The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), spanning thirteen weeks, features top show jumping and dressage riders competing for a record-breaking total prize fund of around sixteen million dollars, making it one of the richest events in the equestrian world. This year, prize money has been increased and strategically redistributed to elevate the significance of various classes, including a $1 million prize for the CSI5 Grand Prix and a substantial boost in qualifying rounds for the 4 Grand Prix. Additionally, Junior and Amateur competitions have been enhanced to support emerging talent and ambitious amateurs, with 68 show jumping classes contributing to world rankings and three FEI dressage World Cup stages included, positioning Wellington as a key event on the path to the Olympics and major championships.

Alongside the financial enhancements, significant investments have been made in infrastructure to improve safety and comfort. The main arenas now feature new footing for better stability, international stabling facilities have been upgraded, and spectator amenities have been enhanced with covered grandstands for dressage classes, improving both comfort and viewing experience. These improvements underscore WEF’s commitment to maintaining its status as a premier equestrian competition.