Leisure Farm Johore

We have just been informed that there has been an infectious outbreak affecting the horses at Bale Equestrian Club at Leisure Farm, Johore. The infection is likely to be zoonotic, a type of infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, or from humans to animals.

Riders who are planning to ride at Leisure Farm are advised to shower thoroughly, disinfect/ clean riding gear (especially chaps, boots, breeches etc) before riding at other stables.

We are still in the process of trying to get more information about the horses at Leisure Farm. From what we know, they had to put down True Master, one of the school horses. Most of the other school horses are affected, but in stable condition. We will update the blog as soon as we find out more. Meanwhile, if you have information about the horses at LF, please do not hesitate to email us at the admin account riderswithoutborders (at) gmail dot com or send updates via the facebook group.



R.I.P. True Master. You were silly and stubborn at times, but always thoroughly loveable. We'll remember all your silly moments, like the time when you dragged your feet and pretended to be lame in the arena, and then mysteriously got better once we led you back into the stables. Or that time when you freaked out on the polo field and ran whinnying back to the stables (without your rider). I will always remember how you would impatiently paw the ground for more carrots, or stop right in the middle of the arena and try to nuzzle me when I was trying to teach a beginner (you big bully!) You taught me so much about riding and about horsemanship- I'm forever grateful.

Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre- another update

It’s been around 4 months since we’ve started riding at STCRC and I must admit, I’ve been quite happy with our rides there so far. For one thing, the horses are a lot calmer and better-schooled than before. The instructors have been doing an excellent job of training the horses, especially the off-the-track thoroughbreds. And yes, the jumps are finally in- no more barrel-jumping for us! Class sizes are usually pretty small- they can accommodate up to 8 riders per time-slot, and they usually split the riders into 2 groups (adults and kids). All the instructors I’ve had so far have been excellent- they are generally very positive and encouraging, but firm enough to get things accomplished. 

The only real problem we are facing now is the lack of consistency from one lesson to the next- we get different instructors and horses almost every lesson, and very often different/ new riders joining our group as well. Plus, my friends riding in the novice classes are often unable to book lesson slots as the demand for novice lessons is currently very high. Then again, it is a public school catering to lots of riders (like us) who wouldn’t get a chance to ride in Singapore otherwise. If you want to ride in Singapore and you don’t have the cash to afford a club membership, this is definitely the place to go. Just remember to book your lessons waaaaay in advance (you can book lessons up to a month in advance). 

Info about STCRC can be found in the earlier post. You can only register in person now, and you’ll probably have to pay for 1 trial lesson before the instructors determine which level to put you in.

Polo Shirt up for order!!

Get your very own customized Riders Without Borders Polo Shirt! It comes in both men's and ladies' sizes, and in a variety of colours.

Front- Embroidered logo and free name embroidery

Back of shirt

Only S$20.50 per shirt! Please email Denise at deee_liu at yahoo dot com dot sg for more info/ orders or check out the group's facebook page!

Quick Update on STCRC

We were able to do a basic jumping lesson in the advanced class! We don't know if this means it will be a regular feature yet, and the equipment was quite rough - but still it was a lot of fun!

Riding in Wadi Rum, Jordan, Dec 09

Okay, so we promised this one and it's been a long time coming. Put it down to the start of a new year with jobs being incredibly hectic and barely enough time for ourselves! Ironically it was a return visit to the Moroccan cafe at Bussorah St. with its fantastic Middle Eastern food that finally galvanised me to finish this.

This one's about a ride done in early December 2009 when I visited the Middle East. It was a whirlwind self drive two week tour of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel in which I "cunningly" allotted myself some time to take off on my own and indulge in some horse time where Lawrence of Arabia once rode with the Bedouins.

Even if you don't get to ride there, Wadi Rum has to be one of those 100 places to see before you die. The vista is incredible and pictures hardly do it justice. Taking it in with the good company of a horse and a guide is icing on a rich cake.

