With only about a year left before the Paris Olympics 2024, countries are vying to secure their positions in various events. Three such disciplines within the equestrian event, with medal-winning prospects, are dressage, eventing, and jumping. As countries such as Great Britain, Sweden, and Germany have secured their berth in all three disciplines, only a handful of spots are left open now for several countries to fight for them.

While more than half of the team slots are already allocated, it is officially now a race for the last spot in the equestrian events for all the remaining nations. The qualifying events for the final day will start soon in the coming months.

How equestrianism became a sought-after event at the Olympics

With France as the host nation, their teams are present in every single equestrian event for next year’s Olympics. This will mean they will compete against Sweden, Great Britain, and Germany at least, for all equestrian events. As of today, there are 11 spots open for showjumping, and 7 for dressage and eventing each. It might be a hard push from here on for every country to make it to the qualifiers.

FEI president Ingmar de Vos told Horse & Hound recently, “This is a really exciting time for all nations and teams preparing their road to Paris 2024. Competition is going to be fierce with only a handful of opportunities left to claim…” Ingmar de Vos was particularly proud when he mentioned that the sport has become more global than ever. Therefore, it is only natural for plenty more nations to eye a spot and thereby a medal in each of these 3 disciplines.

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Equestrianism has come a long way from when it was only a major European sport. As more countries qualify and some miss out by a bare margin, things get heated up before the qualifiers start.

Countries are fighting tooth and nail to make it to the Paris Olympics

Poland became the latest nation to book a spot in eventing after they won the CCIO4*-L qualification event at Baborówko. Australia, who won the silver medal in eventing at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, are yet to qualify. They will be eyeing one of the two spots up for grabs at the qualifying event in Millstreet from the 1st to the 4th of June. Another qualified nation, New Zealand will meet South Africa and other Asian nations such as Japan, China, and Thailand at the CCIO3*-L Tokyo 2024 qualification class in Millstreet. This will be the final chance for China to qualify for the event.

Ecstatic with such eagerness and enthusiasm of countries to make it to the Paris Olympics, Mr. de Vos finally wished all the teams the very best of luck and hoped that they make it to the finals. After the stunning venue in Tokyo that hosted the equestrian events, the bar has been raised for the equestrian venue in Paris. The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

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