Equestrian sports- Planning & Development Issues, Prospect Teluk danga international games

EQUESTRIAN SPORTS:PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

ISSUES AND PROSPECTSPresenter: Mohd. Anuar A. Wahab

TELUK DANGA INTERNATIONAL GAMES CONVENTION,

Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3rd – 5th April, 2006

Introduction Support for the Sport Some Underpinning Problems Overview of Existing and Planned Facilities The Rider Athlete The Equine Athlete Supporting Resources Overview on Existing and Future Directions Prospect for Contribution to Sports Tourism Initiatives Conclusion

Equestrian Sports: Planning and Development Issues and Prospects

Contents of Presentation

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Equestrian Sports: Planning and Development Issues and Prospects

Introduction

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World Cup competitions for various disciplines Malaysia hosting FEI World Cup Jumping 2006

& FEI World Endurance Championships 2008 Polo & Flat racing traditions over a century The past 15 years progression significant

especially in showjumping and endurance

Integral part of international games being contested at the Olympics

Regionally, contested at SEA and Asian Games

Support for the Sport

Family activities inculcate positive values Advent of equestrian sports i.e. showjumping,

dressage, eventing & endurance in extension to polo and flat racing

Potential of equestrian sports for excellence is real Strong support from promoter agencies Advent of sports and leisure tourism contributing to

the local economy

Prevalent image as elitist, expensive or adversely associated with gaming is changing

More contacts, exposure, greater affluence and changing lifestyles

No age or gender barrier, good for the disabled

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Some Underpinning Problems

Small equine population Dependent on imports At young stage in terms of interest, passion and

knowledge Lack of cultural traditions albeit pockets of traditions Small equestrian fraternity and human resource

insufficient Equine resource that is affordable and accessible to

contestants Equine facilities are ancillary, lack of regulatory

standards

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Overview of Existing and Planned Facilities

Core Activity Centres Racing Centres Polo Centres Endurance Centres Equestrian Centres Leisure Riding Centres Institutional Equine Centres

Core Activity Centres

Racing Centres Polo Centres


Endurance Equestrian

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Leisure Riding Centres Institutional Equine Centres

Ancillary Activity Centres

Stud/Breeding Centres Quarantine Stations Education Centres Research Centres Agistment/Rehabilitation Centres Equine Hospital

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The Rider Athlete

No gender and age barriers Competitions cater for basic novice rider up to

highly knowledgeable, skilled and experienced rider

Ideal rider – good balance, correct position and seat, correct and skilful use of aids, good feelings and connection with the horse, firm, patient, endurance, brave, ethical and disciplined, agile, knowledgeable and skilful in terms of management and training of horses …..

The Rider Athlete

Riders typically young that develop their riding skills the natural way, without formal knowledge and many constraints but fearless and known to ride and compete without saddles at beach races

Riders of all ages that ride for leisure

Identified Groups of Riders Riders started riding early and

exposed to correct foundation, coaching and competing especially in dressage, jumping and eventing

Riders started late, largely indulge in endurance or polo

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The Rider Athlete

Issues – support for athletes and other group of riders are sporadic/fragmented. Alarming incidence of riders dropping out from competition scene due to lack of support to replenish the horse combination to compete in a higher category or to replace the horse that retires. Sponsorship of athletes and horses limited to elite athletes

Few Malaysians competing at the highest levels

Most athletes are parents/self supporting Some intiatives – free training and placed

at Bukit Jalil Sports School, establishment of pony club movement, sports in schools programme, support for elite athletes

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The Equine Athlete

Precious commodity – has character, temperament and feelings, can learn and remember

Training and exercise – understanding of aids and work, obedience, to build correct muscles, balance and supple, stamina

Breed, bloodline, age, conformation, soundness, temperament, level of training, experience in competition are among the criteria for selection and pricing …..

The Equine Athlete

Broken at 3-4-year old, requires 1 – 2 years basic training for novice competition, and many more years to advance and realise full potential

Proper management and upkeep of the equines and training with knowledge and ability are very crucial

Mishandling and improper training could spoil equines especially in the highly technical disciplines. Local incidences of spoilt horses are significant

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The Equine Athlete Higher in ratio than rider in terms of

contribution to performance To realise full potential in performance,

rider-horse combination is crucial – must present high degree of harmony, feeling, understanding, obedience and trust

Value added to horses when easy to ride and winning consistently in competition is considerable

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The Equine Athlete Thoroughbreds are used for racing,

polo, jumping and eventing. In eventing, it is normally the preferred breed

At the higher levels of dressage and jumping, warmbloods like selle francais, hanoverian, kwpn, holsteiner, anglo arab etc are used

