Asian Games Dressage Opens in Tokyo with 45 Horse-and-Rider Combinations
Asia’s Dressage Stars Meet in Tokyo
International dressage takes centre stage in Tokyo today as the 2026 Asian Games dressage competition begins at JRA Equestrian Park, bringing some of Asia’s leading riders and horses together.
The competition runs from September 25–27 and features 45 horse-and-athlete combinations representing 16 nations, according to the FEI. FEI Inside
The venue carries considerable sporting history. Tokyo’s Equestrian Park was also used during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and it now provides the stage for another major international championship. FEI
For Al Badia Magazine, there is particular regional interest: the UAE dressage team is competing in Tokyo, continuing the Emirates’ growing presence in international equestrian sport.
Al Badia recently previewed the national squad in UAE Dressage Team Heading to Tokyo for 20th Asian Games.
Three Days of Dressage
The official FEI competition schedule begins today with Prix St-Georges, Grand Prix and team classification competition. FEI
Saturday brings Intermediate I and Grand Prix Special competition, before Sunday’s programme concludes with Intermediate I Freestyle to Music and Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. FEI
The structure tests several aspects of the horse-and-rider partnership.
Dressage demands precision, balance, rhythm and communication. At international championship level, small differences in execution can separate leading combinations.
Japan Competes on Home Ground
Home interest is particularly strong around Japanese rider Shingo Hayashi, who returns to the Asian Games 16 years after making his debut.
Hayashi will compete with King Leatherdale O and has spoken publicly about Japan’s preparation for the home Games. FEI
The wider Asian Games are enormous in scale, bringing approximately 17,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and regions to Japan across 43 sports. FEI
Equestrian sport forms part of that programme across three disciplines.
For the Gulf region, the Games also provide another opportunity to demonstrate the continuing development of equestrian sport across Asia.
The UAE’s participation fits into a much wider national programme. As Al Badia reported in its preview of the UAE 2026–2027 equestrian season, the country’s calendar now spans dressage, show jumping, endurance, Arabian horse competition and racing.
Over the next three days in Tokyo, however, the attention is firmly on dressage — and on the extraordinary communication between horse and rider required to compete at championship level.
Follow Al Badia Magazine for the latest dressage, show jumping, polo, racing and international equestrian news.
