Donald Trump and Mark Bellissimo announced that they will host the second Trump Invitational on Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla.
The $125,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix presented by Rolex will showcase 35 of the world’s top riders in an FEI-world ranking competition.
Read the Chronicle’s coverage of the 2013 Trump Invitational.
Once again, the Trump Invitational will benefit the 2014 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments, which has raised more than $4.2 million dollars over the last four years for over 90 Palm Beach County charities.
It will also serve as the kick-off party for the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12-week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Jan. 8 through March 30.
The Trump Invitational is the only equestrian event to be held on Palm Beach Island and is hosted at The Mar-a-Lago Club, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate built in 1924 and purchased and restored by Donald Trump in 1985. One of the most magnificent mansions in the world, it is in the national register of historic places and is a designated U.S. National Landmark.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Last year’s Trump Invitational was a spectacular, one-of-a-kind event. In addition to showcasing equestrian sport’s top athletes in a FEI world ranking class, the event was instrumental in achieving our record-breaking fundraising for the FTI GCC,” said ESP CEO Mark Bellissimo.
This year, the event will feature one-of-a-kind auction items, exciting musical guests, and improved footing. Bellissimo noted, “Donald was extremely generous in providing both a $100,000 FTI GCC donation as well as donating his time in two golf outing auction items that raised an additional $68,000 toward last year’s record FTI GCC fundraising of $1.5 million.”
Trump added, “It is vital during these difficult financial times to support the efforts of the unsung heroes that operate these great charitable organizations within Palm Beach County. I am honored to be a part of this effort.”
Trump’s daughter Ivanka will join Paige Bellissimo and Georgina Bloomberg as event chairs.
Last spring, based on feedback from the riders, Trump spared no expense by engaging the team from Equestrian Services International, led by Brett Raflowitz, to replace the footing on the lawn of The Mar-a-Lago Club utilizing ESI’s “Turf Blend Footing,” a topsoil mix with fiber and three different blends of sand that now provides the base for approximately 98,000 square feet of new Celebration turf.
In addition to show jumping alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, there will be cocktails and a red carpet welcome at the pool and a VIP experience bordering the ring.
