About the US Equestrian Open
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. 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 be an important contributor to high-level competition opportunities in the U.S.
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 in eventing set to kick off in at Morven Park in fall of 2024. Jumping’s inaugural Final, which will take place during Week 12 at the Winter Equestrian Festival, will be hosted in March 2025. The 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.
For sponsorship and media inquiries, please contact:
- Carly Weilminster: cweilminster@usef.org
- Layson Griffin: lgriffin@usef.org
