Equestrian team revels in SEA Games challenge

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian equestrian team bound for the upcoming SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur is hoping to win two gold medals at the biennial sporting event next month.

"With the horses fit and with us not having encountered any serious problems in the leadup to the competition, I dare to say our chances are big," Roy Ibrahim, one of the 14 athletes being groomed for the games, said at the Adhyaksa Stable training ground in the outskirts of Jakarta on Tuesday.

"We are 80 percent ready and hopefully will reach our peak at the time of the competition."

Roy, who is also the only local trainer with an international certificate, had lived in Malaysia for five years.

"We know the skills of our opponents, especially the Malaysians," he said, adding that Malaysia is a strong contender in the event. Thailand, whose best achievement was a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games, is another team to beat.

Female rider Larasati Gading expressed the same optimism.

"This is my debut at a regional event. I am looking forward to the challenge. I will be striving for a gold," the noted model said.

The team comprises Nico Pelealu, Adhita Indra Wardhani, Larasati Gading, Rafik Hakim Radinal, Albert Extegenus Pelealu, Budi Tulodo, Gutomo, Anto Budiarto, Fesol, Tenny Palandeng, Winson Pola, Surmin, Yudi Iryanto and Roy Ibrahim.

The athletes was psychologically affected following an embezzlement case, which led to the resignation of the then training chief, Johan Pitoy. Alfons Tungadi has since taken his place.

"It had embarrassed us but we have overcome that," Roy said.

The team is scheduled to depart on Aug. 25 with the horses being transported by a Navy LST ship. The team was to have flown to Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago to take part in three warm-up tournaments with opponents in the competition.

Roy said the delay had deprived them of the opportunity to adjust to the competition.

"The warm-ups would have helped pinpoint our opponents' strengths and weaknesses as well as our own. And we would have had the time to correct our flaws," he said.

There are seven gold medals at stake in the equestrian competition's four events, namely, dressage, show jumping, three- day event, and endurance. (01)