Windstar Cruises Enters the Equestrian World with World-Class Show Jumping Horse
Boutique cruise line to make waves with Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen and Serenity Farm Show Stables, promising heightened involvement in the equestrian community
MIAMI, FL, January 23, 2025 – In the spirit of ushering in a New Year with new endeavors, Windstar Cruises has announced the unexpected addition of Windstar the horse in collaboration with Grand Prix rider Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen and Serenity Farm Show Stables in Wellington, Fla. In line with its commitment to providing experiences that are 180 degrees from ordinary, Windstar Cruises’ onboarding of Windstar marks a ground-breaking new era for the brand as the first-ever cruise line to align with an international show-jumping athlete and horse.
Windstar Cruises, the horse's namesake, officially welcomed Windstar to its family with an aptlytimed christening on December 25, joining forces with the best in the industry to strategize a long-term training plan to develop a champion show-jumping horse.
“We are thrilled to welcome this extraordinary horse to our Windstar family,” said Windstar’s president Christopher Prelog. “Our unique collaboration aims to bring awareness to the travel community about what it takes to train a champion show jumping horse. We are fortunate to be aligned with such skilled professionals to provide Windstar with the meticulous training needed to enter the field. We look forward to witnessing Windstar’s success over the years to come through Serenity Farm Show Stables’ dedicated efforts."
Currently ranked in the top 300 riders in the world, Windstar’s rider Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen is an emerging star in the world of equestrian show jumping. She is among the youngest competitors to win some of the most prestigious awards and classes within the world of American showjumping and is currently the resident Grand Prix rider for Serenity Farm Show Stables in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida. Serenity Farm Show Stables is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the top hunter, jumper, and equitation training facilities in the country.
“This is truly an incredible opportunity on multiple fronts,” says Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen. “Windstar Cruises is such a unique company with a fantastic focus on luxury and fun. When they approached us with the concept to blend 180º From Ordinary with the prestige and competition of the show jumping industry, I knew this was going to be a game changer. I look forward to an incredible future with Windstar Cruises and the horse Windstar!”
Windstar was purchased as a young horse to develop in collaboration with Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen and Serenity Farm Show Stables with the focus being the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Windstar is set to compete in several 2025 Equestrian events including the Winter Equestrian Festival, World Equestrian Center, Tryon International, The Hampton Classic, and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
For more information on Windstar the horse’s journey including his debut in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, follow his new handle on Instagram.
Images for press use can be downloaded here.
Find more information on Windstar Cruises here.
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Contacts:
Sarah Scoltock, Director of Public Relations, Windstar Cruises /
sarah.scoltock@windstarcruises.com
Claire Skinner, Vice President, LDPR, windstar@ldpr.com
About Windstar Cruises:
For four decades, Windstar Cruises has been reimagining small-ship cruising with a distinctive blend of relaxed luxury and genuine connection to the world’s most captivating destinations. From its origins with motor sailing yachts tailored for upscale yet casual travel, Windstar has grown into a diverse fleet of three Star Class all-suite yachts and three Wind Class sailing yachts, offering voyages that are both intimate and inspiring. Two highly anticipated new yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, set to debut in December 2025 and 2026, expand the fleet to eight yachts accommodating 150-350 guests. Windstar’s legendary Wind Class sailing yachts are also undergoing a meticulous two-phase redesign to be completed by 2027. Windstar yachts sail to more than 330 ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England, Japan, the South Pacific, and Asia. Unlike most cruise lines, Windstar sails year-round in the Mediterranean and Tahiti, offering different destination experiences seasonally. Each Windstar voyage is designed to immerse guests in authentic cultural experiences, all while delivering the comfort, service, and style that define the Windstar difference.
Windstar Cruises is proud to be part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, a distinguished group of global hospitality and travel companies with a legacy spanning over a hundred years. Xanterra operates iconic national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Death Valley. The Xanterra Travel Collection® is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, the ultimate owner of the Broadmoor, Sea Island, and entertainment giant AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group.