INSIGHT - Penang Turf Club International Horse Show

Annyka Overton (NSW) has recently returned from Malaysia where she officiated as Chef d'Equipe & Coach for the two Jumping riders who had been selected to represent Australia in the Penang Turf Club International Horse Show borrowed horse event on the 26th – 29thNovember 2015. Here she tells us her story... 

"During November Australia sent two riders, Madeline Prell and Sophia Landy over to Penang, Malaysia to compete in an borrowed horse exchange program and international class, held at the picturesque facilities of Penang Turf Club. 50 horses were kindly loaned to the international riders travelling from Singapore, Belgium, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkmenistan, South Africa and Portugal for the program.

Each international rider was paired with a Malaysian rider, competing in several classes over the week. Day 1 and 2 consisted of novice dressage with Sophia placing in the top 10 in both tests and Maddy a 2^rd and 5^th, and our own Roger Fitzharding judging much of the dressage. The Netherlands dominated with Iris Houweling  placing 1^st and 3rd taking out the dressage champion, and Sweden's rider Nicole Jacobs was also very strong finishing reserve. The teams also competed in a turnout class, and traditional costume parade further adding points to their overall tally.

On the Saturday afternoon, a huge opening ceremony was held with all riders attending wearing traditional costume of their home country. Madeline and Sophia became very popular with the 40,000 odd locals who attended over the week with a display of their stock whip cracking skills. The ceremony involved a wonderful display of dressage to music with 6 of the Malaysian riders, each wearing costumes of the states in Malaysia, a large marching band, and hundreds of colored balloons and streamers being let loose to show a stunning colorful display in the sky.

The final two days had show jumping classes, with the first event being a teams relay. The Malaysian riders of each team rode first, followed by their international partner over a higher course. Australia stood out, as all four riders were outstanding in the way they rode tight lines and turned up to fences, keeping a super balanced canter, looking slower that many of the other riders but were streets ahead on time with Madeline and Izad Rushdi winning, then Sophia and Rian a very close second. In the 2 round Table A the following day Madeline and Izad again took away the blue ribbon, with Sophia and Rian having a very unlucky rail with a fast time finishing 7^th.

Penang turned out to be a huge success for our Australian riders. Madeline Prell and Izad Rushdi were awarded overall champion team of the show, with Sophia and Rian Yamazaki finishing 7^th. Our two Australian riders were also the highest scoring international pair.

The Penang Horse show organized by Johari Lee, Pauline Cheah, Edric Lee and Husref Malek Jeremiah highlighted the warm, friendly and fantastic positive attitude of the Malaysian people, their delightful food and stunning countryside. We all had an absolute ball and can't wait to visit Penang again, to see the many friends we made over the week."

Annyka Overton, Chef d'Equipe & Coach

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