By Alexandru Cristea,Mihai-Alexandru Cristea

Copyright business-review

The Karpatia Horse Show, Romania’s most prestigious equestrian event, returns from September 26 to 28, 2025, with an anniversary edition celebrating ten years of equestrian excellence and unique experiences. Hosted on the aristocratic Cantacuzino Estate in Florești, Prahova, the event promises to be the most spectacular edition yet, bringing together tradition, incredible performance, and a unique lifestyle in a festival dedicated to the passion for the sport.

Organized in the week marking 193 years since the birth of Ion Grigore Cantacuzino, the visionary founder of the “Petit Trianon” Palace, Karpatia Horse Show 2025 will combine the elegance and adrenaline of equestrian sports with live concerts, children’s activities, and cultural experiences, transforming the estate into a celebratory event.

An equestrian festival

Over the course of three days, Karpatia Horse Show brings together elite international competitions, spectacular demonstrations, and artistic moments. Attractions include:

Complete National and International Eventing Competition – dressage, cross-country, and show jumping events;
Grand Masters Driving – an exciting demonstrative two and four-in-hand driving competition;
Equestrian Derby – a unique combination of cross-country and show jumping;
Voltige Shows, academic dressage, equestrian parades, and performances by the Mounted Gendarmerie.

Competition schedule

Friday, September 26 – Dressage

The first day is dedicated to dressage, considered the “ballet of equestrianism.” Horse-rider pairs perform required movements, which are scored by judges based on precision, balance, agility, and harmony between the two. Elegance is the keyword: horses with braided manes, riders wearing top hats and riding jackets, fluid movements, and subtle commands – everything contributes to a refined show where every detail counts.

The evening starts with Karpatia Sunset live concerts by Claro Que No, with a unique rock show, followed by Byron, the special guest of the opening night.

Saturday, September 27 – Adrenaline and the powerful Grand Masters Driving demonstrations

Saturday is reserved for the most spectacular event: cross-country. The public is invited to discover the route and obstacles before the start, to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by the riders. The horses will gallop over logs, through ditches and water, and the moment of maximum intensity will be the jump into the cross-shaped fountain in front of the “Petit Trianon” Palace.

At the same time, the Driving marathon event will test the strength and coordination of the teams. The spectacular route tests the speed and skill of the drivers, as well as the perfect synchronization between horse and rider. Romania is in the world’s top 10 in this discipline, which makes this competition a source of national pride.

In the evening, the Karpatia Sunset stage near the centuries-old sycamore tree will host concerts by Nidal, with his impressive debut album, followed by Om la lună, one of the hottest alternative rock bands on the Romanian scene right now.

Sunday, September 28 – The Finale

The last day brings the show jumping event – the final test of the Eventing Competition, where technique, precision, and speed are evaluated. Only horse-rider pairs that complete all three events (dressage, cross-country, and show jumping) are ranked, and the winner will be the one with the fewest penalties and the best time.

Also on Sunday, the cone test for driving demonstrations takes place. The course requires extraordinary concentration – every touch of the cones means a penalty. Both elegant and demanding, the cone test concludes the Driving show.

Apart from the competitions, Sunday is a true equestrian and cultural celebration:

Academic Dressage Demonstrations by champion Cristina Călin and renowned international referee and rider Spencer Sturmey, who was also the commentator for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games;
Voltige Moments – spectacular acrobatics on horseback, specially brought from the multi-award-winning Oradea;
Performances by the Mounted Gendarmerie and a special moment with the Gendarmerie Fanfare;
Dog training demonstrations and greyhound presentations;
Lifestyle moments with Morgan Horse Club Romania and a parade of elegant outfits, which will be awarded.
Champions Award ceremonies of this anniversary edition.

Beyond the arenas

Karpatia Horse Show is not just a competition, but also a complete experience:

● over 20 activities dedicated to children and families;

● three gastronomic areas – from gourmet dishes to street food;

● a modern camping area for festival-goers;

● a VIP area with catering and dedicated tables;

walks through the 150 hectares of the Cantacuzino Estate, with historic alleys and the romantic ruins of the “Petit Trianon” Palace.

The 2025 edition, the 10th Karpatia Horse Show, also celebrates a year of special significance for the Cantacuzino Estate: the “Petit Trianon” Palace, a historical monument of national importance, will undergo extensive restoration and consolidation work through a project funded by the National Heritage Institute. Thus, visitors will soon be able to witness the refurbishment of one most spectacular buildings in Romania, which will be transformed into a cultural space.

Tickets and passes

Passes for the Karpatia Horse Show 2025 are available at karpatiahorse.ro. The public can choose between:

general access;
VIP package with catering and dedicated meals;
access to the covered grandstand on Sunday;

Karpatia Sunset passes, exclusively for concerts.

Tickets are available here

Organisers and Partners

Organisers: Club Sportiv Asociația Domeniul Cantacuzino, Rumor Consult în parteneriat cu Federaţia Ecvestră Internaţională şi Federaţia Ecvestră Română.

Partner for innovation: Pluriva

Sponsors: Procema, Gonzales Group, Michelin, Glamour Floors, Bucovina, Zetea, Serve
Petit Trianon Stage Partners: CulturAll Inclusive 21, Stage Media Expert
Partners: Pentru Cai, Simar Metrologie, Simar Industrial, MSL Logistic & Distribution
Main Media Partner: Magic FM

Media Partners: Adevărul, Historia, Dilema, Newsweek, Biz, Business Review, Nine O’Clock, Wall-Street, PressHUB, Alist Magazine, Haute Culture Magazine, Kudika, Garbo, IQads, Smark, TukTuk Magazine

Local Media Partners: Transilvania Business, Grupul Observatorul Prahovean, Columna TV, Dada TV, Generatia lui John, Prahova, Prahova News, Ziarul Oglinda de azi, Universul Argeșean

Photo: Ștefan Stoica