Dressage Festival Back And Better Than Ever In 2025

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s premier international dressage events and a winter stalwart for top competition with unbeatable weather. Held annually here in Wellington, AGDF attracts top-level riders, trainers and horses from around the globe, including seasoned Olympians and rising stars.

Now in its 14th year at Equestrian Village, AGDF runs for 10 weeks with international, small and large tour, as well as national and para dressage offerings.

“AGDF prides itself on inclusivity and variation where a rider can come up through the ranks of the sport, and where opportunities abound,” AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur explained.

In its 2025 run, AGDF now boasts four qualifiers for the 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup Final, taking place in April in Basel, Switzerland. Additionally, the circuit will include its regular roster of evening freestyle performances during Friday Night Stars, as well as a CDIO Nations Cup, a para dressage Nations Cup, a CDI5* event, and the ever-popular Palm Beach Derby, in which riders are paired with an unfamiliar horse, given five minutes to warm up and then tackle a Prix St. Georges test.

Germany’s Felicitas Hendricks became a crowd favorite in Wellington during the 2024 season. She was crowned queen of the international stadium after winning the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic, during opening week.

“It was huge for me because I did my first senior classes [in Wellington] last year, and I never thought that I would be here in this position today,” beamed Hendricks after her win.

She has been a regular at AGDF since her debut season as a junior in 2015. “I was just happy if we got through the Grand Prix, and now I’ve won — it’s unreal,” she said.

Baur said that Hendricks is a perfect example of what the dressage festival can do.

“She came here in 2015 as a junior and left as No. 1 junior in the world after the season,” he said. “Now she’s back here winning Grand Prix. You cannot compare that to anywhere else in the world, which is what makes it really special here.”

One of the most notable additions to the 2025 AGDF is that the festival has been selected as a host event for the newly launched US Equestrian Open of Dressage. AGDF will be home to seven qualifiers during the event’s inaugural year.

“The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is proud to be a part of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage and contribute to the growth of the sport of dressage in the U.S.,” Baur said. “Our team is excited to see dressage continue to shine in Wellington through elite competition, thrilling Friday Night Stars action, and development opportunities for both horse and rider that further strengthen the future of dressage in North America.”

The series will offer $200,000 in prize money, which will be distributed at the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final held in California in November. The innovative addition to the North American schedule showcases top dressage sport from coast to coast.

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival prides itself on being a hub for international sport during the winter months, most notably for the CDIO3* Nations Cup, in which teams from all corners of the world come together and represent their home nations in a sport that is most often individual. In 2024, Germany extended its unbeaten run at the AGDF Nations Cup to four consecutive victories.

Throughout the season, several opportunities are also presented to embrace the up-and-coming equine talents of the sport in the $10,000 Future Challenge/Young Horse Prix St. Georges series and the $15,000 Lövsta Future Challenge series.

A popular part of the European circuit, the Lövsta Future Challenge, which is open to horses from eight to 11 years old, is intended to provide the opportunity for riders to bring their up-and-coming international quality horses into a championship-type environment without the pressures of a CDI, like having to stable away from home. All qualifying rounds, held throughout AGDF 2024, used the FEI Intermediate II test before the final presents a step up in difficulty with the FEI Young Horse Grand Prix test.

“I felt like this series would be a great way to move up at the end of the season, to try a few I2s, and we were wondering whether he was ready for the Grand Prix,” said Nicholia Clarke, winner of the 2024 Lövsta Future Challenge with Komsi Komsa. “With these young horses, we’re all wondering how they’ll handle the CDI ring, so we gave it a go, and it feels great to come out on top.”

Upcoming “can’t miss” season highlights include:

• AGDF 8, Feb. 26 to March 2, featuring the Palm Beach Derby, CDI-W FEI World Cup Dressage and the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.
• AGDF 9, March 6-9, featuring a Para Dressage CPEDI3*.
• AGDF 10, March 12-16, featuring a CDI5* and the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.
• AGDF 12, March 26-30, featuring a CDI4* and the US Equestrian Open of Dressage.

As one of the longest dressage circuits in the world, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival has created a lasting home in the equestrian landscape of Wellington and North America as a whole. It’s not just a competition; it’s a celebration of the artistry and athleticism of the dressage horse through the attraction of top talent and fostering growth of the sport worldwide.

For more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, as well as Friday Night Stars hospitality opportunities, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

US Equestrian Open Of Dressage Making Its Debut In 2025

By Mike May

This year, US Equestrian is staging a series of 24 qualifying events as a build-up to the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Dressage. This year-long competition series started in early January in Thermal, California, before moving here to Wellington, host of seven events through the end of March. The series will conclude where it began, with a finale in Thermal at the Desert Dressage II CDI5* set for Nov. 13-16.

Of the 24 qualifiers, 16 of them are being held in Florida — seven in Wellington, five in Ocala, three in Myakka City and one in West Palm Beach. The other eight qualifiers are being held in Del Mar, California (three qualifiers); Thermal, California; Lexington, Virginia; Sherwood, Oregon; Devon, Pennsylvania; and Mill Spring, North Carolina.

According to Laura Roberts, managing director of dressage at US Equestrian, she is excited about the chance to fully promote the sport of dressage and put dressage athletes and horses on a higher-profile pedestal.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase top dressage sport from coast to coast of the United States, but particularly out west in the buildup to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” Roberts said. “The US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series and Final are open to all FEI-registered athletes and horses, both from the U.S. and abroad. Each competition gives the athletes a platform to showcase their talents and compete with their peers across the country. With unprecedented prize money on the line, we look forward to witnessing exceptional performances and crowning the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Dressage champion.”

One of the local dressage riders in this competition is Kevin Kohmann, who is based at Wellington’s Diamante Farms. After the first two weeks of the qualifiers, Kohmann had a strong start and was in first place. At late February, he was in a three-way tie for 21st. One of Kohmann’s competitors in this national dressage competition is his wife, Devon Kane, who is in a three-way tie for 15th. She, too, is based out of Diamante Farms.

Kohmann said that the key to success in high-level dressage is to have a horse that knows and trusts its rider. Likewise, the rider must know and trust his or her horse. “It’s teamwork at this level. It’s a friendship between the rider and the horse,” said Kohmann, who is also trying to qualify for the World Cup of Dressage, which will be held this year in Basel, Switzerland, from April 1-6.

After seven qualifying events for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, the top 25 riders in the standings come from six different countries (Germany, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Spain and Argentina). Seventeen of them are from the United States.

After those seven qualifying events, there’s only a six-point differential between the top eight riders. The leaderboard features a three-way tie for first between Evelyn Eger of Germany, Geñay Vaughn of the United States and Denielle Gallagher of Canada, each with 40 points. There is also a three-way tie for fourth between Felicitas Hendricks of Germany, Adrienne Lyle of the United States and Anna Marek of the United States, each with 37 points. Meanwhile, there’s a two-way tie for seventh between Americans Kristina Harrison-Antell and Eline Eckroth, each with 34 points.

According to local dressage expert Kenneth Braddick of Dressage-News.com, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage is off to a strong start, but he expects to see updates in future years, such as the location of the final. This year, the final will be held in California, as a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“Florida has become the center of dressage in all the Americas, with most U.S. and foreign riders competing in Florida,” he said. “The thought is to stage a Thanksgiving show at Global in Wellington with a real festive atmosphere, plus perhaps with more prize money.”

Again, of all the 24 qualifier events for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage, 16 of them are in Florida with Wellington hosting seven.

Through the middle of February, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage had already hosted eight qualifiers — three of which took place in Wellington.

The dressage series will reward athletes with $200,000 in prize money, which will be distributed at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final in November. An additional $50,000 series incentive will also be awarded for high-point scorers.

Upcoming Wellington events on the calendar of qualifying competitions include the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W & CDI3* Feb. 26 to March 2; the Global Dressage Festival 10 CDI3* & CDI5*, March 11-16; and the Global Dressage Festival 12 CDI3* & CDI4*, March 26-30.

Learn more about the new US Equestrian Open of Dressage series at www.usequestrianopen.org.

Two Generations Continue The McDevitt Electric Legacy In Wellington

Story By Mike May  |  Photos by Frank Koester

Wellington’s McDevitt family has been serving the electrical needs of the community since the 1980s, now in its second generation owning T.W. McDevitt Electric, and an extended family that continues to serve the area in a variety of ways.

Originally named McDevitt Electric, the business was started in 1988 by Thomas McDevitt Sr., now 76, and his wife Pamela, now 75.

Prior to starting this successful and well-respected family-run business, Thomas Sr. had seven years of experience as an electrician on New York’s Long Island. He also co-owned a corporate cleaning business here in Palm Beach County.

Thomas Sr. and Pamela’s two children, Thomas McDevitt Jr. and Stacey McDevitt Juckett, grew up in the Wellington area and helped out in the family business.

Back in the 1990s, Stacey worked as a secretary for McDevitt Electric during her high school years and when she was home during her summer breaks from the University of Florida. Back then, her duties included answering the phone, speaking with customers and sending out bills. Stacey still lives in the western communities with her husband Michael and their son, also Michael. She now works as an oncology nurse.

Before taking over the business from his parents, Thomas Jr. started a lighting company called Brite Ideas. Now 47, he owns and operates T.W. McDevitt Electric with his 44-year-old wife Faith.

Thomas Sr. and Pamela are still involved with the business from time to time.

“When we are in Wellington, my wife and I will go out and do night light checks for customers,” Thomas Sr. explained. “I will also help with paperwork issues in the office.”

Family affiliations at T.W. McDevitt Electric remain deep and strong. Connie Gibson, who is Thomas Jr.’s cousin, currently handles payroll, quarterly reports and retail sales tax numbers. One of Faith’s aunts, Darlene French, also works as a secretary for the family company.

For the last 17 years, Faith has worked as a secretary, which involves scheduling, staff coordination, pulling permits, ordering supplies and getting paperwork completed. Faith and Thomas Jr.’s eldest daughter, Kaylee, now 25, works on Wednesdays and Thursdays as a secretary in the office. She is busy the rest of the week with nursing school.

Thomas Jr. and Faith also have two younger daughters — 18-year-old Ava and 15-year-old Madison. Both are students at Wellington High School. There’s no word, yet, on whether they will get involved in running the family business.

Among the interesting parts of the evolution of T.W. McDevitt Electric was the transition from father to son. According to Faith, her father-in-law ran a profitable business, but he did everything with a pen and paper.

