Tuesday September 10, 2002

2002 World Equestrian Games Under Construction

One day before the kick off of the 2002 World Equestrian Games, it is expected that only a few finishing touches still needed to be made to this huge event, which is set in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, September 10 to 22, 2002. However, that is unfortunately not the case. With a whole legion of staff, ditches are still being digged, trees planted, flowers placed, roads paved and footing dragged at "Chapin", the main arena where dressage and show jumping takes place.

Despite construction works, specially recruited local police whistles the traffic into the right direction, as the many roundabouts and misleading signage lead to a scenic tour of Jerez instead of your destination. Luckily, the press was able to get their accreditation within the hour (if you came in on time). The press centre is ready to go but establishing an online connection is still a nerve-wrecking assignment.

Not only the WEG volunteers and organizational staff are getting ready for opening ceremony, Tuesday September 10, 2002 at 7 PM, but also the dressage riders are able to experience competition nearing. Today, all team riders were allowed a short training ride in the main arena. The Dutch team riders (Van Grunsven, Bartels and Van Baalen), the complete Spanish team (Cid, Rambla, Ferrer, Soto) and a few Danish and Swedish riders were spotted, while Lars Petersen and Nathalie Zu Saeyn/ Wittgenstein were doing flatwork in the outside training rings that show Jerez city in the backdrop.

Join us live at the 2002 WEG at horsesdaily.com. Coverage continues to grow daily with show reports, a diary of our Euro-partner Astrid Appels and much more inside information.

Text by Astrid Appels

Related Links
Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at the 2002 World Equestrian Games
Astrid Appels' and Mary Phelps' On the Road Journals