Katherine Bellissimo | Principle of Wellington Equestrian Partners; Founder of FTI Great Charity Challenge
Whether its promoting the equestrian lifestyle or serving the local community, Katherine Bellissimo’s name is never far from conversation. A dedicated rider and avid competitor, Bellissimo has become champion of sorts with the equestrian community in Wellington and the world over. But before so, she made a living in the Northeast’s competitive real estate industry.
A Boston native and Northwestern University grad, Katherine was the vice president of community relations at a Boston firm specializing in representing commercial real estate developers, followed by a stint as vice president of a real estate development firm with holdings in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. But riding and the equestrian lifestyle had always been her passion.
As a one of the original principles of the Wellington Equestrian Partners (along with her husband of 30 years, Mark), Bellissimo has been a guiding force in the development and growth of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, now the world’s largest and longest-running equestrian competition, creating a microcosm of world-class equestrian sport in Palm Beach County. She is also a co-founder of the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge, a charity riding event that has helped raise more than $4.2 million to benefit more than 90 local charities within the last four years alone.
As if Bellissimo, a mother of four, were not busy enough, she just completed a beautiful new coffee table book, The Equestrian Lifestyle Destination ($80, Equestrio), depicting the sport horse and atmosphere culled from photography of the 2013’s Winter Equestrian Festival events, and is the publisher of The Chronicle of the Horse, the country’s oldest equestrian publications. She is also working on a major equestrian resort based in Tryon, North Carolina, that is currently under construction in preparation to host its first competitions this coming spring.
Vote for Katherine Bellissimo below and you will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Cantina Laredo.
Photo by Elena Lusenti Photography
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