Case Study: Two World-Class Equestrian Centers Use Commercial Site Furnishings from The Park Catalog to Accommodate Crowds During Busy Season

Horse with rider jumping over hurdle. The Park and Facilities Catalog specializes in supplying equestrian centers with commercial site furnishings

The Park Catalog is proud to supply commercial benches, picnic tables, and trash receptacles to equestrian facilities promoting the sport worldwide. Two equestrian centers, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the Tryon Equestrian Center in North Carolina, are state-of-the-art equestrian facilities that recently installed commercial site furnishings from The Park and Facilities Catalog. (See photo gallery below).

Commercial site furnishings at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

Sitting on 500 acres in Wellington, Fla., with more than 18 competition arenas, 256 stalls, and a famous bridge arching over the in-gate where the horses enter, it's no wonder why the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is the most recognizable equestrian center in the United States. An exciting array of events, from jumper derbies to horse riding lessons to grand prix events to horse exhibitions, attracts equestrian lovers of all ages.

Recycled plastic picnic table with custom umbrella for Palm Beach Equestrian Cente

The stadium hosts world-class dressage, and its facilities match this high level of competition. It is built on nearly 60 acres and is outfitted with a hospitality arena overlooking the competition area and a raised courtyard at the center of the show grounds for a stunning panoramic view of the facility. The Van Kampen Arena is one of the world's largest arenas, measuring 360 feet by 210 feet. The stadium also hosts jumper derbies, grand prix events, and other competitions, along with the Palm Beach Riding Academy, which offers horsemanship lessons from a young age.

The Equestrian Center's 12-week jumping competition, the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), is the main attraction at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center and why they are so well known. It's the largest and longest-running circuit in the horse sport. There are 33 countries and all 50 U.S. states represented at this major event, which offers competition for riders aged 2 to 70.

The event gathers more than 250,000 spectators and families who enjoy pony rides, petting zoos, food and boutique shopping and live music. The 5,000 horses at WEF are worth a net value of more than a half billion dollars. The largest purse offered in the worldÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Â$8 million in prize moneyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Âis awarded for the top exhibitors. Events at WEF include the FEI Nation's Cup, where nations compete against each other for national pride, the Great Charity Challenge, the Jumper Derby, a competitive Battle of the Sexes, and the top prize of $500,000 at the Rolex Grand Prix cup, which is the circuit's largest single-class prize money.

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival, which includes FEI World Cup qualifiers and $600,000 in prize money, is also held at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center. If you've never heard of dressage before, it's an Olympic sport which involves riders and horses completing predetermined movements that look like a dance. The Adequan Dressage Festival is one of the world's largest dressage festivals and offers natural obstacles for riders on the grounds. Based on their performances, riders can get an opportunity to compete at the Pan American Games.

One of many recycled plastic benches at the equestrian center

Other major events include Friday Night Stars, a freestyle horse and rider dance event choreographed to popular music, and the Great Charity Challenge, a fundraiser donating $7.5 million to more than 150 Palm Beach county charities over the past six years. Charities selected are those that use at least 75% of their funds within Palm Beach county, keeping the impact from these donations local. The Great Charity Challenge offers free admission and 100% of proceeds from the winnings go towards the charities involved. Each charity gets a minimum of $15,000 and the winning rider's charity wins $150,000.

Beyond charitable contributions, the Palm Beach Equestrian Center also gives back by boosting the local economy. Economic estimates indicate that the equestrian industry has an annual impact of $220 million in Palm Beach County.

Commercial site furnishings at the Tryon Equestrian Center

In the beautiful southwestern city of Mill Spring in North Carolina, you will find the Tryon Equestrian Center, part of the Tryon Resort. Plans for this new 1,400-acre resort in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains were released in June 2014 and include a sports complex, Arnold-Palmer designed golf course, hotel, and spa. The hotel is set to open in summer 2017. There are 10 riding arenas and 1,200 permanent horse stalls that outfit the Tryon Equestrian Center.

Recycled plastic picnic tables at Tryon Equestrian Cente

With dressage and jumping competitions throughout the spring and summer months, the Tryon Equestrian Center has quickly become a recognized international venue for the horse sport. The family-friendly Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix is a weekly jumping competition with plenty of fun for the whole family, including a live band, free carousel rides, face painting, and weekly events like magicians and acrobats.

The first Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas will take place July 1^st and will resemble the Great Charity Challenge in Palm Beach in many ways. Rider teams are randomly paired with dozens of local charities, including the local humane society and free medical clinic. The competition combines professional and amateur riders for jumping competitions to benefit the charities. The minimum purse for the grand prix competition is $350,000; the winning team heads home with $50,000 and participating charities each receive $5,000.

Tryon Equestrian Center was founded by Mark Bellissimo, an equestrian expert who turned the Winter Equestrian Festival at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center into the success that it is today. Bellissimo's expertise will likely bring many jobs and an economic boost to this area of the Carolinas just as it did in Palm Beach. In fact, the construction of the facility has already employed 500 construction workers.

The facility is open 365 days a year for shopping, dining, festivals, and live music. From sushi to pizza to classic southern grits, Tryon has cuisine for any appetite.

With Bellissimo's company Wellington Equestrian Partners recently acquired Cleghorn Plantation Golf & Country Club in the neighboring town of Rutherfordton just 6.5 miles from the equestrian center. It's clear that the Tryon Equestrian Center under Bellissimo's leadership will continue to grow as a sports and resort destination for the Carolinas.

These two international equestrian centers supply jobs, economical and charitable support plus plenty of entertainment to their growing communities. The Park and Facilities Catalog is proud to fill their facilities with park benches and picnic tables that make their guests comfortable. For more information about durable and attractive commercial site furnishings to compliment any facility, head to The Park Catalog

Recycled plastic benc