Hong Kong Riding High as Cheng Wins World Cup Qualifier

6 November 2007

Olympic hopeful Kenneth Cheng came out on top in the final World Cup show jumping qualifier at Beas River on Sunday, 4 November and the Hong Kong rider had the pleasure of seeing the HKSAR flag acknowledge his HK$10,000 victory on home turf.

The 19-year-old, who made his championship debut at last year's Asian Games in Qatar, went head-to-head with fellow Hong Konger Jennifer Chang in the jump-off to decide the winner.

Cheng and the ex-racehorse Kin Fortune picked up four faults against the clock in 44.34 seconds, but when Chang and Luxor 91 also faulted, Cheng took the honours with the faster time.

The winner is currently training in Europe and is looking for a horse talented enough to earn him qualification for next year's Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong.

Special guests at the prize giving ceremony included Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr John C C Chan, The Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Office of The Equestrian Company, Mr Lam Woon Kwong and Dr Simon Ip, President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation and honorary President of Hong Kong International Horse Show.