HK delegation to brief workshop on preparations for Olympic equestrian events
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The following is issued on behalf of The Equestrian Company:

    Hong Kong is sending a delegation of experts and officials to a workshop in Lausanne tomorrow (February 17) on "heat and humidity in Hong Kong".

    The workshop in the Swiss city has been organised by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to provide riders, officials and veterinarians with the latest updates on Hong Kong's preparations for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

    It will also promote equine health and welfare by making available to all participants information collected during the Good Luck Beijing-Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Cup competition last August.

    The Chief Executive Officer of The Equestrian Company (EqCo), Mr Lam Woon-kwong, will address the workshop on "Hong Kong is Getting Ready".

    The EqCo¡¦s Veterinary Services Manager, Dr Chris Riggs, will give an overview of facilities and local arrangements, and Quarantine Manager Dr Keith Watkins will deal with horse importation requirements.

    Two internationally renowned experts, the FEI's Veterinary Delegate for the Olympic Games, Professor Leo Jeffcott, and Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State University in the United States, Dr Catherine Kohn, will also be at the workshop.

    Prof Jeffcott will give an address on "Understanding the weather situation in Hong Kong: the results of a two-year study with the Hong Kong Observatory", and Dr Kohn will speak on "Results of Horse Monitoring".

    Other experts will speak on horse transportation logistics and air-conditioned facilities and cooling stations.

    The programme includes a panel discussion and question-and-answer sessions.

Ends/Saturday, February 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:30

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