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Singaporean riders’ near-qualification for Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games

By Maximillian Tan Chern (Para-equestrian rider)

On 2nd March, our Singapore equestrian team of six set off for the Guangdong International Para-Equestrian Dressage Championship 2008. Held in Guangzhou, China, from 7th to 9th March 2008, this was the last equestrian qualifier for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
Upon arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, we received a warm welcome from a representative of the Huanpcun Sports Centre, where we were to be housed. The dormitory was near to the riding centre – a short 15 minutes walk for me and 10 minutes for the more able-bodied.

We met a number of Chinese athletes who were preparing for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Sports Centre, which was a centralised training ground. The centre was donned with banners reminding all of the days remaining till the Olympics and the ultimate aim of winning gold for the country. While we were not part of the Chinese team, we immediately felt the pressure to do well too.

Our rooms were sparsely but sufficiently furnished. They were disabled-friendly and located conveniently adjacent to the meal venue. The temperature in the early morning was a little chilly but it eased to a very nice cooling level during the day.

After unpacking, it was time to getting ourselves organised and acquainted with the place and our horses. While Rosemary, our Chef d’Equippe, and Randy, our groom, headed into town to get us the right water, food and other necessities, the rest of us headed down to the arena and stables.

There were two training and warm-up arenas located side by side. The main competition arena was also within the same perimeter but situated next to a very busy road. Car-honking thus became a peculiar but realistic concern for us and other teams. It seemed that there was perpetually an on-going competition between drivers to out-do each other.

I was introduced to T299, the smallest of the horses available. I felt a little strange having to refer to my new partner by a number and decided that he shall be Nicky during our visit. Nicky, like the other horses, were ex-race horses. They were not schooled for dressage, and for that matter, definitely not for para-riders. This was perhaps why we witnessed a number of hair-raising situations between the horses and their mounts in the following days. Nicky was not easy to get used to. He was rather laid back in his movement and was difficult for me to “communicate” with him.

After examining four horses, Jieh Kiang, my fellow team mate, decided on A35. A35 was a strong and huge horse but JK adapted well. 

Every morning, we started out at 6.30am and were mounted by 8.00am. Although we had long riding sessions, we were also limited by the dryness in the air. Thus, we had to continue our training right after lunch. Training was tough but good. It was exciting having to assimilate riding techniques within such a short span, but perhaps even more challenging for Sally, our coach, to have to continuously innovate on training methods. 

The organisation of the competition was commendable, given the fact that the lead time for this competition was a very short three weeks. Although there were only 10 competitors from four countries, the technical official list read like a who’s-who in para-equestrian. We all appreciated these judges, stewards and other officials who managed to fly into Guangzhou for this Championship.

I managed to win two gold medals in the three events that I was entered in and came marginally close to qualifying for the Paralympics.

This trip was a really enriching one for me both from a sports perspective as well as from one that challenged our grit.

The whole experience was possible only through the generosity of a number of people for which my family and I owe our thanks to:

• Mr Eugene Yong, our relentless Chairman at RDA. Every project has a challenge with budget and he came through for us with his generous support.

• My coach Sally. She has been so committed and share so much experience and knowledge with us. Most importantly, she has been extremely tolerant of our shortcomings.

• Rosemary, who was ‘mothering’ us before, during and after the trip. We came through unscathed and without any loss in weight.

• The staff at RDA, especially, Eugene Lim, Cheryl and Zul (the man) for the pre-trip arrangements.