Jump-Off 75
Saturday, 22 August 2009 10:21
Sucky Suckma Rings My Bell. Presidential Coaching is a Diagonal Error. Thai versus Malaysian transport battle for supremacy. Princess Haya's Clean Sport Campaign kena Tahhan. The Mane Attraction is Left Behind? Jump-Off 75 has a Katie Price double feature, and if that's not big enough for you, how about Madonna and the Czarboro Man.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~ Mahatma Gandhi.
Suckma
Malacca's Sukma Games Technical Advisor is said to be someone who never ever competed nor is qualified as an official in any of the equestrian disciplines. Does it matter? With worrying news emerging about the size of the arenas in the Sukma equestrian centre, it certainly does. Sukma has built a dressage arena that is only 20 m x 40 m. When was the last time Malaysia had dressage tests in a 20 m x 40 m arena, you ask?
If that is not enough, guess the size of the jumping arena he recommended. If you guessed a miniscule 20 m x 40 m, you win a mystery prize from this mystery advisor. Oh, and the warm-up arenas? There are none. Apparently all quite unnecessary.
So who is this mystery man who came up with these innovative sizes? An officer and a gentleman, we are told. Thus qualified.
Ring My Bell
A judge that is very highly regarded by herself did not notice when a rider made 4 loops instead of the required 5 loops in a serpentine at the STC Equestrian Championships. Oblivious to the fact that the rider rode the rest of the test going the wrong way, our judge still gave the rider top place in the class.
In her defense, she probably didn’t notice the multiple errors of course because she thinks of herself as a Freestyle Judge. Perhaps because of the constant music and voices in her head.
Diagonal Error
A visiting judge at the Premier Cup series deducted marks for an error of course when a preliminary rider posted on the wrong diagonal. It surprised the rider to know that there was a correct diagonal, even though he wasn't French.
Presidential Coaching
Still on dressage judges, the President of the Ground Jury at the Premier Cup was seen coaching a dressage rider in a warm-up ring. Although she was not judging that particular class herself, it became a moral issue with riders somehow taking exception to the President of the Ground Jury coaching riders at the same show. They somehow saw it was a conflict of interest, and though FEI General Regulation 158 exists, the judge didn’t quite see it that way.
Jump-Off thinks she only saw the 10’s.
Lean and Mean
This photo was published recently, showing some thin Police Horses, and Police riders with no helmets. Look at the way the inspector sits on the horse and holds the reins. You know he doesn’t know how to ride. Yet he gets on without a helmet.
PDRM – setting good examples always.
Cool PEFormer
There is a new president of the Philippine Equestrian Federation. Maybe. Carissa Coscolluella’s presidency has been recognised by the FEI, but not by the Philippines Olympic Council. Surely because Carissa won the Presidency from the Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, current Chairman of the Philippines Olympic Council, in a disputed AGM, surely has nothing to do with it.
Haya, Another Doping Scandal
FEI President HRH Princess Haya’s clean sport campaign took another blow when another doping scandal involving one of her husband’s horses was revealed.
Her husband, Sheikh Mohammed has been banned six months for earlier failed drug tests by his horse “Tahhan”. Now known as “Tahhan dia.”
Thai Transport
Malaysia's Answer
On the Rocks
Promton Kingwan, better known by his nickname of 'Ice', was a participant in the Thailand Eventing Preliminary Championships with an appropriately named horse. 'Whiskey' and Ice didn't get very far, getting eliminated for lameness in the dressage.
Tracking Jump-Off
The two riders who qualified for the jump-off of the King's Cup Thailand Championships, Dhewin Manathanya and Chano Boonpongsa, waited while the jump-off course was readied. Then the judge rang the bell and the riders promptly set-off and walked the jump-off course.
Trot-Up
This is how you do it. And the vet had better be wearing white gloves for the inspection or I’ll complain.
Ashes
III Lounge, recently launched by equestrian and polo players Quzier Ambak and Toh Muda Rizal Ramli was burnt to a crisp in an electrical fire. Thirsty polo players and riders anxiously await the phoenix to rise from the ashes.
Czarboro Man
Vlad Putin his pecs through the paces of a Siberian riding holiday.
The Mane Attraction
Hairdressers are used to grooming wayward locks - but artist Julian Wolkenstein set a new standard when he used horses as models.
As good as she looks, this is not the showjumper that was left in the hotel room in Droitwich in Worcestershire, England.
Paparazzi Spook Madonna’s Mount
Madonna was tossed to the ground when her horse was startled by photographers while riding on a Hamptons estate. Guy Ritchie is said to be in the market to employ more photographers.
Wii Ride
Perhaps Madonna should try Nintendo's patented Wii Horseback Riding Saddle. The Wii main unit can display the back of a horse's head and background of a trail, a field, a battlefield or other environment the virtual horse is being ridden through. And she won't have far to fall.
Jordan and Andre split over a Dressage Queen
If you haven't heard, Pete Andre has split with Jump-Off’s favourite girl Katie Price after she was accused of an affair with a dressage queen.
We’ll miss him.
But here's Katie again. A double feature.
Featured Blog: Jennifer Chang’s “On a Wing and a Prayer” at http://www.equestrian.com.my/blog/wing
Transitions
10th Anniversary: Your favourite equestrian website is 10 years old.
Appointed: EAM President Dato’ Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis has been appointed Malaysia Ambassador to the United States of America, with full ministerial privileges.
Congratulations to Abi Croteur-Foy and Neale Croteur-Foy on their firstborn, Harrison. Abi is the daughter of Cheski and the late Desmond Brown. As Abi Brown, she represented Singapore, her country of birth, in equestrian sports in the early 90’s.
Recovering: Adamas Polo Patron Paul Cheung is recovering from a broken collarbone, dislocated shoulder and 5 broken ribs after his polo pony fell on him in the last minute of the last chukka of the last game of the season at Polo Escape, Pattaya, Thailand.
Screwed: Jennifer Chang has 7 screws and a plate put in after breaking a wing, jumping a friend’s horse.
Expanding: Zack’s Tack has taken over Equine Asia’s premises at 22-1 Jalan Sri Hartamas 8. It makes Zack’s Tack the first saddlery shop with multiple outlets in Malaysia.
Married: Bukit Kiara’s Polo Manager and former eventing and showjumping rider Shaffik Mustaffa and Katarina Kotlebova were married on 10th April 2009.
Married: Congratulations to Malaysian SEA Games gold medalist Azni Azar who was wed on 18th April 2009.
