Equestrian sports are among those contested at the Summer Olympic Games. Equine events began at the Olympics in 1900, when competitions in polo (considered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be a separate sport from the other equestrian events), vaulting, four-in-hand driving, mail coach driving, mixed hacks and hunters and three types of jumping (high jump, long jump and show-jumping) were held. Most of these events were later discontinued, although equestrian events have continued through the 2016 Summer Olympics, and now include team and individual dressage, three-day eventing and show-jumping. Competitors in the modern pentathlon event also have to complete an equestrian show-jumping course, but this is not part of the equestrian events.
Modern-day Olympic equestrian events are rooted in cavalry skills and classical horsemanship, and through 1948, competition was restricted to active-duty officers on military horses. Only after 1952, as mechanization of warfare reduced the number of military riders, were civilian riders allowed to compete. Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which animals compete with humans, and is one of four sports in which the genders compete against each other, the others being some sailing divisions, mixed doubles division in tennis and the mixed doubles division of badminton. The rules for Olympic equestrian competition are set by the Fédération Équestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sports.
In two instances, the equestrian portion of the Olympics has been held in a different location from the rest of the games. The first was during the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia when, due to Australian quarantine laws, the equestrian portion was held in Stockholm, Sweden. At the next IOC meeting, it was decided to hold a special Equestrian Olympic Games several months before the actual Olympics, complete with its own opening and closing ceremonies. This meant that Switzerland, which had officially boycotted the 1956 Games because of the Soviet Union's recent invasion of Hungary, still brought home a medal because of its participation in the equestrian portion several months earlier. The second instance was during the 2008 Summer Olympics, when the equestrian events were held in Hong Kong rather than Beijing. This decision was made when, in 2005, international veterinary groups refused to certify the main Olympic city as free of equine diseases. This would have resulted in horses leaving Beijing after the games and having to go through lengthy quarantine processes before being allowed to re-enter their home countries. Hong Kong also had the benefit of having better facilities, including a top equine hospital and one of only a few equine drug-testing labs in the world.
The Summer Olympics have included 2,129 equestrian participants, including 1,751 men and 378 women, from 69 countries., of which 564 won a medal. As of the 2008 Olympics, 395 medals have been awarded to 31 NOCs. The oldest rider was 72-year-old Arthur von Pongracz of Austria at the 1936 Summer Olympics, while the youngest was 16-year-old Luiza Almeida of Brazil at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The leading medalist is Isabell Werth of Germany (10, 6 gold), followed by Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands (9, 3 gold) and Reiner Klimke of Germany (8, 6 gold). Germany leads the country medalist rankings with 25 gold medals (52 overall), followed by Sweden with 17 (43 overall) and France with 14 (37 overall). Canadian rider Ian Millar holds the record for the most Olympic equestrian appearances and matches the record for athletes in any sport, having competed in ten Olympics as of 2012."10-time Olympian Ian Millar left off Canadian show jumping team" , NBC Olympics, July 14, 2016.
