Plans to extend Marsa Sports Complex

Marsa racecourse was a hive of activity yesterday as the first Malta Equestrian Festival, bringing together all facets of horse-related sports, got underway.

The event, organised by the Malta Council for Sport, was held in collaboration with the Marsa Racing Club, the Malta Equestrian Federation and the Malta Polo Club.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Clyde Puli, said the festival was intended to bind equestrian aficionados together so they could enjoy every aspect of horses in one place.

He said plans were in the works for the Marsa Sports Complex to be extended with horse lovers in mind. It would be expanded to include facilities catering for equestrian sports.

There were six equestrian sports on display at the festival: galloping, trotting, pony racing, dressage, show jumping and polo.

Activities at the Marsa racecourse included everything from children's activities all the way through to professional competitions.

Pippo Psaila, who coordinated the event, said: "There are two types of athletes involved in equestrian sports. The first is the horse and the second is the jockey. This is the first time that the whole range of equestrian sports practised in Malta have come together for an event like this."