OLYMPICS/ flash
All saddled up and ready
By Tan Yingzi (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-24 10:29
It seemed to many that the horses handled the unpredictable weather conditions better than humans. However, the horses got some special treatment and were allowed to cool down after every major workout. For example, 40 tons of ice cubes were used on the Cross Country.
Hong Kong Jockey Club, which invested HK$800 million (US$100 million) to build the venues, built the first air-conditionig indoor training ground in the world.
Frank Ostholt, the winner of the test event and a member of Germany's 2006 winning World Championship team, said the event was good preparation for the riders as well as the organizers.
"Our team came to gain insights for next year but winning makes this trip extra sweet," said the 31-year-old manager of Germany's Equestrian Olympic center.
"The horses next year should be very fit and I think it is important for the riders to be very well prepared," Ostholt said.
In addition to team veterinarians, an international group of 30 experts had their eyes fixed on the horses, all the time collecting data. Information on weight, water intake, and blood parameters were collected and will be released in a report. Another important question was whether the ground could drain the heavy rainwater fast enough to keep the earth dry for jumping.
The drainage at the main venue in Sha Tin and at the cross-country course in Beas River impressed officials and received a unanimous seal of approval from foreign contingents.
"The feedback from the riders, team leaders and FEI technical delegates are very positive," deputy CEO of the Equestrian Company, Miranda Chiu, said.
According to Li Tak Nang, media and communications manager of Hong Kong Jockey Club, the two venues were designed to shed 110 mm per hour, which is enough to handle a heavy August rainfall.
"From our tests in the past few months, the venue can stand the rainfall of 130mm per hour at most," he told the China Daily. "Rainfall brought by typhoons in August usually only last for several hours, so the venue should have no problem with the water."
Despite all the praises for the preparatory work, sources from the equestrian governing body, FEI, said some improvements are still needed in the areas of communications and security.
Equestrian Company CEO Lam Woon-kwong said they plan to plug any loopholes pertaining to security. He also said they will work to improve transportation and spectator and media services.
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