Photo courtesy of Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is less than two months away, and final entry is complete! View the full class at TheRRP.org/entries, and read on to take a deep dive into the trends and statistics weve learned from getting to know this class of recently-retired racehorses.The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is uniquely positioned as the only organization in aftercare that works across all facets of the industry, including both accredited and unaccredited adoption organizations, listing agents, and for-profit trainers and resellers. The data we capture annually through the Thoroughbred Makeover offers a closer look at how horses are moving into second careers and may provide the most comprehensive picture of the state of Thoroughbred aftercare available. While data only comes from the 447 horses who were registered for this years competition, it still provides valuable insight into the Thoroughbred aftercare industry.Out of the 447 horses registered, 353 made final entry. We consider every horse registered a Makeover graduate, so lets take a closer look at that class of 447 registrants!Sales & AcquisitionThe Thoroughbred Makeover gives us a great annual cross-section of the industry and magnifies how retiring racehorses are finding their routes into their next careers. One of our key metrics of success is the value of horses retiring from racing: as this figure increased, we hope more connections will realize that their horses have value in retiring sound and that a second career is as worthy of celebration as the first.The value of horses retiring from racing has been generally on the rise since we started tracking this data in 2015: this year, prices are holding steady at $3,067 spent on average by trainers to acquire their Makeover hopefuls. This includes direct purchase as well as adoption. Of note, 109 horses, representing 24% of the registered class, were acquired in what we consider a non-cash transaction, representing a nominal fee or non-cash fee to memorialize the transfer of ownership.On average, the elapsed time from last start or timed work to acquisition for the Thoroughbred Makeover is 115 days. This period of time varies depending on the route horses took from the track to their Makeover homes:Aftercare facility: 150 days (about the same as 152 days in 2023)Direct from racing connections: 95 days (up slightly from 84 days in 2023)Resellers defined as any owner between racing connections and Makeover trainer 129 days (down considerably from 175 days in 2023)These statistics do not include horses in the Former Broodmare division, whose time elapsed from last start or timed work may have been years.How Horses Are AcquiredSimilar to previous years, about 50% of our Makeover horses are acquired directly from their racing connections, either through a listing agent, organization or service, or through personal contacts and networks. Resellers, which we define as any owner between the track and the Makeover trainer, represent another quarter of the population. Non-profit aftercare facilities provided another 83 horses or 19% of the total registered class, and 31 horses are still owned by their racing connections.Last TrackTaking a look at the last track where horses raced or worked provides some insight into where horses are ending their careers, where connections are making the decision to retire a horse, and where established track and retirement programs may be assisting connections in the transition. Here are the top ten last tracks with total number of retiring Makeover-registered horses:Penn National: 23Laurel Park: 22Charles Town and Parx Racing: 21Finger Lakes: 19Gulfstream Park, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, and Turfway Park: 17Delaware Park: 15Racing (& Breeding) CareersThe average racing career for a Makeover registrant remains similar to recent years, with the average earnings trending somewhat higher. This statistic may indicate that horses are retiring from higher levels of racing, before they drop down the levels and run longer careers, increasing their chances of incurring injury that may limit their second career prospects. Note that 31 horses, or 7% of the registered class, only ever made a timed work and did not race.The majority of Makeover registrants made less than 20 starts, with over a third of the total class making less than 10 starts. This data suggests that connections are choosing to retire horses when its evident that the horse has little talent or desire to keep running, rather than dropping levels to continue a career.WarhorsesWhile our number of warhorses (defined as those who make 50 or more starts) may be declining somewhat in recent years we have 24 registered this year, down from 28 in 2023 and 36 in 2022 we nonetheless enjoy celebrating the long careers of these campaigners! Here are our top ten warhorses with the most starts:Kings House: 119Algorix: 95Areyoutalkingtome: 94Long Station: 92C Cs