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Jump-Off XXXXVII
Saturday, September 3rd, 2005
A canter is a cure for every evil~ Benjamin Disraeli
South East Asian League Promoted
The South East Asian World Cup League is so successful, so outstandingly problemless, that it has now been promoted.
As can be seen by the beautiful logo the Manila organizers of the League Final have promoted it from South East Asian to Asian League. Jump-Off wonders whether that means the Japanese, Central Asian and Arab Leagues all report to us. Or what the FEI thinks of it too, for that matter.
Where’s The Beef?
A polo player at the Royal Pahang Polo Classic was overheard giving directions to a friend how to get to the Steak House in Kuantan for the official dinner. Confusing it was, for there is no steak house in Kuantan. Turns out, the dinner was to be at ‘Rumah Negeri’ or ‘State House’ instead.
Where’s The Music?
A competitor at a recent show who burnt her own music CD for the dressage freestyle got the silent treatment when her CD went quiet halfway through her test. The competitor’s family insisted it was the organizers fault even though no other riders had problems with their music. They insisted that the organizers provide another CD player. Not surprisingly, another one wasn’t available. The judges gave the girl a 4th place ribbon instead. Proud, she was too!
Surprise
Some of you may have heard about the surprise foal that was born at Bukit Kiara on Saturday night/Sunday morning of the highly successful Malaysian Open Polo Tournament. The Kiara-owned mare Nieve was playing polo at the tournament and was one of Prince of Jordan's borrowed rides. The foal, named Malena, is doing well. Despite the general acceptance that polo ponies are tough, Nieve didn't play the next day.
World Cup Derby
The rumour had hit the circuit that the 5th SEA League World Cup Qualifier to be held at the Selangor Turf Club Equestrian Centre as part of the National Horse Show was to be held on Malaysia’s Derby course on the infield of the racetrack. Jump-Off was salivating at the thought. Alas, it is untrue that the World Cuppers will be put over ditch, dyke, arrowheads and banks.
The Show Must Go On
Contrary to another rumour on the circuit, the Royal Selangor Horse Show will go on as scheduled from 29th September to 2nd October. The club, however, has cancelled the World Cup class. The show instead will concentrate on events and classes that are “in character” with the club – Pony Club events, dressage and jumping, gymkhana games and a few celebrity polo matches.
From Horse Power to Horsepower
’98 Asian Games and ’01 SEA Games Malaysian Eventer Ashraff Dewal has switched to a different kind of horsepower. He is now a top karter. When jump-off visited him at the famous Batu Tiga track, he still showed the qualities of a top eventer, brave, clean and fast, in winning the 9th round of the Mykart Championship.
Madonna's 47th birthday celebration was marred when she suffered several broken bones in a horse riding accident at her country home outside London, her publicist said on Tuesday. The superstar was hospitalized with three cracked ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken hand, according to Liz Rosenberg, her spokeswoman based in New York.
A bad week for
English Racehorse Trainer Tom Keddy found himself in hospital for the second time in a week after being kicked in the face by one of his charges. Keddy was lunging a horse when it kicked out and struck him in the face, breaking his jaw. A week earlier Keddy fractured his arm when a horse stumbled and fell on top of him. (3rd story)
Deputy Horse
Just in case, a shovel was at the ready for a ceremony to install the biggest deputies on the Snohomish County sheriff's force. As it turned out, the shovel went unused as three well-groomed horses - Slick, Rocky and Wynona - each raised a hoof, patiently waited for it to be inked and set it down on paper to "sign" documents commissioning the county's mounted patrol. "We're going to swear them in, but I don't speak horse," Sheriff Rick Bart joked.
Starting Young
Tara Nur Ibrahim gets a steadying hand from her father, Indonesian dressage and showjumping rider Roy Lukas Ibrahim as she earns her racing stripes. Looks like mother Titien Irvianty-Ibrahim will be judging her in the arena not too long from now.
Or not, as the FEI case may be.
Transitions
Hello to Peter Hall has left Bukit Timah Saddle Club in TLOTB and is said to have moved across the causeway to Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort.
Goodbye to Major Ibrahim, formerly of Country Heights, had joined and has now left as Manager of the Royal Selangor Polo Club.
Congratulations to Ganesan who has been appointed Acting Manager of the Royal Selangor Polo Club.
Congratulations to Sara Palmer who has left Akademi Ekuestrian di-Raja Selangor to get married.
Welcome to the international showjumpers who have visited Malaysia for the World Cup shows here - Vicki Roycroft, Leanne Chambers, Lars Bak Andersen, Philip Lowen, Stuart Mitchell and the Hong Kong team of riders.
Welcome back to the Thailand riders, especially to Helena Gabrielsson and Sunetr Burakasikorn, who have made the trip from Equestrian Paradice every year for the SEA League World Cups since its inception in 1997.
Selamat Datang to Bill and Trish Bagby who visited Malaysia during the Malaysian Open Polo Tournament. For Bill it was a return to his old haunts. Bill was a record-setting champion jockey in the 50's and one of Malaysia's first professional polo players, playing for Royal Johor Polo Club when his racing and training career was over.
To read previous editions of Jump-Off, please click on the links below:
Thanks
to everyone who has contributed to this (and previous) Jump-Offs. If
you have an interesting story that you think should be in Jump-Off,
please e-mail pete@equestrian.com.my
South East Asian League Promoted
From Horse Power to Horsepower
Starting Young