The race of riders on horseback was held at Olympia for the first time in 648 BC. In 256 BC, this race was also introduced for foals.

Since the Greeks used neither saddle nor stirrups, they needed a good grip and balance not to fall off their horse during the race. The horses ran about 1,2 km.

Between 496 and 444 BC, the kalpe was organized. About this strange race not much is known. According to Pausanias, it was a race of mares with rider, in which the rider jumped off his horse in the last round and ran beside her.