PARIS — In a previous role, James Hood was responsible for ensuring swim teams made it from here to there on time, ready to compete.

“Let me tell you, pack a hockey bag full of swimming suits and goggles and caps, totally easy,” said the former general manager of Swim Alberta.

He’s now the high performance director for Equestrian Canada, charged with getting 12 riders, horses and grooms, three veterinarians, equine physiotherapists and chef d’equipes, a couple of managers and himself to these Olympics.

Equine athletes are a breed apart when it comes to the Olympics. They need special care and feeding.{ai:summary}<p>In the shadows of Paris, James Hood switched from ensuring swim teams hit their marks to orchestrating a complex ballet of horses and riders for Equestrian Canada at the Olympics. It's a far cry from packing swim bags; this time, the stakes are higher and the cast larger.</p><p>Every detail matters when you're wrangling twelve riders, their steeds, vets, and managers into the Olympic fold. The event is a high-wire act, balancing precision and performance. #sports</p>

Here's how to get a horse to the Olympics: First, you need to get it on the plane

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