track and a hot walker, and a management team that lives on-site.

“No horse is too big or too small, or too good or too bad to be worked with, and the same goes for the riders,” Carriage Hill trainer Meredith Gallagher said. “Everybody is at their own level, and at Carriage Hill, we really work on improving that level, whatever it may be.”

Carriage Hill is the home of the Florida Atlantic University Equestrian Team, an IHSA team that competes against other universities throughout Florida and Georgia, and the Carriage Hill Farms IEA middle and high school teams, which provide a platform for students of all riding levels to have an opportunity to compete, regardless of horse ownership.

“We truly have a place for everyone here,” Carriage Hill trainer Andrea Howell explained. “From the beginner rider, which is usually around five years old and up, to the top international ranks, there is a little bit for everyone here. Whether you want to own, lease, show or even just ride once a week, Carriage Hill is here to facilitate that.”

Outside of the home base operations, Carriage Hill’s team can be seen at horse shows across the country and the globe. With more than 40 show horses in their care, the expansive competition team has a long list of accolades to its name from many of the most prestigious horse shows across the country, as well as many Longines Global Champions Tour stops around the world.

“What makes us unique is that we really do teach from the very first lunge line lesson, all the way up to Grand Prix and international jumping,” Fennessy said. “Not many farms have that scope to accommodate all of those levels, so we take a lot of pride in providing that in a place that is less than 20 miles from the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.”

All together, the layers that make up Carriage Hill Farms are quite the undertaking for a single farm to handle. However, blended seamlessly together with the help of the dedicated staff, incredible horses and spectacular clients, Carriage Hill Farms is a family farm with a legacy that holds a special place in the hearts of so many equestrians in South Florida and beyond. No matter how big or small, there is room for all.

“Winston Churchill once said, ‘There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.’ And for me, there is nothing more true,” Fennessy said. “We all need our daily dose of horse, and I hope that no matter what that dose may look like for people, they are always welcome to find it here at Carriage Hill Farms.”

Learn more about Carriage Hill Farms at www.carriagehillfarms.com.

Life On 18 Wheels: The National Horse Carriers Association Helps The Horse World Move Safely
Safe Transport

Year-round residents of Wellington may not get the seasonal changes that many non-Floridians are used to. Here, fall is not ushered in by chilling temperatures and changing leaves, but rather by an increase in the sighting of the large horse trucks that begin to shuttle competition horses from all over the country down I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike to the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” Conversely, spring has sprung when the horses are headed back in the directions from whence they came.

Many of the trucks that are a part of this bi-annual migration are members of the National Horse Carriers Association (NHCA). This organization is committed to making sure that horses are transported with safety, care and honest business practices. Although sometimes largely overlooked, these members and their staff are the unsung work horses of the equine industry and the wheels that make the Wellington horse world go round.

Although many things have changed in the equestrian industry, the shipping industry has remained the constant force for all of that progress.

Independent haulers from all across the country formed a loose network of trustworthy businesses with similar business practices. All are concerned with the safety of the animals first and foremost, but also best driving practices, best business practices and shared networking opportunities. This group of like-minded businesses eventually grew to form the NHCA. Formally founded in 1960, the mission of the NHCA has been to encourage and promote high standards in the horse transportation industry. Today, the organization has grown to 37 members throughout the United States and Canada who meet bi-annually and work together to keep the industry moving forward.

Many equestrians take for granted that their horses will get on trucks and get off them in good condition, ready for the next competition. However, many important factors must be taken into consideration when shipping horses, and the following are just a few to be aware of:

• Ensure that the carrier you choose is registered and insured: Make sure that the motor carrier you choose is registered with appropriate state authorities if the shipment is entirely within a state and with federal authorities if the shipment is interstate. All NHCA members are required to follow state and federal registration and insurance laws. All NHCA members also present customers or their agents with a bill of lading that clearly states important trip details.

• Choose a carrier with professional and knowledgeable staff: All NHCA members are also experienced horse people, which makes them especially capable of handling horses while on the road, but also makes for easy communication with the barn managers, trainers and horse owners.

• Know the transportation options that are best for your horse and its personal journey: There is no denying that a two-hour trip and a 24-hour trip on the highway have great differences. Anyone who has been in a car, even just trying to leave Florida, knows that comfort is key for making long journeys tolerable. Make sure that you choose the appropriate stall size for your horses and their journey. A single stall for one horse (and smaller horses), a double stall for a little more room (or for larger horses), or a box stall for the ultimate in free range of movement and overall comfort. Most of the long-distance haulers also have trucks that feature air-ride suspension for added comfort.

• Give them some space: This is one component of over-the-road hauling that private and commercial haulers have in common. Trailers have a much more difficult time stopping than regular cars. Sudden stops are also nearly impossible to achieve, and they can also cause severe destabilizing changes to the horses in the back. The best way to avoid these types of stops is to make sure that when you are passing or merging in front of a trailer, leave at least three car lengths between your car and the trailer. This general rule of thumb also goes for the back end of the trailer. If you can’t see a trailer’s mirrors, they can’t see you.

As in everything else with horses, there are many factors to consider when making a decision that is best for you and your program. Members of the NHCA are always available to speak to potential clients and help make the best decision for which company to use and the best means of transportation.

If you are interested in learning more about best practices of shipping horses, or to see if your carrier is a member of the NHCA, visit www.nationalhorsecarriers.com.