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The following is issued on behalf of The Equestrian Company:
In response to media enquiries on reports of the withdrawal of Switzerland's dressage team from this year’s Beijing 2008 Equestrian Events to be staged in Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Equestrian Company (EqCo) today (January 10) said the decision is regrettable, but it is one made by an individual team.
“We do not expect this to have any effect on the Games, as the withdrawn team will be replaced by others on the ranking list.
“We are not aware of any other complaints from athletes and national federations about the weather conditions in Hong Kong,” he said.
A total of 200 horses will compete in the 12-day events to be held from August 9 until 21.
It must be emphasised that while the hot and humid conditions prevailing in Hong Kong in August have been well recognised, the welfare of the horses and athletes is of uppermost importance to the event organisers.
Previous Olympic equestrian events have been successfully held in hot and distant (to Europe) locations such as Los Angeles and Atlanta.
A great deal has been learnt over the past couple of decades on how to look after horses in competition in these weather conditions.
In Hong Kong, a huge amount of time and effort has been invested over the past two years to further develop strategies and protocols to minimise the effects of these weather conditions on the horses, under the supervision of Professor Leo Jeffcott, Federation Equestre Internationale’s (FEI) Veterinary Delegate for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events, and Dr Chris Riggs, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Head of Veterinary Clinical Services and the EqCo’s Veterinary Services Manager.
“Transport arrangements, stabling, cooling facilities and veterinary services have all been refined to provide optimal support for the horses.
“In addition, the latest meteorological facilities of the Hong Kong Observatory are being fully utilised in protocols to ensure it has minimal impact on horses,” the spokesman said.
These protocols have been fully tested in two simulated events in 2006 and 2007, and again at last August’s Good Luck Beijing–HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup competition.
Some serious adverse weather conditions were encountered during the competition last summer, but all horses and riders from overseas were found to have coped with the conditions very effectively.
Competition times have been arranged to take advantage of the cooler times of the day, either early in the morning or in the evening after sunset. Training times will also be adjusted according to weather conditions.
In addition to fully air-conditioned stables which will keep the horses cool and comfortable during the rest period, large misting fans and ice boxes will be installed at the venues to ensure maximum cooling effects for horses after competition.
Veterinary Services Manager of EqCo, Dr Riggs, said: “While the effects of the weather can never be guaranteed, we will be relying on some of the most sophisticated forecasting available in the world. We are confident that effective strategies will be in place to minimise the consequences of these prevailing conditions on the health and welfare of horses.”
A full briefing on these and other veterinary matters relating to the Equestrian Events in August will be the subject of a workshop in Lausanne, Switzerland, next month. The workshop, entitled “On to Hong Kong”, will be held by FEI and is open to representatives from all national federations.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:02
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