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.