April 30, 2006
© Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd.
After the winners had stepped up to the podium following five exciting days of showjumping at the FEI World Cup Jumping Final here in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, it was the turn of a group of achievers from a different, but no less important stable to take their place in the winner’s circle. Receiving their awards for most outstanding photographic entries in the Horses in Focus Photography competition, were five top prize winners and ten runners up. Organised in conjunction with the FEI World Cup Jumping Final, it was hoped that the Competition would serve to highlight the many facets of horses – from their existence in the natural environment to their relationships with people in work and sport. Open to all Malaysians, Horses in Focus drew 320 entries from as far afield as Sabah and Sarawak, from both equestrian and non equestrian participants and included exciting photographs of flat racing, children with horses, horses in sport, people working with horses and images of Malaysia’s famed “Cowboys of the East”, the Bajau Horsemen of Sabah. The organiser, Asiapromote Ventures, was very pleased with the response, and is confident that the Competition has helped to strengthen awareness of the growing horse culture in this country. “We believe that this competition has helped to inculcate an appreciation of this magnificent animal, as is evident in the photographs submitted,” said Managing Director Wan Zaleha Radzi. Judges of the competition had a very tough time to determine the top five photographs and the 10 consolation entries. The panel comprised well-known photographer Eric Peris – the chief judge; former Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Mustaffa b.Hj. Babjee, an avid photographer and naturalist; Bob Teoh, a professional photographer and photojournalist; Noor Hayati Zainuddin, Fujifilm’s Advertising & Public Affairs Manager; and Wan Zaleha Radzi, Managing Director of Asiapromote Ventures. Unfortunately there was no grand prize for the Horses in Focus Photography Competition. “None of the five top prizes merited the grand prize award in the eyes of the Patron”, said Eric Peris. As such, the prizemoney of RM5,000 for the Grand Prize will be donated to the Force of Nature Equestrian World Tsunami Fund. Also being recognised yesterday was Mahani Baharum, winner of the fence design competition, staged in conjunction with the FEI World Cup Final. Her design, one of a total of ten entries from all over the world, depicted the Kuda Kepang dance – a ritualistic tale of nine Javanese warriors who spread the Islamic faith in the interior of Java. It is said that the nine Muslim evangelists travelled on horseback, and dramatized stories of battles waged and won in the name of Islam. Mahani is a showjumping rider herself, now working in London as a graphic designer, and unfortunately could not be present. Her parents were on hand to accept the award on her behalf.