Olympic equestrian sports explained

There are three Olympic Equestrian sports: dressage, eventing and showjumping. Horse sports such as chariot and riding races were part of the early Olympic Games. As its own sport, riding was first included in the 1900 Olympic Games and reappeared in 1912. Initially, in the modern Olympics, only commissioned officers were allowed to compete but beginning in 1952, the rules changed to allow women and civilians to participate. Olympic equestrian events are one of the very few Olympic sports where women compete equally with men.

THE COMPETITION

Six Olympic Equestrian events take place in a number of venues over the course of the Games:

• Eventing, Team Competition

• Eventing, Individual Competition

• Dressage, Team Competition

• Dressage, Individual Competition

• Jumping, Team Competition

• Jumping, Individual Competition

All Olympic equestrian disciplines are governed by the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

DRESSAGE

Dressage is the systematic training of a horse to carry a rider with ease and grace. Olympic level dressage competition highlights the most advanced and refined riding skills.

The first Olympic competition was in 1912, although the sport is centuries old. Five FEI judges score Olympic dressage; each sits in a different position around the arena. Scores are based on the accuracy and beauty of each movement of the test and rated on a scale of 0 to 10.

Horses and riders at the Olympic Games compete at the highest level of dressage recognised by the FEI, Grand Prix. Kur or Freestyle is a dressage test choreographed to music, and this is also part of the competition. The score is based on the accuracy of the movements and artistic impression. The highest score wins.

DRESSAGE FORMAT

Teams are made of three athletes, all of whom are also competing for individual medals. Nations without a team can be represented by a single individual athlete in dressage.

The dressage competition starts with the Grand Prix, which serves as a qualifier for both team and individual competitions. Athletes are drawn into six heats of ten athletes each, with the opening three heats being scheduled for the first day and the remaining three heats for the second day. Heats are drawn so that no more than one athlete per country can be assigned to the same heat. Once the Grand Prix heats are concluded, team scores are determined by adding up individual scores of the respective team members. The top eight ranked teams qualify for the team final (Grand Prix Special), while the top two individual athletes from each heat, plus the next best six ranked athletes, qualify for the individual final (Grand Prix Freestyle).

Grand Prix Special, which is used to decide team medals, is a slightly more rigorous dressage test, emphasising difficult transitions (such as collected walk - piaffe). Grand Prix Special is performed to music of the athlete's choice. As the scores start from zero again after the Grand Prix, team medals are determined solely based on scores achieved in the Grand Prix Special. Nations taking part in the team final are allowed to enter a substitute athlete between the Grand Prix and up to two hours before the Grand Prix Special.

Grand Prix Freestyle is open for 18 athletes and is used to decide individual medals. Each athlete designs their own test for the Freestyle, which must be set to music and must contain 16 compulsory movements. Riders can tailor a test to their horse's strengths, as well as incorporate movements that are more difficult than those required in the Grand Prix or the Special (such as a pirouette in piaffe or flying changes on a curving line) in order to increase their scores. Individual medals are assigned based on scores in the Freestyle.

WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC DRESSAGE FANS?

The Olympic dressage competitions are being held on the 24th to 25th and 27th to 29th July 2021 at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo’s Heritage Zone. The team medals will be decided on the 27th of July and the individual medals will be won on the 28th of July.

SHOWJUMPING

Showjumping tests the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles. Courses are designed with many tight turns and obstacles challenging both the mental and physical agility of the horse and rider. The horse and rider teams must finish within a set time, and penalties are given for knocking down poles and other standard faults. There are five rounds held at the Olympics.

Scores are based on the number of poles knocked down, refusals to jump and time penalties. The rider with the fewest penalties across the two final rounds wins. Ties are broken by jump-offs with penalties and the fastest times used to break the tie. Riders inspect the course before riding to plan the best strategy for jumping these very challenging courses cleanly and quickly.

WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE OLYMPIC SHOWJUMPING FORMAT?

The two key differences from previous Olympics are that the individual medals will now be decided before the team competition, and there are only three riders in each nation’s squad, rather than four.

Additionally, in the team final, there will be a 20-minute break after the first two riders from all ten teams have jumped. An intermediate classification of teams will be established and used to determine the starting order of each team’s third rider in reverse order of merit.

IS THERE A TEAM DROP SCORE?

No, with just three riders in a team, every score will count for each nation in the team competition. Riders who withdraw, retire or are eliminated from the team competition will not be given a score, and the team will be classified according to the remaining scores – beneath those teams who field three scores. Teams that have two riders withdrawn/retired/eliminated will be eliminated. In the case of disqualification of any horse or rider, the whole team is disqualified and may take no further part.

CAN A HORSE OR RIDER BE SUBSTITUTED IN?

No substitutions can be made during the individual qualifier, in which three combinations from each nation are permitted, or individual final. But between the end of the individual final and up to two hours before the start of the first team competition, combinations may be changed, and one substitution may be made between the end of the team qualifier and the beginning of the team final. No substitutions are allowed for a jump-off, however.

SHOWJUMPING FORMAT

Individual and team competitions are run separately in showjumping.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION

The individual competition is up first, and it takes two competition days. The first competition day serves as a qualifier, where a total of 75 athletes may start. Each athlete tackles the same course, which includes 12 to 15 numbered obstacles. Athletes are ranked based on the accumulated number of penalty points, and the top 30 advance to the individual final. In case of a tie for the last qualification place, athletes are separated by the time of their round. The individual final is held on a different course that includes 12 to 15 numbered obstacles. Athletes are once again ranked based on the accumulated number of penalty points. If two or more athletes are tied for a medal position, the tie is resolved in a jump-off.

