The Olympic Games in equestrian sport

History

‍Equestrian sport has a fascinating history at the Olympic Games. In the early days, in 1900, the Games took place in the magnificent capital of France, and equestrian sport was included in Olympic competition for the first time. Back then, however, different disciplines took center stage—namely polo and jumping events.

It took twelve years for equestrian sport to gain a permanent place in the Olympic Games. Since 1912—so for more than 110 years now—the disciplines of dressage, show jumping, and eventing have been firmly anchored in the program. A major change came in 1928 in Amsterdam, when both individual and team medals were awarded in all three disciplines. The next Games (after Paris 2024), Los Angeles 2028, will therefore mark a 100-year anniversary of equestrian sport at the Olympic Games.

Equality in equestrian sport

‍A remarkable special feature of equestrian sport as an Olympic discipline is that men and women compete equally and fight for the same medals. However, this was not the case from the beginning. In the early years, it was reserved exclusively for men—officers or “gentlemen”—to compete with the best riders in the world. Women were first admitted to dressage in 1952, followed by show jumping in 1956 and finally eventing in 1964. While other sports awarded separate medals, the next Olympic Games are striving for equality. For the first time, an absolute balance between male and female athletes is to be achieved.

Equestrian sport at the Olympic Games has undergone an exciting development and remains a unique discipline that fascinates athletes from all over the world.

The Olympic disciplines in equestrian sport

‍Equestrian sport has a long and rich tradition in the history of the Olympic Games. At the Olympic Games, there are a total of six equestrian competitions—an individual and a team competition in each discipline. The disciplines represented at the Olympics include show jumping, dressage, and eventing. Initially, women were first given the opportunity to compete in dressage in 1952; later, women’s competitions were also introduced in show jumping and eventing. This makes equestrian sport one of the few sports that are contested equally and openly by both men and women.

Show jumping

Up to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, a show jumping team consisted of three riders, all of whom had to finish. As a result, there were no team medal winners at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, because no team completed the competition in full. From the 1972 Games in Munich through to Rio de Janeiro 2016, a team consisted of four riders. For the 2020 Games, the format returned—under the motto “more flags” (more participating nations)—to teams of three riders.

At the 1900 Games in Paris, there were no team events yet, only individual show jumping as well as high-jump and long-jump competitions.

Although the FEI (the world equestrian federation) decided as late as 1952 that women should not be admitted to competitions (and the U.S. federation had to withdraw the qualified Carol Durand), women were first allowed to compete in Olympic show jumping in 1956.

Dressage riding

Up to and including the 1948 Summer Games, only officers were allowed to take part in Olympic equestrian competitions. This led to the Swedish team having to return the gold medal it had won at the London 1948 Games when it emerged that the rider Gehnäll Persson was not an officer. From the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki onward, this restriction no longer applied. In addition, for the first time in Olympic history, women were allowed to compete in the dressage events. At this first opportunity, Lis Hartel won the individual silver medal. Today, women dominate this equestrian discipline.

In 1960, there was exceptionally no team competition. Since dressage has the lowest likelihood of a rider or horse failing to finish in the team event, teams of three riders remained in place the longest. For the first time in 1988, four riders per team were allowed to start in the Grand Prix de Dressage, with the worst score being dropped. This format remained in place until Athens 2004. In 2016, there was once again a one-off format with four riders per nation, but for the Games from 2020 onward, three-rider teams are planned again.

Eventing

Eventing, also known as “military,” is one of the most demanding disciplines in Olympic equestrian sport. It is a three-day combined competition that requires not only the rider’s skills in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, but also excellent teamwork between rider and horse.

Throughout the history of the Olympic Games, eventing has been continuously developed and adapted. For example, in Antwerp 1920, dressage was replaced by an additional cross-country ride in order to make the competition more varied. These changes reflected the ongoing search for a balanced and challenging competition format.

Cross-country in particular has repeatedly been the subject of heated debate. The length and difficulty of the course, as well as the demands placed on the horses, led to discussions about animal welfare and the fairness of the competition. For this reason, rules have been changed several times in the past to ensure the safety and well-being of the horses.

