| Get ready horse loving girls, the 2008 Olympic | | | | This entire event, which begins at 7:15 pm and ends at |
| Equestrian Events have begun! This year's events are | | | | 11:45 pm, is dedicated to the second day for the Grand |
| being held in beautiful Hong Kong. The events began | | | | Prix first qualifier in Dressage Individual and day two of |
| on August 9, 2008 and commence on August 20, | | | | the Grand Prix for Dressage team. |
| 2008. Competitors from all over the world have | | | | Dressage refers to the gymnastic and athletic abilities |
| brought their beloved horses to compete against | | | | of the horse. On the riders side, it requires the ability to |
| others who are also consider the best and most | | | | appear as if no effort is being taken to perform the |
| prized. | | | | maneuvers and really shows the riders ability to |
| Which Countries Are Participating? | | | | maneuver the horse, remain relaxed, and perform at a |
| The great thing about the Olympic Equestrian Events | | | | top-notched level. |
| is that this is the opportunity for the best of the best to | | | | August 15, 2008 |
| come together in competition. Who is competing at this | | | | Held on Friday, this day will be solely dedicated to |
| year's Olympics? | | | | Jumping Individual events for the first qualifier. This |
| For Jumping Teams, we will see representatives from | | | | event begins at 7:15 pm and ends at 11:15 am. |
| China, Hong Kong, Netherlands, The United States, | | | | August 16 |
| Germany, Ukraine, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, | | | | For the Dressage Individual, this is dedicated to the |
| Norway, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, New | | | | Grand Prix Special Second Qualifier and starts at 7:15 |
| Zealand, and Australia. | | | | pm and ends at 12:00 am. |
| For Individual Jumping, you can witness the best in | | | | August 17, 2008 |
| countries such as Belgium, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Russia, | | | | Starting at 7:15 and lasting until 11:15 pm, this day is |
| Bermuda, Egypt, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, | | | | dedicated to the final first round for Jumping Team and |
| Colombia, Japan, Guatemala, Argentina, and Jordan. | | | | second qualifier for Jumping Individual. |
| For the Dressage Teams, countries such as the United | | | | August 18, 2008 |
| States, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, | | | | Beginning at 7:15 pm and ending at 10:15 pm, events |
| Japan, Australia, Canada, and Brazil will be competing. | | | | include Final Round Two for Jumping Team and third |
| In Individual Dressage, we can expect representatives | | | | qualifier for Jumping Individual. |
| from China, Finland, France, Russia, South Africa, | | | | August 19, 2008 |
| Mexico, South Korea, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Poland, | | | | Beginning at 7:15 and ending at 10:15 pm, this is solely |
| Belarus, Italy, and Portugal. | | | | dedicated to Dressage Individual in the area of Grand |
| For Eventing Teams, you will see some familiar faces | | | | Prix Freestyle. |
| from the World Equestrian Games in 2006 held in | | | | August 20, 2008 |
| Germany, these teams include Sweden, The United | | | | The final day of the Olympic Equestrian Events will |
| States, Australia, Great Britain, and Germany. They will | | | | commence with Final Round A and B for Jumping |
| be accompanied by competitors from Brazil, Canada, | | | | Individual. Round A begins at 7:15 pm and ends at 9:45 |
| Italy, and France. | | | | pm. Round B begins at 10:00 PM and ends at 11:00 pm. |
| For Eventing Individuals, we will see nations | | | | Fun Olympic Equestrian Event Facts |
| represented such as China, Belgium, Denmark, | | | | In 1900, the Olympics Added Equestrian Show Jumping, |
| Jamaica, Poland, New Zealand, and Russia. We may | | | | Eventing, and Dressage to The Official Games. |
| also see representatives from Switzerland, Austria, | | | | Most of the Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, |
| Belarus, Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Netherlands, | | | | China. However, Equestrian Olympic events are held in |
| and the Czech Republic. | | | | Hong Kong owing to the lack of facilities and |
| Schedule of Events | | | | quarantine problems. |
| If you love horses, you will be excited to cheer for | | | | For several decades, civilians were now allowed to |
| your favorite riders and countries. Therefore, you will | | | | participate in Eventing, instead, they were restricted to |
| surely love to know just what events are taking place | | | | only show jumping and dressage. In the early times, the |
| and when. If you've missed the first few days, there | | | | only allowed people to take part in Eventing were |
| are more great events to come. | | | | Military Officers. |
| August 14, 2008 | | | | |