The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the first to feature equestrian events since the 1964 games in the same city. As such, a lot of preparations have gone into making sure that the horses and riders participating in the event are in top form. One of the biggest questions on everyone’s minds is: how did the Olympic horses get to Tokyo?
The Role of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (IFES), is the organization responsible for ensuring that the Olympic horses get to Tokyo in the safest and most efficient way possible. IFES works closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG) to coordinate the transportation of the horses and riders to Tokyo.
The Regulations for Transporting Olympic Horses
In order to ensure the safety of the horses and riders, the IFES has put in place a set of regulations that must be followed when transporting the horses to Tokyo. These regulations include:
- Safety – All horses must be transported in accordance with the guidelines established by the IFES and in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the country in which the horses are transported.
- Health & Hygiene – Horses must be vaccinated in accordance with the regulations of the country they are travelling to and must have a valid health certificate. Horses must also be given a thorough physical examination prior to the journey and any horses exhibiting signs of illness must not be transported.
- Accommodations – Horses must be transported in comfortable and safe accommodations, such as horse boxes, trailers, or vans. The accommodations must be big enough for the horses to move and turn around, and must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- Travel Time – The maximum travel time for the horses is 12 hours. If the journey is expected to take longer than 12 hours, the horses must be given regular breaks and be given the opportunity to rest, eat, and drink.
- Staff – Horses must be accompanied by experienced and qualified personnel who are familiar with the regulations and requirements for transporting horses.
The Preparations
Once the regulations have been established, the IFES and TOCOG will begin to make preparations for the transport of the horses to Tokyo. This includes ensuring that the accommodations for the horses are in good condition and that the horses are adequately prepared and equipped for the journey. The horses must also be trained to prepare them for the journey and for the events that they will be participating in.
The Transport Process
Once all the preparations have been made, the horses will be ready to be transported. The horses will be loaded onto trucks and trailers, and will be accompanied by experienced personnel. The horses will then be driven to Tokyo and will be housed in the stables at the Olympic venue.
The Journey to Tokyo
The journey from the home countries of the horses to Tokyo will be long and arduous. The horses must be given regular breaks and must be provided with food and water throughout the journey. The horses must also be monitored closely to ensure that they are in good health and that they are not exhibiting any signs of stress.
The Arrival in Tokyo
Once the horses arrive in Tokyo, they will be checked by veterinary staff and will be given a thorough physical examination. The horses will then be taken to their stables and will be housed in a special area reserved for Olympic horses. The horses will then be given a few days to rest and to adjust to their new environment before they begin training for the events.
The Training Process
Once the horses have had a few days to rest, they will begin training for the events they are set to participate in. The horses will be given a rigorous training regimen to ensure that they are in peak physical condition and that they are ready for the events. The horses will be trained by experienced riders and will be monitored closely by veterinary staff.
Conclusion
The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo is set to be a major event and a lot of preparations have gone into making sure that the horses and riders participating in the event are in top form. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (IFES) is responsible for ensuring that the horses get to Tokyo in the safest and most efficient way possible and the IFES has put in place a set of regulations that must be followed when transporting the horses to Tokyo. The horses will be transported by truck and trailer and will be accompanied by experienced personnel. The horses will then be housed in the stables at the Olympic venue and will begin training for the events.
In conclusion
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the first to feature equestrian events since the 1964 games in the same city. A lot of preparations have gone into making sure that the horses and riders participating in the event are in top form and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (IFES) is responsible for ensuring that the horses get to Tokyo in the safest and most efficient way possible. The horses will be transported by truck and trailer and will be accompanied by experienced personnel and will be housed in the stables at the Olympic venue. They will then be given a rigorous training regimen to ensure that they are in peak physical condition and that they are ready for the events.