At the novice and intermediate levels, most breeds are suitable for use, including the local pony and its crosses

In endurance, the arab breed is the preferred choice

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The Equine AthleteProcurement for competition Green Horses i.e. young horses without basic

training Horses that have been trained and already

competed Horses deleted or unsuitable for a discipline,

converting into another discipline

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Supporting Resources Competent operators, administrators,

veterinarians, coaches, trainers, judges, farriers and grooms must progress in numbers and quality to service the growing equestrian activities

MEC and EAM instrumental in providing courses, training programmes and industry stints

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Overview on Existing and Future Directions

Location Planning & Distribution of Centres Continuous living place where care and

management of equines are paramount Clustering of centres; advantageous as it enjoys

agglomeration economies Sporadic centres rely heavily on natural assets,

tourist and leisure attractions In Malaysia centres are skewed towards the

central urban region, Johor second growth area. Kelantan and Trengganu, Sabah, strong in equine traditions.

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Site Selection

Ample space Quiet location, green sites Travelling time Near population centres Near tourist/leisure attractions Near other core and ancillary centres and

equine services

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Economics of Equestrian CentresCore and ancillary facilitiesFacility sizeInitial outlay and development cost Land cost Cost of horses and ponies Building and facilities EquipmentManagement Routines & Operational budgets Revenue Operational CostIssuesCarrying capacity of horses and instructorsFinancial performanceNon commercial-oriented establishmentsPatronisation of centres …..

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Price of Horses/PoniesUse Age Levels of

Training/PerformancePrice Range (RM)

Polo 6-9 10-13 More than 13

AverageGood

AverageGood

10,000-25,00025,000-50,00010,000-15,00010,000-20,000 3,000-5,000

Equestrian(including endurance)

6-9 10-13 More than 13

AverageGood

AverageGood

20,000-30,00040,000-100,00010,000-15,00015,000-20,000 5,000-10,000

Racing 2-34-6More than 6 years/deleted

25,000-150,00010,000-80,000

nominal-5,000

Other considerations include horse temperament, conformation, conditions, soundness, breed, among others. The above reflect averages, there are of course exceptions to the

above figures. …..

Core Activity CentresFormal (Existing) Number Informal (existing) Foreseeable

Flat Racing Centres (turf clubs)PoloEnduranceEquestrianLeisure RidingInstitutional Equine Centres

35530ND3

Racing grounds (Pantai Cahaya Bulan in Kelantan is a known venue for bare-back racing)Bridleways for Endurance/Hacking

Pony Club centres Harness racing centresDriving centresEventing/cross-country coursesFacility centresTraining centresLivery yards

Ancillary Activity CentresFormal (existing) Number Informal Foreseeable

StudQuarantineEducationResearchSpelling/AgistmentEquine Hospital

2421

ND1

Breeding farmsService stations

Residential precincts with attached stable (s) and yards or community–based centres in neighbourhoods, Incorporation of horse-riding in parks.

Existing & Foreseeable Equine Centres

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Prospect for Contribution to Sports Tourism

Currently Latent Popular with expatriates & Singaporeans High profile equestrian sports events – KL

Grand Prix, FEI World Cup final in jumping, FEI World Endurance Championships – a considerable spin off to tourism is expected

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Prospect for Contribution to Sports Tourism

Continuation and increasing the number of local competitions and organisation of high-profile equestrian sports that will coalesce with other tourist attractions to attract tourists

Greater financial sponsorships for the sport Achieving the critical mass …..

From Latent to Reality requiresGreater efforts and investments in

providing compatible facilities and its effective distribution and in harnessing greater number of riders and equines

The sport elites overcoming current thresholds in performance and achieving success at the highest levels

Initiatives

Broad-based development of riders and equines, involvement of corporations in sponsoring riders and equines, Purchasing of equines and leasing to riders as an investment. Financial scheme supported by insurance policy to ease acquisition of equines

Incorporation of equestrian facilities in urban areas, urban recreational parks or other attraction areas by state and local authorities …..

Equine centres should function as public sport centres

Community-based centres International standard

equestrian and academy be developed in the district of Johor Bahru

Conclusion

Among issues and problems – with regards to the critical mass, creation of broader base of riders and equines, increased supply of facilities and adequate dispersion

Some initiatives that can be considered Recognition that it is one potential product to

support the tourism industry …..

Equestrianism evidently progressing but needs continuing support to mature

Thank you, please don’t hesitate to ask questions

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