The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team members Kenneth Cheng, Jacqueline Lai, Patrick Lam and Raena Leung bagged a gold medal in team jumping today (6 December) at the FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2019. This is the third medal for Hong Kong, after the squad clinched two silver medals in eventing yesterday. It is also a historic moment, as it is Hong Kong’s first team jumping gold medal. 

The team jumping competition commenced this Wednesday, 4 December. Competing against five other teams, four members of the HKJC Equestrian Team rode superbly, earning first place after the second day of the competition with only 18.55 penalties. The team entered today’s final day of the competition with an impeccable performance following clear rounds by Patrick Lam, Raena Leung and Kenneth Cheng. Taking the top three riders’ results, the HKJC Equestrian Team claimed the gold medal today with 18.55 penalties, the same score as they entered today’s final. The silver and bronze medals went to the Philippines and Kuwait, with 45.15 and 45.36 penalties, respectively.

The team was ecstatic about their achievement. “It is indeed an honour to win a gold medal at the inaugural FEI Asian Championships. On behalf of the squad, a big thank you to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for making this possible,” said an excited Lam who had also won silver medals in both individual and team eventing yesterday.

Cheng, Lai and Lam were thrilled to win another team jumping medal in Asia since the Asian Games 2010. “We would like to express our gratitude for all the professional support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, including coaches, veterinarians, farriers and physiotherapists who have helped us and the horses compete in the best shape,” an elated Cheng said, who had clear rounds over two days. Also achieving a clear round was first-time team jumping medallist Leung, who was very excited to share the special moment with her teammates.

Hong Kong is fielding a squad of seven riders who are contesting in two equestrian disciplines, eventing and jumping, at the inaugural FEI Asian Championships. The squad is supported by a strong team of professionals under the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan led by Team Manager Amanda Bond, who is also the Club’s Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs. The group comprises performance managers, coaches, grooms, veterinarians, farriers and physiotherapists for both riders and horses.

The first edition of the FEI Asian Championships is being held from 1-8 December 2019 at the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club in Pattaya, Thailand. It is the second largest equestrian event in Asia following the Asian Games with riders and horses from 13 nations participating. As with the Asian Games, this is one of only two Asian events that boast the staging of all three Olympic disciplines, namely dressage, jumping and eventing.

From its roots as a horse racing and riding club established in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has played a major role in the city’s equestrian sports development over the years. Its public riding schools, which opened in the 1970s, now attract some 80,000 local visitors of all ages each year to learn riding skills and horse care. Equestrian sports gained in popularity following the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, held in Hong Kong with the Club’s support. The HKJC Equestrian Team and a junior team were established by the Club in the same year with the aim of developing the potential of Hong Kong’s most talented riders. Several of its members have since won medals in international competitions.

The Club also launched the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan (HKEPP) in 2016. This merit-based programme is designed to nurture Hong Kong’s high-performing riders as they strive for equestrian excellence on the world stage. In 2019, it was expanded to include the HKJC Equestrian Youth Development Programme in collaboration with Hong Kong Equestrian Federation and HKSI for the development of equestrian talent from the age of 10. HKEPP currently supports a total of 43 riders in all three Olympic disciplines and para-equestrian.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2018/19, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$23.3 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.3 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity and community donations were HK$4.3 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.