Young Horse Incentive, WCHR Week and Facility Upgrades Highlight 2024 Winter Show Season at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington

The 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) will kick off the new year with Winter Classic 4 starting on January 3, 2024. The popular 16-week series, which began in December, boasts a US Equestrian Premier and National/Level 4 Jumper rating and offers more than $4 million in prize money and prizes.

WEC – Wilmington offers classes for everyone year-round and looks forward to exciting new additions and improvements in 2024, including the addition of a World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week, the launch of a Young Hunter and Young Jumper Incentive Program and important facility updates during Winter in the Midwest.

2024 Winter in the Midwest Dates Premier/Level 4 Dates

• Winter Classic 2: 12/6 - 12/10
• Winter Classic 3: 12/13 - 12/17
• Winter Classic 5: 1/10 - 1/14 *WCHR week
• Winter Classic 6: 1/17 - 1/21
• Winter Classic 9: 2/7 - 2/11
• Winter Classic 10: 2/14 - 2/18
• Winter Classic 11: 2/21 - 2/25
• Winter Classic Spring Forward: 3/6 - 3/10
• Winter Classic 14: 3/13 - 3/14
• Winter Classic 15: 3/20 - 3/24
• Winter Classic 17: 4/3 - 4/7
• Winter Classic 18: 4/12 - 4/16

2024 Winter in the Midwest Dates National/Level 4 Dates

• Winter Classic 4: 1/3-1/7
• Winter Classic 7: 1/24-1/28
• Winter Classic 8: 1/31-2/4
• Winter Classic 12: 2/28-3/3

Young Hunter and Jumper Incentive Program

Beginning January 3, 2024, WEC – Wilmington offers an affordable and exciting way to bring along young horses at its premier, climate-controlled, centrally located facility. All 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds are eligible to be nominated for the Young Hunter and Jumper Incentive Program.

All nominated jumpers will be eligible for the $45,000 Young Jumper Championship. Jumpers will pay a one-time nomination fee to enter the program. Entry fees and jumper nomination fees will be FREE for every show through November 2024.

All nominated hunters will be eligible for the Young Hunter Championship, where they will be offered back 100% of the nomination fees collected throughout the year as prize money (with a minimum of $2,500 guaranteed). Hunters will pay a one-time nomination fee to enter the program. Entry fees in the Young Hunter Division will be FREE for every show through November 2024.

The Young Hunter and Jumper Incentive Championships are tentatively scheduled to take place during WEC – Wilmington’s Fall Classic #3 in October 2024.

To learn more about the program, please visit the prize list here.

World Championship Hunter Rider Week

Winter Classic 5 at WEC – Wilmington will be a World Champion Hunter Rider week to recognize and celebrate the excellence of hunter athletes. Featured hunter classes will include the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby and the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby on Friday evening, January 12, 2024, in the R+L Arena.

The national WCHR program includes coveted year-end awards for Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children's and Pony riders. WCHR Program Participants qualify for National and Regional Awards by earning points at WCHR Events held across the country throughout the qualifying year. Each year the top 10 nationally ranked riders and top six regionally ranked riders in each category, come together to compete in the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

Shopping and Dining

In addition to top equestrian sport, exhibitors at WEC – Wilmington can look forward to a season full of on-site shopping, dining and relaxation in Vendor Village at shops including:

• A Sudden Impulse
• The Custom Fox
• 70 Degree
• 1st Round Equestrian
• 2nd Round Equestrian
• Saek’s Chiropractic
• FarmVet
• The Sloppy Taco
• Dark Horse Coffee Co.
• The Sugar Shack
• The Paddock Club
• The International Grille & Café
• A Bit of Class Salon and Day Spa

Plan Your 2024 Schedule at WEC – Wilmington

Always an ideal experience for equestrian enthusiasts, WEC – Wilmington promises an exciting year in 2024 with facility enhancements, affordable programs for riders, a newly renovated outdoor arena, new lighting in the R+L Arena and endless opportunities to enjoy equestrian sport.

Stay tuned on the blog at wec.net for important facility updates, class coverage and upcoming information for the 2024 Spring/Summer Series.

Download the full 2024 horse show calendar here.

To book your horse show lodging at WEC – Wilmington, click here.

World Equestrian Center – Wilmington graciously thanks all of its exhibitors, trainers, vendors and sponsors for another exceptional year of equestrian sport.

General Manager:
TJ Campbell
tj.campbell@wec.net

About World Equestrian Center

World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.

These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.

Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.

Learn more at wec.net.

Media Contact:
Justin Garner
justin.garner@wec.net