by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 24, 2025
Paraphrasing a saying from the Eighteenth Century that referred to the dominant racehorse, Eclipse, you could sum up the results from day one of the Defender Kentucky 5-star three-day event by saying, “Michael Jung first, the rest nowhere.”
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH (Amy Dragoo photo)
The Olympic gold medalist and four-time Kentucky winner offered judges at the Kentucky Horse Park a superlative dressage test, with fischerChipmunk FRH moving as effortlessly as if he were controlled by telepathy, rather than anything Michi did from the saddle.
The judges paid tribute to the German rider’s excellence, scoring him with a mere18.6 penalties, nearly 10 penalties less than Tim Price (Jarillo) and Clarke Johnstone (Menlo Park), the pair of New Zealanders tied for second place on 28.4.
It’s the first time Clarke has been at Kentucky since 2010 when the FEI World Equestrian Games were held there. He described his horse, whom he rode in the world championships and Olympics, as ” just a lovely guy.”
Tim, ranked number two in the world, also is fourth on 29.1 penalties with Happy Boy, and Boyd Martin is the top contender for the home team in fifth place (29.8), riding his Olympic mount, Federman B.
Federman B and Boyd Martin had a test with some wonderful moments. (Photo courtesy Boyd Martin)
While it’s early days yet, with another afternoon of dressage scheduled for Friday (not to mention Saturday’s anything-can-happen cross-country and Sunday’s show jumping) Michi is very much at home in Kentucky, where he has won the 5-star four times. That bodes well for the prospect of having him set a possible new record for the number of victories one rider has scored at the event.
“I’m always quite a bit lucky here, so it’s a good place for me. This is a perfect place for competition,” he said.
“When I went in, I feel he was completely relaxed and calm and with me, and I could start riding forward and have really a test like I wished.”
Of the 17-year-old Chipmunk, Michi noted, “he’s in really great shape,” and thanked his team for keeping the horse that way.
“He’s getting older, but the feeling is, he’s getting stronger and stronger, and better and more muscle. And the body looks like he’s a young boy. A great horse.”
Michi already holds the world record for a 5-star of winning by finishing three phases on his dressage score of 20.1 penalties, which happened at Kentucky in 2022. If he does the same this weekend, that will be another world record score for the globe’s most successful eventer.
But of course it won’t be easy, even for Michi, with resident course designer Derek DiGrazia’s cross-country route posing its usual stern test.
“It’s pretty serious,” observed Boyd, who has two more horses to ride on Friday.
“It’s a good, strong course; challenging and there are a couple of alternative routes that aren’t that time-expensive. It’s going to be an exciting day.”
Tim, who also has three horses, will be riding his most experienced mount, Falco, on Friday.
But he was impressed by Jarillo, a Dutchbred chestnut 9-year-old with four white stockings. (Tim obviously didn’t pay attention to the old rhyme that says, “If you have a horse with four white legs, send him far away.”)
The flashy Jarillo and Tim Price.
Jarillo’s smitten rider definitely won’t be following that advice.
“He’s just so glamorous,” Tim pointed out as he outlined the horse’s other attributes.
“He’s quirky, he’s sexy. Good looking men, you know, they’ve definitely got an edge to them,” he continued, adding the horse is an “out-and-out talent. To bring him over here is a real treat.” Tim did mention that “he’s a little bit of a fiddle to ride,” saying that means “I need to hold his hand everywhere.”
As you may remember, I made New Zealand’s Monica Spencer my pick for best dressed during Wednesday’s horse inspection, citing her black leather pants and cape-like contrasting jacket.
Turns out I wasn’t alone in my choice. She won the official best-dressed award from Dubarry, as Danny Hulse presented her with a pair of boots,
Danny Hulse of Dubarry and Monica Spencer. (Amy Dragoo photo)
click here for 5-star results
In the 4-star that runs concurrently with the 5-star, the very veteran Phillip Dutton is first with Denim. He leads the top 22 entries, all of whom, like him, are from the USA.
Click here for the 4-star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 23, 2025
Although the weather forecast for the next few days in Lexington, Ky., isn’t the best, the sun shone bright (as the song goes) on the Kentucky Horse Park for the Defender 5-star eventing horse inspection Wednesday.
