Tag Archives: PBIEC

PBIEC Update on EHV-1 Measures

As many of you are aware, a number of EHV-1 cases have recently occurred in California. As horsemen, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those in California that are dealing with this. It is however a reminder to all equestrians that EHV-1 is always present and it is our responsibility to always be proactive to minimize any possible exposure. Although there are currently no reported cases of EHV-1 in Wellington, Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is taking active measures to protect horses at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

In an abundance of caution, ESP management will be implementing the following biosecurity protocols:

  • Anyone shipping horses into the PBIEC facility and any new back numbers processed will be required to sign a declaration stating that the horses entering the facility are healthy and have not competed in California or been in close contact with horses that competed in California within 14 days prior to their arrival.
  • As we have done from the beginning of our FEI season, ESP will continue to enforce the protocols set by the FEI to enter the FEI compound. Please make sure you are logging the required temperatures twice per day in the FEI horse app and at least once on the morning of arrival to the FEI compound. Please ensure you are meeting requirements by downloading the FEI Horse App if you have not already done so. It can be found at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

It is our shared responsibility to keep our horses safe. We urge all equestrians to please remember and abide by the following biosecurity measures:

  • Take all horses’ temperatures daily and immediately report any horse with a temperature above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit or any signs of respiratory or neurological disease to your veterinarian and/or show management.
  • Take the temperature of all horses prior to shipping to WEF or AGDF, and do not bring any febrile horses or horses exposed to fevers of unknown origin to the show.
  • Avoid mixing of horses where possible, practice equine social distancing. Please consider isolating any new horse(s) introduced to your farm for a minimum of 14 days.
  • Ensure good hygiene and biosecurity at the show and your home farms.
  • Make sure your horses are currently vaccinated for influenza and EHV. Under no circumstances should a horse that has been vaccinated compete within 7 days.
  • You should be able to document your horse’s normal temperature before arrival. Please do not ship horses with elevated temperatures. It is recommended that you establish a log of temperatures taken at least twice daily. If there is an elevated temperature for more than a 24-hour period, please consult your local veterinarian immediately.
  • Every effort should be made to minimize stress and commingling of horses shipped long distances. Extra hours on a horse van or moving from stable to stable is the fastest way to compromise your horses’ and your neighbor’s horses’ health.
  • Please take the time to review equine good hygiene practices and impress their importance to your grooms and barn managers in everyday care.

Further biosecurity protocols and additional resources can be found here:

United States Department of Agriculture Information on Equine Herpesvirus

American Association of Equine Practitioners FAQ on Equine Herpesvirus

United States Equestrian Federation Biosecurity Measures for Horses at Home and at Competitions

Information on the current known positive EHV-1 cases can be found here: https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts.

ESP has longstanding protocols to manage such events and will provide isolation facilities if and as required. Experience has taught us that early identification is key when dealing with disease outbreaks, and this requires cooperation from everyone within the community.

If you have any questions or concerns about your horse’s health, please contact our veterinary partners: Palm Beach Equine Clinic at 561-793-1599.

For more information, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center COVID-19 Update

In response to the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and with the guidance of US Equestrian, Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) will maintain their cancellation of previously scheduled competitions but hopes to aid riders, trainers, and owners in keeping their horses fit and healthy.

Based on feedback from the equestrian community, and in an effort to preserve equine welfare and keep the staff of PBIEC and those industry professionals who work at ESP events in jobs they can depend on, ESP will offer the following:

  • Open schooling through the end of this week (March 22). Please check schooling schedules on PBIEC.com. Riders must wear their assigned back numbers. No new back numbers will be issued. Next week schedule to be determined.
  • Limiting the number of people accompanying horses to the ring to five per horse (rider, groom, trainer, no more than two additional).
  • No more than two people should be at any fence at one time (ring or schooling area) and a six-foot social distancing protocol is encouraged between all people on the grounds.

How we are keeping you safe:

  • Spectator and public access remains prohibited.
  • ESP has purchased sanitation foggers to clean seating areas and public spaces.
  • ESP staff will continue to diligently clean and sanitize bathrooms.
  • Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the grounds. ESP recommend using hand sanitizer both before and after the schooling session. Remember, people are touching the same items (rails, cups, etc.).

Stabling and access to stalls is available for those that have purchased stabling packages until the expiration of those packages. ESP can accommodate those in need of stabling during this period as long as the horses have already been issued WEF back numbers. Staff will be available in the horse show office as needed, but everyone is encouraged to organize weekly close outs and stabling arrangements online, or via telephone.

Consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida Department of Health Guidelines, everyone is encouraged to:

  • Stay home if sick or uncomfortable being in public, except to get medical care.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw in the trash.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

The goal of PBIEC is to keep all humans and horses healthy and safe during this time, while doing our best to help encourage an easy transition back into competition when the time comes. This is a rapidly changing situation, and we will continue to provide updates through our website at www.PBIEC.com.

