Horse Sense

An increase in horse ownership and an expanding base of new competitors and fans mean that more locales are ready to host equestrian, rodeo and other horse-related competitions. 
 

The most recent research focusing on U.S. equestrian participation indicates that about 25 million Americans participated in horse-related activities as of 2023. The American Horse Council notes that horse competitions accounted for $37.3 billion in economic impact that year and added $15.6 billion in direct value to the economy.
 

The numbers are also strong in the rodeo ring. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) boasts more than 7,000 members and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) has more than 3,000 members. 
 

More than 7,500 cowboys compete for $30 million-plus at 650 rodeos annually, and women’s barrel racing, sanctioned by the WPRA, takes place at many of these rodeos. Moreover, the National High School Rodeo Association counts more than 12,500 students from 43 states plus other countries. 
 

Hundreds of other rodeo events that are not sanctioned by major organizations also take place each year across North America, further increasing the number of competitors, as well as hosting opportunities. 
 

Here are eight locales actively hosting horses and the riders who love them.

Billings, Montana

The opening in August 2025 of a new 3,000-seat outdoor arena on the MetraPark grounds marked an exciting point in Billings’ rodeo history. Rodeo Billings, a new PRCA-sanctioned event, opened the arena in style during MontanaFair, with more than $150,000 in payouts. 
 

Rodeo Billings hosted nearly sold-out crowds during the Friday and Saturday night performances, putting a seal on the excitement fans have for outdoor rodeo returning to the city for the first time since 2019.
 

Rodeo Billings joins an exciting lineup of world-class rodeo events in the city. Every December, rough stock cowboys straight from the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) journey north to compete in the Chase Hawks Memorial Rough Stock Rodeo, held annually inside the 10,000-seat First Interstate Arena at MetraPark. 
 

The event will celebrate its 30th anniversary this December. Additionally, Billings’ annual Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Tour stop just hit 30 consecutive years in April, making it the longest consecutive-running stop on the circuit.
 

“Billings is a rodeo town,” says Casey Conlon, sports tourism director for Visit Billings. “With the addition of the new outdoor arena next door to the ‘Big Barn,’ as we call it here, we are now positioned to host any number of rodeo and equestrian events on the MetraPark grounds to give fans here a bigger taste of what they already crave.”

Clay County, Florida

Clay County has built a strong reputation as a destination for rodeo and equestrian events, blending Southern tradition with top-notch facilities that draw competitors and families from across the Southeast.
 

The hub of these activities is the Clay County Fairgrounds, home to Cattleman’s Arena, which offers indoor exhibition halls, dressage areas, stables and concessions. It hosts the JC Kitaif Pro Rodeo/Clay County Pro Rodeo, which includes men’s, women’s, high school and youth competitions, as well as the River City Hunter Jumper Association (RCHJA) shows, such as the seasonal Autumn Extravaganza. Nearby, Seamark Ranch recently joined the roster of rodeo venues, hosting its first event last year with plans to expand.
 

Clay County welcomes two to three rodeos annually, each drawing close to 10,000 visitors to the area. Attendees come from across Florida, other parts of the Southeast and Texas. Beyond the arena, visitors will find multiple locations for horseback riding, lessons, group tours and even parties, making the equestrian experience accessible year-round.

“Rodeo and equestrian events are a staple in Clay County, Florida, welcomed by our community and drawing families and competitors from across the South,” says Teddy Meyer, director of tourism. “They highlight the traditions we value, add to our family-friendly culture and continue to boost local tourism.”

Columbia County, Florida

Located in Lake City, the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds is a hub for a wide range of rodeo and equestrian events. The full-service outdoor venue provides covered grandstand seating, livestock areas and ample space for contestants, animals and spectators. 
 

Each spring, the site hosts the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo which attracts top competitors from the PRCA and WPRA. The arena also welcomes a variety of horse events year-round, including barrel races, youth and amateur rodeos and other regional equestrian competitions. 
 

The Pro Rodeo consistently draws thousands of spectators and hundreds of competitors and support staff, providing a significant boost to the local economy while showcasing the community as a vibrant rodeo destination. 
 

In addition to Pro Rodeo, the facility hosts 10 to 12 horse-related events annually, and the staff continues to collaborate with regional rodeo associations and equestrian clubs to expand the schedule and introduce new disciplines and competitions to the area.
 

“The Florida Gateway Fairgrounds is committed to promoting the Western tradition and providing a first-class experience for competitors and fans alike,” says Brandi Todd of Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. “With its versatile facilities and growing calendar of equestrian and rodeo events, the arena continues to strengthen Lake City’s reputation as a premier destination for horse sports and family-friendly entertainment.”

Flint & Genesee, Michigan

Rodeo is extremely popular here, and the two key events are the Gaines Rodeo and the Midwest Invitational Rodeo. Flint & Genesee has hosted the Gaines Rodeo for more than 20 years at the Pine Hill Community Park in Gaines, and the competition features barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, mini bull riding, team roping and other rodeo disciplines. 
 

For two years, the Midwest Invitational Rodeo has been held at the Everett A. Cummings Event Center (also home to the Genesee County Fair), which boasts show facilities, two outdoor arenas, one indoor arena and more than 160 stalls. The Midwest Invitational Rodeo showcases African American heritage and Black cowboy culture with an array of traditional rodeo competitions. The 2025 iteration attracted 65 participants, 5,800 spectators and had an economic impact of $1,272,776.
 

Also on offer is the 4,540-acre Elba Equestrian Complex, which surrounds a small inland lake and provides areas to camp with horses. 
 

