CHINA: OLYMPICS - Hong Kong passes Olympic equestrian test

Hong Kong passes Olympic equestrian test despite rain and heat. Hong Kong cleared a major hurdle ahead of next year's Olympic Games, hosting a largely trouble-free three day equestrian competition despite summer heat and a tropical storm. While air pollution has been a concern for host city Beijing, jockeys, horses and vets from a handful of countries had a chance to get a feel for Hong Kong's feared heat and humidity, which had been a worry ever since the former British colony was named to host the equestrian events at the 2008 Games. Hong Kong police said 1,000 officers had been deployed for each day of the test event. In March, worries about Olympic security were heightened when a turf checker at Hong Kong's Happy Valley race track discovered an elaborate device embedded in the grass designed to fire poison darts at horses in a plot to influence the outcome of races. After three days of dressage, cross-country and jumping, spectators on Monday (August 13) were pleased about the event. "If Hong Kong can absorb the experience this time and make some improvements, I think it will help for the success of the Olympic Games in 2008," Anita Leung said. Olympic equestrian events were switched from host city Beijing to Hong Kong because of difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone on the mainland, and vets closely monitoring horses health said they were satisfied with the conditions. At the end of the test, Frank Ostholt of Germany took first place riding 'After the Battle', scoring 53.40 points. Compatriot Dirk Schrade won second place on 'Grand Amour' with 54.60 points, while Australian rider Shane Rose came third on 'Statford Novalis' with 66.60 points. "I have attended some more of these test events before Olympic Games and I must say this test event was the best I have ever attended, gives a very good feeling for the next year's Olympic Games," said Martin Plewa, who inspected the event for the International Olympic Committee.

ITN Source | August 14, 2007

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