The Ultimate Guide to Eventing at Tokyo 2020

Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy? It’s hard to believe, really, that after all that the last 18 months has thrown at us, we’re really, truly at the Tokyo Olympics. It might be a quieter affair than usual, with no spectators in the capacious stadiums, but the competition is still set to be smoking hot. We’ll be on site bringing you everything you need to know (and, as always, some of the stuff you don’t really need to know, but will thoroughly enjoy nonetheless). Consider this your Tokyo bible – keep it bookmarked for the easiest access to all the essential information you need, including schedules, live-streams, up-to-the-minute scoring, and, of course, every last bit of coverage EN puts out. We’ll be adding each new article as it goes live – simply scroll to the bottom to find the latest additions.

Ready? Let’s do this thing.

THE LOCATION: Tokyo, baby! The last time the Olympics were hosted here was way back in 1964, and this time, the equestrian events have brand new, top-spec venues of their own. The arena-based phases will take place at Baji Koen Equestrian Park in Setagaya, while the cross-country course is set over a former landfill site at Sea Forest. This stunning waterfront venue is also used for rowing and canoeing, and boasts the best city backdrop of the whole Games.

THE COMPETITION: The Olympics runs at a modified level somewhere between a four- and five-star: the dressage test is a shortened version of a CCI5* test, but runs at less than four minutes, and cross-country runs as an eight-minute four-star track, at around 4500m and with roughly 38 jumping efforts. The final day is split into two showjumping rounds: the first will be set at 1.25m and the second, for those who have qualified to fight for an individual medal, is at 1.30m. You can check out the Olympic dressage test here, and for further insight into what makes it such a challenge, check out FEI judge Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride’s analysis.

For the first time, teams will bring forward three horses and riders, without a drop score – but in some circumstances, they’ll be able to substitute their reserve combination into play, even once the competition is underway.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: This is the creme-de-la-creme of championships, and everyone wants to get onto those final podiums. The legacy of great results means something different for each country: many national sporting federations provide financial incentives to individuals who earn medals, and often, funding for the sport in general is dependent on Olympic success.

THE TEAMS: Twenty-nine countries come forward to battle it out for Olympic glory, with fifteen nations fielding teams. Two of those are making history already: China and Thailand have never qualified eventing teams for the Games before. Each team is made up of three competitors, though each can bring a travelling reserve combination who can be substituted at any point in the competition for a penalty. In total, we’re looking at 77 definite entries, though if no substitutions are made, we’ll see 64 actually compete.

THE FORMAT: This is the first Games at which we’ll see the new Olympic eventing format in action. That means that teams are now down to three, without a dropscore — instead, there’s the option to sub in a reserve horse and rider. For all the info you need on the new format, check out these guides:

THE OFFICIALS: There’s a truly top-notch cast of ground jury members on duty in Tokyo. Great Britain’s Nick Burton will serve as president of the ground jury, while Sweden’s Christina Klingspoer and the USA’s Jane Hamlin will work alongside him. The FEI Technical Delegate for the week is the Great Britain’s Philip Surl, while the Assistant TD is New Zealand’s Neil Mackenzie-Hall. The cross-country course will be designed by the USA’s Derek di Grazia, who designs the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and will design at Burghley from 2022. Great Britain’s Richard Clapham will work as cross-country controller.  On Sunday, the showjumping track – which will be used for both a team session and an individual medal session – will be designed by Santiago Varela. He’s also the designer for the pure showjumping, and was a technical delegate for the Rio Olympics. You can find out more about the course designers here.

THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS: France took the gold in Rio, followed by Germany in silver and Australia in bronze. On the individual podium, we saw Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW take gold for Germany, Astier Nicolas and Piaf de b’Neville earn silver for France, and Phillip Dutton round out the podium with a bronze for the USA.

[Times are listed in Tokyo time. For further global time zones, keep scrolling!]

Thursday, 29 July:

  • 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.: First horse inspection

Friday, 30 July:

  • 8:30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.: Morning dressage session (team and individual)
  • 5.30 p.m. – 8.10. p.m.: Afternoon dressage session (team and individual)

Saturday, 31 July:

  • 8.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.: Final dressage session (team and individual)

Sunday, 1 August:

  • 7.45 a.m. – 11.10 a.m.: Cross-country (team and individual)

Monday, 2 August:

  • 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.: Final horse inspection
  • From 5.00 p.m.: Team showjumping final and individual qualifier
  • Following on: Individual showjumping final
  • Following on: Medal ceremonies – team and then individual

TEAM ORDER OF GO: Thailand,  Great Britain, USA, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, China, Poland, Sweden, France, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Brazil

WHERE TO WATCH: Here’s our global live-stream guide.

