Horse Illustrated Magazine

The Olympic torch is currently winding its way through France on the way to the “City of Lights” to ignite the cauldron on the evening of July 26 during the opening of the 33rd Modern Olympiad in Paris. Meanwhile, in national equestrian federation offices and training stables around the world, strategies are being formed for the best possible performances at the Olympics.

It’s all about representing one’s country, achieving personal bests, and Olympic dreams now. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games take place July 26-August 11 (with equestrian events July 26-August 6). Find a full equestrian schedule for the Olympics here.

As of this past Monday, July 8, all countries putting forward equestrian teams, or individual horse and rider combinations, had to complete their “definite entries” lists for dressage, eventing and show jumping for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Find a list of definite entries by discipline here, from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

2024 Paris Olympics Equestrian Statistics

Jumping: 35 countries, 20 teams, 75 horse/rider combinations
Eventing: 27 countries, 16 teams, 65 horse/rider combinations
Dressage: 30 countries, 15 teams, 60 horse/rider combinations

(Note: The Paris 2024 sport entries (FEI Definite Entries) lists also include additional reserve horses and riders.)

The 49 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) represented in equestrian sport at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are: Argentina; Austria; Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; China; Chile; Colombia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Estonia; Finland; France; Great Britain; Germany; Greece; Hungary; India; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Republic of Korea; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Mexico; Moldova; Morocco; The Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Singapore; South Africa; Spain; Switzerland; Sweden; Syria; Thailand; United Arab Emirates; United States of America, and Venezuela. Find the full lists here.

Eventing Preview

In a change of order from the last several Olympics, eventing is first up in a very compact Olympic competition schedule (all three equestrian disciplines are crammed into 11 days including horse inspections).

Sixteen national eventing teams (with three riders per team for a total of 48 athletes) will compete for the team medals. This includes the host nation’s riders from France along with Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. These team athletes will also compete for the Individual medals.

An additional 17 Individual rider quota places are allocated through the FEI Olympic Regional Groups (North Western Europe, South Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North America, Central & South America, Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania) and the overall FEI world rankings. That brings the total eventing competitors for Paris 2024 to 65.

Because of the Olympic rule that no individual athlete can earn two medals for the same performance, on the final day of eventing, there will be two stadium jumping rounds separated by a one-and-a-half-hour resting period. The first round will determine team medals (and will serve as a qualifier for moving on to the second round for individual medals). All horse and rider combinations that finish cross-country the day before, and then pass the second horse inspection the next morning, will compete in the first round. Then, the top 25 return for a second round to determine individual medals. In both rounds, the competitors will enter the ring in reverse order of the standings.

Eventing Schedule

Times listed in Central European Time and then converted to U.S. Eastern Time.

Wednesday, July 24
◆ Eventing horses arrive on site

Friday, July 26
◆ Eventing First Horse Inspection, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (3:30 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Saturday, July 27
◆ Eventing Dressage, Team & Individual (65 starters), 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (3:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Sunday, July 28
◆ Eventing Cross-Country, Team & Individual (65 starters), 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (4:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Monday, July 29
◆ Eventing Second Horse Inspection, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (2:00 a.m. – 3:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Eventing Jumping, Team Final & Individual Qualifier, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (5:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Eventing Jumping, Individual Final (25 starters), 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Eventing Team & Individual Medal Ceremony, 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

In addition to the cross-country course designer Pierre Le Goupil, other FEI officials for eventing will include: Technical Delegate Marcin Konarski (POL); Ground Jury President Christina Klingspor (SWE); Ground Jury Member Xavier Le Sauce (FRA); Ground Jury Member Robert Stevenson (USA); Assistant Technical Delegate Gaston Bileitczuk (FRA).

The US Equestrian (USEF) Eventing Team members were announced on June 3. They are:

◆ William Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Arkansas x Ard Ohio) owned by the Off The Record Syndicate and cared for by Hailey Burlock. His Direct Reserve horse is Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group and cared for by Hailey Burlock & Erin Jarboe.

◆ Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Fedarman B, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Eurocommerce Washington x Fedor) owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate and cared for by Stephanie Simpson. His Direct Reserve horse is Commando 3, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Conner 48 x Amigo XX) owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC and cared for by Stephanie Simpson.

◆ Caroline Pamukcu (Springtown, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tolan R. x Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu and cared for by Chloe Teahan

◆ Traveling Reserve: Elisabeth Halliday (Lexington, Ky.) and Cooley Nutcracker, a 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tolan R. x Cobra) owned by Chris Desino, Rob Desino, Deborah Halliday, Liz Halliday, and Renee Lane and cared for by Abby Steger

The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello alongside Team Leader Gemma Stobbs, and supported by team veterinarian Dr. Susan Johns, team equine physiotherapist Linda Vegher, team human physiotherapist Jennifer Mitchell, and team farrier Beck Ratte.

