It’s four months and a bit until Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival gets under way again, but the improvements at Wellington International have been in the process since last year. The break from showing in July and the first half of August enabled more work to be completed at the showgrounds.
Prize money for the WEF finale, the the Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix, is being increased to $1 million from $750,000 in 2025, while all 4* WEF Grand Prix qualifier prize money has been boosted from $62,500 to $116,100. There will be 68 FEI jumping world ranking classes, while prize money has increased in all 1.25m and higher Junior and Amateur Jumper Classics from $10,000 to $15,000.
When the showgrounds were bought back by the former owners in 2024, that marked a new beginning. Very little had been done to improve the facility during the two-year tenure of the former owners, Global Equestrian Group. The new ownership began work immediately under the supervision of former U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler, now CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions.
The efforts under the auspices of Equestrian Lifestyle Partners has included installing state-of-the-art lighting for the main arena, four additional rings — including a grass field that will be ready for showing in 2027 — and adding acreage from adjoining “Pod F” to transition the old venue from cramped to spacious.
By 2027, dressage will move over from the Equestrian Village down the street. Plans also call for a construction of a stadium, new FEI stabling for the jumpers, an indoor arena and refurbished FEI stabling for dressage, among many other improvements that include a more elegant VIP area and an indoor arena.
For 2026, three dressage FEI World Cup qualifiers will be offered.The stands for dressage will be covered for the first time.
New footing is set for the International Arena and its schooling area, while renovations have been completed in the Grand Hunter Ring, which will be used for dressage when that discipline arrives at the main showgrounds.
Wi-Fi around the showgrounds is being improved and roads between the barns are being resurfaced to reduce dust and improve drainage,
Food and beverage enhancements will include food service to the box seats, new Tiki Hut furniture, new self-contained buffet bars and additional action stations for more variety.