The cross country phase of the Good Luck Beijing – HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup, serving as test event for the 2008 Olympic Games, has been successfully completed.

The testing course was 4347m long with 24 fences and 34 jumping efforts over a curvy course. Spreading over the rolling countryside of the Beas River country club – one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Asia, the Cross Country – was beautifully built by International Course Designer Michael Etherington-Smith, who will also be in charge of Olympic Cross Country next year.

The only rider to make the 7min55 of time allowed was Germany’s Frank Ostholt on After the Battle (7min51). Staying on his Dressage score of 53.40, he takes the lead. Commenting on the rain from tropical storm Pabuk, Ostholt noted that the rain was not a problem to the competitors. “The rain doesn’t matter, the weather was no problem; it’s no different to Germany.”

He is followed by fellow countryman Dirk Schrade on Grand Amour (53.60) in runner up position and Shane Rose (AUS) on Stratford Novalis (57.60), third.

The cross country phase proved quite a challenge given the temperature reaching almost 33°C combined with 84% humidity. It allowed for testing every side of the competition’s organization. The atmosphere was steamy but the going was firm and held particularly well despite the ten days of virtually uninterrupted heavy rain.

IOC President Jacques Rogge and members of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2008 Olympic Games attended today’s competition. “Hong Kong is on course to stage an absolutely fabulous Olympic equestrian event next year,” President Rogge declared. “I am very happy with the preparations. I have spoken with the riders and they are very happy,” he continued. The IOC President and the members of the Coordination Commission toured the facilities in company of FEI President and IOC Member HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

It was a successful day, which surpassed everyone’s expectations.

For full results and additional information on the test event, please visit the official website www.equestrian2007.org.

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