ARI NEWS Fall 2026
“Polka dots can’t stay alone. When we obliterate nature and our bodies with polka dots we become part of the unity of our environments.
Yayoi Kusama, Horse Play Happening Woodstock (1967)
Ready for 2026 Asian Games?
20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 (FEI Page)
19 September - 4 October, 2026
JRA Equestrian Park, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
The equestrian competition at the 2026 Asian Games across eventing, dressage and jumping. In total, seven gold medals are up for grabs across the six individual and team events.
Asian Games 2026 – Equestrians at a Glance
Japan (host): Japan’s core championship riders from the 2026 World Championships are expected to form the backbone of the Asian Games team, including eventing riders Ryuzo Kitajima, Toshiyuki Tanaka and Kento Nagura, and jumpers such as Taizo Sugitani and Koki Saito.
Hong Kong: Lee Yik Yan (李懿茵) – multiple‑time Hong Kong representative in eventing and jumping, and a mainstay of the Asian Games team. Brian Ho Tan Wa (何誕華) – Hong Kong’s leading eventing rider, regular on the FEI Asian circuit and a core member of the Asian Games squad. Lai Ying Shan (賴瑩珊) – experienced Hong Kong rider in jumping and eventing, previously on Asian Games and Asian championship teams.
China: Hua Tian (华天) – the Hangzhou 2022 individual and team eventing champion returns, this time on the younger horse “Miao Ji Xiang” (妙吉祥) after a career‑best 12th at the 2026 World Championships. Sun Huadong (孙华东) – another Hangzhou team gold medallist, again named in China’s squad alongside two emerging riders.
India: Fouaad Mirza – former Olympic and Asian Games medallist, riding Camouflage 38 (and partner Johanna Pohjonen’s other horse) after a challenging World Championships. Ashish Limaye – reigning Asian champion in eventing, coming off a strong cross‑country ride in Aachen and a key medal hope. Shruti Vora and Hriday Chheda – leading Indian dressage riders, both in the team and individual events.
Thailand: Korntat Monangam – long‑time Thai number one in jumping, regularly on Asian Games and Asian Tour podiums and expected to anchor Thailand’s showjumping team.
UAE: Sheikha Latifah bint Ahmed Al Maktoum – one of the region’s most decorated riders, competing in Tokyo with Cornet XL as part of the UAE’s road to LA28. Omar Al Marzooqi – Paris 2024 Olympian and recent CSI Grand Prix winner, heading the UAE jumping line‑up.
JRA Equestrian Park: Located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, this historic and nature-rich urban park opened in 1940. Equestrian events can be viewed within the park, and it served as the equestrian venue for the Tokyo Olympic Games twice, in 1964 and 2021. The park reopened after renovation in 2023, and at this Games it will once again host equestrian, including dressage, eventing, and jumping
Equestrian Happenings this Fall
CAVALLUNA - Gate to the Otherworld
8, 10-13 September 2026
Kai Tak Arena, Hong Kong
For the first time ever, Europe’s most successful live horse show, CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld, gallops into Hong Kong! This breathtaking fusion of world-class equestrian artistry and theatrical magic promises an unforgettable experience.
A European Hit: Seen by millions across 30 cities, this mega‑production now makes its Asian debut.
54 Magnificent Horses: Elite breeds take the stage — Spanish Andalusians, elegant Frisians, charming mini ponies, and more.
Daring Stunts: Thrilling “Hungarian Post” and deeply moving liberty performances, where horses dance free without reins.
An Epic Theatrical Adventure: Follow young sorceress Meerin into a fantasy world brought to life with dancers, epic music, and massive sets.
This is more than a horse show. It is a visual masterpiece that will captivate audiences of all ages from the very first moment.
FIERACAVALLI
Veronafiere Exhibition Centre, Verona, Italy
5 - 8 November, 2026
128 years of history showcasing the world of the horse through sport, culture, and passion. A love and devotion to horses—a journey through time that began over a century ago and has been renewed year after year through a deep bond with the city of Verona, until it became an unmissable stop on the international equestrian calendar. Fieracavalli is not just about sports and competitions, but also about fun, culture and tradition.
200 events in one big event: come and discover the rich program of initiatives! Shows, demonstrations, a recreational-educational area with various moments of “educational” entertainment for adults and children. A rich lineup of events and initiatives intrinsically linked to the universe of the horse.
“Heavenly Horses: Masterpieces from the Palace Museum”
Ongoing till 17 March 2027
Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, China
The Hong Kong Palace Museum presents a special exhibition celebrating the timeless image of the horse in Chinese art and culture. Titled “Heavenly Horses: Masterpieces from the Palace Museum”, the exhibition gathers over a hundred masterpieces from the Palace Museum in Beijing and other major collections. Through paintings, sculptures, textiles, and imperial treasures, it traces how the horse symbolized power, elegance, and vitality across dynasties—from Tang‑era cavalry depictions to Qing court equestrian portraits. Interactive displays and multimedia elements will invite visitors to explore the horse’s role in trade, diplomacy, and mythology, offering a vivid journey through China’s artistic and cultural heritage.
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HAPPY RIDER, HAPPY HORSE