Countless media representatives from all over the world, contestants and fans in 42 distinct sporting disciplines throng every four years to the big event of the sporting world: the Olympic Games. In equestrian sport alone, men and women face one another in the same actual competitions. Taking part in “the games” is indeed every rider’s dream and will become reality this year in August for some athletes at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA). So how does that path to Rio look for riders and horses, and what feats of performance qualify horses and riders to participate in the Olympic Games?
Precise planning
Anyone wishing to participate in the Olympic Games has to organise their activities very precisely in line with the mega-event. Everything from the right training and nutrition plan for the four-legged partners and on through one’s own fitness to selection of the right qualification events; it all has to be right. Albeit, each country can only enter one team with a maximum of four rider and horse duos along with one reserve duo and a few individual riders. So the national trainers in charge don’t just embark on particularly careful observation of ‘their’ riders and horses in the year of the games but rather a long time in advance.
They want to know precisely how the human and equine performers deal with a variety of challenges. How well they can adjust to the conditions and surroundings at a variety of performance venues. How well individual horses cope with long journeys, particularly their tolerance of flying, and whether they eat and drink well in foreign countries. Whether the riders can still summon up their best performance under pressure and in a team setting, and how strong-nerved they are; these are also important questions. It’s important to consider all these factors with a great deal of care and far-sightedness, in order ultimately to send the best of the best to the most important sporting event in the world.
High accolade
The conditions under which competitions for qualification for Rio 2016 take place have to be more than merely optimum. The size of the performance areas, ground conditions, range of obstacles – all of these must match up to the grand objective of the “Olympic Games”.
In 2016 the FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sports, selected precisely 15 different CSI5* performance venues for the thorough evaluation of its riders. Along with renowned events in Wellington (USA), Al Rayyan and Doha (QAT), Mexico City (MEX), Antwerp (BEL), Shanghai (CHN), Hamburg (GER), Madrid (ESP), Chantilly (FRA), St. Tropez (FRA), Tryon (USA), Calgary (CAN), Cannes (FRA) and Valkenswaard (NED), the summer highlight at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria forms part of this hand-picked selection. As the last-but-one qualification stage at five-star level, there’s a great deal at stake here, because all participants want to make use of their opportunity to stand out as worthy for Rio 2016.
Seeing for whom the dream of starting at Rio might come true is something you can experience live from June 16th – 19th 2016 at the GHPC Austria. Because once again the theme is “Welcome to CSI5* International Show Jumping”.
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.