Dressage Dressage, individual 1912 Stockholm 1920 Antwerp 1924 Paris 1928 Amsterdam 1932 Los Angeles 1936 Berlin 1948 London 1952 Helsinki 1956 Stockholm 1960 Rome 1964 Tokyo 1968 Mexico City 1972 Munich 1976 Montreal 1980 Moscow 1984 Los Angeles 1988 Seoul 1992 Barcelona 1996 Atlanta 2000 Sydney 2004 Athens 2008 Beijing 2012 London 2016 Rio de Janeiro2020 Tokyo2024 Paris2028 Los Angeles
Dressage, team 1928 Amsterdam Carl Freiherr von Langen on Draufgänger Hermann Linkenbach on Gimpel Eugen Freiherr von Lotzbeck on Caracalla Ragnar Olson on Günstling Janne Lundblad on Blackmar Carl Bonde on Ingo Jan van Reede on Hans Pierre Versteegh on His Excellence Gerard le Heux on Valérine1932 Los AngelesXavier Lesage on Taine Charles Marion on Linon André Jousseaume on SoreltaBertil Sandström on Kreta Thomas Byström on Gulliver Gustaf Adolf Boltenstern Jr. on IngoHiram Tuttle on Olympic Isaac Kitts on American Lady Alvin Moore on Water Pat1936 BerlinHeinz Pollay on Kronos Friedrich Gerhard on Absinth Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski on GimpelAndré Jousseaume on Favorite Gérard de Ballorre on Debaucheur Daniel Gillois on NicolasGregor Adlercreutz on Teresina Sven Colliander on Kål XX Folke Sandström on Pergola1948 LondonAndré Jousseaume on Harpagon Jean Saint-Fort Paillard on Sous les Ceps Maurice Buret on Saint QuenRobert Borg on Klingson Earl Foster Thomson on Pancraft Frank Henry on Reno OverdoFernando Paes on Matamas Francisco Valadas on Feitiço Luís Mena e Silva on Fascinante1952 HelsinkiHenri Saint Cyr on Master Rufus Gustaf Adolf Boltenstern Jr. on Krest Gehnäll Persson on KnaustGottfried Trachsel on Kursus Henri Chammartin on Wöhler Gustav Fischer on SolimanHeinz Pollay on Adular Ida von Nagel on Afrika Fritz Thiedemann on Chronist1956 StockholmHenri Saint Cyr on Juli Gehnäll Persson on Knaust Gustaf Adolf Boltenstern Jr. on KrestLiselott Linsenhoff on Adular Hannelore Weygand on Perkunos Anneliese Küppers on AfrikaGottfried Trachsel on Kursus Henri Chammartin on Wöhler Gustav Fischer on Vasello1960 Romenot included in the Olympic program1964 TokyoHarry Boldt on Remus Reiner Klimke on Dux Josef Neckermann on AntoinetteHenri Chammartin on Wörmann Gustav Fischer on Wald Marianne Gossweiler on StephanSergei Filatov on Absent Ivan Kizimov on Ikhor Ivan Kalita on Moar1968 Mexico CityJosef Neckermann and Mariano Reiner Klimke and Dux Liselott Linsenhoff and PiaffYelena Petushkova and Pepel Ivan Kizimov and Ikhor Ivan Kalita and AbsentHenri Chammartin and Wolfdietrich Marianne Gossweiler and Stephan Gustav Fischer and Wald1972 MunichYelena Petushkova and Pepel Ivan Kizimov and Ikhor Ivan Kalita and Tarif Karin Schlüter-Schmidt and Liostro Liselott Linsenhoff and Piaff Josef Neckermann and VenetiaUlla Håkansson and Ajax Ninna Swaab and Casanova Maud von Rosen and Lucky Boy1976 MontrealHarry Boldt and Woycek Reiner Klimke and Mehmed Gabriela Grillo and Ultimo Christine Stückelberger and Granat Ulrich Lehmann and Widin Doris Ramseier and RochHilda Gurney and Keen Dorothy Morkis and Monaco Edith Master and Dahlwitz1980 MoscowYuri Kovshov and Igrok Viktor Ugryumov and Shkfval Vira Misevych and PlotPetar Mandajiev and StchiborSvetoslav lvanov and AlekoGheorghi Gadjev and VnimatelenAnghelache Donescu and Dor Dumitru Veliku and DecebalPetre Rosca and Derbist1984 Los AngelesReiner Klimke and Ahlerich Uwe Sauer and Montevideo Herbert Krug and MuscadeurOtto Hofer and Limandus Christine Stückelberger and Tansanit Amy De Bary and AintreeUlla Hakansson and Flamingo Louise Nathorst and Inferno Ingamay Bylund and Aleks1988 SeoulReiner Klimke and Ahlerich Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff and Courage Monica Theodorescu and Ganimedes Nicole Uphoff and RembrandtOtto Josef Hofer and Andiamo Christine Stückelberger and Gauguin de Lully CH Daniel Ramseier and Random Samuel Schetzmann