Equestrian Eventing at the 1952 Summer Olympics

The biggest news in 1952 Olympic equestrianism was the change in the eligibility rules. Prior to 1952 equestrian competitors had to be military officers, and this was highlighted in 1948 when Sweden’s Gehnäll Persson was found to be “only” a sergeant, and he and his Swedish team was disqualified in the dressage. Beginning in Helsinki equestrian competition was opened to civilians. Further, women were allowed to compete in 1952 in the dressage, but eventing would not be open to women until 1964.

The show jumping phase of eventing took place in the main Olympic Stadium. The dressage was held at the Ruskeasuon liikuntapuisto, or Ruskeasuo Sports Park, while the cross-country phase took place at Hämeenkylä. The program was the standard of individual and team events in eventing, held concurrently, with Hans von Blixen-Finecke, Jr. winning the individual title and leading Sweden to the team gold medal.