Attention, New York families! Did you know that our very own Central Park is home to world-class equestrian event? The Rolex Central Park Horse Show is coming up starting this Wednesday through Sunday, September 23-27. The show, returning to Central Park for its second year, allows families to watch classes, performances and US Open competitions featuring some of the sport’s top athletes.
Over the course of five days, families can come and watch the US Open competitions in show jumping, dressage, hunter and dressage freestyle. The show kicks of on Wednesday, September 23 with the US Open Arabian horse show starting at 6pm. There is also an Arabian Mounted Native Costume Class showcasing the history of the Arabian horse.
Highlights include the US Open Dressage Grand Prix On Friday at 1:30pm, in which five of the world’s top-11 ranked riders will compete, including Charlotte Dujardin, the No.1 dressage rider in the world and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. Dressage events focus on the connection between a rider and his or her horse, and is often compared to figure skating.
Following the $5,000 Junior/Amateur 1.20 m Class at 6:30pm on Friday, Georgina Bloomberg–last year’s champion and New York Family‘s own October 2015 cover mom–will defend her title in the US Open $210,000 Final FEI 3 Grand Prix. [Editor’s Note: You can read our cover profile of Bloomberg HERE.]
On Sunday at 10am, various equestrian demonstrations will be free and open to the public, featuring Pony Club Games, a demonstration of Arabian horses through the ages, Show Jumping, Dressage, and more.
On Saturday and Sunday, kids can test their driving skills on at the Kid’s Land Rover Adventure Course, where they’ll have the chance to maneuver a mini Land Rover through a course in the ring where elite equestrians have been competing all week. The course will be open on 11am Saturday, and 11:30am Sunday.
Families can also attend the US Open Hunters event on Saturday and the Special Equestrian Event on Sunday. The US Open Hunters will start at 12:30 pm. On Sunday, the Special Equestrian Event starts at 1:30pm and will conclude the Central Park Horse Show.
To view the show’s complete schedule, click HERE.
Tickets start at $30 per person plus tax and fees. Prices also differ depending on the specific show and date. And if you can’t make it to the park on Sunday, NBC Sports Network will broadcast the U.S. Open CSI 3 Grand Prix on Sunday, September 27th during prime time.
To learn more about this year’s show and to purchase tickets, visit cphs.coth.com!
