The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Beas River Country Club is this week playing host to the FEI Children's International Classics Final 2011, the first such event to be staged in Hong Kong. Some 20 top riders between the ages of 12 and 14 years are participating from 14 countries and regions as far apart as Brazil, South Africa, France and New Zealand.
This prestigious jumping competition is being co-organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Besides providing the competition venue and stabling facilities, the Club's role includes veterinary care and other professional supporting services.
This event officially got under way last night (10 January) at a Welcome Dinner hosted by Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon Ip, in his capacity as President of the HKEF. Other officiating guests included Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson, Club Steward Michael Lee, who is also the Vice-President of HKEF, and Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Today the contestants will have a training session and warm-up competition, then on Thursday the competition begins in earnest, with the grand final and prizegiving ceremony scheduled for Saturday.
Among the participants is Michelle Li, a highly-rated 14-year-old who trains at the Club's Tuen Mun Public Riding School under Senior Instructor Bee Chan, riding the Club’s retired racehorses. Also taking part are local riders Cheyenne Held and Arianna Ladd, who have been given special training for the event at Beas River Equestrian Centre.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (left) receives a souvenir from Dr Simon Ip (right), President of HKEF, at the welcome dinner.
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Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (3rd from the left, back row), Club Deputy Chairman and President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Dr Simon S O Ip (5th from the left, back row), Club Steward and Vice-President of HKEF, Mr Michael Lee (3rd from the right, back row), Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st from the right, back row) and young international riders.
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