Equestrian Olympic Eventing: Who Might Be There

An event recently held at Greenwich Park gave us a taste of what was to come in the 2012 equestrian Olympics.

With everything gearing up for the 2012 Olympics and venues being built especially for this tremendous occasion, it is somewhat refreshing to know the equestrian side of things will be, for once, at the heart of all the excitement and this is because they are being held at the wonderful location of Greenwich Park.

The idea of gearing up is very much at the forefront of the minds of most talented event riders in the world at the moment with some of them having taken part in an event recently at this grand location. It could be thought of as a test run for the 2012 equestrian Olympics, although the course was somewhat smaller than the riders will have to face on the big day.

With William Fox-Pitt, a multiple Olympic winner, Pippa Funnell and Piggy French as well as International riders such as Mark Todd and the reigning Olympic champion himself, Michael Jung competing at the event, it was truly a star studded and exciting three days.

For the 2012 equestrian Olympics, riders can be sure there will be a far more gruelling and testing cross country course to contend with, but with so many talented riders competing at the Olympics, they will undoubtedly make it look all too easy.

Michael Jung, Mark Todd, William Fox-Pitt are just a few of the names we will have the privilege of watching as they wend their way around the stupendous course at the 2012 equestrian Olympics. But there are other talented and very gifted dressage riders, namely Beezie Madden who rode so successfully in the last Olympics for the USA. This year she plans to ride a new horse, a Belgium warm-blood called Via Volo. This talented mare is something of a star as she has tremendous jumping ability which is the reason why Beezie Madden believes the mare will become one of the best horses she has ever had the fortune of partnering up with.

Countries like the Ukraine and Japan will be represented, with the Ukraine securing a team slot whilst Japan have one individual placing for the Olympics after the qualifying round in Arken. Other countries who will be there in force are Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Turkey. This means some riders we are not familiar with appearing on the ‘eventing scene’, which may prove it to be more exciting to watch than ever before.

The equestrian 2012 Olympics will be full of new names competing against circuit favourites, all of these riders will be vying for those precious and coveted awards. There will be 75 riders doing battle over just two eventing gold medals. The competition is going to be such that as a spectator, I for one will be constantly holding my breath as these superbly talented riders ask their trusted mounts to safely jump the incredible obstacles with them on board, and to take them to the top of the most important events in the world of equestrian sport by winning a medal at the 2012 Olympics.