American Kent Farrington of Chicago competes in the Voyeur individual jumping competition at the Olympic Equestrian Center in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, August 19, 2016. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

A step-by-step plan for the equestrian competitions dressage, eventing and jumping during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Athletes to watch

Laura Collett, Great Britain: Collett nearly died in a crash during a competition in 2013. She was resuscitated five times and suffered a broken shoulder, two broken ribs, a punctured lung, a ruptured liver and kidney damage. Eight years after being put into a medically induced coma, Collett rode to glory as the Olympic team eventing champion.

Kent Farrington, United States: The Chicago native is a former world No. 1 in show jumping and is hoping to win his first Olympic gold medal after winning silver in the team jumping at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Amre Hamcho, Syria: Hamcho is the second Syrian to compete in an Olympic show jumping event, along with his brother. Twelve years after watching Ahmad at the London Games, Amre proudly flies the Syrian flag as he rides Vagabon Des Forets.

Ben Maher, Great Britain: Maher is looking to defend his individual jumping gold medal and secure a third Olympic title overall, after winning team jumping gold in London. Maher is currently second in jumping, behind Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Germany: The reigning champion and highest-ranked competitor in individual dressage, the 38-year-old Von Bredow-Werndl, a two-time Olympic champion at the Tokyo Games, hopes to repeat that feat with another gold in team dressage, likely riding again with seven-time Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth.

Storylines to follow

Who can challenge the dominance of Germany and Britain? after winning nine medals, including five gold, in Tokyo? Can Australia, Sweden or the United States step up after combining for six medals but only one gold? Boyd Martin is ranked third in eventing and could prove crucial to the American hopes for gold.

Equestrian sport is unique because it is a mixed sport where men and women compete. Julia Krajewski defeated two men in Tokyo to win the individual eventing. Also, the average age is higher than in other competitive sports. Werth is turning 55, but is still going strong after winning her first Olympic gold in 1992. So keep an eye on the older competitors and compare them to the younger riders.

Boots, helmet and a bright orange thong? Riders are usually impeccably dressed. So 51-year-old Shane Rose raised eyebrows when he wore a so-called “mankini” to a costume contest this year. He eventually apologized. Now Rose is aiming for a fourth Olympic medal.

Important data

Equestrian is an 11-day event featuring three disciplines and six events, with medals in both individual and team categories. The action begins on July 27 in the magnificent gardens of the Château de Versailles, the royal palace where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette once held lavish banquets.

The first medals will be decided on July 29th in team and individual eventing. The team jumping final is on August 2nd and the following two days will decide the medals in team and individual dressage. The individual jumping final will close the competition on August 6th.

Reigning champions

• Dressage Individual: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Germany
• Dressage team: Germany
• Eventing individual: Julia Krajewski, Germany
• Eventing team: Britain
• Individual jumping: Ben Maher, Great Britain
• Spring team: Sweden