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Wellington’s place as one of the world’s premiere equestrian lifestyle destinations has been secured. Throughout all of Wellington and the surrounding communities in Palm Beach County, homeowners, business owners, families, and the large group of residents that have a legacy stake in the horse shows and the lifestyle around them, whether year round or part time, now know the future of equestrian events is assured. Today’s announcement sends a strong message that a group of individuals and families are committed to investing in that bright future and becoming the stewards of Wellington’s great equestrian assets. Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP) announces the following: The existing 82-acre Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Center (PBPEC), home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the National Horseshow, has been acquired from Palm Beach Polo, Inc for $25 million dollars. The WEP Partnership has expanded to include some of Wellington’s most prominent equestrian families. WEP is acquiring the Old Polo Stadium on the corner of Pierson Road and South Shore Boulevard. WEP has integrated the Littlewood Show Operations into its partnership. WEP is in the process of interviewing Sports and Event Marketing firms in order to develop a world-class sponsorship and event strategy. As part of its purchase of the PBPEC, WEP has acquired the “parking lot” for the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green which will allow the Club to reopen early in the fall.

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WELLINGTON'S EQUESTRIAN FUTURE SECURED

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Contributed by: Elena Lelchuk on 8/28/2007

Wellington's place as one of the world's premiere equestrian lifestyle destinations has been secured. Throughout all of Wellington and the surrounding communities in Palm Beach County, homeowners, business owners, families, and the large group of residents that have a legacy stake in the horse shows and the lifestyle around them, whether year round or part time, now know the future of equestrian events is assured. Today's announcement sends a strong message that a group of individuals and families are committed to investing in that bright future and becoming the stewards of Wellington's great equestrian assets. Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP) announces the following;

The existing 82-acre Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Center (PBPEC), home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the National Horseshow, has been acquired from Palm Beach Polo, Inc for $25 million dollars. All litigation between WEP and Palm Beach Polo has been settled. Mark Bellissimo, WEP Managing Partner, commented, "I would like to personally thank Glenn Straub, whose cooperation and understanding made this announcement possible." Glenn Straub added, "I believe in this vision, and want to pass the baton to a new generation of equestrian ownership that will build a world-class equestrian facility and bring a new level of U.S. and international equestrian appeal to Wellington. I decided I needed to take action to support this project and our community, not only because it would stabilize all of our investments, but because there are a great number of third-party families and business owners getting hurt by this fight and that's just not right."

In the best interests of the sport and in spite of their differences, WEP is committed to working collaboratively with Stadium Jumping, Inc. (SJI) to ensure a successful 2007 National Horse Show and 2008 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). WEP will be withdrawing the eviction action against SJI filed by Palm Beach Polo, Inc., which transferred as part of the settlement agreement.

WEP believes that the PBPEC facility has a tremendous legacy which must be preserved. In doing so, tens of millions of dollars of community investment in infrastructure, including a vast network of bridle paths and community stabling, will continue in their current use. PBPEC will support the thousands of loyal families who built their homes and farms around this facility. WEP will be working with world-class designers in order to develop a facility renovation plan to support its 2009 event schedule. This schedule will include greatly enhanced Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer circuits which build upon WEP's newly integrated relationship with Littlewood which has 42 USEF license dates (see story below).

The WEP Partnership has expanded to include some of Wellington's most prominent equestrian families who are committed to bringing stability to the Wellington equestrian community, to keeping equestrian events in their current location, and helping to assure the harmony between equestrian and non-equestrian interests within the Village of Wellington. The new partners include: Craig and Frances Lindner, Andy and Carlene Ziegler, Murray and Joanie Goodman, Tim and Nancy Hooker, Chas and Candace Phillips, Stuart and Susan Goldstein, Bruce Duchossois, Bill and Kelley Farish, Caroline Moran and Frederic and Kimberly Boyer. The new partners will complement existing partners Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Dennis and Marsha Dammerman, and Roger and Jennifer Smith. The additional investments provided by these families will preserve the legacy of the facilities they have supported for many years and continue the traditions they helped to establish. It is anticipated that additional equestrian partners will be announced in the near future. Together this group will chart a course for a new generation of Wellington equestrian activity.

WEP is acquiring the Old Polo Stadium on the corner of Pierson Road and South Shore Boulevard. The facility once represented the glamour of Wellington. WEP intends to transform it into one of the most high-profile equestrian facilities in the world, thus preserving the history and character of the location. This 57-acre facility, an area about the same size as the Aachen Germany Showgrounds considered by many to be the pinnacle facility in the sport, will become the gateway to the equestrian domain. The WEP partnership said it plans to use the Polo Stadium for international-level Grand Prix Jumping, Dressage and other high-performance horse sports in order to attract top competitors, worldwide media, and sponsors seeking global exposure. This famous, easily accessible facility will allow both equestrian and non-equestrian residents of Wellington and greater Palm Beach County to experience the excitement of equestrian sport without requiring public funding from the community. WEP will be working hard to secure other equestrian events over the next few months, launching traditions for high-profile, heavily sponsored events that are community and family friendly with innovative competition, great food, and great spectator viewing areas. WEP intends to move its major equestrian events to Friday and Saturday, leading to greater spectator/community interest and driving increased sponsorship. This strategy would reduce the existing conflict between Sunday Grand Prix Jumping events and John Goodman's Sunday Polo at the International Polo Club (IPC). This means more equestrians and community members can enjoy both equine events. WEP is also evaluating the addition of other Olympic disciplines (Cross Country, Driving, Reining, and Vaulting) that do not currently have a home in Wellington, and WEP is exploring hosting an annual Steeplechase event.

WEP has closed on all of the 140 acres, with the exception of the 16 acres represented in the two North and South Stadium parcels that run along South Shore Boulevard. These properties will close in late September.

The combination of the PBPEC and the Polo Stadium will be referred to as the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), with names for each location forthcoming. Both properties are currently zoned for commercial recreation use which fully supports the intended equestrian facility.

WEP has integrated the Littlewood Show Operations into its partnership. Dave Burton, Sr.; Ginny Burton; David Burton, Jr. and his wife Julie are now WEP partners. The Burton Family and Littlewood bring their long-respected and broadly appealing series of events, including 42 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) show dates, to the partnership. The 2008 Littlewood Shows will run in their current location. In 2009, the soon to be renamed "Littlewood" will operate out of the current PBPEC. WEP will be investing heavily in improved show infrastructure, administration, and management with the goal of making these shows some of the world's highest-quality and most customer-friendly equestrian events. A full overview of the WEP Show strategy will be released later this year.

WEP is in the process of interviewing Sports and Event Marketing firms in order to develop a world-class sponsorship and event strategy. Bellissimo added, "This is truly one of the most unique and impressive equestrian lifestyle communities in the world. We have a number of options that we are considering and we are confident we can select a partner whose vision, resources and international prominence will fully support the exceptional facility that we now own." With a strong sponsorship strategy, WEP can offer some of the highest prize money in the country and, as importantly, begin to rationalize costs for competitors who have in recent years been forced to "foot the bill" due to the lack of a strong sponsorship model. WEP believes that it will be able to transform Wellington into the winter riding capital of the world and, by attracting the best European riders for an extended period, will contribute importantly to elevating the quality of show jumping in America.

As part of its purchase of the PBPEC, WEP has acquired the "parking lot" for the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green which will allow the Club to reopen early in the fall. WEP will be releasing its plans for the Club later this year and is committed to providing an experience for its members that reflects the excellence that will characterize the expanded PBPEC facility.

Bellissimo concluded, "This is a great day for the Wellington community!"

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