And so it begins. We’re back again at Le Haras du Pin, where things are in final preparation for the eventing competition of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. At the moment things look pretty much the same as they did last year but with lots of white marquees and a brand new dressage arena bang in front of the Chateau. The new dressage area actually looks quite small with the stands quite close to the actual competition arena but maybe it will look different when the stands have filled – it certainly isn’t a huge stadium type feeling, much more of an intimate space than say a Burghley or Badminton arena
There are signs on the road leading to Le Pin advising that cross country day is sold out and that tickets won’t be available on the day – the cross country course itself is being kept under wraps for now but hopefully the media will be able to walk it on Sunday. Sadly no photos will be allowed until the course has been signed off but I can tell you from the little I’ve seen that there is a phenomenal looking owl hole jump (in the shape of a real owl – very impressive), that the course ends with plenty of promotion for the title sponsor Alltech and that the first fence has some lovely sculptured horses framing it. I’m afraid that for the rest, you’ll have to wait until Libby Law brings you our fence by fence cross country course walk next week.
The going on the cross country looks immaculate
Next Saturday many people will be arriving from Caen, where most of the competition is taking place, by train. The special train service for cross country day will arrive at Argentan, the main town closest to Le Haras du Pin which today hosted both their local market and a very entertaining brass band in the main square near the impressive cathedral (find out more about Argentan here in Deb’s blog from last year)
In the area surrounding Le Pin it still feels very much like the normal sleepy Normandy countryside with nothing like the hustle and bustle of Aachen or Jerez but the main event obviously is happening about an hour away in the centre of Caen. Tomorrow the Opening Ceremony kicks everything off in the main stadium, the Stade d’Ornano in Caen and we’re looking forward to seeing what celebrations the French have lined up for this year’s World Equestrian Games plus we’ll take our first look around the Games Village and Exhibition Centre before the dressage competition starts on Monday
The only horse in sight at Le Haras du Pin was the one taking tourists for a carriage drive .... but just wait a few days!
