Equestrian events (chariot and horse races)
According to mythology, the first chariot race took place between Pelops and the king of Pisa Oenomaos, in Olympia.  In addition, Poseidon, patron of the equestrian events, is considered to be the owner of the famous horse Areion, with which Herakles with his charioteer Iolaus defeated Cycnus, son of Ares, during a chariot race in Troezen. Also Homer, in the Iliad, included a chariot race during the contests organized by Achilles in honor of his dear friend Patroclus.
The equestrian events were conducted in the Hippodrome. Even though no ancient hippodromes have been preserved, Pausanias informs us that the one at Olympia lay north of the stadium.
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