“There was no computer involved in helping to run the business,” Faith said. “I don’t know how he ran such a successful business for so long and so well without a computer. He only accepted cash or a check. When Thomas Jr. took over, I inserted all of the customers’ names, addresses and phone numbers into a computer database.”

Now, T.W. McDevitt Electric has expanded payment options — cash, check, credit card and Zelle. There’s a web site now as well.

Thomas Jr. still operates his lighting company Brite Ideas out of the family firm’s location on Fairlane Farms Road. Having Brite Ideas in the same office helps save time and money.

“Every morning, instead of going to Home Depot to buy lighting accessories for a job that day, we have them in stock at Brite Ideas,” Faith explained.

According to Thomas Jr., the keys to the firm’s success are simple and straight forward. “The customer is always right, and service is everything,” he said. “For every appointment, I don’t arrive on time. Instead, I arrive early.”

Thomas Sr. and Pamela agree with their son. Pamela’s memories of the early days are fresh in her mind.

“When customers called, we responded. If my husband had to go out immediately to help, he would go. And sometimes, I would go with him,” she recalled. “If a customer called and left a message, we’d call back quickly.”

Thomas Sr. has similar feelings about the keys to the success of growing the business in those early days. “We did honest work with fair pricing,” he said.

That’s still the company mantra. If you ask Thomas Jr., the company is still doing honest work with fair pricing. As a result, there’s never a dull moment in the office.

“The phone rings nonstop, and it’s every day,” he said.

But the McDevitts are not complaining.

While Thomas Jr. owns and operates T.W. McDevitt Electric, he has a strong supporting cast of employees who make house calls and do the work for the company’s more than 1,000 customers.

“We have 10 service techs, seven vans, three secretaries and a bucket truck,” he said.

Even though the company’s official operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., someone can be reached at any time of the day on any day of the week — and that person is usually Faith.

“If anybody calls after hours, their call can be transferred to Faith’s cell phone. Customers don’t hesitate to call at night,” Thomas Jr. said. “If it’s a true emergency, we will help immediately. During the winter season here in Wellington, I have two crews ready to work on Saturdays. And we will respond to a call on a Sunday, if necessary.”

Throughout the year, they are busy with new installations and service calls.

“About 60 percent of our business is service calls,” Thomas Jr. said.

A large percentage of the company’s business is connected with Wellington’s vast equestrian community.

“About 70 percent of our business is affiliated with the equestrian world,” Thomas Jr. said. “Every year, we run the electric [wiring] for a number of new horse barns. In fact, I have two crews totally dedicated to horse barns and new homes in Wellington.”

On a daily basis, the company’s work typically ranges from repairing breakers/wiring operating to air conditioners, installing landscape lighting, pole lighting, generator installs, panel changes, meter repairs and more.

Another key to the success of T.W. McDevitt Electric is that the company invests in its employees.

“We pay for our employees to go to school to become better electricians,” Thomas Jr. said. “It helps build loyalty with my employees.”

As busy as Thomas Jr. and Faith are with running the operation, they do carve out time to spend with their children.

“We love to get out and ride our jet skis in Jupiter,” Thomas Jr. said of their favorite recreational activity.

“We also like going fishing on charter boats, spending time at the beach and traveling with the family,” Faith said.

“Family is everything,” Thomas Jr. added.

That emphasis on family has been a McDevitt hallmark since the 1980s and will always be the case, both at home and in the office.

T.W. McDevitt Electric is located at 3101 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 7, in Wellington. Learn more about this family-owned firm by calling (561) 798-2355 or visiting www.twmcdevittelectric.com.

COTA Is A Canvas Of Expression For Tigger Montague

One night every year in March, genres of all different types of music can be heard echoing throughout the neighborhoods surrounding the normally quiet and reserved Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Attendees, meanwhile, are eager to find their seats for one of Wellington’s most beloved events of the season, the Challenge of the Americas (COTA), which returns this year on Friday, March 7.

Among the community members decked out in head-to-toe pink is longtime supporter and highly decorated quadrille choreographer, Cynthia “Tigger” Montague, tactfully corralling her team of six horse-and-rider pairs as they prepare to put their month’s worth of rehearsals and year-long plan into motion under the lights of the Grand Prix arena in front of a sold-out crowd.

A highlight of the winter season, COTA invites all community members, equestrian or not, to enjoy an evening of dressage unlike anything seen on the competition calendar.

Five teams of six Grand Prix horse-and-rider pairs perform highly choreographed and synchronized routines to music in elaborate, thematic costumes in front of a cheering crowd, before a charitable gala concludes the evening’s activities.

For Tigger, the evening is not only a celebration of creativity and a showcase of the fun side of the sport of dressage, but also a time for Wellington residents to come together in support of a charitable cause: breast cancer research, which for many, hits close to home.

2025 marks Tigger’s 10th year of involvement with COTA, along with the Breast Cancer Research  Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K., organizations dedicated to raising donations for breast cancer research. COTA’s success has meant that a research grant in COTA’s name has been established for continued genetic marker research.

“The first time I saw COTA, I wanted to be involved,” Tigger recalled. “I didn’t know anyone connected to it other than my good friend, Jim Koford, who was riding on one of the quadrille teams. At the time, there were only three teams, but he put my name in the hat in case they ever wanted another quadrille team, and the following year, I got asked to choreograph my first-ever Grand Prix quadrille.”

With a background in theater, all of Tigger’s now seven quadrille performances are easily distinguished by their unique look and innovative movements.

