The equine athletes competing in the 2008 Olympic Games will be housed in special quarters during their stay in Hong Kong, said John Ridley, head of racing operations of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

While the majority of the 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, Hong Kong will host the equestrian events.

“At the Sha Tin venue, a main stabling complex comprising four stable blocks and an equine clinic will provide a safe and most comfortable environment for the horses,” said Ridley, who was in charge of building the venues and facilities. “The use of environmentally-friendly materials and systems will also set new and best-ever standards for Olympic equestrian competitions.”

An exceptionally high roof inside the air-conditioned stables allows for better ventilation, and electric fans have also been installed to help circulate the air.

In the process of building the new facilities, environmentally friendly materials have been used where feasible. For instance, rubber “crumbs” recycled from old tires were used for the internal equine walkways, and some cross-country jumps have been made from recycled telegraph poles. The lighting and air-conditioning systems installed inside in the stabling complex offer energy savings of up to 30% on conventional installations. The horse stalls themselves are manufactured from recycled bamboo.

To provide the most convenient and timely diagnostic and primary treatment services to the horses, a new equine clinic was built adjacent to the stabling complex. This clinic contains two examination rooms, a dedicated dispensary, ten observation stables, and the latest diagnostic equipment has also been provided.

During the Games period, the Club’s equine ambulances will be ready to transport horses from the Sha Tin venue to the Equine Hospital at Sha Tin Racecourse within five minutes.

“Upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, the overseas horses will be looked after by the professionals all the way,” said Ridley. It will take about 30 minutes to transport the horses to the Olympic stables in the Club’s air-conditioned vans. The route is smooth and direct.

“We at the Club are pleased that our horse welfare arrangements have been very well received by the international equestrian community,” Ridley added