Horses will receive best possible care in Hong Kong

20 February 2008

Unanimous agreement that everything possible is being done to protect the welfare of horses competing at the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong was the verdict following a one-day workshop at the IOC Museum in Lausanne on 17 February. 

''Great facilities, research and resources assure us that the horses competing at the equestrian Olympic Games in Hong Kong will be more than well cared for'', said IOC Medical Director Dr Patrick Schamasch. He even joked that the horses would be better cared for than the humans, after hearing papers on veterinary research, weather conditions and the Olympic equestrian facilities in Hong Kong presented at the International Equestrian Federation's On To Hong Kong Pre-Olympic Workshop on Heat and Humidity in Switzerland.

The one-day workshop was attended by team veterinarians and team officials from 25 National Federations, who came to the IOC Museum in Lausanne to hear presentations from some of the world's leading experts on competing with horses in hot and humid conditions.

The workshop had been organized by the FEI to reassure vets and team officials that horse welfare would be paramount during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events in Hong Kong. The workshop also showcased the facilities provided by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, with particular focus on the measures put in place to ensure the horses' welfare in the hot and humid weather conditions that can be expected during August in Hong Kong.

Scientific data that had been collated during last year's Good Luck Beijing - HKSAR 10^th Anniversary Cup test event, as well as the results of a three-year study on the weather conditions conducted by leading academic Professor Leo Jeffcott and the Hong Kong Observatory was all shared with the delegates.

Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Clinical Veterinary Services, provided detailed information on the Club's venues at Sha Tin and Beas River, with especial emphasis on cooling techniques, air-conditioning and facilities designed to assist the horses' acclimatisation to the Hong Kong weather. Quarantine Manager and FEI Veterinary Commission Associate Member Dr Keith Watkins gave an update on importation and quarantine protocols and the Equestrian Company CEO Mr Lam Woon-Kwong gave a presentation on competition preparations and services.

''We have every confidence that it will be another great equestrian Olympics in Hong Kong'', said Professor Jeffcott, who described the Club's facilities as ''best ever''. Professor Jeffcott stated that the results of his three-year study on weather conditions in Hong Kong were ''really a good news story''. ''We are confident that we can deal with these conditions'', he said.

Veterinary expert Dr Catherine Kohn was in no doubt that the horses would cope with the climactic conditions. ''The 2008 Olympic equestrian events have every opportunity to be successful and safe for equine athletes'', she said during her presentation on data collected during last year's test event.

''I don't think there has ever been better preparation for an Olympics'', Australia's Andrew Hoy, three-time Olympic team gold medalist in eventing, declared.

''Everything that can be done is being done to ensure we run a safe and successful Games'', workshop chairman Andrew Higgins, chairman of the FEI Welfare Sub-Committee said.

 FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein stated that Olympic honours in Hong Kong would go ''to the horse and rider partnerships who have done their homework best''.

After the morning's presentations, the team veterinarians and managers had a closed session with the panel of speakers before a full question and answer session. Reassurance was the object of the Lausanne workshop and the goal was certainly achieved. A straw poll conducted at the end of the day revealed 100% satisfaction that everything had been done to protect the welfare of the horses that will be competing in Hong Kong this summer.