Wellington International Kicks Off 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival & Adequan® Global Dressage Festival – Now through March 28^th

January 12th, 2026

Today, Wellington International hosted an official press conference to kick off the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), welcoming fans, Olympians, and rising stars ahead of the world’s largest annual equestrian competition. The 13-week season will welcome more than 31,000 competitors from over 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

Conference participants included four-time U.S. Olympian and current world No. 7 show jumper Laura Kraut; top hunter athlete Liza Boyd, winner of the 2025 Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular; dressage standout Ben Ebeling, inaugural US Equestrian Open Final champion; Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International; and Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.

Running December 31, 2025, through March 29, 2026, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival serve as an unofficial training ground for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, showcasing elite international competition across show jumping, hunter, and dressage disciplines. Wellington International previously hosted more than 35 Paris 2024 Olympians and will again welcome many of the world’s top-ranked riders during the 2026 season.

New highlights for the upcoming season include expanded theme nights during Saturday Night Lights show jumping, the continued growth of Friday Night Stars dressage—where world-class riders and horses perform intricate, dance-like movements set to music—and the return of fan-favorite events. The 17th Annual Great Charity Challenge, taking place January 31, will benefit more than 30 Palm Beach County nonprofits.

More than $1 million in additional prize money will be offered this season, bringing the total to a record $16.55 million, highlighted by the $1,000,000 Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open CSI5 Grand Prix*, a Rolex Series Event, on March 28.

The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival is expected to generate an economic impact of more than $530 million for Palm Beach County, reinforcing Wellington International’s role as a global equestrian destination and a major driver of tourism and local business.

“The Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival attract the very best riders, horses, and trainers from more than 40 countries each season. Nowhere else in the world do you see this level of competition, consistency, and depth across hunter, jumper, and dressage disciplines in one place, for three months straight,” said Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International. “Our venue provides world-class equestrian facilities and spectator experiences that are incredible, but beyond the infrastructure, what makes us truly significant is that Wellington International has become central to the international equestrian community. This is where international riders rise in global rankings as well as call home. Young kids start competing here and then become Olympians. Riders train here, sponsors invest here, businesses thrive here, and fans travel from across the globe to witness equestrian sport at its very best. This is where champions are made, and that reputation resonates worldwide.”

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday Night Lights – Thrilling Competition & Family Fun

Visitors are warmly invited to Wellington International (3500 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington, FL 33414) from Wednesday through Sunday, with the highlight being Saturday Night Lights, featuring Grand Prix show jumping, delectable food, live entertainment, and premium equestrian action. Families can enjoy live music, face painting and interactive games, pony rides, a friendly petting zoo, magical performances, and stilt walkers.

• Jan. 3: $75,000 Battle of the Sexes presented by LeMieux
• Jan. 10: Country Western Night – $140,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix
• Jan. 17: Family Night – $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix
• Jan. 24: Military & First Responder Appreciation Night – $215,000 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix
• Jan. 31: Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments®
• Feb. 7: $500,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI5* Grand Prix
• Feb. 21: $500,000 Modon CSI5* Grand Prix
• Feb. 28: $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* presented by Florida Coast Equipment
• Mar. 7: $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix
• Mar. 14: ABBA Night – $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix
• Mar. 21: Fan Appreciation Night – $150,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Series Jumper Final
• Mar. 28: $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix, A Rolex Series Event

2026 Friday Night Stars at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival

Wellington International also welcomes guests to Equestrian Village (13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414) for Friday Night Stars, where the International Arena comes alive under newly covered general admission seating each week with the Grand Prix Freestyle. Watch world-class riders and their horses perform intricate dressage movements set to music of their choosing—from timeless classics to today’s hottest hits. Under the lights, artistry meets athleticism in an unforgettable showcase of dressage at its highest level.

• Jan. 9: Country Western Night – CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by IDA Development
• Jan. 23: CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by 3 Graces Dressage
• Feb. 6: CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Coastal Steel Structures
• Feb. 20: Fan Appreciation Night – CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Zen Elite Equestrian Center
• Feb. 27: Palm Beach Derby – CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Donato Farms
• Mar. 13: ABBA Night – CSI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Lövsta Stuteri
• Mar. 20: Nations Cup Night – CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Modon

Visitor Information

• General Admission: Free
• Gates: 6 PM | Competition: 7 PM (Saturday Night Lights & Friday Night Stars). Competition times may vary after daylight savings, please visit the website for more information.
• Parking: $25 per vehicle at Wellington International; free at Equestrian Village
• VIP Experiences Available
• Learn more: www.wellingtoninternational.com