Equestrian sports, rooted in antiquity with the importance given to the relationship between horse and rider, have evolved over the centuries to become a major Olympic discipline. Show jumping, dressage and eventing are the emblematic events of this discipline where men and women compete together. Show jumping requires agility, technique and control, while dressage showcases the harmony between horse and rider in artistic figures. Eventing, a true equestrian triathlon, combines show jumping, dressage and cross-country, testing the versatility and endurance of the horse-rider pair.
At the Olympic Games since 1900, equestrian sports have made Olympic history by becoming the only fully mixed sport from 1964 onwards. As early as 1952, women were allowed to participate in dressage, a significant step towards true parity in equestrian competition. Individual and team medals are awarded, reinforcing the importance and recognition of this discipline within the Olympic movement.
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