Behind the Scenes at WEG

Final Day of WEG

2010-10-14T13:11:00Z

The final day of WEG competition started with the Closing Press Conference. FEI president Princess Haya and Alltech leader Pearse Lyons were joined by Jamie Link and John Long, addressing media questions about the success and business aspect of the event.

Princess Haya and Pearse Lyons

Driving is a Must See!

Driving was a discipline I had heard about but not seen. Made up of three sections like Eventing, Driving has Dressage, Marathon and Obstacle. Driving dressage was beautiful to watch. Driving Marathon, a cross country course of osbstacles and sharp precise turns over undulating terrain and through water was spectacular. And the Obstacle course was a lot more difficult than I imagined. Netherlands took the Team Gold with Boyd Exell of Australia winning the Individual Gold.

Here are a few images from four amazing days of Driving competition.

Mike McLennan with USA enters Obstacle 2 “Head of the Lake.”

Light reflects over Joshua Rector with USA and a huge crowd at the lake.

Daniel Wurgler of Switzerland up close at the Walnut Hill obstacle.

The Event veterinarian Dr. Catherine Kohn was ready with her hose in the Vet Check area.

Part of Ijsbrand Chardon’s winning Gold Medal team for Netherlands included his daughter Lianne shown holding a horse in front of a misting fan.

Working as a team stride for stride, team 8 from Germany entered the final obstacle.

Boyd Exell of Australia celebrates his Individual Gold.

For more Driving images please visit the slideshow: www.TheHorse.com/Photos/Slideshow.aspx?id=16

Farewell WEG!

2010-10-10T15:38:00Z

In the final week of the Games I managed to break away from the hospital and see some more of the competitions, which was an unexpected treat! The cross country was definitely the highlight. The course was amazing and proved a challenging task. The carnage on the scoreboard speaks for itself--of the 79 competitors that performed in the dressage phase, only 55 got through to the showjumping phase. Some combinations were lost through elimination or falls on the course, and others failed to pass the second vet check.

On Sunday morning, before the showjumping commences, the horses must trot sound in front of the veterinary judging panel. After the grueling course of 28 solid fences, there were undoubtedly some people up all night massaging stiff backs, and icing and hot-packing sore and tired legs to get the horses sound for the scrutiny of the vets the following morning. It is against FEI rules to give the horses any pharmaceutical drug during the competition, so eventing is a test of not only the horse and rider's skill and ability to perform but also their natural endurance.

I also got to see some of the showjumping--both for the eventing and the team final of the pure showjumping, which was spectacular. It was interesting to see how different the styles of showjumping are between the two disciplines. In eventing, the fact the horses have ridden a hard cross-country the day before, so that has been taken into account, and the showjumping is relatively smaller. However, the course still stands at 130 cm, which is no mean feat for tired legs! The pure showjumpers ride much quicker as time is more of an issue. The course was unbelievably technical and the jumps stood at a massive 160cm high and wide, which makes for entertaining viewing!

Now the games are finished; the mass exodus from the Kentucky Horse Park and the return of the thousands of spectators to their respective countries has left Lexington feeling like a ghost town by comparison. I too have returned home and back to reality. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the World Equestrian Games and in Kentucky but unfortunately all good things must come to an end!

Here are a few photos...

This is a barrier put up around an injured horse on the course, to care for the horse in a secluded environment.

This is the horse ambulance, which was present at all times on the cross-country course. If any horse got injured on the course, it received prompt treatment and was safely removed from the course to be treated in either the clinic or the hospital.

Driving marathon day!!

2010-10-09T13:09:00Z

Well, we are all here at the D box for the marathon driving event at WEG! Very exciting day, 26 teams or so to come through the box. Can't wait for it to begin.

Out and About at WEG

2010-10-08T15:31:00Z

I finally broke away from my daily routine (shoot/edit/transmit event images for this blog and slideshows) and ventured into the Trade Village, Equine Village, and Alltech Experience. Everyone should do this. It was amazing and well done and even with the crowds it was easy to get around.

Horse demonstrations were abundant and visitors even had opportunities to ride a horse. The Rood and Riddle Pavilion gave insights into the equine veterinary world of technology while the Kid Zone educated kids on all animals.

