2014 World Equestrian Games

Rolex keeps time in the Press Room. A reminder that journalists come from all over the world to the Alltech FEI WEG in Normandy. But what, no Sydney?

The signs are now going up and eventually starting to make sense. There is a Park and ride system using a shuttle bus, but if you cannot wait, the walk is 15 minutes to the Main Press Centre and the D'Ornano Stadium if you really step it out.

The main spectator entrance to the D'Ornano Stadium, home to the Dressage that begins tomorrow morning, the jumping and the Eventing showjumping phase.The queues went for miles last night for the Opening Ceremony.

The rider's restaurant back of house at the D'Ornano Stadium. It is really only catering for the Dressage riders at the moment, so it is not very busy.

The exercise area for the dressage horses at the D'Ornano Stadium. Each team is allotted a time to exercise.

There is also a covered exercise area if the sun is too hot or it rains. So far the weather has been beautiful, but rain is predicted.

Back of house is rather like a used ,but nice lorry sale lot.

Two riders have an exercise session away from the main exercise area. As you can see there is plenty of space to work the horses, all within the secure confines of the competition.

The lucky ones get a bit of a walk and a pick of green grass.

"Circulation has been a little difficult", as the sign says, but it does become a little easier when one gets one's bearings.

If you can't make it from the D'Ornano Stadium down to the Games Village without food, this Pizza Bus is a popular stopping off place. It is a good 20 minute walk to the Village and many people may just not know it exists if they only come to the main stadium.

Or you might prefer a beautiful crepe that are very popular in Caen.

Test driving a Range Rover always seems a popular activity in the Games Village. It is not as easy as it looks.

Of course there are miles of trade stands in the Games Village.

There is 110,000 sq metres of trade space in the Games Village and already 85,000 tickets have been sold at 5 Euro each. Entry is free with a Games discipline ticket

The Antares stand, complete with a poster of Kermo (Jamie Kermond) on the wall

Today was Sunday but it was a non-competition day and the "Villiage" still had lots of people.

Good walking shoes are essential, as there is so much to see in the Games Village.

An example of some of the Official Merchandise on sale.

"Norman" the official mascot of the FEI Alltech WEG 2014 is very popular.

Saddle pads, what colour?

Equestrian Art for sale.

The popular Republican Guard prepare for a show. There are many demonstrations and exhibitions in the Games Village.

This is really a case of shop 'till you drop.

The Alltech free Music Festival runs for ten nights. Entry to the concerts is free, but it is necessary to book a space as there is room for just 10,000.

However, rest and nourishment is at hand, with plenty of restaurants and food outlets around the Games Village.

This is a ride that unlike a merry go round, goes in a straight line as if racing.

Medical help is a short ride away in the Games Village. The Villiage is has a very nice garden setting.

The Reining starts tomorrow and will be conducted in the Parc Des Expositions within the Games Village.

The Vaulting will be conducted in the Zenith Arena, also located within the Games Village.

With Games tickets, all transport is free. It is also necessary to get comfortably from one venues to another. They are close, but not really close enough to walk. At this stage the buses are not so frequent.

However, sometimes it just seems easier to leg it rather than wait for the bus. Getting to the Para and Driving venue is not so easy as the bus stops here and there is still a long walk to the venue.

The marathon Driving course is set up at the Hippodrome Racecourse in the centre of Caen.

The Para Dressage is also conducted at the Hippodrome and this pictured was taken of the corner of the practice area looking back to the stables for the Para and the Marathon horses. From the main stadium to this venue is about a 40 minute walk via the "Villiage". The Evennting dressage and cross country is at another venue about 1 1/2 hour bus ride away.

Some Para Dressage riders were doing their arena familiarization in preparation for competition start tomorrow.

As you can probably tell from all the orange, it was the Netherlands' time for main arena familiarization. The Grand Prix starts at 8am tomorrow morning and runs for two full days,with 103 competitors from 31 countries taking part.