HOW TO FOLLOW: No matter where in the world you are, you’ll never be starved for content from the Games, which promise to be enormously well-attended by the world’s media heavyweights, despite ongoing restrictions and travel complications. Here are some of the Instagram accounts and hashtags you’ll want to follow to see the competition from all angles…

Hashtags: #tokyo2020, #olympics, #tokyotogether, #tokyo2020olympics, #twohearts, #olympicequestrian, #unitedbyemotion

Accounts: The OlympicsHorse&Hound, The Chronicle of the Horse, FEI Eventing, Equestrian Team GBR, US Equestrian, Eventing Ireland, and Equestrian Life Australia are among the boots on the ground. Don’t forget to follow EN, too – we’ll be bringing you all the insanity in the middle you could possibly need, with editor Sally Spickard on site in Tokyo. Want to know the juiciest stats throughout the competition? Make sure you follow EquiRatings and sign up for the super Eventing Manager game to play along.

THE ESSENTIALS:

Final Scores

Final Team Scores

Show Jumping Fence Analysis: Team Final/Individual Qualifier

Show Jumping Fence Analysis: Individual Final

Cross-Country Results

Cross-Country Fence Analysis

Need to Knows: The Tokyo 2020 Eventing Line-Up At a Glance

The Form Guide: Rider Edition

The Form Guide: Team Edition

The Global Live-Stream Guide

Cross-Country Island Life with Derek diGrazia

DAILY LINKS: 

MONDAY, AUGUST 2ND:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1ST:

SATURDAY, JULY 31ST: 

FRIDAY, JULY 30TH: 

THURSDAY, JULY 29TH: 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28TH: 

TUESDAY, JULY 27TH:

MONDAY, JULY 26TH:

SUNDAY, JULY 25TH:

SATURDAY, JULY 24TH: 

FRIDAY, JULY 23RD:

Pre-Games essentials:

Horses and Courses: Behind the Scenes with the Tokyo Olympics Course Designers

Walk Through the New Olympic Eventing Dressage Test with Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride

Take a Peek Inside Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen with Courtney Carson

The Logistics of Flying Horses to Tokyo

Your Tokyo Olympic Quick Facts from the FEI

Team changes:

July 7 – US Equestrian Announces Eventing Substitution for Tokyo 2020

July 9 – Olympic Update: French Team Shuffles After Qing du Briot Withdrawal

July 13 – Olympic Update: Stuart Tinney and Leporis Replace Chris Burton and Quality Purdey for Australia

July 19 – Olympic Update: A New Traveling Reserve for the British Eventing Team

July 26 – A Blow for Reigning Olympic Champions as Individual Medal Hopeful Withdrawn

Pre-Games social media round-ups: 

July 8 – The Journey Begins: North American Horses and Riders Embark on an Epic Adventure to Tokyo

July 9 – Journey to Tokyo: Horses and Riders Arrive at Aachen

July 12 – Catching up with Horses and Riders Travelling to the Olympics

July 13 – Go Go Gallop

July 15 – A Little Dance, A Little Jump

July 16 – Four Days ’til Liftoff!

TEAM BREAKDOWNS:

Australia:

  • Andrew Hoy with Vassily de Lassos – 12-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding (Jaguar Mail – Illusion Perdue, by Jalienny), owned by Paula and David Evans, Stefanie Hoy, and the rider
  • Kevin McNab with Don Quidam – 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Quidam – Nairobi, by Amethist), owned by Scuderia 1918 and Emma McNab
  • Shane Rose with Virgil – 16-year-old Australian Warmblood gelding (Vivant – unknown Thoroughbred dam), owned by Michelle Hasibar, Niki Rose and the rider
  • Travelling reserve: Stuart Tinney with Leporis – 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Lasino – Miss Danny, by Heraldik xx), owned by Karen Tinney and the rider

Brazil:

