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Jump-Off 65
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
Wherever
man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to
civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it. ~ John
Trotwood Moore
Bumi Riders
Did anyone notice the bumification of the KL Grand Prix riders on Malaysia’s new stamps? They now sport nice tans and Meredith really looks good with black hair.
Deficit Minded
At the recent MEM AGM (yes, the MEM has AGM's) the Judi Board has reported that it is in deficit and wants funding. That means the board that has funded equestrian sports is now competing for funds.
Unappealing
When is an appeal not an appeal? Apparently when the SEA Games Dressage Appeals Committee decides the only action they need to take is to acknowledge that an appeal has been made and do nothing else.
Non-Eventers
Two countries entered Eventers in the SEA Games that didn’t so much as jump the first fence of the cross-country course. Jump-Off thinks we should call them Non-Eventers as their participation created enough countries that the SEA Games Eventing competition could be to be run, saving it from becoming a Non-Event.
No Democracy In Malaysia
An Eventer has been trying to shop his silly story that he had been 'voted off' the team by his team-mates when actually he was kicked off the team by the coach for being absent the week before his newly sponsored horse was to leave for the SEA Games.
Sushi Saturday
A Thai vet thought the local delicacy of field mice might go down well with visiting polo players. A sponsor was found for the rodent repast and it was to be served on the final Saturday of the SEA Games polo tournament. Knowing players passed on the offer, making it Sushi Saturday instead.
Eat Today For Tomorrow We Diet
Was someone too sexy for his red jacket?
A Bit On The Side
Jump-Off is gagging to tell you about the SEA Games polo manager who had a bit on the side from another team. There was a bit of unbridled passion but as she was eventually returned to her team, so Jump-Off shall remain snaffled.
No Name No 2
Will someone please tell the Indonesian No 3 his polo team-mates’ name. And his own, for that matter.
Security Detail
The man they call the Cabeza Grande claims he was turned away from the Thai Polo Club by security guards at the main entrance. It must have been a ghost detail of guards because there isn't security at the main gate, or anywhere else at the very welcoming Thai Polo Club.
Jump-Off thinks it was part of a Grande scheme to keep up the rivalry between the three polo clubs in Pattaya.
Hand of God
“I saw this hand and it punched me in the head. I was alone so it must have been my hand. I fell off and then the lights went out.”
Argentine pro Manu Cereceda must have been concussed when he recalled an incident at the Thai Polo Open.
Penalty Escape
The umpires awarded a goal and a free hit from the 30 yard line for a crazy ride-off by an Argentine pro playing for the Singapore team. It was the first time in living memory that despite the severity of the penalties awarded, the player was not ejected from the game. You could say he Polo Escaped.
Excellent Thinking
Despite winning all their games by not less than a 5 goal margin, and some games by over 10 goals, the Malaysian SEA Games Polo team was rated only as "average". This underwhelmed rating came about because the team won “only one gold medal” at the SEA Games. “Excellent” was saved for over-achievers. No one has been able to explain how the team was supposed to win the same polo tournament twice.
Limited Lifetime
An American equestrian website now offers you a limited lifetime. Shorter offers are presumably available for Iranian clients.
4-Peat: Congratulations to Qabil Ambak on repeating his four-goal SEA Games feat.
Married: Congratulations to former World Cup Show Jumper Norinne Dewal, who married Shan Kamahl Mohammad on 22nd December 2007.
Raised: Three of Malaysia's SEA Games polo team had their handicaps raised. Congratulations to Shaik Reismann, Saladin Mazlan and Tengku Ahmad Shazril.
Touring: Malaysia's polo team has been invited to play a test match against New Zealand, at Hastings, New Zealand on 25th January 2008. It is the first time a South East Asian team has been invited to play a test against NZ.
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
