The Perth Polo International was an enjoyable weekend. Perth Polo Club hosted a Malaysian selection that was made up of Amran Selamat (2), Roon Kai Ang (2), Michael Taylor (3) and Shane Boyd (2). As part of their event, there was also a show jumping event that I was very busy with.
It is a pity that visas for Abdul Rashid Hasnan and Tengku Shazril could not be obtained in time or our Malaysian side would have been a stronger team.
The Selection played a strong Perth team with Luke Reid (4 goals) teaming with Tex Webster (3), Warwick Prendiville (1) and Imagele Fischer (0).
The Malaysian all stars led for most of the first half, but in the second half could not keep pace and succumbed to a series of penalties in the third chukka. The final score of 7 – 4 was flattering for a Perth team that benefitted from umpiring that perhaps needed a 2020 upgrade.
Meanwhile, my FEI Level 3 course designing services had been offered to the Swan Valley Jump Club. They took me up on it, and I designed nine tracks over a very busy weekend where approximately 300 started in classes. It was their first real show of the season.
It was interesting work as I had a day to gauge their standards and make adjustments to my courses for the final day to get the results I wanted.
In the two-round Grand Prix, we had nine starters, and we got up to 135 cm. We finished with two double clears, and one rider who jumped clear but had 1 time fault. I was happy with that.
While I was there, I discussed a coaching and playing tour for KL Academy of Polo students to be held in October 2020 where we will bring a team of fairly new players for an Australian Polo Experience, complete with a bush ride and Aussie BBQ. They will be coached by some of Perth’s best. More on that nearer the dates.
On the Monday, the Fischer’s took us to Busselton, about 3 hours away. It was a lovely day. On the way through, we stopped in Harvey for a coffee. While I did not know the cafe, I had evented 1* in Harvey back in 1979 and part of the Inter Pacific exchange. It brought back some very good memories.