Boyd Martin had three horses he showed to the judges, but perhaps his best shot at victory is with his Olympic mount, Federman B. (His others are Luke 140 and Commando 3).
You have to figure, though, that the combo to beat will be Germany’s Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. As past winners, they are hard to bet against, and Michi’s record in the sport is unsurpassed.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH.
Sadly, Jennie Brannigan’s ride, Twilight’s Last Gleam, was not accepted after being re-presented following a stint in the holding box. That was the only entry to be rejected.
Jennie was gracious about her 15-year-old mount’s fate, noting owners “Tim and Nina Gardner and myself love this horse and he owes us absolutely nothing.”
No worries, though; we’ll still see Jennie in competition. She will be able to compete on FE Lifestyle in the field that has been narrowed to 34 starters.
Jennie Brannigan and the beautifully turned-out Twilight’s Last Gleam sadly got a “no” from the judges.
The most eye-catching horse is Fluorescent Adolescent with a coat of splashy spots. He’s ridden by the only Canadian competitor, Jessica Phoenix.
Jessica Phoenix and the Flourescent Adolescent.
The 5-star trot-up is always a fashion show, and my choice as the best-dressed is New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, who will be riding Artist. She wore black leather pants and a cape-like checked top in a shade of oatmeal, both stylish and classy.
Monica Spencer and Artist.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 18, 2025
I’ve attended 25 World Cup Finals since the first one held in the U.S. in 1980. Aside from a few special touches, most were like your average fancy European horse show, such as those staged when Volvo was the Cup sponsor in its home city of Gothenburg, Sweden. On the fun side, those finals were known for their fantastic flower arrangements that made it difficult to see some of the jumps. And then there was the indoor lake on the course at Dortmund, Germany, in 1990.
But the game changers that redefined the Cup competition were the glitzy finals complete with fireworks in Las Vegas. That wildly popular series debuted in 2000 and ran in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2015. Covid sadly cancelled the 2020 edition. It seems unlikely that Vegas, which put the dressage and show jumping Cups together for the first time, will be held again in the near future.
But now we can look forward to another innovative Longines FEI World Cup Finals, scheduled for April 8-12, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Derek Braun, whose Split Rock Jumping Tour is putting on the finals, promises iconic longhorn cattle will be part of the scene. Indeed, longhorns are driven through the stockyard in an exhibition twice daily. You can’t miss it. So polish up those cowboy boots and grab yourself a 10-gallon hat to fit right in.
A twice-daily cattle drive is a feature in Fort Worth. (Photo courtesy Dickies Arena)
“We’re going heavy with the Texas vibe, very western, very cowboy, very cow country-oriented. Which is what Fort Worth has to offer. I think it’s going to be a fun, cool, new exciting fresh take on it,” advised Derek, who noted accessibility of the massive Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport means the Cup destination is only one flight away from almost anywhere in the world.
With the 2024 Cup in Basel, Switzerland now behind us this month, it’s time to start making plans for next year’s dressage and show jumping finals. Fans already are buying tickets for the Fort Worth competition, to be held in the state-of-the-art Dickies Arena, adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Dickies Arena will host the 2026 Longines FEI World Cup Finals (Photo courtesy Dickies Arena)
Derek was in Basel to accept the hand-off of the Cup finals flag and look at the “inner workings” of the Swiss version of the Cup. There are quite a few differences between the 2025 and 2026 host sites and their offerings.
“Our schedule is a lot lighter than theirs was, they had another 3 star (show jumping) and vaulting. Their days were extremely long,” Derek observed.
Derek Braun accepts the Longines FEI World Cup flag in a hand-off at the end of the Basel show. .(FEI Photo)
“Our days are focused toward just the World Cup sessions. Footing is a major priority for me, we’ve already mixed our footing six months ago. Riders want to make sure the details are absolutely perfect for them.”
While Basel used tents for stabling and warm-up, everything at Fort Worth is permanent.
The interior of Dickies Arena. (Photo courtesy of Dickies Arena)
As Derek pointed out, “there are not many comparable arenas worldwide to Dickies, there’s not a bad seat in the house.” There will be 9,500 of them for the Cup finals. VIP space is limited, so early purchase of tickets is urged. They are available separately for the dressage sessions, jumping sessions and all sessions. Tickets are available at https://www.fortworth2026.com/tickets. VIP reservations can be made at VIP Reservations.
