A Season of Horses
The thunderous hoof steps of galloping stallions. The raucous cacophony of clashing mallets. Eruptions of applause from a well-heeled crowd. The sounds of the Palm Beaches encompass far more than crashing waves and rustling palm fronds, especially in the Village of Wellington.
While its shared border with the Everglades may conjure up visions of alligators, panthers and manatees, here a different breed of animal commands centre stage: the horse. In a 2-mile (3.2-kilometre) square affectionately called “Equestrian Center,” you’ll find the largest assembly of performance horses not just in the world, but in the history of the world. At no other point in mankind’s past have over 15,000 horses been stabled in one area, within an extraordinarily elaborate stabling complex.
The definitive equine paradise is anchored by two equestrian destinations: Palm Beach Equestrian International Center and International Polo Club Palm Beach. Both are situated on opposite sides of South Shore Boulevard, with the finest polo horses, jumpers, hunters and dressage horses grazing near each other.
One of the largest polo clubs in the world, with several natural grass fields, the International Polo Club was built out of orange groves – close your eyes and you can still sense the orange blossoms. Polo season runs mid-January through mid-April. During the same time, the International Equestrian Center presents the Winter Equestrian Festival, the world’s largest and longest-running equestrian competition. Nearly 3,000 riders command braided Andalusians, Appaloosas, Arabs and numerous other horse breeds to jump, pirouette, and even freestyle.
Both venues are within a half-hour drive of the Resort, and our Concierge will be pleased to assist with directions. After a day of fast-paced action, people watching and the neighing, whinnying and clip-clopping of horses, return to the Resort for quiet conversation, soothing ocean rhythms and cocktails on the cosy patio of the Restaurant Bar and Lounge.
