Showjumping will be replaced in the modern pentathlon following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The UIPM (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne) released a statement announcing the changes last week, describing the replacement as a “historic change” to the sport.
“First, we know that this information will be surprising and even shocking to you. It is not very long since we made a commitment to review and protect the riding discipline in the wake of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said the statement. “But life within the Olympic movement changes fast.
“While our sport is confirmed for Paris 2024 with our exciting new format in place (including riding), Los Angeles 2028 is a different matter and we must be flexible and embrace change once again.”
A unanimous decision
Modern pentathlon is currently made up of a 200-metre freestyle swim, fencing, showjumping up to 1.20m and a laser run — the latter is a combination of laser shooting and cross-country running.
Riding’s replacement has yet to be officially confirmed. The decision to replace riding was a unanimous one made by the UIPM’s Executive Board.
“Many times in recent decades our sport has evolved to meet the changing expectations of the modern world,” said UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann. “A new discipline will provide fresh impetus to our sport and strengthen the position of Modern Pentathlon within the Olympic movement.”
The major formatting change comes after the sport received backlash following welfare concerns for the horses participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Spectators were particularly concerned for Saint Boy, ridden by German athlete Annika Scleu, after she entered the ring in tears and was eliminated following a number of refusals.
Her coach, Kim Raisner, was dismissed from the Olympics for being in violation of the UIPM’s competition rules after she appeared to strike the horse during their round.
The statement did not confirm when exactly riding will be phased out from modern pentathlon between the 2024 and 2028 Olympic cycles, nor what sport will replace it.
Main image: International Olympic Committee/Filip Komorous