“My first year, our theme was Star Wars, and I absolutely broke protocol because the quadrilles up until that time performed in traditional dressage shadbellies, and I said, ‘Yeah, no shadbellies. We are doing costumes.’ Thankfully, the organizer, Mary Ross, allowed me to break protocol, and we ended up winning,” she said.

Over the past decade, Tigger, whose company BioStar is one of the sponsors of the event, has helped to grow what started as a small afternoon luncheon into a nationally recognized exhibition that harnesses the dedication and charity of the Wellington equestrian community through a medium close to her heart.

“What would I be without the COTA quadrille?” Tigger exclaimed. “COTA is my creative fountain and my sanity. It has gotten me through the loss of my life partner in 2024. When I was feeling really sad, I could just go to the music and get lost in it.”

From her first year to now her eighth, each of Tigger’s quadrilles have taken inspiration from the theater with a strong storyline, memorable music and the ultimate goal of connecting with the audience. Her ability to continually come up with innovative choreography is a testament to her devotion to the event and what it has turned into.

“I have a very clear vision for each BioStar quadrille at COTA. I really want to push myself to see what is possible. COTA is a blank canvas, and you can put anything you want on it,” she said. “This is an opportunity to try different things, and I have thrown a lot of things out that when we go through rehearsals, just don’t work, and I am OK with that. You have to have some degree of flexibility, and you have to trust the riders. Once we have the music, and they know the choreography, I am just watching. That allows them to figure it out, get into character, and own the performance.”

As Wellington continues to grow and evolve, Tigger is excited to see the event grow with it and introduce new people to the magic of COTA. “I think it has brought fun to dressage sport in Wellington,” she said. “Fun, and a communal feeling of working for something more important than ourselves.”

And, of course, the event serves as a big, giant party for everyone in the community.

“Each year, I hope that we can continue to bring new people to our event,” Tigger said. “People who have never seen a dressage horse or the sport. I hope we keep upping the ante and raising more money, and that eventually we can pull in a greater portion of the equestrian community as a whole: hunters, jumpers, driving, eventing, western, etc. I hope this becomes an event for everyone to participate in and enjoy.”

When asked about this year’s quadrille theme, Tigger hinted, “This year’s choreography is action packed… that’s all I will say. The eagle will fly.”

Learn more about COTA 2025 at www.challengeoftheamericas.com.

USET Foundation Honors Award Winners At Wellington Reception

Story by Alice Collins  |  Photos by Jump Media

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation celebrated award recipients and donation milestones at its Gold Medal Club reception held Jan. 17 at the National Polo Center in Wellington.

The 2025 Whitney Stone Cup was presented to Rebecca Hart, who won three gold medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games riding Floratina in Paris. The award acknowledges the para dressage athlete as an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and sportsmanlike conduct exemplifies the USET Foundation’s and US Equestrian’s (USEF’s) highest ideals.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected for this trophy,” said Hart, a Grade III athlete who resides and trains in Loxahatchee. “It is an incredible testament to just how far para dressage has come as an equestrian discipline. I have loved helping to bring adaptive sport forward and hope to continue to do so. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent the USET Foundation, USEF, and my owners and sponsors.”

Kat Fuqua, who has the unique distinction of competing in both show jumping and dressage at the international levels, was awarded the 2025 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy. This prestigious award is presented annually to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the USET’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.

“I’m really excited because the riders who have received this award previously have gone on to achieve unbelievable accomplishments as professionals,” said Fuqua, 17, who divides her time between Wellington; Atlanta, Georgia; and Tecklenburg, Germany. “The fact that I’m on that list alongside those athletes is really special.”

Fuqua swept the Young Rider division for athletes aged 16 to 21 at the 2024 FEI North American Youth Championships in Traverse City, Michigan, claiming all three gold medals on offer riding Dreamgirl.

Patti Scialfa Springsteen and Zacharie Vinios were named the co-recipients of this year’s R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award. This annual honor pays homage to the late Bruce Duchossois by annually recognizing a member or members of the USET Foundation Board of Trustees who embody his leadership and generosity.

Vinios, a Wellington resident, and Scialfa Springsteen, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, have both made outstanding contributions to the USET Foundation’s philanthropic efforts since joining the board.

A renowned singer and songwriter, Scialfa Springsteen’s involvement began through supporting her daughter and Olympic team silver medalist, Jessica Springsteen. Scialfa Springsteen has been instrumental in raising significant funds through the “Pathway to the Podium” campaign and by co-chairing several benefit galas alongside her husband, famed musician Bruce Springsteen.

“I am deeply grateful to the USET Foundation for this recognition,” Scialfa Springsteen said. “To receive this award in memory of Bruce Duchossois, a remarkable horseperson and steward of the sport, is truly humbling.”

Vinios and her husband, Louis, own the impressive training facility, Five Rings Farm, in Wellington. It served as the venue for “Victory in Versailles,” a fundraising event that helped the USET Foundation raise more than $2 million for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Vinios generously opens Five Rings Farm to USEF and USET Foundation programs and events, including clinics and team training camps.

“As a country, we are so fortunate to have the USET Foundation funding our equestrian sports and programs and supporting our U.S. teams,” Vinios said. “I have seen the fruition of the USET Foundation’s efforts and the incredible support and enthusiasm they have generated for our teams and our country.”

