The school teachers form the crux of the riding program. They had gone through an introductory course on riding and horse management in early 2002, followed by the first National Course on 8-12 October 2002.

MPIK came into the program on 16 January 2004 with the launching of its equestrian club. The teachers’ training college was chosen because it trains sports science teachers. The RISP lecturer and trainee teachers from the college too the ‘O’ Level Examiiniation at the Malaysian Armed Forces Equestrian Center (MAFEC), where they trained under Amanda Garran, on 15-16 October 2004. they passed with flying colors.
They have been showing great commitment in their training and haad first-had experience looking after horses when they became assistant stable-hands for MAFEC at the National Horse Show in Penang on 3-6 June 2004. with the RISP’s success at MPIK, other training colleges that offer Sports Science will be invited to join the program in the near future.

The RISP teachers certainly did their coaches proud at the Penang show. Goh Hui Leng from Penang emerged first in the Walk-Trot (Senior), while Yee Nyiok Kiew from Selangor, Syed Suhaimi and Paiza Md Dom form Pahang, and Sahar Nasarudin from Johor did well in their events.
In July and August, Diane Keach from Australia was in Malaysia to conduct clinics at the various centers. While attendance at some of the centers was disappointing, Pahang impressed Diane with the enthusiasm of the teachers, Pony Club members and parents involved in the RISP there. There was also keenness at MAFEC, which had RISP participants from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, MPIK and BJSS.

Students in the RISP are picking up their equestrian skills and knowledge as members of the Malaysian Pony Club. They go to the center four or eight times a month for training by qualified coaches who are assisted by RISP teachers. Parents are equally excited about the program as their children, particularly when a number of fun activities are organized for these budding equestrians. On 9-13 June 2004, for example, some of the children were invited to join a Pony Club camp at Balok Beach, Kauntan. Under the watchful eye of camp commandant Amanda, they took part in both riding and non-riding activities.

The competitive drive is also being honed in these children. Sixty of them, mostly from Penang, competed at the National Horse Show in June 2004. The ones who made their mark were Edric Lee, Alia Natasya, Syed Nafis and Stacey Jane Victor from Penang; Ang Yee Khoon, Ashley Low and Nur Mizaa Amira from Pahang; Shanand, Jacintha and Rueven Ravindra from Perak; as well as Muhamad Izwan and Amir Hanis from Johor.

RISP children from Perak had more competition opportunities when they participated in the horse show organized by the Royal Selangor Polo Club, Kuala Lumpur, on 9-12 September 2004. Led by teacher Ainal Rosita and coach James Ravindra, the children swept top prizes in the Pony Club events.

This year, the MEM was entrusted with the responsibility of selecting children, who will represent equestrian sports, for entry into the sports school. Letters were sent out to all equestrian centers in the country, an aptitude test was conducted at the National Sports Council and practical test were held at MAFEC. Then of the best young riders then had to vie for three available places in the school. Two fo these places were won by Pony Club members Ang Yee Khoon and Edric Lee. They will start their shcooling at BJSS in 2005.

Eight BJSS students are currently training in equestrian sports, which had been conducted at the Selangor Turf Club Equestrian Center. In February 2004, their training was shifted to MAFEC. Six of these students had the time of their life when they were selelcted to undergo advanced traini gat the Sanna Equestrian Center in Sdyney, Australia, from 26 February to 6 May 2004. the valuable experience received under the instruction of George Sanna had certainly made them better riders, as evident form the many prizes they subsequently won in Malaysian horse shows (see table). Two students, Amir Zulkefle and Mohd Aizat Abdul Malik, were chosen to compete in the Proton Grand Prix International Horse Show on 30 September-3 October 2004 and put up a good performance.

A number of Road Blocks and Detours had to be faced and taken by Organising Committee before the First RISP Camp could finally be held at Balok.

Road Block 1 was the first date chosen, which was in May 2004. this clashed wit the General Election and led to the first Detour- a change of date and venue.

Road Block 1 was an announcement of the Strangles out break the week before the Camp was to start. This resulted in all the horses and ponies from the Turf Club Equestrian Centers being quarantined and unable to come. The Organising Committee had to make a number of Detours to solve this problem, but solve them they did and the camp went ahead as scheduled.

For security reasons, it was decided to house all participants at the Tamukami Hotel, with the horses based just across the road in a fenced off compound. A special riding arena was created and of course there were miles of lovely beach to ride along. In total, there were over 100 people involved in this camp – 50 children, 42 teachers, with the balance made up of the Organising Committee and Guest Instructors.

Non-riding activities were conducted by the Department of Education, Pahang, which did a very good job keeping young minds fully occupied with some very challenging games and competitions. All participants were divided into teams and this rsulted in some very fierce competition.

The non-riding activities challenged and helped to create a great team feeling. The number of telephone numbers and addresses exchanged on the last day was proof of the camaraderie and friendships created. All participants returned home with a bronze, silver or gold award. The Special Camp Survivor Award was given to all the horses.

To organize a camp such as this takes great effort by , and a large amount of time from, a number of people. To list names can creat a problem, should someone be omitted by mistake. Therefore I am not going to mention any names, but a vote of special thnks must got to Lo Wai Fai, the Organising Secretary, for ensuring that the budget was not overblown! However to ALL involved with the organization, running, planning, problem solving, etc. – Congratulations. You all did a wonderful job and helped create a safe, fun camp for all.