1.4 million jobs are created on a full-time basis and America hosts what is considered the pinnacle of thoroughbred racing. Yet some people don’t even consider equestrian to be a sport, despite it being in the Olympics.
There are about 9.2 million horses in the U.S, with Texas storing a million on its own. California has about 700,000 and Florida has about 500,000. 45 out of 50 states in America have at least 20,000 horses. Although a majority of horses are used for recreation, a good portion are used for showing, racing and other endeavors. By breed, the most horses in America are quarter horses, a stocky breed that can be used for racing, as well as both English and western riding styles and ranch work. The second most by breed would be thoroughbreds, the sports car of the horse world. Known for being hot heads, if they’re fast enough they run the Triple Crown but if not, most are repurposed into event horses. Thoroughbreds can do anything under the sun, which is what makes them so versatile. They can run barrels or jump over a cross-country jump with ease.
Speaking of the Triple Crown, it’s the biggest horse race in America. Everyone had probably heard of one leg or another as the races rake in millions of dollars each. The Kentucky Derby takes place in Churchill Downs, Kentucky. The first leg is run the first Saturday of May and sets the stage. The fresh group of three-year-olds has a challenge ahead of them and the winner of the Kentucky Derby is the only horse that year eligible to win the Triple Crown. The second leg is the Preakness Stakes, taking place at the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland! The race is two weeks after the Derby and if the same horse that wins the Derby can win this race, they have a shot at the final race to seal the deal. The final race is the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York. This race is three weeks after the Preakness. The races vary in length, with the Derby being one and a fourth miles, the Preakness being one and three sixteenths miles and the Belmont being one and a half miles long.
The championship is asking a lot of the horses, as the entire thing happens in only five weeks and asks the horse to peak at every single race without a doubt. Winning the race can shoot the stud fee of the stallion through the roof, even if the horse doesn’t win the whole thing. In the past couple of years, we’ve seen owners and trainers pull a horse from the second leg to give them the best chance possible to win the third, after the horse has won the first. This action eliminates the chance for a winner and only 13 horses have ever won all three. In this century alone, there have only been two winners: Justify in 2018 and American Pharaoh in 2015.
The thoroughbreds are one of the most sought-after breeds in America, as someone can get one off the track and essentially retrain it to do whatever they want, as long as it has the right mindset. I myself own an off-the-track thoroughbred who raced for four years. The amazing thing about thoroughbreds is as long as you have what is called their Jockey Club name, you can find out just about anything you want. Searching his name, I can find his breeders, location of birth, mother and father and their whole bloodlines, his career winnings and then see it broken down year by year.
Now, there are plenty of other events all over America that showcase a variety of different sports and breeds in the equine world. Here are just a few highlights.
Pegasus World Cup in Gulfstream Park, FL on Jan. 24
Although this race already took place, it impacts the racing season later on. This is a thoroughbred-only race, which was won by long shot Skippylongstocking. The horse had 21-1 odds and won the three-million-dollar purse. White Abarrio and Ferretto came in second and third, respectively, putting on a nice show. The Pegasus World Cup Turf also took place, won by Test Score, as well as the Filly/Mare Turf Invitational, won by Destino D’Oro. The Pegasus Cup is a win and you’re in the race for the Breeders’ Cup, which will be covered later in the article.
Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, KY on April 23 – 26
This competition falls under eventing, which is a three-phase event involving dressage, show jumping and cross country. In longer competitions like this ones, the order goes dressage, cross country and then show jumping but if you’re at a one-day event, it will be in the order first listed. This competition is annually on the last weekend of April and holds a lot of esteem as it is internationally acclaimed. The facility is also hosting Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Kentucky International CSI5*. The three-day event itself is a CCI5*. These abbreviations simply show how competitive the show is, with the five-star being the highest level of eventing. The three-day hosts exclusive shopping, unique attractions as well as premium sponsor activities. This competition is open to all horses of all breeds.
There has also been a five-star hosted by Maryland but it was cancelled for the 2026 season, with hopes of returning in 2027.
Devon Horse Show in Devon, PA on May 20 – 31
This competition is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-bred horse competition in America and also hosts a county fair. It hosts a variety of events and would definitely be a fun family activity.
USEF Pony Final in Lexington, KY on Aug, 4 – 9
This competition is sponsored by Marshal + Sterling and has three phases the riders have to go through. Regular Hunter Pony and Green Hunter Pony Finals are the two branches riders compete under and the phases include judging conformation, way of moving and jumping ability. Conformation is simply studying the body structure of the horse. Are their front legs too close together, are their back legs too close together, is their back too short or long and other questions like that. The competition is designed to test young riders with technical and demanding courses. It is also designed as a stepping stone for the Grand Prix, which is the pinnacle of the show jumping world. The competition is designed for all breeds and is a showcase of the rider, just as much as the horse.
Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY on Aug 23 – 30
This is sponsored by Longiness, the watch company. This is a show jumping competition held at the FEI 5* level and holds a 2* competition as well on the side. They also host world-class hunters and a week-long social event. The prize is simple, it’s a cash purse. The winning prize for the 5* is 20,000 dollars and the prize for the 2* is 10,000 dollars.
Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD on Oct. 19 – 25
They hold a CSI5*-W competition right in our very own state, open to all breeds. It’s sponsored by Mars Equestrian and is one of the most prestigious, competitive and exciting events all year round. The competition is an FEI cup qualifier and it consists of seven days of jumpers, hunters and equitation competition. The entire show is an equestrian entertainment, community and charity event where there is fun for everyone, no matter what. It was a tradition for my family and me, something I loved going to with my cousin. The riding is fantastic and I personally could not recommend attending enough.
Breeder’s Cup at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY on Oct. 30 – 31
This is another thoroughbred-only race, with 34 million dollars across 14 races. The main event is considered to be the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which has a 7 million dollar purse. The race can be streamed on NBC, USA Network, Peacock and Fan Duel TV. Tune in to see Skippylongstocking and his competitors take on the one and one-fourth mile long race and see who comes out on top.
US Dressage Finals in Wilmington, OH on Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
As the title says, it’s a dressage competition for the best of the best. Open to all breeds and all ages, the finals host a variety of competitions. For adult amateurs and what they call the open division, Training levels through Grand Prix tests can be completed and for junior and young riders, training through Intermediate one can be completed. Dressage skyrocketed to fame due to Snoop Dogg discovering his love for it at the Olympics. He and Kevin Hart went viral for their commentary on the event, which is something people around me still quote to this day.
The horse world is incredible and these animals are the ultimate partners. Learning how to work with a thousand-pound animal that could easily kill you with one wrong move but doesn’t understand English isn’t easy. Add the stress of competing and performing all sorts of things that aren’t at all natural to the horse or their native environment and you’ve got a lot going against you. The goal of an equestrian is to make it look easy, which often discredits the rider and all the hard work they put in to make it look like that. Dressage captures the art of teamwork in almost a ballerina-like fashion. Show jumping is all about height and speed, putting it all on the line. Cross country is stamina and planning; those jumps don’t fall apart so one wrong move and you’ve face planted into a large picnic table. Racing is the speed and training, the strict time frame trainers have for the weather to have the ultimate final word. There is so much on the line and it is such a beautiful thing to watch a horse and rider in perfect sync.
