News The first test event to be staged at Deodoro Olympic Park, the second biggest Rio 2016 Games venues cluster, came to an end on Sunday (9 July), with positive reviews all around The Aquece Rio International Horse Trials, which started last Thursday at the Olympic Equestrian Centre, was an eventing competition contested by 11 Brazilian entries, with representatives from 16 national federations and members of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) observing “I have been here many times in the last few years and I have witnessed the great progress that has been made in the last few months,” said Tim Hadaway, the FEI’s games and championships director “I never had doubts that this venue could be a great Olympic arena, and from what I’ve seen during the test event, I am convinced that it will be an excellent venue for the Rio 2016 Games ”Some of the world’s leading equestrian nations were represented, including Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, France, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Japan and the USA “It’s very pleasing to see how the venue has developed since the last times I was here,” said Quentin Simonet, France’s chef de mission for the Rio 2016 Games “It’s clear that there are still improvements to be made, but everything was perfect for the test event and we are excited and optimistic for the Olympic Games Many of the national federations are here to analyse and contribute their input to the organising committee, and I believe this is the main point of the test event ” The competition arena was praised by competitors and international observers (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro) The competitors, too, were pleased by what they saw Gold medallist Marcio Jorge Carvalho, who rode Coronel MCJ, said: “The venue is very good – I liked the stables, the arena is good and the cross country is course is beautiful I’m excited about the Games, but also to see the spectacular legacy that will be left here ”Marcio Appel on Cross Rock took silver with Marcelo Tosi on Glenfly claiming bronze, but this test event – the fifth in a series of 45 that are allowing Games organisers to test operations – was about much more than simply the competitions It was a chance for 102 staff and 486 volunteers from 40 departments of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee to work together and gain crucial experience for the main events next year “I am volunteering for the first time and it’s a fantastic experience,” said 57-year-old Gilson Roberto Melo, who also worked at the triathlon test event “We have to do the best possible job, because the name of Brazil and the name of Rio are at stake We want to deliver great Games and be admired, and you can count on me to do my part ”Check out the following video and photo highlights from the equestrian test event: