Hi Doc, Welcome Back

We’ve received an e-mail telling us that the Equestrian Federation of Singapore now has Equestrian.Com.My and particularly Jump-Off under surveillance. After Jump-Off XXVI, Peter Abisheganaden was accused of being mischievous and “impolite” and the EFS are considering sanctions against him. We sincerely apologise if you thought Jump-Off was supposed to be polite.

For those who are unaware of our non-existent status in Singapore, you can read the following stories ... just to keep yourself in the know:
Still in some other equestral zone
Not blind to Equestrian.Com.My
On a different planet
Equestrian.Com.My non-existent in the Land of the Blind
Amazing Stats from the Land of the Blind
More from the Land of the Blind

We would like to thank the EFS for keeping us under surveillance and give Doc, who was arrowed to do it, a big ol’ Jump-Off welcome and lead him straight to the promised land. So Doc, if you want a shortcut to all the dirty on TLOTB, just click here.

What “Foreign Talent” really means in Singapore

“SINGAPORE should alter its social climate so that those who do well overseas are admired while those who prefer to stay home all the time are suspect,” - Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Brigadier General George Yeo as quoted in the Business Times.

So is Peter Abisheganaden now a hero to the EFS? Did you read the first Jump-Off entry above?

Not The Philippines’ Games?

Newspapers in Singapore reported in December that the republic will not host the 2007 South East Asian Games as their new stadia at the proposed Sports Hub will not yet be ready. Now in a Singapore website that purports to be a “South East Asian Equestrian Portal”, it is reported, “The 2005 Games will be held in the Philippines, and Thailand is the most likely candidate out of the other countries that have offered to host the 24th SEA Games instead of Singapore, simply because Thailand is the most prepared. However, the final decision is to be made in March. Thailand has agreed to move up the Bienniel Regional Games from 2007 to 2005 in order to accommodate the SEA Games.”

Do The Philippines know they’ve lost the 2005 games? Jump-Off doesn’t think so. More likely the Singapore website just lost the plot.

Cucumber Time

‘In Belgium, such calm is poetically called "cucumber time." It takes until the end of January for the competition world to end its hibernation and for things to heat up again.’ – Astrid Appels of Eurodressage.com

We’ll resist asking Astrid what they actually do with those cucumbers.

Big Mac stronger than horses

Former Wimbledon and US Open champion John McEnroe has admitted taking steroids unwittingly for six years. The 44-year-old, who also won four US Open titles between 1979 and 1984, was reacting to Greg Rusedski’s admission that he had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone. "For six years I was unaware I was being given a form of steroid of the legal kind they used to give horses until they decided it was too strong even for horses," the legend told the Daily Mail.

Transitions

Sabine Duale, a graduate of the French Riding Academy at Saumur, has taken over from Christine Fiege at the Royal Selangor Polo Club.

Cheryl Hawkins is now in charge at Taman Equine

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

To read previous editions of Jump-Off, click on the links below:
Jump-Off XXVI - 22 Dec 2003
Jump-Off XXV - 10 Dec 2003
Jump-Off XXIV – 28 Nov 2003
Jump-Off XXIII - 15 Nov 2003
Jump-Off XXII - 25 October 2003
Jump-Off XXI - 1 October 2003
Jump-Off XX - 1 September 2003
Jump-Off XIX - 12 August 2003
Jump-Off XVIII: Not-The-Equestrian Awards - 17 July 2003
Jump-Off XVII - 14 June 2003
Jump-Off XVI - 24th May 2003
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