It’s a nearly 19-hour flight, in total, from Liege, Belgium to Tokyo, Japan with one brief stop in Dubai along the way, which means our globetrotting eventers have been on a massive journey to the Tokyo Olympics. Luckily, the travel to the Olympics is nearly completed for the event horses, who have begun arriving at the gorgeous Equestrian Park. Eventing does not begin until Friday, July 30 so the teams will have ample time to allow their horses to settle in (do horses get jet lagged?), acclimate and be ready to perform come next week.
Major, major props to all of those behind the scenes orchestrating this traveling circus and the hard-working grooms and support staff who have been there every step of the way taking care of their charges.
Let’s catch up with the travelers as they make their way along their final routes to Tokyo, where our U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican horses have all just arrived!
Z happy to be off the plane and safely in Tokyo! All of the horses traveled well and are settling in nicely. #RoadToTokyo
Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Oliver Townend (Official)βs Ballaghmor Class (Thomas) gets his first look at Equestrian Park π Groom Jess McKie was on-hand to get him settled in. #tokyo2020 #roadtotokyo #gamesready #behindthescenes
Posted by British Equestrian on Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Australian π¦πΊ and Kiwi π³πΏ horses have just arrived at the Equestrian Park! #Tokyo2020 #Equestrian pic.twitter.com/McJArFqYQO
β Carola Brighenti (@CarolaBrighenti) July 20, 2021
The horses have landed safely in Tokyo π―π΅ and will now immediately embark on a short drive to Equestrian Park to their stables! π#TokyoTogether@AUSOlympicTeam pic.twitter.com/4bghNlJxii
β Andrew Hoy (@HoyEventing) July 20, 2021