Sport & Results
Asian Games Dressage to Feature Grand Prix for the First Time in Tokyo
From 25 to 27 September 2026, 45 combinations from 16 nations will compete. For the first time, Grand Prix will be ridden at Asian Games dressage.
Equidara editorial team · 30 September 2026 · 1 min read
For the first time in Asian Games history, dressage will be contested at Grand Prix level. From 25 to 27 September 2026, 45 rider-horse combinations from 16 nations will compete at the JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo – compared to 30 combinations from nine countries in 2019.
New Format with Small and Big Tour
The programme combines the existing Small Tour (Prix St Georges and Intermediate I) with a Big Tour strand consisting of Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. Each team must field at least one Small Tour combination, while a maximum of two Big Tour pairs are permitted. The only registered Big Tour pair is Shiwoo Kim (KOR) with Sir Hubert NRW, thereby bringing Grand Prix dressage to the Asian Games. Team medals are decided on the first competition day, while the individual freestyle final takes place on Sunday.
Strong competition with many familiar names: Sarah Rao (CHN) and Geniaal dominated the 2025 Asian Championships. Shruti Vora (IND) with Magnanimous, who is being coached this year by World Cup winner Becky Moody, counts among the favourites, as do the Japanese hosts led by Shingo Hayashi and King Leatherdale O. India enters as defending champion in the team event.
None of the three individual medallists from Hangzhou 2023 will start in Tokyo. The competitions will be overseen by a five-member judging panel headed by Hans-Christian Matthiesen (DEN).
Find out more at FEI.
Sources
Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 6 October 2026.
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