Wellington International to be bought by former ownership group including Mark Bellissimo

WELLINGTON, Fla., October 22, 2024 – Former majority owners of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, including Mark Bellissimo, are purchasing Wellington International. Murray S. Kessler, former US Federation President and successful businessman, will become Chief Executive Officer and Michael Stone will remain President.

The statement did not mention the equestrian village, where the World Dressage Festival has been held for more than a decade, but has received local government approval for development as a luxury housing and golf community. Under the terms of approval of the changes to the equestrian village, Wellington International agreed to purchase approximately 70 acres of land adjacent to the current main showground to provide dressage facilities and a derby field similar to that at Global’s existing facility. The facility is controlled by a group led by Mark Bellissimo.

It has already been announced that the entire 2025 Winter Global Circuit will be held at the existing Equestrian Village showground, created by Mark Bellissimo’s group in 2021, and will host seven international dressage competitions, including the only top-rated CDI5* event and the Nations Cup outside of Europe . .

“This is an exceptional opportunity to invest in existing show grounds, undertake major expansion and bring in new leadership to ensure Wellington remains a leading equestrian destination for show jumping, hunting and dressage at all levels of competition,” Mark Bellissimo said. acquiring group called WI FL Acquisition, LLC.

Other band members include Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lurie and Roger Smith. Marsha Dammerman’s husband and Roger Smith were founding investors in the Wellington Horse Society, which purchased the showgrounds in 2007.

“We are committed to long-term ownership, ensuring the Wellington showgrounds thrive 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 and former USEF President, said, “I am thrilled to be working with Wellington International President Michael Stone and his world-class management team to capitalize on this exciting growth opportunity.

“We will immediately be reaching out to community leaders, governing bodies, exhibitors and partners as we develop and implement our plans, which include significant investments in upgrading existing facilities and building new world-class facilities on expanded exhibition grounds.”

Andreas Helgstrand, CEO of Global Equestrian Group, which bought the showground in mid-2021, said: “When we invested in Wellington International, we promised to take the venue to the next level and I am delighted to conclude that this has been achieved. This sale is evidence that Wellington International is now ready for the next chapter of its development.”

The Wellington International is the largest and longest-running equestrian competition series in the world, with 42 weeks of competition each year in show jumping, hunting, dressage and para-dressage. Each season it attracts more than 350,000 spectators, 15,000 horses and 7,500 competitors. Wellington International hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival, as well as the sport’s many competitions, divisions and competitors, and generates over $400 million in economic impact for Palm Beach County.

Wellington International President Michael Stone said: “I look forward to working with Murray and the partners who know business and the community so well to make Wellington International’s exhibition venues the standard by which all venues are judged.”

The Winter Equestrian Festival was founded in Wellington in 1974 and covers an area of ​​111 acres/45 hectares. It includes 18 competition arenas and 500 permanent stables.