Wellington International is "Where Champions Are Made." Located in Wellington, FL, the equestrian facility hosts competitive events 42 weeks a year, including the 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival that begins in January, and attracts more than 350,000 attendees as well as some of the world's top riders annually.
For a long time, management was not "tech forward," admitted Patrick McKenney, director of technology at Wellington International. But those days are gone, as Murray Kessler, who took over as CEO in late 2024, understands the role technology plays in modern sports production. Now, McKenney is leading the facility through a phased upgrade that includes audio and video elements.
Indiana-based Dodd Technologies has served as the integrator partner for Wellington International for about two years, helping with new LED video walls and production lighting elements. Upcoming plans include replacing an aging display with a new dvLED display for the International Arena, the premier competition space at the facility. Dodd will also assist with new PA systems for a new stadium and grass derby fields on the south grounds, McKenney said.
Patrick McKenney
Image credit: Mark J. Pescatore
Kevin Reilly
Image credit: Mark J. Pescatore
An on-site mobile production unit handles the video production for events. According to Kevin Reilly, video production director, production is split, with broadcast production for ESPN channels on one side of the trailer and stadium production on the other. The production side is built around a Ross Carbonite production switcher, Ross XPression graphics, and Evertz DreamCatcher replay system. Reilly said both productions usually share five Sony HD camcorders and two Sony PTZ cameras, though the mobile unit can support up to 16 cameras.
There are 18 competition rings at Wellington International, which are used for practice, competition, and instruction. Every ring has an announcer booth that is wired for sound, as well as Showgrounds Live, its proprietary software for managing entries, prize payouts, stabling, and more. Video services are also available through Showgrounds Live, so riders can get replays almost instantly on their phones, along with AI analytics about their "trip" in the ring.
More than 400 channels of Dante audio are used across the 200-acre campus. Wellington International upgraded to Dante Domain Manager last year, which provided a unified clock across campus and simplified operations. McKenney said Dante has "really allowed us a great deal of flexibility in audio distribution."
For example, the facility can direct music to each ring (or a combination of rings) across the facility without running additional cable. Plus, while there are usually announcers at every ring, Dante allows them to "share" an announcer between several rings on slower days. Networked audio even reaches hundreds of permanent equine stalls. "We have a very robust network infrastructure of single-mode fiber," he added, "and with Dante, it's just as easy as plugging in a couple of devices on each end, route it in the control room, and you're gone."
Another part of the audio upgrade has been the introduction of LEA Professional amplifiers. Three seasons ago, Florida-based Peerson Audio handled an audio upgrade for the International Arena, which included new JBL loudspeakers and LEA amps. McKenney said he tried a couple of LEA Connect Series 704s because he was intrigued by the idea of a 1 RU amplifier providing four channels of 700 watts per channel at 70 volts. (The 70-volt option was important because of the long cable runs across the campus.)
Since then, Wellington International has purchased more than a dozen LEA amplifiers, and there are plans to purchase more than a dozen more in the next year to replace aging equipment. "LEA amplifiers have really allowed us to up our production quality, our production level, our ease of maintenance," he said. "Their ability to … have the level of flexibility, of adjustability, the network control, and the built-in Dante, it's just been absolutely incredible."
