Countries Competing In 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events
August 5, 2008
Only a specified number of countries and horse and riders are allowed to compete in the Olympics. Each national team must qualify for their region. Once a country has qualified, riders compete for the individual spots.
A total of 42 countries have qualified either with team or individual riders to participate in the equestrian events at the 2008 Olympic Games. Seven countries - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, and the USA - have qualified a team in all three disciplines.
Here are the countries who qualified for the 2008 Olympic Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing equestrian competition:
Dressage
50 riders
50 horses
10 reserve horses (one per team)
TEAM
(10 National Olympic Committees will be qualified to take part with a team consisting of a maximum of 3 riders and 3 horses as follows):
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Denmark *(composite team)
- Spain *(composite team)
- Great Britain
- Germany
- Japan
- The Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- USA
* Composite qualified teams: 3 individuals qualified from the same nation from the Olympic rankings to make up a team.
INDIVIDUAL
(The following qualification places for Individuals may only be allocated to NOCs which have not qualified teams “directly”. Each qualification place will be for 1 rider and 1 horse.)
- Antigua - 1
- Austria - 2
- Belgium - 1
- Belarus - 1
- Finland - 1
- France - 2
- Italy - 1
- Korea - 1
- Mexico - 1
- South Africa - 1
- Russia - 1
Show Jumping
75 riders
75 horses
15 reserve horses (1 per team)
TEAM
(15 NOCs will be qualified to take part with a team consisting of 4 riders and 4 horses or 3 riders and 3 horses as follows):
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- Great Britain
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Saudi Arabia
- Mexico
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Ukraine
- USA
INDIVIDUAL
(15 spaces will be reserved for NOCs not represented by teams, each competitor with 1 horse, with a maximum of 2 riders per nation):
- Argentina - 1
- Azerbaijan - 1
- Belgium - 1
- Bermuda - 1
- Colombia - 1
- Egypt - 1
- Guatemala - 1
- Ireland - 1
- Jordan - 1
- Japan - 2
- Russia - 2
- United Arab Emirates - 1
- Venezuela - 1
Eventing
75 riders
75 horses
no reserve horses
TEAM
(10 NOCs will be qualified to take part with a team consisting of a minimum of 3 riders and 3 horses, and a maximum of 5 riders and 5 horses, as follows):
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Great Britain
- Germany
- Ireland *(Composite team)
- Italy
- New Zealand * (Composite team)
- Sweden
- USA
* Composite qualified teams: 3 individuals qualified from the same nation from the Olympic rankings to make up a team.
INDIVIDUAL
(The following qualification places for individuals may only be allocated to NOCs which have not qualified teams. Each qualification place will be for 1 rider and 1 horse.)
- Argentina - 1
- Austria - 1
- Belgium - 2
- Belarus - 2
- China - 1
- Chile - 2
- Denmark - 1
- Jamaica - 1
- Japan - 1
- The Netherlands - 2
- Poland - 2
- South Africa - 1
- Russia - 2
- Switzerland - 1
Read Olympic equestrian rider profiles, overviews of events and Hong Kong facilities, and other Olympic equestrian news on RegardingHorses.com. Complete coverage of 2008 Olympic Equestrian events.
Posted in 2008 Olympics, Olympic Dressage, Olympic Eventing, Olympic Show Jumping
August 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I cannot believe what I just saw on the dressage event today. China’s rider was in their routine, and the horse made a very obivious spook and attempt to bolt from the ring. the rider lost control for at least 2 seconds. What shocks and dissapoints me is the scoring. the rider was given a 5, 7, and 8 on that move. this is obiviouly crooked. That team should not have been given a 7 and an 8 for such an obivious mistake!!!. wonder if it has to do with the rider represtenting China, IN CHINA. this is so sad, and such a dissapointment.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Oh be quiet, that’s how we get more people and countries into the sport.
OK. It’s not “Kosher” but I think it’s great China is participating at all.
GO China!
August 10th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I totally agree with Ravynne. I saw this and am surprised that they received a high mark for this!
Rules are rules… are we going to ignore it if Azerbaijan knock a fence down during the show-jumping because hey, at least they’re joining in?! Or perhaps East Germany were right all those years ago in giving steroids to their athletes - it got them into sport didn’t it?
Bias is bias whether it’s sexism, or anything else, and by adjusting the rules based on someone’s nationality is racism… “positive” discrimination or otherwise. Personally, I would be very upset if I were marked up on ANYTHING based on anything other than my abilities.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:53 am
were is serbia and croatia in this?
August 16th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
please let me know the dates when Afghanistan has game with which country.
thanks
obaid
August 17th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I have tryed to get info but their is none on brazil olympic
August 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
i personally think that rayvnne is right they should not have been given a high score for an obvious mistake!!
August 27th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
China’s opener was totally awsome I don’t think that anyone can top that.