Tokyo 2020: Hong Kong’s Thomas Heffernan Ho tries to qualify second horse for Olympic Games eventing

The 31-year-old has already qualified for Tokyo with Tayberry but wants to do the same with new horse Shannondale Vintage

Having two horses eligible for the Games offers more flexibility and a better chance of Tokyo success

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Hong Kong Olympian Thomas Heffernan Ho rides his main horse Tayberry. Photo: HKJC

Published: 1:20pm, 25 Feb 2020Updated: 10:12pm, 25 Feb 2020

Hong Kong rider Thomas Heffernan Ho is blooding a new horse into his Olympic eventing campaign as he looks to strengthen his quest for honours at the Tokyo 2020 Games equestrian competition.

The 31-year-old has already qualified for the Olympics on Tayberry and is hoping to have Shannondale Vintage as another option for his Tokyo assault.

“I have been given the opportunity with a new horse,” said Ho, who acquired Shannondale Vintage from Leicestershire-based equestrian facility M.S. Team Eventing. “But I have to get it qualified again, which is a challenge given the timescale.

“Tayberry is feeling fresh and full of life at the moment, and I’m looking forward to competing with him this year. But we have a great team who is making sure all the horses are ready for the beginning of the season.”

Ho is one of two Hong Kong riders who have secured their places in the 2020 Olympics. Kenneth Cheng earlier this month earned Hong Kong a place in the show jumping event, though he faces competition from teammates over the next few months to decide who represents the city in Tokyo.

To ensure a place in the Olympics eventing competition, a rider needs to fulfil “minimum eligibility requirements” (MER’s). Ho has already achieved MER’s on his main horse Tayberry by earning qualifying results in one four-star long event and one four-star short event.