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What to know about how Olympic horses travel

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THE 2024 Paris Olympics have kicked off, shining a spotlight on some of the lesser-watched sports, including equestrian. Top horses and jockeys from around the world have gathered in France to compete for gold in this prestigious event.

A total of 30 Olympians are showcasing their skills in equestrian events at the Paris games, vying for six gold medals up for grabs. The three equestrian disciplines in which athletes can compete are Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.

In Jumping, riders and horses navigate a course of obstacles against the clock, with penalties for knocked-over obstacles. Dressage involves a musical performance where the rider and horse showcase their synchronicity. Eventing combines elements of jumping and dressage in a challenging obstacle course.

Apart from individual medals in each discipline, there are also team medals up for grabs, making it an exciting competition for fans.

One of the fascinating aspects of Olympic equestrian is how the horses travel to the host city. While European participants can transport their horses easily via car or train, athletes from other continents face a more challenging journey. In a visually amusing scene, Olympic horses travel by airplane to reach the Paris games, accompanied by a team of caretakers to ensure their well-being during the journey.

Equestrian is one of the original Olympic sports, dating back to 680 BC in ancient times. The sport made its modern Olympic debut in the 1900 Paris games with individual jumping. Over the years, dressage, eventing, and team jumping were added, with women joining the competition in 1952.

The equestrian events have already commenced at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with medals awarded in team eventing and individual eventing. Great Britain clinched the gold in team eventing, while individual eventing saw German rider Michael Jung taking home the coveted gold medal.

Fans can look forward to the upcoming dressage and jumping events scheduled from July 30 to August 6, promising thrilling performances and intense competition. Dressage competitions will be held on July 30 and 31, with finals on August 3 and 4 for team and individual events, respectively. Team jumping kicks off on August 1, with the finals on August 2, followed by individual jumping starting on August 5 and concluding on August 6.

As the equestrian events continue to captivate audiences at the Paris Olympics, the world eagerly anticipates witnessing more breathtaking displays of talent and skill from the riders and horses alike.

Managing Editor at Ghanafuo.com