Happy opening day of the 2026 Morven Park International and the $200,000 US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final! While the competition itself won’t get underway until tomorrow, we’ll still start the festivities this afternoon with the first horse inspection. We’ll have a full Ultimate Guide heading your way later today, but each morning this week we’ll give you a quick update on what’s happening that day and more.
[Still need tickets? Register for your free GA or purchase VIP here]
What’s On at Morven Park Today
2:00 pm: US Equestrian Open of Eventing First Horse Inspection at the Grand Prix Arena [Live Stream Here – Free on YouTube]
Pro tip: If you’re planning to stop by to watch the jog, Arena Familiarization will also be taking place from 4:30 pm for horses competing on Thursday, so stick around to watch some up close and personal behind the scenes action — one of our favorite places to be at a show.
Dressage then begins at 1:00 pm EST for the Open CCI4*-L division on Thursday with the first half or so of the field. You’ll be able to watch the action live on ClipMyHorse.TV (this event should qualify under connected USEF accounts as free to watch, if you don’t have a ClipMyHorse account — more information on linking your accounts here) at this link.
Here’s a look at the (subject to adjustment) schedule for the week (current schedule can be found here):
#supergrooms! There is a special Morven Grooms Dinner being held on Thursday October 8 at 5:30 pm in the VIP tent — don’t miss out! More information here.
We’ll have loads more content coming your way throughout the week, but here are a few things to chew on in the meantime:
EquiRatings Podcast Preview Show: Will Coleman Has Unfinished Business
It’s the strongest Morven Park CCI4*-L field in a decade, according to EquiRatings.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Morven Park Fall International + US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final (VA): [Website] [US Equestrian Open] [Entries/Times] [Schedule & Orders of Go] [Free General Admission + Hospitality] [Scores] [EquiRatings Prediction Center] [Eventing Manager – Code PCTD to join EN’s league!] [ClipMyHorse.TV Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Volunteer]
Redefined H.T. (CO): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
In the News
- As the national average of diesel climbs over $6 — and more specifically in California, over $8 per gallon, southern California venue Galway Downs announced a Diesel Relief Program in conjunction with their upcoming Eventing Championships at Galway Downs. The program, supported by Galway itself as well as multiple donors, is giving entry credit to the tune of $50 per entry at Galway Downs eventing shows in the last year for qualified riders entering the October 28-November 1 FEI and Area VI Championships.
- After a search over several months led by a consulting firm, US Equestrian named Sonja Keating — who has served as the Federation’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel after joining USEF in 2006 — as the new CEO. Sonja will replace outgoing CEO Bill Moroney, who is retiring at the end of this year. Reactions online were mixed, to put it mildly.
- Frangible technology is set to get more accessible (read: affordable). Safety tech company MIMsafe is developing both reusable clips (MIM clips now are single-use only) as a way to reduce costs for event organizers. Work is also in progress to understand whether a new type of clip would work better on smaller fences. Read more.
Recommended Reading & Listening
- Inverse paths: Two childhood horse friends may have taken unique paths, but they each found themselves qualified for this summer’s American Eventing Championships. So many years after chasing dreams as kids, chasing the same ones as adults with families and lives to lead outside of horses made for a memorable weekend in Kentucky.
- Custom or nah?: What does “bespoke” actually mean when it comes to saddle fitting? We see it in advertising a lot — custom or bespoke saddle options, promised to fit your horse — even if he’s as easy to fit as a llama would be. “What I find today is most saddles are mass produced and sold as bespoke,” one industry professional said in this article on The Plaid Horse. Read his perspective.
Coaching Corner
Go Eventing
Nowhere like Morven Park!
