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EQ Paris 2024: Day 2

It was the day of the arena familiarisation for the showjumpers. The jumps were set to 1.30m, a basic warm up for the heights to come. The Australian team was set to do their rounds at 1.30pm, so they spent the morning letting the horses hand-graze, a little lunge and lots of TLC.

One of Elizabeth's long time friends in the industry, Erin Cooke, also was on the Australian team, giving each other a little comfort and familiarity. Apart from the tense warm up both riders had, *thanks to some other riders treating it as a gallop track*, there was not a sweat for the two London boys, typical. Erin was called to the main arena first, giving Elizabeth and Chester time to take the long walk to the main arena gate to wait.

Erin finished the round with a relieved smile, leaving the arena and passing Elizabeth with a wink.

"Good luck with the striding," she commented, patting the bay stallion on the neck. And with the buzzer, Elizabeth already in the arena, cantering and approaching the first fence.

Apart from the sticky stride into 5a, and the side-eyes and glances to the interesting fences from Chester, the course seemed relatively free-flowing.

Elizabeth met up with Erin post round, to discuss the course and most importantly, the very good looking arena steward who was manning the main arena gate.

Pictured: Erin Cooke with Londonderry Lad KH (L) & Elizabeth Howell with Great London (R)

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EQ Paris 2024: Day 3 & 4

The partnership between the two has been continuously growing since the day of Chester’s first ride. In all those years, there have been many miscommunications, mistakes, and misses. It’s the unfortunate thing about a horse of his size, no matter how much you adjust their canter or set them up for the fence, it will never truly be a perfect stride in a course designed for a 16.3. Whilst it’s a price for some, Elizabeth has always kept her faith in the stallion, and no matter how close or far the stride is, they always seem to just make it by.

When interviewed post-round, Elizabeth is asked the same question they’ve asked every rider: “What’s the one piece of advice you’ve kept with you?”

Recalling her pony club coach’s words with a smile, she answers, “To breathe- and keep that f**g leg on!”

It’s their second Olympics together, and it’s safe to say that the pair has made their country proud. With clear on both days, many tears of joy were shed for everyone involved.

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EQ Paris 2024: Day 1

It's the first day of the event for the showjumpers, and the atmosphere was at an all time high. The grounds of Versailles was buzzing for the upcoming eventing, and the ongoing tension from the dressage could be cut through with a knife. But as the showjumpers from around the world started to dissipate in, everyone's focus was on trying to get through the next few days without any blips.

Elizabeth Howell and Great London had arrived from across the pond (the Channel more like) after a mostly smooth trip... apart from a delayed ferry, which had most of the GB team and UK-based riders a little on edge. But luckily, Chester wasn't phased, so long as he had hay in front of his nose. Whilst it is their second Olympics together, the overwhelming nerves and anticipation came rushing back to Elizabeth. Only this time, compared to Tokyo, there was people everywhere, no masks, and no social distancing.

He had settled in brilliantly, having a roll the moment he was in his stall and spent his first few hours curiously watching the hustling and bustling of all the other horses coming and going. That night, after the strenuous paperwork and passport checks, Elizabeth, her family, the CT team (shout out to the grooms), along with some of the Australian and USA team went for drinks and dinner that was organised in the Versailles palace. If it wasn't for the butterflies (...moths) in her stomach, she would have appreciated the grandness of the palace. But that would have to wait until after the event.

The second day came, the day of the first vet inspection for the showjumpers. The Australian team was due to go in the afternoon, whilst the sun was shining through the trees. With a cool breeze, there was a fair share of horses leaping and bucking, making jokes of the formality of the event. But lucky for Elizabeth and everyone supporting, the black stallion kept his cool.

And with an utmost relief, Great London has passed the inspection.