In an unusual first, Windstar Cruises has added a horse, fittingly named Windstar, to its family, entering the world of show-jumping in the process.

The move, in partnership with renowned Grand Prix rider Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen and Serenity Farm Show Stables, makes Windstar Cruises the first-ever cruise line to team up with an international show-jumping athlete and a horse.

As part of the arrangement, Windstar Cruises will support Windstar’s training journey with a long-term strategy developed by top industry professionals that is hoped to lead the horse to the 2028 Olympic Games in LA.

The collaboration aligns with Windstar Cruises’ commitment to offering “experiences that are 180 degrees from ordinary,” according to President Christopher Pelog.

Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.

“We are thrilled to welcome this extraordinary horse to our Windstar family,” he said. “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.”

Vanderveen, currently ranked among the top 300 riders worldwide, described the tie-up as an “incredible” opportunity.

“Windstar Cruises is such a unique company with a fantastic focus on luxury and fun,” she said. “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.”

Windstar, who was christened on December 25, will compete in several high-profile 2025 equestrian events, including the Winter Equestrian Festival and The Hampton Classic.