August 20, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Charlene Strickland

Equine Welfare Is Job 1
By Charlene Strickland Exclusively Horsesdaily

Aachen, Germany, 20 August 2006 - To bring a horse to the World Equestrian Games requires a dream and a plan: years to bring the horse to the right condition for Day 1 of the competition. The equine athlete who arrives at WEG sound and healthy must demonstrate the success of preparation by a pre-show the day before Day 1.

Formal horse inspections are the “check-in” step for every horse ready to compete. Inspections launched the first two disciplines of the 2006 WEG, with endurance and dressage occurring 20 and 21 August, respectively.

HorsesDaily was on the scene to watch the entries prove to officials they were fit to compete. These inspections go beyond a “trotup,” by assuring riders, trainers, and spectators that the welfare of the horse remains foremost in equestrian sport.

Endurance. In the presentation of 152 entries, officials observed horses in nations' alphabetical order. (That puts the USA at the end of the process.) Each nation could present up to 5 horses. After the inspection, each nation's chef d'equipe could declare the official entry of a team of 4 plus 1 individual rider.