Patrick Lam of Hong Kong rides atop Urban in the jumping competition yesterday. Edmond Tang

Hong Kong rider Patrick Lam and horse Urban put on another strong run yesterday to qualify and advance along with 49 other pairs.

However, Team Hong Kong, China - the only one with just three riders - failed to advance to the team show-jumping final today.

After Lam's flawless run on Friday, he managed to clear 14 out of 16 obstacles within the 90-second time limit yesterday. He received nine penalty points, putting him in 22nd place.

"I'm really satisfied," the 25-year-old university student said. "I'm proud of my horse."

Not having anywhere near the amount of experience as several riders, he couldn't imagine beforehand that he would knock down just two fences. "I feel like a pop star," he said.

He described his run on Friday as a dream, and after yesterday's performance, he said he hadn't woken up.

The dream, however, ended for his teammates, Samantha Lam and Kenneth Cheng.

Samantha Lam was still feeling sore from a back injury last Thursday. With horse Tresor, the pair knocked down several fences and sustained a time penalty, resulting in 29 penalty points and putting them in 63rd place.

"I thought I rode quite well," she said. "There was nothing I could do better. Luck was not on my side today."

Cheng's ride yesterday resulted in 21 penalty points from faults, putting him in 57th.

"The course today requires excellent technique and communication with the horse, but (horse) Can Do and I brought our skills into full play," Cheng said. "The horse lacked experience in competitions, and perhaps we just lacked luck today."

Despite their elimination, Cheng and Samantha Lam were satisfied with their Olympic debuts, saying they learned a lot.

And the fact that none of the three fell off their horses or crashed said a lot for Hong Kong's venture into equestrianism.

The team plans to compete in the World Equestrian Games and the Asian Games in 2010, then it's on to London in 2012.

Cheng will seek sponsorships to continue his training in Europe.

Team leader Sacha Eckjans found the group's overall performance satisfactory, while praising Patrick Lam's concentration.

"He and his horse really fight together as a pair," Eckjans said. "They have the whole of Hong Kong standing behind them."

Without Jennifer Lee, whose horse was injured before the Games began, the Hong Kong, China team received 59 penalty points, putting it in 15th place, just ahead of Team China, which finished last.

Team China, also in its first Olympic equestrian competition, finished with 99 penalty points from its top-three riders.

(HK Edition 08/18/2008 page1)