10月13日，“第15届世界马医大会 中国启动”活动在北京中国大饭店隆重举行。香港赛马会马医院院长、世界马医协会董事Chris Riggs先生出席会议并发言。他在发言中提到，中国在马业的发展潜力不可限量，同时，马匹福利必须在中国马业发展中占第一位，这样中国马业才能立足国际舞台。投资于训练和发展年轻马医是面向未来的体现，需要建立合格的设施，准备必要的资源和充分的人才储备，保障明年的世界马医大会。

香港赛马会马医院院长、世界马医协会董事Chris Riggs在“第15届世界马医大会中国启动”活动中的发言

（中英对照）

Ladies and gentlemen, I have had the pleasure and honor to work as an equine veterinarian in Hong Kong for almost 15 years and to undertake many trips to several different regions of China over this period.

女士们，先生们，我很高兴并十分荣幸在香港做了15年马医，并多次到大陆授课。

I have been lucky enough to visit different universities and equestriane stablishments through out China and to meet many lovely people, including a wide range of committed and enthusiastic veterinarians.

我去过大陆很多大学和马术机构，结识了很多可爱的人，包括许多致力于这个行业的马医。

Over this period I have also witnessed a huge development in China’s equestrian sporting activities and its growth into a formidable presence on the world equestrian stage.

在此期间，我见证了中国马术运动的迅猛发展，他们在国际舞台上已经是不可忽视的力量。

Great sums of money are now spent annually importing top quality bloodstock into China, including Warmbloods from Europe, Polo ponies from South Americaand, Thoroughbreds for Australasia.

现在每年有大笔资金注入到中国进口马匹的支出当中，包括欧洲的纯血马、南美的马球马和大洋洲的纯血马。

Chinese riders rub shoulders with the best in the world and there must be great hopes for wonderful achievements on the world stage for the future.

中国骑手在国际赛场上与一线骑手一较高下，这为将来中国马术在世界范围取得成功奠定了基础。

However, while China has made great strides in equestrian activities the nascent China horse industry has not made similar progress in its ability to care for the horses at the centre of these sports.

但是，一方面是中国骑手的马术成就，另一方面却是这项运动的核心——马，对它们的照顾并没有取得同等规模的进步。

A horse that suffers disease or injury in China has a significantly lower chance of recovering than one in other developed countries in the world.

在大陆，一匹马得病或受伤，它的复原概率小于其他发达国家的马匹。

Despite amazing advances in so many areas of technology in China,veterinary care of the horse has lagged behind and it remains a long way behind what is possible in all of the major centres of equestrian activity.

尽管中国在许多领域取得了科技进步，马医却进步缓慢，要达到世界顶级马术活动的要求还有很长的一段路要走。

I know very well from personal experience that this is not because China lacks talented, dedicated individuals who have the desire to make the necessary improvements.

根据我的个人经验，这个现状并不是由于中国缺少有天赋的、热情的马医。相反，他们都致力于做出个体的技能提升。

Indeed, I have had the great pleasure of getting to know many Chinese vets whose commitment to caring for the horse is admirable and who I am proud to call colleagues.

确实，我有幸认识了很多中国马医，他们对马匹的照顾是无微不至的，值得我们大加赞赏，我也很高兴能与他们一起共事。

Rather, it appears to be due to a lack of appreciation by horse owners and investors in equestrian industries of what the veterinary profession could do for them.

问题出在了马主和投资方对马术产业缺乏了解，认识不到马医的重要性。

This has led to under-investment in the equine side of the veterinary profession, making it extremely difficult for individuals to develop personally or for them to acquire the facilities they require to practice effectively.

对马医行业投入不够使得个体发展极度困难，或者也很难找到合适的场所磨炼技艺。

Lack of specific equine training in the undergraduate veterinary curricula and absence of suitable opportunities to develop practical knowledge and skills makes it that much harder for veterinarians to graduate with the necessary skill-sets to provide the services that are required to make an impact.

