TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/934158
and hosts variety of equine disciplines, ranging from show jumping, hunter and dressage classes, western/trail riding and driving. The Winter Equestrian Festival, which annually draws the elite International and Olympic riders, begins in January and runs through early April. The show grounds, which offers a number of vendors dedicat- ed to dining and shopping, has 1,500 grandstand seats, 80 VIP boxes, and a bevy of private chalets that surround the International arena. Just a stone throw's away from the show grounds is the International Polo Club. Like the neighboring Eques- trian Center, the Polo Club draws com- petitors from around the world, while hosting many of the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. Matches are open to the public and the season kicks off at the end of De- cember and rounds out with the U.S. Open Polo Championship in late April. The facility, which boasts seven fields peppered throughout the 250-acres property, is made up of a wide range of hospitality and guest accommoda- tions, including grandstand viewing, field tailgating, lawn seating for the casual set, while field-side champagne brunch (Sundays) at the Pavilion and VIP sponsor boxes are available for those in search of a more high-brow experience. THE WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL ANNUALLY DRAWS THE ELITE INTERNATIONAL AND OLYMPIC RIDERS.