Equestrian
Riding is one of the few sports in which men and women compete against each other and age is no handicap-and the only sport in which competitors must coax a winning effort from an animal partner.
Dressage
Individual
Germany's Isabell Werth has won three gold medals in dressage and despite a recent slip in ranking, she'll be hard to get past in Sydney. Her great rival, the Netherlands' Anky van Grunsven, recently became world No. 1.
Team
The Germans are the team to beat, with the Dutch and Danes close behind.
Jumping
Individual
Favorites are Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa and world No. 2 Ludger Beerbaum of Germany, who missed the event in Atlanta because his horse was injured.
Team
Germany, France and Switzerland are usually strongest here, but the U.S. shouldn't be written off.
Three-Day Event
Individual
New Zealand's Blyth Tait won gold at Atlanta and could be a contender for his third Olympic medal in Sydney despite the recent death of one of his horses. Australia's Andrew Hoy will be out for his third gold medal. But most formidable is New Zealand's Mark Todd, winner of four Olympic medals, including two individual eventing golds.
Team
The Europeans may dominate the dressage and showjumping, but in the three-day event Australia has high hopes-and with good reason, having won gold at the past two Olympics. New Zealand, Great Britain and the U.S. will challenge.
WHEN TO WATCH
Individual
- Dressage Sept. 26-30
- Jumping Oct. 1
- Three-day event Sept. 20-22
Team
- Dressage Sept. 26, 27
- Jumping Sept. 28
- Three-day event Sept. 16-19
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