It’s not very often you can get affordable tickets and see the best athletes in the world compete in Sacramento County, so take our word for it and get your tickets now for one of the most thrilling, high octane competitions you will ever see!

The 2017 Sacramento International Horse Show is Northern California’s premier equestrian event, and returns to the Murieta Equestrian Center now through October 8. Passionate fans line the arenas cheering wildly as the horses and riders go into battle. The action is electrifying and fans are on the edge of their seats as this world class sport plays out.

The Sacramento International Horse Show features Olympic, world and continental champions as they compete for points and a share of the prize fund. It is one of the only sports where women and men compete against each other. In jumping, riders aim to complete a course of 10-13 obstacles. Their goal is to do this in the fastest time with the fewest penalties. There are elimination rounds, and then the top riders compete in the final rounds. Judges combine the scores from both rounds and the rider with the fewest penalties wins.

The sport of show jumping began in England in the 18th century. It developed because of competition among fox hunters following the introduction of the Enclosures Acts. Previously, hunters would gallop across open fields in pursuit of foxes. With new fences defining territories following the Acts, riders began the quest of searching for the ultimate jumping horse.

The Sacramento International Horse Show attracts an international field of world-class athletes on the most majestic, powerful show jumping horses in the world. The event, which is great for families, is also developing into a glamorous highlight on equestrian’s social calendar.

Set in Rancho Murieta, between Sacramento and the rolling Sierra Mountains, the Murieta Equestrian Center features 14 outdoor arenas, four indoor arenas, unique, high end shopping, dining, seating to accommodate 3,000 spectators and VIP areas for rent.

Don’t miss the $36,500 Murieta Inn Spa and Restaurant Grand Prix Qualifier 1.45M on Friday, October 6 at 6:45pm and the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento 1.6M presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Saturday, October 7 at 7pm.

The Sacramento International Horse Show is part of the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, and is one of the only qualifiers on the West Coast. The riders who will compete in the Sacramento International Horse show are competing for a spot in the 2018 World Cup Finals, in Paris, France.

Visit jumpsacto.com for tickets.

Note: This blog post was written by the Sacramento International Horse Show.