HORSES galloped across a purpose-built pontoon over Versailles’ historic Grand Canal in a pivotal moment for Paris 2024 Olympic preparations.
The Grand Canal, designed by André le Nôtre and built in the mid-17th century, was home to boats of kings and a place to skate in frozen winters. Some 305 years later, it will be a focal point for another sport – Olympic eventing.
The spectacular scene was part of the two-day operational test event (22–23 August) at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which will host all equestrian events at next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Five members of the French youth eventing squad were the guinea pig riders, crossing the pontoon and jumping five fences on the cross-country track. The days also included testing emergency protocols, such as medical and veterinary team access – plus what to do in the “incredibly unlikely” situation a horse and/or rider ends up in the canal.
FEI games operations director Tim Hadaway told H&H the teams involved have applied much of what they learnt from delivering the Games at Greenwich in 2012 – also a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to working at Versailles.
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
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Access all areas Cavalier Centre
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'Use it or lose it'
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A new way forward
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