The equestrian capital of North America, Wellington, Florida, is a playground for equestrians of all disciplines, from dressage to showjumping and polo. Many will recognize Wellington from its cameo in the recently released Netflix Documentary Polo, which provides a comprehensive look at the town’s rich equestrian culture, the top-notch facilities, and the thrilling competitions.
Home to the World Equestrian Festival, the world’s largest and longest-running horse show, the Global Dressage Festival, and the most competitive polo tournaments in North America, the town has long attracted the world’s best and brightest human and equine athletes.
Films/TV references
Wellington’s polo season, which runs from January to April, offers the perfect weather for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. This is when the highest level of polo played in North America takes place alongside the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The C.V. Whitney, USPA Gold Cup, and U.S. Open Polo Championship make up the Gauntlet of Polo and have often been called polo’s triple crown. The Gauntlet is played at the United States Polo Association-owned National Polo Center Facility alongside other tournaments of varying levels. Teams vie for glory and prize money when competing in the Gauntlet, and any team that manages to win all three tournaments receives $1 million in prize money!
Wellington’s polo scene, a haven for the biggest sponsors, best ponies, and most talented players from across the globe, offers an exclusive experience. The world-class facilities, legendary social scene, and thrilling competition are not just for anyone.
If you were captivated by Netflix’s Polo documentary and aspire to live the polo lifestyle, we’re here to guide you. We’ve spoken to local players who shared their insights on where to socialize, spectate, and immerse themselves in the elite world of polo in Wellington!
Eat
Cilantro’s Gourmet Deli offers takeout and eat-in lunchtime options. It is always a great place to spot the high-level players and sponsors who call Wellington home during the winter. The polo crowd highly recommends their empanadas and milanesas!
The Mallet Grill, located on-site at the National Polo Center, offers great food and is renowned for its post-Sunday polo celebratory atmosphere.
Maxwell’s Plum offers excellent food and is known for its parties and events, especially its post-Sunday Tournament after parties when the restaurant converts to a nightclub.
Stallion is located at the Palm Beach Polo Club and is inspired by the town’s equestrian capital status. Its team of chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers ensures that the delicious plates always spoil the polo crowd!
Oli’s Fashion Cuisine has long been a hotspot for equestrians of all disciplines, and recent player La Dolfina Polo Team sightings have added Wellington’s Alacruz Grill to the growing list of places where polo stars like to dine.
Spectate
For players and fans alike, the National Polo Center offers four different options for taking in the feature Sunday Polo match. Spectators looking to get up close and personal with the polo action and immerse themselves in the social scene should opt for the Champagne Brunch and Tailgating spots on the stadium’s east side. At the Champagne Brunch, formal dress is encouraged, and spectators can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with their polo.
For a better view of the game, spectators should opt for the west side, where the stadium seating provides a range of options for viewing the excitement. Lower-level stadium seats are filled with spectators new to the sport and seasoned players, while high-level box seats are reserved for season ticket holders and are filled with the sport’s biggest and most knowledgeable fans.
Gauntlet games are live-streamed on the U.S. Polo Network’s social channels, and qualifying matches are open to the public. Game schedules and locations are posted online and available for free tailgating. Grand Champions Polo Club is also home to high-level polo and offers free admission for its matches.
During the height of the season, players and spectators are never without a match to enjoy. Driving around Wellington can reveal practices and tournament games of varying levels to be spectated and enjoyed!
But polo isn’t the only equestrian event to be spectated in Wellington. The Winter Equestrian Festival runs for 13 weeks between January and March, offering top prize money and competition for showjumpers. The showgrounds span over 100 acres and are home to 14 world-class arenas and over 500 stalls.
Seating options are endless on the grounds, but the best competition occurs at the International Arena at Wellington International. General Admission seating is first come, first serve. VIP options sell out quickly, especially during the Saturday night Grand Prix events. The BrainJuice Tiki Hut offers a laidback VIP experience. It is the polo crowd’s go-to spectating location on Saturday nights.
Try it!
If you’re inspired to try polo, Wellington has numerous schools that train and introduce new players to the age-old sport of kings (and queens). Top lesson programs include The Polo School at Grand Champions, International Polo School, Palm City Polo, and Villa del Lago Polo. Offering packages, bucket list lessons, and beginner leagues, they make it easy to get the whole Wellington Polo Experience.
Wellington’s season wraps up with the highly anticipated U.S. Open Polo Championship in April. This championship, often referred to as the ‘Super Bowl of Polo,’ always offers the best in competition, excitement, and drama. Be sure to follow along with the team standings, results, and excitement on the United States Polo Association social channels and website, or better yet, book your trip to Wellington to live the polo life!
