Guest Diary• BY: Karen Klopp and Hilary Dick
Do you know the way to Wellington? The time-honored equestrian migration begins each December, a steady flow of horse trailers from across the country and around the globe descending upon Florida’s winter sanctuary. It is a seasonal surge that hits full stride by February, only gradually trotting down in late April.
Just 17 miles from Palm Beach, Wellington feels like an entirely different world — a grid of white sand roads weaving through stunning horse farms, jumping arenas, and sprawling polo fields.
First stop is WEF, an 18 ring non-stop circus where the day begins early and unfolds at a steady pace. Hunter and Jumper competitions runs from 8am through to the late afternoon, with the energy building as the day goes on.
Late morning arrivals to the grounds offer the perfect window to take it all in, from the height of show jumping to a leisurely lunch and a stroll through the many shops and equestrian vendors. I had the pleasure of watching Mary Van Pelt atop Explorer in Saturday’s 1.20 meter class. The intense training and discipline of both horse and rider culminates in split second timing, with no faults or jump rails down, to produce a “clear round.” These riders make it look easy.
Years ago, when my daughter was in the saddle jumping ponies, I wrote about the particular trials of this life:
“Up before dawn, driving for hours, schlepping as much gear as a pack mule, and always at the ready with spare (fill in any piece of obscure equestrian equipment here), as in ‘Mom, I need my…’ You guessed it — we are Horse Show Moms. A rare breed of warm-bloods, often blamed and very seldom praised in this most grueling and exhilarating of roles.”
As fellow HSM BZ Schwartz famously observes: “There are three kinds of weather at a horse show: too hot, too cold, and pouring rain!”
For spectating, wear something comfortable, especially shoes. You will be doing a lot of hoofing from ring to ring at the show. We like Mary’s style of a little dress with sneakers. Of course in the tote is everything you will need for change of temperature and precipitation.
But the big event at WEF is Saturday Night Lights. As the sun sets, the main arena comes alive under the lights, showcasing the week’s top riders in thrilling high-stakes jumper classes.
The energy is electric, with spectators gathering with cocktails, cheering on daring rounds,and soaking in the perfect mix of sport and spectacle that makes Saturday nights at WEF glamorous and unforgettable.
March 28, 2026 is WEF Week 12 with a $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix. To translate -CSI5* Concours de Saut International 5-Star, is the highest level of international show jumping competition sanctioned by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI.
Next stop, Global Dressage Festival just caddy-corner to WEF at the crossroads of Wellington, South Shore & Pierson Roads. At this writing, the main international competition season for the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival concluded last weekend. There will be activity on the grounds where you can witness a dance-like discipline where horse and rider move in near perfect harmony, a study in precision, and understated elegance that feels worlds apart from the action of the jumper rings.
Polo is played at several farms and facilities including Melissa & Marc Ganzi’s Grand Champions Polo Club, together with its sister clubs, Santa Rita Polo Farm and The Polo School, it boasts 11 professional polo fields and a combination of practice fields and exercise tracks. In addition, the clubs offer sophisticated event facilities, creating an exceptional venue for various occasions such as the Sentabale match.
Guess who won?
And then, of course, there are Sundays at the National Polo Center, where our week finds its social peak. John and I make it part of our weekend routine, inviting friends to join the fun.
Here you will find the highest ranked player in the world competing.
The exciting high-goal game takes center stage on the pristine field as the energy builds from the sidelines to the grandstand. Sport and spectacle unfold side by side, and the afternoon stretches easily from first chukker to last, sipping in the sun.
Hilary fills us in on the proper spectating attire: “I like an easy feminine dress for spectating in Wellington. It can be very hot on the sidelines of whatever venue you are viewing, so chic comfort is the name of the game. If forgoing the field where wedges are a must, a pretty floral heel will compliment your look. And a simple chic hat is always a good idea under the blazing sun.”
What2WearWhere has had a flight of fancy this season in choosing the Outfit of the Day on our Instagram.
Let’s not forget the After Party! Sunday night is Friday night in the horse world and there is so much to celebrate. The evening continues with laughter, music, and celebration as friends, riders, and fans gather to toast the week’s successes. From casual mingling to lively dancing, Sunday night is the perfect way to cap off a week of sport and style.
Welcome to Wellington!
