The three-day test event competition saw around 9,000 tickets distributed via Greenwich Council and the British Equestrian Federation but competition took place with NOGOE staging peaceful protests outside St Mary's Gate, one of the main entrances to Greenwich Park, on all three days.

NOGOE spokesman Sev D'Souza said: "Greenwich Park is the wrong venue for these Games.

"It is bad for the Park and its users and now we find it is bad for equestrians, who will end up with a compromised competition for the sake of an urban vista.

"The purpose of the protests was to persuade the organisers, officials and competitors that Greenwich Park would end up being a Compromise Games.

"We believe that LOCOG will have a lot to worry about if they persist with Greenwich Park."

But despite the claims of the NOGOE, London 2012 director of sport Debbie Jevans claimed she was delighted with the success of the test event in the iconic 578-year-old park with plans in full swing to stage Olympic and Paralympic competition there next year.

"A lot of hard work has gone into delivering this successful test event in such a wonderful Park," said Jevans.

"We will now conduct thorough debriefs so that we can fine tune our plans to ensure we deliver a fantastic event in 2012.

"We have worked closely with The Royal Parks and with all our stakeholders to ensure that the integrity of the Park has and will be maintained.

"We thank them all for their support in bringing equestrian sport to Greenwich Park for the first time."

The test event was also hailed by British rider Piggy French who claimed victory after leading in the competition.

"As you walk into the park you get goosebumps," she said.

"The organisers have done a great job with the stabling, the arenas and the Cross-Country course.

"It's going to be fabulous and I can't wait to come back."

Equestrian will return to Greenwich Park in 2012 from July 28 to August 9 for next year's Olympic Games and for parts of the Paralympic Games which will take place from August 29 to September 9.

The London 2012 Games will see a temporary main arena for 23,000 spectators constructed within the grounds of the National Maritime Museum, while the Olympic competition has already sold out.

Ticket for the Paralympic competition will go on sale in September this year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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