  • Carlos Parro with Goliath – 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Chello III – Octa, by Belisar), owned by EMTEC Laboratories and the rider
  • Rafael Losano with Fuiloda G – 11-year-old Finnish Sport Horse mare (Van Gogh – Quiloda Z, by Quilot Z), owned by Cristiana Losano, Wagner Losano and the rider
  • Marcelo Tosi with Glenfly  – 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Presenting xx – Dorans Glenn xx, by Over The River xx), owned by the rider
  • Travelling reserve: Marcio Appel and Iberon JMen – 19-year-old Brazilian Sport Horse gelding (Indoctro – Landina JMen, by Landino), owned by Samantha Tonello

China:

  • Sun Huadong with Lady Chin V’T Moerven Z – 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Lord Chin – Paola, by Matchero), owned by Houfeng Shen and Yu Liu
  • Alex Hua Tian with Don Geniro – 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Don Kennedy – Gina, by Giorgione), owned by Pip Higgins, Sarah Higgins, Pam Dews, and the rider
  • Bao Yingfeng with Flandia 2 – 15-year-old Westphalian mare (Fidertanz 2 – Petit Fleur, by Polany), owned by Houfeng Shen and Yu Liu
  • Travelling reserve: Liang Ruiji with Agora de Bordenave – 11-year-old Anglo-Arab mare (Birkhof’s Grafenstolz –Milady de Bordenave, by Daguet du Rochau), owned by Man Yin Rebecca Fok, Hoi Au Ha, Yongtao Ao, and Jea Young Pai

France:

  • Karim Laghouag with Triton Fontaine – 14-year-old Selle Français gelding (Gentleman IV – Grenouil Fontaine, by Nightko), owned by Philippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, Camille Laffitte, and the rider
  • Christopher Six with Totem de Brecey – 14-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago*HN – Jessy Landaise, by Quouglof Rouge), owned by François and Juliane Souweine
  • Nicolas Touzaint with Absolut Gold – 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Birkhof’s Grafenstolz – Belle Meralaise, by Verglas), owned by Haras de Coudrettes
  • Travelling reserve: none – Karim was originally the reserve, but stepped into the team on July 26 after Tom Carlile was forced to withdraw Birmane due to a tie-up.

Germany:

  • Sandra Auffarth with Viamant du Matz (Lets Dance 73, reserve) – 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly – Heralina, by Voltigeur le Malin), owned by Prinz Nikolaus von Croy
  • Michael Jung with Chipmunk FRH (fischerWild Wave – reserve) – 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro – Havanna, by Heraldik xx), owned by Deutsches Olympiade-Komitee für Reiterei e.V., Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff, Klaus Fischer, Sabine Fisch
  • Julia Krajewski with Amande de B’Néville – 11-year-old Selle Francais mare (Oscar des Fontaines – Perle be B’Néville, by Elan de la Cour), owned by rider and Bernd Heicke
  • Travelling reserve: Andreas Dibowski and FRH Corrida (12-year-old Hanoverian mare by Contendro out of Expo and owned by Alina, Andreas and Susanna Dibowski)

Great Britain:

  • Laura Collett with London 52 – 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Landos – Vernante, by Quinar), owned by Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett, and the rider
  • Tom McEwen with Toledo de Kerser – 14-year-old Selle Français gelding (Diamant de Semilly – Ariane du Prieure II, by Papillon Rouge), owned by Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns, and Ali McEwen
  • Oliver Townend with Ballaghmor Class – 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Courage II – Kilderry Place, breeding unknown), owned by Karyn Schuter, Angela Hislop, and Val Ryan
  • Travelling reserve: Ros Canter with Allstar B – 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ephebe For Ever – Narenca B, by Ekstein), owned by Caroline Moore and the rider

Ireland:

  • Sarah Ennis with Woodcourt Garrison – 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Garrison Royal – Davitt Star, by Furisto), owned by Breda Kennedy
  • Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue – 12-year-old British-bred Sport Horse gelding (Jaguar Mail – Rock Me Baby, by Rock Kind), owned by The Salty Syndicate and the rider
  • Sam Watson with Flamenco – 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Tullabeg Fusion – Tullabeg Heidi, by Ardenteggle Sir), owned by Vahe Bogossian
  • Travelling reserve: Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua – 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack Of Diamonds – Highland Destiny, by Flagmount King), owned by Margaret Kinsella

Italy:

