Jockey Club Supports Strive and Rise Programme Study Tour to Guizhou to Broaden Youths’ Horizons and Deepen Understanding of National Development

In support of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust have approved a cumulative donation of HK$41 million since its launch to support the implementation of all four cohorts. Following a positive response to the programme’s two Club-supported summer study tours over the past two years, the Club is once again supporting 100 mentees from the fourth cohort to take part in a six-day study tour to Guizhou this summer.

Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (first row, 11th right); Sr Tony Wan, Chief Executive Officer of Po Leung Kuk (first row, 10th right); and the Club’s mentors and other participants at West Kowloon Station before departing to Guizhou. Photo source: HKJC

The Club's continued support for the programme and the study tour reflects the Club’s commitment to youth development. It is also aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the goals set out in the Government's Youth Development Blueprint, which seek to nurture a new generation of young people equipped with a global perspective, a positive mindset, and affection for Hong Kong and the country.

A welcome dinner was held last night (3 August), attended by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Shi Peixin, Director of the CPPCC Guizhou Provincial Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs; Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs; Dr Jenny Tam, Chairman of Po Leung Kuk; and other guests, including three Club mentors.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Shi Peixin, Director of the CPPCC Guizhou Provincial Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs (3rd right); Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd left); Dr Jenny Tam, Chairman of Po Leung Kuk (2nd right); and other guests attended the Strive and Rise Programme Guizhou study tour welcome dinner. Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the dinner, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, expressed his appreciation to the Club for its ongoing support of the Strive and Rise Programme in its capacity as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board. He highlighted the Club’s contributions to all four cohorts, including the sponsorship of the Guizhou study tour and the nomination of mentors. He noted that these initiatives help broaden young people’s horizons, enhance their learning and strengthen their confidence, and encouraged participants to make the most of the exchange by learning more about the country’s development and planning for their future aspirations.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (middle); and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (right), engage with mentees during the dinner. Photo source: HKJC

Nurturing children and youth in families is one of the key impact programmes of the Club’s charities strategy. Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, said the Club believes that investing in young people is an investment in the future of Hong and the nation. Over the years, the Club has continuously supported Hong Kong youngsters to participate in exchange and learning programmes in the Chinese Mainland. Through field visits and first-hand experiences, participants can deepen their understanding of the nation’s development, broaden their horizons and advance their personal development. The Strive and Rise Programme’s Chinese Mainland study tour is a key initiative supported by the Club. Over the past two years, study tours to Hangzhou and Sichuan received widespread positive feedback. The Club is pleased to also be supporting this year’s Guizhou study tour. In addition to providing sponsorship, the Club has also contributed to tour programme planning and arranged for Club mentors and their mentees to take part together.

He added that Guizhou has made remarkable achievements in recent years, particularly in rural revitalisation and the integration of culture and tourism. He believes that, over the coming days, participants will not only experience the province’s spectacular natural landscapes but also witness first-hand the vibrancy and momentum of the nation’s development. The tour promises to be a rare and rewarding learning journey. Beyond gaining knowledge and building friendships, participants will develop a broader outlook, while gaining confidence and courage to embrace the future.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd from the right); and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd from the left), engage with mentees during the dinner. Photo source: HKJC

During the six-day visit to Guizhou, the mentees will visit FAST (the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, and the National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Pilot Zone Communication and Experience Center. These visits will provide insights into the province's development in innovation and technology, the digital economy, aerospace science, and transport infrastructure. The mentees will also visit places like Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village to experience the region's ethnic minority culture, and the Zunyi Conference Site to deepen their understanding of the nation's history. They will also have the opportunity to watch the popular "Village T" fashion showcase to learn how innovative cultural initiatives can contribute to rural revitalisation.

The first cohort of the Strive and Rise Programme was launched in 2022. Through tripartite collaboration with the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community, the programme aims to help secondary one to four school students set goals for the future and strive for upward mobility. As one of the Vice-Chairpersons of the Programme’s Partners’ Board, the Club has not only provided financial support but also nominated its employees, together with the Jockey Club scholars and fellows, to become volunteer mentors.

