Eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – [Equestrian Sport Guide]

Eventing is one of the three Olympic equestrian sports and will be featured once again at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.

Eventers are the triathletes of the equestrian world, completing three phases of competition that challenge their agility, bravery, and stamina.

Spectators can look forward to impressive displays of athleticism and precision, with the world’s top horses and riders showcasing their prowess in dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

The Olympic Games have been instrumental in shaping eventing into the modern sport loved by riders and spectators today. At the Paris Olympics this July, the best equine athletes will compete at the Palace of Versailles, providing a historic backdrop for the event.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the competition, teams, and schedule for equestrian eventing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Eventing in the Olympics

The sport of eventing combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping into a single competition, testing the versatility and endurance of both horse and rider.

Eventing traces its roots back to military cavalry training, where officers and horses needed to demonstrate their capabilities in a variety of disciplines.

Over the past century, eventing has evolved from a military test to a modern sport, introducing changes to maintain its place in the Olympic Games. Although these changes made eventing more accessible, it remains one of the most challenging sports in the Olympics.

History

Equestrian eventing first appeared in the Olympic program at the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games. Only commissioned officers could compete in eventing at the early Olympics, which included a complicated speed and endurance test with five phases. ^[1]
Male civilians first became eligible to participate in the Olympic eventing competition at the 1952 Helsinki Games. While Olympic equestrian sports are known for gender equality today, women could not compete in Olympic eventing until 1964. ^[1]

Every Olympic Games since 1912 has featured the equestrian sports of eventing, dressage, and jumping. These three sports are part of the Paris 2024 program and are also confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Competition Format

After the 2000 Sydney Games, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) developed a new short format that eliminated several phases of the endurance test to simplify the competition. Before the change, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considered dropping eventing due to the cost and land required. ^[2]

Today, the Olympic eventing competition consists of three phases:

• Day 1: Dressage
• Day 2: Cross Country
• Day 3: Jumping

Horse and rider pairs complete each phase on a separate day over three days of competition. ^[2]

Combinations earn a final score based on the total penalties earned throughout the competition. The lowest total score wins. Athletes can earn team and individual medals in Olympic eventing, with teams winning medals based on the combined performance of every rider.

The eventing format at future Olympics may look slightly different. In 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requested a revised format for LA 2028 that ensures every phase can be held at the same venue and that cross country, the most popular phase, is scheduled for the final day of competition.

Attire and Equipment

Each phase of eventing has slightly different equipment and attire guidelines. Horses often have different saddles and bridles that optimize communication and rider balance for each phase.

Riders must wear protective headgear whenever mounted. During cross country, riders also wear safety vests over light-weight clothing. Boots protect the horse’s legs during cross-country and jumping. ^[2]

Attire for the jumping and dressage phases resembles the outfits worn by riders who compete in those disciplines. Eventers wear a tailcoat for dressage and a short show coat for jumping.

Olympic Eventing Sport Organizations

Equestrian sports organizations partner with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop the format for every Olympic equestrian competition, including eventing.

International Federation for Equestrian Sports

Also known as the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the International Federation for Equestrian Sports is the official world horse sport governing body recognized by the IOC. The FEI governs all international eventing competitions, including the Olympics.

National Federations

National federations nominate the eventing teams that will represent their countries at the Olympic Games. These federations govern national equestrian competitions and collaborate with international organizations to develop qualifying processes for Olympic eventing teams.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States. Equestrian Canada (EC) is Canada’s national governing body.

National federations work alongside the national Olympic committees that oversee all Olympic sports within their home countries.

Paris 2024 Equestrian Eventing Events

The eventing competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games includes two horse inspections, three phases, four rounds of competition, and two medal ceremonies.

Venue

All equestrian events at Paris 2024 will take place at the Palace of Versailles. A temporary outdoor stadium built by Olympic organizers in the palace gardens will host the dressage and jumping phases of the competition.

