The riders were greeted at the Hong Kong Olympic Village by Stephen Martin (OCI) and Brian Mangan Horse Sport Ireland. After an initial Olympic team briefing they made their way to the nearby stables to meet up with their horses.
Vet Connor Swail and groom Marion Donegan travelled on board a flight from Amsterdam with the horses, and were impressed by the way the Hong Kong Organising Committee facilitated the transfer from the airport to the competition stables in Shatin.
Swail, based in Kildare said “the horses are in good shape, they have travelled well; the facilities and vetinary support services here are excellent. He also said that the grooms were also in good shape and thanks to the OCI as they have secured excellent accommodation and team kit from sponsors ASICS. They feel very much part of the Olympic Team”
None of the riders have competed in Hong Kong before , Geoff Curren the only Army rider in the team said that the “ information seminars by OCI physiologist Dr Giles Warrington will help the team combat any heat and hydration issues”
“It’s important that we don’t overdo things early on. We need to gradually find our feet ; riders and horses will be following a programme set out by Ginny Elliott, our performance director”
So over the next few days the riders and horses will incrementally increase the intensity of preparation to be ready for Olympic competition on August 9th.