World Equestrian Games - Normandy, France 2014

World Equestrian Games, Caen, Normandy, France - 2014

Our travel in 2014 was inspired to attend the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in France and build some other travel around it.  After a brief visit in Canada we then traveled around the UK (see Coloured Rails & Polar Bears blogs) departing from Portsmouth on a channel ferry to Caen in Normandy on 26 August.  We were fortunate to obtain the use of an apartment in the centre of Caen opposite the racecourse. This view is near the games village looking out over the open space ringed by the trees in which the racecourse is located and was the venue for disabled games and driving.

Half an hour walk from the village was the the stadium where dressage and jumping was held.   For anyone interested in building, beams holding the roof are laminated timber.

We attended the final of the dressage.  A spectacular competition with all competitors qualified for the final putting on excellent performances.  Scores were up on the score board almost instantly for all to see.

There was of course the games mascot, Norman of Normandy, who helps keep spectators in the stadium distracted at any quiet times.  Once even tripped over in a water feature and lost his "hoof".

There is always the larger than life characters at such an event. Here some Irish supporters show their allegiance.  May be a while since they were fillies!

New Zealand supporters ready to fly the flag for NZ riders.  Gemma, Andrew and Kath Ward-Smith.

There was a variety of entertainment and the usual trade and food stands at the games village.  The village was separate from the main competition venues but within walking distance from most except eventing (excluding jumping phase) and endurance
Here a "horse whisperer" demonstrates his skills with a Zebra x Horse.  Quiet a difficult (and rare) animal to train.  He appeared skilled at his task.

 The next competition we attended after the dressage final was endurance day of eventing.  Located some 70kms from Caen at Le Pin, the horse breeding centre of Normandy and France.  Our very kind apartment owner had offered to drive us, having obtained tickets for the day.  Normally less than a one hour trip we had allowed over two hours expecting heavy traffic.  The scenery on the way was picturesque.

 The progress was dismal to be polite about it.  Traffic was stationery for long periods - very long periods.

 Yes the landscape was nice so may as well take some photographs as there was plenty of time.

 Time to walk along the road and our driver was happy to pick us up when he caught up.

 There was a variety of old French architecture.

And more interesting buildings.

 A big house in the Le Pin area.

However it got too much for many who either abandoned their cars or left their drivers to it.  It was just as quick or quicker to walk.

 A more modern house along the way.

Traffic stopped as far as the eye could see.  About this time Andrew and Gemma (seen here) decided to walk the lat 10kms or so and arrived before the vehicles.  Although did hitch a ride on a passing truck (the same one) a couple of times.  Thee were many incidents with a similar theme.

What about the cross country.  Finally we got there a couple of hours or so late and did see the later NZ'ers compete.  Later see the photos of Falaise on the way back.

So it was back to jumping in the stadium.  Here a few of the interesting obstacles, as usual depicting the district in which the games are held.  Normandy is very much an agricultural, and...

...known for it artists.  This jump turned up at Spruce Meadows a week later.

Representing a large swing bridge, maybe over the L'Ome River.

Of course the Eiffel Tower representing the support of the whole of France to the games.

We end with a view of part of the driving endurance course located on the racecourse ground across the street from our apartment.  In real life a row of trees as seen in the background blocked some of our view although one interesting obstacle was visible.

Next post will take a tour of the highlights of Normandy.