National Games: veteran Hong Kong equestrian Nicole Pearson desperate for one more medal
Veteran rider says sixth-placed city team still in contention for that piece of metal she wants to ‘justify the ridiculousness’ of her life
Evergreen Hong Kong equestrian Nicole Pearson said she was “desperate” to claim one more major medal to “justify the ridiculousness of my life”.
Pearson and fellow event riders Thomas Ho and Su Yuxuan endured a difficult first day of the National Games competition in Shenzhen.
Games debutant Su is 16th following the opening dressage discipline, with Ho and Pearson 22nd and 24th, respectively. Hong Kong are sixth in the team standings. The cross-country and jumping rounds are set for Friday and Saturday.
Recalling her team bronze from the 2014 Asian Games, when Hong Kong recovered from a sluggish start, Pearson, who was acquainted with competition horse Angel only one week ago, said: “On paper, it does not look great, it certainly wasn’t the best dressage I’ve ridden, but I’ve done enough to realise anything is possible.
“Championships throw up things you never thought could happen. The three of us are very tight … we need a bit of luck, but I’m optimistic we’ll do a good job.”
As a rider whose major competition experience dates back to the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, Pearson joked that she asked herself every day why she was still competing.