The successful Heat and Humidity Workshop recently staged in Lausanne put the challenges facing horses and riders at this summer's Olympic Games in Hong Kong into ever-sharper focus and provided a wealth of information for veterinary officials and others involved in the world of equestrian sport.

The speakers included officials from the Hong Kong Jockey Club which is providing the venue facilities, as well as veterinary expertise and the use of its top-class laboratory, the Equestrian Company which is the principle organizer of the equestrian events, and Peden Bloodstock which is managing the all-important horse transportation program. Experts in the art of cooling, analysis of the veterinary monitoring program undertaken during last summer's test event and the results of a two-year weather study all combined to reinforce the belief that everything possible is being done to protect the health and welfare of both the visiting equine Olympians and the resident horse population for the duration of the Games.

Who’s Who

THE EQUESTRIAN COMPANY – Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company Ltd., Hong Kong, China, is the company entrusted by the Beijing Organizing Committee to plan and host the equestrian events of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Equestrian Company Official – www.equestrian2008.org.

PEDEN BLOODSTOCK – is the official agency for HORSE TRANSPORTATION. Based in Germany, it is headed up by Managing Director Martin Atock who has particular expertise in the organization of large movements of competition horses to major events.
Peden Bloodstock – www.peden-bloodstock.com.

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB – World-famous for its management of horse-racing and gambling, the HKJC has a rich history that began back in 1884, and its race-tracks at Sha Tin and Happy Valley are uniquely located at the heart of the busy and densely-populated Asian city. Its equine hospital includes top-class facilities, and its laboratory is one of just four in the world accredited by the FEI. It has invested over $150 million (USD) in building venues for the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. The HKJC's involvement in the running of the Games also includes the active participation of many of its veterinary experts.
Hong Kong Jockey Club – www.hkjc.com.

Facts and Figures

VENUES: There are two – Sha Tin, next to the Hong Kong Jockey Club race-track and close to the city center, and Beas River which is some 35 minutes away. Sha Tin encompasses special training facilities in Penfold Park. Beas River encompasses the lands of the Hong Kong Golf Club and Beas River Country Club, and this is where the cross-country phase of the eventing discipline will take place.

FREIGHT INSURANCE: NOCs are advised that they should procure/maintain appropriate insurance in relation to the carriage of their horses as the Equestrian Company will not provide insurance of any kind.

FEED, HAY, BEDDING: Will be provided by Kentucky Equine Research or can be privately organized.

ACCREDITATION CENTERS: There will be four in total – one each at Hong Kong International Airport, the Olympic Village Hotel, the Olympic Family Hotel and at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue at Sha Tin.

TEAM ACCREDITATION FORMULA: Maximum 20 athletes, one groom for each rider and two horse owners per horse.

TEAM OFFICIALS ACCREDITATION: Allocated on ratio of 1 athlete to 0.55 officials to include chef d'equipe, coach, veterinarian, doctor and farrier. Additional team official accreditation will be considered and decided by the IOC but will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

ACCOMMODATION:
Four venues – the Hong Kong Olympic Village, Hong Kong Olympic Family Hotel, Hong Kong Media Hotel and Hong Kong Grooms Village.

Hong Kong Olympic Village will be located at a four-star 16-story hotel located 2.5 km from the main competition venue