Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials (October 9–12, 2025)
Olympic Powerhouse: Seven Olympians will compete, led by Phillip Dutton, a remarkable 7-time Olympian (1996-2020) and individual bronze medalist from Rio 2016. He's joined by Will Coleman (2012 London), Boyd Martin (4-time Olympian since 2008), Lauren Nicholson (2016 Rio), Kim Severson (2004 Athens individual silver and team bronze medalist), Caroline Pamukcu (Paris 2024) and Canadian Jess Phoenix who is a multi-time World Games and Olympic rider (2012 - 2024).
World Championship & Pan American Pedigree: The field includes members of the Silver Medal-winning US team from the 2022 World Championships at Pratoni - Tamie Smith, Lauren Nicholson, Will Coleman, Boyd Martin. Caroline Pamukcu brings Pan American Games gold medal form, Jess Phoenix won Pan-Am gold in 2011 and arrives fresh off a major victory in Canada this year.
Return of a Legend: Kim Severson, one of only a handful of US riders to reach World Number 1 in the last thirty years, arrives with Cooley Corraghy Diamond. Her golden era included three Kentucky wins with Winsome Adante, 2002 World Championship team gold, and 2004 Olympic medals. "I think that Cooley Corraghy Diamond is probably the closest I've had to Winsome Adante. I want to say better than Dan," she says of her partner this weekend.
Record-Breaking Stakes: The $200,000 prize purse is the largest in the sport's history at this level, with over $60,000 going to the winner.
Domestic Dominance: The last four US five-star winners - Tamie Smith, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, and Kim Severson - will all be in action.
Age is Just a Number: Showcasing the unique longevity of equestrian sport, the field spans four decades with 62-year-old Phillip Dutton as the most experienced competitor and 22-year-old Braden Speck as the rising star.
True Gender Equality: Eventing, alongside the other equestrian disciplines, are the only Olympic sports where men and women compete head-to-head on completely equal terms. The riders play their part but this is all about the horse.
Destination Information:
There’s a reason the event chose Loudoun County. Its town of Middleburg has long been dubbed America’s Horse and Hunt Country Capital. While Loudoun, just outside of Washington DC, is known for its wine experiences and tastings, it’s also a hub of equestrian sports in its town of Leesburg, home to Morven Park. Its trails were even a favorite spot for celebrities like Jackie Kennedy Onassis to trot.
- Loudoun County is one of only six venues in the nation to host a Concours Complet International 4-star Long, the second-highest level of the sport. Top national and international equestrian athletes, including Olympians, will descend on Loudoun, wowing spectators with dressage, show jumping, and cross-country phases.
- The 2025 event also marks the beginning of Morven Park's tenure as host of the USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championships for the 2025-2027 seasons, underscoring its significance in the equestrian community.
- Loudoun is home to the National Sporting Library & Museum (the nation’s leading resource on equestrian pursuits), as well as the annual Middleburg Spring and Fall races.
What can visitors do? We want the media to dive deeper into Loudoun, to share the experiences that travelers and riders alike can enjoy between events. Farms like Dark Spring Stables in Purcellville or Foxrock Stables in Middleburg are excellent ways for participants to create their own equestrian experiences with private lessons. And over in Leesburg, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting at Morven Park Mansion pays homage to the region’s unique horse culture.
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