The first week of WEF runs January 13-17. Week two, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, is from January 20-24. The 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that conclude on April 3, and awards more than $9 million in prize money through the circuit.
American Equestrians Got Talent
The American Equestrians Got Talent Auditions kick off on Wednesday, January 13, at 7:30 pm at the White Horse Fashion Cuisine. The event is open to the public and features judges Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, Kim Boyer, owner of Hampton Green Farms and Chairperson of the Dressage Owners Task Force, and Charlie Weis, former football coach of the Univeristy of Notre Dame and honorary chairman of the AEGT. Each weeks audition and the Finale will be live streamed on The Chronicle of the Horse, which is brought to you by Equestrian Sports Productions, LLC. Every week the winner is chosen by audience applause and receives $1,000 prize money. Didn’t win? Come back the following week and try again! For auditions, please email rdover2@aol.com to sign up. For table reservations at White Horse Fashion Cuisine, please call 561-847-4549. The AEGT Finale is on March 20 with a $10,000 grand prize!
Lunch & Learn Series
On Thursday, January 14, the Lunch & Learn Series begins for the 2016 season. Held every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Wellington Club, this informational and educational series has a variety of subjects for horsemen and women to learn more for their horses. Admission is free for riders, trainers, and owners, while all others are $25. Register at the door for a chance to win exciting prizes. The season finale door prize includes a custom trunk provided by Clever Jumps & Trunks and TheraPlate. The subject for WEF 1 is “Optimizing Equestrian Performance for Horse and Rider with Dr. Matthew DiLallo, Director, Ultima Sports Performance Doctor of Chiropractic, MA, CSCS, NSCA, Dr. Addison Seitter Doctor of Chiropractic and Dr. Beverly Gordon, Product Creator and Founder of Equi-Tape, Sponsored by Ultima Fitness & Wellness and Equi-Tape.” Contact Laura Bostwick at 561-784-1130 or laura@equestriansport.com for more information.
Adequan® Global Dressage Festival “Friday Night Stars”
AGDF’s “Friday Night Stars” Series returns in 2016, showcasing some of the world’s best dressage riders as they perform freestyles at the top level of competition. The first week of CDI-W competition, sponsored by Brooke USA, will feature FEI World Cup qualifying grand prix musical freestyle competition on Friday, January 15. Held at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, gates open at 6 p.m. and competition begins at 7 p.m.
$75,000 Battle of the Sexes
Watch the men compete against the women in the first “Saturday Night Lights” event of the circuit on Saturday, January 16, at 7 p.m. The women won the first seven years in a row, but last year was a tie. Wear pink or blue to show your support for your team of choice! In addition to show jumping, there will be live entertainment from the band Wonderama. Gates open at 6 p.m.
The Suites – Available Saturday Night!
Located in the Special Events Pavilion, The Suites are first available on Saturday, January 16, and then on nine other Saturday nights during WEF. Prime viewing, a full buffet, and premium bar options in a semi-private suite catered by White Horse Catering, this is the place to host friends and family or even a corporate get-together. Each suite accommodates up to 22 people. The Suites are available for $150 for WEF 1 – January 16, WEF 2 – January 23, WEF 3 – January 30, WEF 8 – March 5, WEF 10 – March 19, WEF 11- March 26, and for $200 per person during the CSI 5* weeks: WEF 5 – February 13, WEF 7 – February 27, WEF 9 – March 12, and WEF 12 – April 2. Availability is on first-come, first-served basis, so book now before they all fill up! Contact Patti Miele at 561-784-1125 or pmiele@whitehorsetavernflorida.com today.
5th Annual Jump for HomeSafe Event
During the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes, enjoy a night of family fun and support a great cause! Jump for HomeSafe will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, in The Wellington Club at PBIEC. There will be dinner, drinks and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event support HomeSafe’s efforts to help victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Contact 561-383-9842 to rsvp.
$75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix
Watch some of show jumping’s best horses and riders compete in the first grand prix of the 2016 WEF circuit. Competition begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, in the International Arena at PBIEC.
Ride & Learn with Sandy Ferrell
The Ride & Learn Series will take place each Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. during WEF. Each week will feature a mounted riding clinic instructed by highly esteemed industry professionals and will be held in various venues and arenas at PBIEC. Week 2 features Sandy Ferrell, who will be training with the theme of “Hunters/Young Hunters” at PBIEC Ring 7 on Tuesday, January 19. Participation to ride in the clinic is $100 per horse/rider per clinic, with a maximum of 12 horses, so sign up today! Auditing is Free. For more information or to sign up for a clinic, please contact Jessica Nichols at 561-784-4275 or jnichols@equestriansport.com.
Source: Press release
