Performance versus Outcome

Wan Ming sms’ed me before her Queen’s Cup class at the National Horse Show, talking about how fast her opposition is, in that class.

LoveToSave SPCA

SPCA Malaysia is a charity partner for Digi’s LoveToSave Campaign, which aims to raise RM150,000 for 14 charities in just 30 days! It’s already online.  Each e-mail address can put in one vote for the charity of their choice, and Digi donates RM5 per vote!

Saddam’s Horse

I came across this, titled “Visual Diary: Saddam’s Horse” in the New York Times.  The horse looks well, yet it is a faintly troubling photo.  Because the horse is alone and indoors.

Standards in Thailand and Malaysia

I course designed the Thailand Championships at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club at the start of May.  It was the sixth time  in sixteen years that I have been given the honour of designing this championship.  While general standards have improved in that time, particularly the quality of horses, the quality of riding is not much better than back then.

To New Old Friends

The 67th FIP Ambassadors Cup polo tournament was a great success.  It featured Malaysia’s polo heritage and love for this wonderful sport. Malaysians love their polo.  This was apparent to the FIP Ambassadors throughout the tour.

FIP Ambassadors

Federation of International Polo Ambassadors have been invited to Malaysia to play in the 67th FIP Ambassadors Cup.   They will play at Putrajaya on Thursday, and at RSPC on the weekend.  Please pray for drier weather because their arrival seems to have triggered a monsoon.

Fabulous Fibercanes

I’ve been playing with Fibercane mallets almost exclusively in the last year.  I really love them because the shafts are lighter than cane, which means I can load the weight of the mallet heads.  I’ve scored some wonderful penalties using Fibercanes, the most memorable for me being a Penalty 5A from about 80 yards out, and on an angle, in the Hookahs Tournament last year.  The ball sailed over the top of everyone, astounding even myself.  Having struggled for years to have consistent length and accuracy when I take 60 yarders, the Fibercane is a wonderful weapon to have.

Jods or Breeches?

At Zack’s Tack I am frequently asked, “What is the difference between jodhpurs and breeches?”  The basic difference is that Jods are ankle length, while breeches finish just below your calf.

Jodhpurs are designed to be worn with long boots or jodhpur boots with mini-chaps.  You can use jodhpurs without long boots or mini chaps, leaving the lower leg covered only by the length of the jodhpurs. 

Polo in Pahang

I’m back in Pahang to play with Cameron Highlands vs Jogo Polo in the match for 3rd / 4th place in the Royal Pahang National League Tournament.  We made the three hour drive from Kuala Lumpur this morning, the third time I have done it this week, and checked into the Hyatt Regency Kuantan, one of our favourite hotels.

I brought the family this time.  Zack loves swimming pools, and Hyatt has two!  It’s nice to have a holiday with the family, even if it is around polo.  Come to think of it, all our holidays seem to be rather horsy.

Coordination, Cooperation

As the coordinator of the RMPA Polo Leagues, sometimes I have to do a heck of a lot of work to get everything organised.  I’m supposed to coordinate the entry of teams in the leagues, make sure they know the rules and comply, make sure the tournament organisers / hosts are prepared, plan with them their playing schedules, meet deadlines for entry, conduct the draw for playing order, arrange umpires with the hosts and whatever else comes up.

As a player I have to organise my team and my horses.  This in itself is usually enough work.  My horses leave today for the first National League tournament of the season, at the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pekan, Pahang.