Introduction

Equestrian events were included in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1900 and then in 1912, in a format very similar to that which will be used at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

In the past, the three-day event (Eventing) was restricted to military officers, while the jumping and dressage competitions were open to civilians, but only a handful of civilian riders competed up to 1948. Up to that time, the growth of modern sport had been rapid, but relatively few competitors were involved in international competitions. They all knew each other and the judges and were accepting of local variations to the fairly simple rules which existed. With the inclusion of the sport in the Olympic Games, it became obvious that some internationally recognised rules for the three Olympic disciplines were essential. In May 1921, delegates from 10 national equestrian organisations met in Lausanne to discuss the formation of an international federation.

Equestrian consists of three disciplines: Jumping, Dressage and Eventing (Three-Day Event).

Understanding Equestrian

The Equestrian disciplines are unique among Olympic sports, in the sense that men and women compete on the same terms and horse and rider are both declared Olympic medal winners.

Rider and horse are considered a team. Years of systematic efforts are required for the team to be able to perform adequately various exercises of skill, speed, endurance, and jumping of obstacles.

Rider's Clothing 

The rider's basic items of clothing include: a Top Hat for Dressage or a Hard hat for the Jumping and cross-country events; coat, white shirt and stock (hunting tie) for gentlemen and choker for ladies (in Dressage, black or dark blue tailcoat for ladies and gentlemen); breeches; riding boots; spurs and gloves for ladies and gentlemen.

Horse's Equipment

Saddle: The purpose of the saddle is to help the rider adjust his balance and sitting on the horse. Saddle types differ to allow and permit different Equestrian activities. The Jumping and Eventing saddle is forward cut with knee rolls for close contact while the Dressage saddle has a deeper seat and straight flaps. The saddle is made of steel, glass fibres or wood. The saddle's exterior is mainly made of leather.

Girth: The girth holds the saddle firmly in place. It is similar to a belt.

Numhah: The numhah is a piece of cloth placed under the saddle to protect the horse's back.

Martingales: the purpose of the martingale is to help prevent the horse raising his head.

Bridle and Bit: the bit provides the principle means of contact and communication between horse and rider. The majority of bits rest on the mouth between the canine teeth and the grinders. There are different kinds of bits and the rider chooses accordingly to what suits the horse. The most commonly used bits are the ordinary bridoon bit (snaffle), the bridoon bit with two joints, the egg-butt bridoon bit, the pelham, the kimblewick etc.

Dressage horses use a double bridle, which consists of two bits on separate pairs of reins, a snuffle compared with a curb bit and a curb chain attached. The double bridle gives greater control to the rider.

Horse Clothing: A rug suits different purposes such as to keep the horse warm when clipped and cold weather, a cotton rug may be used to cool down an over heated horse, a cotton sweat rug helps to absorb the horse's sweat after competition etc.

Boots: Boots are used to protect the horse's legs especially when jumping or training. Horse boots may be used on all four legs of a horse.

Bandages: Bandages are usually made of different types of fabric and are used for leg protection when the horse is traveling, exercising or resting in the stable.  

Dressage

Dressage tests are performed in a sand arena of 60 x 20 m. In the Olympic Games, Dressage is concluded in three rounds (Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle).  Riders strive for harmony, lightness and a free, flowing regular movement of the horse at all paces, giving the impression to both judges and audience that the horse is executing all exercises on its own.

The first round, which takes place in two competition days, is the Dressage Grand Prix Test that determines the Team Dressage Olympic Winners and the 1st Individual Qualifier. The top 25 horses and riders qualify for the second round, the Dressage Grand Prix Special Test, a test of the same movements as the Grand Prix but shorter in time, which determines the 2nd Individual Qualifier. This is a more intense test, with greater emphasis on the most demanding and difficult movements. Both athlete and horse receive marks for the execution and for their overall aspect of the test.

Fifteen riders and horses qualify for the third round, the Grand Prix Freestyle Test that was first introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games; in this event, riders choose the movements and alternations of movements that they will perform and the music that will accompany their choreographic programme. Riders and horses are marked for their technique and artistic performance - the ability to execute all movements following the music's rhythm.

At the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games, the Dressage competition included a Jumping test. Competitors jumped over four obstacles. The obstacles did not exceed 1.10 m in height, while it included a spread jump of 3 m width.

Jumping

Jumping events are conducted in a sand or grass arena. The main characteristics of Jumping are speed and the accurate movements of both the rider and the horse. Riders jump over 12 to 15 obstacles in specific order and within specific time limits.  Each of the obstacles may be up to 1.60m high.  Should the rider and his or her horse exceed the time limit, knock down or refuse jumping over an obstacle or even fall, they are given penalty points.

All 75 participants compete in the first individual Qualifier, which is held during the first competition day, as well as on the second competition day.

The second competition day consists of two rounds acting as a) the 1st and 2nd round determining the team Jumping Olympic Winners and b) the 2nd and 3rd qualifier for the Individual. Fifteen National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of a minimum of 3 riders and horses and a maximum 4 riders and horses compete for the team in the 1st round and the 15 riders only for the individual. In the 2nd round, 10 teams still compete for both the team and the individual and the rest 35 riders only for the individual.

The third competition day for the Jumping Individual final consists of two rounds. All 45 best placed riders from the three first qualifying rounds, after the conclusion of the Team Jumping riders, compete at the first round of the Jumping Individual Final. The 20 best riders, after the first round, compete at the second round that determines the Olympic medal winners. In case of a tie for medal placing, a jump-off determines the winner.

The rules that govern the Jumping competition have changed over the years. Course designing has become more technical and the obstacles are higher. In the 1912 Jumping Competition, the course consisted of 15 obstacles, same as today, however, back then some of the obstacles had to be jumped over twice, raising the total number of jumps to 29. Moreover, competitors used to earn 10 points for obstacles jumped clear and have points deducted in case of a refusal, knock-down or fall. The rider with the highest score was declared medal winner, and not the rider with the least faults, as it is today. It is worth noting that penalty points were given even with a touch of a fence.

Eventing

Eventing is a combination of Dressage, Jumping and cross-country tests and is the most complex of the three Olympic Equestrian disciplines. The rider has to ride the same horse for three days, participating at the following three events:

1st day: Dressage

The rider has to execute a predetermined test of movements within an arena 60 x 20m. This test proves the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse, as well as the harmony and perfect understanding between the rider and the horse.

2nd day: Cross-country

This test consists of one phase:
Phase D: Cross-country course with 45 maximum jumping efforts, riding a 5,700m distance.

During the second day, the speed, endurance and ability of the true cross-country horse at its peak condition to jump over obstacles, as well as the rider's knowledge of pace and use of his/her horse are tested.

3rd day: Jumping

The Jumping Test is to prove that the horse has retained its energy and obedience after the previous day of endurance tests.

The rider and horse with the lowest penalty score after the three tests is declared winner of the event.

Historically, Eventing was the military mission of a cavalry officer that had to deliver a message through enemy lines and back to his base. At the beginning of its Olympic History, in the 1912 Olympic Games, the competition was run differently. The first day consisted of the endurance and cross-country test that involved about 50km of roads and tracks, about 5km of a flagged cross-country course of natural obstacles and then around 3.5km of a speed test with ten obstacles. The Jumping test was performed on the second day of Eventing. Dressage was performed last. Today's format is exactly the opposite, starting with Dressage the first day, continuing with the endurance, speed and cross-country test the second day and completing the competition with the Jumping test the last day.