Warrior: 89Flowers For Lisa: 88Over Ez: 75Calculated Thinkin, Check Six and Legal Gump: 70Stakes HorsesOur annual contingent of former stakes horses reminds us that every racehorse needs an aftercare plan, and that the athleticism of the top caliber of Thoroughbreds easily transfers to new sports. Here are the stakes horses whose names you might already recognize come see them in person in their new roles at the 2024 Makeover!BroodmaresThe Former Broodmare Division first ran as a pilot program in 2023, and is now a regular offering at the Thoroughbred Makeover to give recently-retired broodmares exiting the breeding industry the same opportunity to spotlight their trainability and athleticism as the retiring racehorses. This years broodmare class consists of 20 broodmares whose most recent reported cover or live foal was no earlier than the 2022 breeding season; the average age is 10 with the youngest mare age 5 and the oldest 17. The 2024 broodmare class collectively produced 53 reported live foals, with an average of three foals produced per mare.Breeding & SalesWhile the Thoroughbreds at the Makeover were first bred to race, the decisions made by breeders today are in some way shaping the future of the breed in sport tomorrow. Heres a closer look at how breeding industry trends become OTTB trends.States BredKentucky continues to lead the way with the most horses, having bred 41% of the Makeover class of 2024, but other influential states such as New York, Maryland and Florida are well-represented too.Sires RepresentedWhile these stallions are of course influential on the development of the Thoroughbred as a racehorse, theyre also influential on the equestrian industry and how the OTTB is perceived as a sport horse: Makeover participants select their hopefuls based on their trainability and athleticism. These stallions represented by multiple Makeover entrants pass those qualities on to their offspring and create a fan base for that sire in the equestrian industry.Paynter and Honor Code: 6Curlin and Candy Ride (ARG): 5Cairo Prince, Frosted, Madefromlucky, Mineshaft, Munnings, Overanalyze, Uncle Mo, Race Day, Shackleford, Speightstown, Tapit, Warriors Reward: 4The leading industry sires are well-represented as well: here are the top sires as of early August and their Makeover-registered offspring.Into Mischief: Whiskey MischiefMineshaft: Delawana Princess, Enzos World, Fox Red, Real GraceGun Runner: Carmies ArmyQuality Road: EgoliJustify: Just So, IllustratedGoldencents: Brook Is Golden, Digital Soldier, Golden DollarConstitution: Ranting, War RoomUncle Mo: Bye Bye Melvin, Tio Gato, Trending, Ultimate ValueCurlin: Ajaaweed, Cordmaker, Higginson, Intimidation, PlamenPractical Joke: Joker BoySiblingsThere are no full siblings competing this year, but we do have four pairs of half siblings registered. These broodmares should be very proud!Bettys Chance: Winstons Chance (2013) and Honest Chance (2019)Discreet Lady: Alphalfa (2016) and Social Sidekick (2020)DJ Trip: What A Beaut (2016) and Brytons DJ (2018)Free Strike: Justa Scoch (2014) and Grace N Favor (2017)Sales HistoryOut of the class of 2024, 43% of the total horses registered went through a bloodstock sale at least once thats 191 individual horses, for a total of 278 sale entries. Keeneland commanded 95 of those sale entries, representing over $7 million in total sales with an average price of $74,330; Fasig Tipton was close behind with 83 sale entries, $5.9 million in total sales and an average price of $71,297.DemographicsThere is no such thing as a typical Makeover horse, as indicated by the statistics above: horses from every aspect of the racing industry will be represented. Well see graded stakes winners and those who never made a start; horses who commanded seven-figure bids at the bloodstock sales to those who raced for their breeders at a regional track. There will be warhorses and horses who retired after just one start, and everything in between.That said, lets look at the average demographics of the Makeover class of 2024!Take a look at the full entry list here.The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America happens October 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park!

Ocala, FL Entries and stall reservations are open for the 2024 November and December Show Series at World Equestrian Center Ocala. The Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper competition, sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF) will host two weeks of shows from November 6-17 and two-weeks of shows from December 3-15. The first week of December will be highlighted by an Fdration Equestre International (FEI) CSI3*[...]Read MoreThe post 2024 November and December Show Series: Entry and Stall Information World Equestrian Center Ocala appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

The horses live in Chester, Juniata, Lancaster, and Union counties. The post 12 Pennsylvania Horses Test Positive for WNV appeared first on The Horse.

