The Shebster takes a tumble

One of Malaysia’s best-known athletes, ex-international and current ESPN football pundit Serbegeth Singh, has taken up riding at Taman Equine. He is now seriously hooked on equestrian sport. Unfortunately he hit the dirt in only his sixth lesson, fracturing his wrist and cracking his shoulder.

Better keep that day job, Shebby.

No Malaysians please…

Stung by Jump-Off’s publication of their gaffe of using a Malaysian (Quzandria Nur) to promote jumping on the official website of the Equestrian Federation of Singapore, (see Jump-Off III) they have removed all traces of any Malaysians from their website. Including the photo of poor, blameless Qabil Ambak winning the Rolex World Cup in Singapore last year.

Now, you’ll find Mia Bjorkenstam on their front page.

Amazing Stats From The Land of the Blind…

In a bizarre e-mail to Peter Abisheganaden, Professor Dr. Low Hong Tong, Hon. Secretary of the Equestrian Federation of Singapore, writes, “The EFS website consists of 7 pages, 4 logos, and nine photos.”

Again our congratulations.

And if he is really comparing, please tell him we are still counting.

Funny E’s

Jump-Off cannot remember a show with as many eliminations in dressage classes than at the just concluded Premier Cup. First a visiting rider who was doing very well in her test, was eliminated for receiving outside assistance in the form of riding instructions in Bahasa Indonesia from her own father.

Then a certain expectant sausage got eliminated when her horse completely refused to go forward anymore. Then repeated the trick on another horse. Expecting twins, perhaps?

Transitions

FEI steward Amanda Garran, known to World Cup, SEA & Asian Games riders as Amanda Commander, is leaving Indonesia after 12 years. During her time there she worked with Trijaya Equestrian Centre, Arthayasa Stables and as a technical director/advisor to the Equestrian Commission of Indonesia. She is also a dressage and showjumping equitation judge.

Amanda also competed in dressage with her Selle Francais x English TB horse Command Performance, while her American Thoroughbred, Taka, was evented by Roy Ibrahim. Amanda is currently in Malaysia with three of her horses and might be tempted to stay here for a while.

To read previous editions of Jump-Off, click on the links below:
Jump-Off III - 27th June 2002
Jump-Off II - 20th June 2002
Jump-Off I - 14th June 2002

Thanks to all contributors to this edition of Jump-Off. You know who you are. If you have a story that you think should be in Jump-Off, send an e-mail to jump-off@equestrian.com.my