What Does Gender Equality Have to Do with Eventing in the Olympic Games?

       There is no sport in the world quite like horseback riding. First off, you won't find a bond in any stadium as unique as that between horse and rider- the sports are just trust exercises, with a few dangerous obstacles in the mix. Secondly, it might be the only sport in the world where people of all ages, races, genders, and body types can compete in the same arena as respected equals.
         It wasn't always that way, however. Eventing became popular in the late 1800s, and competition resembling the current first took place in 1902 at the Champonniat du Cheval d-Armes, in France. Equestrian sports were first introduced into the Olympic Games in 1900, and, ironically, none of those sports (polo, for example) are in today's Olympics. Eventing came around in 1912, and then, it was very exclusive.
         "Exclusive" meaning that only young commissioned officers in uniform, along with their military horses could compete- women were considered too delicate and weak. In fact, until 2004, the Classic format was used, a form originally developed to test cavalry troops. The first woman to compete was Lana DuPont Wright, in 1964. It should be noted that not only did she compete, she won a silver medal for the United States. Non-commissioned Army officers couldn't compete until 1956; male civilians were allowed to participate in 1924. Those weren't the only limitations- in addition, all Olympic athletes had to be amateurs.
           Classic format became the standard by 1924, at which point the five cross country phases totaled more than twenty miles. I can't imagine that, as that one person who has trouble getting the stubborn horse over a single fence I could step over.
          This, of course, isn't considering the ancient Olympic Games, where women couldn't even watch. The ancient Games included mounted and chariot races, but, instead of the jockeys, horse owners stood on the podium. Today, horse owners still get the bulk of the purse, but riders get to stand on the podium as well- regardless of their gender, thank goodness.
          As I've said before, riding is one of the few sports where everyone can compete as equals. This raises the question, why don't all sports have the same expectations for men and women? At our all-school track meet, we (as in, the girls) use the boy's shot in shot put, and we run, jump and throw the same distance. Using that different equipment, going that extra stride, jumping that extra foot, helps me develop my physical abilities better. If I could do this in more sports, and other girls could as well, we would be, as a whole, more physically fit and, in addition, more sports would probably be co-ed. Negative stereotypes, like the suffix "like a girl" might fall out of use, as they should have way earlier.
         Eventing is a truly special sport. You get a workout and you make a friend- surviving many near-death experiences with your horse and all the time you spend grooming them will pay off. As an equestrian today, I'm ridiculously thankful that eventing has come as far as it has. I might not be able to ride at all, or ride in breeches, if it hadn't. And, for those skeptics- if you think riding isn't a sport, you're invited to my barn any time.

Before 1924, only male commissioned officers could compete in eventing competitions. 

The first link is a history of eventing, the second is about Lana DuPont Wright (remember her?)
http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/jim-wofford-history-of-eventing-29598
http://theequestrianista.com/?p=2363