Did you know that only 20% of horses who become unwell with equine grass sickness will survive? The rest will have to be humanely destroyed. Even those who live may need months of intensive nursing that can prove taxing and stressful for owners, such is its enormous impact on horse health.According to Dr Beth Wells, a post-doctoral scientist leading the Equine Grass Sickness Fellowship Project, numbers of horses suffering with equine grass sickness peak in late spring, usually April, May and June, with a smaller peak in autumn. However, vets and researchers get cases reported all year round.What is equine grass sickness?Equine Grass Sickness was first recognised in eastern Scotland in 1907. It is highly complex and involves damage to the horses autonomic nervous system, which functions unconsciously and regulates internal body functions such as gut peristalsis.The latter moves the food along the gut during the digestive process. It is this gut function that is damaged in equine grass sickness, with a whole or partial gut paralysis resulting.Previous research using pathology has identified that the damage caused during equine grass sickness is due to a neurotoxin, but there are more unknowns than knowns when it comes to this devastating disease.Signs of equine grass sicknessHorses suffering with equine grass sickness will often be dull and listless; one who is no longer first to the gate and who lacks interest in their food. They may chew that food, but not swallow it. The horse may also poo less than usual, or not at all.Putting an ear to the horses gut may reveal reduced or no gut sounds. This is a red flag, but it can also be caused by impaction, and so may be a sign of colic, which can confuse or delay diagnosis.Owners may notice muscle twitching and patchy sweating in some cases and the heart rate is generally very high. Ptosis of the eyelid, in which the eyelid droops, is another classic sign, but again this doesnt occur in all cases.Diagnosing equine grass sicknessA definitive diagnosis can be made only by microscopic examination of nerve ganglia during a post-mortem, or by surgical removal (biopsy) of a piece of the ileum.This is the final portion of the small intestine and the part of the gut that will display damage to or destruction of the neurons (the structural units of the nervous system) or ganglia (collections of nerve cell bodies).These nerves are involved in peristalsis, and so once they are damaged or destroyed the gut becomes sluggish, impacted or stationary so that digestion is impaired and the stomach contents, with nowhere to go, may reflux down the nose certainly not a normal process in a horse and a warning that something is badly wrong.However, not all horses will present with all these symptoms and there are different types of the disease:Chroniccasesmay be mild to moderate and with the correct care around half of horses eventually recover.Sub-acute caseswill be moderately severe, but as with acute cases the horse will need to be euthanised on humane grounds.Acute caseshave severe and sudden onset of equine grass sickness and the horse will not survive, so in these cases euthanasia is the kindest option.Environmental triggersScientists know that equine grass sickness is caused by a neurotoxin that is either ingested or kick-started by environmental factors in a horse who is already susceptible. The environmental factors of interest include the weather, soil and pasture.The weatherEvidence is being accumulated through case reports that high-pressure weather systems that sit over a certain area for a specific length of time and which bring dry, hot, sunny days and near freezing/coolfrosty nights(ie, large temperature ranges) could be a high risk factor.These weather patterns tend to be more prevalent in peak equine grass sickness season.Currently a researcher is working on a climate model using case location information and data from local weather sources and the Met Office.When completed, there will be a predictive model that should allow owners to be able to make management decisions based on fact rather than anecdotal evidence.GrazingTo date, it is less common to hear of cases reported on a hill with unimproved grazing, with the majority of reports coming from permanent grazing and improved pasture that is, fields that have been seeded and fertilised.CloverClover has been researched previously but is still an area of interest because it offers a high-protein diet, and because it produces its own nitrogen, it enriches pasture.SoilThere is evidence that soil disturbance is often a feature of pastures where cases of equine grass sickness have occurred. This can be due to activities such as harrowing, mechanical dung lifting and building shelters, etc.Which horses are most susceptible?In a field full of horses only one may succumb to equine grass sickness, so there are horse factors involved in the disease and the following two factors are of particular interest to researchers:1 The microbiomeEquine grass sickness is a dysbiosis, or imbalance, in the gut microbiome and so scientists are interested in investigating this. Changes that can affect the microbiome include sudden alterations to management, such as a change of feed, moving yards and/or fields, general stress, or a sudden flush of grass.2 ImmunityThe statistics point to equine grass sickness being more common in younger horses. The greatest number of cases occurs in two- to seven-year-olds, with a peak at three to four years old.This suggests that the immune system is involved in disease risk, as young horses wont have as mature