Wellington’s winter equestrian season is in full swing, with more events than ever. With 2012 being an Olympic year, the stakes are high for top-caliber riders. The Winter Equestrian Festival will host the official Olympic Games Selection Trials next month, and we take a look at this all-important contest in this issue, including an interview with three-time U.S. Olympian Laura Kraut.
And it’s not just Americans competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center anymore. There’s a larger and larger contingent of international riders heading to Wellington. This includes high-level riders such as Britain’s Nick Skelton and Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, as well as younger riders looking to make their mark. Among them are sisters Eirin and Lene Bruheim of Nordic Lights Farm, profiled this month. While 17-year-old Lene rides under the U.S. flag, 19-year-old Eirin competes for Norway. Both have decamped to Wellington for the season.
Quickly becoming one of the largest events on the social circuit, the FTI Great Charity Challenge returns to the show grounds Friday, Feb. 17, as 32 local charities will have the chance to win their share of $1.5 million as world-class and amateur riders compete. We preview that event this issue, as well as the more light-hearted Fete Cheval fundraiser for the EQUUS Foundation set for March 9. For music lovers, a new event debuts this month: Saddle Up for Jazzfest Wellington arrives Feb. 10-11 to the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Completing this month’s equestrian theme, we profile Ruth Menor, this month’s Wellington Woman nominee. For more than 30 years, Menor has led the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in its mission to help those with special needs. Meanwhile, Wellington Home visits a custom equestrian estate in the exclusive Palm Beach Point neighborhood.
Want to do something different this year for Valentine’s Day? Book a special couple’s mini-retreat. Need ideas? We’ve featured them in this issue. We also visit Kobosko’s Crossing, a one-of-a-kind Wellington shopping plaza. And for something a bit further afield, we preview the Hatsume Fair returning March 17-18 to the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens. If you’re looking for a tasty new dining option, Wellington Table visits Troy Mediterranean Cuisine in the Mall at Wellington Green this issue. Wellington Health features longtime local dentist Dr. Laurence Grayhills, while Wellington Real Estate chats with Raquel and Brent Crowe of Illustrated Properties.
Enjoy this month’s action-packed issue, and when you’re done, be sure to make plans to check out one of the many polo and equestrian events that make Wellington so unique!
Joshua Manning
Publisher/Executive Editor
