With the 2020 Olympics coming up, many of our riders here at Reveal Equestrian are curious about what equestrian sports are involved in the events. At Reveal Equestrian in San Juan Capistrano, we encourage our students to aim high and compete ambitiously because we know that many of our students aspire to perform at the Olympics one day. In fact, Jenna Reveal-Bourcier, our San Juan Capistrano Equestrian, has actually already worked with many talented athletes who have gone on to compete in events at the elite, international level. To motivate our amazing students, we try to provide them with the most accurate information about equestrian events at the Olympics possible.
Are equestrian sports included in the Olympics?
Equestrian events were first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris, France and, with the exception of the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, have been a part of the games ever since. In 1952, women and civilians were allowed to compete in the games for the very first time. Before that, only officers could be a part of the equestrian events. The 2020 Summer Olympics start July 25th and end August 7th. This year, they will be hosted in Tokyo, Japan.
How are equestrians judged in the Olympics?
The Olympic organization judges equestrian events by guidelines set by the Equestrian International Federation, also known in French as the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The FEI assesses competitors on their ability to demonstrate effortless harmony and trust between human and horse. Equestrians must demonstrate grace, skill, control, and strength in their performance by communicating their needs to their horses through body language and rein shifts.
Which equestrian sports are featured in the Olympics?
Like our equestrian facility in San Juan Capistrano, the Olympics feature three main disciplines: dressage, eventing, and jumping. All the events are based on the English style of riding rather than the Western-style. Though the FEI typically hosts events for other disciplines, such as driving, endurance, reining, vaulting, etc, the Olympics only focuses on the most popular categories. Below you can find the event program:
Dressage
Team Competition
Individual Competition
Eventing
Team Competition
Individual Competition
Jumping
Team Competition
Individual Competition
What makes this sport unique in the Olympics is that it is the only one to involve animals other than humans, and it is one of the few sports that judges men and women together on equal terms.
How are riders scored at the Olympics?
Each discipline is scored differently. Competitors can win gold, silver, and bronze medals in each respective discipline for team and individual competitions.
Dressage is a somewhat subjective discipline because it evaluates the compatibility, agility, and poise of a horse and its rider. Typically, five FEI judges will sit in different locations around the arena, so they can collectively see the performance from all angles. Afterward, they will score the rider on a scale of 1 to 10. Then, their scores are averaged and the highest score wins.
Show jumping is a discipline that requires horses and their riders to complete a timed obstacle course. It is simply judged on how many penalties have been knocked over, touched, or tipped. The competitors with the least penalties win. If there is a tie, the top performers engage in a timed jump-off.
Eventing is a blend of different disciplines which include cross country jumping, dressage, and stadium jumping. You can think of eventing as a long obstacle course made of natural and manufactured materials, such as ditches, fences, and streams. Judges are stationed at each obstacle and critique the performers based on their penalties. Penalties may include disobedience, falls, incorrect activities, etc.
Can you be disqualified from the Olympics?
Yes, cheating, use of drugs, and dishonesty can all result in disqualification. Since equestrian sports involve another being, it’s also extremely important for riders to treat their animals with respect and compassion. Competitors can be disqualified for animal abuse. These rules are a simple reminder to treat your horse kindly no matter where you are!
If you are interested in learning more about competing seriously in equestrian events, give us a call to set up a lesson at Reveal Equestrian. Our team is focused on building your relationship with your horse, honing your unique talents, and preparing you for competitions. Reveal Equestrian is located in San Juan Capistrano, so stop by if you’re ever in the area!
