The Road to the Olympics: On the Horizon of Paris 2024

by Rhianna Russell

The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of competitive sports. Every four years, athletes from 33 sports come together on the world stage to showcase the ultimate in athletic talent. Becoming the best of the best all starts with a dream. Achieving that dream takes grit, determination, and - for equestrians - a very special horse. 

As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics approach, anticipation runs high - and for good reason. Perhaps it's the allure of wandering through the storied gardens of the iconic Chateau de Versailles, juxtaposed with the thrill of competing on these historic grounds, that makes this year feel exceptionally extraordinary. Or maybe it's the shadow cast by the postponement and stringent regulations of the previous Summer Olympics due to an unforeseen global pandemic. 

For Grand Prix dressage rider and Paralympic coach, Lehua Custer, the anticipation has left her speechless. "It is incredible," she said. "The opportunity and honor to potentially be there as an owner of a Paralympic horse, or potentially as a dressage athlete would be ... I don't have words for that specifically." 

TerraNova Equestrian Center is lucky to have hosted several elite riders and Olympians as they vie for 2024. For these athletes, competing in Paris is not just a distant hope, but a tangible reality. To them, it's a matter of every card falling into place. In the words of American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, "It's not the destination, it's the journey" 

EQUESTRIANS AT THE OLYMPICS 

The Olympic Games have roots dating back to ancient Greece in 776 B.C. Equestrian sports have long been a staple of the Games. Back then, horses competed in chariot races. During the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, four distinct types of equestrian sports were introduced: jumping, high jump, long jump, and mail coach. Over the years, equestrian events have become a cherished and integral part of the Olympics, drawing athletes and enthusiasts from across the globe to celebrate the beauty, skill, and athleticism of both horse and rider. 

Today the equine events are made up of dressage, eventing, and show jumping. Dressage showcases the art of precise and harmonious movements between rider and horse, emphasizing control, balance, and obedience. Eventing is a multifaceted equestrian sport combining dressage, cross-country jumping, and stadium jumping, testing the horse and rider's versatility, agility, and endurance. Show jumping is an equestrian discipline where horse and rider navigate a course of obstacles, such as fences, gates, and liverpools, with the goal of clearing them cleanly and quickly. At the Paralympic Games, para dressage follows a similar format to dressage and is graded based on the athlete's qualifying criteria. 

Equestrian events at the Olympics are the only events in which animals are both teammates and athletes. Equestrian sports are also one of two events in which men and women compete against one another on an even playing field. On average, equestrian athletes are the oldest at the Olympics. In fact, the oldest Olympian ever to compete was Lorna Johnstone, of Britain, at age 70 in 1972. 

As the next generation of equestrian Olympians rise through the ranks, it has become a family affair for dressage athletes like Jan and Ben Ebeling. Ben Ebeling, son of Olympian Jan Ebeling, was the youngest to compete at the 2021 United States Dressage Short List Observation Event at just 21 years old. Ben Ebeling shared what it was like growing up watching his father compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, "I got to see how hard he had worked for this goal," he said. "[My father] had competed at the Pan American Games and multiple World Cups. For him, to get that Olympic berth in 2012 was just incredible for me to watch- the hard work that was put into that- and the payoff." 

QUALIFYING FOR THE OLYMPICS  

To compete at the Olympics, riders must qualify through a combination of individual and team-based selection processes. There are generally five ways in which a rider may qualify.

NATIONAL FEDERATION ELIGIBILITY 

Each country's equestrian federation sets its own criteria and standards for Olympic qualification. Equestrians must first meet the eligibility requirements established by their national federation, which often include factors like citizen- ship, residency, and membership in good standing with the federation. 

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATION 

In addition to national eligibility, equestrians often need to achieve specific performance standards or rankings in international competitions recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). These competitions typically include prestigious events such as the World Equestrian Games, World Cup Finals, and designated Olympic qualifiers. Riders accumulate points or achieve certain placements in these competitions to secure individual qualification spots. 

TEAM QUALIFICATION 

Olympic equestrian events feature both individual and team competitions. Teams usually consist of three or four riders representing a single nation. Team qualification may be based on a combination of individual performances and team rankings in designated events. Nations must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the FEI to enter a team in the Olympics. Additionally, the host country often receives automatic qualification spots to ensure their participation. 

