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Helena goes mad and wins Premier Cup World Cup 2
Sunday, June 29th, 2008
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden. Photos by Natasha Mustapha are copyright of Equestrian.Com.My South East Asian World Cup League leader Helena Gabrielsson got angry with herself for going too slowly with King Power Aladdin in the Premier Cup Series 2 World Cup at Putrajaya today. She jumped clear over all the fences but incurred 2 time penalties. Fortunately Helena made amends with her second ride, Nixon de la Tourette, scoring the only completely clear round to win the class.
FEI Offficial Course Designer John Vallance designed a longish track at 530 m with 12 fences, 15 jumping efforts. The treble made up of vertical-oxer-2 strides to another vertical, came early on at 5ABC, off an even 6 strides from a white oxer. The triple bar to blue wall on 5 strides caused few problems but it was the upright at No 8 in front of the judges box that caught a couple out. The turnback to the FT wall from the water tray made the riders think, and for some reason many chose the slower, wider option to the double of oxer-vertical at 11AB. The last fence was set at an angle that some horses might drop a shoulder and cut the corner to it. It was a longish track but at 91 seconds, time was going to be tight only if you didn't move on.
Andika Jamaluddin and Chivas were intent on jumping a slow clear round. Andy was already adding strides going into the treble. The had the first part of it down. Two other verticals came down at 8 & 12 for a total of 12 jumping faults. Andy showed that there would be no "gimme" clears as his time was well over in 94.88 for 1 time penalty. They 13 penalties would place them last.
Hong Kong's Jacqueline Lai and Gamo look like smart operators. But they got in deep to 5A. Later they had a pole down over the water tray. Other than that, it was a nice, workmanlike round that looked in control most of the time. They were well inside the time at 82.22 secs so finished on the 8 jumping penalties.
Helena had Aladdin bouncing around in the warm-up and in the ring when she came in. There was probably too much bounce and not enough forwardness, She added to the treble and generally it was too cautious a round from the league leader. She spurned the chance between the treble and the triple bar to make up some time, and took the long route from liverpool to FT wall to double. She even took a pull to the last. At 96.12 secs they were well over, incurring 2 time penalties.
Quzier Ambak and Calano were looking and jumping well. Big Calano always covers distance well, and they had no real problems and seem unconcerned with the time. They were steady going in but the middle of the treble came down for their only mistake on course. It was as good a ride as ever from this young veteran rider.
Qabil had to declare Amadeus Van De Boswinnig as his other horses were all out of commission with various ailments. Amadeus himself had colic earlier in the week and this was his only start in the tournament. The big horse was showed how much scope he has, but also showed a little inexperience, just looking and taking out the vertical at No 8. They finished on 4 faults.
Hong Kong's Jennifer Chang had Luxor 91 (pic right) looking in excellent condition. The horse is moving well again and was jumping as neatly as ever. They sailed over all the fences but incurred 1 time penalty. Nevertheless it was a great result from a great ride.
Last rider into the arena is Helena Gabrielsson on her second ride Nixon de la Tourette. She is aggressive from the start and it pays off. Nixon responds and jumps the only clear round of the class. "Actually I just got mad," said Helena afterwards. "Aladdin is my favourite and has been very secure. I got mad because of the time faults I got on Aladdin and just went for it with Nixon."
Jennifer Chang was another delighted rider as she took the winning World Cup points with Luxor 91 as Helena had declared Aladdin. "Luxor was spooky on Thursday but jumped really well on Saturday. I was fairly confident going in to today."
4th placed Qabil was just happy to be able to start at all. "Amadeus had mild colic earlier in the week, so I am lucky I could start him at all. I've been having a bit of bad luck as my Asian and SEA Games horse Parvina has not yet recovered from an eye infection. Hopefully she will be back for the 3QE Classic World Cup onwards.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for whom the Premier Cup Series was named, presented the prizes to the winners.
Unofficial Results: 1st Helena Gabrielsson (SWE) Nixon de la Tourette, 0 penalties 2nd Jennifer Chang (HKG) Luxor 91, 1 pen 3rd Helena Gabrielsson (SWE) King Power Aladdin, 2 4th Qabil Ambak (MAS) Amadeus Van De Boswinning, 4 (86.39 secs) 5th Quzier Ambak (MAS) Calano, 4 (90.29 secs) 6th Jacquelin Lai (HKG) Gamo, 8 7th Andika Jamaluddin (MAS) Chivas, 12
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden. Photos by Natasha Mustapha are copyright of Equestrian.Com.My
Hong Kong's Jennifer Chang had Luxor 91 