Tokyo Olympics

Behind the scenes: Our favourite four-legged athletes flying off to Tokyo

Published on 16 July 2021

Our favourite four-legged athletes have touched down in Japan after their long 18-hour journey from the Belgian city of Liege to Tokyo, via Dubai. The 36 dressage horses – including Werth’s Bella Rose and Dujardin’s Gio – will represent countries including The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil and Morocco.

For their comfort the horses are flown by two in a ‘flying stable’ in the presence of flying grooms and an on-board veterinarian. Just like in business class, the horses did not only get to enjoy their in-flight meals, but also got to snack on hay throughout the trip. Not only did the plane carry the horses, but also 13,5 tonnes of equipment, 12 tonnes of feed and 40 liters of water per horse.

Before departure the horses stayed in a seven-day quarantine and underwent a 60-day health surveillance period. With a passport and a health certificate they were allowed to board and make the journey.

Not only the airport staff at Liege was excited to send our Olympic athletes off, the staff at Haneda airport was equally thrilled to welcome them. A convoy of 15 horse trucks, owned by the Japanse Racing Association, transported the horses to their stables at Baji Koen, giving them a chance to settle into their very own Olympic Athlete Village.

A total of 328 dressage, eventing and showjumping horses will be flown from across the world to Tokyo for the Olympics and Paralympics. At request of the FEI, our photographer Leanjo de Koster was asked to photograph the horses leaving from Liege. Our colleague Yusuke Nakanishi photographed the horses arriving in Japan. And of course: as per usual we can’t withhold you these photos!