Do you think horses riding will be kicked out of the Olympics in the future

[Santa’s Irish draught]

I often just wondered this considering they added a few other sports this year . Do you think the that horse sport will be kicked out of the Olympics since its not a popular as other sports.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

No.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It is quite popular with the public and pretty much 80% of the countries in the world could field some sort of equestrian team, even for one part of it. So no I don't think it ever will be taken out of the games.

 

[ycbm]

One day maybe. I think there may be a limited time left for an Olympic sport where the competitor needs a piece of equipment valued in $ millions to have a chance of a medal.

It depends what ticket and broadcasting revenue it can generate, though. A 100m final is 10 seconds air time, a dressage final is hours.
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[DirectorFury]

I might be misremembering but I’m sure there was a consultation about removing eventing from the Olympics - it happened after London 2012 I think? I can’t quite remember why, whether it was an issue with getting course builders/designers or because it shuts out a lot of developing nations. Or maybe this is why the course has been downgraded to a 3* (in old money)/4* (in new money)?

 

[Wishfilly]

There is always speculation about this, but it hasn't happened yet! There are lots of sports that require expensive equipment (e.g. sailing) or access to specialised facilities (e.g. gymnastics).

I think the equestrian events are bit of a crowd pleaser- maybe one day they will be removed if that changes!

 

[ester]

who are the horses riding

 

[coblets]

pretty much 80% of the countries in the world could field some sort of equestrian team, even for one part of it.

They might have people talented enough, but when you think of the cost of flying the horses - look at what happened with Ireland... Especially since there's going to be more of a push over time to host the Olympics in the Middle East, maybe even Africa.

 

[teapot]

Space and cost has always been the issue, it's why the eventing was on such a pinball like course at Greenwich in London. If it does go, Eventing will be first.

 

[milliepops]

yeah I'd say eventing likely to be the first to go if it happens, and SJ the last to remain as it's more easily understood than dressage and each round is quicker.

 

[ycbm]

I might be misremembering but I’m sure there was a consultation about removing eventing from the Olympics - it happened after London 2012 I think? I can’t quite remember why, whether it was an issue with getting course builders/designers or because it shuts out a lot of developing nations. Or maybe this is why the course has been downgraded to a 3* (in old money)/4* (in new money)?

Eventing was downgraded, I think, to allow more nations a chance to compete. Is there any other sport in the Olympic Games where the standard in the final has been reduced in order to allow someone who is not the best in the world at the sport to win? I don't think so, and it makes a bit of a mockery of the eventing, imo.
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[Wishfilly]

They might have people talented enough, but when you think of the cost of flying the horses - look at what happened with Ireland... Especially since there's going to be more of a push over time to host the Olympics in the Middle East, maybe even Africa.

Bar the heat, which will be an issue for other events too, there's no reason equestrian events couldn't run in the Middle East. In fact, they already do.

Space is definitely an issue for eventing, but again I'd point to the need to access water for many events- that's potentially more of an issue than building an event course in some fields (yes, I know it's more complicated than that, but I think it's easier to build an XC course than and area where people can sail if an appropriate one doesn't already exist).

 

[coblets]

yeah I'd say eventing likely to be the first to go if it happens, and SJ the last to remain as it's more easily understood than dressage and each round is quicker.

Flashier too. Very difficult to for a non-equestrian to find anything entertaining about an extended walk.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Eventing was downgraded, I think, to allow more nations a chance to compete. Is there any other sport in the Olympic Games where the standard in the final has been reduced in order to allow someone who is not the best in the world at the sport to win? I don't think so, and it makes a bit of a mockery of the eventing, imo.
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I agree the new courses look almost Mickey mouse compared to the early 90s and early 2000s. They should be a 5 star, its the Olympics after all.

 

[Wishfilly]

Eventing was downgraded, I think, to allow more nations a chance to compete. Is there any other sport in the Olympic Games where the standard in the final has been reduced in order to allow someone who is not the best in the world at the sport to win? I don't think so, and it makes a bit of a mockery of the eventing, imo.
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My understanding is that the eventing courses are built in such a way that there are safe alternatives at the more demanding fences, but the direct route still represents a technical challenge. Although it's not officially a 5*, someone who takes the longer routes is not going to win, and someone who is not up to the challenge of the direct routes is likely to have run outs/refusals?

