It has been exactly a year since KL Academy of Polo’s Argentine polo ponies arrived at the Royal Selangor Polo Club. So many good things have happened then – lessons, clinics, tournaments, the Royal Shandur tour, RSPC Triple Crown, Riding For Polo, Polo 101 and most recently FRIC (Friday Instructional Chukkas) but there have also been disruptions like the haze at the end of last season, and now the Covid-19 coronavirus curfew.
I hope you are all keeping fit and staying ready for the day we can get back to riding. I’ve been on a keto diet for most of this year. I first started using it during my racing days to help me control my weight, so I find this low carbohydrate diet easy to do. I’ve not been sticking to it 100% or I reckon I would have lost more than the 9 kg that has been burned off so far. I’ll keep going, as I haven’t quite hit my target weight yet.
For exercise, I have been doing a series of exercises using my own body weight and some light weights. I have 14 exercises that I do in a set, and I do 4 sets. I have been able to increase the number of repetitions I do as I get stronger.
When this year’s polo season gets started, I will have no excuse!
For now, we are still housebound, but online. I know many of you enjoyed my article on eLearning. For some awesome reading material, check out a few articles from HorseSport.com’s extensive library featuring training articles, profiles, health and nutrition advice – and more! Here is a selection:
A Mind for the Job: Understanding Equine Personality
Horse industry professionals and amateurs admire equine courage – but are horses even designed to be brave?
The Latest Views on Navicular Syndrome in Horses
Researchers continue to look for effective treatments for navicular syndrome, a common, yet complex degenerative condition in horses.
Does Listening to Music Help Performance?
Is it true that listening to music can help boost the pre-performance mental and emotional states of equestrians?
Do you still feel the need to compete?
The World of Online Competitions
With the entire world unable to attend real-life competitions due to COVID-19, Online Horse Showing is designed to bring the competition to you. Simple to enter – just upload your photos in fun classes such as Best Condition/Turnout, Best Veteran, Enchanting Eyes, Charming Chestnuts; entries cost £3 per class, rosettes are awarded 1st to 8th places and first-place winners will receive a prize/voucher (overseas entrants will need to cover air mail costs.) Worldwide competitors are welcome to enter. Check out the scheduled classes and enter here.
At Better Dressage Scores you ride your dressage test of choice and submit a video, then wait for your results and ribbons to come in! According to the website they are “not asking for professional level videography,” they just want you to have someone film your ride from “C” with some zoom if possible. Check it out here.
The FEI Sports Forum is going online this year, so it will be easy to follow it.
For the rest of this lockdown, stay positive, stay focused and stay fit!
Covid-19 Related Links:
Exercise and Feeding During MCO
African Horse Sickness Outbreak in Thailand
eLearning ~ Equine Learning
Zack’s Tack’s Handy Sanitizer and Stable Disinfectant
COVID-19 Statement by Hurlingham Polo Association
Message from the FEI President
Down Time
Locked and Loaded
Shows Down
Pink Postponement
AEF Young Rider Finals Postponed
Asia Horse Week Falls to Coronavirus