Mentees visit FAST (the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, to learn about the country's achievements in astronomy and scientific innovation. Photo source: HKJC

Across the first three cohorts of the programme, over 110 people were nominated. This year, more than 45 individuals have been nominated as mentors for the programme's fourth cohort. In addition, mentees are invited to visit Club facilities, including Tai Kwun, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

The Club has also provided complimentary tickets for programme mentors and mentees to attend events supported by the Club. These included activities under the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, such as the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power documentary film and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: Dance Drama Cavalry.

The Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Mentees visit Zunyi Conference Site to deepen their understanding of the nation's history. Photo source: HKJC

The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China (EFHKC) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (27 July) announced that four horse-and-rider combinations will represent Hong Kong, China at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, from 11 to 23 August 2026. The team will compete in the show jumping individual competition and the para dressage individual and team competitions.

From Left to right: Timothy Tsang, Louie Lam, and Fleur Schrader, Photo source: HKJC

This marks the third appearance of Hong Kong, China's equestrian team at the prestigious global championships. The representatives from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Para Equestrian Squad are: Patrick Lam for Show Jumping, Fleur Schrader, Timothy Tsang, and Louie Lam for Para Dressage.

All athletes are supported under the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan (HKEPP), a collaboration between the EFHKC and the Club.

Notably, the four representatives enjoyed considerable success at the FEI Asian Championships held in Pattaya, Thailand, last November, where the Hong Kong, China team secured a total of seven medals to finish second in the medal table. The four riders contributed six of those medals, including silver in the Para Dressage Team competition (Fleur Schrader, Timothy Tsang and Louie Lam); bronze in the Para Dressage Individual Freestyle and bronze in the Para Dressage Individual competition (Fleur Schrader); bronze in the Show Jumping Team competition and bronze in the Eventing Team competition (Patrick Lam); and silver in the Eventing Individual competition (Patrick Lam).

Lester Huang, Chairman of the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China and Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: "The presence of our para dressage riders alongside our show jumping representative at the 2026 FEI World Championships reflects the breadth and inclusiveness of equestrian sport in Hong Kong, China. These athletes share the same dedication, passion and perseverance, and have each worked their way, step by step, onto this international stage – something of which we can all be proud. We wish every member of the team the very best as they take to the arena in Aachen, and look forward to their achievements bringing further credit to Hong Kong, China's equestrian community."

For each of the athletes, the World Championships represent a meaningful opportunity to learn and exchange with the world's leading riders and horses, gaining experience that will contribute to the long-term development of equestrian sport in Hong Kong, China.

Previous competition photo of Fleur Schrader, Photo source: HKJC

Fleur Schrader, will be making her second appearance at the World Championships. Reflecting on the occasion, she said: "I'm delighted to be competing again. Winning medals at last year's Asian Championships was a significant milestone for me, and this time I will be competing against some of the world's best riders. Just to be able to compete alongside such talented athletes is a precious opportunity, and I'll do my best while also learning as much as I can from them."

Timothy Tsang, Photo source: HKJC

Previous competition photo of Timothy Tsang, Photo source: HKJC

Her teammate Timothy Tsang, who will be making his third appearance at the championships, said: "I feel extremely fortunate to be participating for a third time. I will give it my all, enjoy this special occasion and do my utmost to deliver a strong performance for Hong Kong, China."

Louie Lam

Louie Lam

Previous competition photo of Louie Lam, Photo source: HKJC

Making his FEI World Championships debut, Louie Lam shared: " As a secondary school student, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong, China at the World Equestrian Championships — it truly feels like a dream! Equestrian sport has not only enabled me to overcome physical challenges but has also opened doors to the world and allowed me to pursue a fulfilling journey. I am grateful to the HKJC for its continued support, which has enabled me to train overseas and pursue my equestrian dreams. I would also like to thank the Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China for giving my teammates and me the opportunity to represent Hong Kong, China."

Previous competition photo of Patrick Lam, Photo source; HKJC

Patrick Lam, Hong Kong's sole representative in show jumping, acknowledged the calibre of the upcoming competition: "The FEI World Championships brings together the very best riders and horses from around the world. Both the level of difficulty and the standard of competition are higher than those of the Asian Games. I hope to gain valuable experience and further develop my partnership with my horse through competing at this level. We will give our best and strive to perform to our full potential."

The Hong Kong, China equestrian team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Corinne Bracken, who also serves as the Club’s HKEPP Performance Manager. The team will be supported by dedicated professionals including coaches, grooms, veterinarians, farriers and physiotherapists, all provided by the Jockey Club.