TIME TO SADDLE THE HORSES

From the ratings table of the International Federation of Horseracing the names have been announced of the riders who have won licences for the summer Olympic Games in London. Thanks to his successful performance in recent tournaments the Azerbaijani rider Jamal Rahimov has won the right to take part in this prestigious competition. Having resolved the question of the licence, he must now focus on winning in London.

It is no secret that the 24-year old rider, who is taking part in the Olympics for the second time, awaits a more serious test than in Beijing. Unlike other sports, it is more difficult to gain a pass to the Games in riding. Camal Rahimov was awarded a licence in a battle with 249 riders from 29 countries. In two tough years the rider was able to win honours in numerous tournaments. Entering arenas 420 times in 30 different competitions in various European countries on horses with names such as Aramis, Platin, Topic, Woody and Hollywood, he covered a total distance of nearly 30,000 kilometres. 

According to a report of the Azerbaijani Equestrian Federation, a special programme of Jamal's training for the Games in London has been drawn up. First he needs to decide which horse he will ride. Here the choice is quite broad - Platin, Aramis, Warrior, Woody, Topic and Excenel. 

"I am very pleased to represent Azerbaijan for the second time in a row at the Olympics. I shall now focus all my attention on training for the Games. First I need to choose my horse. It is very important to perform in competition on a horse which you know well and you are used to. All I have to do is to be among the finalists in London. I believe that our people will support me. In riding it is very difficult to achieve success in a short time. In order to worthily represent Azerbaijan I shall work day and night," the rider himself said, commenting on questions of his training for the Olympics. 

It should be pointed out that Camal Rahimov's success has helped to enhance interest in this sport in Azerbaijan. In order to progress we need to win a medal in London and not repeat the mistakes we made in Beijing. At the Beijing Olympics Jamal had problems with his horse at the last moment. The horse, which was bought for Jamal for 2 million euros stumbled and even unseated the rider which put him out of the competition. Afterwards the horse, called Ionesko de Brekka, was exchanged for two others. They performed credibly in the World Cup, the five-star Grand Prix. But experts say that these horses are not suitable for performing at the Olympics. One of them is 16 years of age and the other 14. However, it is not just a question of acquiring a new horse for the London Olympics. At least several months of training are required to get used to it. One must also take into account the size of the competition at the Olympics. Although Camal Rahimov is an experienced rider, in London he will be up against the very top riders. Therefore psychological training is also necessary. It is very important that he forgets about the failure in Beijing. Success in riding can only be achieved if the horse and jockey perform as one. If they do not understand or feel one another one can hardly expect any success.

Of course, reaching the finals, which Camal mentioned, would be considered a success for Azerbaijani sport. Having said that, there is no substitute for an Olympic medal.

Experts believe that in the future Azerbaijani riders will be able to enter the Olympic arena on the famous Karabakh breed of horses. With this in mind the tourist riding centre in Agdam is being rebuilt and a horse ranch is being created to develop it in line with modern standards. Fourteen hectares have already been allocated in the village of Qaradagli and building work has begun. A stable for 24 horses will be built here, plus accommodation for the breeders, barns for combined fodder and hay and a manure yard, and questions of fire safety, electricity supplies, pasture, and so on, will be addressed.

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing Camal Rahimov was the only one to represent our country in the riding competition. But in London the Equestrian Federation also planned to take part in the team riding competition. With this in mind, two foreigners - Patrick McEntee and Francesco Franco - were brought into the team. However, because of unsuccessful performances they failed to win a ticket to London.

Believing its most important task to be participation in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and in the team competitions, the federation is creating all the conditions for Seyid Musayev, Hikmat Musayev and Kanan Novruzov to train with the foreigners. In addition, in Brazil it is important to use local thoroughbred horses, as well as Dilboz horses for sports competitions in a special procedure.