Kessler: Exciting Season Underway At Wellington International

By Shannon Anastasio

The former CEO of three Fortune 500 companies, Murray Kessler took over leadership of the Wellington International showgrounds — home of the storied Winter Equestrian Festival — in late 2024, just before the 2025 festival began. Kessler is a 50-year resident of Wellington and the former president of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), former president of the North American Riders Group, father of 2012 London Olympic show jumper Reed Kessler and stepfather to dressage rider Bebe Davis. He has spent the past year meeting with stakeholders — equestrians, patrons, sponsors and more — while leading a series of improvements and expansions designed to enhance the showgrounds experience and further cement Wellington’s position in the equestrian world. Wellington The Magazine recently spoke with Kessler about WEF, the showgrounds and the future.

What are you most excited about regarding this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival?
The team worked incredibly hard during the summer and fall to prepare the Wellington International facilities for this to be the best Winter Equestrian Festival ever. We tried to leave no stone unturned, making infrastructure improvements, production improvements, increasing prize money and improving our hospitality facilities. We have many surprises in store this season.

What does this season hold for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival?Like WEF, many improvements were made to the Global Dressage Festival. This year’s festival includes marquee events like the Dressage Infusion, covered spectator stands, a new FEI Lounge, special musical performances and more. It is worth noting that members of the dressage community stepped up to help make this the best GDF ever. I’m thrilled to see the dressage community excited again.

What are some new additions to the showgrounds this year?
At GDF, the big improvements are covered spectator seating and significantly increased shade structures, as well as the FEI Lounge. At WEF, it is a long list. FEI stabling has been completely renovated, including artificial intelligence cameras to monitor horse behavior. Anything out of the ordinary, and the rider or trainer will be immediately notified by the camera itself. There’s also a new lounge in FEI for riders, trainers, owners and grooms. The International Club was renovated with new modern buffet lines, and the club itself was redecorated. A major push was done to eliminate mud and dust on the property. This included replacing all dusty or muddy areas and pathways with either footing (like that in the arenas), pavers, Equitan rubber or planted with grass. Landscaping was improved throughout. The kitchen was renovated. The stabling areas were resurfaced or surfaced for the first time. Drainage throughout the property was renovated and/or improved to eliminate flooding. I’ve had at least 100 people compliment me on the cleanliness of the property. My team and I really appreciate seeing that all of the hard work is having a positive impact on our customer experience. Another major area of improvement was with footing. The International Ring has brand-new footing, as do several other major rings. Every ring had footing added. I can’t believe how much my team accomplished. I’m so proud of them. I’m also thankful to our parent company, Wellington Lifestyle Partners, for their support. We couldn’t have done all of this without them.

Who are some of the new sponsors joining this year?
We have many new sponsors this year, highlighted by one new premier sponsor, Modon Holdings. This is a huge international lifestyle destinations company. They are sponsoring the hospitality VIP clubs at both WEF and GDF. They are also sponsoring one of the $500,000 5* Grand Prix events and the Dressage Nations Cup. We are proud to have them as a new sponsor. Other notable additions include GGT footing, Stefano Ricci luxury men’s clothing, Ritz-Carlton Residences West Palm Beach, LeMieux Equestrian, Sean Rush Atelier, Coastal Steel Structures, Defiant Whisky, Peregrin Private Client Services, the Wingrove Academy and many more.

There’s a major expansion of the showgrounds underway. How is progress going on that project? When is it slated for completion? “

If you drive by, you can see for yourself. Wellington Lifestyle Partners is making major progress on the expansion grounds. The new covered arena is complete, a world-class grass jumping field is complete and most of the competition rings are complete. Permanent barns begin construction in the next few weeks. While there is much left to do, our goal is to be open for the 2027 season, one year from now.

What should visitors look for when spending time at the Winter Equestrian Festival this year?
First and foremost, they should enjoy world-class competition. The best in the world will be once again competing at WEF. We expect seven of the top 10 riders in the world. Visitors will also enjoy great food, great shopping and great entertainment. Saturday Night Lights is not to be missed. Visitors will be not only entertained by top sport, they will also enjoy laser light shows, top disc jockeys from Miami and New York, and special theme nights like ABBA Night and Country Western Night.

How have you seen Wellington’s equestrian community change in recent years?
There was much uncertainty in the community, which created tremendous anxiety, anger and frustration. People have a lot invested here. I think the atmosphere is completely different now. People know my team and I are working hard for them, listening to them and have their best interest at heart. We care about our community. Not just the equestrian community. We care about the entire community! This is my 50th year in Wellington. It’s important that Wellington International remains the premier horse sports destination in the world, and we want everyone who lives here to be proud of that and embrace our success.

How do you describe the importance of WEF and horse sports to the overall community of Wellington?
Horse sports are what makes Wellington unique from almost any other community in the world. WEF is more than a horse show. It’s a lifestyle. I can’t think of another show in the world where people come to live for four or five months of the year. And let’s not forget the economic impact that WEF has on Palm Beach County. Last year, WEF generated $536 million in economic impact for Palm Beach County, making it the No. 1 sporting event in all of South Florida in terms of economic impact. And finally, WEF donates more than $2 million to local schools and charities each year through the Great Charity Challenge. That makes me proud. I hope it makes your readers proud, too!

How does the work going on at the showgrounds protect Wellington’s equestrian industry into the future?
Favorably! Once completed, Wellington International will have state-of-the-art facilities all on one contiguous site. My team will continue to enhance the fan and customer experience. Delighted customers continue to come back. I call it the virtuous circle. We invest in the experience, which attracts more competitors, fans and sponsors. That generates more revenue to invest to further enhance the experience, and so on and so on.

Wellington International is located at 3400 Equestrian Club Drive in Wellington. For more information, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.