Equestrian

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

competitions at the Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

 2008 Summer Olympics

2008 Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...

were held from August 9 to August 21 at the Hong Kong Sports Institute

Hong Kong Sports Institute

The Hong Kong Sports Institute is a sports institute in the Fo Tan, Sha Tin district of Hong Kong. It was the site of equestrian events of the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:**...

 and Sheung Yue River

Sheung Yue River

Sheung Yue River is a river in northern New Territories, Hong Kong. Its sources are near Kai Kung Leng and Ki Lun Shan, where numerous streams flow into the river. It flows through Kwu Tung and Sheung Shui. It joins up with Shek Sheung River and eventually empties into Ng Tung River.Beas River...

 in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

. It was the second time

1956 Summer Olympics

The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...

 the equestrian events were hosted by a member of the IOC other than the member hosting the main games. Unlike 1956

Equestrian at the 1956 Summer Olympics

The Equestrian Events at the 1956 Summer Olympics were held in Stockholm due to the Australian quarantine regulations and included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions...

, however, the equestrian events were part of the main games, and were held within the same period.

Events

6 sets of medals will be awarded in the following events:

• individual dressage
• team dressage
• individual jumping
  Show jumping
  Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
  
  
• team jumping
• individual eventing
  Eventing
  Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
  
  
• team eventing

Qualification

Each event has its own qualification rules, but generally rely on FEI rankings.

Dressage qualification

For the team competition there were a total of 10 quota spots and as many composite as qualify. Three team spots were awarded at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games

2006 FEI World Equestrian Games

The 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Aachen, Germany from August 20 to September 3, 2006. They were the 5th edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI. It was held in the Soers, a district of Aachen...

. In addition 7 team spots were awarded at regional competitions (Europe: 3, Americas: 2, Asia: 2). In addition, should a country have three athletes qualified in the individual competition, they will be considered a team and allowed to compete as a composite team. Five teams qualified under this scheme.

For the individual competition, 50 spots were allocated as follows. Thirty spots were awarded to the athletes who qualified as teams above. In addition, the highest ranked rider from each of seven geographic regions and the host nation qualify. Then the top twelve riders based on rank FEI rank who had not otherwise qualified are given spots.

Jumping qualification

A country may send up to five riders if it qualified for the team competition, two otherwise. Similar to Dressage, teams of five riders were qualified at either the World Equestrian Games, a region competition, or through a composite spot. The WEG awarded five spots, the regions eight (Americas: 2, Europe: 2, Asia: 4), and two composite teams qualified. For the individual competition there were a total of 73 spot allocated as follows: 45 team member, 1 host nation, 7 regional, and 22 at-large.

Competition schedule

All times are Hong Kong Time

Hong Kong Time

Hong Kong Time is the time in Hong Kong, observed at UTC+8 all year round. The Hong Kong Observatory is the official timekeeper of the Hong Kong Time.-Time standards:...

 (UTC+8

UTC+8

UTC+08:00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of +08:00. In ISO 8601 the associated time would be written as .With an estimated population of 1.53 billion living within the time zone, roughly 22.5% of the world population, it is the most populous time zone in world, as well as a possible...

).

Date	Start	Finish	Event	Stage
Saturday, August 9, 2008	06:30	10:30	Eventing Team	Dressage (Day 1)
			Eventing Individual	Dressage (Day 1)
	19:15	23:15	Eventing Team	Dressage (Day 1)
			Eventing Individual	Dressage (Day 1)
Sunday, August 10, 2008	06:30	10:30	Eventing Team	Dressage (Day 2)
			Eventing Individual	Dressage (Day 2)
Monday, August 11, 2008	08:00	11:30	Eventing Team	Cross Country (held at Beas River)
			Eventing Individual	Cross Country (held at Beas River)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008	19:15	22:15	Eventing Team	Jumping (Final)
			Eventing Individual	Jumping (Qualifier)
	22:30	23:30	Eventing Individual	Jumping (Final)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008	19:15	24:15	Dressage Team	Grand Prix (Day 1)
			Dressage Individual	Grand Prix 1st Qualifier (Day 1)
Thursday, August 14, 2008	19:15	23:45	Dressage Individual	Grand Prix 1st Qualifier (Day 2)
			Dressage Team	Grand Prix (Day 2)
Friday, August 15, 2008	19:15	23:15	Jumping Individual	1st Qualifier
Saturday, August 16, 2008	19:15	24:00	Dressage Individual	Grand Prix Special 2nd Qualifier
Sunday, August 17, 2008	19:15	23:15	Jumping Team	Final Round 1
			Jumping Individual	2nd Qualifier
Monday, August 18, 2008	19:15	22:15	Jumping Team	Final Round 2
			Jumping Individual	3rd Qualifier
Tuesday, August 19, 2008	19:15	22:15	Dressage Individual	Grand Prix Freestyle
Thursday, August 21, 2008	19:15	21:45	Jumping Individual	Final Round A
	22:00	23:00	Jumping Individual	Final Round B

