Torrential rain saw the action halted for 40 minutes this afternoon but it also gave officials and athletes a chance to see how the footing would perform in tough conditions.

"The main arena was not so good for the first three or four riders after the rain, but then it was absolutely fine," said France's Patrice Delaveau, winner of the feature class with Ornella Mail HDC and jumped both before and after the downpour.

"For me there was no difference between the first round and the jump-off, it was perfect."

Irish rider Bertram Allen, who picked up a win, two seconds and a third in the four competitions, added: "The ground held up really well and horses weren't slipping at all.

"The results were consistent through the class."

Normandy 2014 sports director Laurent Cellier admitted the heavy rain had been "a real test", but also said it helped to learn about how to manage the footing.

"Now we know how to maintain the best quality footing for the horses and for the competition," he added.

"At the end of today's second competition we had a debriefing with the National Federations and got their feedback about the footing, stabling and general organisation of the event.

"The feedback is really good, and the Organising Committee will be working from now until the Games to upgrade some details and finalise preparations for riders, horses, spectators, media and all the participants at the big party in Caen."

As well as analysing the venue from the athletes' perspective, the Organising Committee also tested crowd flow, as spectators were able to watch the action after downloading invitations for the jumping events.

FEI officials were also impressed by the success of the test events.

Irish rider Bertram Allen praised the Normandy 2014 World Equestrian Games jumping test event ©Getty Images


"Both the infrastructure and the venue have been prepared to the highest standard and will create a wonderful setting for the World Equestrian Games," FEI jumping director John Roche said.

"It was very encouraging to see so many spectators in the tribunes yesterday and it created a really super atmosphere.

"It was a clear indication of the popularity of the sport in the region, demonstrating that Normandy is an equine heartland.

"We're very much looking forward to seeing the specially designed fences that will be used at the Games.

"The designs look fantastic and have a real Normandy flavour, but the fences won't be unveiled until Games time.

"There's no doubt that everybody is doing their absolute best to make sure that the Games will be the very best."

Tim Hadaway, director of the FEI's Games and Championships department, said a lot has been learnt from the test events.

"Yes there's work to do, but we've all seen that the venue here in d'Ornano is in very good shape," he explained.

"Now it's time to keep our heads down and put those finishing touches to the preparations, so that we can deliver what I believe will be one of the best ever FEI World Equestrian Games."

The World Equestrian Games are due to take place from August 23 to September 7.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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