What do Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, Germany’s Tony Stormanns, and Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts have in common? They are all world-class jumpers who have chosen to compete at the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
These three are no stranger to championship wins. They have successfully competed in major equestrian events around the world, and are now preparing for their journey to South Florida, where they will challenge their peers in the highest level of international showjumping competition.
Titleholders To Watch…
Ranked as the world’s number one show jumper, von Eckermann made his Wellington debut with a win when he took a $32,000 prize riding Glamour Girl. He led the Swedish team to their first gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo equestrian show jumping since 1924, and became the first Swede to win the individual world title. His horse, King Edward, was dubbed the best horse in the world. Last year, he won the show jumping World Cup Final.
Tony Stormanns won a $50,000 Grand Prix at the WEF and the young jockey also finished second in the Under 25 Welcome earlier the same day. Stormanns took the individual gold at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors and Children in 2022.
Nicola Philippaerts’ distinguished career includes being the first medallist in the history of Equestrian at the Youth Olympic Games where he won a gold medal. He finished fifth at the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show; took the gold at the European Young Riders Show Jumping Championship in Portugal, and the silver at the Belgian senior championship. At Wellington he won the $62,500 Adequan CS14 WEF Challenge Cup Round Three.
Along with these world champions and their entourage, Wellington is expected to play host to thousands of fans and horse aficionados from around the globe, earning big money during its internationally-famous equestrian season. The inflow of jockeys, show horses, and their legions of fans has just begun.
At Stake this Year…
Wellington International recently announced an increase in prize money to $750,000 for the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, in addition to the two $500,000 CSI5* grand prix offerings.
Eckermann, Stormanns, and Philippaerts are just three of the champion riders competing at this year’s WEF, which kicked off January 1st and will feature 13 weeks of competition. Twelve of those weeks will offer Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) classes. FEI is the governing body for equestrian sports around the world.
Four of these competition weeks will feature CSI5* or Concours de Saut International competition with a five-star ranking, which indicates a prestigious, high-level event involving the most challenging course and offering the biggest prize money. Included in these CSI events is the Rolex Grand Prix CSI5*.
Other events include the WCHR Hunter Spectacular, the BrainJuice U25 Grand Prix Series, the WEF Equitation Championship, the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup classes, and a team hunter exhibition
Whether your next Florida real estate investment is in Wellington, Palm Beach, or any of Florida’s attractive residential markets, you’re welcome to contact Florida Bar Board-Certified Attorneys David E. Klein, Esq. or Guy Rabideau, Esq. at Rabideauklein.com for your next closing. They have the expertise and experience you need to ensure that you are fully compliant and your interests are protected. Contact Rabideau Klein to discuss the legal implications of your next property transaction.