On Friday, the first Olympic Games to be held in South America gets underway with what promises to be a spectacular Opening Ceremony in Rio’s Maracanã Stadium. Never has an Olympics meant so much for the world of equestrianism as it’s a time for us to showcase our sports to the world but also because we need to cement our place in the Olympic programme – and that’s why we need you. We've been a proud Olympic sport for over one hundred years!
The International Olympic Committee will be monitoring us (and other sports) for how well engaged and widespread our fans are – that’s through print, broadcast and online – to determine our appeal. So we need you to watch, post, cheer, shout, read, listen, tweet, comment, share – anything you can during the Olympic period to spread love for equestrianism.
We all know how passionate you are about your sport, so now is the time to show it! Celebrate how you’re watching, get behind the team anyway you can (and post about it) and share anything which takes your fancy.
Dressage timetable(times are BST)
Monday 8 August 19:45 – 20:55 Horse inspection – and team draw and announcement of team order
Wednesday 10 August 14:00 – 20:00 Grand Prix
Thursday 11 August 14:00 – 20:00 Grand Prix
Friday 12 August 14:00 – 20:30 Grand Prix Special – Team medals
Monday 15 August 14:00 – 18:00 Grand Prix Freestyle – Individual medals
Make sure you tune in to watch, follow online or listen to the coverage courtesy of the BBC on the red button (eight platforms) website and radio. If you can’t watch live, you can record the BBC Red Button through Sky Channel 980, Freeview 601, Freesat 981 and click here for Virgin info.
Here’s more from the BBC on how to watch their Olympic streams:
Similar to our coverage of London 2012 Olympics, you will also be able to access upto 24 live HD streams online – these will be available from bbc.co.uk/sport, through the BBC Sport apps for mobiles and tablets and on Red Button+. It is also available on the BBC Sport App on connected TVs. With our online service, you will be able to access the widest range of on-demand and interactive content across the Rio Olympics, including:
- Up to 24 live HD video streams
- All the action wherever you are, on the devices you use – BBC Sport’s live coverage page, will bring together all the events, alongside our Olympics sports player, text commentary and the best audience interaction, all in one place
- The BBC Sport website will have highlights and replays of those not-to-be-missed moments and the Olympics Playlist will be downloadable to catch up every morning on the BBC iPlayer
- “My Sport” will allow Olympics fans to personalise their Rio 2016 experience by following the sports you like most, signing up for the latest news alerts, setting event reminders and sharing your favourite moments across the social media platforms
- And on our own social media pages, BBC Sport will give you the chance to get even closer to the BBC’s coverage, presenters and special guests with behind-the-scenes coverage
Horse & Hound are out in Rio with a team of three who'll be scribbling away so support their online and printed output too!
Your online help is also needed – the FEI and British Equestrian Federation have two great campaigns running for you to interact with. Join the Journey was started by the BEF so that fans can be a part of getting the teams to Rio, their time there and when they return while the FEI’s Two Hearts campaign illustrates the special bond between horse and rider which makes our sport magical. So we’d love to hear all about your Olympic experiences – whatever your role – and how you’re following Rio 2016. Plus of course you can support Team GB overall via their channels. Go to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and get posting and sharing.
And make sure you’re using some of the hashtags in all your Rio posts - it's a great way to join the conversation and be a part of the monitoring –
#RoadToRio
#TwoHearts
#JoinTheJourney
#Equestrian
#Rio2016
#Dressage
#BringOnTheGreat