Schedule of Equestrian-Dressage

Equestrian-related sports are the only sports in Olympics that are gender unbiased, thus men and women participate together and are judged on equal terms. In this sport, the riders concord harmoniously with animals too! At London Olympics 2012, along with other Equestrian events, Equestrian-Dressage will be hosted at the majestic surroundings of Greenwich Park from Thursday 2 August till Thursday 9 August 2012. Greenwich Park, part of the Maritime Greenwich area has been titled as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Equestrian sports debuted in Olympics at the Paris Games 1900, which included Equestrian Jumping, but were excluded until the 1912 Games in Stockholm, where Dressage was introduced. The legendry Lis Hartel, won silver medal in Equestrian Dressage at the Helsinki 1952 Games, despite of being paralysed below the knees. At London Olympics 2012, there will be two medal events and 50 riders will compete for Equestrian-Dressage. At the Olympics Games, the horses must not be less than eight years old for Equestrian Dressage. The Dressage movements are performed in a 60m x 20m sand based arena in front of 7 judges. The judges will decide the winners on the basis of individual movements, dexterity and capability of the rider and the horse taken together.

Equestrian-Dressage Events At London Olympics 2012

These two events are executed simultaneously and a rider's score in a test may be counted in both these events. In the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special, all riders and horses perform the same tests. Once the Grand Prix Special events are over, medals are awarded in the Team event. However, the Individual event continues. The highest scored 18 riders in the Grand Prix Special will enter the Grand Prix Freestyle events, for which riders perform their own freestyle routines. The scores in this round will determine the winners of the Individual competition.

Schedule of Equestrian-Dress Events in London 2012 Olympics