There is something majestic and graceful, as well as intense, competitive, and primal about equestrian horse shows and competitions. The equestrian sports of horse riding have been popular worldwide since ancient times. They are also one of the most popular sports at the Summer Olympic Games. There are many equestrian events and horse shows in the U.S. and around the world every year that showcase different horse breeds and riding disciplines.
Traditional equestrian competitive disciplines include:
- English style – traditional riding competition, such as dressage, eventing, show jumping, endurance, cross country, driving, pleasure classes, equitation, show hunter.
- Western style – techniques used in cattle working and rodeo.
- dressage – horse training.
- eventing – 3 disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
- show jumping – jumping over obstacles.
- endurance riding – long-distance racing.
- cross country – test of speed, endurance, and jumping.
- vaulting – gymnastics and dance on horseback.
- carriage driving
- pleasure classes – forms of riding.
- equitation – art of horsemanship.
- show hunter – horse judged on performance, soundness, and style.
Western riding includes: showmanship, riding, reining, cutting, halter, and more. Rodeo events include: bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, roping, steer wrestling, carriage driving, and more.
Popular equestrian horse breeds include: Quarter Horse, Morgan, Hanoverian, Arabian, Thoroughbred, Dutch Warmblood, Selle Francais, Holsteiner, Standardbred, among others.
The International Federation of Equestrian Sports-FEI
The International Federation of Equestrian Sports-FEI oversees international competitions and championships and is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee. Over 137 countries participate in FEI games which include the disciplines of driving, dressage, eventing, show jumping, vaulting, and endurance riding.
The FEI World Games take place every four years, the last one was held in Herning, Denmark in 2022. Upcoming FEI Games will be held in Aachen, Germany in 2026, with endurance riding in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. The FEI also holds World Cup regional and international competitions for each of the competitive disciplines of driving, dressage, eventing, show jumping, vaulting, and endurance riding.
Summer Olympic Equestrian Events
A total of 32 countries competed in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games equestrian events. Discipline results were as follows:
Dressage, Individual – 1. Germany, 2. Germany, 3. UK
Dressage, Team – 1. Germany, 2. Denmark, 3. UK
Eventing, Individual – 1. Germany, 2. Australia, 3. UK
Eventing, Team – 1. UK, 2. France, 3. Japan
Jumping, Individual – 1. UK, 2. USA, 3. France
Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event
The five-star rated Land Rover Three Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky, held in April one week before the Kentucky Derby, attracts the top horses and riders in the world. Riders are tested in cross country, show jumping, dressage, and other categories. The show was organized in 1978 and offers $400,000 in prize money. Sponsors include Jaguar Land Rover and the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
The 2025 winner was Michael Jung of Germany.
2026 event April 23- 26.
MARS Badminton Horse Trials, UK 
Five star rated Badminton Horse Trials is an elite FEI competition that was formed in 1949 and is held in South Gloustershire, UK. Competition includes dressage, cross country riding, and show jumping, as well as the Rolex Grand Slam. Over 200,000 people attend. It is a 5-day event held in May.
The 2025 winner was Rosalind Cantor of the UK.
2026 event May 6 to 10.
Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania
The Devon Horse Show is a hospital charity fundraiser and takes place in Devon, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1896, it is the oldest and biggest multi-breed horse show in the U.S. Events include dressage, show jumping, cross country, carriage driving, equitation, pleasure classes, and more.
The 2025 winner was Aaron Vale.
The next event is July 11-12, 2026.
Etoles de Pau
The Etoles de Pau horse show is held in Paris over three days. The event is considered a five star level show with competitions in eventing, cross country, and jumping. Winners in 2025 were Bobby Upton of the UK in dressage, Sarah Bullimore of the UK in cross country, and Tim Price of New Zealand in Jumping.
The next event will be October 22 to 25, 2026.
