Wellington International is in the middle of a long-term strategic plan for facility improvements, and earlier this month, they kicked off the always-anticipated 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival. Running for 13 weeks, Freddie Vazquez Jr. explains that the festival is a delightful display of top dressage, hunter, and equitation competition.

Featuring the return of the esteemed Saturday Night Lights and boasting a lineup that could rival any other equestrian event around the world, the winter festival has some major highlights that have delighted (and are yet to delight) fans across the globe.

Battle of the Sexes

Perhaps the season’s biggest highlight is the return of the Saturday Night Lights.

One of the most popular events included in the program is the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes, presented by the Wellington Regional Medical Center.

Pitting male and female equestrians against each other, the scoring is decided on three stages — faults-converted speed course, match races, and relays.

During last year’s event, the women’s team won for the 11th year in a row. However, 2023’s, which fans enjoyed on January 7, saw the men’s team take the victory, breaking the win streak racked up by the women.

Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3

On January 14, 2023, it was time for the $140,000 Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3. Nick Granat designed the course, which ended up producing six clear rounds across four countries.

The event’s highlight was certainly Darragh Kenny and Volnay du Boisdeville’s opening performance, setting an unbeatable pace of 37.58 seconds despite the colder-than-normal weather.

According to Kenny, the unseasonably cool weather actually worked in the duo’s favor. The 2009 Selle Fançais stallion reportedly does better when he’s fresh, and the colder temperature worked wonders to put an extra pep in his step.

More to Come

With jaw-dropping performances already occurring from the opening seven days of the 13-week event, fans are eager to see what else the competitors have in store for them.

Those attending the festival can expect to see plenty more highlight-worthy riding at the Saturday Night Lights events still to come. They include many popular displays, such as:

• $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic National Grand Prix
• Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments
• $406,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI5
• $100,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular
• $406,000 Wellington Equestrian Reality Grand Prix CSI5
• $215,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI4
• $140,000 1.50 Championship Jumper Classic Series Finale CSI4

Finally, The Lineup to End All Lineups

Those interested in the sport are bowled over by this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival lineup, with loads of successful, well-loved riders and horses showing their talents.

McLain Ward, the five-time Olympian from the USA, is perhaps one of the most revered. However, others like Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington, Georgina Bloomberg, Ben Maher, Daniel Bluman, Jessica Springsteen, and Todd Minikus are also competing.

With show days from Tuesday through Sunday, the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival is packed with moments you won’t want to miss.