January 12, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 02,1429

HONG KONG, Jan 11: Horses taking part in equestrian events at the Beijing 2008 Olympics will have air-conditioned stables, fans and ice boxes to keep them cool in Hong Kong’s humid, sub-tropical weather, the Games officials said.

Olympic equestrian events have been switched from host city Beijing to Hong Kong because of difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone on the mainland.

However, the Swiss Equestrian Federation said this week it was pulling its Olympics dressage team out of the event due to heat and humidity concerns that could harm the horses.

Rejecting the concerns, Hong Kong equestrian officials said they would use air-conditioned stables and ice boxes to keep the animals cool while shifting competition times to early in the morning or evening.

“Competition times have been arranged to take advantage of the cooler times of the day, either early in the morning or in the evening after sunset. Training times will also be adjusted according to weather conditions,” the Equestrian Company said on Thursday.

“Transport arrangements, stabling, cooling facilities and veterinary services have all been refined to provide optimal support for the horses,” it added.

The Swiss decision to withdraw came after their top dressage rider, world No. 4 Silvia Ikle, pulled out due to concerns “difficulties linked to transport and specific climatic conditions” in Hong Kong could harm her horse.

The IOC said the Swiss Federation’s decision to withdraw was triggered by Ikle’s pull-out.

“The decision by Swiss athlete Silvia Ikle not to take part in the Olympic equestrian competitions this summer is a personal decision,” IOC media officer Emmanuelle Moreau said. “Her decision led the Swiss Equestrian Federation to announce that it will not send a dressage team to the Games.”

The Swiss Equestrian Federation has not made clear whether riders in other equestrian events such as show-jumping and eventing would be travelling to Hong Kong.—Reuters