Favorite Events and Venues 2023

As an equestrian, some of the most exciting things you can experience are the shows, where high level athletes meet to compete at the top of the sport. Horse shows and venues across the nation offer history, charm, excitement, shopping, entertainment and more. International shows can surprise and thrill even the most seasoned pros, with large arenas, huge crowds, and incredible equestrian competition. Here are EQLiving readers’ top choices.

Wish List Horse Show

Winner: CHIO Aachen

Silver: The Olympic Games

Bronze: Longines Masters, Paris

Photo: Erin Gilmore

Again in 2023, the equestrian event most voters wish to attend is the CHIO AACHEN (Concours Hippique International Officiel) held in Aachen, Germany, each summer. Founded in 1898, over 350,000 spectators attend each year. Considered the most prestigious horse show in Europe, it features competitions in show jumping, dressage, eventing, four-in-hand driving, and vaulting. The show also features a trade fair and a variety of other events.

Favorite Jumping Show

Winner: Winter Equestrian Festival

Silver: Upperville

Bronze: Devon

Photo: Alden Corrigan

Wellington’s WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL (WEF), North America’s largest and most prestigious equestrian event, has over 20,000 horses and riders competing in show jumping, dressage, and eventing.

Favorite Dressage Show

Winner: Dressage at Devon

Silver: Adequan Global Festival

Bronze: World Equestrian Center, Ocala

Photo courtesy of Hoof Print Images.

For more than 40 years, DRESSAGE AT DEVON has brought top competitors, horses, trainers, and judges from around the globe for one of the highest-rated international dressage competitions.

Favorite Eventing Show

Winner: Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

Silver: Maryland Fair Hill 5*

Bronze: Galway Downs

Photo: Betsy Medinger

The LAND ROVER KENTUCKY THREE-DAY EVENT is a prestigious competition held annually in Lexington, Kentucky. Top riders vie in three phases of competition: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

Favorite Reining Event

Winner: Reining by the Bay

Silver: The Run for a Million

Bronze: National Reining Breeders Classic

Photo: Alden Corrigan

Since its first competition in 1999 at the Horse Park at Woodside, California, the San Francisco peninsula has been home to the prestigious and family-fun REINING BY THE BAY event.