Busy, busy Beas River is picture perfect
The equestrian cross-country course at Beas River saw action in earnest for the first time yesterday and drew the thumbs-up from spectators and competitors alike, on a day that saw heartbreak for China's young medal hope, Alex Hua Tian.
More than 10,000 spectators turned out at the Sheung Shui venue, where they were free to roam and watch the horses and riders negotiate the 29 obstacles laid out on a vast area of hills and grassland transformed from a golf course.
Hong Kong Equestrian Company chief executive Lam Woon-kwong pronounced himself happy with the smooth operations at the venue.
'Everything went according to plan. All spectators behaved very well and it's apparent that they enjoyed themselves tremendously,' he said.
Katharine Mata, a 23-year-old university student from Australia, agreed. 'This is a very beautiful course,' said Ms Mata, a keen rider and equestrian fan who flew to Hong Kong with her mother for the event.
But for Hua, 18, the day ended in tears when his mount, Chico, stumbled after the eighth fence, dumping him on the wet ground and putting him out of the rest of the eventing competition. 'I'm absolutely gutted. I can't believe it has finally ended with a fall at one of the easiest fences on the course,' sobbed Hua, the first mainland Chinese to take part in an Olympic equestrian event.
Spectators enjoyed a hiking-like experience as they moved around to take up strategic positions near obstacles, such as ditches, water, stone walls and benches, kept cool by overcast conditions and light rain.
International Equestrian Federation president Princess Haya bint al Hussein said holding the event in Hong Kong had meant a 'huge step forwards in the research into heat and humidity in the sport'.
Competition manager Chang Wei read out a glowing report from the Beijing games organising committee saying Hong Kong had received high praise for its four-star course, condition of the track and its drainage.
Some riders complained the course was a little on the short side after it was reduced from its potential 7km to 4.56km because of the wet conditions. Britain's Daisy Dick said the obstacles were very close. 'Everything was coming at you at about 1,000 miles an hour.'