The USET Foundation also recognized its longest-standing Gold Medal Club donors during the reception. These are individuals who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the organization, providing a financial base that helps ensure the foundation’s support of U.S. equestrian athletes.

Gold Medal Club donor anniversaries were celebrated for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years. Jane MacElree and Robert Ridland/Moore Memorial Trust both reached the 40-year mark and were among those recognized for their continuous and vital support.

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

Major Initiatives Moving Forward To Strengthen Wellington’s Future

In 2025, the Village of Wellington will continue advancing a number of initiatives that support the overarching vision to make this community the most sustainable, connected and resilient global community of choice.

With 2025 underway, I am excited to share progress on the plans and projects that are taking shape and strengthening our community’s future. Our vision for Wellington remains clear: to be the most sustainable, connected and resilient global community of choice. This year, we are advancing numerous significant initiatives to support this vision, ensuring that our exceptional community continues to thrive.

We are proud to announce that for the sixth consecutive year, our millage rate has remained flat at 2.47, and that rate reflects the average rate of the last 15 years. This milestone reflects our strong economic foundation and the successful implementation of various measures that will secure our community’s fiscal sustainability for years to come. These fiscal policies and measures are vital for the village, as they enable us to provide safety, services, amenities and high-quality infrastructure, even in extremely challenging times.

One of our most ambitious projects has been the continued improvement and expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat. The acquisition of the adjacent Moncada property has allowed us to expand the preserve, allowing for greater water storage and resource protection. This project demonstrates our long-term commitment to environmental sustainability and enhances a project that was born out of a partnership among the village, the South Florida Water Management District and the State of Florida.

Addressing the health and well-being of our community is also a top priority. We continue to develop and maintain programs for our youth, seniors and special needs community. These programs focus on community connections, youth educational programming and transportation. Through these efforts, we aim to create a healthier, more vibrant community where everyone feels connected and engaged.

Additionally, the village’s proposed land sale of the K-Park property to Related Ross and Education In Motion will lead to the creation of a premier mixed-use project that embodies both educational and economic vibrancy. Moreover, we are advancing the plans to complete our new aquatics facility with recreational and competitive components for all ages at Village Park. Also co-located at Village Park is the Wellington Sports Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility for youth and adults in all sports disciplines. These projects, in addition to the 21 sports fields, two gymnasiums, roller hockey rinks and playground, will create a dynamic hub for leisure and community activities, further cementing Wellington’s status as a resilient and desirable place for residents and visitors.

As we embark on these ambitious journeys together, I want to thank the Wellington community, our Wellington Village Council and our dedicated village team members. Your hard work and commitment ensure that our vision becomes reality. Here’s to a successful 2025 in Wellington!

 

Experience The Magic Of Equestrian Sport At WEF 2025

By Alicia McLaughlin

The Winter Equestrian Festival is back, and 2025 promises to be the most thrilling season yet! Hosted at the Wellington International showgrounds, WEF is the largest and longest-running annual equestrian competition in the world, spanning an incredible 13 weeks before wrapping up on March 30. This year’s edition will captivate equestrian enthusiasts and newcomers alike with its blend of top-tier show jumping, family-friendly events and entertainment, all within a world-class venue.

From Wednesday to Sunday each week, Wellington International opens its doors from 8 a.m. until the end of daily competitions, usually wrapping up around 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy more than 100 food and retail vendors scattered throughout the grounds, with plenty of shady spots to take in the excitement of the equestrian events. Visitors can watch elite athletes, including Olympians, competing at the highest level of show jumping each day. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or attending for the first time, WEF offers an accessible yet world-class experience for everyone.

One of the marquee attractions at WEF is the fan-favorite Saturday Night Lights series. Every Saturday evening, the International Arena transforms into a Grand Prix spectacle, featuring elite show jumping competition under the stadium lights. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the main event kicking off at 7 p.m.

But Saturday Night Lights is more than just show jumping; it’s an experience for the whole family. Admission is free, with a small parking fee per car, and the night includes live music, food vendors, a petting zoo, face painting, a carousel, and even more entertainment for kids and adults alike. Top athletes will compete for prestigious titles, giving visitors a front-row seat to the very best in equestrian sport.

For those seeking an upgraded experience, Wellington International offers exclusive hospitality options. The Blue Ribbon Club provides premium seating and dining, while the Gallery (available during 4* and 5* evenings) offers a sophisticated viewing space that turns into a nightclub for guests over age 21 once the competition ends. Alternatively, the Tiki Hut offers casual dining and prime views of the action all week long, with reserved seating available for purchase on Saturday nights.

WEF 2025 offers much more than just show jumping. The festival is packed with exciting and diverse competitions that cater to all tastes and interests. Among them are:

The $75,000 Battle of the Sexes — This lively competition pits eight men against eight women in a thrilling relay race across a jumping course. Expect fast-paced action, high energy and lots of crowd interaction as the teams battle it out for this year’s bragging rights.

Leadline Classes on Sundays — For those who love to see the next generation of riders, don’t miss the Leadline Classes on select Sundays during the season. This adorable event features kids as young as age one competing in the International Arena, showcasing their potential as future equestrian stars.

The Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments — This event brings together one professional and two junior/amateur riders in a relay competition in costume. This heartwarming event blends equestrian sport and philanthropy, raising more than $2.25 million in 2024 for more than 50 Palm Beach County charities. It’s an uplifting highlight that reflects Wellington International’s deep commitment to supporting local communities.

