Passing on Olympism in Hong Kong: Club's Equestrian Team members coach rising stars

9 January 2009

Two members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team, Patrick Lam and Kenneth Cheng, had their first meeting with young riders who have interests to be the Club's Junior Equestrian Team members at Beas River Country Club Riding School yesterday (9 January).  Gatherings such as these between young and more experienced riders will play an important role in the future training and selection process of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Team.

The Club has committed 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 top international competitions.  The Club's extended sponsorship of the HKJC Equestrian Team covers Samantha Lam, Patrick Lam and Kenneth Cheng - all members of the Hong Kong's ground-breaking Olympic equestrian team last August - as well as Gaelle Tong, who now is training and competing in Europe.  Besides trying to achieve good results at international level, these four senior riders will be actively supporting the training of the HKJC junior team. 

Patrick Lam, who produced an outstanding performance in last summer's Olympics, said after the session that he had greatly enjoyed working with the teenage riders.  ''I shared with them my experiences at the Olympics and at shows in Europe,'' he said.  ''The HKJC Junior Equestrian Team can have a significant effect in promoting the long-term development of equestrian sport in Hong Kong.  I am very happy that the Club has given its commitment to this important task.''

Lam's senior team colleague Kenneth Cheng agreed that the Club's sponsorship set the development of equestrian sports in Hong Kong in a more balanced and healthy direction.  ''Our talented young riders have now been given a good opportunity to have some formal and effective training through the Club's sponsorship,'' he said.  ''They will become core members of the equestrian team in future and this will ensure that the standard of equestrian sport in Hong Kong can continue to grow.  ''I feel proud to be a mentor of the junior team, something that will push me to greater progress, too.  All these teenagers inspire me and give me momentum to strive for the best possible results for Hong Kong in international competitions.''

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Junior Team will co-opt around ten talented local riders from ages between 12 and 18.  They will be given professional training for 2 years and the opportunity to participate in local equestrian competitionsand overseas trainings.  The four sponsored senior riders will be supporting the training.  After training, the junior riders may have a chance to join overseas competitions as senior team members' assistants to learn from the international shows.

By launching the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team and Junior Equestrian Team, the Club aims to train riders from different age groups and continually enhance the standards of equestrian sport in Hong Kong with each new generation.  The Hong Kong Jockey Club Junior Equestrian Team members will be selected by a panel comprising the Club's Equestrian Affairs Manager and instructors at major local riding schools.  Selection criteria will include past results, the talent of the young riders and their commitment to the sport.

Local interest in equestrian sport has grown rapidly since the Olympics, as demonstrated by the fact that Hong Kong's pioneering Olympic equestrian trio are among 16 teams nominated for the Team Event category of this year's Hong Kong Sports Stars Award, and currently rank second in the public voting.  Votes for the team can be cast online at http://sportstar2008.hkolympic.org until 18 January.  It is hoped that the public's strong support will inspire the team to new achievements as they strive to qualify for the 2010 Asian Games and even the London 2012 Olympics.