Santa Anita Park, located in proximity to the Los Angeles city area, has been confirmed as the venue of the equestrian events of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).
The 90-year-old historic racetrack previously hosted equestrian during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and, with its extensive facilities set against the scenic backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, the FEI President Ingmar De Vos says that it will be 'a spectacular venue for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events'.
“The FEI has very fond memories of Santa Anita, which had hosted the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games. The venue is set to offer a breathtaking stage for all the Olympic equestrian competitions and the proximity to LA City will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with LA28 to deliver spectacular equestrian events at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.”
The Santa Anita venue in Arcadia is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, covers 130Ha (320 acres) and includes a 340m-long (1,100-foot) grandstand that seats 26,000 spectators. The track infield area, which resembles a park with picnic tables and large trees, can accommodate a crowd of 50,000. The Park has 61 barns that can house more than 2,000 horses.
The facility features an on-course veterinary clinic and has hosted some of the major Thoroughbred events in the USA including the Breeders Cup. The famous champion thoroughbred racehorse Seabiscuit won his last race at Santa Anita in 1940. The facility also hosts a CSI3* as well as a FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI5*-W, which this year will take place in November.
“I would like to thank the FEI on behalf of the IOC for the active engagement in all the discussions regarding the venue,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell said. “We have created a strong partnership with the Organising Committee and the city of Los Angeles, which enjoys the full support of the local equestrian community.”
The final announcement by the FEI regarding the venue comes after two previously touted venues since the announcement of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Until recently, it was expected that the equestrian events would be held at Galway Downs Equestrian.
The venue for the Para Equestrian events will be announced at a later date following the review and approval of the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board.
The LA28 Olympic Games will take place from 14 to 30 July 2028 and the Paralympics are scheduled from 15 to 27 August 2028.
More information on the LA28 Olympic equestrian events and quota places are available here.