an immune response as older animals.An older horse will build up immunity if they remain in the same place for a period of time, but if they are moved to a new yard they may need to rebuild his.All of this indicates that when two trigger factors are combined such as a young horse being moved to a new area then this animal should be considered high risk.The official statistics say that 2% of the horse population is affected by equine grass sickness in hot spot areas.TheEquine Grass Sickness Fund receives around 100-120 reports of cases in a year, but knows that there are many more, hence needing the horse-owning population to help byfilling in the survey.Treating equine grass sicknessThere is no magic drug or miracle cure for equine grass sickness. Any chronic cases that survive and around half do do so following either care at vet hospitals (which is going to rack up large bills) or intensive nursing at home under the guidance of a vet.Generally, these horses will have had a milder attack of equine grass sickness, wont have stopped eating and pooing completely, and the vet and the owner will have discussed whether the long period of intensive and often difficult nursing, which may last weeks or even months, is achievable.If the horse is being cared for at home, there are a number of steps that can be taken to aid their recovery:Spend time with them. The horse may be depressed and crave the contact of a human they know well. They wont want to be left alone for long periods and if they are they have no encouragement to eat.Stable the horse next to a friendly companion, which may encourage appetite, and also try using stable toys.Groom the horseand gentlymassagethem.If the horse is sweating excessively, sponge them off with warm water and consider covering them with a breathable rug.Feeding is key, but the horses appetite may fluctuate even well into their recovery. A high-protein diet fed in small, frequent meals through the day and night is the ideal, but in reality they may go offsoaked bucket feeds. In some cases, human food, such as breakfast cereal and eggs, have been used to stimulate appetite. Apple juice may be offered as a drink.The horse may eat solid feed better if it is fed by hand or from a raised bucket.Give the horse access to freshly picked grass, or graze them in hand. Try succulents, too, such as apples and carrots cut into small pieces or even liquidised.Offer the horse hay, but dont be surprised if, during the first weeks of recovery, they dont eat large quantities or even any at all.Prognosis for horses with equine grass sicknessThe road to recovery for a horse who has had equine grass sickness is often far from smooth. It will need resilience from the owner as well as the horse to get through those first difficult weeks/months, especially when it can be difficult to see any signs of improvement.Some horses recover well enough to go back to a fully functional life and can even return to competitive careers. However, every case is different and some may be susceptible to issues like impacted colic due to gut function.How to avoid equine grass sicknessEven experts struggle to say whether it can be avoided, but there are certainly strategies that can be followed to reduce risk, such as:Avoid sudden changes in routine or feedingWhere previous cases of equine grass sickness have occurred, minimise exposure to that pastureTry to minimise close grazing and poaching of fieldsAvoid over-use of ivermectin-based horse wormersIf the horse has just moved yards/areas, part stable them for a while and make sure they have hay every dayDont worm during/following a high-pressure weather system.Outbreaks of equine grass sicknessThere was anoutbreak of equine grass sickness at Queen Elizabeth IIs Balmoral Studin 2020, when five ponies died, which raised the profile of this killer disease but money to fund most research comes from fundraisers.Funding for theEquine Grass Sickness Biobankhas been provided by the British Horse Society.The Biobank was set up in 2021 to collect equine tissue samples and contains internal samples from 65 horses, but more are needed for the research to continue.It isnt always possible to persuade owners to consent to an invasive procedure on their horses after death and the project team is now working to raise awareness and promote sample collection as a priority.A collaboration between soil specialists at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, animal health experts at Moredun Research Institute and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund in Midlothian means efforts to discover the cause of equine grass sickness (EGS) haveturned to soil science.Useful contactsEquine Grass Sickness FundEquine Grass Sickness BiobankRelated contentHow three horses survived equine grass sicknessColic in horses: all you need to know about impactions and gassy colicAn introduction to a horses digestive systemGood for bonding and general health: benefits of grooming a horseThe post Equine grass sickness: all the latest on this killer disease appeared first on Your Horse.

By Elisa Zimmermann, Katharina B. Ros, Christiane Pfarrer, Ottmar Distl Photography/Graphics: The authors Malformations of the cervicothoracic junction have been described in modern horses as well as in skeletons from museums. In the present study, we examined five historical skeletons for signs of malformations of the cervicothoracic junction and were able to detect malformations of []The post German Warmbloods historic cervicothoracic malformations appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.

