Hong Kong Olympic equestrian team is one of the youngest in jumping events, and team members will do their best in the coming competition, team chief Sacha Eckjans said on Thursday.

The Hong Kong team, which includes 30-year-old Samantha Lam, 25-year-old Patrick Lam and 20-year-old Kenneth Cheng, met the media Thursday with the team leader.

Eckjans said having its team qualify for the Olympic equestrian events was a good start for Hong Kong. Qualifying was not easy as the athletes had to have undergone difficult training, and have lots of experience and excellent horses.

While he hopes for a medal, he believes the team can gain experience in the coming competition for future world-class events such as the East Asian Games and the next Olympics.

All three riders expressed pride in being part of the Hong Kong team. "It's been an absolute dream turned into reality," Samantha said, noting it was worth giving up her Canadian nationality to join the team.

They said facilities in Hong Kong are perfect, and that their horses are in good shape and are acclimatizing to conditions in the city. They will now strive for their best performance, while preventing any injuries to their horses.

Cheng hoped the co-hosting of equestrian events in Hong Kong will enhance the community's knowledge of the sport, and enable local young riders to experience world competitions.

Hong Kong Equestrian Federation President Simon Ip said it is of historic significance to see the Hong Kong equestrian team competing on home turf, as it is the first - and maybe the final opportunity to do so.

Noting that equestrian is an outdoor sport, he believed all teams have prepared for Hong Kong's weather conditions and have included severe circumstances in their training regiment after last year's test event in the city.

Federation Vice-President Edwin McAuley also agreed it is unlikely inclement weather would cause any race delay or cancellation of spectatorship.

A prize-presentation ceremony was held Thursday for the winner of a naming competition for two Shetland ponies donated by the American Shetland Pony Club to Hong Kong to celebrate the city's hosting of the equestrian events.

The winner, 11-year-old primary student GiGi Hui, said the Chinese name "Siu Chun Bo" means precious, and "Siu Chun Kit" means remarkable, implying Hong Kong people will treasure and love the city's new equestrian ambassadors.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)