Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club as part of its long-standing commitment to para-equestrian training, the 4th Asia-Pacific Conference of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) opened today (28 Nov) at the Club’s Beas River Country Club.
Concurrently with the conference, Asia's first and only qualifying competition for the equestrian events of the London 2012 Paralympics is also being staged at Beas River with the official sanction of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). The CPEDI3* Hong Kong International Para-Equestrian Dressage Competition 2011 will see disabled riders from all over the Asia-Pacific region, including five from Hong Kong, seeking to meet the Paralympics qualifying standard and earn a coveted "admission ticket" for the London Games.
Speaking at this morning's opening ceremony, Club Steward Anthony W K Chow said that through hosting events like this, the Club "hopes to contribute to regional and international expertise in the field of therapeutic riding and para-equestrian sport, by providing a platform for experts and professionals from around the globe to share their knowledge, experience and best practice". The Club, he noted, had been a close partner of RDA since it was established at Beas River in 1975, and had subsequently helped the Association set up purpose-built facilities for disabled rider training at the Club's Pok Fu Lam and Tuen Mun Public Riding Schools.
As well as covering the annual costs of these operations through its Charities Trust, Mr Chow said, the Club supported RDA by providing veterinary and clinical services for its horses, and in some cases even retraining retired racehorses for para-equestrian work. "I'm pleased to be able to tell you that last year, the Trust decided to extend the previous annual subvention by providing a three-year grant that will take our support through to 2013, enabling the RDA to better plan ahead," he told the guests. "In total since 1975, our support has now exceeded HK$35 million."
Delegates from a record 15 Asia-Pacific countries and regions are participating in the two-day conference, which has the theme “A World View on the Benefits of Teaching Riding for Rehabilitation and as a Sport”. The Club's support for the conference and three-day Para-Equestrian Dressage Competition includes providing meeting facilities and the competition venue as well as stabling and stables management, and equine veterinary, clinical and farriery services. Moreover, five riders from Hong Kong and Australia are competing on retired racehorses retrained by the Club.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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Speaking at the opening ceremony of RDAa£į?s 4th Asia-Pacific Conference, Club Steward Anthony W K Chow says that the Club has recently agreed a three-year grant to RDA that will enable it to better plan ahead, and takes the Club's total support since 1975 to over HK$35 million.
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Club Steward Anthony W K Chow (3rd right), Club Steward and Vice President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Michael T H Lee (2nd right) and RDA Chairman K K Yeung (3rd left), Chairman of RDAa£į?s International Liaison Sub Committee Benjamin Wong (2nd left), Vice-Chairman of RDAa£į?s Rehab Sub Committee Thomas Yeung (1st right) and the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities Douglas C T So (1st left) at the opening ceremony.
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Club Steward Anthony W K Chow with one of the Hong Kong riders.
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