More about the first leg of the SEA SJ Open Championships, Singapore...

March 9, 2004

The first leg of the SEA Showjumping Open Championships is over with Singapore as the first country to hold this new competition in the year 2004.

There were few entries in the Championship classes itself (only two riders in each categories – B, 115cm and C, 105cm). However, as the objectives of the event are to educate and develop the sport, overall it was a grand success. Between classes were other exciting equestrian activities—a training demonstration of young "green" horses conducted by internationally acclaimed course designer Paul Weier, showjumping clinics by Thai showjumping champion Helena Gabrielsson, a fashion show by the equestrian shop Horse World and an entertaining performance to music by Zorro, Antonio Banderas….well, Christine Fiege, Malaysia—the two-day show left participants and spectators with feeling of achievement and progress.

Singapore presented only two riders in Category C, 105 cm: Monique Heah of Bukit Timah Saddle Club, riding Kampar, her Thoroughbred mare and Daniel Sitranen of the Singapore Polo Club on Watercolors. Monique showed a steady performance over all four rounds, and would have finished with 4 jumping faults until heavy rain during the last round forced her to slow down, earning her 2 additional faults. This brought her to the only placing in Singapore for the Category C, 105 cm, with total of 6 jumping faults and time of 126.08 seconds. Daniel, riding a Singapore Polo Club school horse, was eliminated during the first round as his horse refused to cross the starting line.

In Category B, 115 cm, two riders showed more intense competition. Catherine Chew, riding Gardans Havanna, was leading the first day until a bad fall on the first round on Sunday forced her to withdraw from the last round of competition that was of a great disappointment for Catherine. Her competitor, Melissa Goh, rode her own horse, Ulan Birkehoj, imported from Denmark 2 years ago. Melissa, with a few mistakes on the first day, put herself together for Sunday and had an easy double-clear ride on the second day to win Category B in Singapore. She had 8 jumping faults with the time of 112.08 seconds. “Would be nice to see this rider-horse combination at the Young Riders World Cup Jumping classes in KL this summer”, commented event announcer Nicole Pearson, on Melissa’s performance.

The Singapore event, combined with other dressage and showjumping classes, received a great encouragement from the advisors, founders, and organizers of the SEA SJ Open Championships. Mr. Paul Weier, FEI International Course Designer (SUI), representatives from Equestrian ParadiCe (THA) Sunetr Burakasikorn and Helena Gabrielsson, and Rafiq Radinal, a representative from the Arthayasa Stables (INA), came to Singapore to support the event. Mr. N.Y. Ho (SIN) was President of the Ground Jury on Saturday, February 28, but, due to family commitments on Sunday, February 29, had to give up his job to Nicole Pearson.

Almost all event officials were invited from overseas to run the competition professionally and smoothly. The course builder, Rahmat Natzir (FEI course designer, candidate), and  Mulyono Soegito (FEI Chief Steward) from Indonesia, working closely with Mr. Paul Weier, FEI International Course Designer, made putting together 6 different showjumping courses in one afternoon with limited help look easy.

Event announcer Nicole Pearson (THA), who was also a foreign judge and President of the Showjumping Ground Jury on Sunday, created an unforgettable atmosphere that kept riders and spectators smiling over the two day show.