COMPETITION NEWS

Friday, July 25th, 2003 report on the Malaysian Open at which Andrew was placed fourth.

Whatever date this was report on the Merdeka World Cup taken out by Helena with Andrew in second place.

Helena Gabrielsson and Aladdin beat Australia's Andrew Inglis and Malaysia's Qabil Ambak in a three-way jump-off to win the World Cup at the Merdeka Masters.
Read Byerley's report on the World Cup classes, or click on this link for Sunday's report

Report by Peter Abisheganaden
Qabil Ambak marked his return to competition in Malaysia by stamping his authority on the Malaysian Open with a fantastic win in the MTU Fascination of Power Section 3.

FEI Official Course Designer Werner Deeg's A2 course was perfect for Red Cloud at a 1.20 - 1.25 m level. Qabil and Red blitzed round, taking all the inside turns, even inside turns that I didn't even think existed. They were clear in an amazing 56.88 secs.

Only two others (of the 23 starters) were able to post clear rounds.

2001 and 2003 SEA League World Cup winner Helena Gabrielsson (SWE) and Aladdin's clear in 67.57 secs was over ten seconds off Qabil and Red Cloud's pace but it was still good enough for 2nd place.

Visiting Filipina Michelle Barrera caught a very good ride on 3QE's Heros. And she gave it a very classy ride, going clear in 74.93 secs for 3rd place. It may have been off the pace, but rest assured, if this was only their first competitive round together, they'll be in the placings on Sunday.

The other visiting riders had mixed fortunes. Andrew Inglis (AUS) showed what Georgia VI can do, with a 4 faulter when 7b came down. His positive ride in 62.74 secs was a very good round considering Georgia's inconsistency of late. It was good enough for 4th place.

Amanda Madigand (AUS) got the ride on Gallium. The stallion threw in a stop at 3a and had 3b down as they came through the second time. With 3 time faults, they finished on 11 faults. It was a fairly encouraging round and one had the sense that Amanda may get something out of this strong-minded stallion.

The favourite amongst the visitors was Chris Chugg as he was riding Humphry, Qabil's ex-Asian Games horse. Perhaps Humphry isn't quite over the disastrous Asian Games outing that he had. He threw in a very late stop from what looked like a perfect spot to 3a. Chris seemed so surprised by it that the next you knew he was on the ground holding the horse.

Chuggie wasn't the only one to hit the deck. Quzandria Nur also hit the deck when Penrose Witchetty stumbled after No. 6.

There were quite a few 4 and 8 faulters even though no one seriously tried to challenge Qabil's time. Saskia and Fleole du Valon, Tunku Nazroff and Follyfoot Mary, Lalitya Rangsit (THA) and Whoopi, Jason Cheon (KOR) and Lentina all had 4 faults.

Indonesia's Budi Tulodo and Dark Mellow found the competition tougher than in Indonesia. The best they could do today was an 8 fault round for 10th place.

Scottish rider Lesley Davidson and Rough Diamond had their usual very positive round, taking out strides in every line. But with 2 down and a time fault for running very wide to No 6, they finished down in 12th.

Quzier Ambak and Calano were 11th with 8 faults. Qabil and his new ride Opium Metado had a rail and 2 time faults for 9th. Eric Koh lost his way to the penultimate but recovered to post a 9-faulter.

Frankly, the rest of the class will have to improve quite considerably if they are to have any impact on Sunday's first SEA League World Cup Qualifier.

The class finished under the lights, which was a bit of a pity. Finance Minister II and EAM President Dato' Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis gave away the prizes.