There are many equestrian events and shows in the U.S. and around the world every year. They showcase different horse breeds and riding disciplines.
Traditional equestrian competitive events 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.
Land Rover, Kentucky
The 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, jump, dressage, and other categories. The show was organized in 1978 and offers $400,000 in prize money.
Badminton Horse Trails, UK 
Badminton Horse Trails is an elite competition that was formed in 1949 and held in South Gloustershire, UK. Over 200,000 people attend. It is a 5-day event held in May.
Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania
The Devon Horse Show is a charity fundraiser and takes place in May and June 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.
Calgary Stampede, Canada
Billed as the “greatest outdoor show on Earth” which attracts 1.3 million visitors in Calgary, Canada. It was formed in 1880. There is a parade, rodeo, chuckwagon racing, barrel racing, bareback riding, roping, steer wrestling, bronco riding, and more. It takes place over 10 days in July.
Royal Horse Show, Toronto
Part of the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto, Canada over 10 days in November. Over 300,000 visitors attend. Events include jumping, dressage, cross county, hunters, carriage driving, eventing, and more.
World Equestrian Festival, Germany
The World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany is called the “Wimbleton of equestrian sport”. Formed in 1924, is now has over 350,000 visitors and held in September. Events include jumping, dressage, driving, vaulting, and more.
AQHA World Championship, Oklahoma City
In November 5,000 quarter horses compete for three weeks in Oklahoma City. The largest single breed world championship in both English and Western style.
Royal Windsor Horse Show, UK
England’s largest outdoor premiere show at Windsor Castle which began in 1943.
It is a 5-dsy event held in May and June. Events include dressage, jumping, showing, driving, endurance, and others.
Paris Horse Show, France
The Salon du chevel de Paris has 2,000 horses compete 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.
Royal International Horse Show, UK
Held in West Sussex, UK for 6 days in December. The show was formed in 1906. Events include: dressage, jumping, eventing, driving, and more. It is sponsored by Longines.
Winter Equestrian Festival, Florida
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.
References
Equestrian Stylist
Horsey Hooves
The Plaid Horse
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