On my way back to the Media Village I walked by the competitors’ barn area where the onsite Equine clinic is based and where Security monitored everyone’s credentials.

Here are a few of the people I met along the way.

Stacy Vollet, Vendor, Booth 124

Vollet owns Clay Chick Ceramics (http://www.claychickceramics.com/) Booth 124 in the Trade Village.

“This has been a really good show for us,” said Vollet. “It’s fun to see the different nationalities. Columbia and Ireland have loved us.”

Working 8 am to 7 pm daily, Vollet has had a steady stream of customers and one of her ornaments was the featured “Souvenir of the Day” in Lexington’s local newspaper. Riding boots and horsehoe ornaments that have WEG on them have been her most popular items.

“In the end the profit margin will be well worth it, “ said Vollet. “ My only regret is not getting out of the booth to see the show!”

Allie Hembree, Alltech Public Relations Coordinator

Hembree gives tours of the Alltech Experience venue and is in charge of the Media Chill Zone.

“It’s a wonderful atmosphere with so many fun things to do,” Hembree said. “All the options for kids are exciting like the Dippin’ Dots and petting sharks and penguins.”

Lynn Johnson, Security Sector Coordinator

Working 12-hour shifts for Hamilton-Ryker security firm, Johnson is based outside the stable gate where all competitors are located. Questions about ‘how to find things” are the most common according to Johnson.

“It’s been good to talk with people from so many countries,” said Johnson. “I’ve been most impressed with the Para Equestrians. It is amazing what they can do. They are incredible riders.”

Tim O’Hagan, Irish student intern at the Rood and Riddle Veterinary Clinic.

l-r, Dr. Denis Goulding, Tim O’Hagan and Dr. Kent Allen

Located inside the restricted stable area where all the horses are housed, the vet clinic attends to all veterinary needs of the athletes

Working every day shift since the horses started arriving, O’Hagan has assisted the veterinarians with ultrasounds, radiographs, passports, bloodwork, billing and generally whatever is needed.

“Getting to meet and work with veterinarians from around the world has been a great experience,” said O’Hagan. Among those international vets are Kent Allen, official veterinary coordinator of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, imaging specialist Jean-Marie Denoix, and Chris Newton (lameness exams) with Rood and Riddle.

An avid rider, O’Hagan has enjoyed meeting the riders as well and viewing some of the Eventing Cross Country.

Getting Ready for the Driving Marathon Day

2010-10-07T12:25:00Z

Well, I have my credentials and uniform in hand and am anxiously awaiting saturday's marathon day for the driving portion of the WEG!! We are meeting on friday to have a briefing with all the people who will work this huge effort for what is known as the marathon day. I will be the Vet in charge of the D 10 minute hold box, and while this is the 4th time I have perfomed this job, it is extra special this year because of the WEG!! I have spent many days thus far at the horse park as a spectator and have seem fantastic dressage riding by many world class riders and some of the most fantastic horses that I have ever seen in real life!! I also watched the paradressage yesterday and was in complete amazement at the blind rider from Norway who rode a flawless test, sat an amazing trot lengthening and rode deep into all 4 corners!!

World Equestrian Games Eventing Photos

2010-10-05T14:27:00Z

With four consecutive days of coverage related to Eventing, photographers gathered research on riders and horses in the media center before heading out on their daily shoot. Media center staff were abundant and knowledgeable, which was helpful to those not covering this discipline on a regular basis. Dressage and Stadium Jumping were the first and third phases, taking place in the outdoor stadium. Photographers had plenty of access to shoot from ground level and higher up in the stands. Cross Country was the second phase with a spectacular selection of jumps and combinations. Here are some pics showing the beauty, skills, and spills and thrills of Eventing.

Individual Gold Winner Michael Jung of Germany takes a victory lap

Team Gold Winners Great Britain parade

German Ingrid Klimke in the dressage ring

Closeup of Colombo, ridden by Selena O’Hanlon of Canada

Groom and horse walking back to barns after dressage.

Marco Biasia on Gandalf the Grey takes on the Rolex jump

One of the youngest competitors at 21, Camilla Speirs, and her mount Portersize Just a Jif, fall down at the 5th jump, the Salato Wildlife. Both rider and horse were fine, although falling is automatic elimination. They walked back to the barn together.

