The International Equestrian Group, managing entity of the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, has announced the cancellation of the 2018 edition of the show due to competition conflicts slated during the event’s time frame. IEG has also confirmed the 2019 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will welcome FEI CSI***** competition for the first time in the event’s history. The fifth annual RCPHS was initially scheduled to take place from September 26-30 in Wollman Rink. The 2019 RCPHS will take place from September 18-22.
“Our organization is disappointed to announce the postponement of the 2018 Rolex Central Park Horse Show this year due to incompatible FEI competition dates during the month of September and early October,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of IEG. “Running the competition only a week after the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 and competing simultaneously with the American Gold Cup CSI-W, followed by FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, [Spain] only a week later is not conducive to our competitors’ schedules or for their horses’ welfare.”
The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will return to the heart of New York City in 2019, with a newly-minted CSI***** jumping designation, making it one of the most elite equestrian competitions in the world.
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“I would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to our longstanding partners at Rolex for their trust and understanding in the decision to postpone this year. With the new CSI***** rating in 2019, we will attract some of the sport’s most notable athletes, as the Rolex Central Park Horse Show will join the exclusive list of CSI***** equestrian competitions supported by Rolex,” continued Bellissimo. “Our team is already orchestrating what we plan to be one of the greatest RCPHS experiences, which will bring top athletes from around the globe to compete in front of the world’s most iconic city skyline next fall.”
Mark Bellissimo and team conceptualized RCPHS five years ago in an effort to bring mainstream equestrian sport to the masses through the organization of an elite competition in the heart of New York City. The competition, hosted over five days annually in Wollman Rink, has showcased the equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, arena eventing, hunters, Arabians, arena polo, and Pony Club games throughout its duration. The weeklong event concludes with the immensely popular family day, which allows city-goers and horse enthusiasts alike the opportunity to experience the magic of horses for free throughout the day on Sunday. Children’s activities, equine demonstrations, athlete meet & greets, and more have made family day a staple of the competition week.
