Equestrian is a competitive sport in which humans and horses collaborate, emphasizing the tacit understanding, skills, and elegance between the rider and the horse. International events include Olympic events such as dressage, track jumping, and triathlon, as well as non Olympic events such as endurance and horse drawn races. Equestrianism not only tests the rider's riding skills and tactical judgment, but also emphasizes the training and welfare of the horse. As a sport with a long history, it combines sports, art, and horse culture, suitable for people of different ages and levels to participate, and combines competitiveness and entertainment.

In the Olympic Games, equestrian events include three events: dressage, jumping, and eventing, all of which feature individual and team medals.

Dressage:

Dressage is known as the "ballet of equestrianism" and is an artistic sport that showcases the ultimate harmony and elegance between the rider and the horse. This ancient sport originated from cavalry training and has now become one of the core events in Olympic equestrian competitions. In the competition, the rider guides the horse to complete a series of difficult movements including brisk steps, running, diagonal strides, stationary steps, and hind leg rotations through almost invisible subtle instructions. Five to seven judges rate the accuracy, fluency, obedience of the horse, and overall performance of the movements, with a maximum score of 100 points. Dressage not only tests the strength, flexibility, and balance of horses, but also requires riders to possess superb riding skills and artistic expression. From the basic gait of beginner competitions to advanced movements such as "mid air leg swapping", this sport perfectly embodies the highest level of unity between horse and horse. As the only event in the Olympic Games that does not have gender restrictions, dressage has become one of the most visually appealing events in equestrian sports due to its unique artistic charm and technical requirements.

Show Jumping:

Obstacle racing is one of the most visually appealing and challenging events in Olympic equestrian competitions, requiring riders and horses to work perfectly together within a specified time frame, crossing 10 to 13 obstacles that can reach a height of 1.6 meters. There are various types of obstacles set up in the competition venue, including single crossbar, double crossbar, water ditch obstacle, and combination obstacle. Each obstacle is equipped with an easy to fall obstacle pole, and any mistakes such as hitting the pole, refusing to jump, or exceeding the time limit will result in penalty points. Riders need to find the best balance between pursuing speed and stability, completing the race quickly while ensuring that they do not touch obstacles. In team competitions, the total penalty points of three riders from each team determine the final ranking. This sport not only tests the horses' explosive power, flexibility, and obedience, but also requires riders to have precise judgment, excellent horse control skills, and calm psychological qualities. Since becoming an official Olympic event in 1900, track jumping has always attracted global audiences with its thrilling competitive characteristics and unique charm of elegance and adventure.

Eventing:

The triathlon, also known as the "all rounder triathlon" in the equestrian world, is the most challenging and comprehensive event in the Olympic equestrian competition. It consists of three parts: dressage, cross-country, and track jumping, and takes three days to complete. On the first day, a dressage test was conducted, requiring the combination of horse and horse to demonstrate precise and elegant movements to demonstrate tacit cooperation; The next day, a highly challenging off-road race will be held, where the rider will lead the horse to complete a race of 5700 meters in natural terrain, crossing 40 fixed obstacles including ditches, hedges, and steep slopes. This will test the horse's endurance, courage, and adaptability, as well as the rider's route judgment and rhythm control; The final day of the obstacle course will be held on a standard track to verify whether the horses can maintain good condition and obedience after experiencing high-intensity off-road races. The triathlon adopts a unique penalty point accumulation system, and the one with the lowest total penalty points wins. Any mistake in one event may affect the final ranking. This sport originated from military cavalry training and perfectly combines the elegance and adventurous spirit of equestrianism. It requires riders to possess the delicacy of dressage, the courage of cross-country racing, and the precision of obstacle racing, making it the ultimate test of the physical, technical, and psychological qualities of horse and horse combinations.

In addition to these three events in the Olympics, there are also many niche equestrian events.

Equestrian Vaulting:

Horseback gymnastics is a unique sport that combines equestrianism, gymnastics, and dance, known as the "artistic gymnastics on horseback". Athletes perform a series of difficult gymnastics movements on the back of a horse (controlled by a long reins rider) that is moving at a constant speed, including techniques such as balance, flipping, and lifting. They can participate in single, double, or team competitions. The competition is divided into two stages: prescribed movements and optional movements. The judges rate the movements based on their difficulty, completion quality, artistic expression, and teamwork. This sport originated from ancient Roman cavalry training, and its modern development is deeply influenced by circus performances. It not only tests athletes' flexibility, strength, and coordination, but also requires horses to have a stable sense of rhythm and a gentle personality. As an official competition recognized by the International Federation of Equestrians (FEI), horseback gymnastics, although not included in Olympic events, has attracted much attention on international stages such as the World Equestrian Championships. Its unique ornamental and artistic qualities make it a bridge connecting sports and performing arts.

