At the Olympic Games, the Equestrian competition comprises of three different disciplines: Dressage, Eventing and Jumping, with each discipline awarding both team and individual medals.
Overview
This year, a record of 50 countries will compete in equestrian at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, thanks to the introduction of a new competition format. Teams now consist of three horse and rider combinations, with all scores counting towards the overall team score.
Equestrian is the only sport in the Olympic Movement that involves an animal and in which men and women compete head to head on equal terms. As equestrian is not split into gender divisions the sport of equestrian is truly gender neutral.
Equestrian Team
Ones To Watch
Andrew Hoy (Eventing), three-time Olympic gold medallist, will represent Australia at an unprecedented eighth Olympic Games in Tokyo, extending his own record of seven as the most Olympic appearances by an Australian athlete.
Simone Pearce (Dressage) is the Australian Equestrian Team's youngest member at 30 years of age, and will make her Olympic debut aboard the black stallion Destano. Simone and Destano currently hold all three Australian Grand Prix records and have the potential to secure Australia’s first ever podium placing at an Olympic Games.
The Format
- Dressage – is often described as ‘ballet for horses’ since the horse and rider appear to be dancing while performing intricate and elegant movements that are judged on precision, correctness and technicality. A total of sixty combinations will compete in the Grand Prix competition, which serves as a qualifier for both the Team final and also the Individual Freestyle. The Grand Prix Special competition will decide the Team Medals.
- Eventing – is the equivalent of an equestrian triathlon and consists of three phases that must be completed by each horse and rider - Dressage, Cross-Country and Jumping. These rounds not only decide the team medals, but also the starting order for the individual final, with the top 25 combinations taking part in a second Jumping round to decide the individual medals. The Cross Country test — which is unique to Eventing — is the most exciting phase of the competition. The course is made up of numerous obstacles including ditches and water jumps that are spread over undulating terrain. Horses and athletes cover this demanding course, which is close to 4.5km in length, at a gallop in approximately 8 minutes. Athletes who take the shortest route may achieve a quicker time but face a higher risk of error, adding a tactical element to the phase. The horse and rider with the lowest combined score across all three phases wins.
- Jumping - is a brilliant display of bravery, control and skill that requires horse and rider to jump a course of 12 to 15 “knockable” obstacles. Penalties are incurred for each obstacle knocked down or refused, as well as time penalties for exceeding the time allowed. The 30 best-placed combinations from the individual qualifier compete in the individual final, while the 10 highest-ranking teams from the team qualifier will compete in the team final. In each competition, competitors will jump a new and unique course. Riders may ‘walk the course’ to prepare a strategy but the horses are not allowed to see the obstacles before the competition.
Whats The Story?
The Tokyo 2020 Australian Equestrian Team has a total of five athletes who have represented Australia at previous Olympic Games. Andrew Hoy will become the first Australian to compete in eight Olympic Games, while Mary Hanna is the oldest Australia Team member at 66.
The Facts
- All of the Australian Eventing team members are previous Olympic medallists.
- The equestrian competition starts on 24th July and runs through to the 7th August.
- The Equestrian competition will take place at the Baji Koen Equestrian Park, with the exception of the cross-country phase of the Eventing competition, which will be held at Sea Forest overlooking Tokyo Bay.
- Before the start of each competition the horses are presented to the Ground Jury in a ‘horse inspection’ to ensure they are fit and healthy to compete
- A total 247 horses will be travelling to Tokyo for the Olympic Games
- Equestrian doesn’t need any policy regarding transgender athletes as there are no requirements for athletes to state their gender in order to participate – all athletes compete head to head making the sport gender neutral.
#HaveAGo at Equestrian
Equestrian
DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE/PONY?
No, you do not need to own a horse/pony to start horse riding. There are many riding centres across Australia that provide a variety of suitable horses/ponies to learn on, as well as more advanced horses to progress onto as you gain skill and confidence.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
It’s easy. Just sign up to RideaHorse.com.au then select a program and riding centre that suit you. You can then contact the riding centre directly to enrol in your chosen program.
IS IT SAFE FOR NOVICES? IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE?
Our mix of programs is designed to cater to all skill levels, with a focus on safety. Use our ‘Find Your Program’ page to find the program, and riding centre, that is right for you. Our beginner level programs ‘Ready Set Trot’ and ‘Ready Set Vault’ are designed for ages 5-12 but each riding centre is able to decide the minimum age of students they will accept.
