Dear members,
Friday, 27 August 2021 (Hong Kong) – Following the Grade II, IV & V Para Dressage Individual events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games yesterday, the Grade I & III tests were held this afternoon at Baji Koen Equestrian Park, Tokyo. Our Hong Kong representatives Natasha Tse and Fleur Schrader have completed their rounds today, concluding the Paralympic Journey for both and Hong Kong Para Equestrian at Tokyo.
Riders were categorized into 5 grades in Para Dressage according to the level of disability. Natasha and Baxo appeared in the Grade I test competing against 17 other pairs. They finished the round with 63.786% and settled with 16th place. USA and Latvia earned recorded percentage scores to take home Grade I Individual Gold and Silver respectively, while the Bronze went to Italy.
The Grade III competition followed in the evening, comprising 18 combinations including Fleur Schrader and Caraat. The pair completed with 67.706%, ranking the 14th. Denmark took home Gold in the Grade III event, while Grate Britain and the Netherlands earned the Silver and Bronze.
Only the top 8 combinations from the Individual test of each grade will move on to the Freestyle to Music tests on Monday 30 August.
Despite the unfortunate withdrawal of our third rider Timothy Tsang and Cethegus M as the horse was deemed lame, this is the first time Hong Kong sending more than one rider to the Paralympic Games.
Natasha said after the competition, “I feel very excited to compete at such a wonderful arena and proud to represent Hong Kong. Most importantly, I want to thank the team behind and my family for their huge support.”
Fleur was also grateful to the team’s support and added, “I was so proud to represent Hong Kong today and Caraat was an absolute gem. I’m very excited to see where our partnership will take us carrying on from today.”
“Natasha’s performance was incredibly efficient. Baxo was nervous and distracted when he entered the field of play. Natasha did fantastically well in getting the horse more relaxed over the test,” said Stephane Morai the Team Coach. “Fleur and Caraat are a very strong duo, even it is a new partnership under the training of Annie Ho in the UK. This experience surely will bring them to a new level. I am very happy how accurate both riders rode their tests today.”
He also wrapped up the journey to the Paralympics, “It was incredibly hard as the pandemic situation worldwide didn’t allow Natasha to compete and even train with the horses in the UK. Our preparation with the horses was very limited – but thanks to the unconditional support of the HKJC in making us proud of our riders today.”
Annie Ho, who trained Fleur in the UK and traveled together to Tokyo, said, “She did her best in the biggest show in the world. The pair did us proud. It has been a very difficult couple of years with COVID and with Natasha not being able to ride Baxo has been very challenging. Now to move forwards and focus on World Equestrian Games and Paris 2024!”
The HKEF would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Fleur, Natasha and Timothy for their efforts and hard work all the way to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Gratitude also goes to the Para Equestrian Delegation - Team Vet Adrian Farrington, Team Coaches Corinne Bracken and Stephane Morai, Team Farrier Haydn Price, Human Physiotherapist Majid Khan, Grooms Kirstie du Gay, Annie Ho and Poppy James, Horse Support Personnel Pascale Litmaath, Teresa Shum and Ai Leng Siah – as well as all supporting staff for their effort under the changing challenges throughout the preparation and competition period. Special thanks also goes to The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC&SAPD) for their sponsorship and support towards Hong Kong Para Equestrian Team’s Paralympic journey. Last but not least, thank you to the parents of Fleur, Natasha and Timothy and all of you for the great support for our riders.
Please also stay tuned for the remaining Team and Freestyle to Music competitions from 28 – 30 August!
Best Regards,
Hong Kong Equestrian Federation
