A world away from Atlanta, Australia lures riders and horses. In the four years between Olympic Games, riders have trained and competed their horses up through the levels. To enter the stadium in Sydney, they must prove they’re world class in one of the three Olympic disciplines: show-jumping, three-day eventing, or dressage.

To the equestrian community, the Olympics is one in a series of competitions on the international calendar. Annual events offer similar prestige, with riders aiming to win at Aachen, Badminton, the World Cup (jumping and dressage), and the Nations Cup (jumping). The World Equestrian Games (World Championships in six international disciplines) alternates every four years, two years into the Olympic cycle. Some owners reserve their horses for such events instead of the Olympics, with the potential of earnings in addition to the honor.

With its worldwide coverage and scheduling only once every four years, the Olympic Games is a unique competition. However, at its basic level, the equestrian events resemble any other horse show: a blending of equine athletes, the appropriate venue, and an official structure. All elements will converge next September at the Sydney International Equestrian Center