In-town equestrian demonstration adds fever to New Year celebration

31 December 2006

Over 4,000 people enjoyed a rare equestrian demonstration in Sha Tin Park today (31 December) while celebrating the coming of 2007.  They were excited to see Nelson Yip, a disabled rider who has already qualified for the 2008 Paralympic Games, demonstrate dressage with his horse Icy Bet.  Dressage is one of the three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

The demonstration, rarely seen outside riding schools, was one of today's highlights at the Equestrian Fun Park, a free three-day carnival being organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.  The event, which continues until tomorrow (1 January), is aimed at bringing equestrian sports closer to the community and helping local residents learn more about the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in the festive atmosphere of the New Year celebrations.  As well as from demonstrating dressage, Nelson talked to the public about his riding career and his feelings at being able to participate in the 2008 Paralympics.

Information on the Olympic equestrian events is provided in an exhibition called "Discovering the Equestrian World" which also features models of two key Olympic venues in Beijing, the National Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre.  Alongside them are scale models of two of the equestrian venues in Hong Kong.  In addition, visitors can meet the five "FuWa" - 2008 Olympic Mascots Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Nini - and have their photos taken with them.

Another special highlight of today's events was the pony corner which attracted a long queue of people, eager to stroke the Club's two lovely Shetland ponies and have their pictures taken with them.  The Club's Equestrian Mascot also added fun to the occasion by greeting visitors.  Small giveaway items were distributed from time to time bringing further festive surprises.

Visitors to "Discovering the Equestrian World" can learn more about the habits of horses, their body structure, what they eat, and equipment for rearing and training horses.  They can even try to create a new look for a model horse in the interactive horse grooming corner.  A full set of equestrian gear is on display.

The "Equestrian Fun Park" is one of the major programmes of the "New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival 2006" being organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.  It is the first three-way joint initiative to promote the Olympic equestrian events between the Club, the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Co Ltd, and the Riding For the Disabled Association.