Although Derek’s management resume does not include a dressage show, he’s educated on the details required. But he emphasized that discipline will be guided by Thomas Baur, the German who runs the Adequan Global Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
Speaking about Dickies, Thomas said, “I think it’s probably the best venue for a World Cup I’ve seen in this country. There is enough space; for the horses, it will be easily accessible. The plan is to have a vendor and action area between the main ring and the last warm-up ring, so I think that will be great for the spectators. I was there in December and there are a lot of nice restaurants and hotels close by.”
In Fort Worth, he notes, there are “a lot of things to do for people who want to come to the World Cup. It’s absolutely fun.”
Derek is hoping qualifying participation will go “through the roof.” He called the new venue, “A little bit of an ode to the old Las Vegas World Cup finals days, when people got really excited to go to Las Vegas for everything they have to offer. Fort Worth is just as exciting of a town as Vegas, in different ways.
“There’s going to be a lot of activities, the whole town is really going to embrace it and people are going to be able to make a four- or five-day vacation out of this championship.”
Derek explained “the city is a major partner of ours for the final. The entire city is going to be laying out the red carpet. Everyone will be connected city-wide for this final, the restaurants and businesses.”
Two clinics, one each on jumping and dressage, will be presented by professionals from the top 10 lists in their disciplines, who are yet to be selected.
It’s not all clear sailing, however.
“In the state of Texas, we are battling a little bit against the FIFA World Cup (soccer) finals and differentiating between the two,” Derek mentioned.
The 2026 FIFA matches will be held in Dallas Stadium during June and July; thus there is potential for public confusion, even though the Longines FEI World Cup is two months earlier.
“We don’t have major (show jumping and dressage) events in Texas, we were the first ever FEI event in the state four years ago,” Derek said.
So Cup organizers are launching “a year-long strategy on promotion and education of what this is. When people see an ad or image,” he observed, “they understand what it is and the magnitude behind it. FEI and USEF are helping make a big push to advertise the World Cup League.”
The crowded equestrian calendar has another major competition in 2026, when world championships in dressage and jumping (as well as several other disciplines) are being held during August in Aachen, Germany.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t affect us negatively; it’s something I’ve thought about,” Derek said.
“Texas is such a new and incredible draw that I think we’ll stand on our own. It’s far enough away from the world championships that it will be a good stepping stone for them (championship contenders) and their horses.”
In terms of both participants and spectators, Derek believes going west is a draw, especially for people from other parts of the world.
“I think people are really intrigued by the culture. They really want to experience it; they know it’s going to be new, cool and different. Any time there’s a scenario like that, it always intrigues riders from everywhere. We’re going to make sure we let every rider experience the true Texas culture.”
At the same time, he added, “I think participation for people competing from North America will be through the roof.”
For more information about the finals, go to https://www.fortworth2026.com/.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 15, 2025
In case you’re wondering what swung the choice of Santa Anita Park racetrack over Galway Downs to host the 2028 Olympic equestrian competitions, comments from LA 28 Project Director Reynold Hoover may make the decision easier to understand.
As reported by Inside the Games, the retired Army lieutenant general explained the thought pattern behind where all competitions for 2028 sports will be held.
“Some zones are compact, others quite spread out,” Hoover noted.
“We’ve deliberately avoided a single-venue mindset.”
“This departure from Olympic gigantism is rooted not only in International Olympic Committee policy, which favors sustainability, but also in the practical need to deliver the Games within a private funding model,” Inside the Games pointed out.
Hoover observed that the Paris 2024 Games “served as a live testing ground for the concept of temporary, high-impact venues. Paris leaned into the spectacular, staging competitions in iconic settings like the Eiffel Tower and the Alexandre III Bridge.”
Visually stunning, yes, but, as Hoover observed in Inside the Games, logistically complex. Many of these pop-up sites required not just seating, but entire support ecosystems: catering facilities, broadcast zones, warm-up areas and secure perimeters.
