Wellington Dressage Vacation Ideas???

[rjr]

I am planning to go to Wellington (without horse) to watch some good dressage in late winter. I will probably be traveling alone, but would love to do something more organized with a small group of somewhat knowledgeable and intersted people to discuss, hang out with, etc. Does anyone know of any organized groups that do this??

In previous years, Dressage Canada has organized a “Wellington Fortnight” tour group, but it doesn’t look like they are doing it this year. Do any other groups organize something like that?

If there isn’t already an organized group, can people who have been there before recommend places to stay? Things to do in the area? things to avoid?

Lastly, I usually have more fun and feel like part of the action if I volunteer at the local shows where I spectate. Does anyone know if they use/need volunteers in Wellington? How would I sign up?

[AllWeatherGal]

Hiya … competitors I know often stay at the Royal Inn, which is functional rather than fancy. You should definitely try to book a hotel well in advance of a big weekend if you’re looking for “reasonably priced”!

Also with volunteering, I’d recommend doing a bit of homework. You may get a PM from a show manager here with an invitation; however, my experience has been that the large shows have a cadre of reliable workers that they count on, rather than volunteers. I would contact show managers from prize lists or web pages directly and see what the specific situations are.

I just did a quick search for what shows are running and found this description of a nearby museum that looks like fun: http://www.palmbeachillustrated.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=4721&returnTo=details

Here’s the list of shows:
http://www.unitedrealtygroupwellington.com/concierge-local-resources-wellington-florida/wellington-show-schedule/

Check the weather before you go … it’s been unseasonably warm here so far.

[rprincess73]

I’ve gone to Wellington for the past 4 years to spectate…and it’s awesome! The hotels that are right there in Welly World will cost you a mint to stay in. I’ve had luck staying at the DoubleTree which is about 20 minutes away - $99 a night and it’s a very nice hotel with a ton of places to go out to eat, etc while there.

I agree with AllWeatherGal - most, if not all, of the volunteers are already hand plucked and have been working the major shows for years down there.

Friday night freestyles are the best to go to! Bring a soft sided cooler with drinks and goodies to eat and enjoy the evening. Tons of shopping onsite, as well as down the street (Dover) and across the street (Tackaria). Just a hop, skip and a jump is the Winter Equestrian Festival at Palm Beach Equestrian and they have the Saturday Night Lights competitions going on during the same time as Global (show jumping). You’ll want to arrive EARLY to get a parking spot and a place to sit!

While down there…take a gander to The Breakers for a drink. Gorgeous resort with some of the most beautiful architecture. Also the polo fields are neat to go to and watch competitions for something different:)

It has been very warm here so far. The years I have been have ranged from 80+* and sweating in the heat to 30* and cold…and last year (2015), it rained that Friday night…but we just had our hoodies on and enjoyed the competition!

[sicillianstallion]

I have stayed at this hotel and would recommend:
http://www.hotels.com/ho113173/hilton-palm-beach-airport-west-palm-beach-united-states-of-america/

It is next to the Palm Beach Airport, but you wouldn’t even notice. It is on a lake which was nice and is reasonably priced compared to other hotels in the area (which are all high.)

I liked it because it was in between West Palm Beach and the show grounds.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

Rjr, I live near Wellington and will be spectating at most of the shows this winter. PM me if you come down, and we can meet up!

[BigMama1]

My coach and some friends and I are doing this for a weekend in Jan. because we are using free hotel points we are actually staying on the beach in Fort Lauderdale and making the drive to Wellington. Friday we plan to spend the day watching dressage and staying for the freestyles under the lights. Saturday is tack shopping, visiting a couple of friends with farms in the area and jumping under the lights. Sunday weather depending we will either lounge in the sun or do more shopping / show watching before catching our flight that evening.

[yaya]

I’m going down for the FEI Trainer’s conference (and the weekend before). Anybody else?

[Daisyesq]

Dear OP,

I could have written this exact post! I hope to spend a 3 day weekend as well, and will follow Big Mama’s itinerary:

Thurs night arrive.
Friday - dressage show, freestyles evening
Saturday a.m. - visit a friend’s training barn, watch training if they are not showing
Saturday - tack stores! Two hours at Tackeria!
Saturday - evening, show jumping under the lights.
Sunday - more dressage show, or watching friend training.

With a polite phone call or two, you can probably watch training at some major barns (ie, Robert Dover, Caroline Roffmann, Tuny Page,… others, I’m sure). Or you can watch the warm-up rings at the show.