Rolex and PBIEC Sign Unprecedented 10-Year Partnership to Transform Show Jumping for the Americas

2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival to Have Five CSI 5* Events and a Record 51 FEI Ranking Classes over the Circuit

Wellington, FL – November 27, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Rolex SA signed an unprecedented 10-year sponsorship agreement to make Rolex the “Official Timepiece” of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and of the world-renowned FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The FTI WEF serves almost 6,000 horses and 2,000 riders from 50 states and over 30 countries.

The long-term partnership will facilitate a record US $1.63 million dollar increase in prize money bringing the grand total to over US $8 million dollars at the FTI WEF, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. Three new FEI-rated CSI 5* events will be added to the schedule, which will make five of the 12 weeks during the circuit at the highest level in Show Jumping. There will also be a new US $1 million Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex bonus opportunity.

Another highlight of the association is that two of the CSI 5* Grand Prix events will be televised and many others will be distributed by Rolex through their media partnerships in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, stated, “We are honored to be partnered with one of the most respected brands in the world. Through this partnership, we will provide the resources to elevate the level of Show Jumping for the Americas and expose PBIEC to a broader international audience.”

Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communications with Rolex, said, “We are very pleased to extend and expand the scope of our long-lasting and successful partnership with this prestigious venue and the world-class, world-renowned events it hosts. Rolex and Palm Beach International Equestrian Center certainly share a common passion for excellence and perfection.”

The dates of the 2014 CSI 5* shows are: FTI WEF 3 from January 22-26, FTI WEF 5 from February 5-9, FTI WEF 7 from February 19-23, FTI WEF 10 from March 12-16, and FTI WEF 12 from March 26-30. In addition to the five CSI 5* shows, there are three CSI 4* events, a CSI 3*, and two CSI 2* shows during the circuit.

FTI WEF weeks 3, 5, 7, and 10 will feature a US $300,000 Saturday Night Grand Prix. FTI WEF 12 will feature the US $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix.

The “Palm Beach Challenge presented by Rolex” applies to four of the five 5* events and awards a US $1 million bonus to any horse and rider combination that wins the four consecutive CSI 5* Grand Prix events at FTI WEF 3, 5, 10, and 12. The winner of two consecutive Grand Prix will receive US $50,000 and the winner of three of four will receive a US $100,000 bonus.

Finally, Rolex offered a substantial contribution to the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge (GCC), presented by Fidelity Investments, an equestrian Show Jumping competition founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige. The event, which occurs on February 1, 2014, is a competition where the world’s top riders team up with equestrian sport’s most prominent families in a unique competition that awards a sliding scale of prize money to each of the 34 randomly selected charities in Palm Beach County.

About Rolex

Rolex enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches are symbols of excellence, performance, and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch since 1905, the brand is at the origin of several landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, exploration, sports, and the environment through sponsoring and philanthropic programmes. Rolex has been present in equestrian sports since 1957.

For more information, visit www.rolex.com.

About the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) is considered the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in America today. It is a 160-acre “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination” nestled in the heart of an 8,000-acre equestrian paradise in Wellington, Florida, located only 20 miles west of Palm Beach.

There are 16 competition rings throughout the equestrian show complex suited for the world’s finest Show Jumping, Hunter, and Dressage events. The PBIEC show grounds offer spectators a picturesque environment in which to enjoy equestrian competitions. There are a number of hospitality and vendor pavilions dedicated to dining, shopping, and VIP areas.

For more information on Equestrian Sport Productions and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Equestrian Sport Productions Sends in Formal Expression of Interest to Host 2018 FEI WEG

Wellington, FL – November 17, 2011 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce that they have sent in their formal Expression of Interest to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG). Their documentation was sent in through the United States Equestrian Federation for the United States to host the WEG at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

The Expression of Interest documents are the first step towards submitting a bid to host the FEI World Equestrian Games.

“We are very excited for the bid,” said ESP President Michael Stone. “We believe it will be a great opportunity for the Village of Wellington, Palm Beach County, and the State of Florida. We believe that working on this bid will help bring ESP-produced events to the next level and will only help increase the quality of our shows and the exposure of equestrian sport.”

“We look forward to working with Equestrian Sport Productions on their bid as they consider all the requirements for a successful submission,” said John Long, USEF CEO. “The support of local and state government will be essential in this effort. The USEF is looking forward to sharing experiences learned from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky just last year.”

The world-class equestrian and support facilities in Wellington, and the prestige that Wellington holds in the equestrian world, provide an excellent framework from which to begin a pursuit of the bid for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.