Club establishes Junior Equestrian Team to train future stars

8 March 2009

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Junior Equestrian Team was officially launched today (8 March), further underlining the Club's commitment to promote and develop equestrian sports in Hong Kong. 

Following Hong Kong's successful staging of the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics last year, the Club has pledged to carry forward the Olympic spirit and legacy and ensure that equestrian sport continues to flourish in the city.

Last December, the Club announced a further donation of HK$50 million over the next four years to assist senior riders of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team with their training and preparation for major international competitions, and also to establish a Junior Equestrian Team. This initiative will help nurture riders of different ages with the aim of raising the standard of the sport and ensuring its sustainability in Hong Kong.

The new HKJC Junior Equestrian Team ultimately will comprise about 10 talented local riders aged between 12 and 18. These young riders will be given systematic training to extend their potential - each will be given professional training for two years, including the opportunity to receive summer training in Europe and participate in overseas competitions.

The first five selected members announced today are all female. They are Jacqueline Lai, Jasmine Lai, Taylor Yeung, Elysia Roach and Kendall Kruger. (Please refer to attachments for biographies of the team members).  All have gone through a stringent selection process by a panel comprising the Club's Equestrian Affairs Manager and senior instructors at local riding schools, taking into account their past performances, talent and enthusiasm for the sport.

The four senior members of the HKJC Equestrian Team - Samantha Lam, Patrick Lam, Kenneth Cheng and Gaelle Tong - will serve as their mentors, actively sharing their riding skills and competition experience.  For Samantha, Patrick and Kenneth, that includes the invaluable experience of having participated in the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club actively promotes equestrian riding and has funded the establishment of four riding schools located in LeiYue Mun Park and Pokfulam on Hong Kong Island, and Tuen Mun and Sheung Shui in the New Territories (the riding school in Sheung Shui is for Jockey Club Members' use only). The schools are professionally managed by the Racing Operations and Equestrian Department of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and are the only riding venues in Hong Kong recognised by the British Horse Society.