Australia dominated competition at the Paris 2024 qualifier in Millstreet ©FEI

Australia and China have sealed places in the eventing competition at next year's Olympics in Paris by leading the way in the standings at the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) Designated Olympic Qualification Event for Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Oceania in Millstreet in Ireland.

The competition was dominated by Australia, who led through the dressage and cross country elements on 85.1 points.

A first-place finish from Shenae Lowings on Bold Venture in the final jumping stage contributed to a successful Australian effort with 100.8 points.

China finished some way further back, but it was still enough to seal a place at Paris 2024.

They climbed from fourth to second in the cross-country, and Alex Hua Tian on Chicko and Huadong Sun on Lady Chin van't Moerven Z helped them to finish on 122.1 points.

Third-placed Japan missed out with 125.7 points, with New Zealand finishing fourth on 147.4 and South Africa fifth on 229.9.

Equestrian events at Paris 2024 are due to be held at the Château de Versailles ©Getty Images
Equestrian events at Paris 2024 are due to be held at the Château de Versailles ©Getty Images

Australia and Japan join hosts France in qualifying for Paris 2024 in eventing, along with Germany, the United States, New Zealand, Britain, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland from the World Championships and Poland from the Group C qualification event.

A further three places are available through the European Eventing Championships, Pan American Games and Eventing Nations Cup.

Australia are the fifth most successful country in Olympic eventing history.

They have won a total of 14 medals, including six gold, since the sport made its Olympic debut at Stockholm 1912.

At the re-arranged Olympics in Tokyo, Australia finished second in the team event and Andrew Hoy won bronze in the individual.

Australia won the gold medal in the team event for three consecutive Olympics at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. 

Andrew Hoy won a bronze medal in the individual eventing event at Tokyo 2020, as well as a silver as part of Australia's squad in the team competition ©Getty Images
Andrew Hoy won a bronze medal in the individual eventing event at Tokyo 2020, as well as a silver as part of Australia's squad in the team competition ©Getty Images

Equestrian events at Paris 2024 are due to be held at the Château de Versailles.

Some animal rights campaigners have called for equestrian events to be removed from the Olympic Games, but FEI President Ingmar de Vos is an International Olympic Committee and the sport's future appears secure for now.