A group of riders from the British Equestrian Federation World Class Programme visited Greenwich Park on 4 November and gave a resounding thumbs up to its use as the equestrian venue for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, H&C has learned.

The group, many of whom saw the park for the first time, received a briefing on the London 2012 Organising Committee’s (LOCOG) plans for the holding of equestrian events in Greenwich Park and were shown round the venue. The group are all members of the UK Sport funded World Class Programme which has identified them as having the talent to represent Great Britain at an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Will Connell, Performance Director of the British Equestrian Team, said: “We are lucky to have such a fantastic and iconic venue. Greenwich is a historic park and it is exciting to be so close to the main core venue, the Olympic Park. This puts equestrian events right back into the heart of the Games. It gives LOCOG the chance to develop new ideas, and combine this with a historic setting. LOCOG has no intention of cutting down trees or closing the park for a year, and I think that local residents should be proud that such an exciting Olympic sport will be on their doorstep in 2012."

Para-dressage's Sophie Christiansen, Sophie Wells and Simon Laurens were among the equestrians to visit the park and all three were quick to praise the site.

“It is an amazing venue," said Christiansen, "So beautiful and in the centre of London. It highlights what Great Britain can do in terms of innovation. I can’t wait to compete here and I hope to win three gold medals this time around!”

Sophie Wells added: “It is very motivating for me to see the park and will encourage me to train harder. Being part of a home Games will be great to have the support of the home crowd and for my friends and family to be able to watch and support.”

Simon Laurens completed the compliments. “The park is a perfect fusion of modern and history. Holding the Paralympic Dressage events here will be great for the profile of disability sport, and it will be good to be so close to the rest of the action in the Olympic Park.”

LOCOG will submit its planning application for the venue at the end of November. Recently it announced that:
The entire park will only be closed for a four week period from 6th July to 3rd August in 2012;
The children’s playground and the majority of the flower garden within the park will remain open throughout this four week period with the exception of cross country day;
There are no planned residential road closures, and no trees will be cut down;
After the Games, the park will be returned to the condition in which it was received.