There are three Olympics Equestrian events: eventing, dressage and show jumping.
Three-day event/ Eventing Consists of three elements: dressage, endurance and show jumping The endurance section has four phases: – 5km of road and track – 2.76km steeplechase – 7.7km of road and track – 6.27km cross-country section After the road and track section there is a compulsory ten minute veterinary inspection before competitors continue with the cross-country. Each section takes place on a different day, with two days for the dressage. Final results are determined by adding the penalty points together, with the lowest penalty points scored over the three disciplines deciding the winner.
For the team event, the winner is determined by adding together the penalty points of the top three riders in each team and the team with the least penalties wins.
Dressage Individual dressage consists of an initial grand prix test, with the top third qualifying for the grand prix special. From there, a further reduction in competitors is made for the freestyle final to music. The results of the grand prix competition determine the team event.
Competitors have to memorise a series of movements and perform them in a set sequence (except for the freestyle event) and are marked out of ten for each move and out of a further ten for elements such as overall pace, and the rider’s position, with penalty points being deducted for any errors.
Show jumping The team show jumping course is a distance between 600 – 700m containing 12 – 15 obstacles. Up to four competitors from each country enter individual and team events and the lowest three scores count in the team event. Penalties are as follows: 4 for knock down, 3 for first refusal, 6 for 2nd refusal and time penalties. The three best riders’ scores for each team are added together to produce the winner. In the event of a draw, a jump off against the clock, over six obstacles is held to decide medal placings. The individual show jumping event consists of two rounds. The 1st round has 10 – 12 obstacles and the second round is completed over a different course. Final placings are decided by adding together the penalties incurred in both rounds. A jump off is used in the case of a draw.
General Rules At the Olympic Games, the horses must be the same nationality as the riders and each horse must be at least seven years old and have (as well as the rider) a certificate indicating experience in top international competition.
Equestrian News from Olympics 2004
Britain’s Leslie Law was awarded individual gold in the three-day event after Germany were stripped of their gold medal following an appeal. The decision also meant Britain’s team bronze was upgraded to silver, and Pippa Funnell took individual bronze. More…
The 11 GB Team particpants in the Equestrian team at Olympics 2004 are…
Jeanette Brakewell Events Three Day Event Team Profession Professional event rider D.O.B 04-02-1974 Height 170 Weight 57 Home Town Chorley, Lancs
Country of Birth Great Britain
Richard Davison Events Dressage Profession Company Director D.O.B 20-09-1955 Height 172 Weight 74 Home Town Nottingham Country of Birth Great Britain
William Fox-Pitt Events Eventing Profession Professional Event Rider & Trainer D.O.B 02-01-1969 Height 195 Weight 80 Home Town Dorset Country of Birth Great Britain
Pippa Funnell Events Eventing
Profession Professional Event Rider D.O.B 07-10-1968 Height 167 Weight 57 Home Town Dorking, Surrey Country of Birth Great Britain
Carl Hester Events Dressage Profession Rider & Trainer D.O.B 29-06-1967 Height 185 Weight 79 Home Town London Country of Birth Great Britain
Emma Hindle Events Dressage Profession Student/Manager D.O.B 19-05-1975 Height 157 Weight 57 Home Town Preston Country of Birth Great Britain
Mary King Events Three Day Event Team Profession Stable manager and mother D.O.B 08-06-1961 Height 170 Weight 63 Home Town Sidmouth, Devon Country of Birth England
Leslie Law Events Three Day Event Team
Profession Event Rider D.O.B 05-05-1965 Height 182 Weight 76 Home Town Hereford Country of Birth Great Britain
Nicola McGivern Events Dressage Profession Director D.O.B 07-12-1966 Height 163 Weight 58 Home Town Stirling Country of Birth Great Britain
Nick Skelton Events Show Jumping
Profession Farmer D.O.B 30-12-1957 Height 178 Weight 69 Home Town Rowington, Warwickshire
Country of Birth Great Britain
Robert Smith Events Show Jumping Profession D.O.B 12-06-1961 Height 183 Weight 85 Home Town Shrewley Country of Birth Great Britain
Meet GB Team’s Pippa Funnell…
Place of Birth: Crowborough, East Sussex School(s) attended: Mark Cross Primary School, Wadhurst Marital Status: Married to showjumper, William Funnell Parents’ occupations: Jenny & George Nolan run a company called South Eastern Equestrian Services When/why first started riding: “I’ve ridden for as long as I can remember”
Equestrian sporting relatives: Mother was involved with horses but not at international level
Name of first horse/pony: Pepsi First competitive experience : Riding in a leading rein class and getting bored stiff! First affiliated event: Tweseldown (or Crookham as it was then known) in a junior section Trainer(s): Ruth McMullen & William Funnell Team trainers: Tracie & Kenneth Clawson Non-equestrian training: Nikki Heath Sports Psychology Worst injury: Falling at Belton and damaging ankle ligaments Most admired rider(s): Mark Todd: “for his natural talent & balance and the way he would give anyone advice”
Ginny Elliot (Leng): “a real perfectionist in all three phases” Most admired sportsman/woman
Ellen MacArthur: “for her guts and determination & for pursuing her dreams, goals and clearly following her passion despite all the dangers” Qualities looked for in an event horse: Conformation & quality, good movement, good jump and good brain Least favourite part of a three day event: “The Monday morning after it’s all over, the huge anti-climax and having to get back to normal life” Favourite eventing venue: “Badminton, especially when it goes well! Burghley comes a close second. The atmosphere at Burghley is easier as the whole year doesn’t hang on your performance” Best advice given: “’85% of all horses’ problems are the riders on top’ – It always makes me aware of what I’m doing and whether I am creating the problem” What other career would he/she have chosen: Never really thought of doing anything else but wouldn’t have worked from 9-5pm in an office Who would he/she like to have dinner with?: Frank Sinatra or Robbie Williams: “but only if they sang after dinner!” Ideal holiday: An active holiday followed by a few lazy days in the sun
Events Three Day Event Team Profession Professional event rider D.O.B 04-02-1974 Height 170 Weight 57 Home Town Chorley, Lancs
Events Dressage Profession Company Director D.O.B 20-09-1955 Height 172 Weight 74 Home Town Nottingham Country of Birth Great Britain
Events Eventing Profession Professional Event Rider & Trainer D.O.B 02-01-1969 Height 195 Weight 80 Home Town Dorset Country of Birth Great Britain
Events Eventing
Events Dressage Profession Rider & Trainer D.O.B 29-06-1967 Height 185 Weight 79 Home Town London Country of Birth Great Britain
Events Dressage Profession Student/Manager D.O.B 19-05-1975 Height 157 Weight 57 Home Town Preston Country of Birth Great Britain
Events Three Day Event Team Profession Stable manager and mother D.O.B 08-06-1961 Height 170 Weight 63 Home Town Sidmouth, Devon Country of Birth England
Events Three Day Event Team
Events Dressage Profession Director D.O.B 07-12-1966 Height 163 Weight 58 Home Town Stirling Country of Birth Great Britain
Events Show Jumping
Events Show Jumping Profession D.O.B 12-06-1961 Height 183 Weight 85 Home Town Shrewley Country of Birth Great Britain