WELLINGTON, FL. Oct. 10 — The consultant who prepared the feasibility study of the London Olympic Equestrian Park, organizer of the world famous London Olympia and Royal Windsor horse shows, and the Equestrian consultant to the Athens Olympic Games has now joined the Wellington Equestrian Partners team.

Simon Brooks-Ward has been engaged to help former International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Secretary General Michael Stone and WEP managing partner Mark Bellissimo to create a world class venue to rival Aachen, Germany and Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada. Their goal is to create major spectator equestrian events on an international level not seen before in the U.S. outside of the FEI World Cups in Las Vegas. By bringing in the world’s best riders together with great equestrian displays such as the French Cadre Noir or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local spectators and visitors from all over the U.S. and beyond will be drawn to these events.

Brooks-Ward comes from a long tradition of equestrian organizers. His father, Raymond Brooks-Ward, was the “Voice of Show Jumping” on BBC television and developed the London Olympia Horse Show which Simon has continued and now ranks as one of the top indoor shows on the world circuit.

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Brooks-Ward not only has the experience of designing venues he is the world’s leading organizer of spectacular equestrian events. Held the week before Christmas, London Olympia is renowned as much as an entertainment extravaganza as a horse show that insures sellout crowds. Simon has also organized other major events such as the equestrian spectacular for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the amazing mix of world class singers performing and top riders competing at the Pavarotti Horse show for Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy, the Dubai horse show for HRH Princess Haya of Jordan as well as a host of other events around the world. At the same time, he has served as member and then Chairman of the FEI’s Strategic Planning Committee that brought him into contact with every level of horse sports throughout the world in helping to develop equestrian activities for the future.

Stone said, “I am delighted to be working with Simon who is without doubt the leader in his position in the world. His knowledge will ensure that we not only have the best possible venue, but also the most spectacular events.”

Brooks-Ward commented, “I am really excited at the challenge ahead and believe that together with Michael and Mark we can deliver on the potential inherent in Wellington and the U.S.”

Bellissimo concluded, “The WEP partners believe that the unique and powerful combination of skills that Michael Stone and Simon Brooks-Ward possess will allow Wellington to truly distinguish itself as one of the premier equestrian destinations in the world. This is the first in a series of announcements that will be issued over the next few weeks that will define our mission and vision for Wellington.”

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