The British Olympic dressage horses have just completed their seven day quarantine at the British Showjumping National Training Centre in Leicestershire, and have embarked on their journey to the Tokyo Olympics.
Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic ride Gio, Carl Hester’s partner En Vogue and travelling reserve Gareth Hughes’ Sintano Van Hof Olympia all spent the past week in quarantine in Leicestershire, while Netherlands-based Lottie Fry’s Olympic horse Everdale has spent his quarantine in Aachen, Germany, along with other European team horses. We take a look at some of the riders and grooms quarantine experiences…
Charlotte, Carl and their top groom Alan Davies have been enjoying the quarantine facilities – and some sunshine – as well as some all-important sessions with team physio Ash Wallace.
Horses are all settled here in quarantine. Our wonderful team physio, Ash Wallace, is in picture with myself on…
Posted by Charlotte Dujardin on Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Groom Alan has been “putting on his brave pants” and hacking out Gio and Vogue, making good use of the canter track at the well-equipped centre.
Meanwhile Lottie Fry and Everdale are all smiles over in Aachen, Germany, where they are putting in their last few training sessions before their first Olympic Games.
The European riders – including Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Dalera) – have been lucky enough to be able to train in the stunning Aachen arena over the past few days, and they have enjoyed some “magic moments” and some glorious sunsets.
Why the long face? It’s not all hard work in the run-up to Tokyo – Danish rider Cathrine Dufour has been experimenting with photographing her horses, Bohemian and reserve ride Vamos Amigo, from some new angles…
Yvonne Losos de Muniz, who rides for the Dominican Republic – and is known affectionately by Carl Hester as “Miss World” – is loving being surrounded by so many of the world’s best in Aachen.
Settling into the daily routine at the Aachen quarantine, not a bad place at all to ride every day! ?Super…
Posted by Yvonne Losos de Muniz on Friday, July 9, 2021
Back in the UK, Carl Hester enjoys one last canter aboard En Vogue before the British horses leave for Belgium.
Last ride this morning before the horses depart later today. Quarantine has been fun and I’ve enjoyed spending more individual time with Vogue. #roadtotokyo
Posted by Carl Hester on Monday, July 12, 2021
And they’re off! Gio, Vogue and Sintano are loaded up ready to travel to Liege in Belgium. From there, they will fly to Japan.
And now the dressage horses have set off on their journey! ? Goodbye boys, safe travels and we’ll see you and Everdale soon in Tokyo ? ???#tokyo2020 #roadtotokyo #quarantinediaries
Posted by British Equestrian on Monday, July 12, 2021
Here are Dutch team horses Dream Boy (Hans Peter Minderhoud) and Total US (Edward Gal) being loaded up ready to fly across the world.
Dream Boy and Total US are ready for their flight to Tokyo ?? ::Video © GHPC::#DreamBoy #TotalUS #HansPeterMinderhoud #EdwardGal #teamNL #RuitersInOranje #OlympicGamesTokyo #RoadToTokyo
Posted by Glock Horse Performance Center on Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Dressage horses from across the world have already started touching down in Tokyo – the first one to arrive was Australian rider’s Mary Hanna’s Calanta, who is now settling in well.
Calanta has arrived safely in Tokyo!! First Equine Athlete to arrive?
Posted by Mary Hanna on Monday, July 12, 2021
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