From Olympics to Derby Day: Comparing the World’s Biggest Equestrian Spectacles

Horses are one of the most beloved animals in the world, with millions of people riding equines on a daily basis. However, sports involving the animals are also well attended and followed, with each asking something slightly different of the majestic animals.

Arguably, the most popular equestrian events on the schedule annually come in the form of the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby, which have the power of attracting mainstream attention to the sport of horse racing.

A mainstream appeal ensures that new eyes are brought to racing, with many typically looking to learn more about the betting markets available for the race at the TwinSpires website. But which are the biggest equestrian events in the world that are also the biggest spectacles?

Olympic Games

The eyes of the world are typically always on the Summer Olympics, meaning it is challenging to argue against the fact that the events held at the multi-sport games are the most popular.

The disciplines of eventing, show jumping, and dressage are the only equestrian sports on the Olympic schedule, with the horses themselves considered athletes. Equestrian sports were first included in the program in 1900, before returning from a hiatus in 1912.

Germany has been the dominant nation in equestrian events at the Olympics, winning the most gold medals in each of the last three editions and four of the last five. Overall, Germany has won 61 medals in the event, including 32 golds, which is nearly double that of the second-most successful nation, Sweden.

CHIO Aachen

While the Olympics are the most important equestrian event, they are held every four years. The biggest annual event on the horse calendar is the CHIO Aachen, which is held annually in Germany.

The competition sees the world’s best horses and riders in action, with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports overseeing competitions in dressage, show jumping, eventing, vaulting, and four-in-hand driving. This event was first held in 1924, with the competition's first few editions taking place over three days.

The event has only gotten bigger throughout history, with further events added to the schedule in 2007. Since 2007, the show jumping Nations Cup has been held on a Thursday evening slot, catering to a prime-time television audience.

Kentucky Derby

Horse racing is the most followed equestrian sport globally, with one of the biggest annual events coming in the form of the Kentucky Derby.

This race serves as the opening leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, and it was first run back in 1875, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious races held annually in the USA. The Kentucky Derby also holds the esteemed honor of being run every year since its inception, with the only rescheduled editions coming during the Second World War in 1945 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Legends of the sport have won the race, creating a prestigious roll of honor. However, few moments in the sport are as fondly remembered as Secretariat’s dominant victory in the 1973 edition, winning the Kentucky Derby in a record time of 1:59.4.

Grand National

While the Kentucky Derby is America’s most famous race, it could be argued that the most iconic race globally remains the Grand National. This race is held annually at Aintree in the United Kingdom, and it has been a mainstay on the British sporting calendar since it was first run at the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase in 1839.

A total distance of four miles and two furlongs is covered by the field, with the equines jumping 30 fences across two laps of the illustrious track. The event is an iconic British pastime, with families typically sitting down to watch the race together despite not following the sport throughout the remainder of the year.

Its place as one of the most important sporting events in the calendar remains as vital in this modern day as ever before, with the Grand National being watched by 600 million globally in over 140 countries.

Horse Of The Year Show

A key date in the equestrian diary comes in the form of the Horse Of The Year Show, which forms the culmination of the British equestrian evening calendar. The idea was the brainchild of Captain Tony Collings, before Chairman of the British Showjumping Association, Mike Ansell, finally put the plan into motion years later.

The inaugural edition was staged in 1949, before its expanding popularity saw the HOTYS move to Wembley Arena ten years later. One of the most important traditions comes during the Sunday Night Gala Show, which concludes with a reading of the emotive poem called ‘The Horse’ by Ronald Duncan.

Three major accolades are awarded during the show, with The Puissance being the most prestigious, aimed at pushing riders and horses to their limits. The other awards on offer are the Leading Show Jumper of the Year and the Leading Pony Show Jumper of the Year.