The 2024 Paris Olympics are underway, and some of the lesser-watched sports are getting some attention during the games.
Among these sports is equestrian, with the world’s best horses and riders travelling to France to compete for gold medals.
Olympians compete in the equestrian events at the Paris Games. Photo: Reuters Six gold medals are up for grabs in the Olympic equestrian events. Photo: Getty
At the Paris Games, there are three equestrian events open to Olympic athletes: show jumping, dressage and eventing.
Jumping is a sport in which a rider and horse must jump over obstacles within a time limit, with a penalty being imposed for each obstacle they knock down.
Dressage is a musical performance performed by the rider and horse together.
Eventing combines steeplechase and dressage, with steeplechase and performance over a long course.
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The event will have six gold medals up for grabs across each format, including individual and team medals.
There’s still a lot to know about the Olympic equestrian events. Read on to find out more.
How do Olympic horses travel?
Olympians train and bond with their horses locally in preparation for the Olympics, so they must bring their horses to the host city.
Olympians living in Europe will be able to transport their horses to Paris by car or train, but for those living in the Americas, Asia or Africa, the journey will be more difficult.
It may be an amusing sight to see Olympic horses fly to Paris, but a boat trip may be too stressful for horses who have to compete at the highest level.
Each mare has a team of caregivers who keep an eye on them throughout their journey to ensure a smooth journey around the world.
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When did equestrianism become an Olympic sport?
Equestrianism was one of the five original sports of the Ancient Olympic Games.
According to NBC Olympics, the exact date is recorded as 680 B.C.
Equestrian events made their debut in the modern Olympic Games at the 1900 Paris Games, with Olympians competing only in the individual show jumping event.
In 1912, team jumping was added to the sport in addition to dressage and eventing (team and individual events).
Women took part in the equestrian events at the Olympic Games for the first time at the 1952 Helsinki Games.
When will equestrian events take place at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The equestrian events have already begun, with medals being awarded for team and individual eventing.
In the team all-around event, Great Britain won the gold medal, France won the silver medal, and Japan won the bronze medal.
In the individual eventing competition, Germany’s Michael Jung won the gold medal, Australia’s Christopher Barton won the silver medal, and Great Britain’s Laura Collett won the bronze medal.
The remaining competitions will take place from July 30 to August 6, with dressage starting on Tuesday.
The team and individual dressage competitions will take place on July 30th and 31st, with the team dressage final on August 3rd and the individual dressage final on August 4th.
Team jumps will begin on August 1 with the final taking place on August 2. Individual jumps will begin on August 5 with the final taking place on August 6.
Medals have already been awarded in the eventing competition. Photo: Reuters
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