Murray Kessler, the new chief executive of Wellington International, told the Village of Wellington’s Equestrian & Preserve Committee on Jan. 8 that he has made immediate investments to improve horse and rider safety and to restore the horse show’s on‑site operations after recent uncertainty in ownership.

Kessler, who said he became CEO about five weeks before the meeting, said his early priorities included new LED stadium lighting, a new jumbotron, improved maintenance and cleaning schedules, new rings on the south grounds and stepped‑up stable and pathway maintenance. "I care about the horses first," he said, adding that rider safety and horse welfare are the foundation for the property’s future.

Kessler said the new LED lighting in the jumper stadium now provides near‑daylight conditions at night and allows for instant on/off and dimming. He also said contractors completed a new jumbotron by Dec. 31 and that organizers have increased prize money for marquee classes — raising the Grand Prix purse from about $500,000 to $750,000 — to attract top international riders. "We want it to be the premier horse sports destination," he said.

Why it matters: Wellington International is a major economic and social anchor for Wellington and Palm Beach County. Kessler said the horse show supports livelihoods for many seasonal workers and that improved production values and rider safety will be central to preserving that economic base.

Details Kessler provided included:
- Staffing and operations: He said the organization employs roughly 500 people during the season. Cleaning and restroom services were increased to nightly shifts, and an additional maintenance person was assigned to keep lunging rings and warm‑up areas safe.
- Grounds and footprint: The team power‑washed about 3,000 temporary stalls and repainted and landscaped the property. Kessler said three new large rings were constructed on the south grounds to reduce density on the original showgrounds and provide more space for training and warm‑up.
- Technology and production: A new jumbotron with split‑screen and replay capability was installed and additional LED fixtures ordered for warm‑ups and outer spectator areas; portable lights were purchased for near‑term needs.
- Competition field: Kessler said about 35 Olympic riders would attend and that nine of the top 10 show‑jumping riders had committed at the time of his remarks.
- Funding and ownership: He said the acquisition was financed primarily through a mortgage and committed private families; operating improvements for the existing grounds are expected to be self‑funded by the horse show’s revenues. He added that long‑term expansion and site development (referred to as "Pod F") would require multi‑year planning, regulatory compliance and utility upgrades.

Questions from committee members and attendees focused on the condition of public and competitor restrooms, dust and roadway paving between barns, VIP and sponsor hospitality spaces, footing quality in rings and the timeline for the south‑grounds expansion. Kessler said paving between barns and larger utility work are planned for the spring, and that he has prioritized repairing footing, wash and manure handling infrastructure in future work.

Kessler also said he had convened an advisory panel with representatives from multiple equestrian disciplines and that Discovery, rider and trainer feedback so far had been encouraging. "I want people to come back and go, 'woah,'" he said, describing a goal of under‑promising and over‑delivering on visible improvements.

Ending: Kessler closed by saying he had returned to active work after a series of retirements because he sees the horse show as central to Wellington’s community and economy. He invited further questions and feedback as the organization continues work on immediate fixes and longer‑term site planning.