Message From The Publisher
We hope everyone has enjoyed their summer in the beautiful South Florida weather, but we are now looking forward to cooler days ahead. And this equestrian season is sure to bring amazing, fast-paced excitement to Wellington’s world-renowned equestrian venues.
Our annual Equestrian Season Preview issue is jam-packed with all the information you need to know when planning your 2020 calendar. Look inside and make plans to enjoy the high-goal polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at PBIEC’s Equestrian Village. Along the way, learn about the return of Gladiator Polo and the popular Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, which will be held this year on Feb. 1.
Featured on our cover this month is Elizabeth “Beezie” Madden, an icon in the world of equestrian sports. Competitions take her and husband John Madden to horse shows around the world. During the winter season, that puts her here in Wellington, where she shares with us her plans for the 2020 season.
Wellington resident Marie Vonderheyden, profiled in this issue, was a rising equestrian star. But on Feb. 20, 2015, her life took a different path when she fell off a horse she was riding and was knocked unconscious. The fall left Vonderheyden with a severe traumatic brain injury. Today, she is rebuilding her life as a para-dressage athlete. Her efforts to rebuild a normal life have earned her some global recognition, as she is one of four international finalists for the FEI Against All Odds Award.
Also this month, we visit with international show jumper Andrew Welles and his wife, amateur rider Alexandra Welles, who have long been familiar faces in the show jumping world. Today, they have established Wellington as their home base and are operating Team Welles, one of the fastest-growing training operations.
Wellington Professional this month profiles Justin Hickey of JH Hauling, who calls himself a “manure entrepreneur.” Our Team Wellington series continues with a look at Wellington’s Emergency Operations Team, led by Director of Emergency Management & Public Safety Nicole Coates, which takes the concept of preparation far beyond the expected. Wellington Real Estate chats with Kim Jenard of Engel & Völkers, while Wellington Health visits Josie Lapidot’s AFC Urgent Care clinic, which offers short wait times and affordable fees. Finally, Wellington Table samples the fare at Ford’s Garage, which opened earlier this year in the Mall at Wellington Green, serving up a healthy dose of nostalgia along with tasty burgers.
As we prepare to move out of the heat and into the cooler winter days here in Wellington, we take a moment to remember all we are thankful for and wish all of our readers, advertisers and community partners our heart-filled gratitude this Thanksgiving season!
561.793.7606
Dawn Rivera
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Dawn Rivera,Publisher
Season Preview: We Welcome Back Our Equestrian Friends!
executive editor
Joshua I. Manning
publisher
Dawn Rivera
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Stephanie Rodriguez
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account managers
Betty Buglio
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Abner Pedraza
contributors
Matthew Auerbach
Callie Clement
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Callie Sharkey
M. Dennis Taylor
Y.A. Teitelbaum
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