For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

New York, NY – July 5, 2016 – One of the most highly anticipated equestrian events of the year, the third edition of the Rolex Central Park Horse Show (RCPHS) is coming up fast. The world-renowned RCPHS returns to Wollman Rink in New York City’s iconic Central Park on September 21-25, 2016, for five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport. This year’s event will feature U.S. Open competition for Show Jumping, Dressage, Hunter, and Arabian disciplines, as well as a fun and educational Family Day. Tickets are now on sale for this one-of-a-kind event, so CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/29LwkkD to buy yours today! Visit www.CentralParkHorseShow.com for more information.

Since its inception in 2014, the Rolex Central Park Horse Show has grown significantly to embrace a global reach and attract some of the best competitors in equestrian sport. The event, highlighted by the impressive backdrop of the New York City skyline, showcases numerous equestrian disciplines with exciting competition for the enjoyment of spectators and participants alike.

Mark Bellissimo of International Equestrian Group stated, “The first two years of this wonderful event brought many memorable moments to an unparalleled location in one of the greatest cities in the world. The extraordinary talent of the competitors, as well as the iconic backdrop of the venue in New York City, continues to give worldwide exposure to equestrian sport in the United States. This year, the event continues to develop and showcase a broad range of disciplines competing at many different levels. This is a special experience where spectators can see the best of the best compete in U.S. Open championship competition, as well as receive a look at some of the future stars of our sport. The event provides a fantastic opportunity for horse enthusiasts to enjoy multi-discipline entertainment in an incredible venue.”

Arabian Horse Show

This year’s RCPHS competition gets underway on Wednesday, September 21, featuring the U.S. Open Arabian Horse Show with a mix of In-Hand/Halter and Performance classes. These halter horses are some of the world’s most beautiful, well-conformed, and magical horses of the breed. Their beauty, grace, and quality have been dignified through Canadian and U.S. National Championship titles; some have even earned foreign titles from around the world.The Arabian Performance horses invited to the event include those from the disciplines of Western Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, and Arabian Mounted Native Costume. These horses and their multi-National Champion riders bring to the limelight the diversity and athleticism of this amazing breed.

Show Jumping

Some of the world’s top show jumpers will compete under the impressive New York City skyline on Thursday and Friday. The jumper divisions offer the opportunity for horses and riders of many different levels to showcase their skills in this unique venue in front of a global crowd.

Daniel Bluman and Conconcreto Believe won last year’s Central Park Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Copyright Kit Houghton.

The schedule includes the U.S. Open U25 FEI Grand Prix on Thursday, September 22, featuring some of the sport’s rising young stars under the age of 25. Thursday evening also features an FEI Speed Class for the top grand prix competitors, as well as a thrilling Puissance high-jump competition.

Junior and Amateur Jumpers take the spotlight in the beginning of the evening on Friday, September 23. That competition is followed by the highlight U.S. Open $216,000 Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, which draws an impressive roster of international riders. The U.S. Open $216,000 Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Rolex, will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, September 25 at 9:00-10:30pm EST. The inaugural Central Park Grand Prix was won in a fairytale moment by New York City’s own Georgina Bloomberg. In 2015, Colombia’s Daniel Bluman topped the class for a momentous moment in his own career. Once again, top show jumpers from around the world will return to contest the coveted grand prix title in 2016.

Dressage

The elegant sport of Dressage will take center stage in Central Park on Friday afternoon, September 23, with the U.S. Open Dressage Grand Prix, as well as Saturday night, September 24, featuring the mesmerizing U.S. Open CDI Freestyles set to music.

Dressage is a sport of beauty, displaying perfect balance and harmony between horse and rider. The impressive partnerships of top dressage competitors will shine once again this year, as dressage is featured both during the day on Friday, and then again under the bright lights Saturday night. German Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth has dominated the freestyle competition two years in a row. Who will win this year?

Hunters 

After a fantastic inaugural run at last year’s RCPHS, a talented cast of the nation’s top hunter riders will once again compete against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline in 2016. The hunter schedule includes competitions for hunter riders big and small, incorporating pony, junior/amateur, and professional hunter competition on Saturday afternoon, September 24. The divisions will showcase the hunter discipline at every level, displaying the beauty, grace, and talent of these stunning horses and ponies.

Family Day

Sunday in Wollman Rink will feature an exciting Family Day, with Free General Admission. Don’t miss pony rides, face painting, an Arabian Horse presentation, equestrian demonstrations, and more!

The complete schedule of the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show is as follows:

Gate opens at 6:00pm. Show begins at 6:30pm. $50 per ticket

Thursday, September 22^nd:

U.S. Open $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix 6:30pm, followed by the exciting

U.S. Open $40,000 FEI Speed Class at 8:00pm, concluding with

Puissance at 9:00pm.

Ticket includes all 3 events

Gate opens at 6:00pm. Show begins at 6:30pm. $125 per ticket

Friday, September 23^rd:

Gate opens at 1:00pm. Show begins at 1:30pm. $50 per ticket

Friday, September 23^rd:

Jr. Amateur 1.20m Class at 6:30pm, followed by the thrilling

Ticket includes both events

Gate opens at 6:00pm. Show begins at 6:30pm. $125 per ticket

Saturday, September 24^th:

U.S. Open $50,000 Hunters Duchossois Cup followed by

$1,000 Sm/Med Pony Hunter Class and the

Gate opens at 1:00pm. Show begins at 1:30pm. $50 per ticket

Saturday, September 24^th:

U.S. Open $75,000 CDI Dressage Freestyle.

Gate opens at 6:00pm. Show begins at 6:30pm. $125 per ticket

Sunday, September 25^th:

Family Day – Free General Admission

Pony rides, face painting, an Arabian Horse presentation, equestrian demonstrations, and more!

Gate opens 12:00pm-3:00pm.

A portion of ticket sales will benefit a lengthy list of New York, as well as equestrian based, charities.

Seating is limited and the demand for tickets is expected to be high.

All seats have unobstructed views.

All ticket sales are final, non-transferable; no refunds and no exchanges.

Gates open 30 minutes prior to start of event.

All prices listed above exclude tax and fees.

For more information on The 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show, please visit www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Special room rates are available at the Marriott Essex House during the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Click here http://bit.ly/1qV3FBt to book – rooms sell out fast!

About Rolex Central Park Horse Show
Launched in September 2014, Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the first-ever outdoor, multi-day equestrian sporting event in New York City, showcasing some of the best show jumpers and dressage riders in the world as they vie for top prizes against a backdrop of skyscrapers in one of the world’s most iconic venues. As the event founder, Mark Bellissimo is the CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and International Equestrian Group LLC; Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEF), Tryon Equestrian Partners and Colorado Equestrian Partners; and Publisher of The Chronicle of The Horse magazine. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport and performances, ranging from Arabians and Dressage to Hunters and Show Jumping. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will also host the second annual U.S. Open in the following categories: Jumpers; Dressage; Hunters; U25 Jumpers; and Arabians. For more information, visit  www.centralparkhorseshow.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CPhorseshow and follow @cphorseshow on Twitter and Instagram.

Photos copyright Ashley Neuhof, Meg Banks, and Kit Houghton.