Photo by Kira Topeka of Erin Gilmore Photography
A horse and rider at ast year's event at Morven Park.
Some of the country’s top horses and riders are headed to Loudoun County next month, and spectators can watch for free.
The 2026 Morven Park International & US Equestrian Open runs Oct. 8-11 at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, about an hour’s drive from Alexandria. The four-day competition hosts the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final, with $200,000 in prize money, along with the USEF/USEA Developing Horse Eventing National Championships, which showcase rising stars and talented young horses.
Eventing is often called the triathlon of equestrian sport. Horse-and-rider pairs compete in three phases: dressage, cross-country jumping and show jumping. The Open Final is held at the CCI4*-L level, one step below the top of the sport, and Morven Park is one of only five venues in the United States that hosts a 4*-L competition.
“For over 50 years, our cross-country courses have maintained a legacy of eventing excellence at all levels of the sport,” Stacey Metcalfe, executive director and CEO of the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation/Morven Park, said when the venue was named host of the Open Final.
The US Equestrian Open series is part of the national governing body’s push to build momentum toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and to bring equestrian sport to a wider audience.
What to know if you go
Hours: Competition runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Schedule (tentative): The US Equestrian Open Final is the CCI4*-L division.
- Thursday, Oct. 8: 4* dressage
- Friday, Oct. 9: Dressage for all levels
- Saturday, Oct. 10: Cross-country for the 4* and 3* divisions; show jumping for the 3*, 2* and 1* divisions
- Sunday, Oct. 11: 4* show jumping and awards presentations; cross-country for the 2* and 1* divisions
Organizers say the schedule may change depending on entries.
Where: Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg.
Admission: Free, but spectators need a grounds pass, available for one, three or four days through Morven Park’s ticketing page. Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds.
Cross-country Saturday: Saturday, Oct. 10, is cross-country day, and Morven Park sells tailgate spaces right on the course. Each includes parking for your vehicle, a 10-by-10-foot tent, a banquet table and four chairs. Vehicles must be in place by 8:20 a.m.
VIP tent: A day VIP pass is $175 and includes admission, catered meals, beverages, prime viewing, an event program and VIP parking. No dogs are allowed in the VIP tent; children under 3 are free.
Also on site: A vendor village with local artisans and merchants, plus a free in-park shuttle courtesy of Toth Financial. Commemorative programs can be pre-purchased online.
The event goes on rain or shine; any cancellations will be posted at MorvenPark.org. For questions, contact events@morvenpark.org.
