Qabil delivers uplifting display to march into final

SEASONED rider Qabil Ambak liftted the gloom surrrounding thee Malaysian contingent withh another impresssive performancee to head into the final round of the individual dressage tomorrow as the best qualifier.

The 38-year-old, who is competing in the Asian Games equestrian competition after an eight-year absence, steered his steed Rosenstolz to top spot with 73.499 in the Intermediate 1 stage at the Jakarta International Equestrian Park yesterday.

Hong Kong’s Jacqueline Siu (JC Fuerst On Tour) finished second on 70.735 while South Korea’s Kim Hyeok (Degas K) came in third with 71.235.

Qabil chalked 74.881 on Monday in Prix St-Georges (the first of two qualifying rounds) to lead 26 riders into the Intermediate 1 stage.

The field was reduced to the top 15 yesterday with the scores carried forward for the Individual 1 Freestyle final tomorrow.

The 12-year-old Rosenstolz, which was flown in from Qabil’s base in Denmark, was the same horse his sister Quzandria used to claim a double gold at the KL SEA Games last year.

Qabil, a multiple SEA Games gold medallist, is hoping to continue the momentum tomorrow as he seeks to earn a historic breakthrough in his career.

“There was a slight deduction today as I made a mistake in one of the steps.

“But it’s still good enough to keep me in the lead. I am pleased with the score given.

“God willing, I can keep this going steadily and win my first gold at the Asian Games.

“It will be a big achievement for equestrian in Malaysia as we have never done it before.

“Quzandria came closest before in Guangzhou in 2010 (taking silver in individual dressage),” said Qabil, who himself took bronze in the individual dressage in Doha 2006 and also in Guangzhou.

Qabil is the only participant in dressage but he will compete in showjumping later this week. Malaysia have a team for showjumping comprising Qabil, Sharmini Christina Ratnasingham and Neelan Jonathan Ratnasingham.