“There’s a heavy price to pay for that kind of visual romance,” Hoover admitted, acknowledging that “replicating such magnificence in Los Angeles would come with significant cost. In keeping with its renewed sustainability doctrine, the IOC encourages host cities to prioritize existing venues. The real challenge involved selecting the right spaces and striking deals with their owners.”
In that context, it’s easier to understand why the proposed equestrian site of Galway Downs in Temecula, which is nearly 85 miles from LA, was dropped and replaced with Santa Anita, about 18 more convenient miles from Los Angeles.
So Santa Anita will be the venue, just as it was for the 1984 Games. Well, almost just as it was; eventing’s cross-country phase was held off-site on a golf course 41 years ago, but the current Olympic regulations call for every part of a sport to be held at the same venue.
The choice was announced April 15, days after Galway Downs was dropped from consideration. Click here to read our story that stated Santa Anita was the likely choice.
Other issues also prompted the switch. Galway Downs would have needed millions of dollars in improvements to host the Games. Also, there were concerns that inland Temecula in July would be extremely hot, a worry with horse welfare at the forefront.
“Santa Anita Park will be a spectacular venue for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
Joe Fargis, the 1984 Olympic double gold medalist, with Touch of Class center stage at Santa Anita 41 years ago. (Tish Quirk photo)
“The FEI has very fond memories of Santa Anita, which had hosted the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games. The venue is set to offer a breathtaking stage for all the Olympic equestrian competitions and the proximity to LA City will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with LA28 to deliver spectacular equestrian events at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.”
Derek Braun, who runs the Split Rock Jumping Tour, put on a very successful 5-star grand prix and national competition at Santa Anita in November 2024.
“Obviously, having the 5-star there last year, I would think contributed to greatly to everybody’s confidence in that Santa Anita was absolutely more than capable of producing the Olympics again there,” Derek said.
He called the 1/ST Racing team at Santa Anita, “One of the most professional, largest, accomplished event companies in existence already. I think they’re the right team for the job. Hopefully, I can be a part of it in some way.”
This November, Split Rock is ramping up what it does at Santa Anita, Derek said. His tour will be putting on 3-star and then 5-star show jumping two weeks in a row, which will give him even more familiarity with the facility
U.S. Equestrian Federation CEO Bill Moroney said, “We have the utmost confidence in the LA28 Organizing Committee, and we anticipate exceptional equestrian sport will take place at this special legacy venue from the 1984 Olympic Games. We are also extremely pleased that the IOC has confirmed the athlete quotas across the disciplines for 2028 and they remain unchanged from 2024.”
The crowd that packed the stands at Santa Anita in 1984 watched such legendary athletes as eventing Olympic gold medalist Mark Todd of New Zealand on Charisma.
Santa Anita, which has hosted racing’s Breeders Cup, is the track where the great racehorse Seabiscuit won his last race in 1940. The facility also hosts a CSI3* as well as a FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI5*-W, which this year will take place in November.
Santa Anita covers 320 acres and has a grandstand seating 26,000. The track infield area, which resembles a park with picnic tables and large trees, can accommodate a crowd of 50,000. The Park has 61 barns that can house more than 2,000 horses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 11, 2025
The rumbling and the grumbling have been going on for some time.
While Galway Downs in Temecula, Calif., seemed likely to be selected as the host venue for the 2028 Olympic equestrian events, there always was conversation when it was proposed about whether that location was suitable, even after the Los Angeles City Council approved it March 28.
Now Galway Downs announced it learned late Wednesday from the LA28 organizers that it will not serve as the venue, as another site has been chosen. It’s a good bet that Santa Anita Park racetrack, which hosted the 1984 Olympic equestrian events, will be the choice. The Arcadia facility was the scene of a very successful grand prix last year that had people talking about how it would be an ideal showcase for the Games. It’s also closer to Los Angeles than Temecula.
The International Olympic Committee’s requirement that all the equestrian events, including cross-country, be held at the same site played in Galway Downs’ favor. When Santa Anita hosted Olympic equestrian 41 years ago, cross-country was held at a golf course, while every other competition was at the track. Does Santa Anita have enough room to include cross-country with the other equestrian segments in 2028? Those familiar with the property speculate that cross-country could go in the track’s infield and parking areas.
