Hartpury graduate Annie Ho Yuen-yan, has helped Hong Kong, China win an historic team bronze medal in dressage at the Hangzhou Asian Games on 26 September 2023. Annie competed alongside teammates Jacqueline Siu and Samantha Chan.
The former Hartpury BA (Hons) Equine Business Management student scored 68.323% while Asian Games debutante Chan Samantha Grace scored 65.353%, and Siu Jacqueline Wing Ying scored 71.176%, meaning a total score of 204.852.
No stranger to the Asian Games, Annie has previously been leading rider at the event in 2018 as well as taking an individual gold medal and team silver medal for eventing in 2013 and 2019 respectively. After studying her degree and becoming a BHSII instructor, Annie took a job opportunity in Hong Kong, China making valuable connections that even resulted in her riding at the Olympic test event and being a stable manager at the Beijing 2008 Games. She is also a highly respected para-dressage coach.
Rosie Scott-Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University said: “Congratulations to Hong Kong, China on a superb and historic team result. In particular, I want to pay tribute to our very own Annie Ho who has always been an incredible horsewoman and continues to show her ability in both dressage and eventing. Her love and respect for her horses, combined with immense talent and determination, makes her a formidable competitor.
“Annie is an inspiring example to other equine students, as she has shown what can be achieved if you work hard and take every opportunity available to you.”
Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and President of The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China, said: “We’re proud and delighted to witness Hong Kong, China’s first ever team dressage medal at the Asian Games. On behalf of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong, China equestrian team. Their accomplishment is recognition not only of our riders but also of the Club’s professional support team, which has worked extremely hard behind the scenes.”
India took the gold medal, with their best scores adding up to 209.205 (Anush Agarwalla - 71.088%; Hriday Chheda - 69.941%; Divyakriti Singh - 68.176%). The Chinese team of Huang Zhuoqin (68.176%), Rao Jiayi (69.265%) and Lan Chao (67.441%) secured the dressage team silver with a combined score of 204.882.
Annie previously said: “Hartpury is world-renowned in this industry. If someone wanted to do an equine qualification, this is where they’d come. There’s nowhere else, not an equine university in the UK, that compares with here.”
We caught up with Annie for a special interview a couple of years ago, watch the video here (linked): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSYYgJDsUW0&t=1s
Hartpury students have a long history of success in sport, supported by a well-established and highly respected Sports Academy covering 10 sports that include everything from rugby to modern pentathlon. The Equine Academy supports students to compete in dressage, eventing and showjumping. Support from globally respected coaches and access to state-of-the-art facilities help students to combine their sporting ambitions with studying for a high-quality qualification.
Photo: Annie Ho, centre of picture, shown on the podium
Photo credit: SF & OC
