The Winter Equestrian Festival returns to Wellington International in January 2027 for its 50th season, and the venue has posted what will be new when it opens. The season starts with Premiere Week, January 6 to 10, 2027. Week 8 will bring the first CHIO ever held in North America, with CSIO 4*, CDIO3*, CSIOJ and CSIOCH competition at the showgrounds at 3400 Equestrian Club Drive. General admission stays free, Wednesday through Sunday.

A CHIO is an official international horse show in which nations compete against each other. Under that one banner, Week 8 will hold a four-star Nations Cup level jumping show, a three-star dressage competition, and international classes for juniors and for children. Wellington International has not yet published the exact dates for Week 8. The draft schedules posted so far go from Premiere Week through Week 5.

The opening weeks

The posted WEF calendar runs as follows:

  • Premiere Week, January 6 to 10: USEF Premier AA
  • Week 1, January 13 to 17: CSI5*, CSI2*, USEF Premier AA
  • Week 2, January 20 to 24: CSI3*, U25, USEF Premier AA
  • Week 3, January 27 to 31: CSI4*, CSI2*, USEF Premier AA
  • Week 4, February 3 to 7: CSI4*, CSI2*, U25, USEF Premier AA, sponsored by MARS Equestrian
  • Week 5, February 10 to 14: CSI5*, CSI2*, USEF Premier AA, sponsored by Fidelity Investments

Wellington International notes that Week 1 opens with five-star and two-star international jumping at the same show. Each week of 2027 adds 1.45m National classes, along with Cross Rail, Pony and Itty Bitty jumpers. Some weeks also add 1.45m Grand Prix classes. The 1.30m Young Jumpers will compete on the new derby field during select weeks. Several events return from past seasons: the BrainJuice U25, the Team Hunter Challenge, Masters Mania, the Lovsta Future Challenge Final, and the 1.20m Young Jumper Final presented by North Star Sport Horses.

A new derby field and wider rings

The biggest physical change is at Wellington International South, which now has a new Derby Field with a golf cart tailgating area. This fall marked the end of competition on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village on South Shore Boulevard, where the 2022 Rolex Grand Prix was held. The venue called the final week of October the last chance to win on that field.

Back at the main grounds, the footing has been redone in the Rost, Grand Hunter, Mogavero and DeNemethy rings and in Rings 6, 8, 9 and 10. Ring 8 has been made much wider and now has a viewing tent beside it, and it will host classes that used to run in the DeNemethy Ring. To spread out a crowded schedule, WEF will also use Rings A through D at Wellington International South. A free golf cart shuttle loops the whole property, and the venue plans to add an interactive digital map to its website in early winter, with walking directions and vendor locations.

Marking 50 years

Wellington International says the anniversary will be marked with special events and limited-edition merchandise all season. The Wellington International Shop has new retail partners and items that will be sold only during the 2027 season, and preorders are open now. New sponsors are also joining for 2027, bringing new classes, special events, more prize money and better awards. The venue says it will share details closer to the season.

The Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, returns for its 18th year with the theme Once Upon a Masquerade. Last season it gave more than $2.3 million to more than 80 nonprofits.

Saturday Night Lights

Saturday nights from January through April are Saturday Night Lights, with Grand Prix show jumping, live music, food vendors, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, magicians and stilt walkers. General admission is free. Gates open at 6 p.m. and competition starts at 7 p.m. General parking is $25 and evening valet is $35 per car. Tickets for the premium hospitality areas, which include the NetJets Landing, the Blue Ribbon Club and the Tiki Hut, should go on sale in late fall. Tiki Hut tickets are released each Tuesday at 10 a.m. during the festival.

Before January

Competition goes on at Wellington International this fall. The Fall Circuit Finale runs October 28 to November 1, and the Holiday Series runs November 25 to January 3. The WEF schedule, the draft prize lists and the 50th anniversary merchandise are all posted at wellingtoninternational.com. The box office phone number is 561-793-5867.

Sources