Remember the name? Hong Kong’s new equestrian star riding high in her own right
Sheikara Whyte introduces herself with three faultless rounds on her international debut at FEI Asian Championships
Hong Kong’s new equestrian star Sheikara Whyte acknowledged being related to horse racing royalty put extra pressure on her, yet managed a flawless showjumping display on her international debut on Sunday.
Daughter of former champion jockey Douglas Whyte, the 25-year-old was understandably “super-proud” of her efforts at the FEI Asian Championships in Thailand.
Part of Hong Kong’s bronze medal-winning jumping team, she delivered three clear rounds in Pattaya. That positioned her seventh in the individual standings, but she withdrew from Sunday’s final round to preserve her eight-year-old horse, Hastuce des Courts.
“I would have loved to compete, but I have to think about my horse’s longevity,” Whyte said.
“I felt we did what we needed to ... we proved ourselves, and I have to think about what comes next. I’d like to go into a final round without worrying about whether my horse will be OK. I want to be competitive, not just go around.