The Hong Kong Jockey Club is pleased to announce that one rider and three para riders supported by the Club will be participating in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. They represent the largest number of qualified equestrian athletes Hong Kong has ever sent to the two Games.
Having qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 through the individual rankings for the Asia and Oceania region, Club-supported rider Thomas Ho, partnering Tayberry, maintained strong form competing in a number of international competitions in Europe. Thomas achieved Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) scores in eventing for the rescheduled Tokyo Games ahead of the 21 June deadline. It is the first time a Hong Kong rider has qualified for the Olympic eventing discipline.
Thomas has been riding since he was seven years old, attending the Club’s Pok Fu Lam Public Riding School, and is currently based in the UK. He won a silver and bronze medal in Team Eventing at the 2019 FEI Asian Championships and 2014 Asian Games, respectively.
In the Paralympics, Hong Kong will field a team for the first time, marking a new milestone in para dressage. The three para riders, two-time Paralympian Natasha Tse as well as Timothy Tsang and Fleur Schrader, are members of the Club’s Para Dressage Squad. They have also achieved MER scores and will compete in the individual and team para dressage events at the Tokyo Games.
On Sunday 22 August, upon examination by Team Vet, Adrian Farrington, Timothy’s partner horse Cethegus M (known as “Gus”) was deemed to be lame and unfortunately the decision was made to withdraw Timothy and “Gus” from the competition. Timothy will now focus on the next Championship and look forward to qualifying for Paris 2024 alongside the rest of his team members.
