Hong Kong rider Nelson Yip said yesterday that he would strive for
the best at the 2008 Paralympic Equestrian which will be launched in the city on
Sept. 7.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Yip, the only local equestrian
sportsman qualified for the Paralympic Games, said that he would do his best
during the competitions which, to him, will be just as wining at in the event.
"The greatest meaning for a rider joining the Paralympic Games is to overcome
one's physical limitation and to reach a high level," said Yip, adding that
every competition is a chance for himself to improve from his insufficiency and
to make improvements.
The Paralympic Games only include the dressage discipline and athletes are
classified into five grades -- Ia, Ib, II, III and IV. Grade Ia athletes have
the most serious impairment while Grade IV athletes are the least impaired.
Yip, who needs to walk with a pair of sticks, will be a Grade II dressage
rider competing in the Individual Championship test and Individual Freestyle
test. He will be required to do walk and trot with his horse at the competitions
taking place at the main arena located in Shatin.
Due to his incapability of controlling lower limb muscles, the 40-year-old
athlete will use a horsewhip and his voice to give the horse instructions in
place of his legs. Specially designed stirrups will also be used to fix his
lower limbs' position.
Bee Chan, Yip's instructor, said that Yip's competition partner,20-year-old
horse Icy Bet, is at good condition and he believed that if everything runs
smooth, it will not be a problem for Yip to give his best performance in the
Games.