Edited Press Release
A New Era for Equestrian Sport in the U.S.
The US Equestrian Open marks a bold step forward in elevating equestrian sports across the United States. Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023 to grow the sport’s awareness, exposure, and engagement, this series is designed to create a commercially significant and identifiable championship model for the three Olympic disciplines: eventing, dressage, and jumping.
After a year of planning, the series received FEI Board approval in June 2024 for dressage and eventing, with the first qualifying event set to kick off for Eventing at Morven Park in fall of 2024. The Dressage qualifiers are set to begin in early 2025, and the inaugural Jumping qualifiers and Final will take place during Week 12 at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The US Equestrian Open series will bring together world-class athletes and top-performing horses in a unique and exciting format that boosts participation, drives fan engagement, and ensures high-level competition across the country.
This month, two qualifers were held, leaving us one step closer to the Eventing Series Final. Emily Mastervich Beshear claimed victory at Morven Park Fall Horse Trials while Sara Kozumplik cinched the first place finish at Bouckaert International.
Why the US Equestrian Open?
The US Equestrian Open was launched to meet the need for a more structured and prestigious championship series within the U.S., similar to innovations in other sports like tennis and golf. The series introduces a new championship model with significant prize money, aiming to engage a broader audience while providing elite-level competition for athletes.
What to Expect: Exciting Competition and Global Reach
The US Equestrian Open will feature multiple opportunities for athletes and horses across eventing, dressage, and jumping to compete for substantial prize money, enhanced media visibility, and global recognition. With $1.5 million in prize money across all disciplines, the series is a true celebration of the best the sport has to offer.
Fans can look forward to extensive live coverage on major platforms like ESPN and the USEF Network, along with dedicated leaderboards, microsites, and enhanced horse and rider profiles. These features are designed to make equestrian sports more accessible to new fans while providing comprehensive coverage for seasoned enthusiasts.
Jumping: A Global Stage for Elite Talent
In 2025, the US Equestrian Open jumping series will culminate with a $750,000 Rolex Grand Prix event at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. This prestigious event, part of the Rolex Series, will provide an additional $250,000 in prize money through qualifying rounds.
“We are proud to showcase Olympic-level talent in this groundbreaking initiative,” said Michael Stone, President of Wellington International.
Eventing: A Legacy of Excellence
The US Equestrian Open eventing series will feature multiple qualifying events in 2024, culminating in the US Equestrian Open eventing final at Morven Park in 2025. With $200,000 in prize money and an additional $50,000 series award, the competition is designed to bring the best eventing athletes together from across the country.
“Morven Park is thrilled to welcome the US Equestrian Open to our grounds,” said Stacey Metcalfe, CEO of Morven Park.
Dressage: A Showcase of Precision and Elegance
The US Equestrian Open dressage series will take place in 2025, with qualifying events across the country leading to the final at the Desert International Horse Park in California. The dressage series will reward athletes with $200,000 in prize money and a $50,000 series incentive for high-point scorers.
“We are excited to support this initiative that elevates dressage on the West Coast,” said Steve Hankin, CEO of Desert International Horse Park.
Fan Engagement, Growth, and Athlete Pathways
The success of the US Equestrian Open will be measured through several key performance indicators (KPIs), focusing on growth in fans and followers, increased viewership across ESPN and the USEF Network, and meeting sponsorship and revenue targets. Additionally, the series will track the progress of athletes competing in eventing and dressage, ensuring these disciplines contribute to high-level competition opportunities in the U.S. while building pathways for future success.
Click here to learn more.
