The U.S. eventing team’s journey to the Paris Olympics was a unique and fascinating one, as it involved transporting the horses by air. The horses began their trek on a farm in Pennsylvania before being driven to JFK airport for an eight-hour flight to Luxembourg. From there, they were transported by lorry to their pre-Olympic base camp in Vittel, located about four hours outside of Paris.
After resting, shaking off jet lag, and doing some gentle trotting, the horses are scheduled to reach the Palace of Versailles for their Olympic check-in. The eventing competition will kick off with team and individual dressage in the regal gardens of Versailles, adding a touch of grandeur to the sporting event.
Susan Johns, the team veterinarian, mentioned that the horses actually prefer flying as it provides more stability than being driven in a lorry. The horses were well taken care of during the flight, with padding, bedding, hay nets, and water provided to ensure their comfort.
Horses, like humans, have passport controls to ensure they are the right horse, and their paperwork, including vaccines and blood tests, is checked before travel. The quirky-sounding horse passenger list for the flight included names like Fedarman B, HSH Blake, Off The Record, and others.
During the flight, the horses were accompanied by senior grooms and the team veterinarian, who rotated visits to check on the horses on the deck below. Each horse had their own hay net, similar to a tray table, and was provided with water to stay hydrated throughout the journey.
Upon landing in Luxembourg, the horses were checked through customs and driven to Vittel, where they were unloaded with the help of other grooms. The horses experienced jet lag and needed time to adjust to their new surroundings and feeding schedule.
In Versailles, the horses will undergo daily temperature checks, passport verification, and vaccination date checks to ensure their health and well-being. Throughout their Olympic journey, the horses were given treats like carrots, peppermint, or special horse cookies to keep them content.
The people traveling with the horses also enjoyed perks like avoiding long queues and stuffy airports, making the journey a unique and enjoyable experience. Overall, the journey of the U.S. eventing team’s horses to the Paris Olympics was a well-organized and carefully planned process to ensure the safety and comfort of these magnificent animals.
