There are those that believe that the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" meaning "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" should not apply to horses. What do you think? Does equestrianism have a place in the Olympics? Vote in this poll and leave your comments below.
Poll:Should Equestrian Events be In the Olympics?
Comments
Horses should definently remain a part of the olympics!!!!!! Forever and for always, Izzyboocowgirl
Horses should always be a part of the olympics!!!! Forever and for Always, IzzyBooCowgirl
I’d love to see some Western events at the Olympic level. Cutting, reining, barrel racing, roping — that’s my idea of great horsemanship (and athleticism) that’s also really fun to watch.
YesYesYes I dont even know why any1 would think of takeing them out thats my faviorte part of the olympics ,I love watching them fly over the jumps and doing good dressage (im horrible at it ) yes they should stay in the Olmpics!
BethyBoo
YesYesYes I dont even know why any1 would think of takeing them out thats my faviorte part of the olympics ,I love watching them fly over the jumps and doing good dressage (im horrible at it ) BethyBoo
YesYesYes I dont even know why any1 would think of takeing them out thats my faviorte part of the olympics ,I love watching them fly over the jumps and doing good dressage
I can’t believe anyone would want the horse events taken out of the Olympics. Horses are natural athletes and very hard working, strong athletes. I ride / jump as well and it is very hard work for both horse and rider. It is definitely the BEST part of the summer Olympics!!!
And, by the way…swifter,higher, stronger?? Let’s see any human do what a horse can do. Not going to happen!! Swifter, higher & stronger APPLIES to horses AND riders. Not everyone has the guts to jump a large animal over 5′ + fences, huge logs, over water & at high speeds also…who are these people who think these things? Obviously crazy people!
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Yes, they should be part of the Olympics, but they should not be abused and trained too hard. This is just a though though.
Horses should stay. What about dogs? How about adding agility to the olympics? Dog and handler, working as a team, competing with other teams in agility.
Those who think horses shouldn’t be part of the olympics simply don’t understand the physical and mental strength this SPORT takes for both horse and rider. What an awsome display of teamwork when you watch a beautiful Kur Freestyle (dressage to music), or see a HAPPY and EAGER horse effortlessly float over a jump larger than he is. Watch, the horses love it!!!
Those who think they should be removed have no idea of the training, discipline, and athleticism that is required in riding a 1200 pound animal. Horses were integral to the refinement of civilization, and the Olympics are a tribute to that. In an age where technology replaces humanism, we cannot ignore one of God’s most wonderful creations.
Yes I agree with keeping horse events. Plus What was fromaly called western pleasure……. western dressage.
How about a trail course also; As a teenager my horse & I really had to work together.
Horses should stay at the farms and race track! F*ck to all of you who still wants equestrian to be part of olympics. Olympics is there to showcase the best of humans not animals.
I understand there is a lot of history behind equestrian being in the Olympics but it is time to replace it with other sports that are more in line with elite human performance and limits. Change is necessary. It’s time to replace this legacy sport.
There is no doubt controlling an amazing animal involves countless years of training and mastery but ultimately, the horse is jumping and running through the course, not the human. It’s like strapping yourself on a dolphin and racing through an aquatic obstacle course. Most of the work is done by the dolphin.
I’m not a fan of horse riding but I have friends that do it and I understand the amount of effort, time and money that they put into it. Their love and determination is there with that of any other elite athlete but I’m sorry, it should not be in the olympics. If you are to have man and animal competing as one and use the whole “time, effort, money, skill” arguement, then why can’t any form of animal and man partnership be in? man and dog, man and orca, man and seal like at Sea world. Draw the line at humans and objects.
I’m a big supporter of horse riding (equestrain) as members of my family consume themselves in it. I have often gone and watched shows and stood by my cousins in their pursuit in the sport. However even them, believe and understand that equestrian does push the limits of what should be in the olympics. We all understand the time and effor that goes into this sport and the passion along with 100% commitment. However this does not just test humans athletic ability but an animal aswell. This is why it SHOULD NOT be in the olympics. If you’re going to use the arguement of how hard it is to amster an animal, then for God sake chuck in a dog show and the shows you see at sea world. Dolphin riding… orca splashing, seal clapping.