The horses are Berber and housed in an outdoor paddock. That and the environment they live in I think, makes them well muscled and strong. Ra'ad (Thunder in Arabic, and affectionately called Bubu) - my horse for the few hours, more than proved he had a lot to give. As we started to trot and canter on the trail, his powerful strides outdistanced my guide's filly and I swear it was because he was a "gentleman" as my guide described him - that I could hold him back, and even then, I was hard pressed.

Out there in the desert though, I had no worries about him racing away. My guide was not keen on galloping that day, and that was probably the only reason that I strove to hold Bubu in. Otherwise I would have been deliriously happy to just let him go. Even if he bolted, there was no worry about roads, traffic, trees or people. Only camels and sheep.

Though it was supposed to be a full day ride, my guide was worried about the weather. As luck would have it we were rained on the day before at Petra, and true enough as we ended the 2 hour morning ride at the stable, it began to drizzle. Lunch was a simple eggplant stew with canned tuna and pita bread and after that, it was decided to cancel the afternoon ride, much to my dismay.

My ride was with Jordan Tracks, a company recommended by Jordan Jubilee which is a travel info blog that I used for research when planning the trip. The company founder, Mr Saleem was my guide for the day. He was a friendly and affable companion and tried to teach me an Arabic song as we rode. Their sweet hound dog Wardah came along to be our companion for a while when we stayed over at their campsite in the desert. The company does six or seven day trips as well and it is my fond hope that one day in the future I will return to ride in the desert.

Information and Rates:
It is best to visit the website or email Jordan Tracks for current rates.
My one day with overnight was quoted at 100 JD.
Website: Jordan Tracks
Email: saleemali@jordantracks.com

Website: Ruth's Jordan Jubilee

The Middle East

Back from the Middle East and a ride in the Wadi Rum in Jordan. Will be doing a write up on that. Also coming - some words on Riders Lodge, which we've not done yet!

Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre (STCRC)

After months of anxious anticipation, numerous phone calls and admin hiccups, we finally got a chance to ride at STCRC last Sunday. I must admit, the facilities are indeed world-class. The sheer size of the indoor arena was utterly luxurious, if not a little overwhelming.

In any case, I’m glad I don’t have to worry about glove tan-lines or wet weather riding anymore. And talk about being spoiled- even the sand on the ground was made out of some synthetic material which was virtually dirt-free but hell to get out of our clothes and boots (it came out in weird clumps). What more- the syces walked our horses right down to the arena, helped us mount, and then took the horses back to the stables for us after we finished our ride. Personally, I'd prefer helping to tack up / bringing my horse back to the stables... but unfortunately the riding school's policies don't allow for that...

The horses were all a little fresh and excitable. Mine was ultra sensitive and kept bolting at a certain corner of the arena and wanting to break into a canter, probably a reflection of my inexperience in riding highly-trained, non-school-master type horses rather than a problem with the horse’s schooling. The other advanced riders seemed to have pretty good rides, and the instructor seemed competent as well. It was just a little unnerving watching two riders (both kids) fall within the span of two lessons- one of whom was a novice rider who had a syce holding onto her pony when it bolted.

That being said, the horses and ponies are very new and will need time to settle down before they get used to the new place. Hopefully things will improve when all the teething problems get worked out (including the extremely vexing lesson booking policies).

Unfortunately, riders are not allowed to visit the horses at the stables unless they book stable management classes. That means no post-ride carrot-feeding, showering the horses or hanging around the barn after lessons- a huge pity imo!

Information:

Check out their website for more information

Type of riding: Mainly dressage. Jumping for Advanced riders only.

Riding fees: $60 per 45 min for public riders ($15-35 for students, see website for more details).

Location: 10 Woodlands Avenue 3. Map

STCRC is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Kranji MRT. If you’d like to take the bus instead of walking the whole way, cross the road (from Kranji MRT), take almost any bus and alight after 1 bus-stop and walk.