Tokyo Olympics: Thomas Ho hopes to inspire Hong Kong’s future eventing riders as horse Tayberry arrives from Europe
- Ho says his veteran horse Tayberry is excited and happy to be at Baji Equestrian Park in Tokyo where they will prepare for eventing competition
- The 32-year-old says social distancing at athletes’ village is hardly observed but ‘everyone seems to be wearing a mask’
So far so good for Hong Kong equestrian rider Thomas Heffernan Ho after his horse, Tayberry, arrived safely in Japan on Wednesday as he looks forward to breaking new ground for future Hong Kong athletes.
The veteran horse left Liege Airport in Belgium on Tuesday and arrived at Baji Equestrian Park in Setegaya, Tokyo, where the Hong Kong team of Ho and Mel Way, Corinne Bracken and Adrian Farrington were waiting for him.
“Tayberry has travelled really well,” Ho said. “He was very excited and happy once he got to the venue. So far everything has gone as smooth as it could possibly be.”
The arrival of Tayberry means the final logistical obstacle has been overcome as the 32-year-old makes history for Hong Kong by being the first rider from the city to compete in the eventing individual competition at the Olympics.
The pair have endured a difficult and arduous road to the Olympics, with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing them to qualify twice for the Games because of the one-year delay.