Hong Kong riders put in an excellent performance in the first leg of the 2012 FEI World Cup Jumping Chinese League in Beijing yesterday (30 September). Raena Leung beat 35 other elite riders from around the world to be crowned winner of the leg, while her team-mate Patrick Lam, a member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team, also rode well to finish second.
The two-day competition in Beijing, hosted by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), attracted riders from 10 countries and regions including China, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands and USA. In the second round of the contest yesterday, Lam cleared every fence to put himself in the jump-off together with Leung and German rider Jule Lueneburg. Leung’s good form continued with another clear round in the jump-off, earning her the gold medal for the opening leg. Lam earned his second place by collecting just 4 faults in the final jump-off. Another Club-sponsored rider, Kenneth Cheng finished the first leg by collecting 10 faults.
This year's Chinese League will be contested over three legs. The second leg will again be staged at Beijing from 2 to 3 October, but the riders will then move to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, for the final leg on 13/14 October. The top-ranking rider from Mainland China, Hong Kong or Korea in the Chinese League will qualify to enter the 2013 FEI World Cup Jumping finals, one of the richest jumping events in the world, which will be held in next April in Goteborg, Sweden.
As a major supporter of equestrian sports in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club committed HK$50 million to establish the HKJC Equestrian Team and Junior Equestrian Team after the 2008 Olympics. This investment in young talent has abundantly paid off, with Club sponsored riders earning equestrian medals for Hong Kong in major events such as the 2009 National Games, Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Patrick Lam, a member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team rides well to finish second of the first leg of the 2012 FEI World Cup Jumping Chinese League in Beijing.
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Another Club-sponsored rider, Kenneth Cheng, finishes the opening leg by collecting 10 faults.
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Patrick Lam (left), Raena Leung (middle) and Jule Lueneburg (right), bronze medallist from Germany at the presentation ceremony.
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