Riding high: Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau (third left) and guests officiate at the Horses Across Hong Kong launch ceremony.

Eighteen life-sized horse statutes will be featured in Hong Kong's 18 districts to promote equestrian sports and the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Initiated by the Jockey Club in collaboration with various district parties and government departments the Horses Across Hong Kong programme will promote the Olympic spirit while featuring each district's uniqueness and artistic creativity.

The statues, designed by 18 local artists from the Visual Arts Society integrating the district's uniqueness, artistic creativity and the Olympic spirit, will be displayed at prominent sites like Victoria Park, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and near Sai Kung market.

Launching the programme at Sha Tin Racecourse today Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau said this is a fabulous initiative to get the community engaged in equestrian sports and the Olympic spirit while promoting art appreciation.

She said Hong Kong being an Olympic co-host city has staged a series of activities to boost public understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports and the Olympic spirit in general.

With 160 days to go before the Olympic equestrian events are held, Mrs Yau said the Government together with various bodies and parties will engage Hong Kong people in the Olympic atmosphere through a series of community-wide activities in the coming months. Highlights will include the 100-day countdown celebration activities, the Olympic Torch Relay in May and Olympic Live Sites activities in Hong Kong.