The Modern Pentathlon, a sport that combines five different disciplines, saw its last-ever horse show jumping event at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France.
Held at the Château de Versailles, the event marked the end of an era as the women’s final took place. In the 2028 Los Angeles Games, horse jumping will be replaced by obstacle course running.
The decision to remove horses was made after a controversial incident during the 2021 Tokyo Games. A German coach struck a horse that refused to jump, causing widespread outcry.
Despite mixed reactions to the change, many athletes are accepting the shift. American pentathlete Jessica Savner, who comes from a horse-riding background, expressed her sadness at the change. However, she also hoped that it would open new opportunities for future athletes.
Horse show jumping has been a part of the Modern Pentathlon since its introduction in the 1912 Olympics by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Games.
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