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Welcome to the Lima Lowdown! To introduce myself, I’m Jessie Christie, the Media Attaché for the Canadian Equestrian Team in Lima. I’m proud and honoured to be part of the ‘team behind the team’ – and each day of the Games, I’ll be bringing you exclusive stories and photos from our Canadian athletes, grooms, owners, and team personnel here in Lima.
Today I had the opportunity to walk the cross-country course and take in the challenges that await the Canadian Eventing Team in Lima on Aug. 3.
Given just how beautiful the equestrian venue in Lima truly is, it was no surprise the cross-country course is equally eye-catching.
One of many picturesque paths at the Lima 2019 equestrian venue.
Photo Credit: ©EC/Jessie Christie
It’s also by far the most accessible cross-country course I’ve seen at a major games to date. Most courses require some serious hiking (or more often, busing to another venue entirely) from the main stadium to reach the start line. But in Lima, the available space was utilized brilliantly to build a world-class course that closely circles the heart of the venue. This will allow those onsite to see riders in action over many more jumps than is usually feasible – without superhuman speed and endurance to race all around the course all day, that is.
A portion of the Lima 2019 cross-country course is even visible from the press tribune in the main stadium.
Photo Credit: ©EC/Jessie Christie
As for the jumps themselves, designer Jose Ortelli (ARG), advisor Pierre Michelet (FRA) and their team have captured Peruvian culture with plenty of whimsical fences paying homage to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca (yes… I’ll embarrassingly admit that even as an adult, the name still brings on a giggle or two) and the Cathedral of Lima. But what sets this course apart from most I’ve laid eyes on is how “real” it is. From a jump filled with actual corn kernels to the never-ending flowers, and my personal favourite – a fruit stand jump filled with real fruit (complete with real fruit flies!).
I checked – it’s real fruit! Hopefully none of the horses pause on course for an apple…
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
But I think I’ll leave it at that for now and let the jumps speak for themselves. Check out some favourites of myself and CET photographer, Cealy Tetley below!
The Lima 2019 cross-country course design team certainly went with a ‘go big or go home’ motto. (For perspective, I’m 5’3”…)
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
P.S – if you’re looking for more technical stats on the course, visit https://en.mycoursewalk.com/coursewalks/17231.