For as long as Bobo Poon can remember, horses have always been an integral part of her life. Her journey from a horse-loving child to a globally recognized long endurance equestrian competitor turned businesswoman serves as a tale of dedication. With years of experience and connections under her belt, she wants to share her love of horses and the equestrian world with young riders. Now in her early 30s, Poon is at the forefront of efforts to foster a thriving equestrian community in China and Hong Kong. 

She sat with the team at TMS to tell us about her journey into equestrianism and how she has turned her passions into a business. 

Maybe she’s barn with it

Bobo Poon's passion for horses started in her formative years. Born and raised in Hong Kong, her first contact with the equestrian world happened under unique circumstances – her parents were both horse enthusiasts, and further to the point, her mother learned of her pregnancy after falling off a horse and getting checked out in the hospital. It was almost as if it was written in the stars. 

“After I graduated from school, I decided that I only want to stay with horses, and I didn’t want to do anything else,” Poon says. Her unwavering love for horses and determination led her to pursue a career in equestrian sports, starting as a working student in a stable. Despite her mother's initial concerns about the field, Poon was not only confident in her riding abilities but also optimistic about the sport's future. From being a working student to getting the chance to enter into competitions, she later began teaching others and passing on her knowledge.

According to Poon, horses were and still are a type of therapy for her. She appreciates the sheer size of the animals and their gentle nature, noting that they would easily be able to hurt a human, and yet they choose not to, choosing to be a companion instead. “You don't speak a word to them, and they can't communicate with you by words, but they understand you somehow, and they carry you to wherever you like,” she says fondly. 

An intro to endurance riding

Endurance equestrianism is a demanding and unique discipline, setting it apart from other forms of equestrian sports. This form of long-distance racing emphasizes the collaboration between horse and rider over extended distances. The primary objective is to complete a designated course, which can range in covering a distance within a specific time frame, all the while ensuring the horse's welfare. This distance can range from distances of 16 kilometers to 160 kilometers a day. The sport not only showcases the athletic abilities of both horse and rider but also highlights the importance of horsemanship and equine care.

Technical aspects play a crucial role in endurance riding. The choice of horse for one, as the horse must be capable of sustaining a consistent pace for a prolonged duration. Breeds such as the Arabian and other light horse breeds are often preferred for their stamina and endurance. Riders also have to consider factors like terrain, weather conditions and trail layout when preparing for an endurance race. The technical gear, including endurance saddles and tack, is designed to optimize the horse's comfort and prevent chafing over the long journey.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of endurance equestrianism is the required veterinary checks along the course. These checks ensure that the horse is fit to continue, with veterinarians monitoring parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate and overall soundness. This emphasis on horse welfare and health sets endurance riding apart from other equestrian disciplines. 

Riders must strategically manage the horse's pace and energy expenditure to ensure they successfully complete the course while keeping the horse in optimal condition. In addition, the rider's navigational skills are crucial, as they need to follow the trail accurately, which may lead through diverse terrains such as deserts, mountains or forests. Endurance equestrianism combines the physical abilities of both horse and rider with a strong emphasis on horsemanship and horse care, making it a unique and challenging equestrian sport.

Quit stalling and keep going

“When I looked at the Olympics, I saw the equestrians have the longest career life,” she admits when talking about her chosen career path. She recalls watching a 68-year-old show jumper who won a gold medal. She loved the idea that equestrianism was about experience and communication, not simply about pure power or youth. And to top the decision, it was, she tells us, always a dream of hers since she was a child to cross the world on horseback.

It was during a trip to Xinjiang, China, that marked a turning point in Poon’s life. While in this province, renowned for its equestrianism, she crossed paths with the Canadian Team of Endurance Riding, fresh from competing in the world championship. They introduced her to the allure of endurance horse racing. Inspired by the dedication of these equestrians and the promise of riding in unique terrains, Poon knew she had found her calling.

At the young age of 22, she represented Hong Kong in her first competitive ride in Hungary. While she didn't emerge as the victor, she considers the experience to be a significant learning opportunity. "I learned the sport more deeply," she reflects. "I learned how to save a horse's energy and how to protect the horse. If the rider protects the horse, the horse will protect them back. It's a partnership."

Upon qualifying for the world equestrian games, Poon tells of how she spent 20 hours on the back of a horse. At the time, she was in Florida under extreme temperatures. “My horse didn't drink,” she recounts as she describes the extra horse care that she needed to undergo to make sure that her companion was safe and able to perform.

“I was super tired already,” she remembers, “I was like, ‘OK, I can’t qualify for the World Equestrian Games. Maybe I'll just stop here because we are both struggling.’” But she noticed that the horse didn’t stop. He only slowed himself down but kept going with one foot in front of the other. With confirmation from the horse’s owner that the horse was physically able to finish the race, she decided to take an example from the horse and not give up. 

Since that race, though, she has amassed an impressive list of achievements as a three-star FEI Endurance rider. Her journey has taken her to various corners of the globe, including the UK, France, China, Australia, the UAE and the US, as she slowly accomplishes her childhood dream of riding around the world. She has recently ridden in Al-'Ula, Saudi Arabia. “They just let women drive a car two, three years ago,” she says. “I felt honored to be there, and also that area feels like a mystical place for me. When I was growing up, I read a lot of stories, and that place is where Allah made horses.”

Horse and Hound

The COVID pandemic forced Poon to pause her competing, and so she decided to channel her energy into something else. “Actually, it was always my dream to have a tack store. But I never really had a chance to make it happen,” she tells us. With years of experience working with horses and distributors under her belt, she decided to launch Horse & Hound Hong Kong, a lifestyle store with a primary focus on delivering high-quality professional gear to equestrians and riding enthusiasts. 

“I realized the Hong Kong people, they really like to dress up professionally and fashionably,” she says. “During that time, there were many shops in Hong Kong that closed down, so we kind of had a good chance to start a shop in Central.” The store initially began as a modest pop-up shop but rapidly gained popularity. In no time, it evolved into a brick-and-mortar establishment, complemented by an online shopping platform. 

Today, Horse & Hound on Aberdeen Street has become a go-to store for fashionable and functional equestrian needs. Poon personally tests each product before it is made available to her customers. She focuses her selection on a combination of stylish design, functionality and both horse and rider safety.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of Horse & Hound for Poon is the opportunity it has provided her to connect with people from various equestrian disciplines. She expresses how committed she is to supporting and guiding the younger generation interested in horse riding. Drawing from her own experiences, she provides them with the wisdom she has gathered over the years, recommending top trainers and offering them all the valuable training resources that they need.