POLO Equestrian low

Jump in to the festival
BY AUSTEN ERBLAT
Equestrian
The Winter Equestrian Festival returns to the Palm Beach
International Equestrian Center through April 1 with
the largest purse of its 38-year run.
"The WEF circuit will distribute more than $9 million
in prize money throughout the duration of the competition," said
Carly Weilminster, spokeswoman for Equestrian Sport Productions,
which oversees the festival and the equestrian center.
Last year’s prize was $8 million.
Riders from around the world will compete for titles in front of
thousands of audience members. Some events draw over 10,000 people.
There will be over 5,000 horses on the grounds over the course
of the festival.
Highlights of the Winter Equestrian Festival include Concours de
Saut International 5* competitions, which are rated using a starring
system, in which more competitive events with more prize money
have more stars.
The fourth and 11th week of the competition will take place on
the historic Derby Field located at Equestrian Village and there will
be classes offered for those who sign up.
“These classes are entertaining and fun,” Weilminster said. “Spectators
and fans can sit close to the action and enjoy the great South
Florida weather while watching top riders compete.”
The Federation Equestre Internationale Nations Cup takes place
March 3, offering even more prize money this year with a boost up
to $150,000. The team competition brings horses and riders from
around the globe.
The equestrian center is host to shopping, eateries and family
activities. Over 100 retail outlets will be present through the festival.
“Many of the vendor shops are open for browsing and there are
several food and beverage locations on site, including pizza, popcorn,
ice cream and more,” Weilminster said.
Saturday Night Lights features the highest level of competitive
show jumping alongside food, live music and other activities.
“These competitions are hosted under the lights in our main
International Ring and feature the largest and most competitive class
of the week,” she said. “Riders must qualify for the class and then
compete for the week's top purse.”
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LAUGHLIN
Fast Facts
HAPPENINGS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through
Sundays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday Night Lights
THE PLACE Palm Beach International Equestrian Center,
3400 Equestrian Club Drive
GET IN TOUCH 561-793-5867, pbiec.coth.com
ENTRY POINTS Free general admission. At daytime horse
shows, self-parking is free and valet is $10. At Saturday
Night Lights, parking is $20 and valet is $30. Free, off-site
parking is available at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival
facility, 13500 South Shore Blvd.; a free shuttle takes
visitors from there to the center grounds.
ON THE SIDE Face painting, performers, free carousel
rides, dance contests, kiss cam and T-shirt tosses are among
some of the family-friendly entertainment that takes place
during Saturday Night Lights.
EATS A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at
vendors throughout the facility. The Oasis Café offers punch
cards for riders, trainers, grooms and family that spend time
at the center; for $55, cardholders get five meals.
SPLURGE Shop in Vendor Village, an outdoor courtyard
oasis filled with boutiques.
Schedule
The main events, Saturday Night
Lights, begin at 7 p.m. (with
gates opening at 6 p.m.), unless
otherwise noted, at the Palm
Beach International Equestrian
Center, 3400 Equestrian Club
Drive. Other events, noted here
with an (S), will take place at The
Stadium, 13500 South Shore
Blvd.
JAN. 10-14
Wellington Regional Medical
Center – USEF 5* -Premier “AA”
$75,000 Battle of the Sexes
JAN. 17-21
Marshall & Sterling Insurance
“AA”
FEI $70,000 Grand Prix CSI2*
238.2.2
JAN. 24-28
Adequan® CSI 3* USEF 5* “AA”
FEI $132,000 Grand Prix CSI3*
JAN. 31-Feb. 4
Netjets CSI 4* USEF 5* “AA”
(S) FEI $205,000 Grand Prix
CSI4* 238.2.2, 11 a.m.
International Arena - Great
Charity Challenge presented by
Fidelity Investments®, 6:30 p.m.
FEB. 7-11
Fidelity Investments® CSI5*/
CSI2* USEF 5* - Premier “AA”.
$384,000 Grand Prix CSI 5*
FEB. 14-18
CSI3* USEF 5* - Premier “AA”
USHJA/WCHR Spetacular
$100,000 WCHR Palm Beach
Hunter Spectacular, 6:35 p.m.
FEB. 21-25
CSI5*/CSI2* USEF 5* - Premier
“AA”
FEI CSI5* $384,000 WEF 7 Grand
Prix
FEB. 28-March 4
Lugano Diamonds CSIO4*
USEF 5* - Premier “AA”
FEI $150,000 Nations Cup
MARCH 7-11
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
CSI5*/CSI2* USEF 5* - Premier
“AA”
FEI CSI5* $384,000 Grand Prix
238.2.2
MARCH 14-18
Horseware Ireland CSI3* -
Premier “AA”
FEI $132,000 CSI3* 238.2.2
MARCH 21-25
Captiveone CSI4*-USEF 5*
-Premier “AA”
(S) FEI $205,000 Grand Prix
CSI4* 238.2. 2, 11 a.m.
FEI CSI4*$132,000 Hollow
Creek 1.50m Classic, 7:30 p.m.
MARCH 28-APRIL 1
Rolex CSI5*/CSI2* - USEF 5* -
Premier “AA”.
(S) 2018 WEF Circuit Parade of
Champions, 4 p.m.
FEI CSI5* $500,000 Grand Prix
CSI5* 238.2.2, 8 p.m.
POLO EQUESTRIAN | 17