The first batch of more than 200 horses taking part in next month’s Olympic equestrian events arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday (July 26) to begin their acclimatization to the city’s tropical heat, organizers said.

Upon their arrival, the horses were immediately transported to the stables at the equestrian venues after undergoing
preliminary quarantine tests at the Hong Kong International Airport.

“All traveled very well and the disembarkation process went very smoothly,” veterinary surgeon Christopher Riggs told reporters after inspecting the arriving horses. “They are remarkably well.”

The first 32 horses arriving Saturday came from Belgium, Denmark, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, and the United States. A total of 229 horses is expected to arrive by the end of this month for the events