Equestrian
Equestrian sport is horse and rider competing together, in three Olympic disciplines. In dressage a pair rides a set pattern of movements from memory, marked by judges as a percentage. In jumping a pair jumps a numbered course of obstacles inside a set time, with penalties for knock-downs, refusals and time. Eventing combines dressage, cross-country over solid fences and jumping, and the lowest total of penalty points wins.
New to equestrian? Start here
Which to watch first, and how long
Start with Jumping. Knock-downs and the clock show who is winning as the round goes.
- Jumping
- One round of numbered fences inside a time allowed; fewest penalties wins
- Dressage
- A set test ridden alone, marked out of ten for each movement
- Eventing
- Dressage, cross-country and jumping by the same horse and rider
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Olympic Games (equestrian)The title each equestrian discipline is measured by; men and women compete together.Every 4 years · Holder: Germany won four of six events
- 2FEI World ChampionshipsThe world title in each discipline.Every 4 years (Aachen 2026) · Holder: Aachen 2026, 11 to 23 August
- 3Asian Games (equestrian)Asia's multi-sport title; India won individual and team eventing silver in 2018.Every 4 years · Holder: 7 events
India
- Equestrian at the Olympic Games: No medal
- FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): No medal
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaEquestrian at the Asian Games: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 7 bronzes (latest 2022)
- GermanyEquestrian at the Olympic Games: 32 golds, 15 silvers, 14 bronzes (latest 2024); FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): 26 golds, 8 silvers, 18 bronzes (latest 2026)
- Great BritainEquestrian at the Olympic Games: 15 golds, 12 silvers, 18 bronzes (latest 2024); FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): 22 golds, 20 silvers, 22 bronzes (latest 2026)
- FranceEquestrian at the Olympic Games: 15 golds, 16 silvers, 14 bronzes (latest 2024); FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): 8 golds, 14 silvers, 5 bronzes (latest 2018)
- United StatesEquestrian at the Olympic Games: 11 golds, 24 silvers, 20 bronzes (latest 2024); FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): 6 golds, 11 silvers, 16 bronzes (latest 2026)
- SwedenEquestrian at the Olympic Games: 18 golds, 13 silvers, 14 bronzes (latest 2020); FEI World Championships (jumping, dressage, eventing): 2 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2022)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the Dressage, Eventing and Jumping Rules, 2026 editions |
| International federation | Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) |
| In India | Equestrian Federation of India (EFI): run by a court-appointed committee. It is still the FEI's member, but in 2025 the FEI withdrew Indian events from its calendar over unpaid dues and the Delhi High Court appointed an ad hoc committee to run it. Not on the MYAS list for 2026 as published |
The Indian body's position is unsettled; a published page should say so (FC section 6). Re-checked 2026-10-20: no later change found.
Where and when it is played
In a marked arena for dressage and jumping, and over open ground for eventing's cross-country. The big events: the Olympic Games every four years and the FEI World Championships every four years.