The decision not to let spectators view final horse inspections on the morning of the show jumping competitions has caused consternation among those who enjoy seeing the horses inspected along with the resignation of a senior member of the Ad Hoc committee that serves to referee disputes and investigate serious accidents. Hugh Thomas has resigned from his technical role at the London Olympics over the organizers' decision.
Mark Todd and NZB Land Vision Badminton Horse Trials 2011
Olympic official resigns over decision not to allow spectators at horse inspections.
© 2012 by Henry Bucklow
Hugh Thomas was formerly Director and Course-Designer of Badminton Horse Trials, the largest paid-entry sports event in the United Kingdom and the second largest in the world. He also competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics, designed the course at the 1988 Summer Olympics and was president of the British Equestrian Federation for three years.
Hugh is quoted as being "horrified" that this great tradition of open and transparent inspections has been nullified and called into question the ensured integrity of the process.
In a statement, the organizing committee responded: “The horse inspection happens on the day of London’s Olympic opening ceremony and the final day of the torch relay so there is a lot of Olympic activity in the capital and a big demand on police resources and public transport. An operational decision was taken not to open this to the public for these reasons.”
Hugh Thomas considers this a "very bad decision," in light of the many horse enthusiasts who want to view the inspections and who have supported eventing in the past.