Hong Kong's showjumpers got off to a great start by filling four of the top six places in the Malaysian round of the 2006 FEI World Jumping Challenge at Bukit Kiara in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.
Despite punishing 35 degree Celsius temperatures, the Hong Kong riders rose to the challenge, 16-year-old Magali Tong taking first place after completing four clear rounds in the fastest time on her former racehorse Open Treasure. Charlotte Morse made it a Hong Kong quinella by going clear on newly acquired Lanceretto while Malaysia-based New Zealander Chris Ladbrook came third on Follyfoot Mary. SAR riders Kenneth Cheng on Jay Bee Schultz and Gaelle Tong on Capital Star took fourth and sixth places.
'My horse went really well' said Magali, a pupil at Sha Tin College. 'It was the first competition of the season so I wasn't expecting to win. It was a good start and I am hoping to maintain this standard for the up coming competitions.'
Jennifer Chang finished 10th in her first Asian competition on recently imported warm blood horse, Luke Skywalker. He jumped well and seems to be settling in to very different conditions.
This promises to be a vintage year for Hong Kong equestrian sports as riders start competing in high profile international events. Charlotte Morse has been invited to participate in the FEI Grand Prix Tour in Malaysia during the FEI World Cup Jumping Final at the end of next month. This is an invitation only event and participation is a coup.
Gaelle and Magali Tong will be representing Hong Kong in the Young Riders series held at the same time. The sisters both ride former racehorses trained by Stuart Mitchell, equestrian manager of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.