August 28, 2024 Wilmington, OHIO World Equestrian Center Wilmington (WEC) is pleased to recognize Dechra Veterinary Products as a returning sponsor for the upcoming show season. WEC is proud to partner with a company that continues to push forward initiatives that add value to equine veterinary medicine. Dechra has partnered with WEC to promote the importance of its products, Osphos (clodronate injection)[...]Read MoreThe post Dechra Renews Commitment to World Equestrian Center Wilmington appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

Working with a barn sour horse can be a frustrating and unnerving experience. You're ready to embark on a ride away from your arena or property, and your horse balks, spins, or refuses to leave the barn. Just like that, a simple, pleasurable outing turns into a test of patience and resolve.Having a barn sour horse can be maddening. It can also be scary and dangerous. Understanding why horses become barn sour and learning effective strategies to overcome this behavior is essential for any horse owner facing this common yet challenging issue.Whats a Barn Sour Horse, Anyway?In a 2020 article on Equimed.com, equine expert and author Heather Scott Thomas defines a barn sour horse as one that doesn't want to leave home, presenting resistance or complete refusal if you try to ride him away from his comfort area, she explains. As a herd animal, the horse prefers to be with his buddies. He may be reluctant to leave them unless he is well-bonded with the human who is leading or riding him.Barn sour horses may attempt to return to the barn because they feel insecure and prefer the familiar, safe environment. Some horses will quicken their pace or even attempt to gallop home when the ride turns back toward the barn, focusing more on returning than on the rider's commands. In extreme cases, a horse might become dangerous, rearing, spinning, or bucking when asked to leave the barn.What Makes Horses Barn Sour?The causes of barn sour behavior in horses are complex and varied, but usually fall into one of the following categories:Insecurity and anxiety. Horses are herd animals and form strong bonds with their companions. They can feel anxious, stressed, and fearful when separated, even for a short time, and feel safer in familiar environments.Trust issues or lack of training. Insufficient training or inconsistent handling can lead to barn sour behavior. If a horse is not properly trained to respond to the rider's cues, it may not feel entirely safe with its rider and may instead look to another horse for safety.Trust takes time to develop and requires mutual respect.Comfort and Routine: Horses, like many animals, thrive on routine. They may become barn sour if they are used to a particular schedule and become anxious or resistant when that routine is disrupted.Lack of motivation. Horses may prefer to put in as little effort as possible and are eager to return to the barn because it often means the end of work and the start of feeding or rest. This impatience can cause them to rush back to the barn, ignoring the rider's commands.Previous Negative Experiences: A horse whos experienced stressful rides away from the barn, like nerve-wracking trail rides or encounters with predators imagined or real might develop barn sour behavior to avoid those experiences.Step-By-Step Arena Training TechniquesIn her NF course, Chelsea Canedy, an upper-level eventing rider whose horsemanship and performance training business is based in Wales, ME, shares her strategies for extinguishingor at least diminishingbarn sour behavior.We have to understand that the behavior of wanting to be with other horses is natural and normal, Chelsea says. We cant completely erase that instinct, but we want to help our horse feel that safety and comfort with us and the work we are doing.Chelseas philosophy is that working at home first is essential. She explains lunging, groundwork, and under-saddle exercises that will help you better understand your horse and get them on the road to better behavior.Lunging. The first step, Chelsea explains, is to lunge your horse on a medium-sized circle in your arena and diagnose where the horse is most comfortable and feels safe. When youre lunging, theres a spot in the circle where they are subtly leaning towards you, and a spot where they are leaning away, she points out. When the lunge line is loose, they are comfortable; when it is taut, they are uneasy. Likely the area they are leaning towards is the gate out of the arena, or the pastures where their buddies are grazing.Lead line. The second step is to experiment on a lead line, and put the horse to work doing side passes, leg-yielding, or flexing in that safe space near the arena gate or the pasture