Mark Bellissimo and partners buy Wellington International from Helgstrand’s GEG

Mark Bellissimo and a group of business partners have bought the Wellington exhibition site from Andreas Helgstrand’s Global Equestrian Group.

After months of speculation and rumors of various investor names (including Mark Rein and Frank McCourt), Wellintgon International has returned to the ownership and management of the former majority owners of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, led by Mark Bellissimo. They sold the show to GEG in 2022.

Majority partners Mark Bellissimo, Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lurie and Roger Smith formed a new company called WI FL Acquisition, LLC to purchase Wellington International, with Murray Kessler becoming CEO. On October 22, 2024, they signed a binding agreement to acquire Wellington International from Global Equestrian Group (GEG).

Next chapter for Wisconsin

“This is an exceptional opportunity to invest in existing show grounds, undertake major expansion and bring in new executive leadership to ensure Wellington remains a leading equestrian destination for show jumping, hunting and dressage at all levels of competition,” said Bellissimo of VI FL Acquisition Ltd. . “We are committed to long-term ownership, ensuring the Wellington showgrounds thrive for generations to come, as well as welcoming new riders and new families to the sport.”

In the two years that GEG owned and operated the exhibition, very few major improvements appear to have been made to the site, other than upgrades to the supports. The showground and dressage stable have remained the same for the past ten years.

“When we invested in Wellington International, we promised to take this place to the next level and I am pleased to conclude that this has been achieved. This sale is evidence that Wellington International is now ready for its next chapter,” says Andreas Helgstrand, CEO of Global Equestrian Group.

Murray Kessler

The most positive aspect of the sale of WI was the appointment of a new CEO, Murray Kessler.

He is the former CEO of three Fortune 500 companies, former President of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), former President of the North American Riders Group, and the father of Reed Kessler, the 2012 London Olympic show jumping champion.

“I am thrilled to work with Wellington International President Michael Stone and his world-class management team to capitalize on this exciting growth opportunity,” said Kessler. “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.”

Michael Stone will remain President of Wellington International.

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