Santa Anita Park racetrack.
The buzz had been that Galway wasn’t ideal in terms of weather, because Temecula is very hot in July, when the equestrian competition will be held. The word also was that a lot of money would have to be spent on the property to upgrade it to Olympic standards.
“We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration. We don’t understand how, based on the March 28 City Council’s vote of approval, that this could happen,” Galway stated on social media.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community and the many organizations that rallied behind this effort. This moment is one chapter in a much larger vision. Our work to elevate equestrian sport and bring world-class events to Galway Downs continues.
“I’m deeply disappointed to learn that Galway Downs is reportedly no longer LA28’s proposed host site for equestrian events at the 2028 Olympic Games,” said U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Temecula).
“At this time, a satisfactory reason has yet to be offered.”
Galway Downs owner Ken Smith said, “When we started this process more than four years ago, we understood the equestrian venue selection for LA28 would be a highly competitive, evolving process. Being selected as the proposed equestrian venue put Galway Downs and Temecula Valley on the world stage. We’re very proud of that, and we’re just getting started. Galway Downs will continue to host elite national and international competitions as well as additional sporting events.”
Rob Burk, CEO of the U.S. Eventing Association, stated he is “incredibly disappointed by this news. While we will support our sport at the Olympics wherever it is run, the U.S. and equestrian sport seem to have lost an incredible opportunity to build on the amazing infrastructure already at Galway Downs and bolster its legacy into the future.
“Generations of equestrians would benefit from the support that would have been provided to the venue. The economic impact for California and our nation would have been extended long past 2028. It is unclear to me that any other site will benefit our sport, the nation, and the entire equestrian community as much.”
Eventing at Galway Downs. (Tina Fitch Photography)
Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington said, “This process has led to international recognition of something we’ve known for a long time – that the beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country offers world-class venues and hospitality. We look forward to the many top-tier events coming to our region in the future.”
According to Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus, “Galway Downs has showcased its equestrian center in Temecula Valley as the superior venue capable of hosting all Olympic equestrian games. While the city is disheartened to learn of this abrupt change, particularly in light of LA28’s venue approval granted by the Los Angeles City Council just two weeks ago, we remain confident that Galway Downs will continue its legacy and mission uninterrupted as a vibrant, world-class Olympic-caliber equestrian presence in Temecula Valley.”
Opened in 1968 as the Rancho California Track and Training Center, the 242-acre Galway Downs is now home to equestrian competitions across multiple disciplines. Galway Downs has 242 acre that includes pastures and trails, with a one-mile track, 14 arenas and 400 stalls.
In the heart of Southern California wine country, the Temecula Valley is a destination known for its beauty, award-winning wineries, luxury resorts, spas, golf courses, and outdoor recreation. An all-season tourism destination, the drive to Temecula Valley is less than two hours from every major metro area in Southern California including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 27, 2025
As he drove his golf cart around the Wellington International showgrounds this week, Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Murray Kessler spotted a piece of rubbish in the stabling area. He stopped the cart, retrieved the stray plastic bottle and some crumpled pieces of paper, carrying them away for later deposit in a trash can.
“Lead by example,” Murray explained, heading for said can and dusting it off with a rag before throwing away the litter he had picked up.
What he was doing could be compared to the foreman walking the shop floor. At any company, the foreman is engaged in coordinating the efforts of multiple workers, ensuring productivity and maintaining quality standards. That’s just what Murray aims to do.
He recalled when the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival got under way 12 weeks ago, people were still throwing trash out of the car windows as they drove off. Since then, there’s been a culture change at the landmark Florida facility 40 minutes from Palm Beach.
Wellington Lifestyle Partners, the new owner of the showgrounds, is committed to its long-term viability. The partnership took over just five weeks before the start of the circuit, with maintenance revving up as much as possible in a short time frame.
“We made a lot of substantive change, but there will be a lot more next year,” Murray promised.
“We’re keeping it clean and people are noticing it. Now you go there at the end of the day, and there’s nothing,” he observed about the absence of debris, aside from the few strays he found. But there are plenty of other issues at the showgrounds, as the original venue is being melded into new territory, “Pod F,” to expand the facility to 100 acres.