The $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment — One of the most prestigious events of the festival, the Nations Cup brings together teams from around the world, each representing their country in a thrilling show jumping competition. Last year saw teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain and more compete in a fierce battle for international glory. Fans will be cheering on their favorite nations as teams strive to take home the coveted Nations Cup title. Last year, Ireland won. Who will be our winning nation this year?

The $100,000 Peter Wetherill WCHR/USHJA Hunter Spectacular — For fans of hunter competitions, this class is a must-see event. Combining grace and precision, the competition showcases the finest hunter horse-and-rider combinations in the U.S. as they take to the arena in a display of elegance.

The $100,000 Team Hunter Competition — Under the lights, hunter riders take part in this unique team event, jumping a 3’3” course in the International Arena. It’s an exciting addition to the Winter Equestrian Festival lineup, benefiting the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington.

The WEF Equitation Championship, presented by Arion Sellier — This challenging competition puts young riders to the test, removing all outside help from trainers or assistants. Riders must walk the course, plan their strategy and warm up entirely on their own, making it one of the most unique and prestigious equitation events in the country.

The $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix — As the grand finale of WEF 2025, the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix stands as one of the most prestigious show jumping events in the U.S. and marks the final and only U.S. stop in the inaugural Rolex Series. With $750,000 in prize money on the line, this event attracts the best riders from around the world, competing at the highest level. The Grand Prix will serve as the culmination of 13 weeks of intense competition, ensuring a dramatic and thrilling conclusion to the competition season.

Beyond its sporting and entertainment value, WEF is a critical driver of the local economy. In 2024, WEF generated an impressive $403.6 million in economic impact for Palm Beach County, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.

The festival’s wide-reaching effects include job creation, labor earnings and a boost in tourism-related spending, with WEF participants and spectators directly spending more than $242.2 million.

The 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival promises to be an unforgettable season of sport, entertainment and community impact. Whether you’re a passionate equestrian fan or just looking for a fun day out, WEF has something for everyone.

Wellington International is located at 3400 Equestrian Club Drive in Wellington. For more information on events, schedules and ticketed experiences, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.

FACES OF WEF 2025

The world-renowned Winter Equestrian Festival has returned to the Wellington International showgrounds, bringing with it 13 weeks of top hunter, jumper and equitation competition. WEF 2025 features the best riders from across the nation and around the world competing at the richest and longest-running horse show series in the world. Horses and riders will soar over fences, make hairpin turns and navigate complicated sequences — all to the delight of the crowd. Well-known, Olympic-caliber riders will join up-and-comers, youngsters and adult amateurs in the ring at WEF, which offers classes for every age and skill level. As we do each year, our Faces of WEF pictorial feature puts a spotlight on just a few of many amazing riders competing at Wellington International this season

Erynn Ballard
Canada’s Erynn Ballard began riding at the age of five at Looking Back Farm with her parents. One year later, she entered the show ring and there was no turning back. At the 1998 Winter Equestrian Festival, Ballard was awarded the Christie Conrad Perpetual Trophy for Equestrian Excellence. She represented Canada at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima and the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning. She also took part in the 2023 World Cup Finals in Omaha. Ballard made her Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Team Canada. Last spring at Wellington International, Ballard won the $140,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix with Coconet during the 2024 ESP Spring Series.

Henrik von Eckermann
Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann is currently sitting at the top spot in the Longines Rankings. He represented Sweden at the four most recent Olympics, with a gold-medal finish in Tokyo in team jumping and fourth in individual jumping. He claimed individual gold at the World Cup in 2023 in Omaha and 2024 in Riyadh, gold in team jumping at the 2023 European Championships in Milan, and both team and individual gold at the 2022 World Championships in Herning. Von Eckermann has had early success this year at WEF with Glamour Girl, winning the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m on the Derby Field during Week 2 and the $62,500 Adequan CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup during Week 3.

Jennifer Hannan
Jennifer Hannan began riding with her mother Nannette Hannan before she could walk. As a junior, Hannan was an ambitious rider, competing in the hunters, jumpers and equitation. She rode under the tutelage of Amy Eidson, Patty Harnois, Missy Clark and Eddie Horowitz. Hannan later turned professional and began working for her former trainer, Eddie Horowitz. In 2007, she returned home to take over the family business Ocean Echo with stables operating in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and Wellington. Last season at WEF, she won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby riding Mindful.

 

Kent Farrington
Chicago native Kent Farrington, who has been riding since age eight, turned pro in 1999 and has been winning ever since. He was on the gold winning U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara and took the team bronze at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. He also won a team bronze at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. In 2016, Farrington earned Olympic silver with the U.S. team in Rio. More recently, he capped the Holiday & Horses CSI4* week at Wellington International, soaring to victory with his mount Greya in the $200,000 ArthramidVet CSI4* Grand Prix in December. He is currently fourth in the Longines Rankings.

Mclain Ward
One of the most decorated U.S. riders, New York native McLain Ward is a perennial fan favorite. A six-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Ward is currently ranked sixth on the Longines Rankings. He won gold in team jumping at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008. He followed that up with silver in team jumping in Rio and Tokyo. Last summer in Paris, he helped the U.S. team win another silver medal, riding his mount Ilex alongside teammates Karl Cook and Laura Kraut. Last March, he won the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix at Saturday Night Lights aboard his Tokyo Olympics mount Contagious. Look for him again in the winner’s circle competing this year at WEF.