[Manni01]

I am going there on Jan 13 … but I guess there is nothing special going on then probably…

[Mardi]

Know before you go:

• the h/j show (WEF) is not walking distance to the dressage show (GDF).
• WEF has many vendors selling high end tack, art, clothes, jewelry.
• Dover Saddlery isn’t walking distance from either show but it’s very fun to go to.
• do a search on this forum for Friday Night Freestyle. It has some really valuable info.
• not every Friday night is a freestyle night - double check the schedule. I’ve seen two different schedules for the date our group will be there.
• The 2nd annual Eventing Showcase will be on Feb. 5-6. The x-country phase is on the big grass field at dressage venue. It’s fun and exciting to watch. Lot’s of people go and sit on the ground (no seating). There’s a national dressage show at the same time.

Have a great time !

[Mardi]

[QUOTE=Manni01;8466144]
I am going there on Jan 13 … but I guess there is nothing special going on then probably…[/QUOTE]

Their schedule says a CDI-W
http://gdf.coth.com/

[yaya]

[QUOTE=Mardi;8466248]
Their schedule says a CDI-W
http://gdf.coth.com/[/QUOTE]

It gives the starting date of the 13th, but all that goes on that day is the jog. Having gone on the starting Wednesday in other years, not much else happens, and most of the vendors aren’t open either (some may be).

[Mardi]

Good point. I was thinking that Manni01 was going to be there thru the weekend.

[Snowdenfarm]

[QUOTE=Mardi;8466248]
Their schedule says a CDI-W
http://gdf.coth.com/[/QUOTE]

This is the only schedule I could find as well. All of the events are at the PBIEC - Stadium – isn’t that WEF? Are there other events held at the Global dressage venue?

[egood]

My gf and I will be there January 21st - 25th. We’re staying at a BnB in Lake Worth.

Current tentative plan:

Thursday: Fly in, Dinner at Backstreets
Friday: Watch gold coast opener
Saturday: Beach, Tackeria, Saturday Night Lights Show jumping.
Sunday: Polo brunch.
Monday: Fly out.

Side note: When did they stop using Jim Brandon? I was there a fairly long time ago (2009-2010), but there used to be shows there every weekend, looks like everything is at WEF/GDF now.

[egood]

[QUOTE=Snowdenfarm;8466645]
This is the only schedule I could find as well. All of the events are at the PBIEC - Stadium – isn’t that WEF? Are there other events held at the Global dressage venue?[/QUOTE]

There’s also Wellington Classic Dressage.

http://www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/

[SerenaGinger]

[QUOTE=Snowdenfarm;8466645]
This is the only schedule I could find as well. All of the events are at the PBIEC - Stadium – isn’t that WEF? Are there other events held at the Global dressage venue?[/QUOTE]

It’s pretty confusing! “Stadium” means that it is at Global, they don’t use “Global” as the location, but as the name of the festival. So all the dates in that link are at Global.

PBIEC by itself, (no “Stadium”) means it’s at WEF. Here is the schedule for WEF.

Under the Global schedule, when you see a week missing, like weeks 2 and 9, a different show management is hosting a show at Global. That will be either Wellington Classic Dressage or Gold Coast Dressage.

Jim Brandon is being lightly used for schooling shows and occasional clinics, but no recognized shows anymore.

There is also White Fences that has about a show a month, in Loxahatchee.

[Snowdenfarm]

[QUOTE=SerenaGinger;8466742]
It’s pretty confusing! “Stadium” means that it is at Global, they don’t use “Global” as the location, but as the name of the festival. So all the dates in that link are at Global.

PBIEC by itself, (no “Stadium”) means it’s at WEF. Here is the schedule for WEF.

Under the Global schedule, when you see a week missing, like weeks 2 and 9, a different show management is hosting a show at Global. That will be either Wellington Classic Dressage or Gold Coast Dressage.

Jim Brandon is being lightly used for schooling shows and occasional clinics, but no recognized shows anymore.

There is also White Fences that has about a show a month, in Loxahatchee.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! This is hugely helpful.

[Daisyesq]

Does anyone know which Florida shows are Olympic qualifiers?

[yaya]

[QUOTE=Daisyesq;8468879]
Does anyone know which Florida shows are Olympic qualifiers?[/QUOTE]

I think all the team qualifying is over (via Pan-Ams, WEG, etc.). For countries like Canada who didn’t get a team qualified, it’s a race to get enough individuals high enough into the FEI Rankings to put a “composite” team together, and points from all CDIs help that.

Even countries with qualified teams don’t know who will be on those teams yet, so will be watching how their potential team members do to look for prospects for team selections. (Usually also linked to FEI Ranking.)

So riders will try to be on their game at all the shows!