The horses return to the village this week to kick off the equestrian and polo seasons, promising intense competition and new additions.
The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road, in Wellington is offering prize money of more than $5.5 million. The show grounds have been dramatically upgraded with millions invested in improvements.
The festival begins one week earlier than last year with the first event, the Speed Derby/Six Bar, on Sunday, Jan. 11 which has a $50,000 prize.
The center has improved the grounds with the construction of permanent spectator areas around the International Arena. It also has improved the International Club, the primary VIP hospitality center through expansion. The number of VIP boxes has been increased to about 90 and 1,500 permanent stadium-style, flip-up seats have been installed.
PBIEC officials said they want the center to become a venue not only to show horses and accommodate the horsey set, but also to make it a beautiful place to visit. To increase attendance, PBIEC has made most of the events free to attend with the exception of top headliner events.
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s festival will be a new dressage event. PBIEC will host the inaugural event of a new World Dressage Masters series that has a total purse of $150,000 on Jan. 31.
Among the top events in 2009 are:
The “Battle of the Sexes,” a highly anticipated event that many of the top riders have agreed to contest the mix of jumping events Jan. 24.
The $100,000 World Dressage Masters attracts some of the world’s top riders Jan. 31.
The WCHR Hunter Spectacular, which is always an eagerly awaited Saturday night event, is slated for Feb. 14.
The CN Nations Cup, in which teams from several nations compete in probably the most popular and emotionally charged event, will fill the traditional Friday night slot on Feb. 27.
Two jumper Grand Prix with prize money of $150,000 each and one with $200,000 are scheduled for both Saturday night and the traditional Sunday afternoon.
The show jumping finale is the FTI Grand Prix with a purse of $400,000 and is also the final of the popular $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge. On March 21, a total of $600,000 will be at stake.