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. They 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.
2024 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 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 2024 winner was Oliver Townsend of the UK.
2025 event April 24- 27.
Badminton Horse Trails, UK 
Badminton Horse Trails is an elite FEI competition that was formed in 1949 and held in South Gloustershire, UK. Competition includes dressage, cross country riding, and show jumping. Over 200,000 people attend. It is a 5-day event held in May.
The 2024 winner was Caroline Powell of New Zealand.
2025 event May 7 to 11.
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 2024 winner was Jordon Coyle.
The next event is May 21 to June 1, 2025.
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, and more. It takes place over 10 days.
2025 event July 4 to 13.
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 and over 300,000 visitors attending. Events include jumping, dressage, cross county, hunters, carriage driving, eventing, a rodeo, and the Longines World Cup.
In 2024 Alex Matz from the U.S. won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup.
The next event is November 7 to 16, 2025.
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 CHIO Aachen event – June 27 to July 6.
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.
2025 event October 30 to November 19, 2025.
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.
The 2024 winner was Melanie Peter from Wales.
Next event May 15 to 1, 2025.
Paris Horse Show, France
The Salon du Chevel de Paris has 2,000 horses competin 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.
Dates, November – December, 2025.
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.
The 2024 winner was William Funnell.
Next event July 22 to 27, 2025.
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.
References
Equestrian Stylist
Horsey Hooves
The Plaid Horse
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Olympic Committee
