Equestrian events are a family affair at Southeast Asian Games

Equestrian events are a family affair at Southeast Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The strongest rivalry in horse riding at the Southeast Asian Games is of the sibling variety.

Following in the hoofsteps of Australia's three-time Olympic gold-winning Roycroft family, two Malaysian brothers and their sister are making equestrian events at the games a family affair.

Qabil Ambak won gold Friday in the individual show jump with an unfaulted ride of 76.52 seconds, defeating his older brother Quzier, who completed the course in 75.07 seconds but with 12 faults to take silver.

Indonesia's Albert Pelealu won the bronze after another round was held to break a four-way tie for third.

It was Qabil's fourth gold of the 21st SEA Games, including a win over his sister Quzandria Nur in the individual dressage on Wednesday, and two team events in which the siblings rode together.

He's in danger of upstaging Quzier, who has a string of regional titles, is a top official of the sport in Malaysia and has competed in World Cup events. Quzier has two team golds in dressage and show jumping, but none in individual events.

All up, Malaysia has won a clean sweep of five gold medals from five equestrian events, achieving the Equestrian Association of Malaysia's target set coming into the games. Two medals are still up for grabs in three day-event competition..

Qabil's victory Friday was tempered by the withdrawal of favored Thai rider Akkara Konglapamnuay, whose horse failed a fitness test Thursday after gashing a leg.

"I felt relaxed and more confident when entering the arena after learning Konglapamnuay could not make it," Qabil said.