Another issue that has shaped the history of eventing is the participation of women. For a long time, women were not allowed to take part in the Olympic competitions. This restriction was only lifted in 1964, and since then women have taken on a significant role in eventing. Today, women dominate the discipline, and their performances contribute greatly to the development and popularity of eventing.

A particular challenge for eventing riders is the complex structure of the competition. Eventing consists of several phases, which makes it not only physically demanding but also tactically challenging. The introduction of separate eventing tests and the integration of team performances into the individual ranking are examples of efforts to make the competition fairer and more exciting.

Team composition in eventing has also changed over the years. From larger teams with up to five riders per nation in the 2000s to the return to smaller three-rider teams in 2020, these changes reflect the search for the optimal balance between competitive intensity and equal opportunity.

Para dressage

‍In contrast to the Olympic Games, where three different equestrian disciplines are contested, the Paralympics focus exclusively on dressage. In para dressage, the unique bond between riders and their horses is particularly evident. Competitions evaluate the precision and quality of the ride, the horses’ way of going in the different gaits, their discipline during rest phases, and artistic expression.

Para dressage originally developed for therapeutic reasons, with interaction with horses helping patients and also being used as a leisure activity. The first competitions took place in the 1970s, but para dressage was not added to the Paralympic program until 1996 at the Games in Atlanta. A special feature is that riders from all classes can compete together in the events.

The para dressage program includes the championship test, the team test with music (a set test with prescribed movements and lines), as well as the individual freestyle (self-chosen lines to music of choice). The individual freestyle is open to the top eight riders in each grade, based on the results of the individual test.

Depending on need, riders may use special equipment such as modified saddles, straps, and spurs.

Eligible impairments include orthopedic impairments, paraplegia, tetraplegia, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, degenerative neurological diseases, neurological disabilities, and visual impairments.

Classification is as follows:

‍Grade I: Riders have severe impairments affecting all limbs and the trunk.
Grade II: Riders have either a severe impairment of the trunk and impairment of the arms, or a moderate impairment of the trunk, arms, and legs.
Grade III: Riders have severe impairments in both legs with minimal or no impairment of the trunk, or a moderate impairment of the arms, legs, and trunk.
Grade IV: Riders have a severe impairment or absence of both arms, or a moderate impairment of all four limbs, or are of short stature.
Grade V: Riders have a visual impairment or complete blindness, or a mild impairment of range of movement or muscle strength, or the absence of one limb, or a mild absence of two limbs.

How can you take part in the Olympic Games in equestrian sport?

The selection of which riders can take part in the Olympic Games differs from country to country and can also vary from one Olympic Games to the next. Below, we explain what the qualification pathway for Paris 2024 looks like:

Qualification pathway for the Olympic Games in show jumping

In general, the FEI sets out the following pathway to qualify for eligibility to compete at the Olympic Games:

• Quota places for show jumping: Quota places are allocated by the Norms Commission, with a total of 75 places available. Of these, 72 are allocated by the Norms Commission and 3 by the host nation. Each participating nation may nominate a maximum of 3 athletes for show jumping.
• Athlete eligibility: Athletes must comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter, in particular Rule 41 (Nationality of competitors) and Rule 43 (World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions).
• Age requirements: Participating athletes must have been born no later than 31 December 2006 and therefore must not be younger than 18 years of age. Horses competing at the Olympic Games must have been born no later than 31 December 2015 and therefore must not be younger than nine years of age.
• Additional FEI criteria: To be admitted to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, athletes and horses must meet certain Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER). These requirements can be achieved by participating in selected events such as continental championships, FEI World Cup™ Jumping competitions, and Grand Prix competitions.
• Nations Cup competitions: To meet the minimum requirements, athlete/horse combinations must complete the first or second round of three Nations Cup competitions. These competitions should be held at a height of 1.55 m at CSIO4* to 5*(-W) outdoor events, with a maximum of four (4) penalty points permitted.
• Technical specifications: The selected Nations Cup, Grand Prix, and FEI Jumping World Cup™ competitions must meet the technical specifications in accordance with Article 632.5 of the FEI Rules for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
• Individual quota places: There are various ways to qualify, including participation in the events mentioned above and meeting certain minimum requirements. Only nations that have not obtained a team quota place are eligible to receive individual quota places.

