Ben Maher, Olympic gold medalist at the 2012 Games in London (England), continues to build his string of both young and experienced grand prix mounts.

Cian O’Connor picked up an individual medal for Ireland at the 2012 London Olympic Games, earning bronze with Blue Loyd 12. And four years later, O’Connor believes he may have an even more talented Olympic prospect in the 10-year-old Belgium Warmblood stallion Good Luck (Canturo—Famosa, Furioso II), but the road to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has proved to be much tougher.

There's been a delay in the planning of the equestrian sports for the 2016 Olympics Games, set to take place next year at the Deodoro Olympic Park, outside the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. About 200 horses will be invited to compete in the Games, but as of right now, they won’t be allowed into the country.

The test event for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games is underway at the Deodoro Olympic Park, where the equestrian events of the Games will be held.

While this week’s test event—a CIC** with 13 riders—is limited to Brazilian horses, a total of 200 equestrian athletes will join 10,300 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which run from Aug. 5-21 next year with 19 days of world-class sport in eventing, dressage and show jumping.