Costello talked about their team spirit on the day of the announcement in early June, “This was a very thorough selection process and after speaking with each of our team members named to this Olympic team, I can say there is a palpable sense of optimism and determination as we enter these final six weeks of meticulous preparation heading into Paris. We have firm, but realistic, expectations together as a team to continue pushing the needle forward for this program. Let’s go USA!”

For more news, visit our 2024 Paris Olympics main page.

Dressage Preview

The dressage horses settle in at the Palace of Versailles during the eventing competition, but don’t start competing until the day after eventing finishes. There will be 15 teams (with three riders per team for a total of 45 team athletes). Teams are from the host nation France as well as Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

Then, there will be an additional 15 Individual competitors (with those places allocated through FEI Olympic Groups mentioned above, qualification events and the FEI Olympic Ranking list). This brings the total number of dressage competitors for Paris 2024 to 60.

Here’s how the dressage competition works. All of the 60 dressage competitors perform a Grand Prix Test, half one day and the other half the next day. The Grand Prix Test serves as a qualifier for both the upcoming team and the individual competitions. The riders from the top ten teams, including any teams tied for tenth place, return for the Grand Prix Special on the third day of competition (after two days of rest) and the Special will determine the team medals. Then finally, the top scoring 18 riders, including any tied for 18th place, from the Grand Prix Test (whether they rode for a team or as an individual) will move on to the Grand Prix Freestyle on the final day to determine the individual medals.

Dressage Schedule

Times listed in Central European Time and then converted to U.S. Eastern Time.

Friday, July 26
◆ Dressage horses arrive

Sunday, July 28
◆ Dressage First Horse Inspection, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (1:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Tuesday, July 30
◆ Dressage Grand Prix Group 1 (30 starters), 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (5:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Wednesday, July 31
◆ Dressage Grand Prix Group 2 (30 starters), 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (4:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Saturday, August 3
◆ Dressage Grand Prix Special, (30 starters), 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (4:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Dressage Team Medal Ceremony, 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Sunday, August 4
◆ Dressage Second Horse Inspection, 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. (1:00 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle (18 starters), 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (4:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Dressage Individual Medal Ceremony, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

FEI officials for dressage include: Technical Delegate Vincenzo Truppa (ITA); Ground Jury President Raphaël Saleh (FRA); Ground Jury Member Henning Lehrmann (GER); Ground Jury Member Isobel Wessels (GBR); Ground Jury Member Mariette Sanders (NED); Ground Jury Member Magnus Ringmark (SWE); Ground Jury Member Michael Osinski (USA); Ground Jury Member Susanne Baarup (DEN).

The US Equestrian Dressage Team was announced on June 25. They are:

◆ Adrienne Lyle (Wellington, Fla.) and Helix, a 2012 Dutch Warmblood (Apache X Zeester T) gelding owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Marina Lemay

◆ Marcus Orlob (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Jane, a 2014 Dutch Warmblood (Desperado x Zandra) mare owned by Alice Tarjan and cared for by Allison Nemeth

◆ Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Suppenkasper, a 2008 KWPN (Spielberg x Upanoeska) gelding owned by Four Winds Farm and Akiko Yamazaki and cared for by Eddie Garcia

◆ Traveling Reserve: Endel Ots (Wellington, Fla.) and Bohemian, a 2010 Westphalian (Bordeaux x Sunshine) gelding owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Caroline Hoerdum

The U.S. Olympic Dressage Team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig alongside Team Leader Laura Roberts, and supported by team veterinarian Dr. Laura Faulkner, team human physiotherapist Jennifer Mitchell, and team farrier Chuck Jones.

“There has been a lot of anticipation around the selection of this team, and I am confident in and proud of each of the combinations we have representing the U.S. at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Everyone has been hard at work here in Europe for the past six weeks, working to solidify and build confidence in their partnerships and producing stronger scores for the U.S. We want to be sure our horses are peaking at the right time over the next few weeks, and I know these athletes will give everything they have to make our country proud,”  said Traurig after the U.S. Dressage Team was announced.

Show Jumping Preview

As the event horses say goodbye to France, the jumping horses move into the Olympic stables at Versailles two days before they compete for the first time. A total of 75 competitors will compete in jumping, 20 teams of three riders each and 15 individuals. The team competition runs over the first two days with all 20 teams competing on day one, then the top ten teams, plus any teams in a tie for 10th, returning the next day to compete for the team medals.

