Dressage-News

Aug. 28, 2024

A competition series of the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping with total prize money of at least $1 million for each of the years leading up to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles was announced by US Equestrian Wednesday.

Each discipline’s series is open to riders of all nationalities to compete in qualifying events that lead up to a final to be broadcast globally on ESPN that ultimately names a US Equestrian Open champion. The final for dressage will be at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California on a date to be announced.

The aim of the series, the federation said, is “to build toward the excitement of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and support the growing momentum around the sport among mainstream audiences” that not only provides more opportunities for United States riders but enhances competition by possibly attracting more foreign athletes to American shows.

The series evolved from a decision by US Equestrian board in July 2023 “to invest in equestrian sport to grow awareness, exposure, and engagement. Out of that commitment came the US Equestrian Open concept, which after a year of initial planning, saw FEI Board of Directors approval in June 2024 for the dressage and eventing series. Jumping did not require FEI approval.

The series launches officially with eventing in the fall of this year.

“The launch of the US Equestrian Open series has been a priority for us,” said David O’Connor, US Equestrian’s Chief of Sport. “There’s a purpose-driven need for equestrian sport to produce a more commercially significant and identifiable championship model within the United States, particularly focused around the Olympic disciplines

“We’ve seen new and creative branded series introduced across other mainstream sports, such as golf and tennis, which have experienced tremendous success, both from an athlete and spectator perspective. As an organization, we felt strongly we needed to move the needle forward in our sport by providing access to significant prize money and standing behind a unique model for each discipline, which encourages participation at the highest levels.”

US Equestrian said it worked with competition organizers to offer new commercial opportunities through a championship model set to enhance an already growing schedule of top-level equestrian events across the country. A dedicated microsite, live leaderboard tracking, publicly accessible and enhanced horse and rider information, as well as significant mainstream airtime on major sports broadcasting platform, ESPN, alongside live coverage via USEFNetwork powered by ClipMyHorseTV, will seek to generate increased media value and public recognition of athletes, horses, horse owners, and organizers.

DRESSAGE

The US Equestrian Open of Dressage will be formatted based on points accumulated through qualification via the Grand Prix Freestyle test at the CDI level throughout 2025. Athletes must complete a minimum of two Grand Prix Freestyles at qualifying CDIs within the U.S. during 2025 to be eligible for the series final.The top athletes in the overall standings will move forward to contest the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final. The Final will be hosted at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, with $200,000 in prize money set to be distributed to participating combinations and a $50,000 high point series incentive across the qualifiers. Athletes must complete a minimum of two Grand Prix Freestyles at designated US Open series qualifying CDIs within the U.S. during 2025 to be eligible for the series final.

“We are excited to be a part of this new US Equestrian initiative, which supports and enhances the top of all three disciplines,” said Steve Hankin, President and CEO, Desert Circuit International Horse Park. “We are proud to have been selected as one of the premier venues to host such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming athletes to our horse park. It has been an important priority for us to help rebuild the sport of dressage on the West Coast, and we see this is another positive step forward.”

EVENTING

The eventing series will include multiple qualifying events throughout the year, with the final taking place at Morven Park, Virginia in the CCI4*-L in 2025. Final prize money will total $200,000. Competitors will qualify through results at the CCI4*-S level at events around the country, eliminating geographical restrictions for participation, and providing a more structured championship model at the CCI4* level for international eventing athletes in the United States. A $50,000 series award will be distributed based on rankings across the qualifiers leading up to the final.

“Morven Park is thrilled to welcome the US Equestrian Open to our grounds,” said Stacey Metcalfe, Executive Director/CEO of Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc./Morven Park. “For over 50 years, our cross-country courses have maintained a legacy of eventing excellence at all levels of the sport, and as one of five venues in the United States to host a 4*-L we welcome the opportunity to continue this legacy into the future as part of the US Equestrian Open.”

JUMPING

The jumping final will have total prize money of $1 million, made up of $750,000 for the Rolex CSI5* and $250,000 in additional prize money from Wellington International organizers and US Equestrian, to take place the final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2025. The FEI Invitation system will be used leading into two qualifying events.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative that aligns with our commitment to elevating equestrian sport across the world. The US Equestrian Open Jumping Final, hosted during the Rolex Finale Week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, not only celebrates the incredible Olympic-level talent within our sport but also showcases it on a global stage. This series is a testament to the growing momentum and mainstream appeal of equestrian disciplines, and we are proud to play a pivotal role in its success,” said Michael Stone, President of Wellington International.