World Equestrian Games at Caen

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Ron

Ron

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Jan 25, 2011
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All right for some. My wife and Amanda buggered of to the WEG today. Got friendly with the Gate man who guided them down to sit near a film star. After the morning session police usher everyone out as you have to pay separately for each session. So they then walk straight back in where the Gate man is checking that everyone has a ticket. They only walk straight past, and Amanda whispers across to the Gateman "OK if we go down here with the riders" and get the nod and a wink to go down to the front. Not even a ticket

It was a fantastic arena but the course was very, very difficult and only 4 out of 150 odd horses made it look easy; and one of those (Scott Brash's) had 4 unlucky faults at the water. Here are some photos taken by Amanda

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As can be seen from the final photo they were literally a few feet from the interviews.
 
Looks like they managed to find a day in Caen when it did not rain – lucky that I was not there!!!

This must be the racecourse, quite near the middle of town, where they normally host trotting races; as there is not much else of any note in Caen that is less than a thousand years old (several nice churches, two Abbeys and a castle built by some bloke called Guillaume de Conqu̩rant Рwho was apparently a bit of a bastard).
 
This is at the d’Ornano stadium (the Caen football stadium). Yes he was illegitimate QM (none more so than many children born these days and we think nothing of it). Clever though wasn't he? Amazing some of the things he did. He started the Land Registry in England and the speed with which he had all land registered was amazing (I understand lol). Apparently when he conquered England, French was the first language taught at schools and English was the second. That was a waste of time.

PS Yes the sun shone all day, clear blue sky. So thanks.
 
Great photos. I hear cross-country day was a bit of a farce at Haras du Pin with poor spectator facilities and massive traffic jams heading for the venue.

The Brits performed admirably, and of course Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro were sublime in the dressage. Such a shame about Harry Meade's horse Wild Lone, who collapsed and died shortly after completing the cross country course.
 
That's terrible Princess. I hadn't heard that. After smashing his arms 12 months ago he was told he could never ride again. His first major tournament since and this happens. Tragic.

I watched some of the eventing the other day and we seemed to be doing pretty well. One of those water obstacle was causing all sorts of problems.

I looked at a property down there 9 to 10 years ago but it was too remote for me.
 
The quality of photos from a mobile these days amazes me.
 
Eventing. The German, Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo was out of this World. Never seen an eventer perform the show jumping with such ease and class. That horse is something else.
 
Ron said:
This is at the d’Ornano stadium (the Caen football stadium). Yes he was illegitimate QM (none more so than many children born these days and we think nothing of it).
Click to expand...

That is why it did not look familiar – I have never seen the football stadium but have walked by the racecourse a couple of times. When I was last in Caen a few weeks ago there was nothing advertising this equine extravaganza, but maybe that is just French marketing for you.

When I was walking around Caen the other week whilst wasting time waiting for my train to Deauville, I went around the castle and I saw the information boards (in French) and I thought it was strange that William the Conqueror was “Guillaume de Conquérant” and my less than O-Level French translated that as “William The Conquering” (the ‘ant’ ending); but when I got home and looked it up it turned out that “Conquérant” was a noun for Conqueror!
 
Did anyone see the highlights of the endurance riding? Stunning scenery as the route took them across the bay from Mont St Michel and along the beach for some sections
 
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