Nick Haness
Hunter rider Nick Haness was born and raised in Southern California. He purchased his Hunterbrook Farms home in Temecula in 2014. Haness has always had a passion for finding, importing and producing horses from Europe and started importing horses at the young age of 15. Named USEF Equestrian of the Year in 2019, Haness regularly competes in the nation’s top hunter competitions. Last season at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, he won the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular with McQueen, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian LLC. He collected a total of five champion titles during WEF Week 6 last year.

Richard Vogel
German rider Richard Vogel has been on horses since age four. He began competing at the age of seven, achieving international success in 2010 when he won the junior European championship in Sweden. He later won the 2018 FEI World Cup Final in Paris aboard Ragna. Last summer, he represented Germany at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, placing fifth in team jumping. Currently ninth on the Longines Rankings, Vogel has had plenty of success at WEF. He set the pace with an amazing start during this year’s Premier Week with several wins, including the $75,000 WEF Premiere Grand Prix aboard Event De L’Heribus. He wrapped Week 2 winning the $140,000 WeatherTech CSI3* Grand Prix with Cydello.

Scott Stewart
One of America’s leading hunter riders, Scott Stewart has been a staple in Wellington International’s hunter rings for decades. Stewart, who grew up in Connecticut, has won all the nation’s top hunter awards, including the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular in Wellington. He is also near the top of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s list of Rider Lifetime Money Earned. Last spring, he led the list of hunter riders with qualified horses for the Devon Horse Show. Now a Wellington resident, he returns to WEF after several big wins at the 141st National Horse Show last fall in Lexington, including a one-two finish in the $75,000 NHS Hunter Classic.

Lillie Keenan
Lillie Keenan rose to prominence as a junior rider, sweeping the championships in the 2007 and 2008 USEF Pony Finals. At 13, she won the 2010 Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals. The next year, Keenan took home the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, defeating some of the sport’s top professionals. In 2018, Keenan was named to the short list for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon before heading to Europe to compete in the Global Champions Tour. She continued her training with McLain Ward and earned a string of top placings at the Devon Horse Show. A Wellington resident, Keenan is currently 28th on the Longines Rankings and can frequently be found in the winner’s circle at WEF, such as last March when she capped Week 11 with a big win in the $200,000 IDA Development CSI4* Grand Prix.

Laura Kraut
Laura Kraut has represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games five times, starting with her first big break in 1992, when she was named an alternate to the U.S. team in Barcelona, and continued with her Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000. She won team gold at Hong Kong in 2008 with Cedric, and in 2021, Kraut was part of the silver medal U.S. team in Tokyo with Baloutinue. She returned to the Olympics with Baloutinue last summer in Paris, winning team silver with McLain Ward and Karl Cook. With more than 100 Grand Prix wins, she has also represented the U.S. at the World Equestrian Games, winning team silver at Aachen in 2006 and team gold at Tryon in 2018. Based both here and in Great Britain, Kraut and her longtime partner, British show jumper Nick Skelton, run a successful training business. Kraut has been a familiar face at WEF for decades.

 

Wellington International Leaders Upbeat As WEF 2025 Opens

The leaders of Wellington International gathered on the first Thursday of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival to celebrate the exciting season ahead at Wellington’s signature horse showgrounds.

The season will welcome returning Paris Olympians, including members of the U.S. silver medal show jumping team and gold medal dressage Paralympians, plus more than half of the world’s top 20 ranked show jumping athletes.

The 13-week season, meanwhile, will culminate in the newly introduced US Equestrian Open, elevating the profile of equestrian sports leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Murray Kessler, the new CEO of Wellington International, and Michael Stone, longtime president of Wellington International, discussed the importance of the show to the Wellington community and some of the improvements this season.

Those who have attended the Winter Equestrian Festival over the years can attest to the incredible level of growth it has sustained, both in the physical property and in the caliber of competition. Having recently taken over the reins as CEO, Kessler is proud of the venue’s accomplishments and what they bring to the table for 2025 and beyond.

“It’s not just a horse show; it’s a destination,” Kessler said. “And our vision is to keep Wellington the premier horse sports destination in the world. I take a lot of pride in the fact that Wellington International is the anchor of this community.”

He added that in 2024, the showgrounds brought $403.6 million of economic impact to Palm Beach County. “We are the No. 1 sport in Palm Beach County by far, and a lot of people count on us. We want this to be the very best experience it can be. That starts with horse sport,” Kessler said.

Kessler touched as well on the Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, an event held under the glow of Saturday Night Lights, where riders are selected to compete for teams and contribute funds toward local charities.

Outside of the 2024 economic impact, the Great Charity Challenge provided more than $2 million in additional charitable donations for nonprofits in Palm Beach County. This year’s event will return on Saturday, Feb. 1. Learn more at www.greatcharitychallenge.com.

The final week of 2024 brought an unmatched slate of competitors to Wellington International, and the momentum seen that week continues to build as many riders worldwide choose to devote more time to the Winter Equestrian Festival each season.

“I think you’ll see us raising our game here this year,” Kessler said. “We have a lot in store, but it all starts with the horses, and I’m happy to say we anticipate that eight of the top 10 ranked riders in the world will come this season, and 35 Olympic riders between the two venues.”

