Wellington International Kicks Off 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival with Olympic Stars and New U.S. Equestrian Open
Wellington International officially kicks off the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) with a press conference on January 9th, welcoming equestrian fans and the Palm Beach community to 13 weeks of premier equestrian events.
The season highlights include world-class show jumping and dressage competitions, featuring 10 of the world’s top 20 show jumpers and several athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event also marks the debut of the U.S. Equestrian Open, a new series designed to elevate the profile of equestrian sports ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Key panelists at the press conference include Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International, who will introduce this year’s expanded offerings; Michael Stone, President of Wellington International, who will discuss the economic impact of WEF on Palm Beach County; and Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for AGDF, who will highlight the festival’s international prominence.
Paris Olympic medalists McLain Ward, Richard Vogel, Allison Brock, and para-dressage champion Rebecca Hart will share insights into their experiences and the significance of Wellington as a global hub for equestrian sports.
The festivities continue with family-friendly events like Friday Night Stars Dressage and Saturday Night Lights Show Jumping, culminating in the 16th Annual Great Charity Challenge on February 1st, which will benefit over 30 local nonprofits.
The 2025 season aims to solidify Wellington International’s reputation as a premier sports and entertainment destination, drawing international attention to the equestrian world.
Press Conference Details (for media only):
Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
Location: The Wellington Club at Wellington International, 400 Equestrian Club Dr, Wellington, FL
Schedule:
Doors open at 10:30 AM
Press Conference: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Live competition begins at 1:00 PM
For media inquiries, RSVP to Destin Judy destin (at) remarqinc.com, (859-913-6983); onsite contact Lindsay Brock (518-586-6258), and request special interviews or venue access with panel members before or after the press conference.