Equestrian events

Horse races took place in a specially designated venue, the hippodrome. Horse owners did not take part in the competitions as jockeys, but employed young men trained in horse riding. However, it was the owner of the winning horse who was declared victor and was awarded the kotinos, the wild olive wreath. The jockey and the horse received a red woollen band. The athletes did not use ephippion, namely saddle, but rode bare-backed holding the reins and a whip or a stick.

Exceptionally, women and children were allowed to participate in horse races as horse owners.

Equestrian events were classified depending on the horse’s age and equine species.

• Keles race: A race for fully grown horses. It was the first equestrian event introduced into the 33rd Olympiad in 648 BC. Horses in this race had to run six laps around the hippodrome.
• Kalpe: A race for mares. It was first staged in the 71st Olympiad in 496 BC, but was abolished in the 84th Olympics in 444 BC. The number of laps which the horse had to run is unknown. It is certain though that in the last lap the rider dismounted from the mare and ran next to her to the finish post holding the reins.
• Race for foals: Young horses (foals) participated. It was the last event added during the 131st Olympiad in 256 BC.