By Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden

The newly formed South East Asian Equestrian Federation held its first General Assembly on 23rd October at the Amari Orchid Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. 

The General Assembly was attended by committee members (see bottom of article) and representatives from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand.  The meeting discussed many issues in a frank and constructive manner.
South East Asian Cooperation

South East Asian Cooperation was high on the agenda of the meeting.  The needs of the lesser developed equestrian countries in SE Asia was discussed, with Myanmar and Cambodia asking for SE Asian cooperation in heir development.   Committee Members will visit these countries to ascertain their immediate equestrian training needs and report to the SEAEF what type of aid would be best given.

South East Asian Equestrian Championships

The most exciting development was the suggestion to hold an FEI recognised South East Asian Equestrian Championship, starting in 2009 and held every year that has no equestrian sports in the SEA Games.  These championships will feature four FEi disciplines: Dressage, Showjumping, Eventing and Endurance. 

The relevance of these championships is that being recognised by the FEI, they will be able to serve as qualifiers for larger regional events such as the Asian Games, and will further earn riders FEI ranking points.

Laos will not be holding equestrian sports in their SEA Games in 2009 as they are not even members of the FEI.  Therefore the SEAEF will organise the 1st South East Asian Equestrian Championships in 2009 instead.  The Thailand Equestrian Federation has offered to host it, with SEA EF’s President Harald Link’s Thai Polo & Equestrian Club as the host venue.  Dates in the final quarter of 2009 were suggested but it shall be the host federation that will confirm the dates soon.

SEAEF Competition Chairman Maj Yap Mou Soon (MAS) was charged with developing this concept.  He is assisted by Ho Nai Yue, Col. Sam Aniruth Deva, Peter Abisheganaden and Larasati Gading.

More information about the 1st South East Asian Equestrian Championships and a technical handbook, once agreed with the FEI, will be made available

A host and venue for the 2nd SEA Equestrian Championships is being sought for 2010.  Equestrian sports is expected to return to the SEA Games in 2011 when the SEA Games are held in Indonesia.

Youth Olympic Games 2010

It was noted that Singapore will be hosting the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.  This will be a “borrowed horse” event for 14 to 18 year olds.  SEAEF will circulate information, once received from the FEI, about how to qualify. 

The meeting proposed that in the run-up to YOG 2010, that SEA holds more borrowed horse events for the 14 to 18 year old age group.

Youth Camp in Thailand

SEAEF President Harald Link proposed holding a South East Asian Youth Camp to be held at the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club.  This idea was very enthusiastically received.  It was suggested that the camp should be between three to five days.  There was much discussion about age groups.  Finally, discretion was give the President Harald Link to develop the camp as he sees fit. 

Details will be worked out by Thai Polo & Equestrian Club and invitations would then be sent out to NF’s.

SEA Calendar of Equestrian Events

The meeting resolved to develop a South East Asian Events Calendar to coordinate equestrian events and to avoid regional clashes of important events.  The SEAEF Events Calendar will also be a useful information guide to all SEA National Federations and riders as to what to expect in the coming year.

The NF’s of the SE Asian countries were asked to submit their event plans to the SEAEF by 15 December 2009 by e-mail to: seaef.th@gmail.com.

Veterinary Issues

South East Asian Cooperation on a joint veterinary protocol for movement of horses was discussed.  It was suggested that the various Livestock and Veterinary departments of the South East Asian countries be encouraged to meet and work out a joint protocol.       
 

South East Asian Equestrian Federation Committee

President:                          Mr. Harald LINK (THA)
Vice –Presidents:               Mr. Nai Yue HO (SIN)
                                          Bpk. Irvan GADING (INA)
                                          Mr. U Nyien KHAW (MYA)
Secretary –General:          Col. Fuangvich Aniruth-Deva (THA)
Competition Chairman:      Maj. Yap Mou Soon (MAS)
Development Chairman:    Ms. Mitos Belofsky (PHI)
Finance Chairman:             Mrs. Nunthinee Tanner (THA)
IT & Media Chairman:        Mr. Peter Abisheganaden (SIN)

Honorary Members:
Honorary President:         Gen. Trairong Indradat (THA)
Honorary Member:            Mr. Paul Weier (SUI)