Once a Lifetime

In the end, it was about the horses.  Three of the four horses I picked out when I first saw the YOG horses at Glen Haven in April finished in the top three of the Youth Olympic Games.  The winner, Links Hot Gossip could be a reincarnation of my old World Cup Jumper, Chakwal.  They are so similar in looks, attitude and jumping style.  I loved this horse the moment I laid eyes on him four months ago.  Flash Top Hat (3rd), Little Miss Sunshine (4th) and Gatineau were my other favourites. 

YOGhurt

We got seven clears and nine 4-faulters in the first round of the Team Jumping event of the Youth Olympic Games.   There were some really super rounds.  Martin Fuchs (SUI) looks like a real pro.  Tom McDermott (AUS) also stands out.  These two young talents have the ability to make it as professionals in the  world of showjumping.

YOG - WTF

The Youth Olympic Games riders had a taste of what is to come when they jumped a 9-fence training track this morning.  Generally, they did very well.  Nine went clear of the 31 starters.  Of the nine others that had four faults, four of them came at the narrow Trishaw fence that came off a turn from the triple bar.

Bring It On!

Let the fun and games begin.

35 horses were eventually presented for the trot-up.  With 31 riders, it means that there are just 4 reserve horses.  The horse trainers chose not to work the horses in the morning, which was perhaps a mistake in that the horses were very fresh for the trot-up, and this morning’s first ride.

Friday the Thirteenth

I am in Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games.  Equestrian sport - the showjumping event - starts today.  31 competitors will draw for horses.  On Friday the Thirteenth.  This should be good.

Wonderful WEG Medallions

Get a load of these wonderful WEG medallions!  I came across the official medallion website of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and was stunned how beautiful they are.  Check it out!

YOGing About In Singapore

Zack’s Tack delivered more fences yesterday as the quarantine at Youth Olympic Games site was lifted at 10:30 am. While there, Jeremy Edwards, SYOGOC Equestrian Venue Manager took me on a tour of the stables.  Other than one horse that had the skin taken off its hip during the floating from Changi to Kranji, all the horses look well.  Dr Roshni Selvam and Dr Kim Koh are paying close attention to these horses and I am sure they will be in great nick for the games.

Jump To It

The polo season is essentially over.  Other than one more tournament in Terengganu after Raya, and a few club cups, it is basically club chukkas for those who haven’t yet sent their horses out for a spell.

No rest for the wicked, as they say.  It is on to the next thing.  In my world, the next big thing is the Youth Olympic Games. 

Hit the Road, Jack …

I visited Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Singapore for the first time in daylight in 16 years.  BTSC was so much a part of my life in the good old / bad old days.  I did a whole lot of racing, jumping and eventing at that club, for oh, so many years.  In fact, I even did a bit of saussage there, training best with Ulrike van Zanden, and doing some really worthwhile clinics with Maria Gunther and Wolgang Niggli.

It’s Over

And I’m glad it’s over.  Royal Pahang won the RMPA International League by two points over Thai Polo.  Their virtual final came in the semi-finals of the Royal Pahang Classic.  Just as it looked like it would go to sudden death overtime, Thai Polo capitulated.  Royal Johor Polo Club 1 won the Royal Pahang Classic, beating Royal Pahang by a similar goal in the final.  For me as RMPA’s League Coordinator, it has been a season that has been much tougher to coordinate than before.