Competitions

Shows, finals and championships: who, when and what to watch.

6 articles

What Is Equitation? How Riders Are Judged at the Capital Challenge

The Capital Challenge in Maryland opened the East Coast indoor season on Sept. 23 with five days of equitation finals. Here's what the judges are watching, and how to follow the road to the Maclay.

Updated Sep 24, 20267 min read

Hot
Quarter Horse Congress 2026: Dates, Classes and How to Follow Along
Billed as the world's largest horse show, the Congress opens Sept. 26 in Columbus, Ohio. Here's what reining and western pleasure are, the new health-paper rules, and how the Congress differs from the AQHA World Show.
Sep 23, 20267 min read
Hot
What Is Eventing? The 3 Phases Explained with Burghley and Asian Games
Gemma Stevens won Burghley on her dressage score, and Thailand struck team gold in Tokyo. Here's how the three phases, the penalties and the five-star system really work.
Sep 23, 20267 min read
FEI Jumping World Cup 2026/27: American Gold Cup Result and the Puebla, Mexico Qualifier
Switzerland's Beat Mändli opened the North American League with the only double-clear round in Michigan. Next up is a free-to-watch qualifier in Puebla, Mexico, the second of seven stops on the road to Gothenburg.
Sep 23, 20266 min read
First Horse Show for Kids: Cross Rails, Pony Club and What to Wear
Start small, on a pony your child already knows. The class ladder from cross rails up, how hunters, equitation and jumpers are judged, the kids' dress code and a packing list.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
How Is Dressage Scored? Grand Prix, Freestyle and Piaffe After Aachen
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale kept both world titles in Aachen with 82.295% and 91.907%. Here's what those numbers mean, how the Special and Freestyle differ, and what a piaffe actually is.
Sep 23, 20267 min read