The Invisible Logistics of CSIO Barcelona: How the Horses Travel

Barcelona, October 4, 2025 – Behind the sporting spectacle of CSIO Barcelona lies a silent, precise operation: the international transport of horses. It’s an invisible logistics effort that ensures each horse arrives healthy, well-rested, and ready to perform at the highest level. This is not just about covering distances—it’s a process that combines meticulous organization, veterinary expertise, and constant dedication.

Brigita Unciute, groom to British rider Donald Whitaker, knows this reality firsthand. She explains that a horse’s wellbeing begins during the journey: “If the horses refuse to drink, we add bran mash to the water to make it more appealing.” Hydration is critical, which is why the trip includes stops every four and a half hours.

Feeding during transport also requires precision. It’s not about large meals, but rather offering small portions of mash during longer breaks—just enough to keep the horses energized without overloading their digestive systems. This helps avoid any discomfort that could impact their performance later on the Olympic arena at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.

Rest is another essential pillar of this invisible logistics. “We usually travel at night and combine it with about nine hours of daytime rest,” Unciute notes. During these breaks, the horses walk, drink, rest in their stalls, and even do light exercise—all with one goal in mind: reducing stress and maintaining peak physical condition.

Strategically selected stopovers at trusted stables across Europe and other continents are also part of the plan. Whitaker’s team coordinates every detail to ensure the horses always have access to safe environments tailored to their physiological and psychological needs.

Bureaucracy is another crucial factor. Traveling to the UK or outside Europe requires veterinary permits and detailed documentation, including vaccination records, health certificates, and official transport authorizations. Any mistake can delay the horses’ arrival at CSIO Barcelona—or even prevent them from competing.

Finally, each journey involves specific equipment: from bridles and reins to leg protection—like wraps and bell boots—as well as carefully packed competition gear. “Every detail matters,” Brigita insists, fully aware that preparation begins long before entering the arena.

In short, CSIO Barcelona is not only contested in the ring. It begins on the road, at every stop, and in every decision made along the way. A complex, behind-the-scenes operation that makes horse transport the first major challenge of the competition.