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Everything you need to know about the Rio Olympics Eventing Inspection

Aug 05,2016 | Kim Horton

Rio Olympics Eventing Inspection

Today’s the day that the equestrian events kick off in Rio. It all starts with eventing but before any horse is able to compete, it undergoes a “Horse Inspection” or “trot up” as it’s commonly known. Find out everything you need to know about this and why it takes place…

On arrival in Rio, the horses would have had an initial examination but the purpose of this is quite different to the inspection as it establishes the horse’s identity, vaccination history and other passport details along with the horse’s state of health.

There are two inspections. Both inspections are conducted team of vets along with at least one of the “Ground Jury” which is made up of members selected by the Olympic Organising Committee. They’re known as the Inspection Panel and the President of the Ground Jury is not only in charge of both inspections but the Panel as well.

The first horse inspection takes place before the competition begins. This is particularly important for the Olympics given the journey that most of the horses have undertaken. This takes place today, Friday 5 August. The horses are presented by their “athlete” or rider at rest and in trot on firm and level surface that’s clean and not slippery. The Inspection Panel can eliminate any horse that they judge to be unfit, whether on account of lameness, lack of condition or any other reason.

If there’s a question mark over the fitness of a horse, it’s referred to the “Holding Box” for further examination. As a result of this, the rider may decide to withdraw their horse or present it for re-inspection. If there’s a draw of the voting by the Inspection Panel, the President of the Ground Jury has the second and casting vote and the decision is announced immediately.

The second one will take place on the morning of Tuesday 9 August and is conducted by the same vets and Ground Jury so that they will be able to identify any changes that have occurred. This inspection insures that horses are still sound and fit to compete after the strenuous cross-country phase.

The horse inspection will be open to the public and it’s quite a formal affair with horses well turned out and fully plaited. It’s a nerve racking time for riders who nowadays have turned it in to a bit of fashion show! Check out the decidedly dapper and gorgeous Ben Hobday!

Ben Hobday Trot Up

Keep up to date with all the equestrian news from the Rio Olympics by following our Rio 2016 Updates.

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