How Do Horses Get To The Olympics?

Equestrian events were first included in the Olympics in 1900, which Paris hosted that year. They didn’t make an appearance at the games again until 1912. Ever since then though, it’s been such a treat to watch the talented horse-rider teams compete for a chance at gold. But have you ever wondered how the horses get to the Olympics, no matter where in the world it’s hosted? Read on to discover how the horses competing will get to Paris in 2024 for the international sporting event.

Where Will the 2024 Olympic Equestrian Events Be Held?

The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris at a venue called the Palace of Versailles. The equestrian events — eventing, dressage, and show jumping — will take place in an outdoor arena at the heart of the gardens of Chateau de Versailles and alongside the Grand Canal between July 27 and August 6, 2024.

How To Qualify For the Olympic Equestrian Games

First, both horse and rider have to be eligible. Athletes must be born on or before December 31, 2006, and all horses must be born on or before December 31, 2016.

Once eligibility is determined, how do equestrians and their horses qualify for the Olympics? The qualification period for horse-rider teams to compete in this coveted event began nearly two years ago. Plus, it works differently depending on the discipline.

There are six events across three disciplines in the Olympics:

1. Eventing Individual (mixed)
2. Eventing Team (mixed)
3. Dressage Individual (mixed)
4. Dressage Team (mixed)
5. Jumping Individual (mixed)
6. Jumping Team (mixed)

Let’s discuss the eligibility requirements of each discipline, starting with eventing.

Eventing

Also known as an equestrian triathlon, eventing consists of three events — dressage, cross-country, and jumping. Including both individual and team scores, a maximum of 65 athletes will compete in eventing at Chateau de Versailles in 2024.

To decide the lucky 65, athletes must go through what’s called the Selection Trials. Horse-rider teams qualify for the Olympics through curated competitions and individuals qualify by rankings.

Dressage

Also known as equestrian ballet, dressage is a famous Olympic sport loved by horse fans and event viewers alike.

The individual and team dressage qualifications for the Olympic Games are much easier for riders in the host country. That means the French have an advantage when it comes to the lead-up to the event. And with only 60 athletes able to compete for a chance at gold in the 2024 Olympics, it all matters.

Show Jumping

Show jumping is a much-awaited Olympic event that showcases the crème de la crème when it comes to athletic prowess and technique. As with the other two equestrian disciplines, athletes have to work hard to qualify for their spot at Versailles. Scores for both individuals and teams are calculated to determine who competes in the 2024 Olympics.

Riders To Watch: 2024 Olympics Competitors

As of September 2023, six countries have qualified teams for all equestrian disciplines. This means you’ll see top horse-rider teams from Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France compete in dressage, eventing, and jumping at the Olympics. More to come as scores roll in!

Of those countries, here are the riders to watch at the Palace of Versailles in 2024:

• Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden
• Ben Maher from Great Britain
• Christian Ahlmann from Germany
• Andre Thieme from Germany
• Pieter Devos from Belgium
• Niels Bruynseels from Belgium
• Pénélope Leprévost from France
• Kevin Staut from France

Do Horses Traveling Internationally Need a Passport?

The horses traveling to the Olympics are under strict requirements. They must have up-to-date vaccinations, export health certificates, and microchips. They also need passports that detail their birthdate, size, identifiable marks, and past travel destinations.

How Do Olympic Horses Travel?

There are a few ways horses get to the Olympics. Let’s go over them!

In a Trailer

Parisian horses won’t have to travel far to compete for an Olympic medal in 2024. If they are relatively close to the Palace of Versailles, a trailer hauls them to the venue in Paris. This is typical of local competitions, just on a much grander scale.

By Plane

If horses going to the Olympics are traveling internationally, they will get there by taking a plane. But these aren’t commercial aircraft. Horses going to the Olympics are loaded into huge, air-conditioned cargo planes with stallions at the front so they’re not distracted by the mares.

They ride in luxury, but the experience can be frightening for the horses either way. In these cases, owners might choose to cover their horse’s eyes to keep them calm and relaxed during the trip.

In Large, Shared Stalls

Speaking of luxury, according to the Fédération Equestre Internationale, “All Olympic horses travel in style, in 112cm wide stalls, with two horses per pallet — the human equivalent of business class.”

With Support Staff

Just because they’re animals doesn’t mean the horses going to the Olympics are treated like such. They travel with a “cabin crew” — a support staff of veterinarians and flying grooms. These professionals keep the horses relaxed, haul necessary equipment like saddles, feed, and pitchforks, and are responsible for their health and safety during the flight.

In Comfort and Style

Competition attire isn’t just for the riders! Horses traveling to the Olympics are well-taken care and their comfort is their support staff’s sole focus. Some owners choose to provide a blanket for their horses to wear, but others opt to keep them bare. However, nearly all of the horses wear protective leg wraps and shipping boots in transit.

Not much time left until the Olympic Games begin! What country or horse-rider team are you cheering for?