Of the recent winners, who do you think was not up there with the best in the world?

 

[teapot]

I agree the new courses look almost Mickey mouse compared to the early 90s and early 2000s. They should be a 5 star, its the Olympics after all.

Sydney was beefy; I remember the comments re Athens saying it was like a glorified (old level) 3* by Pippa Funnel and her horse had little respect for it.


The other thing that could scupper Eventing is climate change - Paris, LA, Brisbane... Unless you have a xc course fully flood lit, it could become too hot to compete. It'll be 30+ in Tokyo at 7.30am when it starts next weekend.

 

[ycbm]

Of the recent winners, who do you think was not up there with the best in the world?

I take your point, I should have said compete, not win.

Has any other Olympic sport got a lower challenge in the final than in regular national competion, though? I can't think of one.
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[Wishfilly]

I take your point, I should have said compete, not win.

Has any other Olympic sport got a lower challenge in the final than in regular national competion, though? I can't think of one.
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That is a fair point, and it's one I can't answer. And yes, I do think really the Olympics should be the top test in the sport.

However, I do also think it is good to promote equestrian sports in countries where people may not be so exposed to them. The Olympics is really the only vehicle we have to do this.

Ultimately, eventing is also a lot more dangerous than many Olympic sports, too- obviously there are lots of events where one could break a bone, but how many where there is a serious risk of life changing or life ending injuries?

 

[sunnyone]

Surely team GB riders go abroad to get experience of other climates, amongst other things?

When Pau 2019 ran it was 29-30° and that was at the end of October. I don't remember the course commentator saying anything about the exceptional heat. It was too hot for me to walk round the course in its entirety but I know I'm not fit and I burn easily. A horse that couldn't cope would simply have been withdrawn and his career terminated.

 

[conniegirl]

how many where there is a serious risk of life changing or life ending injuries?

Just off the top of my head Kayaking, sailing, surfing, skateboarding, most of the winter sports.

 

[Wishfilly]

Kayaking, sailing, surfing, skateboarding, most of the winter sports.

Winter sports are definitely a separate category.

As someone who has kayaked and surfed a reasonable amount, although not competitively, I think the way they are done in the Olympics massively minimises the risks of these sports too. I'm not saying they are without risk at all, but the rules such as only one surfer riding a wave at any one time do minimise risk, in the same way that having soft alternatives minimises risks in eventing. The kayaking is often done on an entirely man made course, too.

To go off on a tangent, given the criticisms of eventing/sailing in the Olympics, I am actually amazed that surfing made it in (although pleased because it's something I enjoy watching). I actually think there are far less countries that could host an effective surfing event, compared to those that could host eventing (obviously building a course requires expertise and money).

I think we will end up seeing lots of surfing in wave pools, which defeats the point, for me!

 

[teapot]

Surely team GB riders go abroad to get experience of other climates, amongst other things?

When Pau 2019 ran it was 29-30° and that was at the end of October. I don't remember the course commentator saying anything about the exceptional heat. It was too hot for me to walk round the course in its entirety but I know I'm not fit and I burn easily. A horse that couldn't cope would simply have been withdrawn and his career terminated.

LA and Brisbane can get up to the high 30s/low 40s - a huge jump from 29! There's also the travel factor, traveling to France is one thing, half way round the world is another.

 

[DirectorFury]

I think we will end up seeing lots of surfing in wave pools, which defeats the point, for me!

When it was announced that surfing would be included in the Olympics (in 2016 iirc) the head of the IOC said that they’d never approve the use of a wave pool/artificial wave as it‘s against the ethos of the sport. I agree with him! The next 3 Olympic venues are Paris, LA, and Brisbane so I’m assuming surf locations there will be fine . The UK would have been in trouble if it was included in London 2012 though as July-Aug is traditionally the flat spell for UK surf.

I was really disappointed to see only 1 skater wearing a helmet yesterday. I know it’s not ‘cool’ (I used to refuse to wear one) but the edges on the rails of the street course would kill someone if they hit them wrong.

