The Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 has announced plans to move equestrian competitions to an existing facility in Temecula, Southern California. Previously intended to take place at the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, the relocation is aimed to reduce costs and boost sustainability, negating the need to construct a new and temporary venue.
“The plan to relocate equestrian competitions is a positive development for the sport and the equestrian community,” said FEI President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Ingmar De Vos. “The FEI has worked closely with the Organising Committee to evaluate and choose a venue capable of hosting all equestrian and para equestrian events with the aim of managing the overall costs and complexity.
“Importantly, the venue can also accommodate eventing competitions which was a condition of the IOC Executive Board to include this discipline in the programme of the LA28 Olympic Games. The reasoning behind the venue change also fits well with equestrian sport’s sustainability ideals and aims, and will create lasting legacies for the local community. With this important announcement we can now start working with LA28 on the field-of-play design and organisation of the equestrian competitions.”
The LA28 Organising Committee revised its venue plans to use more existing venues, and fewer temporary venues, in order to make the Games more sustainable. The new venues will create more than US$150 million in savings and revenue increases for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The amendments have already been approved by the IOC Executive Board and will now be put forward to the City Council of Los Angeles for its formal approval in the coming months, as the proposals involve relocating the competition venues outside the city’s boundaries, and differ from the plans initially submitted during the bid.
“We are thrilled a venue has been chosen that can host all the equestrian events,” said CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation, Bill Moroney. “The announcement of the equestrian venue aligns with the IOC requirement stating all equestrian events must be held at the same location.
“The Equestrian Center for the LA28 Games in Temecula will be a world class international experience on the field of play for the athletes, horses, and their support teams as well as for fans and spectators alike. The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games hold immense potential to elevate the visibility and popularity of our sport nationwide.”
Lead image of Equestrian Center in Temecula, California. © Leslie Potter/US Equestrian
