We are in control

“Who says KLIS will not be held this year? Infidel dogs.

We are in control.

We are surrounded by sponsors. We are besieged by riders. We chase them here. They chase us there.

We are not afraid. And you should not be afraid.”

KLIS Watch

In the face of persistent reports that KLIS and the KL Grand Prix was not going to happen this year, Jump-Off reported in Jump-Off XIV:
The news that emerged during the recent EAM dialogue is that the Ministry of Finance has yet to make a financial commitment to KLIS.

Peter Imran Winton’s reply to Jump-Off:
Actually the Ministry of Finance did make a positive commitment to KLIS and the KL Grand Prix and as well made a commitment to the FEI for the staging of the event.

It has been a determined but long and windy obstacle course to the KL Grand Prix. This last date change (to October 2003) however was at the suggestion of the Ministry.

Jump Off's budget estimate of RM14 million is a bit high. The cost of the KL Grand Prix is considerably less than Tour de Langkawi or World Cup Golf and a miniscule fraction of Formula 1, but with the potential to be at least as important to the sport and the nation.

We are glad that’s all cleared up then.

Fixture Fix-Up

It’s been such a hectic *yawn* year for horse shows so far that three international events may have to be held in South East Asia in the same month!

While KLIS is scheduled for October 2003, the South East Asian World Cup League has gone ahead to plan two World Cup events in Thailand, including the SEA World Cup League Final. Thailand is also considering staging the first ever South East Asian Equestrian Games in the same month.

It means that qualified riders may have to choose between riding in a CSI*****, or two CSI-W’s and a CHIO Regional Games.

Where on earth is AR-Raudhah Equine Centre, and why should you care?

Even as it became a member club of the Equestrian Association of Malaysia, AR-Raudhah Equestrian Centre was awarded the 2003 FEI World Jumping Challenge in Malaysia. The EAM has given Showjumping Committee Chairman Quzier Ambak the go-ahead to organise the FEI World Jumping Challenge at Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli’s brand new “equine” centre.

Just in case you (like us) don’t know where it is, AR-Raudhah is neighbour to Quzier’s own 3Q Equestrian in world-famous Kuang.

Table Dancing

How to train an ex-racehorse horse to jump: Lay two portable-type plastic tables in an indoor arena. Gallop horse at said tables. Hang on for dear life as terrified horse slams on brakes. Repeat till horse lathered. Declare “training exercise” a success as you (finally) leave the arena.

It happened. At a big KL club. Jump-Off suggests to that instructor – You might like to find an alternative form of occupation.

April Fool’s 2003

For those of you who really thought Rodrigo was going to ride for Malaysia, may we please ask you to renew your subscriptions to Jump-Off. Your fee is due now. If you haven’t paid your fees, you shouldn't be reading Jump-Off, so please use this link to RETURN to your page.

To read previous editions of Jump-Off, click on the links below:
Jump-Off XIV - 31st March 2003
Jump-Off XIII - 6th March 2003
Jump-Off XII - 12th February 2003
Jump-Off XI - 16th January 2003
Jump-Off X - 12th December 2002
Jump-Off IX - 14th November 2002
Jump-Off VIII - 19th September 2002
Jump-Off VII - 6th September 2002
Jump-Off VI - 13th August 2002
Jump-Off V - 2nd August 2002
Jump-Off IV - 15th July 2002
Jump-Off III - 27th June 2002
Jump-Off II - 20th June 2002
Jump-Off I - 14th June 2002

Other fun:
Rodrigo to ride for Malaysia
Jump-Off's New Years Resolutions - 29th December 2002
Selling Terms

Thanks to all contributors to this edition of Jump-Off. You know who you are, and we know who you are. No one else does or ever will, unless you’d like them to. If you have a story that you think should be in Jump-Off, please send an e-mail to jumpoff@equestrian.com.my