4 years ago, I found Cavalli @ Cavi in Holland. I was sent  to represent the Malaysian Equine Council at the International Group of Equestrian Qualifications conference. Before going, I toyed with the idea of looking for a horse but not very seriously. I did put out a few feelers and organised for a friend, Monica who judged at 3Q before, to help me. Yien and I flew in a few days prior to the conference to do some sightseeing and horse trying.

We looked at a couple of horses but nothing really stood out. My budget was very small and I did not have a lot of time. When my friend took us to this yard, I tried Cavi once and liked him. He seemed green but had a nice temperament and 3 nice paces.

During the conference, it niggled at the back of my mind and I decided to try Cavi again after the conference. I still liked him and had a vet check organised after I flew back to KL. He did have one boxy foot. On hindsight, buying a horse with a boxy foot may not have been the best idea. They have to be managed a certain way and that one boxy foot has given me a bit of trouble and lots of frustration. My farrier, Kamal has been super patient and we have had tons of help from expert farrier, David Mangan.

Cavi passed the vet check with flying colours and was soon to fly to KL, together with 2 other horses. I had bought myself a horse!!! Or rather, Gav had bought me a horse heheh.. I keep saying I sold Stanton to him, so that I could buy Cavi.

4 years on, Cavi may not have been the easiest or most perfect horse in the world, definitely not even always the most likeable. He is quirky and has a definite mind of his own. We have battled a few issues, and still battling some, but what he has given me is better horsemanship. He has made me push outside my comfort zone, made me think outside the box on how to solve things and definitely made me a better rider / trainer / coach.

Last weekend, we did our 3rd Elementary test together and jumped a good clear round. Although we did not win anything (a 5th and a 3rd), I am happy with our progress together. A big thank you needs to go out to my sponsors, Mitavite Asia and Zack’s Tack KL, to my long suffering coach, Husref and to everyone who supports us.

Despite the CMCO and uncertain Covid times, there is something to be positive and happy about!