Matt Parbery and Megan Jones at the launch of 'Operation GREENwich GOLD' (Franz Venhaus photo)The equestrian world is gearing up for the 2012 London Olympics, being held at Greenwich Park from August 2 to August 9, 2012.
A total of 200 international equestrians and their horses will compete for six gold medals. The sport of Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against each other on equal terms. It is also the only one in which humans and animals compete together.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE…OI, OI, OI!
Australia’s London Olympic campaign,
Operation GREENwich GOLD–galloping to gold in 2012 was launched at the Equestrian Sport Sport Achievement Awards early in May, 2011.
Following a live performance of the campaign song, Dreams, silver medallist Megan Jones and aspiring team member Brett Parbery appealed for the support of the Australia Equestrian community to help the athletes achieve greatness in London.
Australia has achieved 11 Olympic medals in Equestrian, all in Eventing, while two Para-Equestrian medals were won in Beijing.
Australian Dressage and Jumping has gone from strength to strength with best-ever performances at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
“Equestrian sport in Australia has never been stronger. Looking across the disciplines, we are on track to achieve Australia’s best-ever overall Olympic team result,” said Brett Mace, Equestrian Australia High Performance Manager.
After strong performances from Australian showjumper, Edwina Tops-Alexander throughout 2011, it’s hoped she can create history by winning our first-ever showjumping Olympic medal. Edwina recently married Jan Tops, a member of the Dutch gold-medal winning showjumping team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and was Australian rider of the year in 1997, 2006 and 2006. Her motto is “never give up!”
The Olympic arena at Greenwick Park. (Kit Houghton photo).GREENWICH PARK EQUESTRIAN VENUE
Greenwich Park, which is close to the Olympic Village, will host the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian competitions, plus the combined running and shooting event of the Modern Pentathlon.
The park was created in 1433 and has many archaeological features, including a Roman temple. It’s one of the biggest green areas in south east London, covering 74 hectares.
It’s also the birthplace of Henry VIII, home to Greenwich mean time and is a World Heritage listed site with stunning London views.
A protest group, No to Greenwich Park Equestrian Events were concerned about damage large crowds and horses would inflict on 400 year old sweet chestnut trees but organizers stressed no tree would be harmed or felled for the games.
Mats and mulches have been brought in to protect the root zones and all cross country jumps have been built on top of the ground rather than dug into it.
"We had to plan the development of the cross country course, literally on a metre by metre basis, to achieve the standards required for an Olympic competition within the constraints of the site,” explains Lee Penrose, STRI Strategic Projects Manager.
Piggy French won the Olympic Test Event. (Kit Houghton photo).To protect some historical and protected areas of the park, the 5,800 metre cross country course was laid out using aerial photos. Two million people use the park every year, so work was carried out early in the morning to keep disruption to a minimum. Every element was considered, from the types of grass used, to natural fertilizers which wouldn’t damage the roots of older trees. No vehicle heavier than a golf buggy is allowed to drive near the trees.
The park has a slope and to get around this without excavating, a plywood deck has been constructed, which sits on 2,100 metal legs which are able to be height-adjusted and this will all be removed when the games have finished.
The stands can hold 22,000 spectators, who will also enjoy spectacular views of London.
Horses will be housed in special ‘pop up’ stables with special drainage.
2,100 metal legs support the arena.An Olympic Test Event, the Eventing Invational, was won by Britain’s Piggy French riding DHI Topper W. Second was Michael Jung and Riber of Joy while third was Pippa Funnell and Billy Channon. Australia’s Clayton Fredericks riding Bendigo placed a credible fourth.
WHAT’S ON WHEN
Equestrian Eventing is being held Saturday July 28 to Tuesday July 31. The first two days are for the dressage phase; day three is the cross country and day four the show jumping.
Equestrian Dressage is being held Thursday August 2 to Thursday August 9.
Equestrian Showjumping is being held from Saturday August 4 to Wednesday August 8.
There are two medal events for each discipline...teams and individual which makes a total of six equestrian medal events.
All equestrian athletes compete as individuals, with the top three horse/rider scores contributing to the teams event.
Seventy–five international riders are competing in both the eventing and showjumping, with 50 riders in the dressage.
In Australia, there’s a strict criteria for qualifying to ensure our best equestrian performers are sent to represent our country.
Matt Ryan has won an amazing THREE gold medals! (Top Horse photo).AUSTRALIA’S OLYMPIC EQUESTRIAN HISTORY
Olympic Equestrian events were first held in 1912 with eventing restricted to military members. Civilians could take part in the showjumping and dressage, but few bothered. The first time civilians rode was at the 1952 Helsinki Games, when women also took part for the first time.
Two Australian equestrians over the age of 60 have competed at the Olympics…Bill Roycroft, and Laurie Lever.
The first Australian Olympic competitors were the three day event team in 1956. Although these games were held in Melbourne, the equestrian section was conducted in Stockholm due to Australian quarantine restrictions. The team of Laurie Morgan, Neale Lavis and Bill Roycroft won gold and silver medals in the individual, and gold in the team event. Only a single medal was given for the team win, this is now on display at the National Sports Museum at Melbourne’s Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Overall, Australia has won six gold, three silver and two bronze equestrian Olympic eventing medals. (For a full listing, visit the Australian Olympic Committee website.)
Keep checking Top Horse for regular updates on our Australian equestrian Olympic competitors!