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The following is issued on behalf of The Equestrian Company:
The Mexican riders taking part in the Olympic Games Equestrian Events in Hong Kong in August will have no undue concerns about the weather.
"The conditions will be the same for all competitors, and it is up to the riders to make the most of them," head of a Mexican Olympic Committee delegation Mr Carlos Padilla Becerra said during a two-day visit to Hong Kong to inspect the venues and facilities for the Equestrian Events.
"We have good expectations that the events in Hong Kong will be a success," said Mr Padilla, who will be Chef de Mission of the Mexican team at the Beijing Games.
"Our riders are looking forward to the competition, and hope to do well."
Mr Padilla's two deputies, Mr Jesus Moreno Ramos and Mr Jorge Camacho, echoed his views.
Mr Moreno noted that Mexico's riders had much experience at home in competing in varying conditions, from cool to warm. They also have a solid record of experience from competing in international events outside Mexico, especially in Latin America and the United States.
Mexico has qualified for the Jumping competition, and will be sending a four-man team, and plans to have its star woman rider, Bernadette Pujols, competing in Dressage. Among the men is Antonio Chedrhui, from Xalapa, capital of Veracruz state, whom Mr Camacho said would find Hong Kongˇ¦s weather conditions quite similar to those of his home city.
"One of our greatest riders, Captain Humberto Mariles, won individual and team gold medals in Jumping at the London Olympics in 1948, and we won a bronze medal in individual jumping in Moscow in 1980, as well as bronze medals in two team events and so we are keen to win more medals," Mr Comacho said.
During their visit last week, delegation members looked over the competition venue in Sha Tin and also the Olympic Village Hotel (Royal Park Hotel), and declared themselves highly impressed with the wide range of up-to-date facilities. They also took note of the "green Olympics" efforts being made at the competition venue, such as the use of recycled material in the surface of the indoor training arena.
Officials and expert staff of the Equestrian Company gave them a detailed briefing on all aspects of the competition, from the specialised arrangements for equine care and event details and scheduling, to accommodation and transport arrangements for team members.
The five-man delegation has been looking over the Olympic venues in Beijing, and returned to the capital to continue their inspection visit.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:38
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