Summission to British Equestrian Federation

London 2012 – Equestrian Sports & Legacy Proposals[1]

This paper deals with 2 related matters :
the location of Horse Trials in the London 2012 Olympics; and
the equestrian legacy of the Games in South East London

1. Location of equestrian sports in the 2012 Olympics
Although Greenwich Park and Blackheath are identified as the focus for equestrian sports, there has been some debate about whether these sites offer the most appropriate venue. However, it is accepted here they will accommodate the show jumping and dressage components of the Games (? including Para Olympics). The Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich is to host shooting sports and it is proposed that “The Military” (the name formerly given to Horse Trials) also takes place in the vicinity of Woolwich Common/Shooters Hill (the latter area accommodating a good part of the cross country section). The equestrian component (and other parts ?) of the Modern Pentathlon might also take place at Woolwich instead of Greenwich.

The reasons for the above suggestions (in addition to the kind of issues raised in recent correspondence in the equestrian media) are as follows :
environmental/sustainability
regeneration/legacy

Legacy issues are covered below. Although London 2012 has made much much of its “green” and “sustainability” credentials, many people (including myself !) have questioned these. “Cramming” all equestrian sports into the Greenwich World Heritage Site is another example of the capacity of the local environment being overriden. The “Equestrian Establishment”, as represented in the British Equestrian Federation, also needs to properly tackle the imperative of environmental sustainability. There is little evidence of this to date.
(I am happy to expand on this issue !)

2. Equestrian Legacy of the 2012 Games
The discussion here is primarily focussed on South East London, but it is accepted that the legacy should extend beyond this and particularly take in regeneration areas north of the river ie in the Lea Valley, London Docklands and adjoining parts of the Thames Gateway. The legacy should also acknowledge the multi-ethnic nature of local communities, and the fact that non-white groups are not well represented in equestrian sports; as well as the perception (and to some extent reality) that equestrianism (“at the higher levels”) – and particularly dressage and horse trials - is a sport for social elites.

It is therefore proposed that an “Equestrian Centre of Excellence”, with strong links to other local riding establishments, be established in the vicinity of the Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich. This Centre of Excellence should include :
An indoor “Riding House” of great architectural as well as technical merit
A permanent cross-country course based on the Olympic one described above
? Polo Grounds on Woolwich Common

In terms of its “organisation”, this Centre of Excellence would probably involve a partnership between The Army and British Equestrian Federation. It should also involve a partnership between the public, private, non-government and community-based sectors.
[1] From Janet Mackinnon 25.8.2006 (email : janet.mackinnon@tiscali.co.uk web: www.epona-land.co.uk)