Chariot racing was a standard part of regular athletic competitions in Greece. The 4-horse chariot (quadriga) was raced in the Olympic games of 680 BC. The 2-horse chariot (biga) races were added in 408 BC. Regular horseback races were standard after 648 BC.
Starting in 500 BC, the equine competitions also included mule-drawn wagon races. In 496 BC, the kalpe was added. It was a race for mares where the rider dismounted during the final lap and ran beside his horse. These were dropped from the Olympics in 444 BC, leaving only the horse-drawn chariot and ridden-horse events.
