Winter Equestrian Festival
26°38′01″N 80°16′23″W / 26.633716°N 80.273066°W The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is an annual equestrian festival running for 13 weeks between January and March in Wellington, Florida. Each of the 13 weeks is considered its own horse show, with separate competitions, as well as competitions that run throughout the festival.[1] It is the largest and longest-running equestrian competition in the world.[2] The Winter Equestrian Festival is known for its stunning grounds and villages, stiff competition, and wealth of its participants.
Wellington International, which hosts the equestrian festival, is a 111-acre (45 ha) venue in Wellington that consists of 18 competition arenas and 400 permanent horse stalls.[3] The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is known for its sprawling grounds and horse themed streets.[4] Competitors and residents can access over 57 miles of trails surrounding the equestrian facility.[5]
WEF holds competitions for children, junior, adult amateur, and professional equestrians in over 70 divisions.[6]
WEF initially began to attract the equestrian community the 1970s, following in the footsteps of the well established International Polo Club.[7] In 2022, WEF awarded over $13 million in prize money.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Brown, Stephen. "The Winter Equestrian Festival Jumps to Wellington". Palm Beach Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ "Winter Equestrian Festival Brings Elegant Competition to Wellington, FL". Elite Traveler. Elite Luxury Publishing. December 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ "The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ "This relatively unknown town in Florida has become a playground for the richest of the rich". Business Insider. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ "The Equestrian Community". The Village of Wellington. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ "Winter Equestrian Festival". The Palm Beaches Florida. November 11, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ Brown, Abram (May 31, 2016). "The Florida Town With Horse-Loving Billionaires, Actors And Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ^ "2018 Winter Equestrian Festival Poised To Be Largest Circuit Yet Featuring 12 Consecutive Weeks of Equestrian Competition". pbiec.coth.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.