Technical details
There are three Olympic equestrian events: eventing, dressage and
showjumping.
At Olympic Games, the horses must be the same nationality as the riders and
each horse must be at least seven years old and have (as well as the rider) a
certificate indicating experience in top international competition.
Three-day eventing consists of three elements: dressage, endurance and
showjumping.
The endurance section has four phases: 5km of road and track, 2.76km
steeplechase, 7.7km of road and track, 6.27km cross-country section.
After the road and track section there is a compulsory 10-minute veterinary
inspection before competitors continue with the cross-country.
Final results are determined by adding the penalty points together, with the
lowest penalty points scored over the three disciplines deciding the winner.
Individual dressage consists of an initial grand prix test, with the top third
qualifying for the grand prix special. From there, a further reduction in
competitors is made for the freestyle final to music.
The results of the grand prix competition determine the team event.
Competitors have to memorise a series of movements and perform them in a set
sequence (except for the freestyle event) and are marked out of 10 for each move
and out of a further 10 for elements such as overall pace, and the rider's
position, with penalty points being deducted for any errors.
The team showjumping course is a distance between 600-700m containing 12-15
obstacles. Up to four competitors from each country enter individual and team
events and the lowest three scores count in the team event.
The individual showjumping event consists of two rounds. The first round has
10-12 obstacles and the second round is completed over a different course.
Final placings are decided by adding together the penalties incurred in both
rounds. A jump-off is used in the case of a draw.
Five facts
1) The partnership between horse and man can be traced to many ancient
civilisations in China, Egypt and the Middle East. Competitions involving horses
date back as far as the Ancient Olympic Games with chariot racing.
2) The first equestrian event to appear on the modern Olympic programme was
showjumping in 1900.
3) Equestrian is the only completely open Olympic sport, where men and women
compete against each other.
4) Great Britain has won a total of five golds, eight silvers and nine bronze
medals in equestrian events.
5) Great Britain has had some memorable Olympians in equestrian, including HRH
The Princess Royal, President of the British Olympic Association and an
International Olympic Committee member, who competed at the 1976 Olympic Games
in the individual and team three-day event.
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