Capital show by HK rider Gaelle Tong
Hong Kong's Gaelle Tong on ex-racehorse Capital Star competed in an exciting jump-off to take fifth place in the Young Rider Challenge yesterday.
Magali Tong took 10th place on Open Treasure.
Twenty-three riders, including sisters Gaelle and Magali, jumped a course of nine obstacles of 1.15 metres within a time limit of 64 seconds. The first round resulted in a jump-off between seven riders. Gaelle came in with the fastest time but incurred eight penalties on an unsettled Capital Star. Eventual victory went to home rider Mohammed Aizat Abd Malik on Taka.
The Tong sisters are the only riders in their class competing on ex-racehorses, representing a considerable achievement on the part of trainer Stuart Mitchell.
For the Hong Kong squad, competing at the Putra Stadium, an indoor arena with a roaring crowd, was an unfamiliar experience and one that some of the horses found challenging.
Charlotte Morse was first rider in the Putra Cup, part of the International Grand Prix tour competition, on a course of obstacles of up to 1.45m. Morse, on O'Jasper, finished the course on 12 penalties and in 56.93 seconds, well inside the 67-second time limit, and was placed 12th, ahead of American Alison Firestone, winner of three previous grands prix at the World Cup final. 'I have never seen O'Jasper go so well,' said Mitchell. 'He was jumping brilliantly and you only have to look at the standard of the other riders to see that Charlotte really achieved something today.'
