Lai receives HKJC performance award for claiming silver medal at National Games

09/04/2013

Club-sponsored rider Jacqueline Lai rode superbly to take the silver medal in the individual jumping competition at the 12th National Games in Shenyang today (4 September).  It is Hong Kong's second silver so far in the Games.

Lai’s fine performance has not only brought honour to Hong Kong, but also entitled her to receive a Jockey Club performance award.  Immediately after today's contest, the Club announced it would grant Lai HK$200,000 in recognition of her excellence.

“I would like to congratulate Jacqueline,” said Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.  “She has thoroughly deserved this performance award, which is one of the new elements we've recently introduced to our extended equestrian sponsorship with the aim of enhancing the standard of local equestrian sport and the Hong Kong team.”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges added that he was happy to see the great progress made by Jacqueline after she had to stop training for more than eight months following a serious accident in Denmark in early 2011. “Today, she not only showed top-class riding skills, but also good sportsmanship and Hong Kong's 'can do' spirit,” he said.

Today’s individual jumping competition was contested by 20 riders from nine regions and provinces, who were the top-scoring performers from Monday's team event.  After the two regular rounds of the competition featuring fences up to 1.5 metres high, Lai and three other riders had all collected four faults.  This necessitated a “jump off”, in which Lai finished second to claim the silver medal.

A jubilant Lai said afterwards that the Club’s funding had been crucial for her riding career, “Without the Club’s continued support and sponsorship, it would have been very hard for me to get back into the high-level competitive arena in such a short time.  This has been a key factor in my winning this silver medal today,” she said.

Although the team competition did not go so smoothly for the Club-sponsored riders on Monday, they showed competiveness and dedication to excellence in the ring.  The problem began a week earlier when Patrick Lam's horse suffered a health problem and he had to switch to the team's reserve horse, having only a few days to train with it.  Then Kenneth Cheng's horse suffered a similar problem the day before the event, which forced him to withdraw as each team is allowed to use only one reserve horse.  Yet at the end, the three remaining team members - Lam, Lai and Samantha Lam missed out on the bronze medal by just two faults.

All four Hong Kong riders have been members of the HKJC Equestrian Team or Junior Team since the teams were established at the end of 2008 with Club funding of HK$50 million.  In the 2009 National Games, Club-sponsored riders Patrick Lam and Kenneth Cheng claimed the individual gold and bronze medals respectively, and the Hong Kong Team won the team bronze medal.  Two weeks ago, the Club announced it would extend the sponsorship for another 3½ years, with a further injection of more than HK$70 million into the sport.  This will include more professional elements, such as equipping the teams with international coaching expertise. 

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 Hong Kong's largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 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. 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.