In Germany, the German Olympic Committee for Equestrianism (DOKR) describes the qualification pathway for German show jumpers as follows:

• Performance perspective: Competition performances, health and fitness status, current form, and workload of the rider–horse combinations are assessed.
• Nomination criteria: Nomination is carried out by the DOSB Executive Board between early May and early July 2024.
• Competition performances and results: The performances of the rider–horse combinations during the 2024 competition season at CSI/CSIO 4*/5* events are decisive.
• Participation in selected international show jumping events: Riders must compete at certain international show jumping events to demonstrate their abilities.
• Participation in the German Championships in Balve: Participation in the German Championships in Balve is taken into account when assessing the performance perspective.
• Health and fitness status: The health and fitness status of the rider–horse combinations is closely monitored.
• Current form of the rider–horse combinations: The combinations’ form is evaluated to ensure they are in good competitive condition.
• Additional FEI criteria: Athletes and horses must meet certain Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) to be admitted to the Olympic Games.
• Athlete eligibility and age requirements: Athletes must respect and comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter and the FEI; age requirements for athletes and horses also apply.

The qualification pathway to the Olympic Games for dressage riders

The selection pathway for German dressage riders to take part in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 consists of the following steps:

• Evaluation of competition performances and results during the 2024 season at CDI/CDIO 3/4/5*** events.
• Participation in two key competitions:
  • German Championships in Balve from 06 to 09 June 2024 (Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, Grand Prix Freestyle).
  • CHIO Aachen from 02 to 07 July 2024 (Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, Grand Prix Freestyle).
• Consideration of the current health and fitness status of the rider/horse combination at the time of the nomination proposal.
• Assessment of the rider/horse combination’s form curve at the time of the nomination proposal.
• Consideration of multiple workload/starts of the same rider/horse combination.

It is noted that the Dressage Elite Sport Working Group has the option to grant exceptional rider/horse combinations a dispensation from the German Championships in Balve and instead nominate them for CHIO Aachen in order to manage workload.

The nomination proposal is finally submitted to the DOSB Executive Board by 07 July 2024. This proposal is prepared in the DOKR committee meeting (Dressage Elite Sport Working Group) after CHIO Aachen.

In addition, the world equestrian federation (FEI) sets the following qualification criteria so that the respective countries receive eligibility to compete:

• Team qualification: Teams are determined through various qualification events. Each participating National Olympic Committee (NOC) may field a team of up to three athletes. Qualification is based on results at the FEI Dressage World Championships, the FEI European Championships, and other FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Events.
• Individual qualification: Athletes can obtain individual quota places if their NOC has not accepted a team place. Qualification is via the FEI Olympic Ranking – Dressage and through specific events in different geographic groups. Each NOC may receive a maximum of one individual quota place.
• Reallocation of unused quota places: If an NOC does not accept or declines an allocated quota place, that place is redistributed according to the established procedures. This may be done by reallocating the place to the NOC of the next highest-ranked athlete in the FEI Olympic Ranking – Dressage.
• Confirmation process for quota places: NOCs must confirm acceptance or rejection of quota places within specified deadlines. Acceptance is confirmed by submitting the FEI Certificate of Capability for the athlete and horse.
• Qualification timeline: Qualification events take place in the period from 2022 to 2023, with final confirmation of quota places completed by 2024.
• Reallocation of unused host-country places: If the host country does not field a team or decides to send an individual athlete instead, unused athlete quota places are redistributed to the NOCs of the highest-ranked athletes who have not yet qualified.

These criteria ensure that the best athletes and teams from different regions have the opportunity to compete in Olympic dressage.