The new showgrounds at Pod F, with the grass ring in green to the right at the bottom of the photo, and the new main stadium to the lelft.
Four rings built on Pod F are used for schooling at the moment, which gives horses and riders room to spread out. The merger of the properties, which is going to take several years to complete, will not only alleviate crowded conditions, but means a big refresh for a venue that hosts 28 weeks of shows in addition to WEF, and frankly, was rundown.
“The bones of this place are old, it’s time for a makeover,” said trainer Lauren Hough.
“I want there to be a world class faciilty here. I think they have a limited space to do it, so they’re going to have to be quite clever about it,” the Olympic rider continued.
“I want the best for this, of course, because this is our home. My family is here. I do have the utmost faith in Murray. He’s taken on much bigger things than this. So we’ll hold our breath and hope for the best.”
Great Britain’s Ben Maher, the 2021 individual Olympic show jumping gold medalist, noted when he won the season’s final WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday, that “bigger prize money and updating the facilities here are making a difference.”
The International Arena is the focal point of the current showgrounds. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Murray understands the difficulties inherent in the showgrounds equation.
“I knew the problems because of years of showing here, and I knew exactly what I was getting into,” he said, explaining he was realistic when he took the job. His presence was what gave immediate credibility to the project.
Challenges don’t daunt the former president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, who also had CEO credentials at three major corporations before retiring.
However, he noted about the showgrounds situation, “I didn’t know the reasons behind a lot of the problems.”
Expectations for shows are higher today in every way than they were in the era decades ago when WEF emerged on the scene as a new concept. In recent years, improvements didn’t proceed as they should have. Murray pointed out the previous owner of the facility, Global Equestrian Group, was a private equity firm, and he maintained the entity based in Denmark only cared about making money.
“They had to think of every dollar of return they could get out of it,” he said.
To get the full picture of what was needed, Murray talked to 100 trainers, riders and other influences in the community, along with ESP’s leadership team, headed by president Michael Stone and competitions manager and chief operating officer David Burton Jr.
“They knew everything that needed to be done but they weren’t allowed to do it,” under the previous regime.
“I said, `Well, go do it,” Murray recalled.
With such sparkling facilities as the World Equestrian Center in Ocala and TerraNova near Sarasota emerging in the last few years, Wellington is not the only game in the state. Though the number of horses showing in Florida can easily support several show complexes, since exhibitors have real choices now, Wellington International needs to meet their expectations. That underlines the importance of a massive showgrounds re-do.
Stands are filled at Wellington International for such major competitions as the Nations Cup. (Sportfot photo)
WLP will build The Wellington golf community at Equestrian Village, the home of dressage half a mile from the main showgrounds. Serious work on that project cannot begin until the newly configured showgrounds is up and running, with dressage moved down the street, presenting a big incentive to get things done.
Dressage, which at the moment is offered only during WEF, will be rehomed at what is now the main showgrounds. It is going to have its own rings, while sharing that area with the hunters. Jumpers will be located on Pod F.
Dressage, which is in its own enclave at Equestrian Village, will be held in what is now the Grand Hunter Ring when it moves to Wellington International in a few years. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
After WEF wraps up on Sunday, more extensive efforts can begin. It’s tough to get everything done during circuit because, “you have to deal with the reality you have 2,800 horses,” said Murray, citing statistics from week 11 of the show. With lighter entries during the spring, summer and fall shows, the entire property does not need to be used, offering flexibility that enables work to continue on other areas of the facility.
A grass field at Wellington International to replace the one at Equestrian Village is ready for planting. Although the new grass ring will be a little smaller by the numbers, Murray thinks it may well have more usable space because it lacks the berm and water jump complex of its predecessor. It will serve as a stadium with a VIP section.
The grass field is ready for planting. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Next door will be another stadium, with artificial footing, more VIP and skyboxes. The open area in the middle will be reserved for vendors and food concessions. Parking for 3,000 or 4,000 cars will be around the perimeter of the property. If necessary, overflow parking can go in the rings that are not being used on grand prix night. Also in the plans are a covered arena and new FEI stabling for the jumpers.
