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| Kim Sung Wan (KOR)/ Back Dao |
Australian Course designer John Valance built a testing course for the Fourth South East Asian League FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Premier Cup Series recent competition held at the new Putrajaya Equestrian Park, that did not produce any clear rounds.
“After the triple the riders had to ride the distance” said Valance “the narrow gate amazingly did not pose much problems”.
Kim Sung Wan from Korea on Back Dao emerged the winner after the three four faulters went into the second round for the jump off. “I did not find the course too technical but bigger, said Kim, the distances were rideable, my horse was fresh so I had trouble in my turns as the course was a bit tight. Overall I think I can maintain my lead for the points and I am looking forward to the next”
Valance set up his course with an inviting upright at minimum height as first fence followed by a related four strides turning to a two stride combination and then to the Darul Ehsan wall with a left turn to an oxer and again left to number 7 then a curved line to the narrow gate, jump nine was the powerful triple and then riders had to check and recover to the twin tower vertical. This was the fence that tested both riders and horses.
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| Akkara Konglapamnauy (THA)/ Celine |
Kim was in first for the jump off and rode confidently for a clear in 42.27, Akkara Konglapamnauy from Thailand riding his grey mare Celine followed but could only clock in 42.86 and Charlotte Morse from Hong Kong had a hesitant moment at the rustic treble which caused her stallion Lanceretto to stop, wisely retiring as she was already placed third.
The riders with 8 faults Jennifer Chang from Hong Kong on Luc and Malaysian Quzier Ambak were fourth and fifth, based on their times in the first round.
“I find the league really good and gradually getting harder with more solid courses” remarked Akkara “ This one was quite tough, every fence seemed a related line, and so if you miss, everything can go wrong” Akkara is now in second placing so far in the points standing with 30 points behind Kim that has 35 points.
Malaysian Alex Maurer had an unfortunate ride with two stops so he did not gain any points from this qualifier. He has now dropped to third with 25 points. “I felt the course was good and big and pretty technical, I didn’t have enough space to the combination and came in too slow for the height, once it stops, it’s pretty much over” referring to his stallion Chivas.
Another casualty was Malaysian Rider Tunku Nazroff who had to dismount after his horse pulled up lame following a crash at fence 6. ¨My horse is ok, but the course is a bit big for him and it is his first world cup round”.
Quzier Ambak from Malaysia ¨cool as usual rode steady but had two down as his horse did not put in that extra effort. “The league has been good with a lot of consistency in terms of riders, the problem today is the weather, as it tires the horses, the footing is good and the course was technical”, said Quzier.
Magali Tong from Hong Kong riding Open Treasure had an unlucky round with 12 faults “the course looked easy but when riding it you had to be more focused as all the jumps just kept coming”.
Most riders commented that the World Cup league this year is gradually getting harder and bigger. Overall they are all pleased and happy with the Premier Cup at Putrajaya and are looking forward to the next round at 3QE on September 9th, 2006.
