Covering of Wellington's Global Dressage Festival spectator stands provided for 2026 circuit

Covering of Wellington's Global Dressage Festival spectator stand has been provided for the international arena for the 2026 winter-long circuit for the first time since the show grounds were opened in 2012.

The cover to shield spectators from sun and occasional rain is part of the major rehabilitation of the main Winter Equestrian Festival of jumpers and hunters and the nearby Global dressage facility, both operated by Wellington International.

Tiered seating will be installed by year’s end.

High pointed roofs on judges boxes at five locations around the dressage arena for most international competitions have also been lopped off as they were found to have blocked the views of some spectators.

The upgrades come a year before Global is expected to move to a newly expanded area of the main show grounds that also includes a newly built covered arena.

The Global circuit was created by Wellington Equestrian Partners headed up by Mark Bellissimo and includes seven weeks of international competitions–a top rated CDI5*, the only dressage Nations Cup in the Americas and three World Cup qualifiers with riders from dozens of nations competing for the most prize money in U.S. dressage, plus para dressage and national events. Special circuits to boost developing Big and Small Tour horses have also been added.

The current facility was initially developed on the unused Polo Field No. 1 and will be re-developed for high-end housing, recreation and retail area after the new dressage location at WEF is ready for use.

The Global schedule for 2026 begins Jan. 7 with a World Cup event and ends the third week of March with Nations Cups for both seniors and Under-25 riders.

Photo: New covering for Global Dressage Festival spectator stands in Wellington, Florida. © 2025 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com