- Heavenly: Lavender Hill Stud © GHPC
- Hans Peter Minderhoud, Nicole Werner, GLOCK's Undercover and Edward Gal © www.arnd.nl
London Olympic GHPC News
Schuftefratz, Arbeitsjoe, Frits as a Dutchman and what is mag & bag
It is gorgeous at Lavender Hill, which lives up to its name with the pale purple lavender in full bloom. GLOCK's Undercover is enjoying being treated like a prince. Brisk morning walk with his groom Vanessa who is showing her support for the Dutch team right down to her orange finger nails, then light training, massage, grazing, TLC and then more walking.
Nicole and Edward are making their way to Birmingham Airport this morning, as the third member of the GHPC Netherlands Team is finally arriving: Hans Peter Minderhoud!
Schuftefratz, Arbeitsjoe and photo shoot with Arnd
- English grass tastes delicious! GLOCK's Undercover and groom Vanessa © GHPC
Afterwards there is training on the agenda and they work hard: "Schuftefratz" – Edward and GLOCK's Undercover with Nicole – and "Arbeitsjoe" – Patrick van der Meer with his Uzzo and Hans Peter Minderhoud. While Edward and Patrick can then relax and both Frits and Uzzo are trotting away gently on the dirt track, Nicole still has her sights on Belgian rider Claudia Fassaert. Nothing escapes her eagle eyes and her success proves her right. "I am really pleased," she however says afterwards, "all of them are fit, motivated, relaxed and I am happy."
Today the horses will be trying on the lovely orange blankets with the Olympic logo and having photos taken. They are all beautifully turned out for the shoot with Arnd Bronkhorst. GLOCK's Undercover also appears in typical Dutch orange. "It really suits him," says Vanessa delighted. The famous photographer has travelled with the Dutch team and will provide exclusive coverage of their performance at the Olympics. Dutch television teams also came across and were keen to interview Edward.
Tomorrow is the last day at Lavender Hill. On Friday they are off to the venue in London. "It's still so quiet and peaceful just now," says a relaxed Edward in summer shorts giving a little sigh, "as soon as we get to London it'll be hectic."
One more day in heaven before hell breaks loose on Friday
How right he is: "mag and bag" is the magic word if you want to get into Greenwich Park. Security screening is strict and everyone is checked. On arrival in London, the horses are unloaded at the first checkpoint and have to undergo an initial health check. Simultaneously, the horse transport trucks are checked inside and out using sniffer dogs. The cargo is then unloaded for inspection before the trunks of equipment are loaded again onto other trucks for delivery direct to the stables allocated. Everyone has to go through a screening process and is only allowed two pieces of hand luggage.
Once the horses have been checked and the trucks screened, which takes about 20 minutes, the horses are reloaded and the doors etc. security sealed. Then it's off with an escort vehicle leading the way through London on a designated Olympic lane. It is an eight kilometre trip to Greenwich Park. There the horses then undergo a second and much more thorough veterinary check. If they pass it, they have at least cleared the first hurdle and can go to the 3.5 x 4 m stable unit. "There is Dutch hay and feed waiting for our horses there," says Edward giving his four-legged friend Frits a pat on the neck. "We take it with us specially so they feel more at home. Then they can finally settle down before the action starts in the arena."
To find out how the horses cope with all the commotion in London, what Edward takes with him as lucky charms, how Frits reacts to the giant video wall, how Edward prepares for his big day and a whole lot more, don't miss the next London Olympic GHPC News.
IMPRESSIONS
- Team Netherlands colours © GHPC
- Edward Gal giving a TV interview © GHPC
- Lavender Hill Stud © GHPC
