LILY CHIU ZILO

Ready For the 2011/2012 Dressage Season

2011-12-07T22:09:00.004-05:00

11 year old PRE Stallion - ESMALTADO IV

Very Proud of my daughter, Stephanie

2011-09-25T18:34:00.002-04:00

In Memory Of My Beloved Brother David

2011-08-20T13:04:00.005-04:00

Gone much too soon and never to be forgotten.
Though we are now apart, your spirit lives within us, forever in our hearts.
August 13th 2011

Summer Sizzler I Dressage - Canterbury, Florida

2011-07-10T22:12:00.008-04:00

Simply delighted with Esmaltado's First I one test in the U.S.

White Fences Dressage Series 2011

2011-03-20T22:27:00.006-04:00

Gorrion's I1 Dressage test with Dr. Chopra in the morning

Polo with Piaget in the afternoon

My Friends At the Sunshine Tour 2011

2011-03-15T21:04:00.008-04:00

Daniel Martin (Grandioso Rider) & Kimberly Van Kampen Boyer

Jan Bemelmans, Spanish Dressage Team Trainer

Ignacio "Black & White" Grosso, Samuel Lopez & Ignacio Bravo

Alejandro Barreras (General Manager) & Teresa Fontan

The royal carriage tour provided by D. Antonio Blasquez

The WEG 2010 Champions: Fuego, Juan Manuel Munoz & Jose Antonio Mena

Sunshine Tour 2011

2011-03-14T22:00:00.003-04:00

Kimberly Van Kampen Boyer and Lily visit Grandioso at the Sunshine Tour.

Bob Langrish in South Florida

2011-02-08T22:58:00.004-05:00

World renowned Equestrian Photographer, Bob Langrish is in south Florida covering the winter jumping circuit and the CDI W dressage. Lily Chiu Zilo was honored by a visit from Bob for a few casual shots of a warm up in full dress.

We congratulate Bob for his recent M.B.E. appointment by the Queen of England.

Linda Zang Schooling Show

2011-02-05T18:17:00.007-05:00

World renowned Olympic Dressage Judge, Hon. Linda Zang offered a one day schooling show at the Brandon Equestrian Center which was attended by a wide range of local and international riders including Lily Zilo & her Pure Spanish Horse, Gorrion. All participants had a unique opportunity for a trial test run with an Olympic Jedge before the Wellington Dressage Classic CDI W.

My New Good Friend

2011-01-29T17:37:00.005-05:00

Good friend and great rider from Brazil, Samira Uemuras currently riding for the Dominican Republic.

Gorrion Rules !

2011-01-26T22:15:00.005-05:00

Pure Spanish horse, Gorrion made an impressive appearance at the Gold Coast Dressage Association (GDCA) on January 21-23, 2011. Ridden by International FEI competitor and trainer, Yvonne Losos de Muniz, Gorrion owned by Lily Zilo made an elegant debut of season at Prix St. George.

Tell Me It Won't Bite

2011-01-17T09:18:00.008-05:00

Hosted by the Lattimore's, Lily spends the first couple of days of the New Year on the Choctaw Preserve in Denisson, Texas. www.choctaw-preserve.com

Dr. Yang DVM - Taipei

2011-01-13T16:16:00.003-05:00

After 37 years, Lily meets a classmate in Taipei that became a Veterinarian. Dr. Yang is currently the resident Vet for the Taiwan national dressage team. How is that for a coincidence !

My Class Reunion in Asia

2011-01-10T19:02:00.005-05:00

Last, Thanksgiving, I was fortunate enough to travel to Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei for a school reunion that was attended by 40 out of my 54 elementary school classmates. The highlights of the trip was my return to my birthplace, Taipei for the first time in 26 years and seeing classmates for the first time in 37 years.

