Sitting at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita Park has hosted some of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the country, including the Santa Anita Derby, the Breeders Cup and the 1984 Summer Olympics.
On the horizon is the 2028 Olympics, when once again the vintage venue will play host for all of the global event’s equestrian competitions.
On Thursday, Santa Anita Park opened its gates for a taste of what’s to come: The park kicked off a two-week show jumping competition, welcoming horses and riders from all over the world, with some of their sights set on the 2028 Summer Olympics.
In show jumping, a horse and rider weave through an obstacles course, under a time limit. The unit that hits the least amount of obstacles in the least amount time wins.
The competition consisted of the Santa Anita CS13* and Santa Anita CS15*-W, brought together by a partnership between 1/ST and Split Rock Jumping Tour.
“It’s fast, top-level, elite sport competition,” said Ashlyn Moore, vice president of equestrian operations at 1/ST. Some of the competitions horses and riders will be competing in include the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier, which Moore said is a vital stop on the way to the 2026 World Cup finals.
Five hundred equestrians from more than 18 nations will be competing in the two-week competition, including 14 Olympians, and they can range anywhere from 15- to 60 years old. Top riders include include the ranked World No. 1 Kent Farrington, California native and Paris 2024 Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook, six-time Olympian McLain Ward (USA), Los Angeles–based Olympic silver medalist Lucy Davis (Rio 2016), and prominent Southern California equestrian ambassador Kyle King (USA).
King said he’s excited to compete in Santa Anita, and that he’s looking forward to the equestrian events being hosted in his own backyard.
“I think it’s incredible to bring it [the Olympic Games] back,” said King. “‘84s was right here, when the US won gold, and I think it’s an incredible opportunity for all of us to compete in this beautiful place.”
One of the younger competitors, Zoe Noelle Brogdon, is also a Southern California native. She was sponsored by 1/ST as part of the Compton Junior Equestrians program, which provides equestrian opportunities for inner-city youth.
In these two weeks, she’s competing in the 10- and 20-meter circles. Like King, she’s also excited to have the Olympics in her hometown.
“I think it is incredible that we’re having the Olympics here, and especially that we’re having at Santa Anita,” said Brogdon. “ This is a really gorgeous venue and really pretty space to even be at.”
For more information, visit splitrocksantaanita.com.