Asian Games 2018 medals the target for Hong Kong equestrian team after horse quarantine nightmare

Almost a year on from the two-month quarantine that derailed the Hong Kong equestrian team at the China National Games, team manager Amanda Bond confirmed her athletes will not have to go through the same ordeal for the Asian Games next month.

“This for us is the most important thing,” she said. “Going into the China Games last year, we had to do 30 days quarantine in Europe then 30 days when we arrived in China. During that time you can’t work the horses the way you would normally.

“You can imagine two months of not being able to train properly gave us a disadvantage. Luckily, there is no [long-term] quarantine this time – we can train the horses right up to getting on the plane,” added Bond, also the executive manager for equestrian affairs at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).

All of Hong Kong’s Europe-based horses will be transported directly from Belgium to host city Jakarta via a “bubble”, or quarantine zone.

While horses – like riders – are susceptible to jet lag and temperature change, the “level playing field” boosts Hong Kong’s chances to improve upon their mediocre performance in Tianjin last year, which saw Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying and Clarrisa Lyra take home silver and bronze medals in dressage and showjumping, respectively.