03/06/08 Olympic horse events

The Olympic Horse Events Transporting human athletes to the Olympics games in China this August is one thing but making sure the equestrian athletes, as in horses, arrive in top shape is another deal all together. I'm Jeff Keane stay tuned after the break and you'll gain a whole new appreciation for the planning that goes into Olympic Equestrian events. The Olympic Committee is already taking numerous measures to protect the equine athletes that will be traveling great distances to compete. According to the International Olympic Committee Medical Director the "Horses will be better cared for than the human athletes at the equestrian Olympic games in Hong Kong this Summer." Here is Susan with more insight In fact the horse shipping agency is the same group they used for used for Sidney and they feel the long air flight and 14 days in quarantine to China won't be much different than it was shipping horses to Australia. To help offset off Hong Kong's subtropical climate horses will be housed in air conditioned stalls and provided cooling stations during competition. Riders are being warned that they must not over tax their animals and that horses competing should be extremely fit. Competitors were also urged to follow the biosecurity measures to the letter. Wow, and and I thought heading to another state to rodeo was tough. When it comes to making it to the Olympics guess fame and glory far outweigh any risks. I'm Jeff Keane.