Calgary Stampede, Canada
Billed as the “greatest outdoor show on Earth” which attracts 1.3 million visitors in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was formed in 1880. There is a parade, rodeo, chuckwagon racing, barrel racing, bareback riding, roping, steer wrestling, bronco riding, music, food, and more. It takes place over 10 days.
2026 event July 3 to 12.
The Royal Horse Show, Toronto
The Royal Horse Show is part of the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto, Canada. There are 1,000 entrants competing for more than $1 million in prize monies with over 300,000 visitors attending. Events include jumping, dressage, cross county, hunters, carriage driving, eventing, a rodeo, and the Longines World Cup.
In 2025, Conar Swail of Ireland won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup. Brittany-Fraser-Bealieu of Quebec won in dressage. Kyle Timm of Alberta won in jumping.
The next event is November 5 to 15, 2026.
CHIO Aachen, Germany
CHIO Aachen (The FEI World Equestrian Festival) in Aachen, Germany is called the “Wimbleton of equestrian sport”. Formed in 1924, it now has over 350,000 visitors. Events include jumping, dressage, driving, vaulting, and more.
2025 winners
Rolex Grand Prix, Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei
Dressage, Justin Verboomen, Belgium
Jumping, Ben Maher, Australia
Driving, Boyd Exell, Australia
Eventing, Tim Price, New Zealand
2026 CHIO Aachen event – May 22 to 27, 2026.
AQHA World Championship, Oklahoma City
The American Quarter Horse Association World Championship in November with 5,000 quarter horses compete for three weeks in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The largest single breed world championship in both English and Western styles.
2026 event October 29 to November 21, 2026.
Burghley Horse Trials, UK
The three-day Burghley Horse Trials takes place in Stamford. Lincolnshire, England. The event was formed in 1961 and has become a five star ranked equestrian event with 173,000 visitors. Competition includes dressage, cross country, jumping, and the Rolex Grand Slam.
The 2025 winner was Ros Canter who also won in 2024.
The next event is September 3 to 6, 2026.
Royal Windsor Horse Show, UK
England’s largest outdoor premiere show at Home Park, Windsor Castle, UK which began in 1943. It is a 5-day event that draws 50,000 visitors. Events include dressage, jumping, showing, driving, endurance, and others.
2025 winners
Rolex Grand Prix – Gregary Wathelet
Manama Rose Stakes – Victor Beltendorf
Driving – Boyd Exell
Jumping – Olivia Sponer
Show Pony – Isabella Walker
Next event May 14 to 17, 2026.
Paris Horse Show, France
The Salon du Chevel de Paris has 2,000 horses competing over 10 days. The event includes the Longines Competition and Master Grand Slam. Over 150,000 visitors attend. Events include: jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, harness, Western, vaulting, and more.
2025 Longines Grand Prix winner – Giles Thomas.
Next event December 4- 6, 2026.
Royal International Horse Show, UK
An annual horse show held in Hickstead, West Sussex, UK. The show was formed in 1907. Events include: dressage, show jumping, eventing, driving, and more.
Next event July 22 to 26, 2026.
Adelaide Equestrian Festival
The three-day Adelaide Horse Festival takes place in Adelaide, Australia. The event was formed in 1997 and is ranked as a five star event. Competitions include dressage, cross country, and jumping.
2025 winners include Hazel Shannan, Shane Rose. And Oliver Barrett.
The next event is April 16-19, 2026.
Winter Equestrian Festival, Florida
The largest and longest equestrian event in the world. A multiple equestrian festival with 8,000 horses over 13 weeks from January to March held in Wellington, Florida. It attracts the best horses and riders in the world.
Luhmuhlen Horse Trials, Germany
Five star rated Luhmuhlen Horse Trials take place in Salzhausen, Germany. The 2025 winner was Rosalind Cantor of the UK.
The next event is June 18 to 21, 20126.
References
Equestrian Stylist
Horsey Hooves
The Plaid Horse
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Olympic Committee
