FACILITIES at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Centre have been highly rated by riders and officials as the countdown began to the opening day of equestrian action at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

All of the five event horses – Cooley Rorkes Drift, Euro Prince, Jemilla, Simon Porloe, plus the reserve, Portersize Just A Jiff - and Vancouver K – quickly settled into the brand-new stabling complex built at the former cavalry barracks and passed the first horse inspection on Friday. Strict bio-security measures are in place, with disinfectant mats and hand sterilising units placed at every entrance to the stabling complex where Kate Horgan was amongst the FEI stewards on duty. Other facilities seen on Thursday’s press tour of the complex included a new indoor school and cooling off area complete with misting fans.