Hong Kong equestrian team has added further to city's growing reputation in the sport with impressive results in Korea last weekend. Local junior riders, Kendall Kruger, Michelle Li and Cheyenne Held, won a silver medal in the junior team competition of the CSI* and CSIJ Seoul 2012 events. Meanwhile Kenneth Cheng, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team and the mentor for Kruger, finished fourth in an individual competition for senior riders at the same event.
Organised by the Korea Racing Authority (KRA), the CSI* and CSIJ Seoul event is one of the important international shows in the region, featuring competitions for both senior and junior riders across Asia. On 20 April (Friday), Kruger, a member of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Team, acquitted herself excellently with a clear round in the junior team competition over fences of 1m high. Her performance helped the team outjump seven strong rivals including Iran, Korea and Thailand to win the silver medal, collecting only four faults - just four more than the champion team the Philippines.
Two days later, Kenneth Cheng rode for Hong Kong in the CSI* event, a one-star international jumping competition over fences of 1.1m. After sharing a clear round in this single-round competition, Cheng collected four faults in the jump-off and eventually finished fourth among nine Asian riders.
As a major supporter of equestrian sports in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club committed HK$50 million after the 2008 Olympics to establish the HKJC Equestrian Team and Junior Equestrian Team. This investment in young talent has paid off handsomely, with Club-sponsored riders earning equestrian medals for Hong Kong in major events such as the 2009 National Games and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Kendall Kruger, a member of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Team, wins a silver medal in the junior team competition of the CSI* and CSIJ Seoul 2012 events.
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Kenneth Cheng, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team, finishes fourth in an individual competition for senior riders at the same event.
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