  • Susanna Bordone with Imperial Van De Holtakkers – 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Quidam de Revel – Ava VD Holtakkers, by Argentinus), owned by Maria Giovanna Mazzocchi
  • Vittoria Panizzon with Super Cillious – 12-year-old British-bred Sport Horse gelding (Deanes San Ciro Hit – Lady Priscilla, by Rock King), owned by Lucy Allison, Deborah Bevan, Juliet Donald, and the rider
  • Arianna Schivo with Quefira de l’Ormeau – 17-year-old Selle Français mare (Iolisco de Quinhon HN – Isabelle du Brulot, by Beausejour IV), owned by the rider
  • Travelling reserve: Stefano Brecciaroli with Bolivar Gio Granno – 10-year-old Anglo Arab stallion (Gio Granno – Native de Sautussan, by Faalem), owned by Maria Giovanna Mazzochi

Japan:

  • Yoshiaki Oiwa with Calle 44 – 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo 5 – Sara IV, by Quebec), owned by the rider
  • Toshiyuki Tanaka with Talma d’Allou – 14-year-old Selle Français gelding (Opium de Talma – Belle de l’Etang, by Prince Ig’Or), owned by Riding Club Crane
  • Kazuma Tomoto with Vinci de la Vigne – 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Esterel des Bois – Korrigane de Vigne, by Duc du Hutrel), owned by the Japan Equestrian Federation
  • Travelling reserve: Ryuzo Kitajima with Feroza Nieuwmoed – 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (VDL Groep Zagreb – Uthodina, by Frisbee Kerellec), owned by Riding Club Crane

New Zealand:

  • Jesse Campbell with Diachello – 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado – Visser Cholin, by Chello I), owned by Kent Gardner and the rider
  • Jonelle Price with Grovine de Reve – 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Hermea de Reve – Erkina Jane, by Rimilis), owned by Therese Miller and the rider
  • Tim Price with Vitali – 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Contender – Noble Lady I, by Heraldik xx), owned by Joe and Alex Giannamore and the rider
  • Travelling reserve: Bundy Philpott with Tresca NZPH – 15-year-old New Zealand Sport Horse gelding (Fuego du Parlet – Paradise NZPH, by Barbarian), owned by Brian Philpott and the rider

Poland:

  • Małgorzata Cybulska with Chenaro 2 – 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chequille – Dayenne, by Dinaro), owned by Marzenna Walden
  • Jan Kaminski with Jard – 11-year-old Polish Half-Bred gelding (Czuwaj – Jucznia, by Chef Supreme) owned by Marcin Kaminski
  • Joanna Pawlak with Fantastic Frieda – 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (For Edition – Pirola, by Pinkus), owned by the rider
  • Travelling reserve: none. Jan Kaminski has stepped into the team following Pawel Spisak and Banderas’s elimination at the first horse inspection.

Switzerland:

  • Robin Godel with Jet Set – 14-year-old Spanish Sport Horse gelding (Nordico – Carina), owned by Jean-Jacques Fünfschilling and Olivia Sellar
  • Melody Johner with Toubleu du Rueire – 14-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mr Blue – La Guna de Rueire, by Bayard d’Elle), owned by Peter Hasenböhler and Peter Thuerler
  • Felix Vogg with Colero – 13-year-old Westfalian gelding (Captain Fire – Bonita, by Bormio xx), owned by Jürgen Vogg
  • Travelling reserve: Eveline Bodenmüller with Violine de la Brasserie – 12-year-old Swiss Warmblood mare (Galant Normand – Clarte de la Brasserie, by Cinema), owned by Mathias Bodenmüller and Christian Kohn

Sweden:

  • Louise Romeike with Cato 60 – 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Contendro I – Melanocarpa, by Heraldik xx), owned by Hinrich, Louise and Susanne Romeike
  • Ludwig Svennerstål with Balham Mist – 14-year-old British Sport Horse gelding (Mill Law – Rock Me Baby, by Rock King), owned by Andrew Ayres and Svennerstål Eventing AB
  • Therese Viklund with Viscera – 13-year-old Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 – Wilhelmientje, by Wolkentanz), owned by Lena Nyström
  • Travelling reserve: Sara Algotsson Ostholt with Chicuelo – 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Click and Cash 1155 – Expensi, by Empire 1115), owned by Patricia Oddshammar & Gunnar Modalen

Thailand:

