IOC:

Please get rid of ALL Equestrian "sports."

There are many reasons for this:

1. It is a classist activity. To be able to be an "athlete," you must be able to afford the ability to maintain a horse. Not just any horse: a SHOW horse. That is the most aristocratic sport ever. I quote from an article in SUPPORT of equestrian sports "it requires deep pockets to purchase and a look after [a] good nag; horses are frustratingly prone to expensive injuries; ample land is required to house and exercise them; and the royals are keen on it (the queen’s granddaughter was on the British team)"

2. It isn't international. It is a pass time of rich, white people. Since the modern Olympics began, there have been 413 medals awarded. Out of those, only 16 have been awarded to a team outside of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the US. (Mexico: 7, Brazil: 3, Chile: 2, Saudi Arabia: 2, Japan: 1, Argentina: 1). That means that only 3% of all medals awarded have went to Non-eurocentric countries. Only 4 Gold have gone to Non-eurocentric countries (2 Mexico, 1 Brazil, 1 Japan).

3. It can be considered inhumane. I am not a huge animal rights activist, but what these "athletes" do most certainly border on abuse. Think about the amount of abuse that human beings go through to maintain Olympic standards: Round the clock work outs. Starving oneself. Gorging oneself. Restricting food. Ignoring horrible abuse from coaches, all for glory. But they make that decision. Horses do not. The "training" involved in even the most basic of training is traumatic. In the picture above, a Dressage horse is being bound to fix the curvature of its neck. Horses are beaten into submission. But that's not all. An injury that can be career ending for these "4 legged athletes," is also enough to warrant euthanizing it. The resources needed to maintain a sick animal is not worth the investment because it can no longer compete.



4. It is not athletic. If Equestrian sports are in the Olympics, then we should add dog training too. Sure, it takes dedication and discipline, but so does oration and stunt driving.

5. It is expensive for the Olympics to house and maintain these horses. Imagine NOT having to spend money on building the stables and maintenance of the horses. It would be wise business decision, too. Because no one WANTS to watch these events. They are the least watched events of all the Olympic events. Here is statistical proof: out of the 111 events that were in the 2016 Olympics, Individual Equestrian Jumping was listed as the 100th most popular (Or the 12th least popular). Dressage came in dead last (Individual 110 and Team 111). The other events came out as follows: Individual Equestrian Eventing 103, Team Equestrian Jumping 104, Team Equestrian Eventing 109. The only events to perform worse than Individual Equestrian Jumping were Golf, Team and Dual Synchronized Swimming, Group Rhythmic Gymnastics, and the 20/50k Racewalk. Here is the data: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/best-worst-olympic-sports-survey-ranked/

6. And seeing that the sports that are most likely to be dropped are female oriented (Synchronized Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Softball) and Martial Arts (Wrestling, Boxing, etc.) Equestrian "sports" should be the first on the list to chop, not these.