Hong Kong’s new equestrian star Sheikara Whyte acknowledged being related to horse racing royalty put extra pressure on her, yet managed a flawless showjumping display on her international debut on Sunday.
Daughter of former champion jockey Douglas Whyte, the 25-year-old was understandably “super-proud” of her efforts at the FEI Asian Championships in Thailand.
Part of Hong Kong’s bronze medal-winning jumping team, she delivered three clear rounds in Pattaya. That positioned her seventh in the individual standings, but she withdrew from Sunday’s final round to preserve her eight-year-old horse, Hastuce des Courts.
“I would have loved to compete, but I have to think about my horse’s longevity,” Whyte said.
“I felt we did what we needed to … we proved ourselves, and I have to think about what comes next. I’d like to go into a final round without worrying about whether my horse will be OK. I want to be competitive, not just go around.
