The Ridge Announces a Second Winter Circuit in Wellington

WEF’s success has been so thorough that over saturation was a topic during the 2015 and 2016 circuits. Classes with over 100 entries became almost an everyday occurrence, and in response, WEF operators Equestrian Sport Productions made big land purchases in order to expand the show, and is performing ongoing improvement work in cooperation with city officials, both on road projects to help ease of traffic to the main venue and on the main showgrounds itself.

Something else is happening, too. Spinoff show series that offer a lower price point are growing in parallel to WEF. Most pointedly for the last few seasons, The Ridge Show Series and Turf Tour has endeavored to offer “a show at a very first class level at a middle class price” with its 1.40m rated grand prix series, and monthly schooling shows.

Owned by George D’Ambrosio and Olympic veteran Nona Garson, The Ridge recently announced a big 2017 expansion, with a 13 week, rated and non-rated show series to be held at Wellington’s Jim Brandon Equestrian Center from January through March. Tentatively named The Ridge Palm Beach Series, a VIP area, multiple arenas, a weekly 1.40m grand prix, use of the facility’s existing indoor arena and a future grass derby field are all part of the plan.