Indonesia expects two golds at SEAG equestrian events

JAKARTA (JP): Setting a target of bringing home two gold medals, the Indonesian Equestrian Association has decided to send nine riders to the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"Actually, the National Sports Council asked us to allocate 12 athletes for the Chiang Mai Games, but after selecting them we decided to field just nine. Hence, the target of only two gold medals is quite reasonable," Suheryana, an official of the association, said on Tuesday.

The nine athletes were picked from 15 riders who took part in the association's SEA Games-bound centralized training program. They will compete in three equestrian competitions: the dressage, show jumping and three-day events.

The two gold medals might come from individual dressage and team dressage, Suheryana said.

However, that does not mean that the association is pessimistic about its riders' performances in the other events. Ardi Hapsoro won the gold medal at the ASEAN special show jumping championship at the Artayasa Stables in Cinere, South Jakarta, two weeks ago.

As for the three-day event, Indonesia's chances of a winning a gold medal there are slim, since the Chiang Mai Games will be the first time Indonesia has competed in the grueling event.

Suheryana said host Thailand has imposed a new rule that participating countries will have to use horses provided by the Games' organizing committee.

Thailand will be advantaged by this rule because, as host, it has ample time and opportunities to test the horses which are to be made available by the organizing committee.

"This could be a serious handicap for our athletes. But let's us keep fingers crossed," said Suheryana.

The Indonesians chosen to compete in the dressage event are Ardi Hapsoro Hamijoyo, Indra Rosendi, Endaryanto Bambang S. and Putri Wulandari Hamijoyo. Those to compete in the show jumping event are Roni Sharial, Albert Pelealu, Ardy Hapsoro and Indra Rosendy. Selected for the three-day event are Sutoyo Haryanto, Gutomo, Nasri Labonu and Endaryanto. (arf)