Jacqueline Lai sets sights on matching the elite in world showjumping

Jacqueline Lai Jing-man will be flying the bauhinia flag at this weekend’s Longines Masters Series showjumping event in Hong Kong – an event she hopes will be a stepping stone as she seeks to establish herself among the world’s elite.

The three-day event has attracted a field of equestrian stars for its fourth edition at AsiaWorld-Expo, among them France’s world No 2-ranked Simon Delestre and Ireland’s Bertram Allen (ranked nine).

Lai – currently ranked 969 – is relishing the chance to test herself against the best in the Asian leg of what is proclaimed as the “grand slam indoor of showjumping”, with legs also in Los Angeles and Paris

“It will be very tough,” said the 25-year-old. “I’ve never competed against such a strong bunch. It’ll be the biggest show I’ve ever done in my life but it’s a great opportunity. I found out two months ago that I would be competing and I’ve spent every opportunity I’ve had since training and getting the horses ready.”

The Denmark-based Hong Kong Jockey Club equestrian team rider was part of the city’s squad that last August missed out on a place for the Rio Olympics, coming third behind Australia and Japan in the final qualifying competition in Hagen, Germany.

But she returns to her home town fresh from a season that saw her placed fifth at a three-star grand prix event in Belgium in September, before winning a two-star event in Shangdong the same month.

“We knew coming in qualifying would be tough and the strongest teams won through,” said Lai. “So my next goal is a little bit more realistic and that is the World Equestrian Games in 2018 in Canada. The qualification system for that gives me a few more chances and I am hoping this weekend will provide a great start for me as I plan my way forward towards that.”