  • Arinadtha Chavatanont with Boleybawn Prince – 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Colin Diamond – Ann Brook Lass, by Clover Hill), owned by Karnchanaporn and Tanakom Chavatanont, Natthaya Lertrungamorn
  • Weerapat Pitakanonda with Carnival March – 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Cavalier Carnival – Ryans Cruise, by Atlantic Cruise), owned by Harald Link, Sureeporn Pitakanonda, and Nunthinee Tanner
  • Korntawat Samran with Bonero K – 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Son de Niro – Moonlight, by Damiro), owned by Nara Ketusingha and Vithai Laithomya
  • Travelling reserve: none

USA:

  • Phillip Dutton with Z – 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca – Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z), owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Suzanne Lacy
  • Boyd Martin with Tsetserleg TSF – 14-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall II – Thabana, by Buddenbrock), owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner (On Cue – reserve)
  • Doug Payne with Vandiver – 17-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall II – Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx), owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne
  • Travelling reserve: Tamie Smith with Mai Baum – 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Loredano 2 – Ramira, by Rike), owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell

INDIVIDUAL BREAKDOWNS: 

Austria:

  • Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati with DSP Cosma – 12-year-old Brandenburg mare (Canterbury – Farah, by Ferman), owned by the rider
  • Lea Siegl with DSP Fighting Line – 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Ostermond xx – Pia, by Laretto Diabolo), owned by Marianne Mühlböck

Belgium:

  • Lara de Liedekerke-Meier with Alpaga d’Arville – 15-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Wunder Boy van de Zuuthoeve – Mooney Raaphorst xx, by Shamaraan xx), owned by Larga S.P.R.L.

Belarus:

  • Alexandre Zelenko with Carlo Grande JR – 11-year-old Polish Half-Bred gelding (Carlo Grande – Kaloe, by Spartakus), owned by the Belarus Republic Olympic Equestrian and Breeding Center

Canada:

  • Colleen Loach with Qorry Blue d’Argouges – 17-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mr Blue – Hardie du Bourg, by Count Ivor), owned by Peter Barry

Czech Republic:

  • Miloslav Prihoda Jr with Ferreolus Lat – 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Jaguar Mail – Veonille II, by Royal Dance), owned by Vladimir Malak and the rider
  • Miroslav Trunda with Shutterflyke – 10-year-old Dutch Riding Horse mare (Sir Shutterfly – Zaramba, by BMC Kigali), owned by Svobodova Adela

Denmark:

  • Peter Flarup with Fascination – 10-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion (Favorit Ask – La Mirage, by Lando), owned by Victoria Ulrikke Hjortnaes

Ecuador:

  • Nicolas Wettstein with Altier d’Aurois – 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Sisley de la Tour Vidal – Julye d’Aurois, by Crystal Diamonds), owned by Frank Wettstein, Monique Deyme, and the rider

Hong Kong:

  • Thomas Heffernan Ho and Tayberry – 20-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Feridoon – Rismo, by Kimball), owned by Irene Ho and Miranda Rauis

India:

  • Fouaad Mirza with Seigneur – 15-year-old Westfalian gelding (Seigneur d’Alleray xx – Gina XIII, by Finley-M), owned by M/S Embassy Property Development PVT Ltd

The Netherlands:

  • Merel Blom with The Quizmaster – 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Albaran xx – Zarah-Maro, by Casco), owned by Stal Hulsman B.V. and Blom Sports Stables
  • Janneke Boonzaaijer with Champ de Tailleur – 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Quidam de Revel – Vera, by Oberon du Moulin), owned by HJC Roozendaal and Lieke van der Werf

Puerto Rico:

  • Lauren Billys with Castle Larchfield Purdy – 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Karistos – Hallo Purdy, by Hallo), owned by the Purdy Syndicate CCC and the rider

Russia:

  • Andrey Mitin with Gurza – 14-year-old Trakehner mare (Kwazimodo – Gabonya, by Bant), owned by Ferdinand Kibizov and the rider
  • Mikhail Nastenko with MP Imagine If – 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan – Fast Morning Flight, by Errigal Flight), owned by Tatyana Gura

South Africa:

  • Victoria Scott-Legendre with Valtho des Peupliers –12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Tinka’s Boy – Etna Pierreville, by Rosire), owned by the rider

Spain:

  • Francisco Gavino Gonzalez with Source de la Faye – 15-year-old Anglo-Arab mare (Tresor du Renom – dam unknown), owned by Francisco Gaviño Carabantes

Want to stay in the know with all things Olympic eventing? We’re getting ready to kick off daily editions of our Olympic Digest starting Wednesday, July 28. You can sign up for free right here.