with the other horses. The other side of the arena from the gate and pastures, where they dont want to be, is the place where they get to rest and relax (and maybe even get a treat).Under saddle. When you work on this while riding, Chelsea explains, you repeat the process of making the horse work harder in the area they are drawn to and letting them relax and rest when they head away from the safe space. She adds that its wise to reward every better choice, no matter how small. Gradually the horse will get better about moving towards what they previously avoided. Dont get discouraged if its not happening quickly, though. she urges. Stick with it.Success can be measured in subtle waysyour horse moves away from their safe space and doesnt turn to face back to the gate. They lick their lips and visibly relax. These are signs that you are making progress.Venturing Beyond the ArenaAfter youve tackled a few sessions of arena work and are seeing some success, it might be time to venture out.Elizabeth Zarkos, PhD is the founder and president of Hanaeleh, a non-profit horse rescue in Trabuco Canyon, CA, and she has worked with numerous horses exhibiting barn sour behavior. Hanaeleh is fortunate to have ONeill Regional Park close by, with 4,000 acres to roam on horseback. Elizabeth has had success with many of her rescues through slow, step-by-step training and desensitization. She emphasizes the importance of patience and realistic expectations.First, there are two rules: keep yourself safe and keep your horse safe, emphasizes Elizabeth. Its also important to be patient. Getting them comfortable with leaving their herd and familiar surroundings cant be rushed.Start by hand walking them short distances away, she says, gradually increasing the distance until they are more comfortable. This can take many sessions over many days or weeks, and of course you must be prepared that trail terrain will varythere are those balloons marking someones picnic spot! Or theres a downed tree that wasnt there yesterday! Every ride can be different with new challenges.Bringing another horse along, or ponying, can be effective tool; Elizabeth has often ridden her horse Tamahome on the ONeill trails, bringing along his horse buddy, a Mustang mare named Gypsy. He might not have been crazy about the idea of going out on the trails, but Gypsy could calm him down when he got silly about something that made him nervous, Elizabeth says.Obviously, riding with a group of other riders can be helpful; an anxious horse is likely to be more comfortable following the lead of others. Elizabeth also points out the importance of constant vigilance in the saddle. When the rider is a novice, or simply isnt paying attention, the horse will take advantage of the riders inattention and will turn around once he realizes that the rider isnt focusing on him, Elizabeth says.Communicating with your horse and distracting with variationside passes, leg yields, backingcan also help when their anxiety peaks. You need to pay attention to your horse and be constantly communicating with him. You need to have enough rein so that you can gently correct him before he is able to turn around and put leg pressure on the same side, she points out. If he does turn around, then turn him right back around so he is facing the way you want him to face and ask him to walk forward again. Let them know you are the leader, and that you will protect them.Elizabeth is frank about the capricious nature of horses, emphasizing, as does Chelsea, the need for patience and realistic expectations: Some horses are never good out on the trail alone, and are just safer with a buddy, and some are honestly better out on the trail alone, she points out. Horses sometimes need a buddy for a while, then are just fine going out alone. And unfortunately, some horses will never be comfortable going away from home.Wrapping Up: Tackling Barn Sour BehaviorOvercoming barn sour behavior in your horse requires a combination of patience, understanding, and consistent training.By identifying the root causes and implementing effective strategies, these frustrating experiences can become opportunities for stronger bondsand adventureswith your horse. Remember that persistence and positive reinforcement are key. With time and effort, you'll be able to enjoy your rides without the added stress and unpredictability of barn sour behavior. Check our our course with Chelsea Canedy on working with barn sour horses on NF+ today.About the AuthorHelen Townes is a writer and editor based in Portland, OR, and holds a masters degree in journalism. She rides her Hanoverian Joey at Silver Winds Farms, a hunter-jumper barn in Banks, OR, and enjoys spending time with her family, watching soccer, and reading.

