OUR riders returned from Tokyo 2020 with no fewer than 13 medals, proving themselves once again to be among the world’s best.
Vital to the performance of our Team GB horses are the vets and farriers that accompany them to the Games. With so much uncertainty in the runup, and concerns regarding the challenging Tokyo climate and Covid-safe practices, the equestrian support team recognised that this would be no ordinary event. What did they make of the experience?
“The 2019 Tokyo test event gave us the chance to see how the horses coped with the travel and conditions,” says British eventing vet Liz Brown MRCVS.
“They were very settled during the 19-and-a-half-hour flight. We opened the front partitions in the jet stalls during the flight so they could get their heads down, to help airway clearance and prevent lung problems, and gave them a few rest days on arrival to allow them to acclimatise to the heat before building up their ridden work.
“Our event horses were experienced at five-star and so the demands of the Tokyo cross-country course were within their level of fitness,” adds Liz, explaining that fitness involves cardiovascular efficiency, respiratory health and muscle conditioning and strength.
“In hotter weather, horses can tire both mentally and physically. Those that have built stronger core muscle strength through correct training are able to maintain their body position and stride pattern, coping better with technical demands such as combination fences towards the end of the course.
Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
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Schooling success
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How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions