A CLEAN JUMP: Kristina Cook of Great Britain and her horse leap over a fence at the Sha Tin Olympic venue in Hong Kong on August 12. Cook won two bronze medals that day in the jumping phase of the team and individual eventing competitions

While the new and highly impressive Olympic venues in Beijing have received the lion's share of media attention, the two main equestrian venues in Hong Kong are worthy of the spotlight in their own right.

The venues at Sha Tin and Beas River are two of most technologically advanced equestrian facilities in the world. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the organizer of the Olympic equestrian events, spent more than HK$1.2 billion ($153.7 million) and about two years on the design, construction, refurbishment and maintenance of its racing facilities at Sha Tin and a cross-country course at the Beas River Country Club, both in the city's New Territories region.

Sha Tin, the main venue, is hosting the dressage competition, during which horses perform controlled movements, and jumping events, while Beas River is hosting the cross-country portion of the eventing competition, from August 9-21. Both venues will be used for the Paralympic equestrian events in September.

A team of architects and engineers converted the main venue from the existing Hong Kong Sports Institute, the city's training ground for top athletes, and from nearby Penfold Park, where additional training tracks, as well as a special sandy area for horses to relax, are located. The institute's refurbished building now houses offices for the Olympic equestrian competition management, a reception area for VIPs, accommodations for horse grooms and the main press center.

No expense spared

A HORSE'S IDYLL: A panoramic view of the Olympic equestrian venue in Hong Kong (By courtsey of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)

The Hong Kong Jockey Club spared no expense in outfitting the venues with the latest technology. The facilities have integrated systems for access, fire alarms, elevators and plumbing, all of which are usually controlled separately, according to