AF2011: Qabil calls time on equestrian career

Written by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden Friday, 01 April 2011 05:54

Malaysian best equestrian Qabil Ambak dropped multiple bombs in deciding not to participate in the Rolex FEI World Final, for which he was qualified to ride in, as the best South East Asian Rider.  Another bombshell was that the multiple South East Asian Games Gold Medalist will not defend his South East Asian dressage and jumping crowns at the Jakarta SEA Games in October this year.

Sweden’s Helena Gabrielsson won the South East Asian World Cup League, with USA's Mary Kate Hasset taking second place.  But as “extras”, the best South East Asian finisher also earns a place in the Final.  That South East Asian was Qabil Ambak, who finished third. 

Qabil’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages since he posted a question on Monday if he should accept the invitation to compete at the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig.

While the vast majority encouraged him to go for it, most were not horsemen.  Showjumpers were not as encouraging.  Most telling was 4-time Olympian Vicki Roycroft’s post, “Qabil, do you really have a death wish??”

The 10-time South East Asian Gold Medalist seems to have taken Vicki’s message it to heart, declining the invitation to compete at Leipzig, and declaring today that he will put equestrian sport on hold while he seeks new challenges in the field of fashion design.

The equestrian icon told Equestrian.Com.My, “It’s only a temporary retirement, while I find new motivation.  Maybe I’ll be back in a few years.”