2014 Trump Invitational Grand Prix winners Kent Farrington and Blue Angel. Photos © Sportfot.
Palm Beach, FL – November 25, 2015 – The fourth annual Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2016, at the beautiful Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL. World-class show jumping will be presented along with a special VIP experience overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. This unique event features the $130,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by Rolex, and the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper class.
The $130,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, will showcase some of the world’s top riders in an FEI world ranking competition. World Number Two ranked rider Kent Farrington was the victor in the first two editions of the event, while Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut captured the top prize last year.
“I’m excited to return to the Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, again this year,” Farrington said. “The riders always look forward to it every winter because it’s truly a unique venue to showcase our sport. Hopefully I can make it a three-peat in 2016.”
Kraut added, “With perfect weather and fantastic footing, last year’s Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, was so much fun. The location is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to return this winter and defend my title.”
“We look forward to welcoming back equestrians and spectators in 2016,” said event organizer Mark Bellissimo. “The grand prix offers a great start to the winter season for the riders with world ranking points on the line. It is a day of fundraising for the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments®, and we know that this year’s event will help us raise more than $1.5 million once again for local Palm Beach County charities.”
The Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, quickly became one of the most special events on the equestrian calendar with ringside tables bordering two sides of the jumping arena. Guests are welcomed with a red carpet entrance poolside at The Mar-a-Lago Club. A fabulous theme highlights each year’s decorations as the VIP area welcomes equestrians and celebrities with a gourmet brunch buffet, special drinks, and the opportunity to watch equestrian sport at one of the most breathtaking venues in the world.
The Trump Invitational is the only equestrian event ever to be held on Palm Beach Island and is hosted at The Mar-a-Lago Club, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate built in 1924 and purchased and restored by Donald Trump in 1985. It is one of the most magnificent mansions in the world, is in the national register of historic places, and is a designated U.S National Landmark.
The event will benefit the 2016 Great Charity Challenge (GCC), which has raised over $7.5 million dollars over the last six years for more than 150 Palm Beach County charities. Paige Bellissimo, co-founder of the GCC, will be the Chairperson for the Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex. It will also serve as the kickoff party for the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12-week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 13 to April 3, 2016.
Following the grand prix is a special invitational junior/amateur jumper class that will highlight some of the top junior and amateur riders in the sport.
Riders who would like to participate in either the grand prix or the junior/amateur class, please email Michael Stone at mstone2811@gmail.com.
VIP tables are available – for table information, please contact Anne Caroline Valtin at annecaroline@equestriansport.com. Table reservation forms are available HERE.
Please visit www.pbiec.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.