缺少具体的马医本科训练，缺少实操机会，这都让马医毕业生在毕业后缺乏必备的马医技能。

There is a negative cycle of the profession failing to provide what the client wants leading to lack of investment in the profession by the client,which perpetuates the situation. 

这就形成了一个恶性循环，马医医术不够高明导致投资减少，这又继续加剧了马医进步缓慢。

This state is exacerbated by a very limited supply of suitable drugs, which makes it impossible for veterinarians to undertake what is routinely accomplished elsewhere.

此外，大陆兽药管制严格，许多药马医都不可能开，而他们在国外的同行开某类药完全是“驾轻就熟”。

The World Equine Veterinary Association Congress next April will provide aunique opportunity for everyone involved in horse industries in China to meet with specialist equine veterinarians from around the world.

明年四月举行的世界马医大会提供了一个独一无二的机会，它让中国马业的从业人员能与全球的马医专家交流。

We have invited speakers who are not only leaders in their various fields but are also committed to sharing their knowledge and past experiences for the good of the horse.

我们已经邀请了行业里各方面的领导者，他们都愿意分享自己的知识和照顾马的经验。

This will be a golden opportunity to develop networks with people who strive to make advances and who are enthusiastic to help.

这是所有人进步和交流的黄金机会。

It will be a chance to hear first-hand what the veterinary profession does to support and enhance equestrian sports and industries elsewhere and discuss how this might be implemented here in China.

诸位有机会亲身学习马医是如何支持和促进马术发展，并讨论如何才能在中国达到同样的效果。

There will be practical teaching for vets to help them expand their knowledge and develop new skills and in depth seminars on topics which are critical to positive, sustainable development of equine industries where the care of the horse remains the central theme.

通过研讨会，马医可以在此学习知识、发展技能，这对马业的正向、可持续的发展都极为重要。

In addition to being a board member of the World Equine Veterinary Association I am an employee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where I have worked as Head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Services for almost 15 years.

除了作为世界马医大会委员会成员，我也受雇于香港赛马会，在兽医主管的位子做了近15年。

The HKJC is a remarkable organization that strives for and achieves many great things.

香港赛马会的工作让人钦佩，它一直致力于不断提高。

Indeed, it has risen to be a world leader (many would say, “The leader”) in Thoroughbred horse racing. A fundamental reason for the Club’s success is its commitment to integrity and to caring for the horse.

而香港赛马会已经成长为纯血赛马行业的领导者，也有人说是最重要的领导者。这其中的一个重要原因是香港赛马会十分重视比赛公平和马匹福利。

The Club has developed a highly motivated and qualified veterinary team and constantly invests in technology that allows that team to practice equine medicine  as effectively as possible.

香港赛马会发展出高效专业的兽医团队，并在技术方面大力投资，这让兽医团队能有效的磨炼技能。

In addition, the Club has clearly defined rules and regulations that are designed to protect the welfare of the horse which are stringently enforced.

此外，香港赛马会有明确的规则，规定了如何确保马匹福利的保障条款能够得到有效实施。

These principles help form the foundations that ensure that our sportremains top quality and retains the confidence of our customers.

这些规则组成了我们运动的基础，确保它处于顶级水平，让我们的客户有信心。

I am lucky to serve under a CEO, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, who is committed to horse welfare.

我很幸运能与这样一位重视马匹福利的CEO应家柏先生一起共事。

Like the rest of us, he is well aware that there is always room for improvement and he sees the value in investing in measures that pave the way for positive evolution of our sport.

和我们所有人一样，应家柏先生知道这方面总有提升的空间，他也看到了投资马匹福利对赛马这项运动的积极作用。

I am delighted to announce that Winfried will be speaking at our Congress,heading up an in-depth seminar on Thoroughbred racing, which will cover a wide range of topics, all of which have the horse and its welfare at their centre.

