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horses were ex-racehorses (OTTBs). There is a big racing scene in Hong Kong for which hundreds of young horses are imported into the country from the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.


Romeo Owned by Leila Finch I


was very surprised when I first arrived at Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre (CEEC) to find that 70% of the riding school


“Viento”, a.k.a Romeo, was the first horse I ever rode in Hong Kong, a 16h bay gelding. I had been riding a very well trained Lusitano over the past two years whilst living in Dubai. Riding a thoroughbred was very different!


Romeo, originally from Ireland, his racing career was from 2007 – 2009 and won HK$539,850 before being retired and retrained as a riding school horse. Following that process he was selected by CEEC and brought to their stables in Clearwater Bay in 2010. He was taken on livery by Adam Su and his two sons, YuXan and YuAn, who trained and competed him in cross country, dressage and show jumping over the next X years.


Romeo was YuXan's early mentor and played an important part in the development of YuXan as a horseman. Together they accomplished FEI dressage Novice, FEI show jumping Cat C. YuXuan is now competing in 3* Eventing competitions and has achieved the Asian Championship Individual silver medal, Team silver medal, and was a eventing team rider at the Asian Games in Hong Kong in 2018 .


Sadly in 2016 Romeo suffered a leg injury that leſt him unable to jump.


I arrived in Hong Kong in August 2017 and enjoyed riding Romeo over the next few months and decided to take him on livery. It was a fortuitous match as I was keen to concentrate only on dressage. In the early days Romeo


was really quite grumpy, especially in the stable, however I didn’t let that put me off and now know it’s all a front. He is, in fact, a big soſty and actually very well mannered - ‘a true gentleman’! We enjoyed a few weekends up at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Beas River competitions, and more oſten than not, came home with a ribbon or two for our efforts. I have also entered a number of Prelim and Novice competitions with ‘Dressage Anywhere’ which has been great and gives me a focus for our training.


Being a mum of three young and very active boys, having a horse has been my saviour both mentally and physically. I ride five days a week and include at least one lesson. Unfortunately in Hong Kong at most of the stables there is no opportunity to hack out so I try to ensure I keep our routine interesting by adding in lunging or free schooling sessions, or even a little hack around the yard. At CEEC you are not allowed to hack on the local roads or countryside trails, so that is one thing I am really looking forward to doing in the UK. It will be a new lease on life for us both!


Romeo suffers from stiffness especially due to long periods of standing in the stable so I have found it hugely beneficial to him to include some massage before I ride to help relax his muscles, and I then routinely stretch him aſterwards and walk him off around the yard so he can stop and socialize with some of the other horses. Fortunately at CEEC the horses do get turnout in the empty arenas every day for an hour – this is quite a treat for horses in Hong Kong as sadly it’s not the norm due to lack of space. He also sees a physiotherapist every few months to ensure he is in good condition. Spending so much time with him has really created a great bond between us and it’s so lovely to hear his neigh every morning as I approach his stable.


Due to the Corona Virus situation, and with schools being closed in Hong Kong since early February, my husband and I have decided to relocate to the UK with our boys. My main worry was that I would be leaving Romeo behind but aſter speaking to the Manager at CEEC, and receiving approval from the HKJC (who own all the off-the-track race horses that go into riding schools in Hong Kong) I can take Romeo back with me to enjoy the space and freedom, and eventually retire him in greener pastures – a real dream come true.


Romeo will spend one month in quarantine before he flies to Amsterdam where he will be taken on a lorry to his new home in Stamford, UK.


Whilst being a member of CEEC I have worked alongside the CEEC team and other members to raise funds for The Horse Retirement Fund which enables them to fly the horses to countries where they can be properly retired and cared for for the rest of their lives.


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THE SPRING SPECIAL 2020


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