THE STAR 2007

Sunday November 25, 2007

Riding tall
By KUMARAGURU KRISHNAN



TEENAGER Faten Nur Ain Syakira Mohd Yusoff only started taking an interest in horse riding two years ago, but she is now training for the Pony Club Mounted Games at the Selangor Turf Club. The 16-year-old student from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and her family are not members of an equestrian club, but trained under her school's Riding In School Programme (RISP).

The programme was initiated by Majlis Ekuin Malaysia (MEM) with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2001, to enable students to learn about horse riding, horsemanship and horse-care. It aims to develop sportsmanship, self-discipline and strength of character in students through these activities.

Students in the RISP are improving on their equestrian skills and knowledge as members of the Malaysian Pony Club, which is an international voluntary youth organisation for youngsters interested in ponies and riding.

One of the highlights of this year’s FEI 5-star KL Grand Prix is the Pony Club Mounted Games Challenge held this weekend. It is a series of fast races, exciting for participants and spectators alike by injecting a sense of fun into each equestrian discipline through the use of gymkhana games such as bending, egg and spoon, and sack races, and uses rock cones, hurdles and hocks.


Learning from one another ... Malaysian young riders (from second left) Faten Mohd Yusoff, Aris Majid and Mohd Faris Mohd Ashari with Australian Matthew Gilbert (extreme left) in training.
Young riders from around Malaysia, such as Faten, have come together to participate this year’s games.
“I enjoy training for this competition. Horse riding has helped build my confidence and make more friends,” says Faten who belongs to the most senior batch of horse riders in her school.

Participating with her in the event is Aris Majid, 11, from Terengganu who is equally excited about the competition. Unlike Faten, Aris did not receive any formal training in horse riding. He was trained in horse riding by his father who owns many horses in Terengganu.

He has grown up with horses, and has been working with horses since he was six years old. Hence, Aris is at ease around horses. “It’s very interesting and challenging. I hope to compete at the national show someday,” says Aris.

Another young talent that enjoys the challenge and excitement of equestrian sports is Mohd Faris Mohd Ashari who has been riding horses since he was five. The 11-year-old student from Bachuk, Kelantan, has raced several times in the races held in Kelantan.

According to Faris, the horse races in Kelantan are relatively huge events, with up to 70 participants.

Faris says that the Mounted Games Challenge is something rather new to him, but he is enthusiastic about exploring different aspects of equestrian sports.

The teams from Malaysia also have the opportunity to train with young Australian riders from Queensland, Australia.

“They had the chance to train with each other for a week. At first, the Malaysian children wee quite shy and afraid to make mistakes. But they have picked up new ideas and tactics, and are thirsty for knowledge,” says Pony Club Malaysia coordinator Lorna Fisher who worked closely with the teenagers during their training.

The Australian riders have more exposure to competitions, sometimes competing twice a month, and are tactically more superior.

However, Lorna says that the Malaysian riders caught on quickly and enthusiastically, and there is good-natured rivalry between the two teams.

Lorna’s hopes is the Malaysian riders would be able to pursue equestrian sports further, and will compete in Sukma which will be held in Terengganu next year.