The Sydney Three-Day Olympic horses made an overnight stop in an isolation barn at Considine Farm in Lexington, Ky., before their flight to Sydney July 31. The team was under quarantine for a month in Georgia before traveling through Lexington to board a Federal Express chartered flight in Louisville, Ky. The 12 horses shared transportation with two members of the Australian Three-Day team and several Thoroughbred stallions which were on their way to serve breeding seasons in the Southern Hemisphere.

All horses appeared relaxed, healthy, and agreeable in their morning walks around the barn area. Pictured above are Prince Panache (Karen O’Connor) and Custom Made (David O’Connor), with their groom Nicole Beauchene. Below, left to right, are Special Attention (Bruce Davidson Jr.), and 3 Magic Beans (Nina Fout).

Mark S. Revenaugh, DVM, served as acting veterinarian for the team in their travel to Sydney and until his partner, Brendan Furlong MVB, MRCVS, arrived closer to the competition date. According to Revenaugh, bloodwork the night before the flight indicated that the horses were in top health. All horses were hydrated the morning via tubing or intravenously. He explained that everything had been done to make sure the horses were safe, and under as little stress as possible.

“I’m watching the horses like a hawk. As of this morning, all are okay,” he assured. “But no matter how you slice it, it’s a really long trip,” said Revenaugh