Stone echoed the importance of building up the sport and attracting top talent, both for the good of the community and for every rider that competes in Wellington.

“We’re fundamentally about the sport, and we want to make the sport as good as it possibly can be,” Stone said. “The best way of doing that is having the best athletes in the world. That drives the level for the U.S. athletes. It’s the opportunity they have to compete against the very best in the world and show how good they are and how successful they can be.”

As part of the US Equestrian Open, both dressage and show jumping athletes will have the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages worldwide. The US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final, the culminating WEF event known each year as the Rolex Grand Prix, has jumped from $500,000 to $750,000 in prize money.

“Having a championship like the US Equestrian Open is perfect,” Kessler said of the new series. “We want this to feel like [golf’s] U.S. Open or Wimbledon. Major championships are an important part of the sport because it gives a much broader group of people the ability to work their way into a championship.”

WEF competition at Wellington International is underway through the end of March. The venue is open to spectators all season long. Ticketing information is available at www.wellingtoninternational.com.

Top Riders Excited With 2025 Season Underway

United States show jumping athlete Lillie Keenan and German dressage U25 European champion Felicitas Hendricks were among the leaders in the equestrian industry who gather on the first Thursday morning of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival, expressing great optimism in the opportunities available at Wellington International this season.

As part of the new US Equestrian Open, both dressage and show jumping athletes will have the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages worldwide. The US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final, the culminating event known each year as the Rolex Grand Prix, has jumped from $500,000 to $750,000 in prize money.

Keenan, one of the riders with her eye set on that Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix, has skyrocketed through the world rankings over the past few years of international competition, both in Wellington and beyond.

“I’ve been coming to Wellington for 20 years,” said Keenan, now 28. “I have jumped FEI here for about 12 [years], and it’s the one time of year that we actually get to stay in one place, which is so wonderful.”

Keenan referenced her most recent CSI5* Grand Prix winner, the 2014 stallion Kick On, and how the horse started the 2024 WEF season in the 1.30m, advancing all the way to a clear round in the 1.50m final.

“I think that’s something that’s so unique about this place, that we are able to bring horses to the very top level in conditions that they’re the most comfortable in,” she said.

Keenan has risen from the ponies to the Grand Prix podium in Wellington, and the venue has allowed her to not only thrive but to take her offerings to the next level.

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to also develop our business,” she continued. “I’m able to teach students here, and actually my mom still rides, and I get to ride with her every single day at home. It’s the one time of year that we get to all be together.”

With a full string of both up-and-coming and seasoned mounts, Keenan sees plenty of opportunity to give every horse the time and attention it needs, from daily jumping opportunities to some of the show calendar’s biggest events, all strategically forming part of her complex plan to approach championship events in future years, all leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the AGDF is setting the stage for its biggest year as well, featuring seven US Dressage Open Qualifiers, four CDI World Cup Qualifiers, the CDIO3* Nations Cup, a CDI5* event and 10 national shows. The schedule will also feature two CPEDI events — international shows for para dressage athletes — which began at Wellington International in 2016 right before the Rio Olympics.

“The sport of para in this country has grown so much,” AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur said. “They won, in total, eight medals in Paris, and five were gold. I think that is also a tribute to Wellington. We were a part of that journey. That was quite a success story over the years.”

The number one, two and three-ranked paralympic riders are all United States riders, pointed out Wellington International CEO Murray Kessler, who noted that there were no Americans in the top 10 prior to the para dressage program beginning in 2016.

The CDI competition will be fierce as well, with additional athletes and champions returning to Wellington International.

Hendricks is back for another season after a career high in 2024, scoring her first Friday Night Stars CDI5* victory in the 2024 edition of the AGDF. The 24-year-old began competing in Wellington in her early teens and has grown to become one of the most recognized U25 dressage athletes worldwide.

“Wellington has been the kickstart of everything for me,” Hendricks said. “Whether it was juniors or seniors, I really went all the way. I’m always so happy to prepare [her mount Drombusch OLD] for the European season over here because the conditions are just amazing. The competition organization is fantastic. It’s just perfect conditions all over, so it’s always the perfect start of the season.”

Still in an early phase of her career but with huge successes under her belt already, Hendricks knows being in Wellington sets the stage for the preparation that goes into arriving at the major championships on her bucket list.

“I feel like every professional rider’s ultimate dream is going to big championships and going to the Olympics,” Henricks explained. “But this is just a very long-term goal for the future; for now, with Drombusch, I’m just really going to try to go as far as we can.”

Hendricks and Keenan agreed that they love the energy and atmosphere they get from competing under the lights throughout the winter season.

“I think the special thing about it is the positive vibe,” Hendricks said of competing at AGDF’s Friday Night Stars. “Everyone is cheering you on, and even if a mistake happens, they really feel for you and they want you to do well. I think that’s very special.”

Keenan has jumped many Saturday Night Lights at WEF over her years as a show jumper and agrees there’s nothing quite like it.

“The atmosphere is electric, and the best horses really grow in that condition,” she said. “It’s incredible because we get to do it quite a few times if you’re lucky enough to have a Grand Prix horse that you get to jump on Saturday nights here. Then throughout the year, you feel the most comfortable in that atmosphere, and I guarantee you when the crowd gets into it, we do better.”