Tickets for the Central Park Horse Show Presented by Rolex, the first-ever, outdoor four-day equestrian sporting event coming to New York City from Sept. 18-21 are now available. Tickets are priced at $30 for matinees and $250 for evening events, and are available through the event website. The event will take place in the skating rink — Wollman Rink for the old timers, Trump Rink today.
As a native New Yorker, I was very excited to see an event like this taking place in Central Park. When I first heard about it, I even thought about scheduling a trip back to the city. When I was a kid, I looked forward to the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. Every year I’d go several times and loved going back into the stabling where I watched the jumpers warming up in an impossibly small ring. I can still remember the smell of the footing in that indoor and the thrill of watching some of the famous horses — such as Jet Run and Idle Dice — behind the scenes.
However, the price tag for the tickets gave me more than a pause. They stopped me in my tracks. It would be wonderful to see the show — and the venue, surrounded by skyscrapers — would be spectacular, but for $100 I can buy a seat at a table for the Sliver Oaks Grand Prix Jumper Classic to Support the MSPCA’s Equine Center up on Boston’s North Shore. That ticket comes with lunch and the chance to schmooze with some of the big jumper riders.
The Central Park Show will benefit several New York City charities, including the Central Park Conservancy, City Parks Foundation, Gallop NYC, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, NYPD Mounted Unit and the Police Athletic League NYC. Additionally, 50 percent of the matinee tickets will be donated to local children’s groups in order to broaden the exposure of equestrian sport. The problem is that for many of us die-hard equestrians, it’s just too much to ask.
However, if I had money to burn, I’d be very tempted to see the Grand Prix or the Speed Class. Luckily the Grand Prix will be televised live on NBC sports (September 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.) so perhaps I can catch it then
Highlights of the event will include:
- Thu Sept 18th at 6:30 p.m. – FEI Central Park Grand Prix
- Fri Sept 19th at 6:30 p.m. – NYC v. The World 1.45m Speed Class
- Sat Sept 20th at 9 a.m. – Morning Matinee
- Sat Sept 20th at Noon – Afternoon Matinee
- Sat Sept 20th at 6:30 p.m. – Central Park Dressage Challenge presented by Axel Johnson Group
- Sun Sept 21st at 9 a.m. – Morning Matinee
- Sun Sept 21st at noon – Afternoon Matinee
- Sun Sept 21st at 3 p.m. – Sunday Polo in The Park
For each event, gates open one hour before event time. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday will feature different equestrian performances and exhibitions, featuring Australian horseman extraordinaire Guy McLean, that celebrate the magic and majesty of the horse.
The Thursday Grand Prix event is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation and the Federation Equestre International and is the first equestrian show at the Trump Rink.
I’m so excited for this show. Thanks for writing about it!