Para athlete Natasha Tse selected to represent Hong Kong, China
at fourth consecutive Paralympics
Para athlete Tse Pui-ting, Natasha, a member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Para Equestrian Squad, has been chosen to represent Hong Kong, China at the Paralympic Games in Paris this summer. This will be her fourth consecutive Paralympic Games. Her selection for the individual para dressage event was confirmed by the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China (EFHKC).
Competing on board Baxo, Tse achieved Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) scores to qualify for the Paris Paralympics in individual para dressage. Previously, Tse qualified for London 2012 at the age of 15, the youngest para-equestrian at that Games. She has since represented Hong Kong, China at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Tse first started riding at the age of four for therapeutic reasons, developing a passion for the sport that drove her to compete as a para rider. Splitting her time between Hong Kong and the UK, she trains at The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Tuen Mun Public Riding School, Beas River Equestrian Centre and Wellington Riding in England.
On the honour of representing Hong Kong, China at a fourth Paralympics, she said: “Participating in the Paralympics was always my dream as an equestrian athlete. I am so happy to have another chance to compete alongside the top riders in the world. It will be a great learning opportunity for me. I have started preparing for the Games, and I hope that Baxo and I will put in a good performance and enjoy the Games. I am especially grateful for the nurture and support I received from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Equestrian Federation and the Riding for the Disabled Association.”
Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China said: “My heartfelt congratulations to Natasha for qualifying to represent Hong Kong, China once again at the Paralympics in Paris. It’s an incredible achievement and a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work, as well as to the support she has received from her family, coaches and the Jockey Club. I wish her the very best of luck at the Games, and I will be following her progress with interest. I sincerely hope her efforts will help raise awareness of para equestrian sport among the public.”
In addition, Fleur Schrader from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Para Equestrian Squad has been selected as a reserve for the Games. She continues to train and prepare in the event that
a substitution needs to take place, which is allowed if an athlete or horse becomes sick or injured.
Under the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan (HKEPP), a specialist team of coaches, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, physiotherapists and other professional staff help riders and horses prepare for the Paralympics and will be in Paris to provide assistance.
Among the support team will be Annie Ho, a double bronze medalist from the team dressage event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou last year and team eventing at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. The Jockey Club-supported rider will offer assistance in caring for and training the horse during the Games in Paris.
The Jockey Club is a long-standing supporter of equestrian sport through its public riding schools and the HKJC Equestrian Team, established after the Beijing 2008 Olympics to develop elite riders in Hong Kong and help them achieve their potential. Equestrian and para-equestrian riders benefit from high-level coaching and professional support under the HKEPP, which was launched by the Club in 2016 in collaboration with EFHKC. The HKJC Youth Equestrian Development Programme was initiated as a junior programme in 2019 in collaboration with EFHKC and the Hong Kong Sports Institute to develop a pipeline of future talent. In 2022, the Club expanded this programme with the addition of a Youth Squad (Mainland), which supports young talented Hong Kong athletes who are based full time in the Mainland.
Profile: Natasha Tse, Member of the HKJC Para Equestrian Squad
Age: |
27
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Equestrian discipline: |
Para Equestrian Dressage
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Trained in: |
Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Beas River Equestrian Centre; Tuen Mun Public Riding School UK: Wellington Riding (Club’s training base)
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Key achievements: |
· 1st place, 2023 Para Grand Prix Test B Sopot (POL) CPEDI3* · 1st place, 2023 Para Grand Prix Freestyle Test, Para Grand Prix Test A and Para Grand Prix Test B Hickstead (GBR) CPEDI3* · 1st place, 2022 Freestyle Test and Individual Test Keysoe (GBR) CPEDI3* · Competed at the Paralympic Games in 2012, 2016 and 2020 · Competed at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games · 3rd place, 2017 Individual Test Hartpury College (GBR) CPEDI3* · Champion, 2015 Individual Test at Waregem (BEL) CPEDI3*
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Photo caption
Photo 1: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Para Equestrian Squad member Natasha Tse (partnering Baxo) has been selected to represent Hong Kong, China at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Download photos from The Hong Kong Jockey Club website: (https://corporate.hkjc.com/corporate/english/jc-news-and-activities/corporate-news-archive.aspx).
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club and non-profit organisation with a remit to act continuously for the betterment of society. It has a unique integrated business model comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top 10 charity donors. Please visit www.hkjc.com.
The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China
The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China is the official governing body representing equestrian sports in Hong Kong at both national and international levels. The Federation receives support from the Leisure and Cultural Service Department, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, and plans, organizes and manages Hong Kong, China's equestrian athletes for international games. The Federation serves as the exclusive representative of Hong Kong, China in international equestrian events, providing a range of resources and opportunities to support the development of local equestrian athletes, including training, funding, and guidance for both local and overseas riders. Additionally, the Federation is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of horses, and is committed to promoting equestrian sports to the wider public. To this end, the Federation hosts seminars and demonstrations featuring world-renowned equestrian professionals aimed at providing educational opportunities for equestrian judges and officials.
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Media Inquiries
The Hong Kong Jockey Club |
The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China |
Jennifer Wong Senior Manager, Public Affairs (Corporate Communications and Media Relations) Tel: 2966 8460 E-mail: [email protected] |
Masami Toda Executive Director & Secretary General Tel: 2966 5080 / 9623 1573 Email: [email protected]
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Dorothy Chan Assistant Public Affairs Manager Tel: 2966 5886 E-mail: [email protected]
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Sylvia Sin Senior Marketing Manager Tel: 2966 5114 / 9660 4800 Email: [email protected]
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