 

[Wishfilly]

When it was announced that surfing would be included in the Olympics (in 2016 iirc) the head of the IOC said that they’d never approve the use of a wave pool/artificial wave as it‘s against the ethos of the sport. I agree with him! The next 3 Olympic venues are Paris, LA, and Brisbane so I’m assuming surf locations there will be fine . The UK would have been in trouble if it was included in London 2012 though as July-Aug is traditionally the flat spell for UK surf.

I was really disappointed to see only 1 skater wearing a helmet yesterday. I know it’s not ‘cool’ (I used to refuse to wear one) but the edges on the rails of the street course would kill someone if they hit them wrong.

So does that preclude a landlocked country ever hosting the Olympics then? I'm glad to hear that, but surely it excludes a lot of countries long term.

Definitely think skaters should be wearing helmets, too- it's important to set an example for kids who may be just taking up the sport.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I'm just watching the skateboarding final, I hadn't noticed until the comment but I'm surprised they haven't got helmets on, or knee and elbow pads.

It always makes me cringe when boxers don't wear head guards either

Apparently there was surfing today? I'd quite like to see it

 

[DirectorFury]

So does that preclude a landlocked country ever hosting the Olympics then? I'm glad to hear that, but surely it excludes a lot of countries long term.

Definitely think skaters should be wearing helmets, too- it's important to set an example for kids who may be just taking up the sport.

That’s a good point, but surely that would effect the sailing too?
Having gone on a brief wiki jaunt, no landlocked country has ever hosted the summer Olympics, and only 1 landlocked country has ever hosted the winters (Switzerland)!
source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Olympic_games_host_cities.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_Games_host_cities

Edit: I guess it’s like the winters - they can’t be hosted in a hot/non snowy country because of the requirements of the sports, which sucks but is just how it is.

Edit2: ref wave pools, I am actually a teeny tiny bit disappointed that this means they probably won’t use Slaters Surf Ranch in the LA games, but only because it’s an engineering marvel and we’d see more progression/pushing the envelope with such a consistent wave. However, wave choice is part of the scoring so not sure what they’d do there.

 

[Wishfilly]

That’s a good point, but surely that would effect the sailing too?
Having gone on a brief wiki jaunt, no landlocked country has ever hosted the summer Olympics, and only 1 landlocked country has ever hosted the winters (Switzerland)!
source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Olympic_games_host_cities.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_Games_host_cities

Edit: I guess it’s like the winters - they can’t be hosted in a hot/non snowy country because of the requirements of the sports, which sucks but is just how it is.

That's a good fact.

I would guess the sailing could be hosted on a large enough lake? But it probably does rule a lot of countries out regardless.

But both these things are why I think the arguments about eventing are a bit flawed. Yes, you have to build a course, but the expense is small compared to hosting the olympics in general- and the vast majority of countries have/could create a bit of open parkland, which is all that's really needed!

 

[shortstuff99]

Brisbane would be in their winter so temperatures should be better.

 

[DiNozzo]

So does that preclude a landlocked country ever hosting the Olympics then? I'm glad to hear that, but surely it excludes a lot of countries long term.

Definitely think skaters should be wearing helmets, too- it's important to set an example for kids who may be just taking up the sport.

Would they not just use somewhere else?

At Beijing the equestrian events were in Hong Kong I think, because it was too hot for the horses/other welfare concerns.

ETA: According to Wiki...

Occasionally, the equestrian competitions have been held away from the main Games. This has occurred at the:

• 1956 Olympics: the equestrian events were held in Stockholm, Sweden, rather than Melbourne, Australia, due to Australia's strict quarantine requirements.
• 2008 Olympics: the equestrian events were held in Shatin, Hong Kong, rather than Beijing, due to the high levels of equine disease in Beijing. Hong Kong was chosen as the alternate site because it had high standards for quarantine of horses (due to the horse racing industry), and was therefore considered safe for the equine athletes. Additionally, there were already some existing facilities in the territory, which would reduce the cost to host the competition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrian_at_the_Summer_Olympics#Location_of_the_Equestrian_Events

 

[conniegirl]

the vast majority of countries have/could create a bit of open parkland, which is all that's really needed!

Didn’t Beijing repurpose a golf course?