Equestrian Special Olympics athletes who compete in the equestrian events learn to ride, develop sports skills and gain the self-confidence to direct and control a horse. Francesca Susantti of Special Olympics Italy, riding Oliver, competes in a Working Trail event during the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by Dara MacDónaill] Athletes are able to compete in a variety of English and Western-style events, including relays, drill teams and prix caprilli (jumping events). Special Olympics athletes also can participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports® team relays and drill teams. Unified Sports is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. During an Equestrian competition, Unified Sports team relays and drill teams would be made up of one athlete and one partner (two athletes and two partners for a four person team. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level and age (equestrian athletes are not separated by gender). Equestrian Facts At the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Indiana, USA, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian sports competition; one year later equestrian was added as an official Special Olympics sport. The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games hosted 137 athletes representing 23 countries in the sport. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 16,914Special Olympics athletes compete in equestrian. Equestrian Events Dressage Prix Caprilli English Equitation Stock Seat Equitation Western Riding Working Trails Showmanship at Halter/Bridle Classes Gymkhana Events Pole Bending Barrel Racing Figure 8 stake Race Team Relays Drill Teams of twos and fours Unified Sports Sports Team Relays Unified Sports Drill Teams Related Links Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)