and RochusCynthia Neale-Ishoy and Dynasty Eva Maria Pracht and Emirage Gina Smith and Malte Ashley Nicoll and Reipo1992 BarcelonaKlaus Balkenhol and Goldstern Nicole Uphoff and Rembrandt Monica Theodorescu and Grunox Isabell Werth and GigoloTineke Bartels and Courage Anky van Grunsven and Bonfire Ellen Bontje and Larius Annemarie Sanders-Keijzer and Olympic MontreuxRobert Dover and Lectron Carol Lavell and Gifted Charlotte Bredahl and Monsieur Michael Poulin and Graf George1996 AtlantaKlaus Balkenhol and Goldstern Martin Schaudt and Durgo Monica Theodorescu and Grunox Isabell Werth and GigoloTineke Bartels and Barbria Anky van Grunsven and Bonfire Sven Rothenberger and Weyden Gonnelien Rothenberger and GonnelienRobert Dover and Metallic Michelle Gibson and Peron Steffen Peters and Udon Guenter Seidel and Graf George2000 SydneyIsabell Werth and Gigolo Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty Alexandra Simons de Ridder and ChacomoEllen Bontje and Silvano Anky van Grunsven and Bonfire Arjen Teeuwissen and GoliathCoby van Baalen and FerroSusan Blinks and Flim Flam Robert Dover and Ranier Guenter Seidel and Foltaire Christine Traurig and Etienne2004 AthensHeike Kemmer and BonaparteHubertus Schmidt and Wansuela SuerteMartin Schaudt and WeltallUlla Salzgeber and RustyBeatriz Ferrer-Salat and BeauvalaisJuan Antonio Jimenez and GuizoIgnacio Rambla and OleajeRafael Soto and InvasorLisa Wilcox and RelevantGünter Seidel and AragonDeborah McDonald and BrentinaRobert Dover and Kennedy2008 BeijingHeike Kemmer and BonaparteNadine Capellmann and Elvis VaIsabell Werth and SatchmoHans Peter Minderhoud and NadineImke Schellekens-Bartels and SunriseAnky van Grunsven and SalineroAnne van Olst and ClearwaterNathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and DigbyAndreas Helgstrand and Don Schufro2012 LondonCarl Hester on UthopiaLaura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral HojrisCharlotte Dujardin on ValegroDorothee Schneider on Diva RoyalKristina Sprehe on DesperadosHelen Langehanenberg on Damon HillAnky van Grunsven on SalineroEdward Gal on UndercoverAdelinde Cornelissen on Parzival2016 Rio de JaneiroIsabell Werth on WeihegoldDorothee Schneider on ShowtimeKristina Bröring-Sprehe on DesperadosSönke Rothenberger on CosmoCarl Hester on Nip TuckCharlotte Dujardin on ValegroFiona Bigwood on OrthiliaSpencer Wilton on Super Nova IILaura Graves on VerdadesSteffen Peters on LegolasKasey Perry-Glass on DubletAllison M. Brock on Rosevelt2020 Tokyo Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on DaleraDorothee Schneider on ShowtimeIsabell Werth on Bella Rose Sabine Schut-Kery on SanceoAdrienne Lyle on SalvinoSteffen Peters on Suppenkasper Charlotte Fry on EverdaleCarl Hester on En VogueCharlotte Dujardin on Gio2024 ParisFrederic Wandres on Bluetooth OldIsabell Werth on WendyJessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BBDaniel Bachmann Andersen on VayronNanna Merrald Rasmussen on ZepterCathrine Laudrup-Dufour on FreestyleBecky Moody on JagerbombCarl Hester on FameCharlotte Fry on Glamourdale2028 Los Angeles
Discontinued events Mixed hacks and hunters combined This event was contested only at the 1900 Summer Games. The IOC website currently has affirmed a total of 95 medal events, after accepting, as it appears, the recommendation of Olympic historian Bill Mallon regarding events that should be considered "Olympic".
1900 Paris
Medal table
after 2024 Summer Olympics
Eventing Eventing, individual 1912 Stockholm 1920 Antwerp 1924 Paris 1928 Amsterdam 1932 Los Angeles 1936 Berlin 1948 London 1952 Helsinki 1956 Stockholm 1960 Rome 1964 Tokyo 1968 Mexico City 1972 Munich 1976 Montreal 1980 Moscow 1984 Los Angeles 1988 Seoul 1992 Barcelona 1996 Atlanta 2000 Sydney 2004 Athens 2008 Beijing2012 London2016 Rio de Janeiro2020 Tokyo2024 Paris2028 Los Angeles
Eventing, team