The Ridge at Wellington invites riders of all skill levels to hone their skills.
The Ridge at Wellington will host its first “Equitation Tuesday” of 2016 on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Each year, the Ridge at Wellington offers its historically popular Palm Beach Series, as well as “Equitation Tuesday” Shows for riders of all levels. The prize lists are available for the events at theridgefarm.com.
This season, the Ridge at Wellington continues to offer its USEF-Rated Equitation Shows. These shows run every Tuesday of the month from January 5 – March 29, 2016. This event will feature the major 3’6” equitation classes including the Medal, Maclay, WIHS and USEF classes. The USEF Pony Medal, WIHS Pony Equitation, 3’ THIS and M&S Equitation classes, the 3’ Ariat and USEF Adult Equitation classes will also be available.
For junior and amateur riders, the weekly equitation shows are a way for all riders to hone their skills whether it is in the 2’6″, 3″ or the 3’6″ divisions. Certain classes will also count as qualifiers for the Southeast Medal Finals, which will take place September 2016. For pony riders, there will be qualifying classes for the USEF Pony Medal and WIHS Pony Equitation. In addition, the USEF Talent Search is ranked as a two-star qualifying class.
New to the prize list this year is the 2’6″ equitation classes for child and adult riders with qualifying classes for the Southeast Medal Finals and the Marshall & Sterling League Finals. For 3′ riders, the show has the Ariat Adult Medal, and also offers the THIS National Children’s Medal, plus the Southeast Medal Finals and Marshall & Sterling qualifying classes.
The Ridge at Wellington’s second schooling show of the season is set to take place Jan. 10–12, 2016. The schooling shows will take place on the second weekend of every month from December through March. The prize list is available here.
The Palm Beach Schooling Series is an excellent setting for more seasoned riders to practice for the Winter Equestrian Festival, and it also enables riders of all levels a chance to show in a relaxed environment with gracious amenities.
The Ridge at Wellington, which is located conveniently at the back of the Palm Beach Point East community, is a standout venue owned and managed by Olympian Nona Garson and her partner and lifetime horseman, George D’Ambrosio. The schooling show series boasts state-of-the-art footing, as well as reasonable showing fees.
Riders of all experience levels will find appropriate classes to enter, as there will be a vast array of divisions offered from Leadline and Mini Stirrup to 3’3″ Open Hunters on Saturdays and on “Jumper Sundays” everything from the Itty Bitty Jumpers (2’–2’3″) to Open Jumpers (3’9″–4’3″).
Weekend competition will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. with hunter and equitation divisions running on Saturdays. Jumper riders will give it their best over tough and technical tracks on Sundays. For a small fee, hunter riders can school their horses at The Ridge at Wellington on the Friday afternoons of show weeks from 12–4 p.m. Equitation Tuesdays will kick off at noon on each Tuesday.
Recognized by Marshall and Sterling League Finals and Southeast Medal Finals, riders and trainers can get a head start on accumulating points to qualify for finals. Popular classes that will earn Marshall and Sterling League points include the Bit O’ Straw Hunters, Adult/Children’s Hunters, the Children’s Medal, the Dover Saddlery Adult Medal, the Sore-No-More Children’s Horse Medal and the Marshall and Sterling Children and Adult Jumper Classic.
The two-day schooling shows will wrap up in March and is the ideal way for competitors to prepare for the end of circuit and end the season on a high note. The finale double-point show will take place on March 12–13, 2016. Series winners will be honored with award presentations and generous prizes at the conclusion of the March show.
Temporary stabling is available at the show grounds, and horses that are boarded within a short distance to the facility are welcome to hack or trailer to the show.
This premiere state-of-the-art facility offers the best of equestrian sports with varying competition levels. Their shows offer a wide array of classes, as well as generous prize money and sponsorship opportunities. Located only two miles from the prestigious Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, The Ridge at Wellington offers one of the most centrally located horse shows in Wellington.
For more information about The Ridge at Wellington please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information please follow The Ridge at Wellington on Facebook.
Source: Phelps Media/Kendall Bierer