Sanne de Jong (NED) and Enjoy. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Chinch is jet-lagged and hungover, but he’s buzzing to be at the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games in Pratoni. There’s a very laid-back vibe around the park, and if you ignore the still-growing trade fair, you could be fooled into thinking this is any other four-star. Fortunately, that’s just the thing these top athletes need early in the week — time and space to settle in for the challenge ahead.
Antonio Cejudo Caro (ESP) and Duque HSM. Photo by Shelby Allen.
On Tuesday, the main dressage arena was open for schooling. Countries filed in and out throughout the day while grooms took horses for a snack in the grassy surroundings.
The event, which hosts horse trials year-round, has a convenient set up with all the mainstays (media center, food, trade stands) only a quick walk from the arenas. You can even see the cross country start and finish from the grandstand where dressage will take place starting Thursday.
Mai Baum (USA) shows the hacking path from the stables. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Just up the hill from the main competition zone are the stables, making the venue easily accessible for busy grooms, who have accommodations onsite. Officials gave the cross country course their final nod Tuesday afternoon, and teams swarmed the Pratoni hillside throughout the morning to get their first peek at Saturday’s challenge.
The competition officially gets underway today with the trot up taking off at 1:30 pm local (7:30 am eastern). The official team order was drawn yesterday with Germany assuming pathfinder duties.
The first horse inspection will not be live streamed, but you can follow our live tweeting of all the action here. In the meantime, take a gander around the Pratoni paradise we’re enjoying this week.
FEI World Championships for Eventing:[Website] [Definite Entries] [FEI TV] [ EN’s Ultimate Guide ] [Daily Digest Email] [EN’s Coverage]
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- El Mundo for Canada. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Korntawat Samran (THA) and Uster de Chanay. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH hack down from the stables to the schooling arenas. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Fernhill Wishes for Canada. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Gonzalo Blasco Botin (ESP) and Sie Veux d’Autize. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Sanne de Jong (NED) and Enjoy. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z (SWE). Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Canada’s Fernhill Wishes out to stretch his legs Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Astier Nicolas (FRA) and Alertamalib’or. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Malin Josefsson (SWE) and Golden Midnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Sanne de Jong (NED) and Enjoy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- FE Mississippi for Canada. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Frida Andersen (SWE) and Box Leo. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Horses enjoying an afternoon graze by the main arena. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP) travels in style. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Amanda Pottinger (NZL) and Just Kidding. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Gonzalo Blasco Botin (ESP) and Sie Veux d’Autize. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Nicolas Wettstein (ECU) and Meyer’s Happy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Off The Record (USA) having a stretch. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- Antonio Cejudo Caro (ESP) and Duque HSM. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
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- The venue has loads of hacking space — this path takes competitors by the trade fair. Photo by Shelby Allen.
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- Off The Record enjoys a good scrub in the grass Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Shelby Allen.
