Wellington International CEO reports growth, says major capital upgrades planned for rings, footing, barns and spectator facilities

Murray Kessler, chief executive officer of Wellington International, told the Equestrian Preserve Committee and council during a May 7 joint workshop that the Winter Equestrian Festival and associated series showed substantial growth and that organizers will invest in a multi‑year capital program to upgrade competition footing, barns and spectator infrastructure.

Kessler said the festival was sold out for every weekend during the 13‑week Winter Equestrian Festival season and cited several metrics: "We gave away $15,000,000 in prize money, sold 139,000 VIP tickets (a 59% increase)," he said, adding that horse counts rose during the season and that the spring series showed roughly 17% more horses than the prior year. He also told the council the festival produced roughly $400 million in estimated economic impact to Palm Beach County during the winter period.

Why it matters: Kessler told council members that the improvements are intended to support Wellington’s role as a premier equestrian destination, reduce operational problems during the season and expand capacity for top international competitors.

Planned capital and technical work: Kessler described a list of near‑term investments to be completed in the coming months and seasons: full replacement of footing in the international arena and associated schooling areas; replacement or refurbishment of problem rings (identified as rings 11 and 12, "Pony Island"); electrical and water upgrades across the property; new walk‑in kitchen freezers and other kitchen improvements; improved Wi‑Fi, lighting and sound systems; installation of a jumbotron and additional video scoreboards for spectators; and renovation of FEI barns and stalls. He said some covered arenas for dressage will be built on Pod F, with steel deliveries planned imminently, and that early structures will be semi‑permanent to allow layout adjustments before permanent construction.

Dressage and competitors: Kessler acknowledged dressage entries lagged compared with jumping early in the season because mailing of dressage packages occurred late after the change in ownership; he said organizers have reorganized marketing and hospitality and are hiring a director of dressage to run year‑round programming. He also said organizers will continue to raise prize money and to expand media production, including weekly broadcasts and expanded livestreaming.

Fees and economic questions: Committee members raised concerns about competitor fees and asked whether dressage would see more prize money or lower fees. Kessler said the festival distributed more prize money than it collected in fees for entries and that hospitality and sponsorships were the primary revenue drivers; he declined requests to lower entry fees, saying hospitality and sponsorship revenue subsidize prize money and operations. He told council that ongoing uncertainty at the state level over bed‑tax allocation could affect funding; Kessler estimated the current bed‑tax arrangement (if preserved) contributes roughly $125,000 to the festival and that a change could reduce support by about $50,000.

Timeline and Pod F: Kessler said Pod F development and ring/stabling buildouts are on an estimated timeline to be ready ‘‘as early as 2027’’ and no later than 2028, subject to permitting and construction variables. He stressed that Wellington International will provide expert input to the design and that many project elements have been shaped by advisory committees of riders, trainers and federation representatives.

Community and operational issues: Kessler described steps taken this season — new stadium LED lights, additional maintenance staff, expanded restroom and kitchen capacity, improved housekeeping and trash control — which he said improved visitor experience. He also described outreach via advisory committees that include trainers and federation officials to shape program and capital priorities.

Ending: Council and committee members thanked Kessler for the update. Staff and council accepted the presentation as an informational report; no formal vote was taken.