Expert assessment: Hong Kong Jockey Club Project Manager Julian Wright (centre), who is responsible for the site formation for the Equestrian Events for the 2008 Olympics, shows visiting journalists the Hong Kong Sports Institute site next to the Sha Tin Racecourse.

A group of international equestrian journalists have lauded Hong Kong's preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games Equestrian Events.

The journalists - from the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands - were in Hong Kong for a week in early March for a familiarisation visit ahead of the Equestrian Test Events in August.

They met with Government officials, the Equestrian Company, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation and the Riding for the Disabled Association. They also visited the equestrian venues at Penfold Park and the Hong Kong Sports Institute at Sha Tin, and the cross-country course straddling the Beas River Country Club and the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling.

Officials gave them briefings on venue preparations, importation and quarantine procedures, veterinary care and drug testing.

International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists' spokesperson Jennifer Anstey told RTHK Radio 3 the reporters were pleased with the progress.

"Facilities for the horses look top notch with thorough air conditioning, and the site in general looks to be progressing well," she said. "Every aspect seems to be accounted for."

She said none of the journalists had expressed any concerns about the facilities or planning and they were quite excited by what they had seen.

Equestrian Company Chief Executive Officer Lam Woon-kwong told the journalists more than 300 horses were expected to take part in the Olympic events in 2008, and about 40 horses would take part in the trials at Sha Tin and Beas River from August 11 to 14 this year.