A giant 2.3m by 2.5m horse hoof prints created in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, by French artist and sand sculptor Christophe Dumont, mark 100 days to the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, France this summer (Photo: Dan Towers/FEI).
A unique piece of sand art on the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy has marked 100 Days To Go to the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in France this summer.
French artist Christophe Dumont created a spectacular piece of sand art featuring giant, 2.3 by 2.5 metre horse’s hoof prints in a huge ‘100’ on the famous Normandy beach. The artist and a team of 20 people battled against time and tide to produce the unique piece of artwork, so that it could be captured on camera before the waves washed it away.
Inspiration for the sand art came from the tracks made by horses on the beach and Dumont used the idea to create a distinctive and unique message for the 100-day countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014.
The FEI World Equestrian Games™ take place every four years and are seen as the pinnacle of equestrian sport. This year is the seventh edition of the Games, which take place in the middle of the Olympic cycle.
This year's Games, which run from 23 August to 7 September, will feature the world’s finest equestrian athletes competing in the seven official FEI disciplines: Jumping, Dressage & Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Reining, Vaulting and Endurance.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 will also see a record number of nations taking part, with 72 countries having already declared their intention to compete at the event in Normandy, making this the world's greatest global equestrian sport event.
Events will take place in Caen’s Stade d’Ornano, Zénith concert hall and La Prairie racecourse, in Orne at the prestigious Le Pin National Stud founded by decree of Louis XIV and known as "the Equestrian Versailles”, and in Sartilly, with part of the Endurance course actually running across the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
HRH Princess Haya, FEI President said: “The giant hoof prints on the beach at the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a beautiful way to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as it captures the free spirit of our wonderful partner, the horse. And everyone who rides horses knows that we spend a lot of time training in circles!
“With just 100 days to go before the start of the Games, excitement is really building. The world’s best horses and riders will be going for gold in Normandy so we can expect absolutely top sport. We are looking forward to these being the best Games yet.”
Fabien Grobon, CEO of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, said: “With just 100 days to go until the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, preparations are right on track to stage the world’s most global equestrian event.
“Normandy has a long-standing association with the horse and equestrianism, which is something we’re very proud of. We’re putting everything in place to welcome thousands of athletes, horses and spectators, and we’re getting ready to host an amazing celebration that we will never forget.”
To mark the milestone occasion Equestrian Australia (EA) has also released a countdown poster and is encouraging fans to join the celebration by sharing it on social media
The following riders and horses feature: Top: Joann Formosa and Worldwide PB; Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh (photo by Nico Morgan); Jamie Kermond and Colthaga (photo by Stephen Mowbray); Middle: Mary Hanna and Sancette (photo by Michelle Terlato); Alexandra Toft, Fassifern Vaulting, Bill Norwood and One Flashy Rooster (photo by John O’Hara); Bottom: Boyd Exell and team (photo by Franz Venhaus)
Australia will be one of nine nations to field a team in each discipline when the World Equestrian Games gets underway in Normandy, France on 23 August and between now and then Australian combinations here at home and overseas will be giving it their all in a bid to secure a much coveted position on the Australian Equestrian Team.
2014 Badminton Champion Sam Griffiths has twice experienced representing Australia at major championships, recently at the London 2012 Olympic Games and in 2010 at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky
“To represent your country is what we all want to do. It’s the highest achievement for any Australian, and the greatest honour. I am always immensely proud whenever I can make a team and particularly an Australian team because it’s a strong team. It does differ quite a bit to Badminton because you’re very much focused on yourself, although there is a great Australian team feeling among the riders when we are at events so hopefully it won’t be too different when we get out to WEG.”
Griffiths says it is the disappointments of Games gone by that drive him to wear the green and gold once more ( in 2010 and 2012 Griffiths was eliminated after falling on cross country).
“I just try and do my best but unfortunately I haven’t got the greatest track record for Australia at the moment, but I am planning on making real amends to that. Now that I have represented Australia I want to personally take it to the next level of not just representing Australia but trying to win for Australia. Whenever I go out, I will be trying to do my best and perform really well and take it to the next level"
“We have a lot of really good riders both in Europe and back in Australia, so we have a lot of depth and good riders, so we are feeling pretty confident and strong.”
Want to know more about the what's happening in Normandy in 2014? Visit our Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 section, which you can also find under Events in the main menu bar above, for all of our content about Normandy, the championships, tourist information, the equestrian disciplines and more
