Wellington, Florida.
Lat. 26.661062 | Long. -80.253838
Annual Events
Experience the Winter Equestrian Festival, a highlight of Wellington’s equestrian calendar. From January through April, this festival offers a range of events, from dressage and show jumping to riding lessons and trail rides.
Join the International Gay Polo Tournament, an inclusive event that combines competitive polo with a festive atmosphere. The tournament features top GPL players and a vibrant tailgating scene with creative themed parties.
On Fridays, explore the Lakeside Market at Wellington Town Center, where local vendors, artisans, and gourmet food trucks create a delightful atmosphere along the waterfront. Enjoy live music, handmade crafts, and artisanal treats with your family and pets.
Don’t miss the Bacon and Bourbon Fest, a celebration of gourmet bacon dishes and a selection of over 30 bourbons.
Wellington International
Established in 1974, our iconic equestrian venue covers over 111 acres and boasts 14 state-of-the-art competition arenas, along with more than 500 permanent equine stalls. Wellington International has been a designated Rolex property since 2015 and is recognized for hosting WEF, the world's largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show, from January through March. Visit Wellington International.
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Wellington, Florida is a planned village located in Palm Beach County, known today for its vibrant equestrian community and suburban living. Its history is relatively recent, as the area was mostly undeveloped swampland until the mid-20th century. Here's a brief timeline of Wellington's development:
Early History: Pre-Development (1900s - 1950s)
Pre-1950s: The land that would become Wellington was largely uninhabited and primarily wetlands. The region was sparsely populated, and the area was used for ranching and agriculture.
1951: Charles Oliver Wellington, an accountant and investor from New York, purchased around 18,000 acres of land in the area. His goal was to turn the swampland into usable, developed property. Wellington, who passed away before seeing his vision realized, became the namesake of the community.
1960s - 1970s: Development and Planning
1965: After Charles Wellington’s death, his son Roger took over and began developing the area, transforming it into what would later become the village of Wellington. A major part of the plan involved draining the wetlands to make the land usable for agriculture and residential development.
1972: The development of Wellington began in earnest. The land was cleared, and water-control systems were established. The area was originally envisioned as a large agricultural community with residential developments for workers and residents.
1980s: Equestrian Identity Takes Shape
1981: Wellington became known as an equestrian hub, attracting horse enthusiasts from around the world. The International Polo Club Palm Beach and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center established Wellington as a premier destination for polo and other equestrian sports. This shifted the village’s identity toward becoming a global equestrian capital.
Throughout the 1980s, the village continued to grow, with more people attracted to the suburban lifestyle and its proximity to equestrian activities.
1990s: Incorporation and Growth
1995: Wellington was officially incorporated as a village. This incorporation allowed the community to have its own local government, which could make decisions on growth, infrastructure, and community services.
The population grew steadily throughout the 1990s, and the village expanded its infrastructure, schools, and community amenities.
2000s - Present: Modern Suburban and Equestrian Hub
Wellington continued to grow rapidly into the 21st century, with its population increasing as suburban families moved into the area. The village has been meticulously planned, with shopping centers, parks, and schools designed to meet the needs of the growing community.
Equestrian Community: Wellington is now one of the top destinations in the world for equestrian sports, particularly polo and show jumping. The Winter Equestrian Festival, one of the longest-running equestrian events in the world, is held annually in Wellington.
The village is also known for its affluence and high quality of life, attracting residents seeking a balance between suburban living and rural, equestrian culture.
Key Highlights of Wellington Today
Equestrian Capital: Home to major events like the Winter Equestrian Festival, Global Dressage Festival, and International Polo Club matches.
Community-Oriented: Wellington has developed into a family-friendly suburban area with highly rated schools, numerous parks, and recreational facilities.
Environmental Sustainability: Due to its origins in swamp reclamation, Wellington has developed various water management systems and green spaces to protect the environment.
Wellington has grown from its swampy origins to become a world-renowned equestrian center and a thriving suburban community, blending rural charm with modern living.
POLO
THE PERPETUAL HOME OF POLO IN THE UNITED STATES
The National Polo Center (NPC) enables the United States Polo Association to showcase its tournaments, develop American players, and sustain an environment that will retain and attract new players through the promotion of excellence. First-rate facilities including eight fields, stadium, restaurants, clubhouse, social club, swimming pool, gym, and tennis courts create the hub in Wellington, Florida for world-class equestrian competition.
Winter Equestrian Festival.
Saturday night’s alright for jumping in The Palm Beaches!
Each Saturday evening, the festival is packed with show jumping and an exciting array of free entertainment, perfect for the entire family. Kids will be thrilled to watch beautifully trained horses make spectacular jumps in the arena. Families can also spend time at the children’s fair, complete with bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides and a carousel – all free! Spend a pleasant winter evening in The Palm Beaches under a starry sky and Saturday Night Lights!
Wellington Equestrian Center
The epicenter for dressage in winter and early spring is Wellington, Florida, which draws top names like Olympians Steffen Peters, Ashley Holzer and Debbie McDonald. The area, including Loxahatchee, 20 minutes away, is the year-round home for many well-known dressage personalities.
Dressage Trainers Guide
In just a few short years, TACKNRIDER has established itself as the top retail destination store for equestrians in Wellington. With a thriving horse riding business, Wellington is home to the country’s top show jumping circuit – Winter Equestrian Festival, the top polo circuit and the biggest dressage circuits. Professional and amateur riders alike are attracted to Wellington during the winter season.
They started in Claremore, Oklahoma in 1995 in the local dressage community. Our founders Beth Haist and Marty Haist were enjoying being a part of the local Oklahoma dressage societies and events. Beth & Marty often travelled to visit family in England and by chance ran into products that weren't available in the United States. When Beth got back to Claremore the local dressage community were thrilled to see what she had brought back. This lead to friends and acquaintances asking whether she could bring the same beautiful clothes and equipment for them too. Before long, The Horse of Course needed a premises as it was becoming too big to be run from Beth & Marty's farm.
The Tackeria carries one of the most complete selections of equestrian equipment in the world, importing goods from all over Europe, the Far East and South America to create the best selection of quality items for our customers.
Founded in 1975 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, by United States Equestrian team members, Dover Saddlery has grown to become The Source® for equestrian products. Dover offers a broad and distinctive selection of competitively priced, brand-name products for horse and rider at all levels of riding.
