Hong Kong rider debuts at Paralympic equestrian

Source: Xinhua | 09-08-2008 21:59

HONG KONG, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Despite the poor mark, Nelson Yip Siu-hong made a history here Monday as the first-ever Hong Kong rider to show up at the Paralympic equestrian.

Rider Yip Siu Hong of Hong Kong rides horse  Icy Bet during the Individual Championship  Test (Grade II) of the Equestrian Events of  the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at Hong Kong  Olympic Equestrian Venue (Sha Tin) in Hong Kong,  south China, Sept. 8, 2008. Yip Siu Hong  finished 18th with a score of 50.545. (Xinhua Photo)

Enthusiastic crowd applauded Yip when he entered the Sha Tin Para-equestrian arena for a Para-dressage test.

As a contender of the Grade II Individual Championship Test of Beijing Paralympic Equestrian, 40-year-old Yip partnered horse Icy Bet, greeted the judge with smile and started to trot along the competition field, making his debut at the Games.

"I think it's good, I've done my best in the competition," said Yip on a wheelchair, who felt happy about his performance although he failed to get a good result.

Icy Bet, a 20-year-old retired race horse, showed nervousness and unsteadiness during the course and Yip tried his best to appease it. Yip said it is normal that a horse feels strained while going through a test.

Despite the unsatisfactory marks he gained, Yip was delighted to have so many supporters including his friends and fellow Hong Kong citizens around cheering for him.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang was at the arena on Monday for the support of Yip. He encouraged Yip by saying that the spirit should be the most important of all despite gain or loss.