TRIPARTITE COMMISSION INVITATIONS 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allocates a limited number of additional spots, known as tripartite commission invitations, to countries that may not have secured qualification through the standard routes. These invitations are typically given to nations with limited Olympic representation. 

WILD CARDS 

In some cases, the FEI may grant wild cards to riders or teams that haven't qualified through the standard methods. Wild cards are usually reserved for exceptional circumstances, and the decision is made by the FEI and the IOC. 

THE RIDER PERSPECTIVE 

The road to the Olympics isn't as simple as qualifying for and winning notable events. There are aspects unique to equestrian athletes that must fall perfectly into place. From finances and personal fitness to the health and fitness of their horses, riders have the additional challenge of their attention being divided. "Let's say you are a tennis player. You're not building tennis courts. You're not mowing the grass around the tennis court. You're not collecting the balls. You're focusing on your game. And that's it," said Canadian Olympian, Kyle Carter, who competed at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics with the Canadian eventing team. 

While these obstacles are challenging enough, from the Paralympic perspective, it is even more important to develop a very deliberate timeline and roadmap as there are fewer events to qualify. As a coach, Lehua Custer said, "Working with any of the elite athletes, you end up mostly not talking about that [end goal] in the sense that we never want to put that pressure on them. Yet, we do have to create a bit of a timeline." 

Managing this calculated schedule calls for careful planning and seeking out shows that will help each athlete achieve their goals. TerraNova Equestrian Center is home to FEI events in each discipline. When asked what sets TerraNova apart from other venues, Ben Ebling said, "I've been lucky enough to compete at some of the biggest shows in the world with some really big atmospheres, and the show at TerraNova last year was electric!" 

MANAGING THE EQUINE ATHLETE 

 The bond built between horse and rider is undoubtedly the most critical element for a pair's success. This relationship is grown over time through the love and care that the riders show to their partners. For Ben Ebeling, attentive management is key to ensuring the horses are prepared for each event and every step up in training. "It is not just you. It's also the horse, and [your horse] must be very physically fit and very mentally focused," he said. "It's important to always give horses time off, especially leading into this season before the Olympics." 

Knowing when the horses need time off or when they need to be entered into major events to prepare them is carefully strategized at the elite level. As Custer described, "You must allow for downtime for the horse so they're not always pressing their bodies and their mental state to the very edge. Identifying those peaks and working towards them sets the horse and the rider up to be at their best." 

Behind each Olympic ride is a team of coaches, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, saddlers, and breeders all dedicated to the success of the horse and rider. With everything that goes on behind the scenes, it is important that every need is met and there is ample accommodation when traveling on the road. "I chose to compete at TerraNova Equestrian Center because I knew I was going to be dealing with a big Olympic-like atmosphere and the course was going to be challenging but good. Also, I know what they do with the footing," Carter said. 

Competing at a venue like TerraNova takes pressure off the riders and most importantly, the horses. The leadership team at TerraNova has scrupulously examined every detail when it comes to the welfare and care of the horses during their stay at the showgrounds. From the size of the cushion-padded stalls to the uniquely formulated footing in the arenas, the riders can rest assured the welfare of their horses is at the forefront at TerraNova Equestrian Center. 

SUPPORTING THE ATHLETES 

The journey of equestrian athletes towards the Olympic Games is complex. It extends far beyond what is seen in the arena. It encompasses teamwork, fortitude, and above all, the mental and physical conditioning of equine athletes. The road to the Olympics is a journey marked by dedication, talent, and perseverance, with no shortcuts to success. Competing on the Olympic stage is the pinnacle of achievement, and each rider's path is a testament to their unwavering commitment. 

TerraNova, with its top-notch facilities and dedication to horse welfare, plays a vital role in supporting these athletes regardless of where they are on their journey. With the unique needs of each competitor in mind, riders can focus on their performance and their horses' happiness. "You have some passionate horse people here that are putting a lot into the infrastructure and trying to hold different events for us to develop horses while we're here in Florida for the winter," said two-time Olympic show jumper, Kent Farrington. "I think that's great for the industry and great for all the riders."