Olympic Eventing Masterclass: Behind the Scenes with the World's Top Competitors

Summary

Competing at the Olympic Games is the dream of many thousands of event riders the world over, but becomes reality for only a talented few. Being selected for the Olympic three-day event team is the culmination of many years of training and commitment to a sport which so completely tests horse and rider. The author of this book reveals what goes on behind the scenes of this competitive world, from buying a potential Olympic champion through to the design of an Olympic cross-country course. In doing so she draws upon the experience of a list of international names in the world of eventing, including Sam Barr, Karen Dixon, Elaine Straker, Ginny Elliot and her back-up team Heather Holgate and Dot Willis. There is advice on dressage training from Mary Thomson and Mary Gordon-Watson, and Andrew Nicholson and Richard Meade divulge the secrets of cross-country competitions. Mark Todd and Matt Ryan make contributions on the often unpredictable showjumping events. There is an examination of team selection and training, and a close-up look at Olympic course design.