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Sportsmen of two disciplines meet at Happy Valley to prepare for unique skills test at LONGINES Masters this Friday

02/08/2017

Spectators at this Friday’s opening night of the LONGINES Masters of Hong Kong 2017, sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club as Founding Partner, will not only be able to see some of the world’s top show jumping stars in action, but also witness a unique relay race pairing up four of the city’s favourite jockeys with equestrian riders.

This evening (8 February) the four equestrian riders visited Happy Valley Racecourse to enjoy Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing and meet their partner jockeys.  As well as having the opportunity to exchange ideas on winning tactics and strategies, they visited the jockeys’ weigh-in room to learn more about racing protocols, and the Beer Garden to join racegoers and experience the famous Happy Wednesday atmosphere.

The LONGINES Masters of Hong Kong 2017, one of the world’s most prestigious five-star equestrian events, takes place at Asia World Expo from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 February, with more than 25 of the world’s top-ranked equestrian riders in competition for prizes in excess of HK$7.7 million.  The three-day programme will also include an array of supporting demonstrations and activities for audiences of all ages.  In line with its long-standing support for the development of equestrian sports in Hong Kong, the Club has been a committed partner of the Masters since its inauguration in 2013.

The HKJC Race of the Riders, now in its third year, brings together the sporting disciplines of horse racing and show jumping, which demand different types of riding skill but both require high levels of athleticism and strong partnerships between rider and horse.  The four pairings involved in Friday evening’s event are Team Magic (Roger-Yves Bost of France and Joao Moreira), Team Blaze (current world No. 1 Daniel Deusser of Germany and Neil Callan), Team Flames (Simon Delestre of France and Derek Leung) and Team Hong Kong (Jacqueline Lai and Vincent Ho).

The Club has organised a series of online games to promote the LONGINES Masters and help local residents learn more about equestrian sport, while an online voting campaign saw Team Magic emerge as the fans’ favourite.

As a further means of nurturing local interest in equestrian sport, the Club is inviting 1,600 local students and less-privileged members of the community to attend Friday’s events free of charge.  In addition, Hong Kong’s riding stars of the future from the Club-sponsored HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad (JETS) will contest demonstration events on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong's largest single tax payer and one of the world's largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.

Leading equestrians taking part in the HKJC Race of the Riders paid a visit to Happy Valley Racecourse tonight (8 February) to meet their partner jockeys. The four equestrian riders a£á¡§ Daniel Deusser (2nd left), Simon Delestre (4th left), Roger Yves-Bost (2nd right) and Jacqueline Lai (4th right) a£á¡§ are pictured with their partner jockeys Neil Callan (1st left), Derek Leung (3rd left), Joao Moreira (3rd right) and Vincent Ho (5th right). Joining them are Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (6th left), Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (5th left), Club Executive Director of Racing Authority Andrew Harding (1st right) and  Founder and CEO of event organiser EEM Christophe Ameeuw (6th right).
Leading equestrians taking part in the HKJC Race of the Riders paid a visit to Happy Valley Racecourse tonight (8 February) to meet their partner jockeys. The four equestrian riders a£á¡§ Daniel Deusser (2nd left), Simon Delestre (4th left), Roger Yves-Bost (2nd right) and Jacqueline Lai (4th right) a£á¡§ are pictured with their partner jockeys Neil Callan (1st left), Derek Leung (3rd left), Joao Moreira (3rd right) and Vincent Ho (5th right). Joining them are Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (6th left), Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (5th left), Club Executive Director of Racing Authority Andrew Harding (1st right) and Founder and CEO of event organiser EEM Christophe Ameeuw (6th right).

Jockey Neil Callan (3rd right) takes the equestrian riders on a tour of the Cluba£á?s racing facilities.
Jockey Neil Callan (3rd right) takes the equestrian riders on a tour of the Cluba£á?s racing facilities.

The four equestrian riders visit the Beer Garden to join racegoers and experience the famous Happy Wednesday atmosphere.
The four equestrian riders visit the Beer Garden to join racegoers and experience the famous Happy Wednesday atmosphere.

Team Magic, bringing together Hong Kong Champion Jockey Joao Moreira (left) and French rider Roger Yves-Bost, gained most public support in a recent online voting game a£á?Vote for Your Favourite Teama£á?.
Team Magic, bringing together Hong Kong Champion Jockey Joao Moreira (left) and French rider Roger Yves-Bost, gained most public support in a recent online voting game a£á?Vote for Your Favourite Teama£á?.

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