The qualification pathway for eventing riders

The qualification pathway for eventing riders is based on the international qualification criteria:

The qualification pathway for eventing teams provides that a total of 16 nations receive a team quota place. One place is allocated as the host-nation place, 14 team quota places are allocated through Olympic qualification events designated by the FEI, and one place is allocated via the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2023.

Each team consists of three rider–horse combinations. The quota places are distributed as follows:

• Host nation (FRA)
• The seven highest-placed teams at the FEI Eventing World Championships 2022, excluding the host-nation team (GER, USA, NZL, GBR, IRL, SWE, SUI)
• The two highest-placed teams at the FEI European Championships 2023 in FEI Olympic Groups A and/or B (BEL, NED)
• The highest-placed team from a Group C qualification event (POL)
• The two highest-placed teams of FEI Olympic Groups D and/or E at the 2023 Pan American Games (CAN, BRA)
• The two highest-placed teams of FEI Olympic Groups F and/or G at a 2023 qualification event (AUS, JPN)
• The highest-placed team in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Series 2023 (ITA)

In addition, there are reserve nations (ESP, CHN, FIN), which can step in if a qualified nation does not participate.

For individual qualification, only nations that have not accepted a team quota place receive individual quota places. Each athlete can obtain a maximum of one individual quota place for their country. A nation can receive a maximum of two individual places for eventing competitions.

Individual quota places are allocated based on the FEI Eventing Olympic Ranking, taking into account the best athletes from different geographic groups. If places remain unused, they are redistributed according to the reallocation procedures.

Specific reallocation procedures apply to unused host-nation places and individual quota places to ensure that all available places are used as effectively as possible.

For German eventing riders, the situation for this Olympic season is as follows:
In accordance with the international criteria, all quota places for the German eventing team were already secured in 2022.

For nomination to the German eventing team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, specific principles apply, which were decided by the DOSB Presidium in May 2022. Rider/horse combinations are selected based on various criteria:

• competition performances and results during the 2024 season at CCI4*/CCI5* events,
• current health and fitness status of the rider/horse combination at the time of nomination,
• the rider/horse combination’s form curve at the time of nomination,
• multiple workload/starts of the same rider/horse combination.

Nomination proposals are prepared by the Eventing Elite Sport Working Group, which consists of various members including the chair, the head coach, the team veterinarian, and a representative of the DOKR office. This working group also coordinates individual participation in selected international CCI4*/CCI5* competitions as well as national championships.

The final decision on nomination to the German eventing team is made by the DOSB Executive Board, based on the submitted nomination proposals.

Outstanding achievements in Olympic equestrian sport

Riding master Hans Günter Winkler

‍Hans Günter Winkler is one of the legendary riders in Olympic history. With his many medals and impressive skill, he had a major impact on equestrian sport.

Dressage icon Isabell Werth

Isabell Werth, born on 21 July 1969 in Issum, is an outstanding German dressage rider. With seven Olympic titles and a total of twelve Olympic medals (7 gold, 5 silver), nine World Championship titles, twenty-one European Championship victories, and fourteen German Championship titles, she has established herself as the most successful rider and dressage rider worldwide.

Michael Jung

‍The German eventing rider Michael Jung won a total of four Olympic medals in eventing between 2012 and 2016. This places him third in the ranking of the most successful eventing riders in Olympic equestrian.

Andrew Hoy

‍To this day, Andrew Hoy is the most successful eventing rider at the Summer Olympic Games. With a total of six medals—3 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze—he is the most successful Australian equestrian at the Olympic Games.

Olympic dressage: the individual medal winners

Olympic Games in show jumping: the individual medal winners

Here you’ll find an overview of all show jumpers who have secured one of the coveted medals at the Summer Olympic Games over the years.

Olympic medal winners in eventing

‍Michael Jung, Julia Krajewski, and Sandra Auffarth are just a few of the eventing riders who proved their skill at the Olympic Games and were rewarded with an Olympic medal.