Then, the jumpers have two days off while the dressage Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle are contested. Finally, the jumpers return for the individual competition with 75 starters on the first qualifier day, with no more than three from any one nation. That number is pared down on the next day when only the top 30 horse and rider combinations return, plus any tied for 30th place if applicable, to jump for the individual medals. Then, that’s a wrap for equestrian competition at Versailles on August 6, five days before the Closing Ceremonies of the 33rd Olympiad on August 11.

Jumping Schedule

Times listed in Central European Time and then converted to U.S. Eastern Time.

Tuesday, July 30
◆ Jumping horses arrive

Wednesday, July 31
◆ Jumping Teams First Horse Inspection, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (1:30 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Jumping Training Session, 6:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (12:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Thursday, August 1
◆ Jumping Team Qualifier (20 teams/60 starters), 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Friday, August 2
◆ Jumping Team Final (10 teams/30 starters), 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Jumping Team Medal Ceremony, 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Saturday, August 3
◆ Jumping Individual Horse Inspection, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Sunday, August 4
◆ Jumping Individual Training Session, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Monday, August 5
◆ Jumping Individual Qualifier (75 starters), 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

Tuesday, August 6
◆ Jumping Individual Finals (30 starters), 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (4:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)
◆ Jumping Individual Medal Ceremony, 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. (6:00 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time)

In addition to co-course designers Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo, other FEI officials for jumpers include: Technical Delegate Guilherme Nogueira Jorge (BRA); Ground Jury President Frances Hesketh-Jones (ITA); Ground Jury Member Patrice Alvado (FRA); Ground Jury Member Harrij Braspenning (NED); Ground Jury Member David Distler (USA); Ground Jury Member Karoly Fugli (HUN); Limb Sensitivity Liaison Judge Manuel Carvalho Martins (POR).

The US Equestrian Jumping Team was announced on July 6. Team members are:

◆ Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and Greya, a 2014 Oldenburg mare (Colestus x Contessa) owned by Kent Farrington LLC, and cared for by Denise Moriarty

◆ Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Baloutinue, a 2010 Hanoverian (Balou du Rouet x Utika) gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm and cared for by Margo Thomas

◆ McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Ilex, a 2013 KWPN (Baltic VDL x Calendula) gelding owned by Bonne Chance Farm and McLain Ward and cared for by Virginie Casterman

◆ Traveling Reserve: Karl Cook (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and Caracole de la Roque, a 2012 Selle Français (Zandor Z x Pocahontas d’Amaury) mare owned by Signe Ostby and cared for by Tessa Falanga.

The U.S. Olympic Jumping Team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland alongside Team Leader Lizzy Chesson, and supported by team veterinarian Heather Sherman, team equine physiotherapist Janus Marquis, team human physiotherapist Jennifer Mitchell, and team farrier Chuck Jones.

Ridland talked about his seasoned team on selection day, “We are very lucky to have three of the most experienced athletes in the sport riding horses that are in top form heading into the Games. Additionally, we have a strong alternate athlete horse combination in Karl and Caracole who have shown great recent form,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “Now that selection is complete, we are 100% laser-focused on Paris.”

How To Watch & Cheer

If you don’t have plans to travel to France to support Team USA there, you’ll want to watch all of the action on the NBC Universal family of channels since they hold broadcast rights for the Olympics in the U.S.

NBC plans a mix of coverage of the various sports spread across their regular network  NBC-TV and their cable channels such as CNBC, USA Network and E! as well as Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo. Go to NBCOlympics.com to find news and schedules about what sports will air when on what channel.

More specifically for horse sports, visit here for information on equestrian coverage at the Olympics. Most equestrian competition broadcasts will be on NBC, USA Network and E! television channels, as well as online livestreaming options through Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Olympics app.

If you want to be assured of seeing every ride in every equestrian discipline at the Olympics, it appears that a subscription to Peacock may be your best bet. They have two options, one that offers just livestreaming or a plus level that offers on-demand playback of the competitions as well.

And yes, Snoop Dogg will be a special correspondent once again.

If you would like to support Team USA while enjoying some retail therapy at the same time, shop for US Equestrian swag at shopusef.org or Team USA gear on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s retail site, teamusashop.com.

Contributions to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) also go to directly support our American riders in international competition. For more information, go to uset.org. Consider hosting an Olympic viewing party with refreshments, Olympic trivia games, and a collection jar for USET Foundation donations. Every little bit helps!

Go Team USA and best of luck to all of the horses and riders at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Let the Games begin!