Major Equestrian Events for 2023
As we enter 2023, we thought we’d look at what’s in store on the equestrian events calendar!
From highlights in the horse racing calendar, to showjumping and polo, we take you through some of the major equestrian events for 2023.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
One of the biggest equestrian events of the year is The Cheltenham Gold Cup. With next year’s event taking place on Friday 17th March 2023, this is an event not to miss.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival and is a Grade One National Hunt steeplechase race. With the run over three miles long with 22 fences, who will follow in the footsteps of Rachael Blackmore and win the 2023 race?
The Cheltenham Festival takes place from 14 - 17 March 2023.
Qatar Goodwood Festival
August 2023 sees the world-famous Qatar Goodwood Festival take place. The five-day festival attracts the very best equine athletes from across the world and is an equestrian event like no other.
Whether you’re looking to place your bets on your winning horse, or want to come along for the socials and best dressed competitions, this is certainly an equestrian event to not be missed! This event takes place from 1 - 5 August 2023.
Randox Grand National
This is the big one! The most anticipated horse racing event every year in the UK. It can only be the Grand National. Next year’s historic annual Grand National is taking place on Saturday 15th April.
The steeplechase race is held at Aintree, Liverpool and is watched by more than 500 million people around the world.
The Grand National is known as one of the longest horse races run in Britain and Ireland and people from across the world who rarely bet on horse racing will place their bets.
Badminton International Horse Trials
The major equestrian event for the best of the best, Badminton. This 5-star event attracts only the elite horses and their riders to compete in dressage, cross-country and show jumping events.
The 2023 event is being held on 4 - 8 May 2023 at the grounds of Badminton House in Gloucestershire. Each horse must compete in all events and the champion will be the horse and rider with the lowest amount of penalty points.
Olympia Horse Show / London International Horse Show
The Olympia Horse Show, now known as the London International Horse Show, is a festive event favourite amongst horse lovers. The event is traditionally run from Thursday to Monday just prior to Christmas every year and consists of horses and their riders taking part in show jumping, dressage and other displays.
If you are interested in attending the event in December 2023, be sure to get your tickets quick when they are released in the spring of 2023.
The Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting at Hickstead
Held in the month of June in the heart of West Sussex, The Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting is an extremely popular and historic showjumping competition. First held in 1961, the event includes showjumping courses including the 10ft 6in slope of the Derby Bank as well as one of the wildest water jumps in the world. The event attracts some of the country’s top horses and their riders and is regarded as one of the most popular events in the horse event’s calendar.
This event takes place from 22 - 25 June 2023.
Cowdray Gold Cup
Attracting polo enthusiasts from across the world, the Cowdray Gold Cup is one of the premier polo tournaments in Europe. For polo, this is the biggest equestrian event of the year.
Held in the South Downs National Park, the event is held over a 4 week period in June. With several cups and trophies up for grabs, the event attracts thousands of spectators to enjoy international polo stars play on the prestigious polo grounds in Midhurst, West Sussex.
The final is expected to take place on 17 July 2023.
The Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club, Windsor
The Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club is one of the top five polo tournaments in the world and attracts some of the biggest names to compete.
Her Majesty the Queen first donated the cup to the Club in 1960 and the tournament is played annually at Guards Polo Club in Windsor with the 2023 event to be played in June from 10 - 18 June 2023.
With thousands of spectators every year, this is a polo event not to be missed.
Which of these equestrian events will you be attending?
