The Team horses for the Tokyo Olympics are on their way and many have already arrived safely. The Canadian Dressage horses have been in quarantine in Germany. The British Dressage Team horses flew to Japan from Liege. Here are a few photos.
For more detail about how horses are loaded into the crates and what all the procedures are before and during the flight please take a look at a post I wrote when I first started this blog. Horses on the road and in the air.
For the British Dressage Team horses they will have grooms with them including Alan Davies who has flown with horses to Olympics before. To learn more about Alan and how he cares for horses in his charge at major championships like the Olympics read this post. A day in the life of a Championship Groom
The Canadian Dressage Team had their FEI Team vet Alan Manning on board with the Canadian horses. The flight he was on had a total of 36 horses. He took a photo as they flew over the Himalayas. Exciting times!
The flight from Liege to Japan was 18 hours. The British horses arrived safely and were transported to the stabling in the Olympic Equestrian venue. Both horses and grooms will have a rest and recover from the flight. Their riders are flying in to meet them. Then on July 24 the Grand Prix will start the official Olympic Dressage competition. Let the Games begin!
- All photos in this post are taken from Facebook posts by British Dressage and Alan Manning. *
Thank you so much for sharing and I can’t wait to read the links you provided (or reread them if I’ve read before it’s always fun to read again!) So AMAZING how these horses travel on these planes. I appreciate you keeping us updated on everyone’s progress getting to the Olympics and can’t wait for the games to begin!! ❤️🐴
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Thanks so much Diana. My friend Sue who has done a lot of horse transport and is featured in one of the posts I linked to, says that they are remarkably calm and that take off and landing are the only times they can become agitated.
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Such amazing animals!!! Wow!
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Everyday is a learning experience ❤️
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Amazing, Anne 😃 I’m with Irene & have never considered how the horses get around 😲
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Thank you Jez. Horses are world travelers! I’m glad I could bring some light to that.
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Now why had I never thought about the horses having to fly to get to the Olympics? Thanks for the education. 😊
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Thanks Irene. The process of moving hundreds of horses across the world is pretty amazing.
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Nice! Best of luck to all the team horses! Have a great competition!
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They will appreciate your good wishes!
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