Extended support for HKJC Equestrian Team pledged as students savour Olympic legacy

7 December 2008

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (7 December) underlined its commitment to promoting Hong Kong as an Equine Capital and the development of equestrian sports and sports in general in Hong Kong by announcing that it would continue its financial support to local riders participating in the coming international competitions - with the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou as the next major challenge.

The announcement was made during an Equine Fun Fest staged by the Club including an unveiling ceremony of the Olympic cauldron used at the Sha Tin equestrian venue.  The cauldron will now be on permanent display in the park.

The Club pledged that in the next four years, it would commit HK$50 million in further funding to sponsor the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team, in order to help the team strengthen its training and preparation with the goals of reaching the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, the World Equestrian Games, or even the 2012 London Olympics. The Club's extended sponsorship of the HKJC Equestrian Team will cover Samantha Lam, Patrick Lam, Kenneth Cheng and Gaelle Tong. (For riders' biographies, please refer to the annex.)  

In addition, the Club will launch a new HKJC Junior Equestrian Team programme that will identify and support talented local riders aged between 12 and 18.  They will be given professional training and the opportunity to participate in equestrian competitions.  The four sponsored senior riders will be involved in the selection process and training.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges observed that the Beijing Olympics had been widely recognised as the best ever, and the Club had contributed to that by spending some HK$1.2 billion on providing top-class facilities and services that won acclaim from BOCOG and many international professionals and riders.  "We are committed to carrying forward the Olympic spirit and legacy and ensuring that equestrian sport will continue to flourish in Hong Kong," he emphasised.

President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Timothy Fok commented that it was very timely that the Club was holding this event during the 30th Anniversary celebrations of Sha Tin Racecourse, a venue that had played a key role in the successful staging of the Olympic equestrian events. The venues and supporting facilities had really set a new standard in the Olympic history and received a lot of international acclaim. "I am very happy to witness the Club's commitment in further building on the Olympic legacy, and supporting the Hong Kong Equestrian Team's participation in competitions," he said.  "I believe it will enable our riders to be more focused on their training and international competitions. I also hope that it will bring them further accomplishments in the 2010 Asian Games."

During the opening ceremony, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges and Mr Fok presented a flag carrying the slogan "Aiming for Asian Games" and equestrian gear to two of the HKJC Equestrian Team members and wished them success in qualifying for the 2010 Asian Games. 

 The Club has long been actively promoting equestrian riding in the city and has funded the establishment of four riding schools. They are located in Lei Yue Mun and Pok Fu Lam on Hong Kong Island, and Tuen Mun and Sheung Shui in the New Territories (the Riding School at Sheung Shui is for Club Members' use only).  The schools are professionally managed by the Club's Racing Operations and Equestrian Department and are the only riding venues in Hong Kong recognised by the British Horse Society.