PROFILE
Horse Power - Equestrian Industry A Winner
An industry which brings major revenue, increased property values, low density development and open
space, and at the same time attracts tourism and environmentally-friendly business to Palm Beach
County is a winner - benefiting not only the county but its businesses and residents as well. The local
equestrian industry is all of the above, and thus it has become one of the county's greatest assets.
ROBERT DOVER,
2000 OLYMPIC DRESSAGE SELECTION TRIALS
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PROFILE
TODD MINIKUS AND OH STAR,
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL
HORSE POWER
The Industry
Equestrians from all over the world come to Palm Beach
County to train and participate in the highest levels of
international competition for jumping, dressage and
polo. Events such as the Winter Equestrian Festival in
Wellington, the U.S. Polo Open in Boca Raton and the
Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee make Palm
Beach County the place to be during the winter season.
The county holds a unique position in the worldwide
equestrian field as the mecca which attracts these highlevel international competitors and visitors. The industry
is diverse, and supports an array of activities for local
residents and seasonal visitors alike.
Resident equestrians engage in a multitude of activities
365 days a year, including not only competitions of all
levels, disciplines and abilities, but also provision of the
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PROFILE
myriad of services required to support the thriving industry.
expanded to other areas of the United States, including
Florida ranks third nationwide, behind California and
Houston, Cleveland and New York, and started the
Texas, in economic impact of its equestrian industry.
Hampton Classic in Easthampton. Mische notes that
A recently developed equestrian business database has
Florida’s climate and location are very attractive for
identified 1,100 businesses involved in the industry
equestrians who, if they wish, can train here year round.
county-wide, covering more than 50 different business
sectors. This year-round equestrian industry helps provide
Palm Beach County’s equestrian involvement has grown
and support the infrastructure necessary to accommodate
year after year, and Mische sees it as a tremendously
the seasonal influx. Opportunities for the retention and
successful venture. By the end of 2002, Stadium Jumping
expansion of agriculture, manufacturing, service and
will have hosted 41 horse shows at the Palm Beach Polo
retail businesses are many, and construction of equestrian
and Equestrian Club. The facility is also used for additional
properties is another major contributor.
equestrian and non-equestrian events throughout the
year. “Today, we are the premiere show jumping production
company in the world,” says Mische.
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
Stadium Jumping, Inc., in Wellington, hosts more than
Mische notes that the county and surrounding cities see
4,000 horses, which travel from every region of the
the value of having the horse industry here, as it brings
United States and many foreign countries during the
tourists and many part-time residents for the winter, which
equestrian season to compete here. Founded in 1972,
translates into dollars for the area. Many equestrians live
it is the premier producer of equestrian events in North
here year round. “People may not realize that 26
America. It promotes the world-renowned Winter Equestrian
foreign countries are represented here,” Mische explains.
Festival, which adds $21 million to Florida’s economy
“The name Palm Beach is well recognized throughout
and brings more than 4,000 horses and 6,000 participants
Europe and Latin America for the horse industry, due to
to the Wellington area. 2002 marked the 30th season
the Winter Equestrian Festival,” he added. “Wellington has
for the Winter Equestrian Festival. The Nation’s Cup, an
a very unique community, with so many horse farms
event which attracts top European horses and riders,
surrounding Palm Beach Polo. People really marvel at
was held during the Winter Equestrian Festival at the
what has developed.”
Palm Beach Polo and Equestrian Club in 2002, the first
time this event was held in the United States.
Equestrian Estates
According to Stadium
Land that supports the equestrian lifestyle is available for
Jumping president, Eugene
development. “With Palm Beach County sitting in the center
R. Mische, his business
of one of the biggest horse areas in the world, it has the
was formed specifically to
opportunity to become a global leader in equestrian prop-
produce one event; a Grand
erties,” says Equestrian Estates owner, Walter McPhail.
Prix show jumping event at
What started out as family fun has become a total lifestyle
Tampa Stadium. Stadium
for him and his wife, Mary Anne, a U.S. Equestrian Team
Jumping soon took over pro-
trustee, trainer, USEQ judge and competition show rider.
duction of the winter circuit, and from there, the company
So much so, that their horse, Lectron, ridden by Robert
GENE MISCHE, PRESIDENT
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PROFILE
protection and comfort of the rider and horse.
Dover, was a bronze winner in the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics. The 2000 Olympic Selection Trials, held at the
Horse Park at Equestrian Estates, drew more than 5,000
About 420 acres has been divided into 10- to 25-acre
spectators and international media recognition.
parcels for homes and barns, with a 40-acre horse
show grounds complementing the property. The grounds
were host to the 2000 Olympic Selection Trials, and
Equestrian Estates is currently home to three nationallyrecognized horse shows, including the Palm Beach Derby,
which is the largest dressage show in Florida. New
residents will have a say in additional facilities at the horse
park, McPhail says. He’s hopeful that residents will
purchase lots and build major equestrian facilities. “We
hold dressage clinics, and have well-known international
trainers come in to assist in the development and training
of horses,” he explains. Another unique feature of
Equestrian Estates is that the trails from the property
lead along the L-8 Canal to Lake Okeechobee, and
equestrians can ride the length of the canal to the Gulf
Coast. “That type of activity available from our subdivision
will never change,” McPhail says. He notes that the subdi-
WALTER/MARY ANNE MCPHAIL, OWNERS
vision has been fully approved by the county, and lots are
available through a realtor or directly with the owner.
The “For Sale” sign is up in Equestrian Estates. The
property, owned by McPhail, is planned as a residential
equestrian community. Admittedly not a land developer,
“We are trying to preserve a large percentage of horse
he bought the land from a bankruptcy court as a matter
property in Palm Beach County,” he adds, noting that the
of protection for his own lifestyle. “It took me nine and
equestrian lifestyle contributes several hundred million
a half attorneys, because there were so many phases of
dollars to the local economy. “There is unbelievable
this deal, that it became necessary to employ specialists
opportunity to double the equestrian industry in Palm
in several areas,” he said. “We were concerned that
Beach County,” he says. “With the number of jobs and
after we and others made a major investment in property
equestrian businesses growing, community awareness
here, the area could go non-equestrian.” The family has
is being raised, especially now that the Equestrian
lived in White Fences since 1988. McPhail’s covered
Activities department is a part of the county’s Business
arena was the first of its kind in Palm Beach County. It
Development Board.” With a winning foothold like that,
allows riders a longer season
U . S . E Q U E S T R I A N E C O N O M I C I M PA C T
continue to blossom, and
to train any time of day,
despite the weather and the
the industry will surely
Total Economic Impact
$112.1 billion
provide not only a pleasing
Americans in Equestrian Sport
7.1 million
heat. He noted that two other
Full-Time Jobs Supported
1.4 million
expanse of space, but a
covered arenas are being
Number of Horses
6.4 million
pleasing array of activities,
built at White Fences for the
Total Taxes Paid
1.9 billion
jobs, and attractions.
Source: American Horse Council
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