Wellington International to be Bought by Former Ownership Group Including Mark Bellissimo
2 months ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Wellington International to be Bought by Former Ownership Group Including Mark Bellissimo
WELLINGTON, Florida, Oct. 22, 2024–The former majority owners of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center including Mark Bellissimo are buying back Wellington International. Murray S. Kessler, former U.S. federation president and successful businessman, will be chief executive officer and Michael Stone will remain as president.
There was no mention in a statement of Equestrian Village where the Global Dressage Festival has been staged for more than a decade but has received approval from the local government to be developed as a high-end housing and golfing community. Under the terms of approving changes to Equestrian Village Wellington International agreed to buy about 70 acres adjoining the current main show grounds to provide dressage facilities and a derby field similar to that at the existing Global facility. The property is controlled by a group headed up by Mark Bellissimo.
The complete 2025 winter-long Global circuit has already been announced to be held at the existing Equestrian Village show grounds that were created by Mark Bellissimo’s group in 2021 and hosts seven international dressage events including the only top rated CDI5* and a Nations Cup outside Europe.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to invest in the existing showgrounds, undergo a major expansion, and add new executive leadership to ensure Wellington remains the premier horse sport venue for show jumping, hunters, and dressage at all levels of competition,” said Mark Bellissimo of the acquiring group named WI FL Acquisition, LLC.
Others in the group include as partners Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lourie, and Roger Smith. Marsha Dammerman’s husband and Roger Smith were founding investors in the Wellington Equestrian Partnership that took over the show grounds in 2007.
“We are committed to long-term ownership, ensuring the showgrounds thrive in Wellington for generations to come while welcoming new riders and new families to the sport,” Mark said.
Murray Kessler, former CEO of three Fortune 500 companies as well as former president of the USEF, said: “I am excited to work with Wellington International President Michael Stone and his world class management team to capitalize on this remarkable growth opportunity.
“We will immediately be seeking input from community leaders, governing bodies, exhibitors and partners as we develop and execute our plans that include significant investment for existing facility upgrades and the building of new world-class facilities on the expanded showgrounds.”
Andreas Helgstrand, CEO of Global Equestrian Group that bought the show grounds in mid-2021, said: “When we invested in Wellington International, we promised to take the venue to the next level, and I am happy to conclude that has been achieved. The sale is a testament to the fact that Wellington International is now ready for its next chapter.”
Wellington International is the largest and longest-running equestrian competition series in the world, hosting 42 weeks of competition annually of show jumping, hunters, dressage and para-dressage. More than 350,000 spectators, 15,000 horses and 7,500 competitors participate each season. Wellington International stages the Winter Equestrian Festival and an array of competitions, divisions, and participants in the sport, and contributes an estimated $400+ million in economic impact to Palm Beach County.
Wellington International President Michael Stone said: “I look forward to working with Murray and the Partners who know the business and the community so well to make Wellington International’s showgrounds the standard to which all grounds are measured.”
The Winter Equestrian Festival was established in Wellington in 1974 and covers 111 acres/45Ha. It includes 18 competition arenas and 500 permanent horse stalls.