Lexington, Ky. US Equestrian is pleased to announce the official launch of a branded competition series the US Equestrian Open which will feature the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of dressage, eventing, and jumping. Each disciplines series will consist of qualifying events that lead up to a final that ultimately names a US Equestrian Open champion. The US Equestrian Open aims to build towards the excitement of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and support the growing momentum around the sport amongst mainstream audiences. The prize money will total more than $1mm across the series finals with each discipline final hosted at three different premier venues across the country. US Equestrian will elevate the presence and visibility of equestrian sport within the United States and globally by broadcasting all three finals on ESPN.Photo courtesy US EquestrianIn July 2023, the US Equestrian Board made a commitment to invest in equestrian sport to grow awareness, exposure, and engagement. Out of that commitment came the US Equestrian Open concept, which after a year of initial planning, saw FEI Board of Directors approval in June 2024 for the dressage and eventing series (the Jumping event did not require FEI approval). The US Equestrian Open series will officially commence with the first qualifying event in the discipline of eventing during fall 2024.The launch of the US Equestrian Open series has been a priority for us. Theres a purpose-driven need for equestrian sport to produce a more commercially significant and identifiable championship model within the United States, particularly focused around the Olympic disciplines, said David OConnor, US Equestrians Chief of Sport. Weve seen new and creative branded series introduced across other mainstream sports, such as golf and tennis, which have experienced tremendous success, both from an athlete and spectator perspective. As an organization, we felt strongly we needed to move the needle forward in our sport by providing access to significant prize money and standing behind a unique model for each discipline, which encourages participation at the highest levels.Commercial Opportunities, Fan Engagement & Mainstream BroadcastsUS Equestrian has worked diligently with competition organizers to offer new commercial opportunities through a championship model set to enhance an already growing schedule of top-level equestrian events across the country. A dedicated microsite, live leaderboard tracking, publicly accessible and enhanced horse and rider information, as well as significant mainstream airtime on major sports broadcasting platform, ESPN, alongside live coverage via USEFNetwork powered by ClipMyHorseTV, will aim to generate increased media value and public recognition of athletes, horses, horse owners, and organizers.EventingThe US Equestrian Open of Eventing will include multiple qualifying events throughout the year, with the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final taking place at Morven Park in the CCI4*-L in 2025. US Equestrian will award $200,000 in total prize money at the final, and competitors will qualify through results at the CCI4*-S level. Qualifying competitions will include CCI4*-S events around the country, eliminating geographical restrictions for participation, and providing a more structured championship model at the CCI4* level for international eventing athletes in the United States. A $50,000 series award will be distributed based on rankings across the qualifiers leading up to the final.Morven Park is thrilled to welcome the US Equestrian Open to our grounds, said Stacey Metcalfe, Executive Director/CEO of Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc./Morven Park. For over 50 years, our cross-country courses have maintained a legacy of eventing excellence at all levels of the sport, and as one of five venues in the United States to host a 4*-L we welcome the opportunity to continue this legacy into the future as part of the US Equestrian Open.DressageThe US Equestrian Open of Dressage will be formatted based on points accumulated through qualification via the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle test at the CDI level, with the top athletes in the overall standings moving forward to contest the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final with qualifying events taking place throughout 2025. The Final will be hosted at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, with $200,000 in prize money set to be distributed to participating combinations and a $50,000 high point series incentive across the qualifiers. Athletes must complete a minimum of two Grand Prix Freestyles at designated US Open series qualifying CDIs within the U.S. during 2025 to be eligible for the series final.We are excited to be a part of this new US Equestrian initiative, which supports and enhances the top of all three disciplines, said Steve Hankin, President and CEO, Desert Circuit International Horse Park. We are proud to have been selected as one of the premier venues to host such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming athletes to our horse park. It has been an important priority for us to help rebuild the sport of dressage on the West Coast, and we see this is another positive step forward.JumpingEnhancing one of the most prestigious and longstanding CSI5* events in the U.S., US Equestrian and the organizers of Wellington International will commit $250,000 in additional prize money to establish the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final, which will take place during the final week of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The FEI Invitation system will be used leading into two qualifying events during the final week of CSI5* competition culminating with the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix, a Rolex Series event.We are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative that aligns with our commitment to elevating equestrian sport across the world. The US Equestrian Open Jumping Final, hosted during the Rolex Finale Week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, not only celebrates the incredible Olympic-level talent within our sport but also showcases it on a global stage. This series is a testament to the growing momentum and mainstream appeal of equestrian disciplines, and we are proud to play a pivotal role in its success, says Michael Stone, President of Wellington International.The full calendar of qualifying events will be available in the coming weeks. Edited Press Release |Source: US EquestrianThanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.The post US Equestrian to Launch Innovative US Equestrian Open Series Across Three Olympic Disciplines appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

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