Olympic Test Event - Positive Response From Eventers

The Olympic Test Event went underway this week at Greenwich Park, won by the fabulous Piggy French on board DHI Topper W sporting her GB riding jacket. The unveiling of next years Olympic venue was an invitational event which brought the crème de la crème of riders to test the facilities set up in the heart of London.

The Cross country course was the first concern for many when Greenwich Park was announced as the centre of the equestrian disciplines. Despite this, the course went down a storm with testing obstacles throughout including twists, hills and changes in terrain. The test course was half the length of next year’s Olympic course which looks over the London Skyline, sure to be a great setting.

However, other disciplines didn’t get such a positive response from dressage riders and show jumpers. David McPherson commented that the fibre and waxed sand all weather surface (which has been built on stilts to avoid damage to the park) was nowhere near good enough, and Show jumper, Nick Skelton commented on ‘The ground being a little dead and dense at the moment’.

More tests will be carried out up until the games start and more time will be allowed for the surface to bed in to get the spring that’s needed at top level. Let’s just hope we see plenty of those iconic red, white and navy riding jackets in the medals next year!