Milestone for Jockey Club-supported equestrian riders clinching Hong Kong, China’s first-ever team dressage medal at the Asian Games

26/09/2023 19:11

The equestrian team supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club has earned pride for the city at the Hangzhou Asian Games by claiming a bronze medal in the team dressage competition today (26 September) in Hangzhou. The victory marks another milestone for Hong Kong, China as the city’s first-ever medal in team dressage at the Asian Games.

“We are proud and delighted to witness Hong Kong, China’s first-ever team dressage medal at the Asian Games. On behalf of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong, China equestrian team. Their accomplishment is recognition not only of our riders but also of the Club’s professional support team, which has worked extremely hard behind the scenes,” said Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China. “The team’s success is testimony to the Club-supported Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, which has built a pipeline of equestrian talent through its youth and children’s squads,” he added.

Team Hong Kong, China competed against eight other teams in today’s competition at the Tonglu Equestrian Centre and clinched the bronze medal with a total score of 204.852.

HKJC Equestrian Team members Jacqueline Siu and Annie Ho were overjoyed with their remarkable victory. It was even more memorable for Club-supported rider Samantha Chan, who was competing in the Asian Games for the first time.

“We are thrilled with our result today and so proud to be representing Hong Kong, China. The support from the Jockey Club and the Equestrian Federation have been fundamental to our performance,” said Siu, an individual dressage gold medallist at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games, who rode on Jockey Club Huittharien in today’s contest.

The achievement is extra-special for Ho, who previously won a bronze medal in eventing at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. “I am proud to win an Asian Games medal in another discipline. Thank you to the Equestrian Federation for its support and the Jockey Club support team who worked closely with us,” Ho said. 

First–time Asian Games medallist Chan expressed her gratitude to the professional support team. “It is our honour to receive continued support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Federation, which has offered so many opportunities over the years for riders to seek constant improvement and stand out from the competition.

Hong Kong, China is fielding an equestrian team of nine riders (11 rider-horse combinations) at this year’s Asian Games and contesting both individual and team competitions in all three equestrian disciplines – dressage, show jumping and eventing – for the first time. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Equestrian Performance Manager, Corinne Bracken, is the team’s Chef d’Equipe. A specialist support team comprising coaches, veterinarians, farriers, physiotherapists and other professional support staff under the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan has been sent by the Club to assist the athletes and horses.

Leveraging its unique strengths and extensive experience, the Club is providing technical support for the equestrian events of Hangzhou Asian Games in six functional areas, namely biosecurity, horse transportation, stable management, veterinary and farrier services, venue operations and international stakeholder engagement.

Additionally, the Club has extended its sponsorship for the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (“JCAIAS”), which provides cash incentives to recognise athletes who earn distinction for Hong Kong, China by winning medals in top-level competitions. Sealing victory in the Asian Games, the Hong Kong, China dressage team is eligible to receive HK$500,000 under the JCAIAS.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.

The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China

The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China is the official governing body representing equestrian sports in Hong Kong at both national and international levels. The Federation receives support from the Leisure and Cultural Service Department, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, and plans, organizes and manages Hong Kong, China's equestrian athletes for international games. The Federation serves as the exclusive representative of Hong Kong, China in international equestrian events, providing a range of resources and opportunities to support the development of local equestrian athletes, including training, funding, and guidance for both local and overseas riders. Additionally, the Federation is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of horses, and is committed to promoting equestrian sports to the wider public. To this end, the Federation hosts seminars and demonstrations featuring world-renowned equestrian professionals aimed at providing educational opportunities for equestrian judges and officials.