In early July, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Pokfulam Public Riding School welcomed a group of Student of the Year Awards (SOTY) nominees and alumni for a specially curated guided tour under SCMP Learn’s SOTY Growth Network 2025/26. Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the sole sponsor of SOTY, these energetic teenagers enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world of equestrian sport.
Immersing in a day of firsts and discovery
The HKJC Pokfulam Public Riding School, established in 1978 and reopened in 2025 after a 3-year redevelopment, features upgraded facilities in a modern and high-quality environment.
Guided by Coach James Kwok and Trainee Coach Dorothy Chan, students visited the air-conditioned stables, where 38 barn-style stalls lined rubber-floored aisles and automatic water drinkers glinted in the light. Stable doors slid open and a chorus of gasps and muted laughter rose as excited students fed the horses and posed for selfies with the majestic animals. Among them were retired racehorses retrained for riding lessons through the HKJC’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme, offering students a glimpse into the horses’ second careers beyond racing.
“I’ve always been interested in becoming a veterinarian, so when I saw the SOTY Growth Network offered a chance to visit local stables, I jumped at it,” said Janis Chui, a Grade 13 student at Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong who learned to ride at HKJC facilities as a child. “I wanted to see Hong Kong’s horse facilities up close and learn whether I might follow a career working with animals. This event felt like the perfect way to get hands-on and find out for myself.”
The tour also took students to Hong Kong’s first floodlit indoor sand arena, as well as the tack rooms, farrier’s workshop, classrooms, and equine simulator, which challenged students to experience riding in a new way. “It’s quite realistic. And the moves are quite fun and much tougher than I thought,” noted Andrew Wu, a Performing Artist finalist in SOTY 2024/25.
These sensory, hands-on moments were more than memorable outings. They were also practical experiments in personal growth, where students confronted unexpected challenges, practised patience, and gained fresh perspectives.
The HKJC is a long-standing supporter of equestrian sport. It operates three public riding schools, with an overall usage of approximately 70,000 visits per year, providing opportunities for the community to interact with horses and learn to ride. It also nurtures youth talent through the HKJC Youth Equestrian Development Programme, developing aspiring riders and supporting the future growth of the sport.
HKJC’s steadfast commitment to youth development
Beyond promoting equine sports, the HKJC is also committed to developing future leaders for Hong Kong. Through its flagship Management Trainee Programme, the HKJC recruits outstanding young talent and equips them with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to thrive in a dynamic professional environment.
Yvonne Sun, a Management Trainee at the HKJC, described the breadth of opportunities within the organisation: “My posting with the External Affairs team gave me valuable insights into Hong Kong’s betting regulation framework and public policy engagement. In Equestrian Affairs, I gained hands-on experience in the management of public riding schools and elite athlete development. Through the HKJC’s charitable initiatives, I also developed a deeper appreciation of how the HKJC works with community partners to improve lives and create lasting positive impact, all in support of the betterment of society.”
Sun, a journalism graduate from the University of Hong Kong, emphasised that the HKJC welcomes applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. Her experience illustrates how rotational programmes build adaptability and cross-domain knowledge – skills that complement technical fluency in an AI-driven world.
SOTY Growth Network nurtures future leaders
The Student of the Year Growth Network is a year-long initiative that complements the SOTY Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. This initiative aims to expand young people’s horizons through exclusive career exploration and networking opportunities such as workshops, company visits, mentorship and immersive activities. In its inaugural 2024/25 year, more than 130 nominees took part in out-of-campus learning, visiting places such as the HKJC’s Racing Talent Training Centre in Sha Tin, SPCA Jockey Club Centennial Centre in Tsing Yi, Swire Hotels’ The Upper House, foodpanda Hong Kong, HK Express and the MTR Corporation.
“It’s really good to meet with and share the experiences with like-minded young people,” said Riko Kusumo, Best Improvement awardee, SOTY 2024/25. “More importantly, I’m glad to meet with outstanding students from different schools. We are building a network,” added Kusumo.
Academic excellence alone no longer guarantees leadership. The SOTY Growth Network answers that gap by giving nominees practical experiences, human skills and professional connections that turn promise into purposeful leadership. Whether students are learning to communicate with a horse, navigating a team challenge, or stepping into a corporate rotation, they are sharpening empathy, creativity and ethical judgment – qualities that will amplify, not be replaced by, AI.
