The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Sports Forum in Lausanne heard that the delivery of the competition has been outsourced to GL Events, which has experience of running major horse shows, as reported by Horse and Hound.

Horses will be stabled by discipline, rather than by nation, and there will be tight turnaround arrival and departure windows.

Organisers are also looking at using nearby venue Jardy as a base for those who have travelled a long way and wish to arrive earlier, or stay a little longer.

Eventing horses will be first to arrive on July 24, followed by dressage horses on July 26.

The event horses will leave on July 29, vacating their stables in time for these to be disinfected ahead of the showjumpers’ arrival the following day.

This means the dressage horses will be, according to Paris 2024 organisers, in a "nice calm area and not bothered by the eventers when they leave."

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibañez highlighted this point in her end-of-day summary.

"In these 11 days of competition, the principle in mind has always been the welfare of the horse," said Ibanez.

"That is why they have the stabling by discipline and not by National Federation, it’s bearing in mind the mental state of our horses as well."

There will be three warm-up areas, each divided into two to make six arenas, and a one-way system will be in operation for competitors walking to the 10-minute box and leaving the competition arena, so there will be no horses crossing over in those final crucial minutes.

Grooms will be staying in a newly built Huttopia eco-hostel, a 700 metres walk or cycle from the stables, and vets in a hotel 2.5 kilometres from the stables.

Organisers confirmed that grooms can stay in their lorries, should they wish, but there will be no electricity or catering in the lorry park.

The main Athletes’ Village is around a 55-minute journey from Versailles.

Grooms’ accommodation is made up of double and triple rooms and chalets, and will be allocated by gender, nation, and discipline.

The restrictions that come with running at Versailles means most of the testing will be done at Fontainebleau from April 22 to 28.

"There are two things to bear in mind," said GL Events equestrian sport President Sylvie Robert.

"The first one is that the International Olympic Committee is really trying to reduce the carbon impact and obviously make these Games wonderful but as cost-effective as possible too.

"As a result of that and also because the equestrian events will be taking place in Versailles, which is of course the most fabulous site in France, but also a site that is very historic with a lot of heritage.

"We have to protect our heritage for future generations, which means you can’t do whatever you want whenever you want in Versailles."

The cross-country test event will run at Versailles on August 22 and 23 this year, when National Federations will be able to see the topography and the footing.

The Paris 2024 course will be 5,300 metres long, with an optimum time of 9mins 18secs, featuring two pontoon crossings and 25 obstacles including three water jumps.

"You’ll also be able to see all the pontoons that will be installed," said sports manager Jean Morel.

"It will not be one of the ones actually used next year, but it’s to give you an idea of what one of the pontoons will be like and horses will be going across it."

The FEI's games operations director Tim Hadaway said "a lot of detailed planning has gone into preparations for next year", adding: "I can vouch for the fact, having also just got back from Fontainebleau, that it is an incredibly useful resource facility for the team to be able to use to prepare.

"Next year will be a much bigger test in that respect and a particularly vital opportunity to bring teams together, whether that be the volunteers, officials and GL’s core team, and forge those relationships and those ways of working that ultimately are one of the most critical factors in the success of delivering these events."