The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the major financial backer of the equestrian events, is eager to ensure local participation to increase public awareness in the event, and is said to be offering the sponsorship money.

'It is obvious they [the HKJC] are willing to provide the sponsorship because of their involvement in the Olympic event,' said a source close to the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF).

'The support will be given to those selected riders to boost their qualifying hopes through buying quality horses, paying insurance and entry fees as well as transportation of horses, stabling, and vet and farrier bills for the qualifying events.

'On paper, it looks like a huge amount of money, but if four riders are selected, it means each one will get less than HK$10 million, which is the minimum cost I would say is needed to make the qualification.'

The standard requires that competitors and horses achieve results at different levels of competitions, such as completing the first round of a selected grand prix competition at a selected outdoor CSI four-star event with a score of not more than four penalties.

Six riders, in two groups, have already completed an assessment in Germany. The first group comprised Kenneth Cheng Man-kit, Jennifer Chang Ren-hui and Charlotte Morse, while Jennifer Lee, Gaelle Tong and Nicole Pearson were in the second group. Samantha Lam completed the assessment earlier.

A maximum of four riders are to be selected for the sponsorship deal and a HKEF selection committee will soon make the decision. 'The assessment report has already reached the HKEF and the results will be announced soon, possibly after the Olympic test event in mid-August,' said the source.

'It would be better if four riders are selected for the financial support as we need four to form a team, but if not, Hong Kong can still enter the individual jumping event if any of the selected riders qualify.'

According to the qualification system, 15 teams - including host nation China and Hong Kong - have the option to take part provided they meet the minimum eligibility standard. Half of the countries have already been confirmed by the international governing body. But if the host nation does not enter a team, it shall directly qualify one or two individual riders.

Chang said time was running out for making the qualification, and the financial support would be well received. 'I think an Olympic horse will cost something in the region of US$1 million and is probably getting increasingly becoming more expensive with each passing day,' she said.