Equestrian
Equestrian, as a sporting event was first included in the Olympic Games in 1900 and then in 1912. The format of the sport then remained very similar to the one used at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The three disciplines of Equestrian events are: Jumping, Dressage and Eventing (Three-Day Event).In the initial years of its introduction in the Olympic Games, the three-day event (Eventing) was restricted to military officers only, with the jumping and dressage disciplines being open to civilians.
The three disciplines of Equestrian in Beijing Olympics will entail:
Jumping- In this event, the horse is required to clear a series of obstacles arranged in a set order. The winner is decided by minimum penalty points.
Dressage - Here the horse must perform set movements as well as freestyle to music; the winner is determined on the basis of obedience of the horse, its balance, suppleness and precision of movements.
Eventing - This 3 day event comprises a dressage test, a cross country test and a jumping test. The winner is declared on the basis of minimum penalties. The cross country test included here requires the horse to clear subsequent natural obstacles on a set course within the optimum time.
Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where a human collaborates with an animal in competition. The sport is also one of the very few instances where men and women compete on an equal footing.
The equestrian events in 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics are scheduled to be held in Hong Kong, China from August 9-20. The main venue in Shatin will hold the jumping and dressage events, while the cross country competition will be held at Beas River.
Give below is the list of Equestrian Events that will feature in the Beijing Olympics Games.
- Individual Mixed
- Team Mixed
- Individual Mixed
- Team Mixed
- Individual Mixed
- Team Mixed
