Complete version Localrider August 2011 issue

Page 43

Mark Todd and NZB Campino Mark said: “After a disappointing dressage the cross country was the highlight for me, especially with the atmosphere, it was incredible.”

Above: Irish rider Jayne Doherty and The Only One Left: Colombian rider, Brian Nunez-Hughes and Libro Archie

and riders for the Olympic Games in 2012. Taking into consideration the atmosphere, the facilities and terrain and track of the cross country. Piggy French said: “Next year you will need a real athlete who can change gear effortlessly and turn where you ask.” Some of the country’s leading dressage riders and show jumpers were also invited along to test out the facilities and to ride on the very impressive raised platform arena. Irish rider David O’Brien said: “MO CHROI is very competitive and very fast against the clock. There was a flower pot on one of the turns which I was intending to go outside, but she ducked inside and we parted company. The surface was good to land on!” And Show Jumping Performance Manager for Great Britain, Rob Hoekstra said of the venue: “It’s a fantastic site and very special for the equestrian community to be right here in the middle of London for the Olympic Games.”

British-based, Chinese event rider, Alex Hua Tian and First Love

There was a buzz in the air on cross country day. The sun was shining and the spectators a mix of eventing enthusiasts and hundreds and hundreds of local school children were all excitedly taking their positions for the start of the event. I started at the water complex, always a popular venue and obviously someone had briefed the children as well, as they were lining the route to the water, cheering the riders as they came by and busily taking pictures with their mobile phones. By the time William Fox-Pitt, sixth to go came through they had really got into the swing of things and it still makes me laugh today thinking of their cheering and the sound of “Go William”. It might be different to what we are used to, but it definitely made for an exciting atmosphere. The course itself was quite short at 2.8km compared to the length of the full Olympic course being planned for next year. Because of the twisting nature of the course and the number of wonderful trees, there were only a few opportunities to stop and see more than one fence at any one time. Badminton, Burghley, Blenheim the main events spectators attend are familiar and we know what to expect, this was different and for that reason it was exciting and I certainly think it will be exciting next year. William Fox-Pitt said: “It was great fun, there’s a real buzz out there. Lots of cheering and lots of children who seem to be loving it. The course rode well, it’s a bit like a BMX track and you need a handy pony. None of us want it to be just a dressage competition and this won’t be because it is going to be a test of athleticism.” William continued; “Cool Mountain would be ideal. He’s definitely my number one choice.”

Cross Country in the Park

Brazilian rider Ruy Fonseca and Idaho D’Argonne gallop up one of the testing Greenwich hills German rider, Sandra Auffarth and Parancs

AUGUST 2011 Localrider 43

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20/7/11 13:50:58


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