Mary King on Imperial Cavalier for Great Britain takes the Churchill Downs jump during the stadium jumping portion of Eventing.

Vet Student Report

2010-10-04T21:58:00Z

Hi, my name is Valerie Dromey and I'm an Irish veterinary student who has come across the pond to do three weeks' work experience in the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital clinic during the World Equestrian Games--and what an experience it has been! Horses are athletes and, like any athlete, there have been one or two that have acquired various ailments. The equine competitors at WEG have an army of caretakers doing all that they can, save wrapping them in cotton wool, to keep them sound and in good health for the big day. However, in a competition like this so many challenges are faced that inevitably, some horses will not perform to their full ability or won't perform at all.

The stress of travel alone can potentially cause jarring, lameness, shipping fever, dehydration, and even colic. This is the first time WEG has been held outside of Europe, so for most equine competitors this means a grueling journey is endured just days before performing on the world stage. With anywhere between 10-24 hours spent in a plane (depending on departure loacation), 42 hours in quarantine (70% in Cincinnati), and the final trip to Lexington, one should add jet lag to the litany of challenges the horses' health has faced. Upon arrival at the Kentucky Horse Park, horses are examined by the veterinary team to assess how the horses have coped with the travel. Rood and Riddle is providing free blood sample testing, which has provided invaluable information on horses' health status.

In a new environment, horses are susceptible to picking up an infectious disease to which they have never been exposed before. With some 900 horses piled into the one location, the Horse Park is currently a melting pot for a number of viral (e.g., equine influenza), bacterial (e.g., strangles) and protozoal diseases (e.g., piroplasmosis). Measures are in place to reduce exposure to infectious diseases.

Finally, a number of horses require vet care following their exertions on the field. Some horses involved in the more physically demanding disciplines such as endurance and cross-country require rehydration and stabilization. Injuries acquired during competitions such as jumping and cross-country need to be sutured or bandaged. There is a Rood and Riddle clinic on site at the Horse Park for horses that can be treated conservatively. For horses that require more extensive medical or surgical care, they are transported a short distance to the hospital. Once these horses leave the Horse Park, they are not allowed back in, regardless of whether they have competed yet or not. Vet checks are performed in the more strenuous events such as endurance and eventing, and vet officials are constantly monitoring horses. Any horse that appears painful or is not in good enough health to compete is not allowed to proceed in the competition. One theme that rings true at the Horse Park is that the safety and welfare of the horse is paramount.

I have been having the time of my life so far getting to work, in my opinion, in the most exciting facet of veterinary medicine--equine sports medicine. Meanwhile, I've been getting the opportunity to watch world-class competitors in their respective disciplines. What can I say... life is good!

Report from the field

2010-10-03T15:11:00Z

I caught up with Dr. Bonnie Barr, an equine internal medicine expert working as part of the Kentucky team taking care of World Equestrian Games horses.

Q. Bonnie, tell me what you've been doing so far.

A. I'm in the veterinary clinic up there (at the Kentucky Horse Park). If team vets come in, and for example, if they have a medicine-type question, if they have a question on bloodwork, if they would like us to look at the horse ... we work on a consulting basis helping them. We've also been helping check in the horses coming out of the quarantine from Cincinnati, see that they walk off the van OK, take their passports back to the veterinary clinic, etc.

Q. Are horses still coming in?

A. Yes, some of the para-dressage horses came in yesterday (Saturday 10/3).

Q. What are some problems you've seen so far.

A. (On my watch), I saw issues with some of the endurance horses. It was so hot right before the Games started, we had 90+ degree weather. People were really worried about the horses tying up – that's when muscles start to cramp and get really hard, and then it's very painful for them to move around. We used fluids to help flush out their systems.

Q. I hear the noted Dr. Jean Marie Denoix from France is here. Tell us about him.

A. He's a well-known ultrasonographer, and that's what he's doing at the World Equestrian Games. He travels all over the world and does ultrasound clinics. He's phenomenal. We had a horse that tied up and he ultra sounded it and (with his skill) you could see (precisely) where one muscle was more inflamed than another. He's known worldwide, but he's willing to do anything. It's great.

