WELLINGTON, Fla., Jan. 14--Robert and Lisa Lourie, the owners of Spy Coast Farm, have joined Wellington Equestrian Partners, LLC (WEP).

WEP is the holding company that owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) as well as Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC (ESP) that in turn owns and operates the Wellington horse shows including the world famous Winter Equestrian Festival. The Partnership owns over 500 acres of Wellington real estate that surrounds PBIEC.

The Louries have extensive equestrian interests under the umbrella of Spy Coast Farm, with farms in Wellington, Long Island and a breeding facility in Lexington, Ky.

The Louries became involved in show jumping through their daughter, Julia, who began riding at age 8. Julia is now 16 and competes in the Junior Jumpers and Equitation. Her mother, Lisa, began riding at the same time as Julia, but has focused her interest on horse breeding. Lisa, a former ICU/CCU nurse, enjoys the challenge of breeding older, proven performance mares. The first progeny, Spy on the Devil, was Champion in Thoroughbred hunters the first week of FTI WEF. Robert, a former professor of nuclear physics, has worked in quantitative finance for the last 14 years.

The Lourie family has been participating in WEF for five years.

They met Ali and Shane Sweetnam, owners of Sweet Oak Farm, during the 2006 season. They have been training with them and sponsoring Shane since that time.

Spy Coast Farm has acquired world class breeding stallions, some of which are shown by Shane.
As their involvement in the sport has grown so, too, has their commitment to the community that WEF serves.
"We are very excited about the Louries' involvement in the WEP Partnership," said Mark Bellissimo, the WEP Managing Partner and Chief Executive of Equestrian Sport Productions,
"The Louries are very committed to equestrian sport, Wellington, and to our vision to make Wellington and the PBIEC the premier equestrian destination in the world. Our ongoing goal is to broaden the partnership by bringing in new circles of equestrians that will contribute new ideas and feedback to our efforts.
"We look forward to working with the Louries. All of our partners have a family member involved in the sport which ensures a long term orientation."
"We are pleased and honored to be partners in this exciting endeavor and all it means for the future of show jumping in America," the Louries said in a statement.

The Lourie family has also become members of WEP's Operating Committee which comprises the largest shareholders and guides the entity.

The WEP Operating Committee includes Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Dennis and Marsha Dammerman, Roger and Jennifer Smith, Craig and Frances Lindner, Bruce Duchossois, Susan and Stuart Goldstein and, now, Robert and Lisa Lourie.

Photo: Lisa and Robert Lourie at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Photo: Ken Braddick-HorseSport USA

Amaretto D'Arco takes 2nd in $100,000 Green Cove Springs CSI3*-W Qualifier in Jacksonville, Florida to Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly.   See Full Story -  The Green Cove Springs CSI-W World Cup Qualifier

Final Results:

1st Rodrigo Pessoa and Let’s Fly,
2nd Shane Sweetnam aboard Amaretto D’Arco,
3rd Kent Farrington with Up Chiqui,
4th Michelle Spadone and Melisimo
5th Carolyn Kelly riding Rulanda

 Shane Sweetnam on Triviant in the International Ring at WEF

Week 1 at Wellington, Florida proved to be very successful for Spy Coast Farm.  Shane Sweetnam was Champion on Spy on the Devil in the Thoroughbred Hunter Division.  In the jumpers,  Triviant was in the top ten in the 1.40 Meter Division, Rolette in her debut was 7th and 8th in the World Cup Qualifers. 

In her debut in the High Junior Jumpers, Sienna, ridden by Kaitlin Campbell was Reserve Champion with a 2nd place showing in the Speed Class and 3rd in the $10,000 Jumper Classic.

Julia Lourie had a great showing on Vivaldi, placing 4th in the High Junior Jumper Classic and was also in the top ribbons in the Maclay class.