Horses on their way to China

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The first of more than 200 horses that will compete during the Beijing Games’ equestrian events deplaned in Hong Kong earlier today. The early arrival is supposed to help the animals get acclimated to the city’s hot and humid weather.

Airplanes carrying the horses are landing at Hong Kong International International Airport. After landing, horses undergo preliminary quarantine testing.

‘All traveled very well and the disembarkation process went very smoothly,” veterinary surgeon Christopher Riggs told Associated Press.
Horses traveled to Hong Kong from Belgium, Denmark, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Germany and the United States.

About 230 horses will land in China before the end of this month.

The Olympic equestrian events will begin Aug. 9. The competitions were moved from Beijing to Hong Kong because of equine diseases and substandard quarantine procedures on the mainland.

The horses are being cared for by The Equestrian Company, a Hong Kong-based company that has recruited more than 1,800 volunteers.

-- Greg Johnson