No! Horses should not be a parts of the games! This is ridiculous, I respect that this is a competition and it’s great to have outside the games. However not in the games, should they allow race car driving in the games No! Not to mention they have taken out a sport like baseball which is an all human team sport and allow this? It’s horrible!
Animals should not be a part of the Olympics. How is a dolled up animal prancing around flowered fences a demonstration of human athleticism? The horse is doing the work; the human is just driving…and while that takes skill and training, it doesn’t take athleticism. They should separate the equestrian events into another altogether different competition without the Olympiad name. Especially before they add other animals and the whole Olympic name goes to the dogs!
I’m guessing you are referring to dressage. Before you judge that the rider is just ‘driving’, take a dressage lesson or two and then decide whether or not it is an athletic endeavor.
I would say those who are against horses being in the Olympics a) have never been on a horse b) have never been near a horse and/or c) don’t even bother to watch the Equestrian events.
Yeah why are we giving horses medals? Leave horses at home, if them riders want to jump stuff then they should try steeple chase.
the Olympics is for HUMAN COMPETITION.
equestrian has NO PLACE in the Olympics.
does the horse get the medal? he should.
but no, the rider gets the medal. but the rider didn’t do HALF as much work as the horse. it’s utterly stupid.
people were obviously riding horses in ancient Greece.
but when they first started the Olympics they NEVER even considered allowing equestrian competitions in the Summer games. men who wanted to joust or perform trick shots on horseback had their own separate competitions to do that.
the Olympics is for celebrating human achievement.
horses do not belong; no animals belong.
if you think equestrian belongs in the Olympics then you’re going to have to allow dogs running obstacle courses and catching frisbees. you know, bullcrap like that.
I am sure the IOC knows Equestrian events don’t follow the theme of human athleticism that is the Olympics. It is a tradition event and carries a lot of weight because it’s just been there for so long.
There are a boat load of sports that could replace it though; when that decision actually comes:
- Rugby
- Cricket
- Rock climbing (speed events)
- Lacross
- Baseball
- X-Country running
- Another form of martial arts
I hope there is change in the next 8 years. Rock climbing or another martial arts sport would be a great addition/replacement.
The human just rides and gets a medal for that?… Stupid it doesn’t belong yeah it’s hard and all but the horse is doing all the work
I don’t agree with this event being in the Olympics . Yes, the riders put a lot of time training and so on, but the real force behind the jumping and riding is the horse and not the human! Sorry, it’s just a fact. Don’t need to be an expert to know that
I believe that is shouldn’t be an Olympic sport as it is not the true test of the individuals skill and as stated before, it requires an animal as a major participant. The Olympics is a celebration of human achievement and though I do agree that it is a sport, it does not have a place within the Olympic forum. If the best rider gets on a horse that is not performing well on the day, they will not win. The horse creates too many variables.
The sport is also not accessible for many countries as it is an elitist sport that requires large amounts of money and time.
Just leave it be. I am sure the can fit in other sports like Baseball, Cricket etc. For god sake they managed to add woman’s boxing….what a joke! Rather watch the horses!!!!
any sport that has anything but non-human intervention as a variable should not be an olympic discipline. This is no different than car racing. The quality of the horse defines at least 75% of the outcome. What a joke
I was watching the modern pentathlon earlier, and because most of the horses decided to act up, some of the guys who trained so hard in the other events fell down the standings, and off the horse. If the human rider makes errors but the horse is well trained enough, you’ve won, if a pole vaulter has an off day, he ends up falling from a
Great height, no-one to blame but himself. typical of the upper classes to get the beast to do all the work.
just saying to all those who think you just sit and the horse does the work process this: have you ever put your trust into a live animal to aid you in overcoming a solid jump taller than you? to race you around a barrel to the point where he/she could slide over and crush you to DEATH. and then slide to a stop in 20 seconds. have you ever worked so hard to communicate to a 1200 lb animal only using you hands and legs? But while doing all o this look calm, composed and steady even if your horse is flipping and bucking. Have you ever fallen of and hopped back on to finish instead of walking off the field? Have you ever only had 2 minutes to prove yourself with no “we can make up for that mistake next quarter or half” its Win or loose. And dont you dare compare it to strapping yourself to a dolphin. Thank you very much from a young rider, horse lover, and pissed human being.