A packed crowd at AsiaWorld-Expo enjoyed a thrilling day of equestrian competition at the closing session of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong today (17 February), which began on the best possible note when local contender Vincent Capol won the new HKJC Asian Junior Grand Prix, beating four of the most promising young riders from Hong Kong and the region. The day then concluded in breathtaking style as 26 of the sport’s top international riders and horses took on the highest and toughest fences in the prestigious Longines Grand Prix, battling for total prize money of US$400,000.

This was the seventh edition of the Hong Kong event, established in 2013 with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as Founding Partner.  One of the world’s most prestigious five-star equestrian competitions, the Longines Masters is considered the Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping, contested over three legs in Paris, Hong Kong and New York.  This year, the Club sponsored three new regional contests – the HKJC Asian Challenge, HKJC Asian Junior Challenge and HKJC Asian Junior Grand Prix – setting new milestones in the promotion of equestrian development in the region and giving some of Asia’s most promising riders the chance to experience top-level international competition.

“This is probably my biggest and best win to date, taking on some of the best junior riders from Asia in front of such a large crowd,” said Capol, a member of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad (JETS). “A big thank you to the HKJC for making it all possible.”  Another JETS member, Edgar Fung, was second-runner up.  “Despite an unsatisfactory performance yesterday, I decided to stay calm and successfully boosted the confidence of both myself and the horse, eventually achieving this good result," Fung said delightedly. “Heartfelt thanks to the Jockey Club for granting me the chances to participate in these large-scale international competitions, gaining valuable experience.”

The day’s big winner was Ireland’s Denis Lynch, who rode majestically to take the Longines Grand Prix. He received his trophy from HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who earlier in the afternoon took the opportunity to meet and chat with the Hong Kong riders participating in the Masters: Capol, Fung and their senior HKJC Equestrian Team members Jacqueline Lai, Raena Leung and Jacqueline Siu.

Meanwhile the HKJC Asian Junior Challenge, contested yesterday (16 February), was won by Muhammad Akbar Kurniawan of Indonesia.

Also on today’s programme was a dressage performance by Jacqueline Siu, who once again teamed up with her Club-sponsored horse Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour to reprise the routine that won them a gold medal at the Asian Games in Indonesia last August, Hong Kong’s first ever equestrian gold medal in the Asian Games.  “It was wonderful to have the chance to demonstrate our close partnership in front of a home crowd for the first time,” said Jacqueline.  “Although dressage is not a well-known type of equestrian sport to most Hong Kong people, they really loved it.  It’s been an amazing week all round.”

As part of its role as Founding Partner of the Masters, the Club provided horse transportation, veterinary services, course design and site management services for the various events.  It also sponsored local students and less privileged residents to attend the event, as a means of promoting equestrian sport in the local community.

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 HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad 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 in 2016. This merit-based programme is designed to nurture the city’s high-performing riders as they strive for equestrian excellence on the world stage.

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 charity 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 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 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.