我十分高兴的宣布应家柏先生将会在我们的大会上发言，在纯血赛马方面的深度研讨会上做重要发言，其中马匹福利是其重要组成部分。

As Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation Winfried sees the importance andvalue of sharing the knowledge and skills that the Club has built through years of investment, in the hope of accelerating positive development in equestrian sports through out Asia and in China in particular. 

应家柏先生同时也是亚洲赛马联盟的主席，他明白分享香港赛马会多年积累的知识和技能的重要性和价值，他也希望此举能加速亚洲、特别是中国大陆的马术运动的发展。

You may be aware of the exciting project that the HKJC is undertaking at Conghua, Guangzhou.

诸位可能知道香港赛马会在广州市从化地区有一个激动人心的项目。

We are nearing completion of construction of what will be one of the biggest, dedicated racehorse training facilities in the world.

从化项目即将竣工，它将成为世界上最大的马匹训练中心之一。

The centre, which will open in July next year, will set the benchmark globally for best standards of care and management of the Thoroughbred racehorse.

从化中心将于明年七月竣工，这也会成为纯血马福利和管理的全球典范。

We are optimistic that it will flourish, there by providing healthy employment for a large number of people and enriching the lives of many.

我们对它的发展和对促进马产业就业十分乐观。

In line with the training facilities, we have built an equine hospital that will be state-of-the art when fully equipped.

与训练设施配套的是马医院的建立，同样是世界一流。

When we open next year I am delighted that we will have one graduate of the Veterinary School from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University in our team at Conghua.

明年从化中心完工时，内蒙古农业大学兽医院的一位毕业生会成为我们团队的一员。

Dr Shan Ran undertook an 18 month HKJC Scholarship at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London after which he successfully sat and passed the examination to achieve membership of the professional body that oversees our profession in the UK.

单然取得香港赛马会赞助的18个月的奖学金，赴英国皇家兽医学院学习，他顺利通过考试，并成为一名香港赛马会的马医。

The additional training that he undertook in this process has allowed Ran to develop knowledge and skills that are more suited for our stringent requirements at the HKJC.

他接受的额外训练让单然博士通过了香港赛马会严格的兽医资格测试。

I am excited that our Hospital at Conghua will offer a facility where we can undertake further training of colleagues in China and inspire other investors to support young vets in a similar fashion.

我激动地看到从化马医院即将落成，这也为中国的马医的继续教育提供了机会，并鼓舞投资方继续对年轻的中国马医进行投入。

I sincerely hope that in a few years the entire team in our hospital at Conghua will be comprised of Mainland vets, who will provide a service secondto none.

我真诚地希望几年后，从化马医院的兽医团队都是由大陆的马医组成，而且医术高明。

It is evident to us all that China has the potential to achieve great things in the modern horse world. It has already made great leaps in that direction and looks set to continue.

中国在马业的发展潜力不可限量，中国在这方面已经取得巨大进步，并还将继续提高。

However, the China horse industry can only achieve its full potential when it has also developed the infrastructure to adequately care for the animal which is at the centre of this sector: the horse itself.

但是，中国马业全面发展的前提是完成马匹福利的基础建设，因为这关乎产业核心——马匹本身。

Horse welfare must come first and foremost if equestrian sports in China are to flourish and take a central place on the world stage.

马匹福利必须在中国马术运动发展中占第一位，这样中国马术才能立足国际舞台。

Investments must be made in the training and on going development of young veterinarians for the future. Suitable facilities must be built and access to the necessary resources, including medicines, established.

投资于训练和发展年轻马医也是面向未来的体现，还要建立合格的设施，准备必要的资源，如兽药。

Developing these fields will provide long-lasting benefits and will generate rewards that are meaningful to society and China’s image globally as well as greater financial return to the equestrian industry in general.

这些领域的发展会有长期作用，对中国马业的全球形象也大有裨益，这会吸引更多对马术产业的资金投入。

China has the people to achieve what is required and I sincerely hope that the WEVA congress next year will be one catalyst that helps this acceleratethis process forwards.

中国有充分的人才储备，我们也希望明年的世界马医大会能够为这项事业的加速剂。