Who says you need a float to get to the shows?

Now that the show season is (finally) under way, it’s nice to know there are ingenious new forms of horse transportation.

Kanchil, anyone?

Horsing Around

Finally, it is official: pigs can fly. And any other animals small enough to fit into a first class cabin of a passenger jet.

The Times reports that US aviation rules have been relaxed.

One of the first to take advantage was Cuddles, a two-foot miniature horse. American Airlines staff decided against putting a nappy on the animal, a decision they regretted during the last few minutes of a two-hour flight from Boston to Chicago. The subsequent flight record noted "the passenger in seat 3a had a bowel movement on the carpet".

The clean-up operation delayed the next flight although waiting passengers were not told why.

The Flying Tin Can

Still on air flight, Jump-Off is very happy to report that Lea Tan has secured a sponsorship deal with Air Asia and promptly flew to wins in both categories of the recent FEI World Jumping Challenge in Malaysia. Her horses now carry the prefix of Air Asia, and are called Air Asia’s Pellegrino, Air Asia’s Copyright etc.

Perhaps another change of name, though, would be appropriate for the Category A winner, Air Asia’s Little Tin Can.

What’s In A Name Part 359

Also at the FEI World Jumping Challenge announcer Bob Blake proudly announced that Abdul Salim’s Selle Francais horse Vainkeur’s name, translated to English means “Victor.” Funny thing, that. Jump-Off always thought the correct par le vouz Francais pronunciation of Vainkeur was with a W. Which gives an entirely different translation.

True Love is Letting Someone Else Compete Your Horse

Not many riders will let others compete on their top horse, but for Azni Azar and Saskia Karina, it is no problem at all. They swapped rides at the FEI World Jumping Challenge. Azni jumped Saskia’s Fleole du Vallon, while Saskia competed Azni’s Grand Slam.

Ah, to be young and in love.

Funniest Shout of the Day

The usual calls you hear in the warm-up arena are “Jumping,” or “Oxer!” or “Vertical” as riders claim their turn over the warm-up fences. Add another to this lexicon of jumping terms.

Big little Neelan Ratnasingham’s shout of “Sorry Uncle!” as he dashed in front of Sjn. Shaiful Anuar in the warm-up arena of the FEI World Jumping Challenge is a real classic.

Judging by the look on Shaiful’s face, he isn’t quite ready to be an uncle yet.

Hey Man, What’s The Plan?

Supposedly scheduled for September 2003 in Thailand, the first-ever South East Asian Equestrian Games has yet to materialize in shape, form or schedule. Not a lot of time to plan, if you plan to compete.

KLIS Watch (and no, it's not yet a Rolex)

At least they have dates, a solid concept, a Patron in Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and an Organising Chairman in Finance Minister II Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis. All they need now is a confirmation that the show is still on in October this year.

An Annual Affair Every Two Years?

The Penang Annual Horse Show is scheduled for 5th to 8th June at the Penang Turf Club. Their last national show, the National Horse Show was held in 2001. Would it be too much if we were to ask them for next year’s show dates?

The Return of Thambi

Has "Thambi" of the original Jump-Off I fame been served the metaphorical slap on the wrist? He’s been posted to Kuantan’s Mahkota Equine Centre to continue the Riding in Schools programme there.

Pu Kai Makes His Film Debut

Asian Games Eventing Gold Medalist and Thai heartthrob Pongsiree Bunluewong has made it to the silver screen. He has a supporting role in Thai movie “Pink Window and Blue Door,” which premiered in Bangkok last week.

Truly The Land Of The Blind

Now that the Equestrian Federation of Singapore has left FEI International Judge and Steward General N Y Ho off their council, they have absolutely no one with any international qualifications left on the council to guide them.

The Singapore Polo Club, one of only two equestrian clubs in Singapore, was not officially represented at the EFS AGM on Thursday 22nd May 2003 in apparent protest over constitutional issues.

To read previous editions of Jump-Off, click on the links below:
Jump-Off XV - 25th April 2003
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