Mark Bellissimo and Partners Buy Back Wellington International from Helgstrand's GEG

Dressage

U.S.A.

Mark Bellissimo and a group of business partners have bought back the Wellington show grounds from Andreas Helgstrand's Global Equestrian Group.

After months of speculation and various investor names being rumoured (including Mark Rein and Frank McCourt) Wellintgon International has returned into the ownership and management of the former majority owners of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with Mark Bellissimo at the helm. They sold the show to GEG in 2022.

Majority Partners Mark Bellissimo, Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lourie, and Roger Smith formed a new entity called WI FL Acquisition, LLC to purchase Wellington International with Murray Kessler to serve as CEO. They signed a binding agreement to acquire Wellington International from Global Equestrian Group (GEG) on 22 October 2024.

This acquisition includes Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) Management Company, the organizers of the ESP Annual Series, the Winter Equestrian Festival, as well as the Showgrounds Live platform and the Chronicle of the Horse publications.

Next Chapter for WI

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to invest in the existing showgrounds, undergo a major expansion, and add new executive leadership to ensure Wellington remains the premier horse sport venue for show jumping, hunters, and dressage at all levels of competition,” stated Bellissimo of WI FL Acquisition, LLC. “We are committed to long-term ownership, ensuring the showgrounds thrive in Wellington for generations to come while welcoming new riders and new families to the sport.”

In the two-years that GEG owned and operated the show, seemingly very little major improvements were made to the venue, aside from footing updates. The dressage show grounds and stabling have remained the same for the past ten years.

“When we invested in Wellington International, we promised to take the venue to the next level, and I am happy to conclude that has been achieved. The sale is a testament to the fact that Wellington International is now ready for its next chapter,” says Andreas Helgstrand, CEO of Global Equestrian Group.

Murray Kessler

Hailed as the most positive aspect of the sale of WI is the appointment of incoming CEO Murray Kessler.

He is the former CEO of three Fortune 500 companies, former President of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), former President of the North American Riders Group, father of 2012 London Olympic show jumper Reed Kessler.

“I am excited to work with Wellington International President Michael Stone and his world class management team to capitalize on this remarkable growth opportunity,” stated Kessler. “We will immediately be seeking input from community leaders, governing bodies, exhibitors and partners as we develop and execute our plans that include significant investment for existing facility upgrades and the building of new world-class facilities on the expanded showgrounds.”

Michael Stone will remain president of Wellington International.