Equestrianism is popular all around the world, but it comes as no surprise that it’s particularly famous in Great Britain. The United Kingdom has produced some of the most recognisable faces in equestrian sports, including none other than Anne, Princess Royal who is a former European champion.
Today we will discuss the achievements of talented British horse riders and their horses, concentrating on the performance of Team GB (also known as “GBR”). Equestrian in the Olympics over the years. Find out what to expect of Team GBR for Paris 2024, so you know how to bet on the Olympics.
Equestrian Sports in the Olympics
Before we delve deeper into the participation of Team GB in the Olympics, let’s discuss what equestrian sports are part of the Olympics. As you may know, there are quite a few equestrian sports, but only a small portion are represented in the Olympic Games:
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Dressage
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Jumping
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Cross-country
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Eventing
The horse and horse rider perform a series of pre-determined movements such as piaffe, passage, and half-pass. Judges evaluate the performance on a scale from 0 to 10. There are three competition rounds. Horses and riders perform individually but their points are added to those of their teammates for placement. Dressage is the only type of equestrian sport in the Paralympics.
The horse and horse rider have to jump over obstacles (fences). The team which leaves the most fences up in the shortest time wins. The fewer penalties (such as one sustained when knocking a fence), the better. There are qualifying rounds and a final round. There could be won individual and also team prizes.
The horse and horse rider have to run while overcoming obstacles such as logs, ditches and corners for a certain time period. Again, the fewer penalties, the better. There are two rounds. Winning cross-country does not grant one an Olympic medal, the sport is only part of eventing.
Eventing is a combination of the three disciplines above. It can be won individually or as a team.
Did you know that these equestrian disciplines are one of the few sports competitions that don’t segregate participants based on sex? Men and women compete against each other in the Olympics.
Team GB in Past Olympic Games
Team GBR Equestrian has been widely successful in past Olympic Games. We’ll list all the medals won by Team GB at the Olympic Games (both individually and as a team):
- Gold Medals – 13 medals – Helsinki 1952 (1), Stockholm 1956 (1), Mexico City 1968 (1), Munich 1972 (2), Athens 2004 (1), London 2012 (3), Rio 2016 (2), Tokyo 2020 (2)
- Silver Medals – 12 medals –, Mexico City 1968 (2), Munich 1972 (1), Los Angeles 1984 (2), Seoul 1988 (2), Sydney 2000 (1), Athens 2004 (1), London 2012 (1), Rio 2016 (1), Tokyo 2020 (1)
- Bronze Medals – 14 medals – Munich 1936 (1), Stockholm 1956 (2), Rome 1960 (1), Tokyo 1964 (1), Mexico City 1968 (1), Los Angeles 1984 (1), Seoul 1988 (1), Athens 2004 (1), Beijing 2008 (2), London 2012 (1), Tokyo 2020 (2)
As you can see, Team GBR Equestrian has performed very well over the years. Now let’s also give some love to the horse riders who helped achieve this impressive record.
The last rider who won an individual gold medal was Leslie Law in Athens 2004. Curiously, he didn’t win at the end of the competition, but was upgraded to a gold medallist after an evaluation of penalties. Law has also won the silver in Sydney 2000.
Mark Philips is another impressive equestrian who, together with Team GB, won the gold in Munich 1972. He has also won the silver with them in Seoul 1988. His love for equestrianism brought him together with Princess Anne whom he later married.
We saved the best for last – Richard Meade. Meade is the most successful Olympic equestrian from Britain, having won 3 gold medals (one in 1968 and two in 1972). Not only that but Meade also became the only British equestrian to have taken part in five Olympic Games, which shows his passion for the sport.
Team GB Preparing for Olympics 2024
None of these impressive equestrians we discussed are competing anymore, but Britain is preparing new talents for the Paris Olympic Games of 2016. Let’s talk about them and see what they’re capable of.
First and foremost, we are excited to see Laura Collett perform. Collett sustained life threatening injuries in 2013 after falling from her horse. She spent a week in a coma, but only 7 weeks later, she was back competing. Apparently, it takes a lot to bring down Collett, who last won gold in Tokyo 2020, and we expect a similarly amazing performance in Paris.
Charlotte Dujardin is another decorated British equestrian who will take part in the next Olympic games. So far, she has taken part in three Olympic Games, where she has won 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 2 bronze medals. In addition to that, she has also set a dressage world record in 2012.
Charlotte Fry is a new star of Team GB Equestrian, and we can’t wait to see her Olympic performance. Daughter of another famous equestrian, Laura Fry, Charlotte has already proven herself on the world stage by having won gold at the World Championships for Young Horses in 2018 and 2012, and also gold at the 2022 FEI World Championships.
Conclusion
We were excited and honoured to write this article about the fantastic Team GBR Equestrian. We hope that you enjoyed reading it, and that you support the amazing men and women who make up one of the best national equestrian teams in the world.