Some Games, including Tokyo 2020, host the cross country at a separate venue due to the space required. At Paris, eventing riders will stay on site to traverse a cross-country course that winds through the surrounding woods and over the Grand Canal.

The stadium, cross-country course, and other equestrian facilities will be dismantled after the Games to restore the palace grounds.

Preparation

The eventing horses will be the first equine athletes to arrive at Versailles for the Olympic Games. Teams will move into the barns before the competition begins to give the horses enough time to settle in.

Some horses arriving from foreign countries have to go through a quarantine period before arriving in France to protect horse health. The facilities will include barns, schooling rings, and areas for the horses to stretch their legs and relax between competition rounds.

The competition arena will open for schooling at designated times so riders can help their horses feel confident in the big stadium. Eventers will also walk the cross-country course to plan their ride.

Horse Inspection

All horses at international eventing competitions governed by the FEI have to pass veterinary inspections before they compete. The eventing horse inspections at the Olympics ensure all equine athletes are healthy and fit to participate.

National teams can present up to four horses for inspection, including one reserve. If one combination withdraws from the competition for veterinary reasons, the travelling reserve can fill their team spot.

The first inspection occurs before the competition begins. A second competition, held after cross country and before jumping, ensures horses recover well and are ready for the final phase of competition.

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Dressage

The dressage phase showcases the horses and rider’s partnership, balance, and training. Riders guide their horse through a set series of movements, called a test, in a standard-sized arena.

Dressage judges evaluate their performance and assign each movement a score of 0 to 10. Judges use the same criteria to evaluate eventing and standard dressage, but eventing riders do not need to master the more advanced movements seen in Olympic dressage.

Scores are added together for an overall percentage of points earned. That percentage is the final score in standard dressage. In eventing, the percentage is converted to a penalty score. For example, a 70% is a penalty score of 30. The lower the score, the better. ^[2]

Cross-Country

The cross-country phase is the most exciting phase of the Olympic eventing competition and typically draws the most spectators. It is a demanding test of bravery, focus, and stamina for both horse and rider.

This phase consists of a long course of obstacles and varied terrain that mimics fox hunting through the countryside. Each obstacle has a number and flags that let riders know the course sequence and correct direction.

Combinations must complete the course within a time window to avoid time penalties. Riders begin this phase in the start box, where a steward counts down to their ride time. The timer for their ride ends when they cross the finish flags at the end of the course. ^[2]

Mistakes on the cross-country course, such as refusals, add penalty points to the final score. The Olympic cross-country course has a lower level of difficulty than the most challenging eventing competitions so more countries can safely participate in the Games.

Show Jumping

The show jumping phase is currently the final phase in the Olympic eventing schedule, although that may change for future games. This phase tests precision and accuracy on a jumping course in the main stadium.

Jumping courses consist of obstacles with poles that fall easily if a horse knocks into them. Knocking a rail adds penalties to the final score. Refusing jumps or exceeding the time allowed adds additional penalties.

There are two rounds of jumping competition on the final day of eventing at Paris 2024. The first round is the final team competition while the second round is the final individual competition.

Eventing Medal Ceremonies

Winning athletes will receive their medals during a medal ceremony. Both team and individual eventing medal ceremonies will be held immediately following the individual show jumping final.

Olympic equine athletes receive coolers and ribbons to wear for their medal ceremony. Riders enter the main stadium on their horses and dismount to stand on the podium and receive their medals.

Grooms stand with the horses while riders are on the podium. After playing the national anthem of the winner, riders return to their horses to remount, ride a lap of honour, and celebrate their achievement with their equine partner.

How to Qualify for Eventing at Paris 2024

A total of 65 athlete-horse combinations and 16 national teams will compete in eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Eventing has more quota spots for participants than dressage, but less than jumping. ^[3]

Team Qualification

The 16 team quota spots include one for the host country, 14 awarded through FEI Olympic Group Qualification Events, and one awarded through the FEI Eventing Nations Cup 2023.

