Anger is mounting over 2012 test event

Members of NOGOE (No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events) started assembling outside the park’s Queen Mary’s Gate an hour before the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational was due to start.

They are planning peaceful protests twice daily on all three days of the 40-rider event, which ends tomorrow.

NOGOE says the 578-year-old park is not a suitable venue for the 2012 Olympic equestrian events.

Part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site, the park is home to many historic buildings, including the Royal Observatory, Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum.

“We are worried about potential damage to the park,” said NOGOE member Sue McNeil.

“We are not anti-equestrian, not anti-Olympics even, but anti the use of this park. It now looks like a showground, not a World Heritage Site.

“If they (LOCOG) continue with this silly idea of trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot, we will be there until every blade of grass is lovingly restored in 2013 and beyond. We are very concerned residents.”

British eventing star William Fox-Pitt believes Greenwich Park has the “wow” factor as a London 2012 venue.

Fox-Pitt launched the British challenge with a solid dressage score of 46.7 penalties on Gaucho. And the Dorset-based rider, a multiple Olympic, world and European medallist, is enthused by the whole Greenwich experience.

“It is a brilliant experience for the horses and gives us a taste of what it might be like next year,” he said.

“It has an Olympic feel already, and this is just the test event.”