In Germany, Three-Day Eventing is still called the "Militaire," under which name it was first introduced at the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912.
The tests of this newly organised equestrian competition were patterned after the training and testing of military chargers — precision, elegance, and obedience on the parade ground; stamina, versatility and courage on marches and in battle; cross-country jumping ability and endurance in travelling great distances over difficult terrain and formidable obstacles in the relaying of important dispatches; and jumping ability in the arena to prove the horse's fitness to remain in service.
Spread over consecutive days, it was a complete test for the Army horse, and in fact only Army officers on active duty were allowed to compete in the first Olympic Three-Day Event, and they had to be mounted on military chargers.
At the Paris Olympics of 1924 the structure of the competition was changed and today’s format was established……also, for the first time the Three-Day Event was open to civilians - although non-commissioned Army officers were not allowed to take part in Olympic competition until 1956, and women riders not until 1964!
But on a football blog why would this history carry any interest…..?
The weather has been pretty terrible here in Wales and in the west country…..gale force winds have ripped up trees and much of our low lying landscape is under water……oh, and the 2012 Badminton Horse Trials have been cancelled….!
There is of course a perfect symmetry about the Olympics coming back to London this summer. The last time the Olympics were here, was in 1948 and they were labelled the ‘Austerity Games’. And thanks to the foresight of Tony Blair and Seb Coe we can look forward to celebrating this summer’s event during a period of painful belt tightening……
The Duke of Beaufort attended the 1948 event with one of his best friends, Colonel Trevor Horn. At a picnic lunch on cross country day the Duke suggested that it might be a good idea if a similar competition could be run on an annual basis to help train up a British team for the next Olympics in Helsinki………Badminton was born……and the first competition was held the following year in 1949.
And so as I looked forward to our last game of the season at Gresty Road, Crewe my wife was planning her weekend with friends at Badminton……our distinct and anticipated pleasures joined by the power of Aldershot.
My fascination with the town is simple…..a lifetime support of the Shots. My wife perversely controlled by the inspiration delivered by the 1948 Olympics.
In 1948 the dressage and show jumping phases were held in the Command Central Stadium, Aldershot (Rushmoor Arena – a venue that sadly conspired to accelerate the demise of Accrington Stanley FC in 1962).
The steeplechase was held at the Grand Military Racecourse, better known as Tweseldown…..and the roads and tracks were across the surrounding heathland leading to the cross country behind the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst on Barossa common.
I will enjoy the long trip north to Crewe on Saturday and I expect my wife will simply go shopping……she has told me that her recovery may depend on a day out in Cardiff.... it will be therapeutic.
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