Entry and accreditation formalities were handled exactly according Olympic Protocol, security procedures were carried out, transportation for riders and officials tested – and a 3 Day Event was organised to which many nations have sent their riders.




Our Chinese host were friendly and helpful, if it was at the hospitality desk at the airport or in the equestrian stadium in the area of the famous Hong Kong Jockey Club. Here a stadium has been built, framed by hills and sky-scrapers.



The Grand Stands of course have not been built yet, but at this event we mainly wanted to test the footing and flood light under competition conditions. Because of the climate conditions next year most of the equestrian competitions take place in the evening under floodlight.

The footing in the stadium was excellent. It stayed firm and had grip in spite of intensive daily rain , no horse slipped, and riders, trainers and officials were satisfied. The strong floodlight caused in the beginning at some places shadows, but after some changes everybody was enthusiastic. Horses jumped as if we had the most beautiful sunshine.



My two neighbours, trainer George Morris (USA) and co-course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) had all reason to be happy, because everybody of us is convinced, that our Olympic Games in Hong Kong will be held under best technical conditions.

The riders’ major interest was the effect heat and humidity had on their horses. Therefore the jumping phase took place in the evening under floodlights. Despite the fact that the sun had set, the temperature remained high (30° C) but humidity had mercifully come down to 75%. Most found that the animal athletes took the very testing weather conditions better than the humans.

In addition to the team veterinarians, an international group of 30 experts had their eyes on them gathering flight recovery and acclimatisation data. Information on weight, water intake, and blood parameters was collected. It will be compiled in a comprehensive report which will be made public as soon as it becomes available.



Of course I have looked already a little bit behind the curtains in the stadium. And this told me that already now somebody is hardworking collecting Decoration for 2008.

In spite of the high temperatures I recommend to every Hong Kong visitor never to leave the house without umbrella. During our test week we had heavy rain every day. Also the cross country got its part. The rain does not cool down the temperature, that was the reason 40 tonnes of ice cubes were used during cross country day.



Since apart from racing equestrian sports have not tradition in Hong Kong. The normal hectic live went on in the streets, without any visible sign of the Olympic Games. This certainly will change during the next months.



For the athletes the count down for 2008 has already started with this Test Event.

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