KUALA LUMPUR: The Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) will organise several major tournaments starting in January or February next year as qualifying rounds to select national representatives for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games. EAM president Syed Omar Syed Abu Bakar AlMohdzar stated that these tournaments will be open to both junior and senior participants, as both groups bring unique strengths to the competition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Syed Omar highlighted that senior athletes bring experience and proven track records, while junior riders bring energy and determination to achieve outstanding results. He mentioned that the qualifiers will commence in January or February, with six out of ten tournaments dedicated to local riders. The competitions will use a scoring system to ensure fairness for all, including Malaysian athletes based abroad.
Syed Omar explained that the cut-off time for the qualifiers is likely around July or August next year. He views the SEA Games as a stepping stone for ride
rs to qualify for larger platforms like the Asian Games and beyond. He also noted that Thailand will feature only three equestrian categories in the SEA Games: dressage, show jumping, and eventing, with each category allowing up to four Malaysian athletes to compete.
The EAM president acknowledged the need for Malaysia to strategise effectively since the sport was last contested in the SEA Games during Kuala Lumpur 2017. Meanwhile, Farah Aisya Nabeeha Jamalolail, an 18-year-old participant in the Premier Cup CSI1, expressed her hopes of being selected to represent Malaysia for the first time in the SEA Games in Thailand. She is actively participating in various competitions to prepare herself and her horse for the qualifiers, with a keen interest in competing in the eventing category.