What are the Equestrian Events and how did they come to be?
Equestrian Events consisted of chariot racing and riding. At this time they didn't have stirrups or saddles, but they had reins, which most chariot riders tied around their waist. The Equestrian events were the most dangerous events. When the competitors made wide turns they usually crashed and the riders died. The horses that came back without a rider were honored. When people won the races the person that owns the horses gets the prize, not the charioteer. The people that fell off their chariots or horses were usually crushed under the wheels of the other chariots and horses. It was very gruesome, but that was the Greeks favorite part. Chariot racing was the only event where they wore clothes! Surprising right! The competitors raced in an arena called a hippodrome. When competitors chariot raced they had to race 9 miles (12 laps.) Many chariots raced at once. They sometimes raced in groups of four horses or groups of two horses. Other races consisted of two mules, which was probably not as exciting. When riding it was only 6 laps (4.5 miles). When riding they had races for both young and old horses. Only the rich could afford training equipment and being able to feed the horses and the driver. The question is why they chariot raced and rode? Honestly no one knows. People have made up many legends and the one I have heard the most was about Pelops. Once upon a time there was a king named Oenomaus who ruled the Olympian valley. He had a BEAUTIFUL daughter named Hippodameia. Oenomaus was very strong and competed against every man that wanted Hippodameia as their wife. Every man that competed and lost against Oenomaus had to give away their life and everyone did lose to Oenomaus and died. Then came a new competitor named Pelops that challenged Oenomaus to a chariot race. Pelops was very strong and smart. Pelops and King Oenomaus met on the Hill of Kronos.
Equestrian Events consisted of chariot racing and riding. At this time they didn't have stirrups or saddles, but they had reins, which most chariot riders tied around their waist. The Equestrian events were the most dangerous events. When the competitors made wide turns they usually crashed and the riders died. The horses that came back without a rider were honored. When people won the races the person that owns the horses gets the prize, not the charioteer. The people that fell off their chariots or horses were usually crushed under the wheels of the other chariots and horses. It was very gruesome, but that was the Greeks favorite part. Chariot racing was the only event where they wore clothes! Surprising right! The competitors raced in an arena called a hippodrome. When competitors chariot raced they had to race 9 miles (12 laps.) Many chariots raced at once. They sometimes raced in groups of four horses or groups of two horses. Other races consisted of two mules, which was probably not as exciting. When riding it was only 6 laps (4.5 miles). When riding they had races for both young and old horses. Only the rich could afford training equipment and being able to feed the horses and the driver. The question is why they chariot raced and rode? Honestly no one knows. People have made up many legends and the one I have heard the most was about Pelops. Once upon a time there was a king named Oenomaus who ruled the Olympian valley. He had a BEAUTIFUL daughter named Hippodameia. Oenomaus was very strong and competed against every man that wanted Hippodameia as their wife. Every man that competed and lost against Oenomaus had to give away their life and everyone did lose to Oenomaus and died. Then came a new competitor named Pelops that challenged Oenomaus to a chariot race. Pelops was very strong and smart. Pelops and King Oenomaus met on the Hill of Kronos.
They raced in their chariots with four horses each. When Oenomaus turned the corner with his white horses he flew out of his carriage and was crushed by Pelops horses and his chariot. It was quite the grusome ending for Oenomaus, but Pelops married Hippodameia, so it's all good! Pelops believed in Zeus and wanted to honor him and himself by having chariot racing every four years for his victory. Click here for a video, click here for more info on Pelops story. Click here and here to learn more about Equestrian events. You can also check out the book, The Original Olympics, by Stewart Ross.