Hartpury to host a number of Olympic and Paralympic teams

Hartpury College has been chosen as the training base and venue for a host of Paralympic and Olympic teams ahead of London 2012.

The Canadian and Russian para-equestrian teams and the Belarus event team will use the Gloucestershire college as their pre-games camp.

Canadian chef d’equipe Elizabeth Quigg said: “The Canadian para-equestrian team is thrilled to be training at Hartpury College in preparation for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

“The facilities are world class and the hospitality that we have received from Hartpury’s staff, students andvolunteers has been exemplary.”

The Canadian and Russian para riders competed at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage in July 2011 and subsequently chose the venue.

And New Zealand’s event team used the International Equine Arena at Hartpury for their spring training on 27 January.

Thirty horses were invited to trial, with a short listed group returning in April in preparation for Kentucky. Selection will then be made for their Olympic team.

“We have been coming to Hartpury for around five years and have watched it develop into the outstanding venue it is today,” said New Zealand high performance coach Erik Duvander.

“The arena is fantastic and provides a top-class competition environment, rather than just a training ground.”

Hartpury has a wealth of experience in hosting and organizing top-level competition including the 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships and Hartpury International Horse Trials.

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