The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team brought pride to the city after team members Kenneth Cheng and Raena Leung clinched a silver and a bronze medal, respectively, in the individual jumping competition yesterday (8 Dec) at the FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2019. In addition to two silver medals in eventing and a gold medal in team jumping, the Hong Kong team members have won medals in all the competitions they participated in.  
 
The jumping individual competition commenced on Wednesday, 4 December, with 31 riders from 12 nations competing. HKJC Equestrian Team member Kenneth Cheng partnering Tyson AZ and Raena Leung partnering Orphee du Granit rode superbly and entered the final in third and fourth place, respectively, after jumping clear in all previous rounds. Carrying forward their earlier scores, they then rode two rounds over the 1.5m course. With continued brilliance, they rode faultless clear rounds whilst others faltered. Cheng clinched the silver with 2.68 penalties while Leung won the bronze medal with 4.39 penalties. The gold went to Taizo Sugitani of Japan on 2.01 penalties.
 
“I am honoured to win a silver medal at the first FEI Asian Championships here in Pattaya and would like to express my gratitude to the professional support team from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, including coaches, veterinarians, farriers, physiotherapists and other members. Their support has enabled me and my horse reach our full potential in this competition,” said an excited Cheng who has attained great results in various major equestrian competitions over the years, including a team jumping bronze medal at the Jinan National Games in 2009 and a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2010. He also secured second and third place at the 2017 and 2018 editions of the FEI World Cup Jumping China League, respectively.
 
Leung was thrilled with her achievement, “This is my first individual medal, and all riders on the podium performed well without knocking a pole down. My horse deserves the medal as well for an amazing performance.” Leung developed her riding skills at the Club’s Beas River Equestrian Centre since she was a little girl. She finished overall first in the 2012 FEI World Cup Jumping China League, and was also the first Hong Kong rider to qualify for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2014.
 
Team Manager as well as Club Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs, Amanda Bond said, “To come away from here with five medals is really a dream come true. I am so proud of our riders and horses, as well as the fantastic support team. Thanks to the Jockey Club for making this happen.”
 
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.