Mark Todd at the Olympic Test Event last July
The Horse and Hound is reporting that the 2012 London Olympic Organizing Committe (LOCOG) has decided to allow ticketed spectators to watch the final horse inspection before the show jumping phase on Tuesday, July 31. The 20,000 spectators with tickets to the showjumping phase will be allowed into Greenwich Park from 7:45am local time before the inspection begins at 8:15am. LOCOG announced last week that they were closing both the first and second eventing inspections to the public, quoted by the Horse and Hound as stating “The horse inspection happens on the day of London’s Olympic opening ceremony and the final day of the torch relay so there is a lot of Olympic activity in the capital and a big demand on police resources and public transport.” That decision caused Badminton director Hugh Thomas to resign from his technical role and prompted what I think is rightful frustration from fans and believers in the importance of transparency in eventing. However, today’s reversal in policy is only partial as the LOCOG is keeping the first horse inspection closed. The jog strip spectating area at the Olympic test event was flat and very cramped, so plan on getting in line nice and early if you want to be able to see anything. Go eventing.