Medal table

1		3	1	1	5
2		1	1	1	3
3		1	1	0	2
		1	1	0	2
5		0	1	0	1
		0	1	0	1
7		0	0	2	2
8		0	0	1	1
		0	0	1	1

Medalists

Individual dressage
Team dressage	Heike Kemmer Heike Kemmer Heike Kemmer is a German equestrian who won a gold medal in Team dressage at the 2008 Summer Olympics.- References :...  on Bonaparte Nadine Capellmann Nadine Capellmann Nadine Capellmann is a German equestrian who has won been a part of two gold medalist teams in Team dressage. The first was at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the second at the 2008 Summer Olympics.- References :...  on Elvis Va Isabell Werth Isabell Werth Isebell Werth is a German equestrian and world champion in dressage.-Championships:...  on Satchmo	Hans Peter Minderhoud Hans Peter Minderhoud Hans Peter Minderhoud is a Dutch dressage rider.Minderhoud won the VSN Cup in 2004 with his horse Gameboy and also succeeded in the Pavo Cup with Sandreo and Florencio. At the 2004 World Championships for 5-year old horses he won the World title in Verden with Florencio...  on Nadine Imke Schellekens-Bartels on Sunrise Anky van Grunsven Anky van Grunsven Theodora Elisabeth Gerarda van Grunsven is a Dutch dressage champion who won the gold medal in the 2000 Olympics with her horse Bonfire and gold in the 2004 Olympics and in the 2008 Olympics with Salinero.Van Grunsven has also dominated World Cup Dressage competition, being named the World...  on Salinero Keltec Salinero IPS Salinero is a horse ridden by the Dutch equestrian Anky van Grunsven in the sport of dressage.*Sex: Gelding*Color: dark brown...	Anne van Olst Anne van Olst Anne Jensen-Van Olst is a Danish dressage rider. She was part of the Bronze winning Danish team at the Olympic games in Beijing 2008.-References:* *...  on Clearwater Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg Princess Nathalie Xenia Margarete Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg is daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is the younger sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.-Equestrian:She discovered a love for horses and for riding in...  on Digby Andreas Helgstrand Andreas Helgstrand Andreas Helgstrand is an award-winning Danish dressage rider who is most known for riding the 9-year-old mare Blue Hors Matiné at the Grand Prix level. Helgstrand has also represented Denmark in Olympic dressage events in 2004 and at the World Equestrian Games...  on Don Schufro
Individual jumping
Team jumping	McLain Ward McLain Ward McLain Ward is an American show jumping competitor and Olympic champion.Official website: http://mclainward.com...  on Sapphire Laura Kraut Laura Kraut Laura Kraut is an American show jumping competitor and Olympic champion.At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Kraut won the gold medal as part of the United States team with her horse Cedric in team jumping, together with McLain Ward, Will Simpson, and Beezie Madden.In 2010 Kraut was featured in...  on Cedric Will Simpson Will Simpson (equestrian) William Simpson is an American show jumping competitor and Olympic champion.At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Simpson won the gold medal as part of the United States team in team jumping, together with McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Beezie Madden.In 2010 Simpson was featured in the...  on Carlsson vom Dach Beezie Madden Beezie Madden Elizabeth Madden is an American show jumping competitor and Olympic winner from Cazenovia, New York....  on Authentic Authentic (horse) Authentic, nicknamed "Bud", foaled 1995, is a Dutch Warmblood gelding that competes in show jumping. He has won three Olympic medals and two World Equestrian Games medals. He is owned by Abigail Wexner and Iron Spring Farm, and is ridden by Olympic medalist Beezie Madden...	Jill Henselwood Jill Henselwood Jill Henselwood is a Canadian show jumper.At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Henselwood won the silver medal as part of the Canadian team in team jumping, together with Mac Cone, Eric Lamaze, and Ian Millar.She currently lives in Oxford Mills, Ontario.Her horse, an Oldenberg gelding named...  on Special Ed Eric Lamaze Eric Lamaze Eric Lamaze is a Canadian show jumper. He and his best known horse, Hickstead, completed the rare feat of only having one rail during the entire Olympic Games.-Early life:...  on Hickstead Hickstead (horse) Hickstead was a stallion ridden by Canadian Eric Lamaze. With rider Lamaze, he was an Olympic gold and silver medalist in show jumping. Hickstead was owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables Inc.... Ian Millar Ian Millar Ian Millar, CM is a Canadian show jumping world champion and Olympic silver medalist. Due to his longevity and accomplishments, he is often nicknamed "Captain Canada" in his sport. He is tied with Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschl for most Olympic appearances .-Biography:Millar was born in Halifax,...  on In Style In Style (horse) In Style is a Holsteiner gelding ridden by Canadian Equestrian Team member Ian Millar in the sport of show jumping. He was imported to Canada from the Netherlands in 2003. His full brother, VDL Atlantic, is also an international show jumper. Furthermore, VDL Atlantic is a Zangersheide-approved... Mac Cone Mac Cone Mac Cone is a Canadian show jumper.At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Cone won the silver medal as part of the Canadian team in team jumping, together with Jill Henselwood, Eric Lamaze, and Ian Millar....  