2012 London Olympics

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  U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team Scores Well in London

  September 7, 2012--With a sold-out equestrian venue at Greenwich Park in London, the U.S. fielded a team of four Para-Dressage riders who were chosen within the most successful year for Para-Dressage in history.

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  Ponessa Closes Out 2012 Paralympic Games for U.S.

  September 4, 2012--The Para-Equestrian Dressage portion of the 2012 Paralympic Games came to a close on Tuesday with Freestyle Test being ridden in Grades IV, III and 1a.

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  Hart and Wentz Storm to Top Five Placings on First Freestyle Day of the 2012 Paralympic Games

  September 3, 2012--Both Rebecca Hart and Jonathan Wentz rode their best tests of the Games to jump to the top of the leaderboard, Both finished their respective Freestyle Championships in fifth place.

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  U.S. Team Finishes Seventh at 2012 Paralympic Games

  September 2, 2012-- Sunday saw the conclusion of the Team Championship as well medals awarded for individual performances in Grade IV, III and 1a competition at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

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  Wentz Powers to Fourth Place in Individual Test at 2012 Paralympic Games

  September 1, 2012--Claiming the gold medal was Australia's Joann Formosa with Worldwide PB. Lee Pearson and Gentleman earned the Silver medal with Puch and Fine Feeling earning for bronze.

The 2012 Olympic Games in London’s Greenwich Park are history now, but Fran Jurga, DiscoverHorses.com’s superblogger, still has some interesting backstories on the teams, horses, personalities and venues for the Games.

Dressage, in which horse and rider execute a program of intricate movements, is often compared to the fluid beauty of figure skating or ballet.

Three days, three tests of one horse and rider team–dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping. Eventing is the ultimate test of horse and rider.

Jumpers are tested under various conditions over a course of obstacles that demonstrate the horse’s freedom, energy, skill, speed and obedience–as well as the rider’s horsemanship.

Para-equestrian events open the world of competition to riders and drivers who, despite their disabilities, have become accomplished athletes.