HORSE DEALS COVERAGE 2008 Beijing Olympics, Hong Kong

Cross-country fence , Courtyard House. looking down on to the first of the 29 cross-country fences during which there are 39 jumping efforts. The distance of the course is 4560 metres. it is run at 570MPM with a Time Allowed of 8 minutes.

The second water complex, the Big Leap to Success Water, poses many problems for the rider. However, for the rider who takes up the course designers challenge and goes the direct way, the rewards are great in terms of time and energy. It is easy to see one of the problems here, and that is finding your way to jump the very narrow fish in the middle of the lake. Note too, more of David Evans' artwork.

This beautiful duck is negotiated as the ridier comes out ot the water at the Big Leap to Success Water.

Number 15, Over the Ditch, looks very jumpable.

No prize for guessing the name of this fence. The Great Wall abc at fence 16.

18 abc, Stone Forest will have quite and influence on the outcome of cross-country day. The quick route is difficult and big. The use of undulating terrain, angles and narrow fences all combine in the test here. Also by this stage in the course some horses will be feeling the heat, especially those late in the draw.

18 abc, Stone Forest will have quite and influence on the outcome of cross-country day. The quick route is difficult and big. The use of undulating terrain, angles and narrow fences all combine in the test here. Also by this stage in the course some horses will be feeling the heat, especially those late in the draw.

18 abc, Stone Forest will have quite and influence on the outcome of cross-country day. The quick route is difficult and big. The use of undulating terrain, angles and narrow fences all combine in the test here. Also by this stage in the course some horses will be feeling the heat, especially those late in the draw.

Another view of number 18, Stone Forest. This shows the quick route. Straight through, keeping to the right. Notice the apartment buildings in the background.

Number 19 The Lotus Pond provides a cooling off opportunity, as the riders jump the beautiful fence and carry on through the pond splash.

Number 19 The Lotus Pond provides a cooling off opportunity, as the riders jump the beautiful fence and carry on through the pond splash.

All around the course designed by Englishman, Mike Etherington-Smith, the beautiful work of fence builder, David Evans is apparent. Fence 2 celebrated the famous Giant Pandas and should pose no problems for the riders.

Situated at 21, Crouching Dragons is situated at the farthest part of the course. Although more beautiful than difficult, it has been suggested that this fence might claim a high profile runout. It is quite a small world really, as the last time we saw the fence judge, Li Wei, he was riding at Bega World Cup Show. Li Wei trained in Australia with George Sanna.

It does look a bit like Mark Todd is checking the sheep! However, If you think Mark is a little under dressed for the course walk, you would be mistaken. He is if fact dressed entirely appropriately. Those of us silly enough to be wearing shoes and long pants, became saturated in a very short time. In the 24 hours up 'till this photo was taken, Beas River had received 12 inches of rain. This box fence is jumped downhill and is followed fiveish strides away by another similar fence.

This photograph indicated the straight run throung the 5-6abc, first water comples. According to Etherington-Smith, "this is the first real problem on course".

This is a close up view of the beautiful fences the riders will encounter en route to Olympic glory. This is entry level for the Five Coloured Lake complex.

This photograph shows the two options to enter the 5abc complex. the riders come past the photographer and into the lake for further decisions.

Course designer, Mike Etheringtin-Smith poses with one of David Evans' wonderful works of art, cross-country fence. Etherington-Smith designed the course for the Sydney Olympics and is soon to find out if he has set an appropiate test for Beijing. There has been an enormous amount of work done to produce this course, not the east being on the footing, which has been set to withstand any amount of rain. "The sandy base of the footing actually needs rain for it to be at it's best", declared Etherington-Smith.

Situated at 21, Crouching Dragons is situated at the farthest part of the course. Although more beautiful than difficult, it has been suggested that this fence might claim a high profile runout. It is quite a small world really, as the last time we saw the fence judge, Li Wei, he was riding at Bega World Cup Show. Li Wei trained in Australia with George Sanna.

9abc, the Yu Garden, demonstrates the decisions that have to be made on course. The riders come over the big brush fence and head down hill to one of the bullfinch arrowheads, but which one. The rider will have to be well in control and guide the horse to the arrowhead desired, before the horse becomes confused as to which fence he is jumping and makes up his own mind. As with all the options the long route is time consuming, tiring and fairly complicated.