[edit] Olympic Equestrian

Equestrian sport is an elegant, competitive sport with a long history, involving the partnership between riders and horses. It is the only Olympic sport where a human being cooperates with an animal in competition, and one of the very few where men and women compete on an equal footing.

In 1900, it officially became a competitive event in the summer Olympics. Since 1912, Olympic Equestrian sports has comprised three distinct disciplines – Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, with both individual and team categories. Paralympic Equestrian Competition consists of only one discipline – Dressage.

Jumping

The horse is required to clear a series of obstacles in a set order, and the winner is decided by minimum penalty points and, in case of a tie, minimum time taken. Details

Dressage

This is often called “horses performing ballet”. The horse is required to perform set movements as well as freestyle to music, and the winner is decided on the obedience of the horse, as well as balance, suppleness and precision of the movements. Details

Eventing

It comprises a dressage test, a cross country test and a jumping test. The winner is decided by minimum penalties. In addition to the dressage and jumping tests, the cross country test requires the horse to clear a series of natural obstacles on a set course within the optimum time. Details