First with Fuerst
Hong Kong’s Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying and her partner, Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour, bagged the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games Equestrian Individual Dressage competition on Thursday in Jakarta. Siu’s win marked Hong Kong’s first gold of the Games, and its first-ever in Equestrian Individual Dressage competition of Asian Games.
Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying won the gold medal Thursday in the Asian Games Equestrian Individual Dressage competition.
This is the first gold medal for the Hong Kong, China delegation in the 18th Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia and also the first-ever gold medal for Hong Kong in the dressage event in the Asian Games.
Siu, 35, scored 77.045 points, overtaking the Malaysian rider, who was ranked first after the first two rounds, to win the gold. Siu was placed third and second in her previous matches, before reaching Thursday’s final round.
“It is a huge honor to represent Hong Kong, and I am just glad to be able to make Hong Kong proud today,” Siu said after the panel of judges announced the result.
“At the last Asian Games I came in fourth individually, so I just missed the medal and I cried the whole way home on the plane. Now I will be crying because I am so happy. It’s really wonderful,” said Siu.
In dressage, athlete and the horse are expected to perform requested movements with music. Like all equestrian events it emphasizes the cooperation between the athlete and the horse.
Siu also thanked her partner, companion and friend, the horse named Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour. “It’s been thrilling to partner with Jockey Club Fuerst on Tour again and win our first Asian Games medal together.”
She thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing the talented horse and giving its support throughout her preparation.
This is Siu’s fourth time in the Asian Games, where she has placed fourth twice. Last year, she won a silver medal in the 13th National Games of China held in Tianjin.
Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah congratulated Siu. “This achievement fully demonstrates that her hard training has paid off and we share her joy,” Lau said.
On behalf of the government, Lau also expressed appreciation for the coaches, staff and family members for their support to the Hong Kong delegation.
Angela Kong Ka-fung, secretary general of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, praised Siu’s performances.
Siu and her partner moved in perfect sync with the selected music, taking them to the top and delivering the gold for Hong Kong over their competitors from Malaysia and South Korea.
Kong believes Siu’s success will play a significant role in promoting Hong Kong’s equestrian programs, as the level of equestrian athletes in other Asian delegations is quite high.
“Siu is the only dressage rider in the Hong Kong delegation to this Asian Games, and her gold medal is a breakthrough for Hong Kong dressage, which is helpful to attract more attention to our sport,” said Kong.
Siu began riding at age 5 at the HKJC, and she took up dressage at age 12. HKJC sponsored Hong Kong’s equestrian team for this year’s Asian Games.
About 800 members from 36 local sports associations represent Hong Kong in the 18th Asian Games. The Hong Kong team has so far won 10 medals: one gold, two silver and seven bronze.