2010 World Equestrian Games - Old Friends and New Friends

2010-10-01T13:37:00.008-04:00

Lily Zilo, Ferdi Eilberg (new HKEF Dressage Coach) & Yvonne Lasos de Muniz

Lily Zilo, Carl Hester & Yvonne Losos de Muniz

Geri & Ferdi Eilberg

Lily and FEI Steward, Johnny Lee

Lily and Soenke Lauterback

The 2010 World Equestrian Games gave Lily a chance to see old friends and meet new friends in Lexington, Kentucky.

2010 World Equestrian Games

2010-10-01T00:17:00.006-04:00

Lily Zilo headed to Lexington, Kentucky this week for the 2010 World Equestrian Games accompanied by her new Trainer, Yvonne Losos de Muniz.

Lily & Juan Manuel Munoz

Lily & Jenny Loriston-Clarke

Lily with Olympian, Rafael Soto

Yvonne, Lisa, Samira & Lily

Palm Beach Post Features Lily Chiu Zilo

2010-09-30T19:53:00.003-04:00

Wellington dressage rider Lily Chiu Zilo was born in Taiwan and lived in Hong Kong for several years. In November, she will travel east to the city where her mother was born, Guangzhou, China, to compete in the 16th Asian Games.
For Zilo, riding in the games is a chance to honor her heritage while challenging herself as an athlete.
"Equestrian sports are not common in Asian countries," Zilo said. "I thought it would be a really good example to the younger Chinese generation that if you try your best, you can get somewhere. At 36, I started riding. At 46, I am heading to the Asian Games."
Zilo's experience with horses started when she was living with her husband and their two daughters in Italy.
"We moved to Rome in 1993," Zilo said. "My eldest, Jessica, started to take pony lessons. I was taking her to the stables and watching her. My husband suggested that I ride. He said it might be fun to do something with my daughter. I took group lessons for a year and I got hooked. I'm very competitive. If I do something, I have to do it to the best of my ability."
Zilo excelled at dressage while living in Italy. In 2001, Lily won reserve champion at the Copa Lazio, an Italian equestrian competition. Later that year, she moved with her family to Wellington and founded Windsor stables. In 2007, Zilo tried to qualify for the Olympic Games, held the following year in Hong Kong.
"I was not able to earn my certificate of competency," she said. "It was a really challenging task that I gave myself. I figured that Hong Kong being the host country would only happen once in my lifetime, so I had to try."
Zilo rode for the Hong Kong team in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Though she missed out on riding in the 2008 Olympics, Zilo was asked by the Hong Kong federation to carry the Olympic torch in the ceremony that kicked off the games .
"I carried the flame into the equestrian Olympic stadium," she said.
Returning to the Asian Games with her horse Marquis de Matcho will give Zilo a chance to inspire the Chinese people as she rides on the Hong Kong team once again. She plans to perform a special musical freestyle.
"I've chosen Chinese folk songs in a new arrangement. Millions of Chinese people will sing along with that music. I think it's going to win everyone's heart."
After the Asian Games are over, Zilo will turn her attention to the 2012 Olympics in London.
"To compete is to better yourself," she said. "It's an evaluation of your work. Riding in the Olympics is my ultimate goal. If not, I just want to become a successful grand prix rider."

Article written by: Amy Bower Doucette

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/pets/wellington-equestrian-to-head-to-china-to-compete-944763.html

Topping the 2010 Asian Games Qualifying Score !

2010-09-19T22:08:00.008-04:00

Lily Zilo tops her 2010 Asian Games qualifying scores on two occasions this weekend with Marquis de Matcho at the Wellington Dressage Classic with scores of 66.042 and 67.917

Elegance & Nobility

2010-09-05T22:39:00.006-04:00

Lily Zilo has the privilege of working with 10 year-old Grand Prix Pure Spanish Horse (PRE), BARROCO M1 bred by D. Eduardo Muniz Pinilla. BARROCO has impressive Yeguada Militar bloodlines and is a grandson to the renowned LEVITON.

Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Meeting

2010-06-19T22:13:00.011-04:00

Lily celebrates her qualfication for the 2010 Asian Games with members of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation at the HKJC Beas River Country Club stables.

Connie Lau joins Lily for a visit to the horses in the stables.

Asian Games 2010 - Second Qualifying Score Achieved !!

2010-06-14T17:56:00.005-04:00

Coached by Dressage Trainer, Shelly Van Den Neste, Lily Chiu Zilo attained her second requisite FEI qualifying score for the 2010 Asian Games scheduled for later this year.

Lily and Marquis de Matcho earned a First Place ribbon with an impressive score of 67.33 % at the 2010 White Fences Summer Fun FEI competition.

Photo courtesy: Johnny Robb

A Moment For Reflection

2010-06-13T18:29:00.005-04:00

Lily Chiu takes a moment on PRE, Gorrion to reflect upon the challenges of the 2010 Asian Games.

Asian Games 2010 - First Qualifying Score Achieved !

2010-05-10T16:36:00.006-04:00

In a remarkable four day period of riding Marquis de Macho (Hanoverian gelding) in Gainesville, Florida, Lily Chiu attains her first qualifying score for the 2010 Asian Games.

Canterbury - Riding with Friends

2010-05-08T20:32:00.002-04:00

Lily Zilo riding Marquis de Macho and Hon. Judge Martha Lott riding PRE Stallion, Icaro spend a late afternoon in the saddle.

Committed In & Out Of The Arena

2010-04-19T21:12:00.005-04:00

Lily Zilo scribing for Judge Gary Rockwell at the Gold Coast Finale I.

Working Towards Grand Prix

2010-04-12T22:43:00.005-04:00

Working diligently under the Florida sun.

Dressage Daily Features Lily Chiu Zilo

2010-04-06T21:18:00.003-04:00

Lily Zilo and Her Come Back Zoe Efforts Paid Off in Police Sting

Written by Mary Phelps Hathaway
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 06:36

When Dressage rider, Lily Zilo’s four month old puppy Zoe was stolen from her car near West Palm Beach, she launched a full blown effort to find the Zilo’s newest family member, with fliers, posters, and even contacting the well known animal psychic team of Linda Johns and Kate Keigel. Her search was broadcast on three local televison networks, and supported by all her facebook friends. Four days later, after playing along with the people who contacted her seeking the reward money offered, the thinly veiled scam all came undone in the parking lot of a Home Depot, with six unmarked police vehicles lying in wait. All Lily had to do when she was presented with her dog was to take her hat off if the puppy being delivered to her was identified. But she forgot !

Zilo was so overwhelmed and excited to see her puppy she had been searching for she forgot about the signal. As Lily was hugging and kissing her puppy, daughter Jessica knocked off her hat off her head. “I did not even see any of them (the detectives and undercover officers) in my peripheral vision,” said Zilo. “But in two seconds, they had surrounded the person who brought Zoe to the parking lot, and it was all over.”Wearing her new Come Back Courtney T-Shirt, one of the multiple fundraising efforts launch for injured Olympian Dressage rider, Courtney King Dye, Zilo brought rescued hostage Zoe to Dressage at Equestrian Estates and entertained us with her story.

Gorrion At Work

2010-03-09T22:45:00.005-05:00

Lily Zilo, Gorrion and Juan Matute put in another days' work. Gorrion's passage and piaffe is starting to look very impressive.

A New FEI Partner

2010-02-18T16:51:00.004-05:00

After searching for several months, Lily Zilo finally selected a seven (7) year-old Pure Spanish Horse named GORRION to be her next FEI partner. Gorrion has successfully competed at Prix St. Georges and the pair are now looking forward to getting into the arena soon.

Exquis World Dressage Masters 2010 - Final

2010-02-06T23:31:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Anky van Grunsven for her spectacular overall competition win and deep regrets that we did not get to see Ulla Salzberg on the final competition day.

Anky van Grunsven
Ulla Salzberg

Betsy Steiner & Lily Zilo

Exquis World Dressage Masters 2010

2010-02-04T20:13:00.017-05:00

Lily Zilo in attendance at the 2010 Exquis World Dressage Masters CDI 5*. - the undisputed highest level dressage in the western hemisphere - " These magnificient and skillfull world class riders made the Grand Prix test appear so simple ".

Steffen Peters & Ravel - 76.851

Anky van Grunsven & Salinero - 74.638

Isabell Werth & Satchmo - 72.553

Robert Dover - Ashley Holzer & Pop Art - 72.468

2010 Top Shelf Dressage Under The Stars

2010-01-28T00:15:00.004-05:00

Lily Zilo wishes to congratulate her friend, Betsy Rebar Sell for a splendid ride with Wonderful Walden and for wining at the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage Under the Stars.

2010 Challenge of the Americas - International Team

2010-01-26T12:52:00.005-05:00

The 2010 Challenge of the Americas led by Mary Ross and assisted by Lily Zilo stepped up the pace this week by meeting with all the international riders that will be participating in this year's breast cancer charity event.
The countries that will be represented include Australia, Canada, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and USA.

Warmblood Stallion Has A Mind Of His Own !

2010-01-21T12:14:00.004-05:00

Wearing a helmet and taking safety precautions when trying a new horse should never be taken for granted. Lily Zilo remains glued to the seat of this young Warmblood stallion owned by Grand Prix Rider, Mario Gomez.

Sophie Finds Her Equestrian Partner in Spain

2010-01-17T12:11:00.008-05:00

After several months searching and assisted by her family friend Lily Zilo, Sophie Hoffman acquires her new equine partner .... a Pure Spanish Horse (PRE) !

Airoso De Les A (known as Kiwi) is a ten year of stallion located in Tarancon, Spain. Kiwi will soon be travelling to his new home in Florida.

Best wishes to Sophie !

2010 Challenge Of The Americas

2010-01-15T13:55:00.008-05:00

Mary Ross and her team kick started the New Year with meetings to plan the " 2010 Challenge Of The Americas " which promises to be more successful than last year.

Lily Zilo encourages her friends and family to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and thanks Evelyn H. Lauder for her diligence and hard work.

Tami Hoag

2010-01-12T22:24:00.007-05:00

Tami Hoag, Best Selling Author and Grand Prix Dressage Rider has just released her new book entitled "Deeper Than The Dead". Lily Zilo extends her congratulations to her good friend and fellow rider. Tami Hoag has published 30 novels of which 14 were categorized as New York Times Best Sellers !

Olympian Vittoria Panizzon

2010-01-10T17:40:00.008-05:00

Lily Zilo extends her warmest best wishes to her dear friend, Vittoria following her full recovery from her November riding injury. Have a spectacular season and ride like the wind !

Vittoria & Lord Sacha

Visit: http://www.vittoriapanizzon.com/retired.htm

Juan Matute

2010-01-09T14:52:00.009-05:00

Lily Zilo is currently in training with three time Olympian, D. Juan Matute. Based in Wellington, Florida, Juan Matute was a member of the Spanish Dressage team who has competed for Spain in the Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games and the European Championships.

http://juanmatute.com

Hubertus Schmidt Clinic

2010-01-08T15:57:00.010-05:00

Lily Zilo and Stradivari working with world renowned German dressage trainer, Hubertus Schmidt in 2009.

Olympians, Oded Shimoni (Israel), Hubertus Schmidt (Germany) and Michelle Gibson (USA) coach Lily Zilo

Stradivari - Grand Prix

2010-01-01T21:02:00.006-05:00

Stradivari was acquired from world renowned German dressage trainer, Hubertus Schmidt.

http://sharonpacker.exposuremanager.com/g/stradivari_14_302

2008 Olympic Torch Relay

2009-12-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

Lily Zilo may not have earned a spot as Hong Kong's dressage representative in the 2008 Equestrian Olympics, but the lessons she learned in her effort to represent her home country were priceless. "If had to do over again, I would. I'm a very goal oriented person and I always like to set goals for myself and try to achieve them," she said.
In fact Lily was one the first dressage riders to appear in the Olympic stadium. Lily Chiu Zilo was one of 120 torch bearers selected to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Equestrian Federation had 5 representatives who carried the torch in the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue - President, Dr. Simon Ip, JP, honorary Treasurer, Mr. Michael Lee, Jumping rider, Mr. Kenneth Cheng, Dressage rider, Mrs. Lily Zilo Chiu as well as the captain of Hong Kong Para Equestrian Team, Mr. Nelson Yip.
It would not have been the first time that Zilo, based in Wellington, Florida, had represented Hong Kong internationally. She was a member of the Hong Kong Dressage Team at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar with her mare Windsor's Mira.
It was right after that event that Zilo begin thinking of the 2008 Olympics. "When the Games were over, the Chinese Federation spoke to all riders and told us that if we pursued, on our own, an interest in going to the Olympics that maybe we could represent Hong Kong," she said.
As her Asian Games mount was only capable of Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire competition, Zilo went on the hunt for a Grand Prix horse. She also linked up with American Olympian Michelle Gibson as her trainer. Zilo went horse shopping in Europe and last spring she found Stradivari 14, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding she purchased from Hubertus Schmidt.

As an amateur rider, Zilo said she knew she faced a big challenge in her Olympic run. "The reason we're amateurs is that we have other things in life. We have other priorities. For a professional, the first priority is riding and training the horse. But as an amateur, I have other responsibilities as a mother, homemaker, wife and then rider. Being a rider is not top priority and never has been. Being an amateur rider and trying to reach this goal was extremely challenging."
Zilo was born in Taipei. Her family later moved to Hong Kong, from where her mother is from. Zilo learned to ride while she was living in Italy. In 2001, the Zilos moved to the U.S. and chose the Wellington, Florida as their home because of their growing equestrian interest. Aside from being busy riding, Zilo has also spent some time doing a bit of media coverage of equestrian events for Chinese media, most recently at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in California.
When the Hong Kong Federation made it clear that it would have one spot in the summer's Olympic Games, Zilo dug in and went to work, but her biggest challenge was time. "I went from being a Prix St. Georges rider to trying to get to Grand Prix in a matter of months. It was a very tough goal," Zilo said. "If I'd had a little bit more time, I think the goal would have been more possible."
Much of the problem was that it was late in the process before Hong Kong knew for sure that, as host country, it had a guaranteed spot in the Olympics. Riders, such as Zilo, who were interested, had to cover much of the initial cost of their Olympic run, although the Hong Kong Jockey Club did help out.
"Fortunately, I had my own support team," Zilo said. "I had my own trainer, my own grooms – my daily groom and an international groom who would travel with me. I had my veterinary support, including chiropractor and acupuncturist.
I had my farrier and my own sports psychologist and my personal trainer. This whole process required a lot of effort and a big team. By the time we had it all set up and everyone felt comfortable, the time was really, really short. But everybody gave 120 percent to make this happen and I can't thank them enough."
To make it to the Olympics, Zilo needed two qualifying scores of 64 percent at a CDI and those scores had to come from "O" judges not from her native country. Not an easy task, especially for an amateur rider new to Grand Prix, who was thus not able to show the consistency in competition that judges like to see before awarding higher scores, Zilo said.
"It's also been seen in the past that other Asian nations have been known to buy really good horses to try and make an Olympic Games. And afterward, they just disappear. So there was a sense that this might be the same with me," she said.
For Zilo, however, her Olympic run is just the beginning. She's already targeting the 2010 Asian Games and possibly a World Cup and World Equestrian Games and is hunting for an international-caliber horse. Much depends on whether or not Hong Kong is allocated spots for those international competitions. Regardless, Zilo said aiming for an international team has certainly furthered her real goal as an amateur – becoming a better rider.
"For me, it was always about becoming a better rider. In this sport, everything is always about becoming a better rider," she said. And is she better? Zilo said "yes, definitely. I'm able to make corrections better and faster."
Zilo is proud of her effort to be Hong Kong's Olympic representative, mostly because she believes an Olympic goal is an admirable one for an amateur rider. "The original spirit of the Olympics was that it consisted of the best amateurs in the world. Some how in the process, at least on the equestrian side, the focus has been on the professional riders.
So, for me, to be an amateur and get as far as I did is like 'wow.' I hope that I have encouraged Chinese, especially the younger generation, to try and to realize that they are good enough to be part of the Olympics."
One other thing Zilo said she learned from her Olympic effort is just how kind and supportive is the equestrian community. "I was able to compete with the best riders from the East Coast and Canada and it was a great experience as an amateur rider to be able to compete alongside them. As an amateur, we rarely have such opportunities. And all of them were so extremely supportive. They always had kind encouragement to offer. It was a really good feeling. I appreciate their support and I want to thank them all."
As for travelling to Hong Kong to watch the Games in her home country, Zilo decided to pass. "The cost would be very high to make the trip, and I decided it would be money better spent for my training."

