Demonstration Equestrian Events at the Olympics
Equestrian events may have been part of the first Olympic Games in 1896. Officially, the first equestrian event was the jumping event in 1900.
1896 Equestrian Demonstration
The 1896 official Olympic Games report states that many and various sports were contested on April 12th 1896, however the report only listed shooting and cycling. There is evidence that one of these 'many and various sports' inlcuded equestrian.
1900 Equestrian Events
At the 1900 Summer Olympics, five equestrian events were contested, only one, the jumping event, is still part of the Olympics. Three of the events in 1900 have been given Olympic status, the High Jump, Long Jump, and the Jumping Competition (which was similar to the modern event). The other two events we list as unofficial demonstration events: the Hacks and hunter combined (Chevaux de Selle) and the Mail coach (Four-in-Hand) events.
2004 Equestrian Reining?
I have received unconfirmed reports that the equestrian event of reining was an exhibition sport at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and maybe even in Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996. Reining is expected to take its place as an Olympic equestrian sport eventually (but not before 2020).
Related Pages
- Discontinued Equestrian Events - high jump, long jump, and vaulting
- Demonstration Sports List sorted by alphabetical order.
- About the sport of Reining
- Official Equestrian at the Olympics
- About demonstration sports
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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