Hong Kong rider debuts at 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)

Yip said that he intended not to put much emphasis on the outcome, adding that it was a good chance for Hong Kong to show its ability in holding a large-scale international sports event through hosting the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.

Yip has difficulty in using his legs because of cerebral palsy.His attraction to riding began with a visit to the local Riding for the Disabled Association of Hong Kong when he was eight years old, which gave him an opportunity to learn about horses. But it was not until 2001 that he decided to take up riding.

His motivation grew after he attended a riding camp in Wales in 2002. An important success came in 2005 when he finished first in freestyle and musical dressage in the Australian Riding for the Disabled Association's National Dressage Championships.

Bee Chan Sai-kin, coach of the Hong Kong Paralympic equestrian team, said, "Yip could have done better but sometimes a horse's emotion was difficult to predict." Chan said that they will find out how they can improve.

Besides the Individual Championship, Yip will also join the Freestyle Test on Sept. 10, which will include set movements, but individually choreographed by the rider and set to music.