37 finals have been held in this Olympic discipline since 1986. In 2025 it will be in Switzerland for the first time.

DISCIPLINE

Dressage is about cooperation and harmony between horse and athlete, performing a series of predetermined movements. The purpose of Dressage is the development of the horse through harmonious education. As a result, the horse is calm, supple, loose and flexible, confident, attentive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding and partnership with the athlete.

QUALIFICATION

A maximum of 18 participants can qualify as follows:

• The title defender automatically qualifies, provided they score at least 68% in the Grand Prix Freestyle in two CDI-W qualifiers,
• the top nine from the Western European League (eleven qualifying legs),
• the top three from the North American League (ten qualifying legs),
• the top two from the Central European League (14 qualifying legs),
• the winner of the Pacific League Final,
• the Athlete from a country not belonging to one of the recognised Leagues, with the highest ranking on the Dressage World Ranking List,
• one FEI extra starting place.

The four best results in the two European leagues and the three best results in the North American league count. Athletes may start in the final with one horse only. A maximum of three participants per nation are allowed to start.

COMPETITION FORMAT

Two competitions are on the program. In the Grand Prix, the movements have a fixed sequence. All participants who finish with at least 60 percent will continue to the Grand Prix Freestyle. The freestyle is specially choreographed for each horse. The order of the movements can be freely chosen, and the exercises are ridden to music. The Final classification will be determined by the placings in the Grand Prix Freestyle.