All eyes were raised to the skies for the start of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games’ Opening Ceremony. As the commentators bantered to keep the thousands of waiting spectators entertained they nervously joked, in French and English of course, ‘We are anxious to see them as you are and they will be here any moment now’. Indeed a few seconds later the French national colours of red, white and blue were streaked across the late afternoon sky above the open stadium as the Patrouille de France aerobatics team flew over in formation. The spectators provided a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise and the pre-show of the Opening Ceremony was underway
It may have been ominous if it hadn’t been so amusing when the very first horse to enter the Stade d’Ornano took one look at the crowd and decided that maybe he didn’t want to join them. The otherwise sturdy and very dependable looking French cob, one of the four breeds showcased in the pre-show, was eventually coaxed into the arena by his rider and a helper and, although he was more comfortable when joined by his friends the French cob carriage horses, he kept a wary eye on the spectators throughout his performance. Maybe his quiet life in the beautiful Normandy countryside, a focus of the evening’s ceremony, had not quite prepared him for the stadium able to seat 20,000 spectators. The four horse breeds – the French cob, The American Quarter Horse, the Moroccan Barb and the Akhal-Teke - presented in the first session of the three part show were lucky in that they performed in the soft daylight of the evening sun before darkness fell. The later ‘Spectacle en 3 Actes’ featured horses and riders performing as part of an engaging sound and light show which truly showed how trainable, versatile and entertaining our marvellous friend, the horse, really is.
But first came the athletes on two legs or, in some cases, on two wheels with the para-dressage riders being an important part of the World Equestrian Games programme. The team members of each of the 76 nations walked or wheeled their way around the arena to a heartfelt reception from the audience. The mounted brass band of the Republican Guard opened the second part of the show then each country’s team entered the arena, preceded by one of Percheron stallions of the French National Studs, Les Haraux Nationales
It could be a boring affair to watch people walk around an arena but the enthusiasm of the athletes and the spectators is infectious and uplifting. As Princess Haya commented in her speech at the end of the parade, “There is magic in the air tonight ....... Whether you win or lose, these games will represent a highlight in your career”
All of the teams, from those with only one representative to the large groups from the popular bastions of equestrian sport such as Germany, the Netherlands, USA and Australia were greeted with huge applause. Some teams stood out thanks to their distinctive attire; the bright red shorts of the team of two from (you’ve guessed it) Bermuda, the canary yellow suits of Ecuador, the luminous green trousers of the Palestinian riders and the glamorous Brazilians in their black Stetson hats – all were a sight to behold.
The Swedish team, again a large contingent, had some pretty fancy steps to show the crowd (the dressage riders could possibly do their freestyle tests without horses based on this display) but there could be no doubt as to who the French audience wanted to see. Last into the arena, but by no means least, the huge French team brought the house down as they paraded and shimmied their way around the arena. This is their Games and they made it clear that they are going to enjoy this significant event and hopefully win a few medals on home soil. One man with a very good chance of doing that is Kevin Staut, the French show jumper who took the athletes’ pledge ‘In the name of all riders, I promise that we shall take part in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to our sport without doping, in the true spirit of welfare for the horse and of sportsmanship for the glory of equestrian sport and the honour of our teams’
For the first time in the history of the World Equestrian Games, the competition was officially declared open by the host country’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
With the official part of the evening concluded and the athletes seated in the stands to also enjoy the final part of the evening’s entertainment, the arena was plunged into darkness and a dramatic ‘son et lumière’ began.
The choreographed live performance of 300 artists and 100 horses and riders was interwoven with a stunning display of lighting and musical effects. Projections of dynamic images created dramatic effects such as Viking longships crossing the seas to Normandy, carpets of colour rising and falling like the lands and tents of nomadic tribes famous for their horses and ‘film reels’ of the Bayeux Tapestry.
The first act of the Spectacle, created by Skertzò stage directors Hélène Richard and Jean-Michel Quesne, presented the story of the horse throughout the world and travelling through time. From the mythical horse in the galaxies to the more modern day horse drawn in the Lascaux caves, the lighting show brought alive intense representations of the horse through history and our imagination. In the second act the focus turned to Normandy ‘the land of horses’, its countryside, its Impressionist art and its long history. Each scene was complemented by the skills of horses and riders playing out their part on the light infused stage; the elegant Cadre Noir paying homage to the founding master La Guérinière with their airs above ground, the incredibly athletic horseball horses and riders galloping across the imaginary steppes and the reining horses spinning around the lush Normandy pasture. The ‘Spectacle’ was indeed spectacular but the ability of the horses and riders to perform and entertain so well under these conditions was equally impressive
As always, they had saved the best for last. The third act started with giant lit hooves galloping around the arena followed by chess board manoeuvres with human and equine dancers. Then, in one of the best transformations of the evening, the arena became sand and sea.
The white breakers of the sea foamed on the shore as 10 white horses galloped at liberty on to the stage followed by their master, Lorenzo. Astride two more white horses with one foot on each bare back Lorenzo performed with his troupe, guiding them around the arena, sometimes at a gallop, sometimes standing still on command, with all horses responsive and alert to his unseen directions.
Then it was all over. The artists, human and equine, paraded around the arena to farewell appreciative audience and finally one of the horses from the mounted band had had enough. All had performed admirably under the amazing but strange lighting conditions until a strobe light and the atmosphere of the finale took its toll. Heading backwards at speed with its hapless rider unable to do anything, the mounted band horse backed straight into Lorenzo, galloping back into the arena on his two horses accompanied by the herd for the farewell. There was a swerve of direction but Lorenzo simply adjusted his balance and rode on, recovering superbly without missing a beat.
But that is what we’re here for – the best riders in the world, whether they are competing for the country or entertaining the audience. Bravo la France for a great start