Olympic Dressage Hopes

2009-12-27T19:35:00.001-05:00

Written by Dressage Daily Admin
Friday, 01 February 2008 00:00
In an effort to ensure that the 2008 Olympic host nation is represented, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is putting up the money to help Chinese dressage and jumper riders prepare and qualify to compete in this summer’s Olympic Games and U.S.-based Chinese rider Lily Zilo is one of the riders benefitting from the Club’s financial support. Although, the Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in Beijing, China, the equestrian competitions for the Games will be held in Hong Kong. Hence, the interest of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in sponsorship. Zilo has represented Hong Kong before in competition during the 2006 Asian Games. It was right after that event that Zilo begin thinking of the 2008 Olympics. "When the Games were over, the Chinese Federation spoke to all riders and told us that if we pursued on our own an interest in going to the Olympics that maybe we could represent Hong Kong," she said. As her Asian Games mount was only capable of Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire competition, Zilo went on the hunt for a Grand Prix horse. She also linked up with American Olympian Michelle Gibson as her trainer. Zilo went horse shopping in Europe and last spring she found Stradivari 14, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding she purchased from Hubertus Schmidt. "He has three very good gaits and he knows his work and he has a very accepting mind.He doesn’t insist, he always waits for what the instructions are. I rode, seven or eight other Grand Prix horses when I was looking for a horse and most of them made decisions on their own. They felt that they knew their job and that you should not be in charge, they should be in charge. But he actually has the patience and he waits," Zilo said of her new Grand Prix partner. Zilo was born in Taipei. Her family later moved to Hong Kong, from where her mother is from. Zilo learned to ride while she was living in Italy. "I was accompanying my older daughter to pony lessons and I got bored waiting around for her. So, I started taking group lessons in the stable where she was riding and a year later, I thought perhaps it was better to have my own horse. That’s how I got started. In Italy, they don’t have hunter classes. The lowest jump starts at 1 meter. And I quickly figured out that at the age of 37, I would never become a Grand Prix jumper. Dressage is more predictable. You know what you’re going into and how you should prepare your horse. And, I felt that if I gave it a try and did my best, perhaps one day I could be a Grand Prix dressage rider."In 2001, the Zilos moved to the U.S. and chose the Wellington, Florida as their home because of their growing equestrian interest. To make it to this year’s Olympic Games, Zilo will need two qualifying scores of 64 percent at a CDI and those scores must come from an "O" judge. And, a judge not from her native country. "In the case of Hong Kong, it’s very easy since we don’t have any "O" judges," she said. The challenge for Zilo with her new horse, will be getting the qualifying scores, but she’s got some great support behind her.Financial support is coming from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "They’re also sponsoring the Olympic Show Jumping Team and right now, three dressage riders," Zilo said. "They allocate an amount and every three months, they send us some of that money that we can use for competition, training – anything related to the horse and rider. We determine how we want to spend the money and submit the expenses. Once it’s decided who actually is going to Hong Kong, then the Jockey Club will allocate another amount of money to cover the expenses of competing in the Olympics."Hong Kong has only one dressage slot for the Olympic Games and getting it won’t be easy. But Gibson said her student is determined and works hard. "We’re making progress and coming along. So, we’re headed in the right direction and we’re going to give it every effort."Zilo’s first attempt to earn her qualifying scores will come in late February when she competes at the Palm Beach Derby. Although she competed at the Gold Coast Opener CDI-W/Y, she did so not in CDI classes but open classes as a way to get experience before her first CDI qualifier. She’s optimistic. "As long as I do my best and keep trying and with the help of Michelle and if the horse stays sound, I think the goal is reachable."

