SETIU: When it comes to equestrian sports, catching them young does the trick in turning casual horseriders into world-class athletes.
The Terengganu state government is doing just that by encouraging primary school children to take up equestrian sports at its riding academy at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman is encouraging children to pursue horse riding as an active sport.
The state’s Sports Council, he said, has a special training programme to nurture the young to become professional horse riders and represent Terengganu and the country in competitions.
“The facilities are there for you to take advantage of.
“All you need is enthusiasm and a keen interest in riding, which is also very good for your physique and mobility,” he said at the ‘Menteri Besar’s Cup Endurance Riding Championship’ at the TIEP.
Razif said the TIEP’s riding academy for young riders, as well as adults, was established to produce powerful talents.
The TIEP has been chosen as the equestrian competition venue for this year’s Sea Games, to be hosted by Malaysia.
At the Riding Championship, children competed in cross-country, speed race, best-groomed horse and horse cart events.
The championship proper, held overnight over two days, saw various categories being contested in by 120 riders, with runs over distances of 10km, 30km, 40km and 80km.
The Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, a keen endurance rider himself, graced the prize presentation ceremony.
Winners were given cash prizes, apart from trophies and medals.
Winners of the events are as follows:
40km:
1) Nuqman Faris Rozi (RM3,500);
2) Mohd Azizie Ismail (RM3,000);
3) Asmus Rairi Abdullah (RM2,500).
80km:
1) Mohd Bukhari Rozali from Team RYE (RM3,000);
2) Mohd Yusran Yusof from Team STC (RM2,000);
3) Datuk Seri Sharifudin Abdul Ghani from Team Penn Endurance (RM1,000).
30km (Pony):
1) Muhammad Syazwann Asyraff Zainuddin from Manza Stable (RM1,800);
2) Shaharuddin Mohamad Nordin from Mat Zamoa Stable (RM1,500);
3) Mohd Sabri Musa from Voc Hulu Stable (RM1,300).
30km:
1) Mohamad Yushaimi Muhd Yassin from Seri Budiman Stable (RM1,800);
2) Yasier Yahya from Cowboy Stable (RM1,500);
3) Mohamad Irfan Iskandar Muhd Zaki from Hashim Kuda Riding Club (RM1,300).