However, Malaysia has not taken home any prizes since 2017. Could this be the year to break the dry spell?

The 33rd SEA Games are set to take place this December in Thailand, with each country’s equestrian team, comprising four riders, aiming for gold.

Held this past weekend, the Prime Minister Cup CSI I* featured the fourth of five SEA Games equestrian qualifier rounds, presented by Tokyo Auto Salon KL and Lexus Malaysia.

Around 100 riders took part in the competition, which was jointly organised by the Equestrian Association of Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur Polo Club.

With this event being the second-to-last qualifying round, participants included riders who went head-to-head – or horse-to-horse – to see who might clinch a spot on the national team.

Five riders took part in the qualifiers held over two rounds. Watching them show-jump over heights of 60-130cm made for an intense, nail-biting spectacle.

Emerging as the champ was 19-year-old Hariz Kamaluddin and his horse Replay – the only competitor to complete both rounds with zero jump faults.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle after receiving his medal on the podium, Hariz said: “At first, I was really nervous. I was just walking around the course, trying to get myself together and connect with my horse, telling him that everything will be alright. And we managed to do it!”

As a child, Hariz’s interest in riding was first piqued when his brother, who is dyslexic, began horse riding as part of therapy. Over the years, Hariz has been steadily climbing to the top.

In May, he finished in the top five at the CSIY-B AEF Cup in Tehran. Now, his only goal is to maintain his high points so he can secure his first chance to compete at the SEA Games.

“Today was the fourth qualifier. And this is also my first time getting first place, so it’s a really great feeling,” he said.

Coming in second was Norinne Ira Dewal Ali, 48, with her horse, Pavalina. Riding since she was a child, Norinne, who’s a mother and a lawyer, is an inspiration to many.

“The first time I sat on a pony I was only three years old,” Norinne recalled, adding that she was introduced to horses by her mother and brother, who were both riding at the time.

“The rule at the polo club was that I had to be six years old for riding lessons. So, I waited for my sixth birthday, begged my parents, and that’s how it started,” she said.

Norinne’s no stranger to podiums, and in the qualifying round at this event, she fared reasonably well, picking up a jump fault in the first round but making a comeback by clearing the course in the second.

Despite the wins and cheers, Norinne – who is also vying for her SEA Games debut – remained focused on one thing: her horse.

“Firstly, I love the animal. Beautiful, gorgeous, generous, animal. I ride for the sport, yes, but I love the horse and I really care for the welfare of my horses. It’s the most important thing,” she said.

Other riders who took part in the qualifying round included Nabil Ismail, who placed third, as well as Amirul Razak and Shahrizal Mohamed.

Unofficially, there’s also talk of other riders who could make the SEA Games team based on their existing points, including 18-year-old Arysha Haya Kanda and 32-year-old Shoorendran Nageswaran.

With just one more round to go in August, the pressure is on.

All in all, it was an intense and exciting day at the Kuala Lumpur Polo Club, witnessing not only the grace of Belgian horses but also the breathtaking cars on show, courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon KL.

Now it’s a game of wait and see as to who among the riders will ultimately represent Malaysia at the Games in Thailand this December.