Austrade media release
15 July 2010
A contingent of 38 Australian thoroughbred showjumping horses will join young athletes from around the world, competing in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore next month (14-26 August).
Glen Haven Park horse stud in Queensland, Australia, owned and run by celebrated showjumper, Paula Hamood, was awarded the contract to procure and train the horses for the Youth Olympic Games.
It’s the first time an overseas company has been awarded such a contract. Australian thoroughbreds were chosen for the Youth Olympic Games because they were lighter and more suited to Singapore’s tropical climate.
After an assessment of horses across Australia, the final group of 38 thoroughbreds was chosen. The horses were sent to the Glen Haven Park stud and put through a 10-month training regime to prepare for the Youth Olympic Games.
This Thursday – 15 July 2010 – the thoroughbreds will be loaded onto a Singapore Airlines flight in Brisbane, bound for their new home – and debut at the Youth Olympic Games. They will become permanent residents of Singapore – and travel with their very own Australian equine passports.
On arrival in Singapore, the horses will spend time in quarantine before moving to the brand-new Singapore Turf Club equestrian facility, constructed especially for the Youth Olympic Games.
Austrade’s Singapore-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Kirsten Sayers said, “Austrade assisted in identifying horse trainers and coordinated meetings with Trade Queensland and our local Austrade Brisbane office, ahead of the tender being awarded to Glen Haven Park.”
A significant number of ancillary and support staff from Australia will accompany the horses during their stay in Singapore. They include equestrian specialist Jeremy Edwards, an Australian appointed by the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee as Deputy Head, Sport and Venues.
In addition, a group of Australian experts in the equine field have contributed to showjump course design, track building and veterinary services. There are also several grooms, trainers and riders coming to Singapore with the horses.
Two Australian companies are involved in the supply of feeds and supplement. They are Ridley Agriproducts and Kentucky Equine Research.
Showjumping competitors will compete on horses provided to them by the organising committee. This helps keep the playing field even, while reducing expenses for the competitors. Equestrian events will take place over four days. A draw will decide horse and rider pairs, which will remain for the duration. There will be individual and team events.
The Youth Olympic Games will take place in Singapore from 14-26 August, 2010. The equestrian competition will run on 18, 20, 22 and 24 August, at the Singapore Turf Club.
In addition to the showjumping horses, a Queensland company, Rebound Ace Sports, was awarded the contract for replacement of tennis surfaces at the Kallang tennis centre.
Ms Sayers said, “Australia has a longstanding and deep relationship with Singapore. Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN and our fourth largest trading partner overall. Singapore’s investment in Australia is also substantial. At A$43 billion, Singapore ranked fifth overall in 2008.
“Australia’s active participation and support to the Singapore Youth Olympic Games is further testament to the spirit of collaboration and sportsmanship that Singapore and Australia share,” Ms Sayers said.
Available for interviews:
- Kirsten Sayers, Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner, Singapore, or
- Elodie Journet, Austrade Trade Commissioner, Singapore
- Paula Hamood, Head Trainer and Director, Glen Haven Park (available Friday 16th July only)
- Jeremy Edwards, Deputy Head, Sport and Venues, Singapore Youth Olympic Games
ENDS
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