A total of 95 horses trotted up during the first horse inspection at the Olympic Games 2024, and 93 of them were accepted. Held in a quiet corner of the stabling area in Versailles, the first horse trotted up at 7.30 AM on Wednesday morning with a light drizzle of rain that changed to sunshine an hour later.
Four horses were asked to go to the holding box, two of those passed as they returned for a second trot-up while two were requested to come back for re-inspection: Andres Azcarraga’s Contendros 2 (Contendro I x Drosselklang II) for Mexico and Kevin Staut’s Viking d'la Rousserie (Quaprice Bois Margot x Apache d'Adriers) for the host nation France. At the re-inspection at 4.30 PM neither of the two horses passed, and were announced as 'not accepted'.
This afternoon, there will be a training session in Versailles before the first jumping competition gets underway on Thursday 1 August with the team qualifier that starts at 11 AM.
But before the jumpers enter the ring in Versailles, we take a look back at this morning's trot-up. First out, Eiken Sato and Conthargo-Blue for Japan.
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Kicking off the trot-up in style: René Lopez Lizarazo and Kheros van't Hoogeinde were first out.
Spain was first out of the teams, here Sergio Alvarez Moya and Puma HS getting ready to trot up under the watchful eye of Ground Jury President Frances Hesketh-Jones.
Team Canada and their captain.
Chile's sole representative Agustin Covarrubias and Nelson du Petit Vivier.
The horse inspection got off to a dramatic start for Mexico, as Andres Azcarraga's Contendros 2 was called back for re-inspection after first being sent to the holding box. Upon re-inspection, the stallion was not accepted.
Eugenio Garza Perez and the lovely Contago for Team Mexico.
Mexico's reserve rider Federico Fernandez thanks Romeo after the trot-up. The two will now be called into action in Versailles.
The calm before the storm... Reigning European Champions Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme.
Martin Fuchs' Leone Jei stealing the spotlight as usual.
Still going strong: Switzerland's Pius Schwizer turns 62 in August but is still super-fit.
Great Britain's Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson get a ten for their trot.
Reigning Olympic Champion Ben Maher trots up Dallas Vegas Batilly in Versailles.
Australian reserves Amber Fuller and Nopal van Tallaert.
The Australian team is all-female, here Edwina Tops-Alexander with Fellow Castlefield.
Taizo Sugitani's Quincy 194 needed a moment to take all the attention in.
Saudi Arabia's Ramzy Al Duhami and Untouchable 32 fit and ready to roll in Versailles.
2019 World Cup Champion Alamo is in Versailles, and will compete with his rider Abdullah Alsharbatly for Saudi Arabia.
For the host nation, Kevin Staut's Viking d'La Rousserie was first sent to the holding box, and then asked to come back for re-inspection after a second try on trotting up. The 15-year old gelding was later declared not accepted at the re-inspection.
French reserves Olivier Perreau and Dorai d'Aiguilly waiting for their turn. They will now step in to compete on the French team.
Israel's Ashlee Bond and Donatello 141.
Can we join this club? Richard Vogel, McLain Ward, Lee McKeever and Virginie Casterman with Ilex.
Electric Blue P being all playful with his rider Max Kühner who was wearing the obligatory Lederhosen for Austria.
Denise Moriarty trots up Kent Farrington's stunning Greya for Team USA.
McLain Ward's Ilex made an abrupt halt to check out the many photographers....
...before making a small show with Lee McKeever holding on.
Back on home soil... The super-mare Caracole de La Roque is the reserve horse for Team USA after having had great results with Karl Cook throughout the spring and summer.
Daniel Coyle's Legacy looking great, full of dapples.
Team Ireland's James Kann Cruz is in the house!
Harrie Smolders' stunning Uricas v/d Kattevennen for the Dutch team.
Team Brazil's first man out: Stephan de Freitas Barcha with Primavera.
Abdullah Al Marri and McGregor looking sharp for Team UAE.
Enjoy de la Mure looking stunning for Team UAE with his rider Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi.
Quel Homme de Hus and Jerome Guery for Team Belgium.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all?
Ermitage Kalone of course!
Richard Vogel's United Touch S comes pretty close though with his exceptional presence.
Peder Fredricson trots up the 18-year-old gelding Catch Me Not S, who will try to help the Swedes defend their team title from Tokyo.
The King has arrived in Versailles. World no. one Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward will be one of the favourite horse-and-rider combinations to take both individual and team gold.
Kristaps Neretnieks' Palladium KJV playing around before it gets serious tomorrow at 11 AM!
Then