Lily Zilo and Mira Represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games

2009-12-26T22:24:00.009-05:00

ORRY

Olympian Michelle Gibson, Lily Zilo, Edwin McAuley (HKEF)

Written by Mary Phelps Hathaway
Wednesday, 10 January 2007 14:00

Hong Kong Fields First Dressage Team Ever At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar

Wellington resident Lily Zilo and her mare Windsor's Mira are safely home in their Wellington stables after the long journey to Doha, Qatar, where the competed for Hong Kong on the Dressage Team at the Asian Games. Accompanying Zilo was her long time coach, Loxahatchee, Florida resident Linda Smith, and "Groom Extraordinaire Gabriel Meyer and John Achilla. Close friend Elizabeth Kane travelled to Qatar to cheer her on and sent this write up and photos.
Seven dressage teams and twenty-five individuals competed in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar during the first week of December. Although spectator attendance was low by European standards, there was no lack of enthusiasm displayed by the mostly Middle Eastern audience as they cheered for each competitor under sunny skies in the Arabian Gulf. Korea defended their title as the gold medal team, Malaysia took home the silver, and the Japanese team won the bronze. Hong Kong placed fourth… a valiant effort for this inaugural team.
This was the first dressage team ever for Hong Kong, previously only having an individual rider. Lily Zilo of Wellington, Florida and her Dutch warmblood mare, Windsor’s Mira, made the long journey to Qatar to represent Hong Kong. The three-member team also included Jacqueline Wing Ying Siu, and Aram Harutune Gregory.
Lily Zilo and her mare traveled the longest distance to participate in the Games, which was Lily’s first CDI ever. “I appreciate the opportunity that I was given to represent Hong Kong and I am honored that the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation placed their trust in me and my mare, Mira.” states Lily. “From now on, I will participate in CDI competitions in the USA, riding for Hong Kong and I will continue to do my best to make Hong Kong proud. I have made so many new friends. This was an extraordinary journey and I will always cherish the memories.”

In addition to the Hong Kong riders, the following individuals were instrumental in the success of the team:
· Edwin McAuley, VP of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation
· Soenke Lauterbach, Secretary, HKEF
· Nigel King, Chef d’equipe, HKEF
· Gordon Sidlow, DVM
· Michael Lee, Treasurer, HKEF

http://www.hkolympic.org/article/2006_doha_delegation/195

Edil I - 2005 USDF Champion

2009-12-26T21:19:00.006-05:00

Lily Zilo and Edil (P.R.E.) competed and pleased the crowds by exhibiting at Fiesta Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Edil was identified and acquired in Spain with the assistance of three time Olympian, D Juan Matute.

Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.)

Click below to view one of Edil's television commercials.