on Ole	Christina Liebherr Christina Liebherr Christina Liebherr is a Swiss equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. She won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in team jumping following the disqualification of Norwegian rider Tony André Hansen.-References:...  on No Mercy Pius Schwizer Pius Schwizer Pius Schwizer is a Swiss equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. He won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in team jumping following the disqualification of Norwegian rider Tony André Hansen.-External links:*...  on Nobless M Niklaus Schurtenberger Niklaus Schurtenberger Niklaus Schurtenberger is a Swiss equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. He won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in team jumping following the disqualification of Norwegian rider Tony André Hansen....  on Cantus Steve Guerdat Steve Guerdat Steve Guerdat is an Swiss equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. He won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in team jumping following the disqualification of Norwegian rider Tony André Hansen.-External links:*...  on Jalisca Solier
Individual eventing
Team eventing	Peter Thomsen Peter Thomsen Peter Thomsen is a German eventing rider. He won the gold medal in team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics with his horse The Ghost of Hamish.- External links:*...  on The Ghost of Hamish Frank Ostholt Frank Ostholt Frank Ostholt is a German eventing rider. With his horse Mr. Medicott, he won a gold medal in team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:...  on Mr. Medicott Andreas Dibowski Andreas Dibowski Andreas Dibowski is a German eventing rider. With his horse Butts Leon he won a gold medal in team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:...  on Butts Leon Ingrid Klimke Ingrid Klimke Ingrid Klimke is a German eventing rider. She appeared at three Olympics from 2000-2008. With her horse Abraxxas she won a gold medal in team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics....  on Abraxxas Hinrich Romeike Hinrich Romeike Hinrich Romeike is a German eventing rider. With his horse Marius he won gold medals in individual eventing and team eventing together with Ingrid Klimke, Andreas Dibowski, Peter Thomsen and Frank Ostholt at the 2008 Summer Olympics.He already won with the team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian...  on Marius	Shane Rose Shane Rose Shane Rose is an Australian equestrian who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as part of the three-day eventing team....  on All Luck Sonja Johnson Sonja Johnson Sonja Johnson is an Australian equestrian who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as part of the three-day eventing team. She grew up on a farm and says she began riding at the age of three to help muster cattle on the property...  on Ringwould Jaguar Lucinda Fredericks Lucinda Fredericks Lucinda Fredericks is a champion equestrian sportswoman competing at the highest levels of equestrian eventing. She changed her nationality upon her marriage to Australian equestrian Clayton Fredericks, and now rides for Australia...  on Headley Britannia Clayton Fredericks Clayton Fredericks Clayton Fredericks is an Australian equestrian who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as part of the three-day eventing team. He lives in England with his wife Lucinda Fredericks who was part of the same silver-medal winning team.Fredericks attended school at Wesley College,...  on Ben Along Time Megan Jones Megan Jones Megan Jones is one of Australia's top event riders, a Silver Medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.Jones began riding at the age of 5, continued through her early years in Pony Club before hitting the international scene in 2003 at the World Cup Final...  on Irish Jester	Sharon Hunt Sharon Hunt Sharon Ann Hunt is a British three-day eventing rider.Hunt was educated at Culford School and the Perse School for Girls...  on Tankers Town Daisy Dick Daisy Dick Daisy Berkeley, formerly known as Daisy Dick is a British three-day eventing rider. With her horse Spring Along, she won the bronze medal for Great Britain in the team eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing....  on Spring Along William Fox-Pitt William Fox-Pitt William Speed Lane Fox-Pitt , known as William Fox-Pitt, is an English equestrian. He has had notable successes at the Burghley, Badminton, Blenheim and Bramham Horse Trials...  on Parkmore Ed Kristina Cook Kristina Cook Kristina Cook also known as Tina Cook , is a British three-day eventing rider. She is the daughter of the four times British jump racing Champion Jockey, Josh Gifford....  on Miners Frolic Mary King Mary King (equestrian) Mary Elizabeth King is a British Olympic equestrian sportswoman who has represented Great Britain at five Olympics from 1992 to 2008, winning one silver and one bronze medal in the team eventing...  on Call Again Cavalier

