Elite equestrians praise Olympic venues (hktdc.com)


	In Hong Kong for the pre-Games trial, elite equestrians agreed the facilities are world-class

	Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang and International Equestrian Federation President Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein watch dressage competition at Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Sha Tin Olympic venue

Hong Kong's ability to stage the most elite of international events was left in no doubt with the unveiling of its Olympics equestrian facilities.

In less than two years since Hong Kong was announced as host city for equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics, Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has worked tirelessly to prepare key venues at three locations.

Launching the newly completed facilities for international competition in a pre-Olympics trial in August, Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the work achieved in such a short time was "proof of the can-do spirit of Hong Kong".

HKJC is providing training and competition facilities for all three events of the equestrian programme: jumping, dressage and three-day eventing. This has involved an US$100 million investment in world-class infrastructure, including a 19,000-seat stadium at Sha Tin racecourse, 13 arenas for dressage and jumping, cross-country facilities at the Hong Kong Golf Club and upgrades to the club's country riding venue, Beas River Country Club at Fanling. After the Olympics, most of this infrastructure will be retrained for community use and enjoyment.

Visitors impressed

During test events last month, the international equestrian community gave Hong Kong's facilities the thumbs up. Frank Ostholt, a member of Germany's world championship winning team in 2006, described the Sha Tin dressage facilities as "perfect". Bruce Davidson Jnr, a member of the US team, was equally happy. "The lighting is perfect and is situated in a good place," he said.

Andrew Griffith, of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the sport's world body, praised the work of the organisers. "We are impressed with the venue arrangements," he said. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge visited the Beas River cross country venue and declared it "very promising". "Everything is progressing well and we will have an absolutely fabulous Games here next year," he told the media.

To ensure the safety and comfort of visiting horses, HKCJ has provided 270 air-conditioned stables at the main competition venue, and built an equine clinic for diagnostic and treatment services. The facilities and services of the club's equine hospital will be available for emergency operations during the Games, including a 44-strong team of veterinarians, nurses, laboratory technicians, administrative staff members and farriers.

The club's internationally accredited racing laboratory at Sha Tin racecourse - one of FEI's four recognised reference laboratories worldwide - will be utilised to test horses and riders for prohibited substances. Its fleet of 10 transportation floats, which together can carry 99 horses at a time, will be made available for the Olympians' needs.

Best-ever standard

In keeping with China's goal to host a green Olympics, HKJC has used environmentally-friendly materials where feasible. Padding made from recycled tyres lines the internal equine walkways, and some jumps were made from recycled telegraph poles. In the stabling complex, the lighting and air-conditioning systems offer energy savings of up to 30 per cent on conventional installations.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said HKJC's aim was to set new, best-ever standards for Olympic competition venues. "I am more than proud of the work we have done."

He added that the new sports facilities would leave a lasting legacy for Hong Kong people to enjoy long after the Olympics are over. "Penfold Park will be turned into an interactive equine park open to the public and as a tourist attraction, while the upgraded facilities at Beas River would provide a much better training environment for our local equestrian athletes."

The 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympics will be held in Beijing next August.