AF2010: Singapore steals the CSI 5* KL Grand Prix
Written by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden Thursday, 01 April 2010 00:09
Malaysia will lose its foothold in the world of international showjumping as the CSI 5* KL Grand Prix moves south to Singapore. In a stunning equestrian coup, Singapore will take over the organization of this show, scheduling it for August 2010 as part of a massive Singapore Youth Olympic Games Equestrian Festival.
The KL Grand Prix was one of only six CSI 5* showjumping shows in the world, giving Kuala Lumpur a 5-star rating in the showjumping world. It was conceived by Peter Imran Winton and Wan Zaleha Radzi of Asiapromote Ventures in 2003. In 2006 the same organization ran the FEI World Cup Jumping Final at Putra Stadium, the home of the KL Grand Prix.
However, due to a lack of Malaysian funding this year, the KL Grand Prix will now have a new home.
The FEI has confirmed that island state of Singapore will take over the running of the 2010 CSI 5* KL Grand Prix with immediate effect. It will have a reversion of name to go along with its new home.
In moving to Singapore the KL Grand Prix will revert to its first-ever name, the Kuala Lumpur International Showjumping or KLIS Grand Prix, before it was shorted to KL Grand Prix.
From 2010 it will now be known as CSI 5* KLIS, which, presumably, stands for KLGP In Singapore. Asiapromote has expressed hope that this will be a one-off event and that the KL Grand Prix will return to Kuala Lumpur in 2011 or 2012, thus the retention of the name. EAM President Dato’ Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said he had been very close to securing international sponsorship for the twice-postponed Malaysian event, and hoped it would return to its spiritual home in Kuala Lumpur by 2012.
The KL Grand Prix will now be held at the newly built Wonderdome in Sentosa on 5th to 8th August 2010, as part of the Youth Olympic Games Equestrian Festival and Singapore National Day celebrations. Singapore’s National Day is the 9th of August, while the Youth Olympic Games is slated to begin equestrian events on 14th August.
The Wonderdome is a huge amphitheatre that seats 38,888. It is part of Sentosa’s Integrated Resorts that also features the first casinos in Singapore and the Universal Studios Theme Park. Shaped like a rambutan, it continues Singapore’s fascination with fruity buildings, such as the Durian shaped Esplanade. Using Singapore’s lucky number 8, the Rambutan will feature an 88 m oval arena, with Fibersand Rebound © footing installed for the show.
Singapore’s Integrated Resorts will fund prize-money of S$8.8 million for this event.
Keeping with its Olympic theme, the CSI 5* KLIS will feature a line-up of Olympic champions going as far back as 1992: Eric Lamaze (2008), Rodrigo Pessoa (2004), Jeroen Dubbeldam (2000), Ulrich Kirchhoff (1996) and Ludger Beerbaum (1992), are confirmed to make appearances.
Other showjumping luminaries that are entered for the CSI 5* KLIS are Edwina Alexander, Jessica Kuerten, Luciana Diniz, Katie McVean, Marcus Ehning, Marco Kutshcer, Pius Schwitzer, Steve Guerdat, Kevin Staut, Beat Mandli, Patrice Deleveau, MacLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, Nick Skelton, and the Whitakers, Michael, John, Robert, and Ellen.
Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas will make a special dressage exhibition, performing his world-record breaking freestyle to music.
Dr Harry Lee, organising chairman of the CSI 5* KLIS said that the Singapore government would work closely with Asiapromote Ventures and the FEI. “We intend to bring the very best horses and riders in the world to Singapore for the CSI 5* KLIS. The Youth OIympic Games Equestrian Festival is an important part of Singapore’s effort to showcase our vibrant society and Singapore as an international city.”
In addition to CSI 5* KLIS, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Equestrian Festival will also include the S$3.2 million Singapore Youth Olympic Games Cup, a 2,000 m race to be held at the Singapore Turf Club on 9th August, and the Audemars-Piguet Polo Tournament at the Singapore Polo Club, from 10th to 13th August. The Youth Olympic Games Equestrian Events will start at the Singapore Turf Club Equestrian Centre on Saturday 14th August.
