Noting that the eventing format for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games soon will be announced by the FEI, Olympic multi-medalist Philip Dutton stated on social media that he believes “there is a general consensus worldwide in the eventing community that it is important to modify the format if the International Olympic Committee recommends changes, so that our sport can stay a part of the Olympics.”
The biggest change under consideration is ending the team event with cross-country, similar to the way the Aachen, Germany show does with its three-day event.
Philip Dutton at the Kentucky 5-star event. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Although Philip thinks the 2028 Olympic eventing competition “will most likely be a watered-down event, it will still keep the sport part of the general sports viewers’ eyes and will help attract sponsorship and excitement and therefore create a more sustainable sport.”
When Philip made his Olympic debut, the sport was using the long format, with roads and track and steeplechase. There has been an evolution, but the Olympic format today is at a lower level than the 5-star competitions such as Kentucky and Badminton.
Philip contends that as in other sports, such as tennis, “the gold medal winner at the Olympics is probably not remembered as well as the Wimbledon champion.”
In his view, “For eventing, the 5-star three-day events are the ultimate test of training, endurance, talent and horsemanship. It is imperative that the FEI recognizes this and puts out a statement committing to support the 5-star events and that changing the Olympic format does not mean that the (entire) sport will go the way of the Olympic format.”