Horses competing in the Good Luck Beijing-HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup and the Olympic Games next year will be provided with the best possible facilities and measures to reduce the effects of the summer heat, according to two experts responsible for venue construction and veterinary services for the 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Head of Racing Operations John Ridley said in a press briefing today (2 August) that those overseas horses that had already arrived in Hong Kong had settled well in the environment and their Team members were pleased with the facilities. “Right from the start when we developed the construction plan, a key consideration was providing the very best equine accommodation, training and competition facilities for the horses,” said Ridley.
“To provide a more comfortable environment, the Club has provided an air-conditioned indoor training arena. This is the first-ever indoor Olympic equestrian training facility to be equipped with air conditioning. Cooling stations have also been installed in all training and competition venues, to enable the horses to cool down quickly after vigorous activity. In addition, all the new stables have both air conditioning to enhance ventilation and electric fans to give a breezing effect,” Ridley explained.