Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, has been officially designated as the venue for equestrian events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This decision marks a return to the historic racetrack, which previously hosted Olympic equestrian competitions during the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

A Venue Rich in Equestrian Heritage
Santa Anita Park, renowned for its picturesque setting against the San Gabriel Mountains, offers a blend of rich history and modern facilities. The venue boasts a grandstand seating capacity of 26,000 and an infield area accommodating up to 50,000 spectators. Its extensive equestrian infrastructure includes 61 barns capable of housing over 2,000 horses, making it well-suited for the diverse demands of Olympic equestrian disciplines.

Leadership Perspectives
FEI President Ingmar De Vos expressed enthusiasm about the selection, stating, "Santa Anita Park 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 [the city of Los Angeles] will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita."

IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell highlighted the collaborative efforts leading to this decision: "We have created a strong partnership with the Organizing Committee and the city of Los Angeles, which enjoys the full support of the local equestrian community."

Bill Moroney, CEO of US Equestrian, added, "We have the utmost confidence in the LA28 Organizing Committee, and we anticipate exceptional equestrian sport will take place at this special legacy venue from the 1984 Olympic Games. We are also extremely pleased that the IOC has confirmed the athlete quotas across the disciplines for 2028 and they remain unchanged from 2024."

Revisions to Venue Planning
Initially, Galway Downs Equestrian Center in Temecula was proposed and approved by the Los Angeles City Council as the equestrian venue for LA28. However, following the IOC Executive Board's approval of the updated venue plan, LA28 officials informed Galway Downs and local authorities that the equestrian events would be relocated to Santa Anita Park.

Galway Downs owner Ken Smith expressed surprise at the decision, stating, "We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration. We don't understand how, based on the March 28 City Council's vote of approval, that this could happen."

Despite this change, Galway Downs remains committed to hosting elite national and international equestrian competitions, continuing its legacy as a premier equestrian facility.

Looking Ahead
The equestrian events at the LA28 Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 14 to July 30, 2028. Details regarding the venue for Para Equestrian events will be announced following the International Paralympic Committee's review and approval.

For more information on the LA28 Olympic Games and venue plans, visit the official LA28 website.

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