TEAM COMPETITION

First day of team competition serves as a qualifier, and is opened to a total of 20 teams. At the end of the qualifier, teams receive their placing by adding up the penalties incurred by the three team members. Athletes who withdraw or are eliminated or who retire from the competition will not be given a score. Teams with one athlete who has withdrawn, retired or been eliminated from the team qualifier will be placed according to the combined penalties incurred by the two athletes who completed the competition. Teams in which all three athletes completed the competition without being eliminated or retiring shall be placed before teams with only two athletes who completed the competition without being eliminated or retiring. Teams with two athletes who have withdrawn and/or retired and/or been eliminated from the competition will be eliminated. The top 10 teams based on the qualifier results advance to team final. In case of a tie for the last qualification place, teams are separated by the combined time of their three team members. The Team Final is held on a different course. Teams are once again ranked based on accumulated number of penalty points of their team members. If two or more teams are tied for a medal position, the tie is resolved in a jump-off.

THE TRACKS

The tracks will consist of 12-15 obstacles including at least one double and a treble with a minimum height of 1.40m to a maximum 1.65m, including two verticals of 1.60m. A water jump (with a width of between 3.8m and 4m) will be used on at least two days during the competition, with an official camera installed to ensure any faults caused by a horse not clearing the water are accurately recorded.

WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC SHOWJUMPING FANS?

3rd August: one-round individual qualifier for 75 combinations (a maximum of three from each nation) 4th August: individual final for the top 30 combinations, all of whom start on a zero score. Riders will go on to a jump-off if there is a tie for medals. 5th August: rest day 6th August: team qualifier for 20 teams (three riders per nation) 7th August: team final for the top 10 teams, all of whom start on a zero score. There will be a possible jump-off (involving all three team members) if there is a tie for medals.

EVENTING

Eventing is considered the triathalon of equestrian. It is a test of the versatility, skill and endurance of horse and rider. As the name suggests, three-day eventing is held over three days and consists of three disciplines: crosscountry, dressage and jumping. The cross-country phase takes place over a course of natural and man-made obstacles. There can be up to 40-45 obstacles that horses must jump or go through over the course that is up to 6.4km long. Scores are based on refusals, coming in under or over a set time and falls of the rider.

EVENTING FORMAT

Competitions for team and individual medals run concurrently. Each athlete, riding the same horse, performs a dressage test, a cross-country round, and a jumping round. Team medals are then awarded by adding together the scores of team members from all three phases. The team with the lowest number of penalty points wins the gold. The top 25 individual athletes after the first jumping round perform a second, final jumping round to determine individual medals. Therefore, those competing for individual glory complete one dressage test and cross-country round, and two jumping rounds.

Athletes who, for various reasons, fail to start or finish any of the phases are eliminated from the individual competition. Teams with eliminated athletes receive penalty points: 100 penalty points for each eliminated athlete during dressage and jumping phases and 200 penalty points for each eliminated athlete during the cross-country phase. While they are excluded from the individual event, eliminated athletes may continue to compete in the following phases for their teams, unless they were eliminated for lameness, fall of the horse, abuse of the horse or otherwise disqualified. A new format will be used at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Each team consists of three horses and riders in this competition, plus an ‘alternate pair’. All three scores will count but it is possible to substitute the alternate pair into the competition in various circumstances, and to use the score from the original pair in some phases, and from the alternate in others. The substitution results in a penalty point score of 20.

WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC EVENTING FANS?

The dressage for the eventing takes place on Friday 30th July and Saturday 31st July. The cross-country is on Sunday 1st August and the showjumping is on Monday 2nd August.

EQUIPMENT AND VENUES

DRESSAGE

Olympic dressage is held in a flat 20 x 60-metre arena. The horses wear minimal tack, which is usually black. At the Olympic level, bridles will be a curb bit with a bridoon (called a double bridle). A plain cavesson, flash, figureeight, or drop noseband may be used. Saddles will be dressage style with a straight flap and a white square saddle pad. No boots or leg wraps may be used.

The riders wear a tailcoat, yellow vest, white gloves, white breeches and tall black boots. Controversially dressage riders will not be permitted to wear the usual top hat for the Olympic Games this year but instead will have to wear a helmet.

Horses will have their manes plaited. Tails may be plaited but are usually left flowing to encourage natural tail carriage.

SHOWJUMPING

Showjumping courses at the Olympics will be very colourful with many technical twists and turns. Course designers will include spread jumps, verticals and combinations. The spaces between obstacles will be set up so that riders must control the length of each stride to set up properly for the next jump.

At the Olympic level, white square saddle pads are used. There are few restrictions on the types of bridles, bits and martingales. Some horses may wear hackamores and bitless brides. Boots, wraps and other protective gear can be worn.

Horses are well-groomed. Manes and tails may be plaited.

Riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmets; buff, tan or white breeches; and will most likely be seen wearing a team jacket.

EVENTING

Rules for tack, clothing and arenas for dressage and jumping are similar to these individual sports. The crosscountry course consists of jumps made of solid natural type obstacles. During the cross-country phase, riders will be wearing jerseys and helmet covers in their team colours and an ASTM/SEI helmet, gloves, and body protector or air jacket. Riders wear eventing watches with a large readout that allows them to keep track of their time and alert them when the ‘optimum time’ has been reached.

The horse’s tack will be similar to jumping, but boots are secured with tape, and shoes may have studs for grip on tight corners. White-coloured ‘leg grease’ may be applied on some horses’ front legs to help them slide over any fences they may make contact with.

MEDALS

Showjumping placings are determined by the fewest knockdowns, penalties and fastest times if there is a jump-off. Dressage placings are determined by the highest scores, with 100 percent being the ideal score. Eventing medals are determined by the combined scores for all phases.

In all cases, the combined scores of all team members are calculated to find the winning team in each event.