EAM To Organise Tournaments As Qualifiers For Thailand SEA Games 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) — 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 said that the tournaments will be open to both junior and senior participants, as both groups bring unique strengths to the competition.

He noted that senior athletes bring experience and proven track records, while junior riders bring energy and determination to achieve outstanding results.

“We will start the qualifiers in January or February, with six out of 10 tournaments dedicated to local riders, using a scoring system to ensure fairness for all, including Malaysian athletes based abroad.

“Our cut-off time for the qualifiers is likely around July or August next year. For me, the SEA Games is a stepping stone for riders to qualify for bigger platforms like the Asian Games and beyond,” he told reporters after the Premier Cup CSI1 Equestrian Championship held here today.

Syed Omar also revealed that Thailand will feature only three equestrian categories in the SEA Games, namely dressage, show jumping and eventing and that each category will allow up to four Malaysian athletes to compete.

However, he acknowledged that Malaysia needs to strategise effectively since the sport was last contested in the SEA Games during Kuala Lumpur 2017.

Meanwhile, Farah Aisya Nabeeha Jamalolail, 18, who competed in the Premier Cup CSI1, expressed her hopes of being selected to represent Malaysia for the first time in the SEA Games in Thailand.

“Right now I'm joining any CSI, FEI competitions that I can join. I'm doing everything that I can for the qualifiers and for me to prepare myself and my horse. 

"Fitness and all the athletic things I have to do, which include taking care of my body and my horse, ensuring both are in peak condition,” said Farah, who is keen to compete in the eventing category.

— BERNAMA