Polo:

Polo is one of the oldest team equestrian sports in the world, originating in Persia in the 6th century BC and known as the "king sport". This intense competitive competition is played by two teams of four riders each on a grass field 300 yards long and 160 yards wide. Athletes ride horses and use long handled wooden hammers to hit wooden balls with a diameter of 3 inches, in order to score the opponent's goal. The competition is divided into 4-8 segments (each lasting 7 minutes), during which horses are changed to ensure animal welfare. Polo requires extremely high equestrian skills, with players needing to control the reins with one hand, hit the ball sideways, and complete movements such as emergency stops and turns. Professional polo horses are mostly Argentine breeds with excellent speed and agility, each worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a representative of aristocratic sports, polo is now held in 77 countries around the world, with the highest level event, handicap, reaching up to level 10 (the highest individual level). Modern polo has developed innovative forms such as snow polo and night polo while maintaining its traditional competitiveness. Its unique ornamental value has made it a classic event in top social venues such as Windsor Castle and Dubai Royal Club in the UK.

Equestrian Driving:

Carriage racing is an equestrian competition that combines driving skills and tactical strategies, consisting of three stages: dressage, marathon, and obstacle course. Athletes ride single, double, or four horse carriages, demonstrate precise route control in dressage, challenge natural obstacles of 8-22 kilometers in marathon stages, and finally complete agile pole piercing in obstacle races. This sport originated from ancient chariots, requiring riders to possess both horse training skills and mechanical control techniques. The horses used in the competition are mostly cold-blooded and powerful breeds. As a certified project of the International Horse Federation, top-level events such as the Four Horseman World Cup perfectly blend aristocratic tradition with modern competitive charm, showcasing the ultimate level of horse horse collaboration.

Horse Racing:

Speed horse racing is one of the oldest and most ornamental equestrian sports, with pure blood horse racing as its core, divided into various forms such as flat race, obstacle race, and brisk race. Top international competitions such as the Derby in the UK and the Dubai World Cup can have prize money of tens of millions of dollars per match. Flat horse racing is conducted on grass or sand tracks, usually covering a distance of 1-3 kilometers. The horse's weight is precisely adjusted according to the jockey's weight; Obstacle racing requires crossing barriers such as fences and ditches, testing the horse's explosive power and obstacle crossing ability. Professional horse racing can reach speeds of 60-70 kilometers per hour, and its bloodline, training, and jockey tactics together determine the outcome of the race. The modern horse racing industry covers multiple fields such as breeding, training, gambling, and cultural exhibitions. Events such as the Royal Ascot Jockey Club in the UK have become social and fashion events. As a sport with a long history, speed racing continues to promote the integration and development of equestrian sports and commerce while ensuring the welfare of horses.

Barrel Racing:

Barrel racing is an equestrian racing sport originating from the cowboy culture of the American West, and has now become a globally popular Western Riding classic event. The competition requires the rider to ride the horse at the fastest speed around three oil barrels arranged in a triangular shape (with a spacing of about 27-32 meters) to complete the "alfalfa leaf" shaped route. If the oil barrel is knocked over or the route is incorrect, a penalty will be imposed. This sport perfectly combines speed and skill, with top-level horse and horse combinations able to complete the entire journey in 15 seconds. The horse's explosive power, balance in sharp turns, and the rider's ability to plan routes are crucial.

Equestrian is a unique and elegant competitive art that not only showcases sports and skills, but also elevates trust and understanding between humans and horses. From the precise elegance of dressage, to the thrilling excitement of track jumping, to the all-around challenge of triathlon, every event embodies the deep collaboration between riders and horses. The spirit of equestrianism transcends victory and defeat, emphasizing respect, patience, and responsibility - riders are not only athletes, but also companions and guardians of horses. This sport combines historical traditions with modern competition, retaining the ceremonial sense of aristocratic culture while conveying the concepts of equality and inclusiveness to the public. Whether it's the peak competition on the Olympic stage or the incremental progress in daily training, equestrianism always pursues one goal: to enable people and horses to grow together in harmony and achieve each other's highest level.