Regardless of pursuit, success on the international stage is the pinnacle and the performance this week of Hong Kong’s equestrian team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou has been exceptional with tremendous results in dressage events.
Jacqueline Siu’s effort to win a silver medal for Hong Kong, China in individual dressage – two days after the bronze medal in team dressage – is an incredible achievement and underlines the importance of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s long-standing support of the city’s equestrian development.
Competing against 31 other riders, Jacqueline combined with ‘Jockey Club Huittarian’ to complete the most improbable success in claiming the silver medal. ‘Jockey Club Huittarian’ was bought by the Club in 2021 to prepare for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou but was unfortunately injured and could not train.
Our team had planned to take another horse to Hangzhou but, at the last minute, ‘Jockey Club Huittarian’ stepped in as a reserve and, with Jacqueline’s expert handling, experience and talent, performed brilliantly to win a silver medal.
Jacqueline and ‘Jockey Club Huittarian’s’ achievement certainly bodes well for the future and we also had Annie Ho’s effort to finish 13th overall in individual dressage on her Asian Games debut in the discipline.
Annie is an eventing rider, who started competing in international dressage only a few months ago. With the Club’s support, Annie was able to realise her dream of helping Hong Kong create a team for dressage and before yesterday she had ridden only once at international level in individual dressage qualifying.
Along with Jacqueline and Annie, our bronze medal-winning dressage team also featured Samantha Chan, whose dedication – and that of her parents – is exceptional. Samantha travelled between university in the United Stated to equestrian training in Germany to prepare for the Asian Games, such was the strength of her aspiration.
Under the direction of the Club’s Head Of Equestrian Affairs Amanda Bond, Samantha has managed to progress through the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan Youth Squad just over a year ago to now successfully compete at international level.
For her to win a medal in her first senior championship is outstanding.
The Club is extremely proud not just of the team’s achievements but also of the remarkable support team which is very much at the heart of the Asian Games success. This team is provided by the Club and ensures our athletes – human and equine – are in the best possible condition to compete at the highest level.
This week’s results have secured equestrian’s continued status as a Hong Kong Sports Institute Tier A sport and reflects the merit of the Club’s commitment to ensuring equestrian is recognised as a leading sport for Hong Kong on the international stage.
With the arrival in Hangzhou overnight from Germany of our show jumping team, we can look forward to the start of the eventing competition this weekend, when Annie Ho will be in action along Patrick Lam, Su Yuxuan and Daniella Lin.
I wish all of our athletes the very best for the remainder of the equestrian competition at the Asian Games.
Comment
