Dane Rawlins, the founder of dressage at Hickstead, has told Horse & Hound magazine today that she believes the cross-country phase of the three-day event in 2012 should be moved to the 400-acre Lee Valley Country Park at Leyton on the edge of London.

 

 

 

Greenwich Park comprises 183 acres and to put an Olympic course there would involve ripping up then reinstating tarmacked paths and banning local residents from using it, says Rawlins.

 

 

 

He told Horse & Horse: "We run the risk of spending £16 million on a two-week horse show which leaves absolutely nothing behind it."

 

 

 

But a spokesman for the British Equestrian Federation said they were completely happy with the Greenwich venue.

 

The site has long been the focus of criticism within the horse world but London 2012 has repeatedly said that it is committed to the site.

 

But Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "We chose Greenwich Park as an Olympic and Paralympic venue because it is an iconic venue, visually stunning, and will bring equestrian sport to the city,"

 

Equestrian is one of several London 2012 venues that is currently under the spotlight.

 

Earlier this week insidethegames revealed that the venue for the mountain bike will have to be moved on the orders of the UCI, the world governing body, because it is not hilly enough while a campaign has been launched to have the shooting moved from Greenwich because the sport fears there will be no legacy after the Games.

 

The full article can be read at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/177185.html.