Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners, announced last week that he had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wellington’s world-renowned International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The purchase, announced March 17, includes the core IPC club facilities and surrounding properties, totaling 248 acres. The transaction is expected to close in late April. Wellington Equestrian Partners also owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
“We are honored to have been selected by the Goodman family trust to steward this venue into what will now be a very bright future. We thank them for their faith in our organization,” Bellissimo said. “With the shroud of uncertainty that has plagued the venue, our partnership wanted to ensure that IPC was going to be protected as a long-term venue for polo and other equestrian sports, which is key to Wellington’s economy.”
Bellissimo has already initiated discussions with the United States Polo Association and key stakeholders in the polo community to forge a strategy of cooperation and collaboration to ensure that Wellington and IPC remain as the nation’s premier destination for spring, fall and winter polo.
“As the governing body of the sport of polo, it is always our mission to create a great experience for our clubs, teams, horses, members and fans of the game,” USPA Chairman Joe Meyer said. “In doing so, we look forward to continuing our relationship with the International Polo Club to showcase thrilling high-goal polo competition through the 2018 season and beyond.”
The sport of polo is a core foundation for the character, charm and tradition of Wellington as a world-renowned equestrian destination, getting its start in the community in the 1970s. According to the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Wellington’s combined equestrian events generate more than $200 million in annual economic impact and more than 150,000 room nights.
This acquisition will allow Wellington Equestrian Partners to consolidate Wellington’s primary equestrian venues and develop a unique market offering centered around the equestrian lifestyle and the love of horses.
“We have demonstrated at PBIEC that by creating and promoting high-level equestrian sport in venues that are both entertaining and family-friendly, you can create a level of success for both spectators and sponsors,” Bellissimo said. “WEP, whose Winter Equestrian Festival has more than 100 sponsors, intends to bring the same energy and vision to IPC and will create an international marketing effort that will cross-promote the events for the mutual benefit of polo, Wellington, Palm Beach County and all of equestrian sport. The IPC venue, together with the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s jumper and dressage venues, will provide a third venue to enhance Wellington’s equestrian sport offerings.”
Bellissimo predicted great strides for polo and all of Wellington’s equestrian sports.
“We are now positioned to achieve a new level of prominence and excellence for the competitor and visitor experience at all of our venues,” he said. “This allows us to establish and showcase Wellington as the world destination for polo, show jumping and dressage. We will present a vision for the venue and the facility soon.”
The International Polo Club Palm Beach hosts the largest field of high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. The winter polo season runs from January through April, and concludes with the USPA U.S. Open Polo Championship, a month-long tournament that gets underway next week. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating. For info., visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
ABOVE: The International Polo Club Palm Beach is the home to the highest level of polo played in the United States. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO
