WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL SHOW JUMPING FINALE ATTRACTS 2024 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES CONTENDERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
Family-Friendly Saturday Night Lights Extravaganza Offers Fun for Everyone Training Ground for Olympic Hopefuls Celebrates Significant Economic Impact on Palm Beach County
WHAT: Experience the thrill and excitement of International Show Jumping competition at the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) pinnacle event. The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5*, set for Saturday night March 30 at Wellington International, features a memorable, fun family-friendly Saturday Night Lights experience, and includes some of the best horse-and-riders in the world, including many Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games contenders.
Open to the public with free general admission, guests will enjoy the ultimate Saturday Night Lights experience featuring delicious food, live music, shopping, face painting, bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, magicians, stilt walkers, and the highest level of competitive show jumping! For guests looking to upgrade their experience, enhanced viewing opportunities are available to watch world-class competition from the best seats in the house; from the informal Tiki Hut to the exclusive atmosphere in the Blue Ribbon Club, with gourmet buffets, open bars, and gorgeous views.
Heralded as the most prestigious competition of the Winter Equestrian Festival and one of the last U.S. stops before official Olympic selections begin, the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix will feature forty of the most elite horse-and-riders from across the globe. Competitors vying for the top prize include riders from the U.S., U.K., Sweden, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Germany, France, and beyond, who will navigate a fast-paced and exciting course designed by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge, the famed course builder for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. The obstacles will reach 160cm in height which is the equivalent of jumping over a person who is 5’2” and as wide as 6’7”.
2024 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES CONTENDERS & RIDERS TO WATCH:
· World Ranked #1 Henrik Von Eckermann (Sweden)
· World Ranked #2 Ben Maher (UK)
· Richard Vogel (Germany), 2023 $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* Champion
· World Ranked #4 Kent Farrington (USA), US Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver Medalist and Rolex Testimonee
· Mclain Ward (USA), U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver Medalist
· Jessica Springsteen (USA), U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver Medalist and Rolex Testimonee
· Laura Kraut (USA), U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver Medalist
· Tiffany Foster (CAN), top-ranked female rider in the world
· Daniel Deusser (Germany), Olympic Team Bronze Medalist and Rolex Testimonee
THE LOCAL IMPACT: The internationally recognized Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International is the largest and longest-running annual equestrian competition in North America, and one of the country’s best kept sports venue secrets. In 2023, the 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival generated a remarkable increase of $352 million to the GDP of Palm Beach County, supporting 3,364 jobs across various industries and resulting in labor earnings of $103 million. The current 2024 season, January 3 - March 31, 2024, is on track to surpass a $352M increase in GDP especially given the upcoming Summer Olympic in Paris, with WEF attracting the best riders across the world just prior to the Games.
WHEN & WHERE | Saturday Night, March 30
The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* is scheduled to take place at 7:30 P.M. ET on Saturday, March 30
· Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the first horse will be on course at 7:30 p.m.
· Saturday Night Lights experiences will be open from 6–10 p.m.
LOCATION & PARKING
· Parking is free at Equestrian Village, which is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414
· Take the complimentary shuttles to Wellington International starting at 5:30 P.M. (3400 Equestrian Club Dr. Wellington, FL, 33414)
SEATING
· General admission spectators will have access to open stadium and bleacher seating at the International Arena.
· Outside food and beverage as well as any long-lens or flash photography are prohibited.
UPGRADED VIEWING EXPEREINCES
· Purchase upgraded viewing experience packages to dine & watch the world-class competition from various exclusive hospitality venues including Blue Ribbon Club, The Gallery, and Wellington Club. To learn more and purchase, visit: https://bit.ly/40M9BOM.
WATCH FROM ANYWHERE
· Can’t make it in person? Livestreaming is available at WellingtonInternational.com
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About Wellington International
Wellington International hosts the internationally celebrated 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and the 28-week Annual Series horse shows. Established in 1974, this iconic equestrian venue spans over 111 acres, featuring 18 state-of-the-art competition arenas, more than 400 permanent equine stalls, dedicated horse trails, pedestrian paths, and expansive golf cart tracks. Recognized for its excellence, Wellington International is proud to operate the world’s largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show. Each year, it welcomes a diverse equestrian community, with participants from all 50 states and over 34 countries.
Beyond its equestrian accolades, Wellington International also provides an array of amenities, such as VIP and hospitality areas, versatile event spaces, dining, luxury shopping destinations, and much more. With an annual contribution of more than $351 million to Palm Beach County's GDP and the creation of over 3,300 jobs, Wellington International’s impact extends well beyond the facility. As a subsidiary of the Global Equestrian Group (GEG), Wellington International remains steadfast in its commitment to the future of equestrian sports, constantly evolving to better support exhibitors, stakeholders, and the wider community. For further insights into Wellington International, please visit www.wellingtoninternational.
Media Assets
o B-Roll (CREDIT © Wellington International): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/
o Photography & Event Flyer: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/
MEDIA CONTACT | For requests and to RSVP, please contact:
o Destin Judy, destin@remarqinc.com, 859-913-6983
o Lauren Kay, lauren@remarqinc.com, 310-409-8754