Following the completion of the dressage phase at the inaugural FEI Asia Eventing Championships in Thailand, Hong Kong rider Annie Ho leads the individual rankings riding Super Combed on a score of 46.0.
Annie was born in Hong Kong but moved to the UK at the age of five where she grew up with horses and competed in the British Pony Club system. Having completed an equine management degree at Hartpury College, she took the opportunity to return to work in Hong Kong, through which she rode at the 2008 Olympic Test Event and was a stable manager at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.
Annie returned to the UK in 2009 and spent time based at a professional event yard where she gained experience on the British eventing circuit and gained her qualifications for the Asian games during 2010. She is now aiming for the Asian Games 2014 and Olympics 2016.
Her horse Super Combed is a 14 year old 16.1hh bay New Zealand thoroughbred by Faltaat
In second place individually is Thanaporn Chavatanont riding Painters Peer of Thailand (48.80) and in third place is Atsushi Negishi of Japan riding Rata 21 (51.9)
The home team from Thailand lead the team competition after dressage on a score of 166.30 with Indonesia second on 168.96 and India on 185
Nina (middle) with her sister Nisha (left) and mother Samornmitr or Pan Ligon (right) at London 2012. Photo courtesy ninaligon.com
No doubt Nina Ligon, 2012 eventing Olympian for Thailand, will be pleased with her team’s performance. Nina has returned to Thailand from the USA to act as team coach while her mother Pan Ligon, who has managed the team at various international events, is the Chef d’Equipe
The cross country phase takes place today on the John Nicholson designed course in a lush and the beautiful environment of the 500 acre Thai Polo and Equestrian Club
All photos courtesy of Asian Eventing
Click here for results after dressage
