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All you need to know about showjumping in the Olympics

Like showjumping, dressage and eventing were first incorporated into the Olympic Games in 1900 and have been a highlight of the event ever since.

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 23:21 July 14, 2008
  • Gulf News

Like showjumping, dressage and eventing were first incorporated into the Olympic Games in 1900 and have been a highlight of the event ever since.

For the first few decades, only military officers were allowed to compete in eventing, while civilians could saddle up for dressage and show jumping.

Today, the top rider and horse pairs in the country are sent to compete for individual and team gold.

Equestrian events at the Olympics are the only sports that involve animals, and one of the few where men and women compete as equals.

While the 2008 Olympics are being held in Beijing, China, all equestrian events will be in Hong Kong due to quarantine issues and the availability of appropriate facilities.

Four days of the Olympic games are devoted to dressage. With roots in the European battleground, dressage is often explained as “ballet for horses.''

Horses must perform a series of set moves with subtle cues from their riders.

Each pair completes three rounds. The first two are set routines that all riders must follow and the third is a freestyle that is individually choreographed and set to music.

Judges score the horse and rider pairs on each move as well as a few general characteristics such as the horse's movement and the rider's form and ability.

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