From our special correspondent in Paris – The world’s top equestrians seemed to have cantered in from another century as they rode through the pleasure gardens of the Palace of Versailles on Monday, ending a three-day competition combining dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. Bavarian rider Michael Jung won gold in the individual eventing, with France trailing in second place behind Great Britain in the team competition.
During the French Revolution, it could take an armed mob six hours of determined marching to get within pike’s reach of the royal household at Versailles. Now, through the miracle of modern transport infrastructure, tourists can make the trip to the converted palace and pleasure gardens in about an hour.
