China Horse Club (CHC) jockeys Qin Yong and Chen Li were sent to Barbados as part of the CHC China Dream Project, a program which provides international opportunities for talented young men and women from within the Chinese thoroughbred industry. As ambassadors for the Chinese thoroughbred industry, Qin Yong and Chen Li are forging relationships between the two nations and working to make a contribution to the local community. Today they are sharing their experience at one of Barbados’ most important charity events.
“It has been seven weeks since we arrived in Barbados and we have worked hard to immerse ourselves in the local community here. Barbados is a beautiful island blessed with the friendliest people who have welcomed us into their lives. Last weekend it was wonderful to be able to return some of this kindness by supporting an annual polo fundraiser at the Barbados Polo Club for The Humane Organisation for the Relief of Suffering Equines (HORSE), a cause that we believe in and work to support.
HORSE was createdby horse trainer Robert Peirce, to provide rescue and shelter to neglected, abused and abandoned horses. Many of these horses are retired racehorses. Not only do they receive rehabilitation, they are also retrained to provide equine therapy for children, the disabled and or people living with mental and emotional illnesses. Some of the racehorses are also retrained to return to the tracks as a training school horse to teach young and aspiring jockeys. Even though the organisation faces challenges in funding, space, and various other limitations (HORSE operates solely on donations), Robert and his team of volunteers are tireless in rescuing and rehabilitating horses and as a result, they have garnered more and more support from members of the public.
It has been very rewarding to be volunteers at HORSE. We spend up to four days a week working with Robert and the fellow volunteers and, even in our short time in Barbados, we have begun to see the changes in the horses we care for. It is an experience we are finding very uplifting. Under our care, many of these retired horses have shown great improvement in their emotional and physical wellbeing. We are also training with these horses in the riding school under Robert’s guidance and, with his help, our technique continues to improve.
Sunday’s HORSE Charity was very well supported by the Barbados community who were in high spirits, enjoying not only some great polo but also a Police Tattoo, a karaoke competition and a charity bazaar.
Many of those in attendance are people we now call friends. Charles Cheeseman and his father Victor Cheeseman, Barbados’ leading trainer; Mohammed Mohamad, the Barbados Turf Club Racing Manager who is like a father figure to us here; Jeff and John Chandler, Jonathan Simpson and many more.
(from left)Chen Li, Trainer Johnson Simpson and Qin Yong
Robert Pierce was in an exceptionally cheery mood, it was as if he had just won another Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup). It was great to see how much he enjoyed the occasion and how much everyone enjoyed supporting a cause that helps rehabilitate racehorses.
Qin Yong, Trainer Robert Pierce, Trainer John Chandler and Chen Li
We are very honoured to be volunteers at HORSE and to give a little back to the community and racing industry in Barbados. The CHC China Dream Project gives us a platform to make this contribution and we are thankful that the entire community in Barbados supported this charity cause. ”
Jeffery Chandler and Qin Yong
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