Le French Chinch helps himself to a pile of croissants.
It’s a quiet day here at Haras du Pin but there’s anticipation in the air and quite a lot going on behind the scenes. We wandered around with a camera, capturing the calm before the storm. Click on any image to view the full photo and caption.
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- The jog drew a diehard crowd of spectators.
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- A number of jog spectators were sporting team gear in support of their favorite team.
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- The “Spiffiest Quarter Marks” award goes to Team Canada.
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- The Dutch team, not surprisingly, wins the award for “Most Team Spirited.” So much orange!
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- Even an orange bicycle!
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- Love this Dutch rider’s orange tie.
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- Team USA heads back to the barns after a successful jog.
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- The Belgian team wins for “Best Braided Tails.”
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- Love the Swiss team coolers.
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- The dressage ring is set up and ready to go.
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- The backside of the arena grandstand.
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- Spectators will enjoy being up-close-and-personal with the dressage ring.
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- Haras Du Pin’s central building overlooks the main arena as well as sections of the cross-country course.
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- New Zealand riders Jonelle Price and Mark Todd Make their way to the schooling ring.
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- Competitors schooling dressage in the a.m.
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- There’s mud, everywhere! Parking wasn’t allowed on the grounds today for fear that they might get stuck. Here, a four-wheeler gets stuck trying to drag a mat over a road crossing.
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- The media is out in full force.
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- As per FEI requirements, the stables are closed to visitors — but the British team is still making its presence known.
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- A view of the stabling.
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- A groom grazes a horse outside the stabling area.
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- A “Leather Corner” is set up outside stabling, offering tack repair and cleaning.
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- A peak inside the veterinary tent. There are about two dozen vets on the ground, between team vets, FEI vets and treating veterinarians, and there are 17 more on their way for cross-country day. The horses’ vitals are monitored twice daily and so far, reports clinic administrator Christopher Elliot, no issues have come up.
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- The riders/groom quarters are located in a “Snooze Box.”
Much, much more coming at you from here in Normandy — keep it locked on Eventing Nation, and Go Eventing!
