The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are set to rock the world as the sporting spectacle arrives in the French capital.
Hundreds of contenders will have been working hard to qualify, and now the moment has come for it all to burst with light and sound. Thousands will descend on the City of Light from all over the world to witness some of the most ancient sports – archery, running, weightlifting and wrestling to modern events such as cycling, skateboarding and breakdancing. But the most ancient and traditional is equestrian.
The Olympic and Paralympic 2024 equestrian events will take place between 27th July and 6th August at the historic Château de Versailles, the same venue as the first official equestrian meeting back in 1900.
A logistical feat has been required to allow for the estimated 200 riders to perform in dressage, eventing, jumping, para-dressage, and more in front of the 20,000+ seating arena on the Etoile Royale esplanade, situated within the Palace’s gardens.
Ancient and modern
Although the ancient Games were staged in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC through 393 AD, it took 1,503 years for the Olympics to return. The modern version of the games was first held in Athens in 1896.
Nowadays, many airlines regularly fly horses and other live animals in specially equipped aircraft, and this sector is an important part of their cargo business. KLM was the first to start back in the 1920s and is still a major player in the live animal trade.
Bernard de Boer, veteran live animal expert of Air France/KLM/Martinair Cargo has many years of hands-on experience in this special category: “KLM has long tradition in flying animals, from cats to horses, even lions, but horses are an important sector. Although we have much competition, we are still a leader for horse transport from all over the world.
“Many of the competitors for the Olympics . will have spent the winter in Florida and would have taken part in events throughout America and Latin America. In March and April, many horses are transported to Europe, to take part in various events in France in Italy, in Germany, in the UK and Scandinavia before eventually arriving in Paris for the Olympic equestrian events. Most will be assembled at animal hotels or equestrian centres such as Liege in Belgium, Peelbergen in the Netherlands, Frankfurt, Ostend, and Paris CDG being the main one in Europe.”
A massive logistics operation by road and air
A veritable army of grooms, attendants, vets, ground handlers and airline experts will care for the transport and maintenance of hundreds of highly strung horses from across the world, assuring their safety and good condition throughout the games.
Each competitor may bring up to three horses for different events. Each horse weighs between 500 and 600 kilogrammes and in addition to the animals themselves, 12,000 to 15,000 kilogrammes of special feed plus 14,000 kilogrammes of equipment will also be moved to Paris within a space of a few days. After the events, the entire process will be repeated for the journey home. These horses are extremely valuable, some estimated to be worth between US$500,00 to $15 million, an enormous responsibility for the airlines, road operators and handlers who take on the task.
Fresh air is essential
Apart from the Olympics, thousands of horses are flown around the globe for events such as – the Grand National, Royal Ascot, the Melbourne Cup, the Dubai World Cup, Saudi Cup, as well as special events and various breeding programmes.
The international love of equestrian competition has generated a huge business sector for the air cargo industry.
“The animals will be transported in special freighter aircraft such as B777 or B747, each freighter carrying several horse boxes which may contain up to three horses each. As the animals consume a large amount of air and generate considerable heat there is a limit on the number of horses that can be carried in one aircraft. The horses will be stabled for several days before the event,” de Boer explained.
“To speed up the arrival process, those horses arriving by air will have all the necessary documentation, ready in advance for customs and medical examination. After the long flights from around the world, each horse will require fresh air before any further proceeding and the handling process at the airport, it takes between 2 to 2.5 hours for each horse and then they are placed in air-conditioned vehicles, ready for transport to the site at Versailles.
“If there is any delay, even in the quarantine areas when necessary, the horses can still be ridden and exercised, but overall this is normally a smooth well practised process. All international transport of animals, including equines, must follow the regulations set by the International Air Transport Association, as well as any specific national rules.”
