Equestrian testing events were held at the Chateau de Versailles on Tuesday as France gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Horses galloped across the spectacular gardens of the Versailles Palace to make sure the five-kilometer (three-mile) cross-country path was comfortable enough for animals.
Versailles, once home to Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, will stage the cross-country part of eventing plus modern pentathlon next year.
The setting will include a wide jumping arena with 20,000 seats.
With just 339 days until the biggest sporting show on earth descends on the French capital, it’s reported that Paris 2024 organisers held a reduced equestrian testing programme to cut costs.
No equestrian competition will be held at Versailles before the Olympics, in part to preserve the site and avoid disruption to visitors.
The palace itself will remain open to the public during the Games.
28 сен 2024
