WELLINGTON — The world's top riders and horses will compete in the $1 million Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix in the season-finale Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International.

The crown jewel of show jumping on March 28 is the final and most significant five-star grand prix of the Winter Equestrian Festival with record-breaking increased prize money. The 13-week WEF is one of the largest and longest-running equestrian competitions in the world and training ground for equestrian Olympians from around the world.

The U.S. Equestrian Open Jumping Final is teaming with the Rolex Series event for the second consecutive year. It features an increase of $250,000 in prize money, a custom commissioned trophy and major broadcast coverage.

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The Rolex Series opening stop is followed by other stops in Italy, France, Sweden, Ireland and Belgium. The U.S. Equestrian Open is designed to raise awareness in equestrian sports leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The field features more than 35 athletes from the Paris Olympics. It is the best grand prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the Top 20 rated fields of the last 15 years in the sport.

Among the world-class field are No. 2 ranked and U.S. Olympian Kent Farrington of Wellington; No. 3 and Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain; No. 4 and reigning world champion Richie Vogel of Germany; No. 6 and two-time defending champion Christian Kukuk of Germany; No. 7 Nina Mallevaey of France, the only woman in the Top 10; No. 9 Shane Sweetnam of Ireland; No. 10 McLain Ward of Wellington and Brewster, N.Y.; and hometown favorite Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, the second most decorated rider in the sport.

Forty riders will compete, including pre-qualified riders (reigning championship medalists) who are guaranteed a final spot. Others earn a spot based on qualifier placings at the Thursday and Friday qualifying competitions.

Rolex GP will be telecast live in ESPN3

In hopes of reaching a mainstream audience, the competition will be broadcast live on ESPN 3, USEF Network and free on Wellington International’s YouTube beginning with a pre-show and first horse up at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, March 29 the $62,500 Vogel 1.45-meter grand prix will close out WEF's winter season.

Other free family-friendly activities will include live music and entertainment, face painting, pony rides, autograph opportunities, stilt walkers and petting zoo. There are also various food and dining options.

$1,000,000 Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix

Saturday, 8 p.m. 

Wellington International, 3400 Equestrian Club Drive

General admission free for open stadium and bleacher seating. Blue stadium seating first-come, first-serve

Gates open 6 p.m., hospitality venues 6:30 p.m.

Free parking is available at Equestrian Village (13500 South Shore Blvd.) with a complimentary shuttle service

Parking onsite at Wellington International is $25 per car, $35 for valet

For information, call 561-793-5867

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top riders, horses ready for $1 million Rolex US Equestrian Open GP