Dalton — Carl Bouckaert, one of the founders and owners of the nation’s third largest carpet mill, Beaulieu Group, will be competing in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Mr. Bouckaert, 58 and a native of Belgium, was selected as one of five members of the Belgian Equestrian Three Day Eventing Team. In Eventing, horse and rider must compete in a grueling test of dressage (precision riding), cross country timed jumping, and stadium show jumping over three successive days.
Mr. Bouckaert qualified in the U.S. before leaving for Europe and three months of intense training, culminating with his selection for the team. Previously, he had competed at the Olympic level for Belgium in the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
“This is certainly exciting for our company, the Dalton area and the State of Georgia to have Carl as a competitor in this year’s Olympics,” observed Ralph Boe, CEO of Beaulieu.
The London Games open July 27 with Equestrian competition beginning July 28. Equestrian events will be held in Greenwich Park, London’s oldest Royal Park. For more information, go to www.london2012.com/equestrian/eventing/