Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Show jumping team stay true to form to deliver third gold

MALAYSIA easily clinched their third gold medal in as many events in equestrian, emerging as the team show jumping champion at the Horseshoe Point and Thai Polo Club in Pattaya yesterday.

The Malaysian team comprised brothers Quzier Ambak Mahamad Fathil and Qabil Ambak, Syazna Leena Zulhasnan and Syed Omar Almohdzar.

Qabil was also in the gold medal-winning dressage team and also emerged as the individual winner.

In the first round of the three-nation show jumping competition yesterday, Quzier, who rode Calano, had eight penalties; Syazna, on Helu de Caudard, had 16; and Syed Omar, who rode

With the top three scores counting, Malaysia had a total of 12 penalties to take the lead.

In the second round, Qabil had another clean sheet. Quzier had 12 penalties, Syazna was on 28 and Syed Omar on eight.

The score of 20 took the total to 32 for the gold medal.

Only Malaysia were awarded a medal because Thailand and the Philippines did not have at least three riders completing the course.

The Thais with four riders had two of them Dhewin Manathanya and Akkasit Tiatrakul eliminated after their respective horses failed to make a jump after two attempts.

The Philippines had three riders and two of them Daniella Virata and Rafeal Lorenzo were eliminated.

Malaysian team manager Dr S. Selvarajah said: “We have won all the gold medals at stake thus far. We hope our riders will keep up their strong performances in the individual show competition as well.”

Qabil and Syed Omar will feature in the individual competition tomorrow.

Star

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