Longines Masters HK to feature the best young showjumping stars in the region

HK's 2018 Junior Rider of the Year on the trick to working with horses, the Longines Masters, and how he handles academic stress

Li Tzu-yen is the reigning Asian junior showjumping champion, which makes him a strong favourite of the competition. Although the Taichung-based rider has eight year’s experience, you might be surprised to know the champion title he claimed, at the 3rd AEF Junior Jumping Championship on his home soil in November, was his first international victory.

The highest fence he had ever tackled is 1.2 metres. The unexpected victory at the Asian junior tournament was how the Taiwanese rider earned his place to compete in the junior competitions at the Longines Masters Weekend.

“I had no idea I would make it here [Hong Kong], and now, it feels great to be here,” said Tzu-yen. “I hope I can meet new friends and gain experience.”

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Born in Jarkata, Indonesia, Muhammad Akbar Kurniawan is the only contestant who specialises in both showjumping and dressage. His horse riding journey began when he was nine, and he entered his first international tournament last year. He has attained some outstanding results, including a team title at the FEI CSIJ-B Standard Show in Bangkok, Thailand, in November, and his individual victory at the ZZ Equestrian Cup in Indonesia in December.

The highest fence he’s jumped is 1.3 metres. After getting a taste of victory last year, the Indonesian rider has set sights on greater goals, including to become an Olympic gold medallist.

“My dream is to participate in a Longines global champions tour, and to get a gold medal at the Olympics for representing Indonesia,” said Muhammad Akbar.

Despite being the only female rider in the youth tournament, Anna Cao Jiaxian says she is not in the slightest bit intimidated by her male counterparts. The Chinese rider has been in the sport for six years and it all began with, as she puts it, “love at first sight”.

“I believe I have a special connection with the horses. They’re my loyal friends,” said Anna.

The student from Tung Wah Senior High School in Dongguan made her international debut at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup China League in Beijing in 2015. Since then, Anna has continued to strive for a career breakthrough, and she found it last year, at the FEI Nations Cup (CSIO J&Y) showjumping competition in Beijing, where she came out on top in the 1.15 metres event. Her record fence height is 1.2 metres.

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While he the oldest contestant, Amirhossein Siahmansouri has the least experience, as he took up the sport just four years ago. Amirhossein is a gifted student who not only excels in academics, but has also made swift progress in the sport after taking part in his maiden competition in 2015.

Over the past two years, the Iranian has earned several medals at national championships, such as the Padideh Cup in 2016. He also finished in fifth place at the third AEF Junior Jumping Championship in Taiwan last year. So far, the highest fence he has cleared is 1.35 metres, the tallest among all competitors.

Amirhossein’s parents have been very supportive and built him an equestrian club in his hometown of Varamin, Tehran, in the hope that his son’s enthusiasm for the sport could spread to the rest of the community.

“I want to get better at every day to make my family and my country proud,” said Amirhossein.