IT was not a good first day for rider N. Shoorendran (pic) as he struggled to get his horse to clear the obstacles in the individual showjumping event at the Tong Lu Equestrian Centre yesterday.
The 30-year-old, who is based in Luxembourg, finished 47th with his horse Wanskjaer Cuneo in the first stage of qualifiers yesterday.
Shoorendran had a total of 49 penalty points, including eight jump penalties but still qualified for today’s second qualifying stage.
In equestrian showjumping rules, a rider gets four penalty points if the horse fails to clear the obstacle.
Saudi Arabia’s Alrajhi Abdulrahman Bader, riding on Ventago, was the best finisher with zero penalty points.
“It could be because his horse struggled to adapt to the warm weather in China. He did better in the afternoon session.
“It is important for him to do well and get into top 15 for a place in the final,” said Shoorendran’s father S. Nageswaran, who flew there on his own expenses to give moral support to his son.
Earlier, Malaysia have won their first gold in equestrian through Qabil Ambak in the individual dressage.
