Olympics equestrian funding 'too late'

Equestrian Heath Ryan, from the Hunter region of New South Wales, says a $1.5 million Federal Government funding package to help Olympic hopefuls and their horses has come too late for him and other riders.

The funding is aimed at boosting the equestrian team's preparations for Beijing.
Mr Ryan says he needs to be in Germany for a qualifying event in early May, meaning his horse should already be in quarantine.
He says a horse he rides for a private owner is already in quarantine and may compete, but his own horse's chances are slim.
"For me to make those trials my horses have to be in quarantine," he said.
"That's going to be difficult for me to even get into quarantine early enough now, because there's been no chance of funding up until now.
"I'm in real trouble in terms of my Olympic preparation."