Wellington CDI5* to be Staged at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 1st International Dressage Show at Iconic Venue in 12 Years

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An iconic photo–Isabell Werth on Satchmo, Anky van Grunsven on Salinero and Steffen Peters on Ravel at the 2010 CDI5* at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the last international dressage competition at the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival. © Ilse Schwarz © dressage-news.com

WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 21, 2022–The premier CDI5* will be staged at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center under lights Feb. 23-25, the first international dressage event staged at the iconic home of the Winter Equestrian Festival in 12 years.

The event, the only top rated 5* in the Americas and one of only 11 in the world in 2022, will be two Grand Prix on Wednesday night Feb. 23 and the Freestyle and the Special on Friday night in PBIEC’s International Arena.

The CDI5* will be limited to 20 rider and horse combinations competing for $154,000/€135,700 in total prize money.

“We look forward to welcoming international dressage back to Palm Beach International Equestrian Center show grounds,” said ESP President Michael Stone. “With the success of hosting dressage in the International Arena this summer, we aim to promote dressage and want to provide another spectacular venue for riders and spectators to enjoy.”

Information regarding VIP seating for the dressage classes will be announced soon.

The Global Equestrian Group, headed up by Danish Olympic and championship dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand, bought PBIEC last year and is negotiating to acquire the Equestrian Village where the Global Dressage Festival has been held for the past decade.

PBIEC accommodates more than 3,000 spectators, 1,200 in the VIP pavilion, 1,400 for general spectators as well as the Tiki Hut, Gallery and other facilities.

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center pre-pandemic, that will host te U.S. Olympic dressage selection competition. The US Equestrian Federation has announced that spectators will be allowed, but likely still with masks and social distancing. Photo: Courtesy PBIEC

No admission will be charged for general spectators but there is a parking fee.

Other international classes in Global’s seventh week–a CDI3*, young horses, ponies, children, junior, young rider and under-25, as well as amateurs–will be held at Equestrian Village where the 12 weeks of the winter-long circuit are staged.

Mark Bellissimo was one of the founders of the World Dressage Masters that held CDI5* events at PBIEC in 2009 and 2010 the success of which was a factor in the Wellington Equestrian Partners he led to create the Global circuit at its current location a decade ago.

A United States dressage team observation event for the Tokyo Olympics was held at PBIEC last June.