There’s a different spirit in the air on the eve of this weekend’s featured $750,000 Rolex grand prix, the WEF finale that has attracted six of the top 10-ranked jumpers in the world. Production values for the grand prix have been raised for maximum drama, with 40 lasers around the ring and video rider intros produced by the team that does the Indy 500.
Murray gave 500 employees a pep talk before the circuit began, using a slide show on the jumbotron in the international arena.
He told them that “we had changed the place, that this is the prominent horse show in America. We have a unique position, different than any horse show in the world. A lot of people rely on us, people have their homes here and there are blacksmiths and vets and they all depend on us. This place is going to get cleaned up and we’re going to have the best service.”
Since then, he found, “I’ve never worked with a group of people who worked harder than this. They’re incredible.”
Former Fortune 500 CEO Murray Kessler doesn’t have a fancy office at the showgrounds, but he’s always on the move anyway and never far from a trash can. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Expanding on his guiding philosophy, Murray observed, “We are the premier horse sport destination in the world. We are not the best horse show in the world. I am not going to say we are Aachen, but there’s nowhere else in the world that has what Wellington has. You go to Aachen, it’s six days long, with the best pros (professionals). You come here and it’s three months long and it’s from short stirrup to the Olympic Games riders.”
Noting that while Devon is where champions meet, as the sign over the Pennsylvania show’s main ring states, “Wellington is where champions are made and grow up,” Murray emphasized. He cited the example of his daughter, Reed, who started in short stirrup at the showgrounds and went on to the 2012 Olympic team. Lillie Keenan, he mentioned, began on ponies in Wellington and last week was part of the winning U.S. Longines League of Nations squad in Ocala.
Murray added “75 percent of the Olympic team either lives here full-time or has a home here. What makes us special and what makes Wellington, Wellington, is that we service all levels and they all matter.”
He cited the “virtuous circle” theory that he often used when he headed USEF.
“The best experience attracts the best riders in world,” he stated, and it follows that if a facility has “the best infrastructure and the best customer service, everything else will take care of itself.”
He added, “WLP’s business interests are aligned with the sport being fantastic because this is the anchor of the community. It needs to be the best it can be to inspire kids to ride and (families to) buy houses in the area. That’s how the business model works.”
World number seven-ranked show jumper McLain Ward, never shy about bringing issues to Murray’s attention, said he’s a big fan of the CEO.
“I think he’s made a commitment not only to the facility and the ownership group, but also to a lot of long-term relationships that he has within the sport and within business. There were some improvements that were made quickly that were noticed,” said McLain. Those included LED lighting in the International Arena and attention to footing.
“Obviously, the place was in a pretty big hole, so like anything, it’s scratching the surface. I’m optimistic it’s going in a positive direction,” McLain added.
Footing samples are taken every day and sent to the FEI, “which sends back a report with where we are on density. On grand prix day, I do it three times,” said Murray, who noted samples, which also track moisture content, are taken from 35 locations in the main ring,
Murray Kessler at the international arena. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Murray’s wife, Sarah Davis Kessler, is part of the showgrounds team. Her affinity for hospitality and design is reflected in the VIP area, where the settings have been upgraded. Crystal glasses, bottles of wine and a charcuterie board are on the tables.
“I’m getting rid of all the plastic,” Murray promised.
He also has plans for dealing with the dust that has been omnipresent in the stable area by putting down rubber on some paths, asphalt millings elsewhere and footing on the pathway that ends at Pony Island, so horses don’t get muddy as they make their way up from the stables.
The CEO is keeping tabs on everyone and everything, pointing out, “I crack the whip.”
He warned a restaurant owner, whose eatery in a vendor area had a messy appearance, “if I ever walk in here again and it looks like this, you’re out the next day. He’s like, `It will never look like that again,’ and it never has.”
Before WLP took over, street sweepers came in once a week. Now they come five days a week at night. Lack of bathroom cleanliness was “always a pet peeve of everybody,”
The remedy for that is in high gear, with cleaning going on at night Wednesdays through Sundays. “Cleaning during the day couldn’t keep up,” Murray pointed out.
Hunter judges Robin Rost Brown and her husband, Otis “Brownie” Brown, took note that the judges’ booths were clean and the air conditioning worked.
“The whole place is pumped up,” said Brownie, while his wife observed, “Everyone seems still happy on Week 12.”
