The Real Story -Part 1

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Sultan's Cup - Quick Update - by Steph Teeter

Quick update -

It's a smaller affair this year, no horses were flown in, so all the invited riders are on Malaysian horses, many of them from the Royal Stable. There are riders from Australia, Chile, Uruguay, France, USA, Thailand - plus riders from Singapore on horses they transported here. There will be a lot of Malaysian riders - I think 100 or so are expected to start. The horses here look fantastic! Lean, but not too thin - and well muscled. Much improved from the earlier years ago - they really deserve congratulations for being such fast and diligent and dedicated learners.

We all went out today to meet our horses and ride. I have a very tall, very hot/forward mare, Ikbar, from Qatar! Bev's horse is a quiet gelding, also from Qatar. We'll hope to ride together and ride to finish! We had to work out saddles, stirrups, all that stuff. I latched on to a Specialized Saddle (Euro) which I'm comfortable with, and was able to shim the saddle to fit the mare. She was a handful to ride today, I'm glad I have a familiar saddle! We went out for a 'little warmup ride' - Ikbar was not interested in trotting, so we galloped along. She was pretty lathered up by the time we got back! I did manage to get her down to a trot coming back the last mile to the venue though - so she may be hot, but she seems manageable. Bev has a wintec which she's not wild about, but it helps that her horse is an easy ride.

I got caught up on the Malaysian endurance scene - they are still totally motived. I was thinking they may have gotten burned out after the 2008 WEC, but they are more determined than ever. And the sport continues to grow here, faster than the other disciplines. The King's son is also taking it up with enthusiasm - so I think the sport is here to stay in a big way for a while. They are sending riders to train in France, buying top horses from France, doing it as best they know and gearing up for the European Championship (Florac) next September.

It's been pretty good weather - it rained some last night and in the morning, but the afternoon was beautiful. There's a little thunder rumbling out over the ocean at the moment (it's almost 10pm here). nice breeze, and no dust!!

so off to try to get some sleep. I woke up at 3am this morning, and came down to the open restaurant area for internet - I had the whole place to myself. I had a long sleep today though - so hopefully can stay up a little longer and then sleep in a little longer! Tomorrow we'll go and get the registration stuff done, weigh in, etc. I'd like to ride again a little - the horses are in boxes all day, it would be good to get them out again.

later-

Steph
Endurance.Net