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

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.