Olympic Show jumps the Story - How 300 poles were painted for Greenwich Park Show Jumping London Olympics 2012

At the end of February 2012, after taking on the responsibility of running the British Show jumping Jump Store, from the beginning of the year, My Brother also dropped the bomb shell that we also had the task of making and finishing many of the Olympic show jumps.

All he had as reference was a folder with a picture and sketch of each fence that was to be produced. We only ever got a quick glance at that, as all the fences were top secret.

There were 240 poles to paint and finish, this became later over 300.

Who do we get to accomplish this job? after thinking about it for a day, I could only think of one person that would fit the bill and suggested to my brother that Lyn with her background in art and design, would be the perfect candidate? Ask her my brother said, and after a meeting at the yard, she got the job.

Now for a week or so we had pondered the idea of making a pole-painting machine. That would help speed up the painting process. This machine would simply turn the poles slowly to help with masking and painting.

 I came up with one idea my brother came up with another. And when I arrived at the yard one morning he had started to make his version.

 He had used a second hand elevator electric motor and gearbox that we had knocking about. He had been to an old electrician mate of ours, and he had come up with a speed adjustment for the motor. Plates with spindles were made up and screwed to the ends of the poles, one end was square so this slotted into a socket to turn the poles.

 I made up a rack that fitted in front of the pole so that Lyn could mark out where the rings on the poles were to be masked.

 After first priming and sanding the poles, they would then have a white finished coat applied before masking for the colours to be painted. This usually took about two days, for each set of poles. If the poles were to have fades from one colour to another I would spray them, with Lyn’s guidance to what she wanted to achieve. They were then placed on racks for one week, before I lacquered them with 2K clear coat as used in the motor trade. After another few days on the racks, they were then placed into polythene sleeves and labelled with the appropriate fence name and number. Then they were stacked onto specially made pallets to await delivery to Greenwich Park.  (To be continued)  the all ready famous Penfold  Pillar-boxes and the (now famous) Tower Bridge.

 Guest post by Charlie Prescott who worked on the Olympic show jumps.

Images: London 2012

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london 2012 Olympic Show Jumping course and fence plans

Olympic Show Jumping Course designed by Bob Ellis

Comments

[Martine]

Great! Delighted to see this post. Now what we are all wondering is, where will these fantastic jumps end up after the Olympics?

[d tompson]

Fascinating post looking forward to more. What are the big lions made from and who designed the fences ?

[Barry]

What is the name/theme of the orange pillars with the ships steering wheels at the Olympic show jumping?
Can't seem to obtain the names of the fences anywhere on the web.
Thank you

[Sam]

I'd like to know the name of the orange pillar jump too _ come on some one must know Sam

[horse care courses]

Sorry Martine haven't managed to find out what is going to happen to the fences yet but will let you know when we do.
Bob Ellis designed the fences "d" and I'm guessing the lions were probably fibreglass but it's just a guess. More posts are to follow so please keep an eye out for them.
Sam & Barry you should be able to find the theme / name of the fence by checking out the pdf 's of the courses the link can be found on this post:
http://www.horsecarecourses.com/horse-sense/2012/08/london-2012-olympics-showjumping-course-and-fence-plans.html

[Claire]

Any news on whats happening with the show jumps after the olympics has finished?? Claire x

[horse care courses]

Martine & Claire, apparently they are going back to British Showjumping just posted about it here http://www.horsecarecourses.com/horse-sense/2012/08/where-are-the-greenwich-parkshow-jumps-going-after-the-london-olympics-2012.html

[Charlie Prescott]

Hi Guy’s.

Firstly an apology.

I am sorry I have a press ban enforced onto me so can’t divulge anything about the Olympic show jumps.

What I can say, is, it is good to know that the old original Equiline Horsebox team from all those years ago can still work together, and come up with the goods on time.

Lyn is a true artist and could paint for the World; well she did in matter of speaking, and what a superb job she made of it.

All I can say is continued success with your bespoke kitchen business Lyn.

Lyn Hawes Designs. www.lynhawes.com it has been a pleasure working with you again.

Regards Charlie.