As horses began to move into the brand new county owned facility just a short trip east on Forest Hill Boulevard from Wellington, riders were wide eyed and amazed at what they saw. A turn off the busy highway led into over 100 acres of land with a multi ring show grounds, brand new beautiful stalls, and a gorgeous indoor arena. The Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, had endured the hurricanes of 2005, and the Equine Herpes Virus scare of 2007, to build an improve what appears to be the ideal location for the Gold Coast and Wellington Challenge Dressage series of dates now secured by both show management teams. With dressage rider and facility manager Shelley Van Den Neste, the layout of the stabling and arenas poses a well thought out facility, which also has over 80 miles of eco riding trails, a golf course across the street, and other family friendly facilities.

phelpsphoto: Carol Lavell and Much Ado

It was an agonizing decision Noreen O’Sullivan Flanagan and the member of the Gold Coast Dressage Association faced in December what to do about one of the season’s most important CDI Competitions in Florida. The Equine Herpes Virus had crippled the entire Wellington Equestrian Community turning the usually bustling area into a ghost town. It was a community united in containing a virus which threatened the multi-million dollar industry. But it was in the best interest of the horses and competitors, the decision was made to postpone the January show. “This virus will be a faded memory by February.” predicted the Florida State Agriculture spokesperson, and he was right.

With the overwhelming response from competitors and USEF officials, the important CDI event which is a qualifier for the selection trials of the Pan Am Games and Festival of Champions was given a new date, thanks to the February weekend dates secured by Flanagan-O’Sullivan. Then came the support; Dr. Scott Swerdlen and the Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Robinson Lusitanos, and DressageDaily’s Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance agent, stepped up as Gold Medal Sponsors. Arlene and David Page’s newly completed Stillpoint Farm and Janne Rumbough added to the support as Silver Sponsors. Arena sponsors Rick Silvia of Dream Street Stallions, Carlene Blunt, Country Club Stables, and EuroAmerican Saddlery. CDIW Class sponsors Markel/Mary Phelps, Sho Clothes, and Wellington Asset Management.

“We also got the support of the competitors, who stepped up, and made the commitment to compete.” said O’Sullivan-Flanagan. They will not be disappointed, as a weekend packed with full classes, a great competitor’s party, and an international elite judging panel featuring Cara Witham (O) CAN, Gisela Holstein (I) (IRE) Marian Cunningham (I) PER, Liselote Fore (I) USA, Jeanne MacDonald (C) USA, Marianne Ludwig (I) and Betsey Berrey (S).