Q. You've done two lectures at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital Pavilion. One was on botulism, the other on biosecurity for the traveling show horse. Let's start with the botulism one. Give us a takeaway.

A. So botulism is a neurologic disease that causes severe and generalized weakness in the horse. Certain areas of the country you see it more, and central Kentucky would be one. But there is actually a vaccine that's available that's 100 percent effective, and I talked about the importance of getting your horses vaccinated. But say you're in a situation where you have one (unvaccinated) horse that comes in with what looks like is botulism, and you have a seven or so other (unvaccinated) horses that don't have it. The vaccine is usually given in doses that are 30 days apart, but in that situation, you should give all the other horses the three doses every seven days.

Q. And what are some takeaways from the other lecture: biosecurity for the traveling show horse.

A. Well, No. 1, make sure your horses is up-to-date on its vaccines, but the other points I discussed were the importance of day-to-day hygiene. Once your horse is there in the new environment, make sure it doesn't touch noses with other horses. Don't let other people pet your horse – you don't know what other horses they've been petting. And make sure the stall has been cleaned out to the best of your ability.

– Leslie Guttman

Photographing Endurance

2010-09-29T13:28:00Z

My photo assignment on opening weekend of the World Equestrian Games (WEG) was Endurance. A 100-mile race, the Endurance course had six different loops that traversed through the Kentucky Horse Park and farms in the area. After each loop the riders and horses returned to the start/finish area where horses were cooled down, inspected by veterinarians, and rested before resuming the next loop of the race.

I followed a similar routine through the day. After photographing the pre-dawn start at 7:30 am, two vans took 20 photographers and their gear onto the course loops where we photographed the race. We would return for the cool down and vet inspection and then repeat the cycle.

Fans filled the stands in the start/finish area and cheered on their favorites as they returned after each loop. Other fans followed in cars to watch as these amazing athletes raced through the countryside. Farm owners held parties to watch the race wind through their properties.

Crossing the finish line first, Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton of Spain (#1) aboard her horse Nobby was the individual gold medal winner of the Endurance World Championships, presented by Meydan.

Team gold was won by United Arab Emirates (team members #3, 5, 10) shown below with Ponton and Nobby as well as Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (#7). The winners crossed the finish about 7 pm. The race ended at 10:30 when the final competitors finished.

Meet and Greet

Tim Smith, WEG shuttle bus driver, Mobile, Alabama

Working the first shift from 5 am to 3 pm daily, Smith drives the Route 5 Spectator Shuttle. The owner-operator of Kingdom Coach, Smith works major events around the country. The affable and courteous Smith is an SEC fan and happy to talk college football.

Blanket excitement

2010-09-28T17:04:00Z

When I heard members of the U.S. vaulting team here at the World Equestrian Games were using an intriguing-sounding blanket on their horses for therapeutic use that has ceramic woven into the fabric, I wanted to know more.

U.S. vaulting star Megan Benjamin told me the product is called “Back on Track.” “My groom swears by it,” Megan said in an e-mail. “We have blankets that the horses wear to relax after a day's work and boots for specific leg injuries.”

OK, so what is this blanket from Back on Track, exactly?

Their Web site – backontrackproducts.com – says the “therapeutic sheet is a … mesh material with … fabric containing polyester thread embedded with a fine ceramic powder. Designed to reflect the horse's own body-warmth, it creates … infrared thermal heat, which can help alleviate pain associated with inflamed muscles and joints. Used for both injury prevention as well as injury recovery …”

It sounds a little like magnetic therapy, but Back on Track says that its products are not and that they work with a horse’s body heat.

Testimonials on the product Web site include one from jumping star Ward McClain, who’s here at the World Equestrian Games.

When I was out reporting for my book Equine ER, I was fascinated by the number of alternative therapies used on horses and how widely accepted they are, whether it was acupuncture or a hyperbaric chamber. Many equine vets I met who didn't fully understand how some of these approaches work respected the fact that they did.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, 630 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking them about their use of alternative therapies such as chiropractic work, massage, acupuncture, and other stuff. At least two of the responders said they used Back on Track products.

– Leslie Guttman