Indonesia to host SE Asian show jumping events

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is to host the third and fourth legs of the newly formed Southeast Asian Show Jumping League next year.

The league, whose establishment was confirmed in an Oct. 15 letter by director World Cup for Jumping Riders Max E. Ammann to the equestrian governing bodies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, features eight one-day legs.

The first leg is scheduled for Aug. 10, 1997 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; the second leg on Aug. 17 at Singapore's Polo Club; the third on Sept. 7 in Bandung, West Java; the fourth on Sept. 14 in an arena at the Arthayasa stable in Sawangan, a growing suburb south of Jakarta; the fifth on Nov. 2 at the Dusit resort in Cha Am, Thailand; the sixth on Nov. 9 in Bangkok; the seventh on Dec. 7 in Kuala Lumpur; the eighth and final leg on Dec. 14, also in Kuala Lumpur.

Participants are required to bring their own horses and will have to pay all their transportation and accommodation expenses. The rule of one round and one jump-off will be applied with a maximum of three competitions over two rounds, each with jump- offs.

Only the best four scores gathered during the eight legs will count. The scores earned during the final leg will be multiplied by two. There is US$25,000 up for grabs for the first seven legs. The amount will be doubled in the league final. The league winner qualifies for the World Cup show jumping final scheduled from April 15 to April 19 in Helsinki, Finland.

International judge and the league's technical coordinator, Nai Yue Ho, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the league's establishment is particularly aimed at enhancing the skills of Southeast Asian riders.

"Southeast Asian riders jump 1.3 meters on average. To qualify for an Olympic berth, they will have to jump at least 1.5 meters. Minimum qualification for the World Cup is 1.4 meters. Thus, the league is expected to gradually bridge the gap so that Southeast Asians will eventually reach world-class level," Nai said.

Serving as a warm-up for the league's competitions will be the Arthayasa Open dressage and show jumping competitions, which are due today and tomorrow at the Arthayasa stable in Bogor. As of yesterday, about 100 people, 50 of whom are expatriates, had registered for the two-day competitions. (arf)