[Taglet]

We are contemplating a move to Hong Kong in 2008. My husband is a Captain with a major international cargo airline that is opening a pilot base in Hong Kong. We will be moving with two large horses. Can anyone recommend a specific boading stable? My discipline is dressage. Where we live will be in large part dictated by where we can board the horses that is within a reasonable commute to the airport. I know that the Olympic Equestrian venues are in Breas River and Shatin. I assume that the Olympic site will be used as an equestrian site following the Olympics. Do we want to live in that area?

[PC_Man]

You would be best to contact the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

My understanding is that they control everything to do with horses in Hong Kong, from riding stables to the international races.

[KnowItAll]

Might also be easier to contact the committee members of the pokfulam riding club. They might be easier to approach and communicate with, than the HKJC.

http://www.hkridingclub.com/location/location.htm

[Tanae]

Agree with PC Man, best to contact the HKJC because I don't think horses are permitted into HK unless it's a racehorse or olympic competitor. I believe most of the horses at Beas River and other riding schools are retired racehorses.

[hello_there]

After considerable effort we were unable to secure a permit to import our horse to HK. HKJC did seem to be the authority on the matter, although our firm did most of the investigation so I don't know the details.

[XI_YAN]

hi!
I'm also moving to HK end 2008 start 2009 and want to continue riding in HK. Any advice on costs, stabling, farriers, purchasing horses etc.
Thanks

[XI_YAN]

BTW the riding club website doesn't have an email contact. That's 'coming soon'. So if anyone can help?

[Sleuth]

We use HK Equestrian Centre and they board horses. I never asked if the boarded horses were bought from HK Jockey. The rest of the horses are retired from HK Jockey.
Not sure why you would assume the Olympic venues are being turned over afterwards. Shatin is already a horse race course and Beas River (Olympic course) is at least partially on a golf course.
Also, depending on your definintion of "reasonable", you might not find a place close enough to the airport.

[Gumby]

It's very difficult to get permission to import a non-racehorse to Hong Kong which is such a shame as it really limits the local riding level, as racehorses are often (not always though!) not the best jumping/dressage horses. SO...if you really want a horse in HK you will first have to join either a) the jockey club b) lo wu riding club c) Silverlining (also in the NT) - a new club run but ex-Lo Wu/Jockey Club equestrians (I can give more details if people contact me directly). You can then work towards finding a livery, either full or half, where you pay towards the horse's keep every month (plus your membership fees) and the horse is "yours". Of course, he's not really yours as you haven't bought him, but this is the closest you get. I know at Beas River (the Olympic event) as there are so many horses once you decide to devote yourself to one they let you get on with it, more or less but you have to find the balance.

Lo Wu is more relaxed and probably a better place to have a more "natural" set-up.

As far as I know there is no turn out (or very limited, for extra fee) but that is HK for you.

I had a half-livery at Beas River when I was 14 and when I was 16 I imported him to the UK, where I now live and I have had him ever since.

I'm really sorry to the person who can't import their horses. I could try to put them in touch with someone who might know more if they get in touch with me directly - perhaps strings could be pulled, not sure.

If you just want to ride, you can go to any of the public riding schools (tuen mun, pokfulam which is very very small, lo wu) and just do lessons.

Once you get to know a few people it gets much easier to find a situation that you are happy with.

[XI_YAN]

This isn't encouraging news! I have owned and ridden thoroughbreds my whole riding career so that isn't an issue but I am unwilling to ride a public riding school horse. I want to ride a well-schooled horse that is mine, that way a unique partnership forms. I don't want to compete other than perhaps very low key so even considering importing a horse just isn't practical. SIGH I guess s.th had to be less than ideal about moving to HK! Pity!