Browse > Home / Press Releases / Hong Kong gives the Olympic Shetland Ponies New Chinese Names




Hong Kong gives the Olympic Shetland Ponies New Chinese Names

August 13, 2025

Morton, IL- The Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) in conjunction with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, hosted a Name the Ponies Contest for the two Shetland Ponies the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) donated to HKEF in recognition of Hong Kong’s outstanding effort to host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian games.

The ponies traveled safely to Hong Kong and landed on June 6th. Simone Ip, President of HKEF, received them in a captivating “hand-over ceremony” on July 10th. In effort to completely assimilate the American Shetlands into their culture, Ip also announced a Pony Naming Contest to be held in Hong Kong to give our Tiny Ambassadors new Chinese names. The response from the people of Hong Kong was overwhelming.

Among hundreds of entries the suggested two winning names were three Chinese characters meaning “precious,” implying that FMF Imagination will be much treasured and loved by the people of Hong Kong. The second set of three Chinese characters meant “remarkable,” implying that PC Karmel Kid is the outstanding pony of Hong Kong.

The pony naming contest winners were given a free riding lesson package at the prestigious Jockey Club Riding School and one year free subscription of MingPao and the electronic version of MingPao. The first three hundred participants to get their entries in were awarded two free tickets to enjoy single sessions at the Olympic Equestrian events. The winners were delighted, as many of the events at the 2008 Olympic games have been sold out weeks in advance.

Elated with the energy the ponies created in Hong Kong, Ip announced that the ponies would be stabled in public riding schools so that all members of the Hong Kong public could enjoy them. “On behalf of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, I would like to thank the American Shetland Pony Club for their generosity and kindness in giving us this magnificent pair of Shetland ponies. We shall have a contest to give them Chinese names prior to the beginning of the Olympics,” he added. And all of Hong Kong joined in his jubilant response, submitting names they best thought would honor the ponies and the people who sent them.

For more information contact the American Shetland Pony Club at: www.shetlandminiature.com

Written by HJN Staff Reporter · Filed Under Press Releases 
Tagged:

Comments

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.