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Athens Olympic gold medallist Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil has withdrawn from the FEI 5-Star Kuala Lumpur Grand Prix show jumping championships, which begin tomorrow at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Syed Omar: The only Malaysian rider taking part in the FEI 5-Star KL Grand Prix.
Pessoa, who was to be one of the main draw cards of the championships, pulled out because his horse, Baloubet, is unwell.

Pessoa rode Baloubet to second place in the individual competition of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. But the Brazilian was awarded the gold medal the following year after the winner, Cian O’Connor of Ireland, was disqualified for a doping offence.

Asiapromote Ventures, the organisers of the KL GP, were notified of Pessoa’s withdrawal on Monday.

“It’s just unfortunate that Rodrigo has pulled out. Despite his absence, the KL GP is still a high quality event with many of the top 20 riders in the world taking part,” said the organisers’ chief executive officer Peter Winton.

“There will be a total of 23 riders in the KL GP, which is the main event a three-day championships. The riders are coming from top show jumping nations, including Britain, South Korea, Sweden and Switzerland.”

The only Malaysian rider taking part in the event is Syed Omar Syed Abu Bakar Almohdzar.

A total of RM2mil is up for grabs with the winner of the main event taking home RM350,000. Among the top riders taking part in the KL GP, which will be held on Sunday, are Swiss Markus Fuchs, Briton Michael Whitaker, Frenchman Jean Marc Nicolas and Swede Helena Lundback.

Among the other show jumping competitions to be held are the Samsung FEI Nations Cup Trophy, Young Riders, Asian Classic and the FEI World Cup Jumping SEA League qualifying final.

Tickets are priced at RM53 (adult) and RM28 (child) for the lower tier seating. 

The upper tier seating cost RM10 for both adults and children. For more information, visit www.klgrandprix.com or call 03-7955 9995.