Corporate News

Penfold Park stages pet-themed family day to promote animal care

03/30/2013

Over 1,500 dogs, their owners and a crowd of 4,000 came to the Penfold Park in Sha Tin to take part in the “Penfold Paw Paw Hoof Hoof Carnival" today (30 March) and had a day of great entertainment at this popular "pets paradise".

Penfold Park was designed and built by The Hong Kong Jockey Club 34 years ago in the infield of the Sha Tin Racecourse.  The “Penfold Paw Paw Hoof Hoof Carnival” is the first of its kind event held at the Park.  The event aims to promote animal care and welfare. 

Penfold Park carries the city’s Olympic legacy and is a landmark for local equestrian sport.  In recent years the Club has added new amenities to broaden its usage.

“Keeping up with the development of the community, the Club is planning to renew and upgrade facilities inside the Penfold Park, aiming to provide a cosy leisure venue for both local residents and pets,” said Mr Kim Mak, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.  “The Sha Tin Racecourse, which was built along with Penfold Park in the late 1970s, is now undergoing renovation and facilities upgrade works, with the aim of offering better environments for its visitors,” added Mr Mak.

Programmes on offer included working dog activities, equine sports, and a Dog Walkathon with its theme of "love for animals, respect for life".  All participants received a certificate after completing a 1.2km circuit of the park with their pets.

Ten supporting animal welfare organisations also joined the Penfold Paw Paw Hoof Hoof Carnival, running booths promoting pet adoption and animal rights, or hosting demonstrations and talks to enhance the public’s knowledge of animals.  There were performances by quarantine detector dogs, demonstrations of mongrel discipline training, sharing sessions of doctor pet and training of guide dogs.

Also very popular with younger visitors were pony rides.  Instructors and trainees from the Club's Apprentice Jockeys' School joined the carnival to teach the public riding skills and demonstrate physical fitness tests.

Managed by the Jockey Club, Penfold Park has been open to the public on non-racedays since 1979 and serves as a popular "green lung" in the city for residents of Sha Tin and further afield, attracting some 15,000 people a month to enjoy its clean and safe environment and high-quality grassed areas.  The Park is especially popular with dog owners who have few other places available to exercise their pets.  It is also one of the city's major habitats of wild egrets, with more than 100 nesting there in 2012.  The Park was ranked 4th in a “Best Garden in Hong Kong” voting campaign in 2009.

A number of other public events and activities have been staged there in recent years, including Equine Fun Fests, local equestrian competitions and a FAMILY Arts and Fun Day promoting the message of family health, happiness and harmony in the local community.  Last September, the Club organised a Mid-Autumn Folk Festival at the Park to combine music and moongazing for over 1,500 people at a pet-friendly venue.

In 2008, when Hong Kong was accorded the honour of staging the equestrain events of the Beijing Olympics, Penfold Park also served as a training venue for the world's top equestrian horses.

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$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 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.

The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (1st right), Legislative Councillor Claudia Mo (2nd right), Chairman of Sha Tin District Council Ho Hau-cheung (2nd left) and Sha Tin District Officer Cora Ho (1st left) perform the opening ceremony of the a£á?Penfold Paw Paw Hoof Hoof Carnivala£á?.
The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (1st right), Legislative Councillor Claudia Mo (2nd right), Chairman of Sha Tin District Council Ho Hau-cheung (2nd left) and Sha Tin District Officer Cora Ho (1st left) perform the opening ceremony of the a£á?Penfold Paw Paw Hoof Hoof Carnivala£á?.

Photo 2, 3, 4 and 5:<br>
Dogs and other pets join the inaugural Dog Walkathon held at Penfold Park.
Photo 2, 3, 4 and 5:
Dogs and other pets join the inaugural Dog Walkathon held at Penfold Park.




Legislative Councillor Claudia Mo (left) and her dog receive a certificate from the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (right) after taking part in the Dog Walkathon.
Legislative Councillor Claudia Mo (left) and her dog receive a certificate from the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (right) after taking part in the Dog Walkathon.

Photo 7, 8 and 9:<br>
Booths, demonstrations and discussion groups are hosted by ten supporting animal welfare organisations to enhance the public's knowledge of animals.
Photo 7, 8 and 9:
Booths, demonstrations and discussion groups are hosted by ten supporting animal welfare organisations to enhance the public's knowledge of animals.



Actress and TV presenter Elena Kong shares her experience of dogs as pet doctors.
Actress and TV presenter Elena Kong shares her experience of dogs as pet doctors.

Pony rides prove popular among the children.
Pony rides prove popular among the children.

Photo 12 and 13:<br> 
Instructors and trainees from the Club's Apprentice Jockeys' School join the carnival to teach the public riding skills and demonstrate physical fitness tests.
Photo 12 and 13:
Instructors and trainees from the Club's Apprentice Jockeys' School join the carnival to teach the public riding skills and demonstrate physical fitness tests.


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