Contributed by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden of
http://www.equestrian.com.my

Thailand will host 3 disciplines of equestrian sport and polo at the 2007 South East Asian Games. Last week the South East Asian Games Federation voted to approve the inclusion of:

Dressage
Showjumping
Eventing
Polo

Dressage and Eventing make a return. The last time these disciplines were held was in 2001 at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. Then, Qabil Ambak won four gold medals as team and individual dressage and jumping. Malaysia took silver in team eventing, with Husref Malek Jeremiah adding an individual bronze to his 1995 collection. Dato’ Awang finished ahead of Dr Nik Isahak in a shortened endurance ride.

Showjumping was staged at last year’s Manila SEA Games, with The Philippines taking Team Gold and Malaysia’s Qabil Ambak winning the individual title again. Endurance, which Thailand does not practise, has been left out.

While the main games will be held in the city of Korat, equestrian sports and polo will probably be held in Pattaya and/or Bangkok. Horseshoe Point is said to be a leading contender to host dressage and showjumping events. They also have ample grounds to build a championship level cross-country course.

Polo returns to the South East Asian Games for the first time since 1983. Supported by King Power chairman Vichai Raksriaksorn, the King Power polo team has competed in Argentina, UK and Thailand. Vichai is also the Thailand Polo Association chairman, and polo will be played at his VR Polo Park complexes in Pattaya and Bangkok. Malaysia (HRH Tengku Mahkota Pahang, HH Tengku Muda Pahang, Tengku Asmawi and Noordin Majod) were the winners of the SEA Games Polo in 1983, ahead of The Philippines (silver) and Singapore (bronze).

Equestrian sports were first held as part of the Singapore SEA Games in 1983.

Source: http://www.equestrian.com.my

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