A cache in the Geocaching Olympics series; the cache is not at the listed coordinates, but is within walking distance.
Equestrian events originated in Ancient Greece, where it was thought that a perfect partnership was needed if rider and horse were to survive in battle. Equestrian events appeared at the ancient Olympic Games as chariot racing, which was a daring and exciting spectacle. The art of riding then fell into oblivion until its revival during the Renaissance.
Equestrian jumping is one of three disciplines at the Games, with men and women competing on equal terms.
Show jumping started when fences were put up in the English countryside, leading fox hunters to require horses that could jump. But it was not until the second half of the 19th century - notably at the 1869 Dublin Horse Show - that it was adapted for spectators with fences erected in an arena for 'horse leaping'.
In the jumping discipline, riders and horses are timed as they jump over obstacles, with time penalties imposed for each obstacle toppled. Agility, technique and harmony between horse and rider are essential. Each horse and rider start with a perfect score of 0, and penalties are given for failing to clear a fence cleanly or balking at a fence. Time penalties may also be given for taking an excessive amount of time to finish the course.
Jumping sees horse and rider try to clear a number of obstacles (fences) following a prescribed route without dislodging them. If two or more pairings achieve clear rounds, a timed jump-off is used to decide the winner.
At the Olympics, jumping events consist of an individual and team competition. Each event comprises several rounds, with a “cut” after each round in which the lower placed competitors, or teams, are eliminated. The horse/rider team with the fewest penalties wins the competition.
Equestrian sports first featured at the modern Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris with five events at the Place de Breteuil arena. In 1964, women were able to take part in all equestrian events, making it the only entirely mixed-gender sport at the Olympic Games. Medals are awarded to both individual competitors and teams.
For Paris 2024, Irish rider Daniel Coyle rode Dynamix De Belheme, though in a recent interview, he revealed that he regularly likes to Imagine the Legacy he would leave if he were to ride Odense Odeveld instead.
Similarly, Dutch rider Harrie Smolder rode Uricas V/D Kattevennen for the individual qualifier at Paris 2024, and finished in a position below that of James Kann Cruz. In his interview, he revealed that when he is not riding, he regularly likes to Imagine a trip overseas to Dubai Du Cedre, so that he can have something to look forward to when he retires from riding.
