Olympic showjumping horses fit to compete in new format

Yesterday ninety-three showjumping horses from around the world had their first veterinary inspection at the Equestrian Park in Baji Koen, Tokyo. This coming Tuesday marks the start of the individual qualifier, which will be a little different from what we’re used to. Here’s a quick overview of facts about this new format, so that you know what to expect during the fight for the individual and team gold, silver and bronze medals next week.

Individual Qualifier – Tuesday August 3rd

The very first competition day will be the Individual Qualifier, taking part on Tuesday the 3rd of August.

• Seventy-five combinations will start, with a maximum of three per nation, taking part in the qualifying round leading up to the Individual Final.
• The first individual qualifying competition is conducted over one round of a 500 to 650 meter course of 12 to 14 obstacles under Table A, not against the clock and without a jump-off.
• Athletes will be placed according to the number of penalties. Athletes tied for the last qualification spot will be separated by time of their round. If still tied: they’ll be noted down as placing equal and both be selected for the Final.

Individual Final – Wednesday August 4th

The Individual Final will take place on Wednesday the 4th of August.

• The Individual Final is open to the thirty best-placed athletes, and any athletes tied on penalties and time for 30th place. If an athlete qualified for the Individual Final is unable to start, they will be replaced by the next best-placed athlete from the first individual competition.
• All combinations start with zero penalties.
• The Final will be ridden over one round against the clock, under Table A.
• There will be a jump-off against the clock if there’s a tie on penalties for first place. This jump-off round will be over a minimum of six obstacles. There will be a jump-off for third place if no more than two combinations are tied for first and there are athletes tied on penalties and time for third place.
• The starting order in the jump-off will be according to time in first round. The slowest time starts first.
• The combination with the lowest penalty score will be declared the Tokyo 2020 Equestrian Show Jumping individual champion and crowned with a gold medal.

Before Friday’s team qualifier a second veterinary inspection will take place. A pre-competition substitute rider or horse change is allowed during the period between the end of the Individual Final and the Team Qualifier, provided it is completed no later than two hours prior to the start of the Team Qualifier.

Team Qualifier – Friday August 6th

On Friday the 6th of August the Team Qualifier will take place.

• The Team Qualifier is open to twenty nations, the ten best nations will compete in the Team Final.
• All teams start will start with zero penalties.
• The first qualifying competition is conducted over one round of a 500 to 650 meter course of 12 to 14 obstacles under Table A, not against the clock and without a jump-off. This is similar to the Individual Qualifier on Tuesday.
• In case of disqualification of any of the athletes taking part in the competition, the entire team in question is disqualified and may take no further part in the competition.
• In case of equality of penalties for the last qualification spot: if all three riders have finished: the times of three combinations will be combined. If only two finished: the times of two combinations will be combined.

One substitution per team is permitted only between end of the Team Qualifier and two hours before the start of the TeamFinal. The reserve horse must have passed the second horse inspection.

Team Final – Saturday August 7th

Saturday August 7th marks the grand finale where the ten best nations will fight for the team gold, silver and bronze medals.

• The Final is open to the ten best teams from the Team Qualifier, plus any ties on penalties and time for 10th place.
• The competition will be held over one round of a 500 to 700 meter course with 12 to 14 obstacles, not against the clock. There will be a jump-off against the clock in case of an equality of penalties for first (or second and third) spot.
• The starting order will be in reverse order to Team Qualifier classification. Any ties will be separated by combined times.
• The starting order for the third team members will be based on standings after Intermediate Classification.
• A team’s final score is calculated by adding together the penalties incurred by its three athletes. The team with the lowest score will be declared Equestrian Show Jumping Team Champions and win the gold medal.

Source: FEI
Photos: Hippo Foto Media