SHAH ALAM - Four young Malaysian equestrian athletes are proudly set to represent the nation in the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025, which will take place in Manama, Bahrain, from Oct 23.
The determined riders, aged between 15 and 17, are ready to compete in the Show Jumping category, carrying Malaysia’s hopes on the international stage.
The national equestrian team, comprising Sharifah Ariel Budriah Jamalullail (15), Arissa Audreyna Edzwan (17), Sonia ‘Aisyah Abdullah (15) and Elly Poh Jia Yi (16), is guided by national coach Shaiful Azwan.
The 2025 AYG, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), will see over 4,300 athletes from 45 nations participating in 21 sports, including equestrian events.
Sharifah Ariel said her preparation journey had taken her across continents to refine her skills and form a strong bond with her horse.
“I have undergone intensive training in the Netherlands in preparation for the Games and have gained extensive knowledge to improve the quality of my riding.
“It has also exposed me to different types of quality horses, each with their own unique riding styles.” she said.
She highlighted after her training in the Netherlands, she continued training in Saudi Arabia for the final warm-up session and to familiarise herself with the horse she will be riding in Bahrain.
She also added that it is very important for her to understand the horse’s temperament and performance before the competition.
“Nevertheless, I hope my teammates and I can give our best in the competition. Arissa, Sonia, Elly and I have been training hard for this. Please pray for us,” she said.
For Arissa, who had previously represented Malaysia internationally, the 3rd AYG represented a chance to test her progress after a demanding training stint abroad.
She expressed her excitement about representing the country for the second time, adding that training in Belgium was more challenging because each horse had its own temperament, requiring her to build compatibility with every one of them.
She also admitted that it was sometimes intimidating, but she had to trust both herself and the horse she was riding, stressing that mental strength is the greatest challenge every rider faces.
She explained that the greatest challenge lies within oneself, especially as the competition approaches, adding that a horse can sense its rider’s fear, which is why she must remain confident and trust her training and instincts.
Besides that, Sonia, the youngest in the group, shared that this milestone was both thrilling and deeply meaningful.
She said this is her first time representing the country at the international level and she is proud of the opportunity.
She further added that she is determined to give her best as she has undergone intensive training in the Netherlands, riding high-potential and well-trained horses.
“The experience has given me valuable knowledge and confidence to compete internationally, as I have learned to adapt to various horses with different temperaments and personalities.
“I am also grateful for the guidance and advice from our coaches, who have helped improve our techniques and abilities.
“For the final preparations leading up to the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, my teammates and I trained in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before heading to Bahrain,” she said.
Meanwhile, Poh highlighted the importance of compatibility and safety when working with unfamiliar horses as she said they usually use borrowed or leased horses for international competitions.
She explained that the main challenge lies in understanding the horse’s behaviour and ensuring safety by handling them properly, adding that their team had trained in Saudi Arabia earlier in October as part of their final preparations.
“I hope the horse I ride will suit me well and cooperate during the event to help our team perform better.
“I am definitely excited for this competition because I want it to be a meaningful experience and a stepping stone for more international competitions in the future,” she said.
Team coach Shaiful Azwan said he was proud of his young team’s determination and maturity throughout their preparations.
He said the athletes had shown great commitment throughout their training and expressed full confidence in their abilities, adding that this time their training strategy focused on adapting quickly to new horses and maintaining emotional control during competition.
He added that the athletes had trained tirelessly both at home and abroad to gain broader experience, and they are placing their trust and prayers for the best possible outcome.
Team manager Justin Yap added that he was ensuring all operational matters were in order to support the riders’ focus on performance.
“I am responsible for liaising with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Council (NSC) and Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) to ensure all processes involving the athletes and officials are in order.
“In addition, I will make sure all riders follow the rules and prioritise the safety and welfare of the horses,” he said.
The participation of these four talented riders reflects the growing strength of Malaysia’s equestrian scene, especially among young female athletes.
Their presence at the Asian Youth Games is not only about representing the country, but also about embodying courage, discipline and ambition - qualities that define the next generation of Malaysian equestrian sports.