EQUESTRIAN SPORT’S NEXT CHAPTER IN NORTH AMERICA

In late 2024, a pivotal change reshaped the future of equestrian sport in South Florida. Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP) finalized its acquisition of Wellington International, home of the renowned equestrian events, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Global Dressage Festival. With this acquisition, WLP made clear its ambitious vision for the future: significant investment and a major expansion of Wellington International’s showgrounds. Newly appointed CEO Murray Kessler, an industry veteran and former president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, now leads the charge.

Kessler and the leadership team have promised a transformational multi-year investment in both the infrastructure and the competitor experience at Wellington. With more than $6 million in renovations planned for the 2026 season, their goal is to reinforce Wellington International’s vision to keep Wellington International the premier horse sports destination in the world for generations to come.

Planning documents dating back to 2023 outlined a bold vision for expansion—nearly doubling the showgrounds from approximately 111 acres to over 200 acres. The centerpiece of this plan is the 96 acres of land directly south of the existing venue, often referred to as Parcel F, allowing for new competition arenas, barns, hospitality facilities, and spectator spaces. The goal is to host both hunter/jumper and dressage events at a single location, introduce new amenities, and create a world-class experience for both competitors and spectators alike.

TRANSFORMING WELLINGTON'S LANDSCAPE

The land that currently houses Equestrian Village (the longtime home of the Global Dressage Festival) will be used for residential and commercial purposes. This opens the door for future development, including luxury homes, golf amenities, and retail space. However, the swap comes with an important condition: before the Equestrian Village land can be redeveloped, new dressage facilities must be built on the expanded showgrounds, ensuring that Wellington’s equestrian heritage is preserved even as the area evolves. Site work for the expanded showgrounds and new facilities has begun, with completion requirements in place for 2028. The process aims to balance the interests of the equestrian community with those of Wellington residents and local businesses.

LEADERSHIP WITH A VISION

Murray Kessler’s leadership is a key asset in this transformation. Kessler is a seasoned business executive and an influential figure in the equestrian world. His career spans leadership roles in both the corporate sector (former Chairman, President, and CEO of Lorillard Tobacco Company; former CEO of Perrigo Company) and equestrian governance (President of US Equestrian (USEF) from 2017-2021). At USEF, he focused on modernizing the organization, enhancing athlete safety, improving transparency, and broadening accessibility. At Wellington International, his mission is to modernize infrastructure, elevate the competitor experience, and create a destination that draws global participation.

Michael Stone, President of Wellington International, is a respected figure in the global equestrian community with decades of experience in equestrian sport management and governance. Originally from Ireland, Stone has worked in leadership roles across show jumping, eventing, and equestrian event management, including serving as the Secretary General of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). Stone will oversee the day-to-day management of the Winter Equestrian Festival, Global Dressage Festival, and overall venue operations.

Entering this new chapter, Wellington International does so at a crossroads between tradition and progress. The proposed expansion promises to solidify the town’s reputation as the world’s equestrian capital. Yet it also challenges the community to embrace growth while safeguarding the rural charm and equestrian lifestyle that have long defined it.