This summer, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will welcome an exceptional discipline: equestrian sports. A symbol of elegance, power and symbiosis between man and animal, these disciplines will find a majestic stage in Versailles to demonstrate their excellence and rich history.
In the annals of history, equestrian sports are written in gold letters as far back asAntiquity, when the Greeks, aware of the importance of equine mastery in ensuring victory on the battlefield, devoted themselves to cultivating a perfect symbiosis between rider and mount. Thus was born dressage, an elaborate art designed to prepare steeds for the effervescence of conflict. At the ancient Olympic Games, horseback riding was the equivalent of chariot racing, a spectacular event that captivated audiences of the time. After falling into oblivion, the equestrian art re-emerged during the Renaissance, at the heart of royal courts and jousting tournaments.
The beginnings of equestrian sports at the Olympic Games date back to the dawn of the 20th century, with their first introduction in 1900. However, it wasn't until the Stockholm Games in 1912 that they were given a permanent place on the Olympic program. The 1952 Helsinki Games marked a major turning point for the discipline, as women were finally allowed to take part in the dressage event, which was now open to mixed competition. Then, in 1964, women were finally given access to all equestrian disciplines, and equestrian sport became the only truly fully mixed sport at the Olympic Games.
Equestrian sports at the Olympic Games encompass three disciplines in which men and women compete in the same mixed category, individually and as a team.
For these Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several French riders are worth keeping a close eye on, including François-Xavier Boudant or Pénélope Leprévost in show jumping, Thomas Carlile or Camille Lejeune in eventing, and Alexandre Ayache or Pauline Basquin in dressage.
Horse-riding: where to practice equestrian sports in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Do you dream of discovering horse riding in Paris and the Ile-de-France region? Let yourself be seduced by this ancient discipline, combining sport, passion and communion with nature. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, the Paris region is home to numerous equestrian clubs where you can experience memorable moments on horseback. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From July 27th, 2024 to August 6th, 2024
Location
Palace of Versailles
Place d'Armes
78000 Versailles
Official website
www.paris2024.org