“We have spectators coming from around the state and country to attend events in our region, especially the Midwest Invitational Rodeo which draws participants from as far as Buffalo, New York, but primarily in Illinois and Ohio,” says Sav Turbett, senior communications manager, Flint & Genesee Group. 

Loudoun, Virginia

For equestrian competitions in this locale, the Morven Park International Equestrian Center is the crown jewel. The venue can handle eventing, dressage, hunter/jumper, pony club, mounted games, steeplechase and arena polo. 
 

Key events held here include two USEF rated shows: Morven Park Spring Horse Trials and Morven Park International and Fall Horse Trials. Also on the docket are locally rated schooling hunter/jumper shows (Morven Park Summer Shows) and Polo in the Park for seven weeks in the summer, plus 18 rental events representing hunter/jumper, United States Pony Club (USPC), steeplechase, eventing, dressage, breeding and mounted games.
 

Morven Park’s Polo in the Park brought an estimated 9,000 spectators over a seven-week period. The Spring Horse Trials, rental events and Summer Show Series events have brought in an estimated 6,000 visitors during the 2025 season so far, and Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials in October welcomed an additional 3,000 spectators.
 

“When it comes to the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials, we see not only regional participants, but people from California, New England and from abroad, including the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Colombia,” says Stacey Metcalfe, executive director and CEO, Morven Park International Equestrian Center. “Morven Park has been home to recognized horse trials since 1973, celebrating 50-plus years of eventing excellence. We are proud to be a multi-discipline equestrian facility serving all levels of competition.”

Ocala, Florida

Situated in North-Central Florida, Ocala/Marion County is internationally renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World.” At the center of the action is World Equestrian Center-Ocala, the largest equestrian facility in the country. 
 

At the heart of WEC-Ocala, with The Equestrian Hotel as its iconic backdrop, is the 119,000-square-foot Grand Outdoor Arena with covered grandstands and al fresco dining. Additional competition areas include the 7,000-seat WEC Stadium and dedicated arenas, each featuring separate warm-up rings, shade pavilions and viewing areas. The property features six climate-controlled indoor arenas and 23 outdoor arenas with all-weather footing.
 

Signature offerings include world-class hunter/jumper shows such as the Winter Spectacular Show Series, dressage competitions and top-level western and quarter horse events. The venue also welcomes professional rodeo events, multidisciplinary showcases and breed competitions. WEC-Ocala’s flagship series includes 12 weeks of premier hunter/jumper competition in the winter and 10 weeks of Summer Series events, drawing top riders from around the globe.
 

“World Equestrian Center-Ocala has quickly become one of the largest and most impactful equestrian venues in the United States. Its flagship Winter Spectacular Show Series regularly attracts thousands of horse-and-rider combinations and draws tens of thousands of spectators from across the country and abroad,” says Leah Oliveto Tong, director of marketing and brand strategy, World Equestrian Center. “Major competitions, including international Grand Prix show jumping events, fill the Grand Arena with fans and participants, generating significant tourism to Greater Ocala/Marion County.”

Somerset County, New Jersey

One of America’s great equestrian destinations, Somerset County is where scenic countryside, historic estates and championship-level facilities celebrate a centuries-old horse culture. This legacy endures today at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, headquartered at Hamilton Farm, where America’s Olympic and international equestrian athletes continue to train and compete. 
 

Equally iconic is Moorland Farm in Far Hills, home to the annual Far Hills Race Meeting, one of the nation’s premier steeplechase events (the 104th running occurred in October). The competition draws more than 30,000 attendees annually, along with more than 60 horses and their full contingent of owners, trainers and riders. The venue also hosts the Essex Horse Trials, a pre-Olympic qualifying event.
 

“Whether attending a world-class event, taking a lesson, or simply enjoying the pastoral beauty of a countryside ride visitors will find that Somerset County’s equestrian heritage is not only preserved but vibrantly alive, an enduring symbol of grace, athleticism and timeless rural charm,” note Guy Torsilieri and Ron Kennedy, chairmen of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association.

Springfield, Illinois

Home to one of the country’s oldest and most vibrant State Fairs, the Illinois State Fairgrounds accommodates a wide array of events including agricultural shows and expos, pet shows and trials, equine events and breed specialty shows. The 366-acre site includes a one-mile oval dirt track, Grandstand, Multi-Purpose Arena, 29 buildings, historic barns and more than 900 horse stables.
 

Owners and rights holders can host an event in the historic Expo Building with more than 60,000 square feet or go large with the drive-in doors and 39,000 square feet at the Orr Building. The Illinois Building features an auditorium and theater seating for 470, and the Arena offers a coliseum for more than 7,000 spectators.
 

Especially suited for equine events are two freshly renovated spaces. The Multi-Purpose Outdoor Arena (featuring a six-acre arena floor, 4,688 permanent grandstand seats and additional amphitheater seating for 3,000) underwent an $8.6 million upgrade in 2022. 
 

The historic Coliseum building, with a 27,965-square-foot floor and an adjacent warm-up arena, offers improved heating and cooling, new seats and upgraded accessibility. Past events include Clydesdale Breeders of the USA World Show (600 horses and 3,000 attendees), Palomino Horse Breeders of America (400 horses and 1,000 spectators) and National High School Rodeo (70,000 attendees).
 

“Enjoy unique, customizable meeting and convention space throughout the three areas of Springfield. Boasting nearly 4,000 overnight rooms and 325,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, we can create the perfect meeting,” says Amy Beadle, marketing manager, Visit Springfield, Illinois. “Visit Springfield is here to take the stress out of planning.” SDM