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Jump-Off XXXXXIII
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
Courage, wisdom born of insight and humility, empathy born of compassion and love, all can be bequethed by a horse to his rider. ~ Charles de Kunffy
Singapore, China
Two-out-of-towners meeting at the KL World Cup Final:
Singaporean - "Where are you from?" Californian - "We're from California. Where are you from?" Singaporean - "I'm from Singapore." Californian - "Wow, Singapore! You come all the way from China!?!!"
Nyet Tanning
Some of the Russian and the Polish World Cup grooms decided to take advantage of the great weather during the Kuala Lumpur World Cup Final by stripping off to work on their tans. Nude sunbathing is generally frowned upon in Muslim Malaysia. Though most of the other grooms didn’t mind, the Russian girl was told she’d have to wear a little more than that lovely black thong.
Nyet Groom
Thinking she hadn’t made the cut for the World Cup Final Grand Prix on Sunday, Ljubov Kochetova sent her well-tanned groom home on the Saturday night flight, only to learn that she had made the cut because of drop-outs ahead of her. Consequently Ljubov was mucking-out and saddling up herself on the biggest day of her showjumping career.
Rock Around the Clock
The French got into a party mood with their riders and chef d’equipe jumping up onto a table to get some dancing in at the KL Gala Dinner. The dancing got so hot that chef d’equipe Jean-Maurice Bonneau bumped Philippe Leoni off the table. Bonneau was really rock and rolling this World Cup Final. He is said to have clocked Jean-Marc Nicolas’ groom Pascal in the warm-up area.
Unofficial Official Photographers
Some of the official photographers engaged by Asiapromote to work the KL World Cup Final were given only limited access. They found themselves unable to get many of the secure places that they had to go to, to cover their work, including the photographers area on the other side of the arena. This was of course quickly rectified by the organizers of the best World Cup Final ever.
Hello, Goodbye
The EAM stole the show from the FEI by celebrating the arrival of the new President, Princess Haya at what was supposed to be the farewell party for outgoing President, HRH Donar Pilar. When EAM President Dato’ Seri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis presented Princess Haya with a celebratory cake, the FEI secretariat went beserk, objecting strenuously to the stealing of what should have been Donar Pilar’s thunder.
Jump-Off thinks that really takes the cake.
Special Green Tea
One Visitor from Singapore got all huffy about the number of exhibitors in the World Cup Final expo, claiming she had been told there would be 200 stalls. Jump-Off can't see what the bother is. After we had a few cans of the special green tea that Fogal Meat Market were selling along with their great steak sandwiches and sausages, we were as happy as Larry.
Trouble in TLOTB
A Saddle Club in TLOTB is said to have a record 22 resolutions proposed for their impending EGM. That's quite a record.
Aaching for Aachen
Endurance
riders in Malaysia are torn between riding the 160 km Terengganu
Royal Invitatation Ride to try to qualify for the Aachen World Equestrian
Games, or the 120 km Asian Games Qualifier, just three weeks later.
Has the team for Aachen WEG already been decided? Some say it has,
making the invitation ride redundant, unless it is simply for
participation.
A Good Horse
"I've always said I'm a good horse but still an underdog." Martina Hingis reveals her animal instincts after winning the Italian Open. Martina is one of Jump-Off's favourite players not only because she pioneered the no-bra look in tennis but also because she has had jumping tips with Paul Weier in Switzerland and regularly attends the best horse shows when time permits her away from tennis.
4-Legged Getaway
Four motorbikes, a patrol car, a video van, two cycling constables and finally the police force helicopter failed to catch a wanted man who made his getaway in a horse drawn cart. Zorro is sought for questioning.
Bride and Prejudice
..first comes love and then comes marriage / unless you are killed by the horse and carriage
NYPD Broadway Show
An NYPD horse led cops on a 15-block chase down broadway. Said to have got to Times Square, did a tap dance, and took a bow.
What's in Name, part 2076
An English businessman was at the centre of a bizarre row after a former employee discovered he had apparently named his latest racehorse after her. Nigel Gravett, who runs Network Global Solutions Ltd, was taken to an industrial tribunal by saleswoman Emma Nicholson for unfair dismissal. Events took a strange twist when it emerged that his promising two-year-old filly had apparently been named Emma Told Lies.
Transitions
Condolences to Qabil Ambak and Datin Zurina Zulkiflee on the demise of their champion horse Camelias. The dual South East Asian Games champion died suddenly of colic on 23 May 2005.
Condolences to Dr Nik Isahak Wan Abdullah on the demise of Miss Gedebe. The Arabian was the first horse to win a 160 km endurance ride in Malaysia.
Congratulations to Chris Ladbrook on taking over at Akedemi Equestrian di-Raja Selangor. Ironically he is currently out of the country till his work permit is sorted because of this new employment.
Congratulations to Mohd Siraj who has taken over the manager’s hot seat at the Royal Selangor Polo Club.
Born to Norinne Dewal and Jean-Philippe Robin – Sandra Girl, a Selle Francais filly out of her KWPN mare Georgia VI, born on the 1st day of the KL World Cup Final.
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
