Since the dawn of civilization, man has had a close bond with the horse, which was initially used as a means of transport, but also played essential roles in battles and traditional English hunts. Throughout history, the horse has earned a special place in human life. In this article, we’ll get to know the sport better, as well as highlighting the biggest names in equestrianism today!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
Biggest names in Equestrianism today: historical context
Equestrianism is one of the oldest sports, with its origins dating back to the first civilizations that domesticated horses.
The practice of horse riding began to formalize as a sport in Europe, especially in England, in the 18th century.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
The first organized events arose from military competitions and hunting and jumping activities, which evolved into the disciplines we know today.
Modern equestrianism was included in the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris and has been part of every Olympic Games since 1912.
The sport is divided into three main disciplines: Dressage, Jumping and Complete Equitation Competition (CCE).
Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
Biggest names in Equestrianism today: disciplines
Equestrianism, as an Olympic discipline, is made up of three main disciplines:
Dressage
Also known as equestrian ballet, dressage is the art of training the horse to perform precise and elegant movements in response to subtle signals from the rider. It is judged on precision, smoothness and harmony between horse and rider.
Curiosities about Equestrian Dressage
- At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, the equestrian competitions had a special attraction: Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Anne was the worst performer among the British show jumping team, which finished in seventh place;
- In dressage, the rider must perform compulsory movements in an arena measuring 60 meters by 20 meters;
- A panel of five judges evaluates and awards marks based on the precision of the movements performed.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
Jumping
In this sport, horse and rider must overcome a series of obstacles on a course in the shortest possible time and with the fewest penalties. Penalties are applied for mistakes such as knocking down bars or refusals.
Curiosities about Equestrian Jumping
- Jumping is the most recognized category in equestrianism;
- At the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, women competed alongside men in mixed teams for the first time. Since then, they have gradually begun to take part in other events under these conditions;
- The rider must overcome 8 to 12 obstacles spread over a course that varies between 700 and 900 meters, seeking the shortest time possible;
- Penalties are applied to the athlete in the event of a fault, such as knocking down an obstacle, exceeding the time limit, making mistakes on the course or falling off the horse.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
Complete Equestrian Competition (CCE) (Eventing)
Also known as the equestrian triathlon, the CCE is a competition that combines dressage, cross-country and jumping. This discipline tests the versatility and endurance of both horse and rider, requiring skill in all three areas.
Curiosities about CCE
- Present at the Olympics since 1912, equestrianism had its first woman to win a gold medal in Tokyo in 1964;
- Since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, research has been conducted to analyze the effects of heat and humidity on horses. The conclusions of this research were successfully applied in Beijing 2008, also benefiting amateur riders around the world;
- At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, was the standout performer. Anne had the worst performance of the British show jumping team, which finished in seventh place;
- At the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, women competed alongside men in mixed teams for the first time. Since then, they have gradually competed in other events under the same conditions;
- Equestrianism is the only Olympic sport where women and men compete on equal terms in the same events.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in equestrianism today are!
Biggest names in Equestrianism today (Male – World)
Steve Guerdat (Switzerland)
Olympic champion in 2012 and winner of several World Cups, Guerdat is a leading figure in the vault.
Daniel Deusser (Germany)
Another big name in show jumping, Deusser has multiple wins in Grand Prix and World Cups.
Isabell Werth (Germany)
Dominant in dressage, Werth is one of the most successful competitors in the history of the sport.
Biggest names in Equestrianism today (Female – World)
Charlotte Dujardin (United Kingdom)
One of the leading dressage athletes, Dujardin is a multiple Olympic and world champion.
Beezie Madden (USA)
A competitive jumper, Madden has a long list of victories in international and Olympic championships.
Jessica Springsteen (EUA)
Daughter of musician Bruce Springsteen, Jessica has made a name for herself in show jumping with several important achievements.
Biggest names in Equestrianism today (Male – Brazil)
Rodrigo Pessoa
Gold medalist at Athens 2004 in the jumping event, Pessoa continues to be a benchmark in Brazilian equestrianism.
Pedro Veniss
Another important name, Veniss has successfully represented Brazil in several international competitions.
Biggest names in Equestrianism today (Female – Brazil)
Luiza Almeida
A dressage competitor, Almeida has represented Brazil in several editions of the Olympic Games.
Mariana Moraes
A promising athlete in the Complete Riding Competition, Moraes has shown consistency and skill in international competitions.
Which countries have the best chance of medaling in Paris 2024?
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, some countries stand out as favorites to win medals in equestrianism:
- Germany: traditionally strong in all disciplines, Germany remains one of the main contenders, with elite athletes such as Daniel Deusser and Isabell Werth.
- United Kingdom: With names like Charlotte Dujardin in dressage and a strong jumping team, the UK is another country with a great chance of a medal.
- United States: The USA, with athletes such as Beezie Madden and Jessica Springsteen, has a strong tradition in jumping and continues to be a major competitor.
- Switzerland: Steve Guerdat and his jumping team make Switzerland one of the top contenders in the jumping discipline.
These countries have a solid tradition in equestrianism and are expected to excel in Paris 2024, contributing to the exciting competition that the sport promises to provide.
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