Equestrianism is a sport where humans and horses compete together, and it is also the only Olympic event where men and women compete on equal terms. The Olympic equestrian program consists of three disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and eventing, each divided into individual and team events.
　　Dressage, also known as "equestrian ballet," requires riders to guide their horses through prescribed movements and choreographed routines set to music, showcasing the harmony between rider and horse. Judging is based on the beauty and precision of the movements.
    Riders and horses must perform in a 20-meter wide, 60-meter long arena over three rounds. The first two rounds consist of predetermined movements set by the International Equestrian Federation, while the final round is a freestyle performance to music, where riders and horses execute self-choreographed routines. Judges score each movement based on the overall performance of the rider and horse, with a maximum of 10 points per movement. The highest total score wins.
    In dressage, the first mistake made by a rider and horse during a movement results in a 2-point deduction, with subsequent mistakes incurring double the penalty for each repeat, and disqualification occurring after the fourth mistake. In addition to scoring accuracy, judges also evaluate the horse’s gaits, impulsion, obedience, and the rider’s position. Equestrian sports emphasize the care and respect for horses, fully engaging their enthusiasm to realize their potential, with riders and horses working in harmony to complete a series of movements. As such, riders who enable their horses to perform joyfully and actively usually score higher; conversely, those who force their horses tend to score lower.
    Among dressage events, the individual final — the freestyle test — is the most popular with audiences. The format resembles rhythmic gymnastics, allowing riders to choose their own music and choreograph their horse’s routine, making it the most visually captivating part. Beyond movement accuracy, harmony between rider and horse, the rhythm of choreography, difficulty of movements, and musical interpretation are also scored. Additionally, since horses can easily become nervous due to changes in their surroundings, spectators must follow certain rules during the competition to avoid startling the horses.
    Spectators must not throw any objects into the arena to avoid injuring the horses or riders; the use of flash photography is prohibited; loud screams are forbidden at the event venue, and mobile phones must be turned off or set to vibrate or silent mode. While the horse is performing a movement, the audience should remain orderly and refrain from applauding or cheering to avoid disturbing the horse.