Women that have marked history in FEI competitions

Dressage, show jumping, eventing… the FEI organization englobes most of equestrian sports and disciplines and throughout its history has seen many women that excel in these sports. Equestrian sports celebrate parity in their events, as both men and women compete on the same field as equals for many disciplines; however, women have had to go a long way for this to happen. Today we want to commemorate and thank all those women that have marked history in FEI competitions.

On Horse TV, we have created a list of the greatest female athletes seen in FEI events. Find out now who are the women that have marked history in FEI competitions so that their strength and endurance can inspire you on this day dedicated to the social, economic and cultural achievements of women.

Charlotte Dujardin: an unparalleled dressage champion

Charlotte Susan Jane Dujardin is a british dressage rider, equestrian and also writer. She is probably the most successful British dressage rider in history and is a winner in major titles in international competitions with only 35 years. 

She became Olympic dressage champion at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Charlotte and her dance partner, Valegro, also won two golds at the World Games, five golds at the European Championships and two golds at the Dressage World Cups. In addition, Dujardin is the first rider to hold this complete set of titles at the same time. 

Isabell Werth: one of the most successful dressage riders

One of the most successful dressage riders in history, Isabell Werth won 10 Olympic medals. Born in 1969, she soon started winning competitions. With the dominant German team, she won five team gold medals (1992-2000, 2008, 2016) as well as the individual title in 1996, making her one of the women that have marked history in FEI competitions.

Moreover, Isabell Werth has a computer game in her name. In 2007 a PC game called Isabell Werth - Reitsport was released by the French company Dancing Dots. This is an Equestrian Simulation with Eventing, Show Jumping and Cross-Country Riding. 

Ingrid Klimke: a complete success in the eventing world

Ingrid Klimke is a German eventing rider. With her horse Abraxxas, she won two gold medals in team eventing at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Like her father, she practices both eventing and dressage at international events.

She started working with horses at a very young age despite never thinking about having a career with equestrianism. Initially, she began to study to become a teacher, but after realising this was not possible to combine, she decided to dedicate entirely to horse riding. 

Pippa Funnell: victory after victory in equestrian sports

Born in 1968 in Crowborough, Great Britain, Pippa is one of the world's leading three-day event riders. She was the first person to achieve the Rolex Grand Slam (back-to-back wins at Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley). 

She has represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games and the European Games, and has won Badminton three times. She has also appeared in DVDs and in a series of horse-themed videogames released by Ubisoft. 

Beezie Madden: possibly the most successful equestrian in the world

Elizabeth "Beezie" Madden is an American equestrian who has been described as the most successful equestrian in the world, and therefore one of the women that have marked history in FEI Competitions. She was the first American to break into the international top three show jumping ranking and the first woman to win over one million dollars in show jumping prize money. 

Madden has competed four times at the Olympic Games and has won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. She has also been a medallist at several World Championships and Pan American Games.

This list would be incomplete without recognizing the support from trainers, breeders, grooms, exercise riders and veterinarians that dedicate themselves entirely to their passion: horses. With all their attention to every detail in horses’ health, they ensure events take place and women can continue to mark history in FEI competitions.