Spectators again found it hard to follow the dressage competition, held yesterday, prompting Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong President Timothy Fok to admit there's room for improvement in promoting equestrianism in the city.

After spectators again left the event early, as they had done on Saturday and Sunday, Fok said that promoting the sport hasn't been easy. When the city applied to host the competitions, there was skepticism about whether the sport was popular enough in Hong Kong to draw interest, not to mention concerns about the region's hot and humid weather.

But the obstacles have, for the most part, been overcome, with sell-out crowds ... even if they don't stick around all day.

"I believe everyone has admired the competitions over the past few days," said former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hua, who attended the event yesterday.

(HK Edition 08/14/2008 page1)