Venue

The equestrian competitions were held apart from the main games in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

, which is a separate member to the IOC

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

. This was because Hong Kong has established a huge horse racing industry since its British colonial days; therefore, strict quarantine measures for horses has been well established in the region, and were likely to result in fewer problems with equine disease than other cities in mainland China. Additionally, there were already some stabling sites for horses within Hong Kong, hence less construction was needed to facilitate the equestrian sports required by the Olympics.

There were be 2 main equestrian venues: Hong Kong Sports Institute

Hong Kong Sports Institute

The Hong Kong Sports Institute is a sports institute in the Fo Tan, Sha Tin district of Hong Kong. It was the site of equestrian events of the 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:**...

 (adjacent to Sha Tin Racecourse

Sha Tin Racecourse

Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...

) and the Beas River Country Club. The Sports Institute held the main competition arena, which included 80 x 100 meter stadium will all-weather footing and seating for 18,000. The Beas River Country Club was the site of the cross-country phase of eventing

Eventing

Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...

, which was held on the golf course.

Weather

Hong Kong is known to have hot and humid weather with typhoons being common. This includes a mean air temperature of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) with 82% humidity, making it even more inclement than Athens (mean temperature of 27.6°C (81.6 °F), humidity 48%) and Atlanta (26 °C (78 °F), 75% humidity).

Some competitors made it clear that they believed that it would be unfair to work their horses in such weather. Swiss dressage rider Sylvia Ikle was one such rider, and the Swiss decided not to send a dressage team because they would have had little chance of success without her.

To combat the heat, the horses will be transported from the airport in Hong Kong to the stabling facilities in air-conditioned vans. The stables are all air-conditioned as well, at a temperature of 20 °C (68 °F). For the first time in history, there will also be an indoor arena for training that will also be air-conditioned. Misting fans will be placed under tents at both venues to cool off horses that have worked outside. There will also be vast quantities of ice water available. There is also a veterinary clinic on site, which can test the horses' urine several times to ensure they are all properly hydrated.

The cross-country course was also designed with a shorter, alternate route to be used if the heat and humidity warrant it. The show jumping will be held under lights at night to avoid the heat. The footing is made of high tensile fibers and quartz sand, which has a great ability to absorb water, so that any rain should have minimal effect on the footing used for dressage and show jumping competitions.

Courses

The show jumping courses (both Grand Prix and the eventing stadium phase) were designed by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela and Steve Stephens of the USA. Michael Etherington-Smith of Great Britain designed the cross-country course.

Participation

More than 200 horses from 41 nations competed.

• Dressage: 13 teams of 3 riders each, and 10 individuals.
• Eventing: 5 riders per team, with only 3 scores counting.

External links

• Latest Equestrian News & Results from Beijing 2008