They lead a life on the move, performing at a different location practically every weekend, which none too rarely involves flying even between continents. Whether it’s Aachen, Shanghai, Paris, New York, Zurich or GHPC Austria, the world’s best equestrian athletes, their grooms and riders often put in a huge amount of travelling time. So just what kind of challenge is involved in planning these journeys? And how do the riders and horses manage to feel at home just about anywhere in the world? We shine some light on that right here.
Good planning, good teamwork
This large amount of travel involves immense logistical effort, which can only be dealt with through careful planning and a strong team. Because whilst one rider, with a complement of horses entrusted to him, is still at one tournament, the team back home is already preparing the next four-legged members for travel. And that means more than just loading the transporter.
Continuing to implement the right training programme during the pro-rider’s absence too and keeping the horses “in form” is the task of the “homerider” and groom. Which horse is to work when, how and with whom, when tournaments and well-earned breaks are planned, scheduling of appointments with the farrier, vet or physiotherapist – everything has to be tailored to the needs of each individual horse.
If the journey to the next event is by ship or aircraft, bookings must be made not only for riders and grooms but also for the horses, and the corresponding paperwork has to be prepared. Initiating all of this is also the task of the rider along with his team.
Travelling with the (second) family
Of course the pro-riders try to take their families along to tournaments as often as possible in order to make the large amount of travel a shared experience. But even if the partner or children on occasion can’t come along, support is available. Because contestants have together grown into a kind of “second family”, giving mutual support, celebrating successes and dealing with setbacks together. Here, nationality and competition on the course become incidental, because the international family of riders is bound together by one, decisive characteristic. Their love of horses and the motto: “Home is where your horse is!”
ABOUT THE GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER
Industrialist Gaston Glock handed his wife Kathrin responsibility for achieving international positioning of the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER in 2010. Today not only world champions, Olympic medal holders and European champions but also international show stars are delighted to attend as guests of the Gaston and Kathrin Glock family.
GLOCK Perfection meets equestrian sport
The exclusivity and very special flair of tournaments held at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER are internationally renowned and bear the personal signature of the CEO, Kathrin Glock. Here, over a period of four days, not only equestrian sport but also a veritable world of enchantment open up to participants and visitors alike. The breathtaking design of the Riders Lounge, exquisite dining and cocktails, captivating live acts by show stars and moving contributions to charities for people and animals in need.
GLOCK’s Entertainment in the Riders Lounge
With the theme “Horses and Stars”, there’s GLOCK-style high-class entertainment awaiting guests in the exclusive Riders Lounge:
• Gourmet entertainment by and with Alfons Schuhbeck
• Top-class international show acts
• Styling Lounge with star stylist Eren Bektas and his team
• Kids Lounge with creative supervision
• Cinema Lounge for little cinema fans
• Wellness Lounge (manicure, pedicure, massage)
• Dog Wellness – the very finest dog massage with Manfred Kellenc
Cooking Lounge
German star chef Alfons Schuhbeck will gain be delighting all in his Cooking Lounge at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. Here, all tournament guests enjoy free entry. The cooking shows take place on Friday and Saturday at 11am, 2pm and 5pm and on Sunday at 11am and 2pm.
Free entry
The tournament arena is accessible to all visitors free of charge. In the Kids Lounge and at the Pony Riding area, fun and entertainment are guaranteed for the youngsters. Dogs have been considered too: in the Dog Lounge there’s plenty of sustenance and the very finest of massages (by appointment and subject to availability) for your faithful pets.
Fully informed
All the information about the competitions, daily summaries, lots of photos and news, along with a live stream and videos of International Show Jumping at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria, are all to be found at www.ghpc.at
INFOBOX
What: CSI5* CSI2* CSIYH1* CSIAm-A | International Show Jumping
When: June 16th – 19th 2016
Where: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria
VIP day tickets: for Saturday & Sunday, 300 euros per person via the hotline +43 664 887 344 01
Free entry to all competition events
www.ghpc.at
This press release was written by EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net on behalf of the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria.
