The U.S. eventing team’s journey to the Paris Olympics was a unique one, as it involved transporting horses from a farm in Pennsylvania to France. The horses embarked on a four-legged journey that began with a drive to JFK airport, followed by an eight-hour flight to Luxembourg, and finally a four-hour journey to their pre-Olympic base camp in Vittel, located outside of Paris.
Upon arrival in France, the horses rested, shook off jet lag, and did some gentle trotting to prepare for their Olympic check-in at the Palace of Versailles. The eventing competition was set to kick off with team and individual dressage in the regal gardens of Versailles, a historic venue once frequented by French royalty.
The team veterinarian, Susan Johns, revealed that 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 and well-being.
Horses, like humans, have passport controls to verify their identity and check their paperwork, including vaccines and blood tests. The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team’s horse passenger list included names like Fedarman B, HSH Blake, Off The Record, Cooley Nutcracker, Diabolo, Commando 3, and QC Diamantaire.
During the flight, the horses were given their own stalls with hay nets and water buckets, similar to carry-on bags and tray tables for human passengers. Hydration was crucial, with horses drinking around 5 gallons of water during the flight, sometimes with apple slices added to encourage regular drinking.
Upon landing in Luxembourg, the horses were checked through customs and driven to Vittel, where they were greeted by other grooms and began their adjustment to the new environment. Horses experience jet lag and must adapt to changes in their sleep and feeding schedules, requiring a few days to ease back into a routine.
In Versailles, the horses underwent 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, and special horse cookies to keep them content.
While the horses traveled in comfort, the people accompanying them also enjoyed perks like avoiding long queues, stuffy airports, and crowded departure lounges. For groom Stephanie Simpson, who has worked at two Olympics, the job of caring for the horses was both challenging and rewarding, allowing her to work outside and be surrounded by horses.
Overall, the journey of the U.S. eventing team’s horses to the Paris Olympics was a well-organized and carefully managed process, ensuring the safety and well-being of these magnificent animals as they prepared to compete on the world stage.