For the Paris 2024 Summer Games, France qualified as the host nation. Other countries earned their team spots through their performance at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships, the 2023 FEI European Eventing Championship, the 2023 Pan American Games, and other qualification events.

Individual Qualification

National federations that do not earn or accept a team quota can send up to two riders to compete in eventing at Paris 2024 as individuals. There are 17 spots available for individual athletes.

Individual eventing athletes qualify for Paris 2024 based on their FEI Olympic Ranking. The two highest-ranked athletes from seven designated regions will earn a quota for their national federation.

These regions include:

• A – North Western Europe
• B – South Western Europe
• C – Central & Eastern Europe; Central Asia
• D & E – North America, Central & South America
• F – Africa & Middle East
• G – South East Asia, Oceania

Three individual quota places are awarded to nations with the highest overall ranked athletes on the FEI Olympic ranking, regardless of region.

Paris 2024 National Eventing Teams

Eventing teams qualified for Paris 2024 include: ^[3]

• France
• Germany
• USA
• New Zealand
• Great Britain
• Ireland
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Canada
• Brazil
• Australia
• Japan
• Italy

Three horse and rider pairs make up each Olympic eventing team. Nations can bring a travelling reserve combination to replace a team rider if necessary.

Nations can send mixed teams since men and women compete directly against each other in all equestrian sports. Men and women frequently share the team and individual medal podiums in eventing.

German eventer Julia Krajewski became the first woman to win an individual gold medal in equestrian eventing on her horse Amande de B’Neville at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Eventing Olympic Medals

All qualifying team and individual eventing riders complete three consecutive days of competition. Team and individual competition takes place concurrently during the dressage and cross-country phases. However, there are separate team and individual jumping finals.

Team Medals

The team eventing competition begins with the dressage phase. 65 starters, including team and individual riders, complete a dressage test on the first day of competition. The entire field contests the cross-country course on the second day of competition.

Unlike other eventing competitions, there are two rounds of show jumping on the last day. The first round is the team final. The three teams with the lowest combined scores after the team final win the team eventing medals at Paris 2024.

Individual Medals

The team final jumping round is the qualifier for the individual final. The top 25 combinations move on to a second show-jumping round held later the same day. Combinations with the lowest scores after the conclusion of all three days win the individual eventing medals.

Olympic officials present riders with team and individual medals in medal ceremonies immediately following the individual final jumping round.

Olympic Eventing Records

Germany has won the most Olympic gold medals in equestrian eventing. The United States currently holds the record for the most Olympic eventing medals of any colour. Great Britain, Australia, France, Germany, and New Zealand have led the team competition at recent Olympic Games. ^[4]

Eventer Andrew Hoy holds the record for the most Olympic appearances by any Australian athlete at eight Olympic Games so far. The record for the most Olympic appearances by any American athlete belongs to eventer John Michael Plumb, who competed at seven Games. ^[4]

Past Olympic Eventing Results

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Individual Eventing:

• Gold: Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville
• Silver: Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser
• Bronze: Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos

Team Eventing:

• Gold: Great Britain
• Silver: Australia
• Bronze: France

Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games

Individual Eventing:

• Gold: Michael Jung and Sam
• Silver: Astier Nicolas and Piaf de B’Neville
• Bronze: Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice

Team Eventing:

• Gold: France
• Silver: Germany
• Bronze: Australia

London 2012 Olympic Games

Individual Eventing:

• Gold: Michael Jung and Sam
• Silver: Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Wega
• Bronze: Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo

Team Eventing:

• Gold: Germany
• Silver: Great Britain
• Bronze: New Zealand

2024 Olympic Eventing Schedule

Eventing is the first equestrian sport on the schedule at Paris 2024. The equestrian competition begins on July 27th at the Palace of Versailles.

Eventing is scheduled for the following days:

Note: This schedule is current at time of publication, but is subject to change by the IOC.

How to Watch Eventing at the Olympic Games

Can’t make it to Paris to watch the top equestrian athletes in the world conquer the Olympic cross-country course?

Stream equestrian eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games live on NBC sports or CBC sports.