Tokyo Olympics: Tayberry star of show for Hong Kong’s Thomas Heffernan Ho after ‘horse of the day’ honour from prestigious UK magazine
- The 20-year-old horse – oldest in Tokyo Olympics eventing competition – combines with Ho for clean run over cross-country course
- China’s Alex Hua Tian is 18th after second leg following strong cross-country leg with just the jumping discipline remaining
Hong Kong Olympian Thomas Heffernan Ho swears dutifully by his loyal partner Tayberry – and so does Horse & Hound (H&H), the United Kingdom’s leading equestrian magazine.
On Friday, H&H featured Tayberry as horse of the day after the opening dressage section of the eventing competition, praising the 15.3 hands gelding for “still going strong at the grand old age of 20”.
Ho and Tayberry incurred no jumping penalties on the cross-country course – a feat achieved by only half the field – but because they went at a slower pace they picked up 55.6 time penalty points for a total of 102.30 and 46th place overall.
“Tayberry just felt amazing, he was such a star,” said Ho, 32. “To get a clear round at my first Olympic Games, given the course caused so many challenges, is a dream come true.”
China’s Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro are in 18th place after the cross-country, picking up 12 penalty points (no jumping penalties) for a 35.90 total. Hua Tian was third after the dressage but some flawless performances for the leading riders pushed him down the field.