Transatlantic Journey for Equestrian OlympiansTransatlantic Journey for Equestrian Olympians For the equine athletes of the U.S. eventing team, the journey to the Paris Olympics was an extraordinary four-legged adventure. Their arduous voyage began in Pennsylvania, where they were transported to JFK Airport. Airborne Equine Expedition After a brisk eight-hour flight to Luxembourg, the horses faced a four-hour truck ride to their pre-Olympic base in Vittel. Amidst the excitement and jitters, the equines remained remarkably composed, preferring the stability of air travel to the confines of a truck. Passports and Preparedness Just like humans, horses require passports and comprehensive paperwork. The early flight to Luxembourg featured an unusual passenger list: Fedarman B, HSH Blake, Off the Record, Cooley Nutcracker, Diabolo, Commando 3, and QC Diamantaire. In-Flight Comfort and Care To ensure the well-being of these equine athletes, the Boeing 747 was equipped with customized stalls, featuring partitions for added comfort. Hay nets and water jugs were readily available, and a team of grooms and veterinarians provided constant attention. Equine Hydration and Jet Lag Mitigation Horses require ample hydration during flight, consuming approximately 19 liters of water. To encourage consumption, apple slices were sometimes added. Upon arrival in Vittel, the horses underwent a period of adjustment to alleviate jet lag and acclimate to their new surroundings. Olympic Arrival and Final Preparations Upon arrival at Versailles, each horse was assigned a designated groom. Regular temperature checks and meticulous record verification ensured the horses’ well-being. Throughout their Olympic journey, they would receive special treats to maintain their cheerful spirits. Perks of Equestrian Travel For the grooms accompanying the horses, the journey offered a unique experience. They enjoyed expedited customs, avoided crowded airports, and reveled in the tranquility of being surrounded by horses. As the horses embark on their Olympic debut in Versailles, their remarkable journey stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional care that these equine athletes receive. Their journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the lengths to which we will go to ensure the success of our beloved animal companions.
Paris: Welcome aboard, I hope you’re comfortable. For the horses of the U.S. eventing team, the trip to France for the Paris Olympics was literally a four-legged journey. Their journey began on a farm in Pennsylvania. They were driven to JFK Airport last Wednesday to board an eight-hour flight to Luxembourg. The next afternoon, the horses were trucked to their pre-Olympic base camp in Vittel, about four hours outside of Paris. After resting, shaking off jet lag and trotting for a while, they were scheduled to arrive at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday for their Olympic check-in. Eventing competition begins Saturday with team and individual dressage in the royal gardens of Versailles, once the residence of the French royal family where Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette hosted lavish banquets. Susan Johns, the team veterinarian, said the horses prefer to fly.
Frankly, it’s a lot easier than being in a truck, there’s a lot more stability than being driven. They’ve provided padding, bedding and everything possible in case the takeoff and landing were abrupt, Johns explained to The Associated Press in a telephone interview. They don’t really sleep during the flight, they stand up. But they’re good at resting, they have hay nets and, most importantly, they eat. Here’s a closer look at how the horses traveled to France.
Horses need passports
Like humans, horses are checked for passports to make sure they are the right horse. Paperwork, such as vaccinations and blood tests, is also checked for each horse. The quirky-sounding passenger list for the early flight to Luxembourg was: Fedarman B; HSH Blake; Off The Record; Cooley Nutcracker; Diabolo; Commando 3 and QC Diamantaire. The riders themselves, four-time Olympian Boyd Martin, first-time Olympian Caroline Pamukcu, Will Coleman, travelling reserve Liz Halliday and Sydney Elliott all arrived in Paris separately.
Meals for horses during the flight
Once at JFK, the horses, four of which will be reserved for the Paris Games, were loaded onto pallets and lifted into the Boeing 747 plane by forklift. The horses traveled to a stall with a partition between them, sort of like an armrest for horses. Other equipment, including saddles and helmets, was loaded in, along with giant nets of hay and large jugs of water. The human passengers accompanying them were Johns and senior grooms, Hailey Burlock and Stephanie Simpson. When it was time to board, a groom massaged one horse on the underside of its neck. Then the horses trotted leisurely into their stall. A thunderstorm delayed the flight by more than two hours, but otherwise the process went smoothly. We had a very experienced group of travelers. Most of the horses have flown several times, they’re kind of pros at it,” Johns said. “I carry a bag in case one (horse) gets a wound or a colic attack. But we didn’t need it in this fight.
Horse transport and tray tables
Johns and the grooms were on the upper deck of the 747, taking turns checking on the horses on the deck below.
The captain had us go down two at a time, every hour,” she said. “The horses are all the way in the back. Up front, it’s mostly cargo. Each horse had its own hay net, hung in their stall. “Like when you have a tray table that goes down, they have their own hay net,” Hallye Griffin, the team’s mission chief, told the AP. Each horse has its own saddlebag, similar to a carry-on bag.
Hydration is crucial during the flight
Horses drink about 19 litres of water from their regularly filled buckets. Sometimes they add apple slices to encourage them to drink regularly.
Horses and jet lag
Once the horses landed in Luxembourg, they were checked through customs and driven to Vittel. In the truck they were transported in, they were separated by a small partition. Other caretakers were already in Vittel and helped unload the horses when they arrived. Some horses like to roll around to relieve itching, while others prefer to stretch their Olympic limbs and be walked by the caretakers. Horses also suffer from jet lag. Their bodies are getting used to sleep and changes in their feeding schedule, so the first few days are mainly about getting them back into a rhythm.
Then the serious work begins
When they arrive in Versailles on Wednesday, a 20-foot container with mucking equipment will be ready and each horse will be assigned a groom on site. Horses will be temperature-tested twice a day in Versailles to ensure there is no fever that could be spread. Horse passports will be checked and vaccination records will be verified. During their Olympic journey, the horses will be given treats to keep them in a happy mood, such as carrots, peppermint or special horse biscuits.
Those traveling with the horses also enjoyed a few perks. No long lines, stuffy airports or hanging around in sweaty departure lounges in the summer. It’s great, it’s actually my favorite way to travel. I don’t have to go to real airports and sit next to real people, said Simpson, who grooms Martin’s two horses and is working toward her second Olympics. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s the perfect job,” Simpson added. “We get to work outside and be surrounded by horses.
