Eventing is coming to Wellington thanks to the invitational $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Jan. 30 and 31. Sponsored by Asheville Regional Airport, the event will dole out a nice chunk of prize money as an exhibition event.
A lot of the information floating around online has billed it as a CIC3*, but that’s not the case. The event isn’t sanctioned by the FEI, but the USEF has authorized the competition. Here’s the deal: Horses and riders will perform USEF/USEA Advanced Test B for dressage on Friday in the International Ring of the The Stadium at PBIEC, with the first horse going out at 9:30 a.m.
Riders will then tackle Richard Jeffrey’s show jumping course, also in the International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, with the fences set at Advanced height. Then cross country will be held starting at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon over a 2,000-meter Advanced level course designed by Capt. Mark Phillips.
The course, which has 16 obstacles with 20 jumping efforts, has been built on the grass derby field at The Stadium, as well as on the adjacent polo field, with jumps from Eric Bull of ETB Construction. He’s been posting a lot of photos of the new portables he’s made for the course over on his Facebook page.
No official entry list has been posted online, but the event very kindly sent us the most updated entry list as of Jan. 23. About 30 invitations were sent out to riders, and there are currently 29 confirmed entries. The press office has said that other entries may still be added, in which case we will update this list further:
Wellington Eventing Showcase Entry List [Updated 1/25]
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch
Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair
Jennie Brannigan and The Alchemyst
Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM
Buck Davidson and Petite Flower
Phillip Dutton and Seams Ready
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive
Clayton Fredericks and Rendezvous With Charly
Clayton Fredericks and True Dynamite
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night
Jon Holling and Proper Timing
Lauren Kieffer and Czechmate
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous
Marilyn Little and RF Demeter
Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa
Boyd Martin and Trading Aces
Kurt Martin and Anna Bella
Joe Meyer and Clip Clop
Joe Meyer and Sanskrit
Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High
Selena O’Hanlon and Bellaney Rock
Michael Pollard and Cyrano
Julie Richards and Beaulieu’s Cayenne
Julie Richards and Urlanmore Beauty
Katie Ruppel and Houdini
Allison Springer and Arthur
Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe
Allison Springer and Mr. Sydney Rocks
Phillip Dutton said he thinks the showcase is a good introduction to the sport for the Wellington crowd. “It’s great they they’re not charging for entry fees or stabling,” he said. “They’re showing they really want to make it pay for itself through hospitality and sponsorship.”
Indeed, hospitality options aren’t cheap! VIP tables with seating for six are available for $1,500 in the Global Pavilion at The Stadium and include a buffet lunch and full bar with views of all three phases. VIP parking is also included. Anyone interested in purchasing VIP tickets can contact Kathleen Lamour at [email protected] or call 561-784-1106.
General admission and parking are free for the showcase. There are grandstands for spectators around the show ring for dressage and show jumping, and some seating will be available outside for cross country too, Jen Wood of Equestrian Sport Productions kindly confirmed for us.