Biography
Like most riders, I grew up with horses from an early age. Unusually, however, I began riding in the outskirts of Beijing at a friend’s riding school where my mother kept her horse. I learnt to ride on a tiny little grey pony called Xiao Hu Lu (literally means Little Gourd). When I was six, we moved to Hong Kong and this is where I really picked up my passion and enthusiasm for horses. There are several riding schools in Hong Kong and although I rode at most, the two that I spent all of my time at were Lo Wu and Beas River. Though it was unknown to anyone at the time, Beas River would later be transformed into the '08 Olympics cross country venue.
My mother took on the ownership of an ex-racehorse called Chance Bid (Monkey) who she kept at Beas River, and who came with us when we moved to the UK in 2001. After my loan pony was retired in Spring 2002, I took the ride on Monkey. I was only 12, but he was a saint show jumping (note only show jumping!) and I’d jump him over the BSJA 1.5m classes while Stephen Mercer (our show jumping friend, also from Hong Kong) would jump him over the bigger classes at the end of the day. Whilst I was in Hong Kong, I met 'Cinda and Clayton Fredericks when they came over to give clinics and regularly went over to their yard in the UK for weeks at a time in the summer holidays, so they were happy to have Monkey and myself as liveries and students when we moved here. As a result of training with them, I went from pre-novice to three star in three and a half years, all on trusted old Monkey (with a couple of hiccups across the country here and there)!
My mother was strongly involved with the Chinese Equestrian Association and so we were always clear that I had a unique opportunity to compete for China. However, as I was only twelve at the time, we just used to joke at the prospect. But when Monkey carried me around Chatsworth three star with only one stirrup, everyone seemed to sit up and take notice. Sadly, this was the last time Monkey ‘agreed’ to go cross country! Having given even Clayton a hard time at Aston, he retired himself in the Novice at Somerley Park between the second and third fence!
However, my prospects of going to the Olympics changed when I secured sponsorship from Mr Kong Fengchan, a property developer in China. With his support, Clayton and I scoured the planet looking for suitable horses. Between us, we visited seven countries in one month and came away with seven new and very shiny horses. Then, in my new, even shinier lorry, we travelled around Europe chasing qualifications. In May, I finally completed my qualification at Bialy Bor CCI*** in Poland which was quite an emotional moment for the team.
By the end of the qualification period, I had qualified four horses, apparently an unprecedented achievement! Furthermore, even though I only needed a minimum requirement to qualify, I actually gained full qualification when I hit 21st in the world. So, August 2008 came and Team China found itself at the Olympics in Hong Kong. The late (and great) Jane Gregory had been training me for dressage, and with some last minute cramming, Chico did a lovely test (apart from the little bit of tension!). Unfortunately, I only got a taster of the cross country as I fell off at fence eight, the most insignificant fence on the course, a horribly disappointing end to what was an remarkable year. Everyone involved with horses in any way will agree that the lows are very low indeed.
In 2009 I went back to school so had a quiet year on the competing side, although I finished the season in great form with two horses in the top 12 at Blenheim CCI***. In 2010 I had my first taste of Badminton and although Jeans had a fall (we were both fine), I had a great cross country on Maggie and we finished 26th, which I was delighted with. Maggie also gave me a great ride at the Young Riders Express Eventing where we finished 2nd, and at Aldon Advanced we won during the build up to the World Games. 2010 ended disappointingly when the funding was not in place for the World Games in Lexington, so I missed the chance to ride there with Maggie who was in great form. However, I did go to the Asian Games - not to ride - but as Ambassador for the host city.
2011 is a crucial year; I am working towards my qualification for the 2012 Olympics. I'm also competing some really exciting youngsters, including Furst Love who won a novice and his first three 1*s, and is aimed at the Olympic Test Event in Greenwich. On a personal note, I have had the huge honour of being invited to be Goodwill Ambassador for the Visit Britain Campaign building up to the Olympics and beyond.