Meet the people behind ‘the grand slam of indoor showjumping’

Next weekend, “the grand clam of indoor showjumping” trots into town, as AsiaWorld-Expo hosts the Longines Masters equestrian extravaganza.

The series kicked off in Los Angeles last September, moved to Paris for the second leg in December, and culminates here, in Hong Kong, with the third and final stage. In October, at the Sports Industry Awards Asia 2016, held in Bangkok, the Longines Masters of Hong Kong won gold, for “best live experience at a professional sporting event”.

As the horses gallop at high speed, spin around hairpin turns and soar over fences, their riders – the best showjumpers in the world – will compete for prizes worth US$670,000.

Post Magazine met members of the showjumping community, and asked them to share their horsey stories and pony tales. Saddle up!

THE SHOWJUMPER
Jacqueline Lai Jing-man, 25, is Hong Kong’s top-ranked professional showjumper. She’s competing in the Longines Masters for the second year running.

“I grew up in Pok Fu Lam and attended the Chinese International School. When I was 10 years old I rode a horse for the first time, at Lei Yue Mun Public Riding School, and I absolutely loved it – I was hooked on the spot.

“Two years later, I liveried a horse at Beas River Equestrian Centre, in Sheung Shui, which provides a home for retired racehorses. My horse was a cheeky chestnut called Strikeout. My parents were super supportive. We drove there after school, every day, and all through the school holidays, to exercise and groom him. There was a great community of other horse-mad kids there, so there was never a minute of boredom.