Tonglu firmly in the saddle after Asiad equestrian success

Hong Kong Jockey Club provides key support for Games events

Tonglu county, Zhejiang province, was recognized in 2021 by National Geographic magazine as one of the world's top 25 travel destinations for its cultural and historical attractions.

The county has long been known for its scenery, but never for its equine breeding or for staging related events.

In recent years, Tonglu has become a globally acclaimed equestrian destination, and it played host to more than 110 riders and 114 horses from some 20 countries and regions for events in the Asian Games, which ended on Sunday.

Hong Kong's rich equine legacy and international resources lie behind the county's meteoric rise in the world of horses.

On Sept 25, the day before the Asiad equestrian events started, John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, visited the Tonglu Equestrian Centre.

Noting that the Hangzhou Asian Games are one of the grand international sports events hosted by China, Lee said, "This time, Hong Kong is not only a participant but also a contributor."

Tonglu is mainly known for its travel destinations and logistics services. It is also home to hundreds of express delivery companies, but by hosting the Asiad equestrian events, it took on a new identity.

Equestrian artwork featured in local parks and streets, with sculptures and portraits of horses on display. Shops boasted merchandise themed on horses, and numerous related souvenirs.

Tonglu Equestrian Centre, the purpose-built arena for equestrian events, covers more than 295 hectares and has received recognition and acclaim from the global equestrian community.

Qabil Ambak, a six-time Asian Games participant from Malaysia and gold medalist in the individual dressage competition this year, praised the center for being "one of the finest venues in all of the Asian Games".

Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying, a Hong Kong athlete who won the silver medal in the individual dressage event, said the center provided a world-class environment for the horses, while Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, president of the Asian Equestrian Federation, said all the riders were grateful to compete at the center.

Amanda Bond, head of equestrian affairs at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, or HKJC, — one of the largest equine organizations in the world — said Hong Kong, with its wealth of equestrian experience, has played a crucial role in Tonglu's new identity.

An equestrian expert with more than 30 years' experience, Bond said Hong Kong shared its knowledge, expertise and guidance to help Tonglu overcome its lack of equestrian experience.

The HKJC provided substantial technical support for the Asian Games equestrian events.

Experts from the club were chosen as advisers for the equestrian project command center. In May, the club also signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with the organizing committee to provide technical support in six areas for the Asian Games — biosecurity, horse transportation, stable management, veterinary and farrier services, venue operations, and international stakeholder engagement.