Hong Kong rider Kenneth Cheng Man-kit hopes to boost his chances at the forthcoming Asian Games by saddling up with his new Swiss-bred horse Cornalin CH.
The 18-year-old will compete with his new partner - who is believed to have cost around HK$2 million - in the European Open Future Masters next week in Belgium.
The Future Masters feature some 40 young riders aged between 18 and 25 from across the world, with the top five qualifying for the final of the European Open Masters. Cheng will leave for a warm-up competition in Belgium this week and Cornalin CH will also be transported from Holland to Belgium for the event. Cheng began his riding career aged 12, and is considered one of the most prominent junior riders in Hong Kong.
He claimed the Asian Classic category title at Malaysia's equestrian World Cup in April and was also one of the 10 athletes to receive the Manulife Sports Scholarship in preparation for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong in 2008.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Chang Ren-hui will be able to represent Hong Kong in the Doha Games after obtaining the green light from the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee.
'We are delighted that the equestrian squad has been confirmed and the riders can focus on their preparation for Doha,' said Roger Young, committee member of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation. The American born Chang was included in a four-member jumping team submitted to the SF&OC for approval, but was later required to provide additional information to prove her commitment to Hong Kong.
