When Badminton horse trials director Hugh Thomas resigned from the London eventing committee in protest of a lock-out for spectators wanting to see the inspections of horses, the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games argued that it was logistically impossible to admit spectators to the inspections because of time and other constraints.
Denis Lynch rides Lantinus in 2008 Olympics
Spectators at 2012 Olympics will be able to observe one inspection of horses after committee reverses lock-out decision.
© 2012 by Craig McCubbin
But, on July 2, the committee announced that the final inspection on July 31 can be viewed by spectators holding tickets to that day’s later show jumping competition.
According to the report, spectator gates at Greenwich Park will now open earlier, at 7.45am, and the horse inspection will begin at the later time of 8.15 am.
The horse inspection involves all the horses still in after the previous day’s gruelling cross-country being presented to the judges to confirm their fitness to continue.
Many argue that spectator access is in the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) rules for Olympic Games in the interests of transparency.
Thomas said it “disgraceful” and “bureaucratic claptrap” that Locog had not arranged to accommodate the spectators at the inspections.
The initial horse inspection on July 27 is still out of bounds, due to logistical problems on the opening ceremony day, though it is arguably less important.
Ingmar De Vos, FEI secretary-general, said: “The FEI is happy that Locog has revised the access schedule to allow spectators into the venue in plenty of time to watch the final horse inspection. July 31 is a particularly important day as it is the day when the first medals will be decided in equestrian sport’s centenary year.”