Inspector finally makes his cut as a horse rider

Proud moment: Insp Mohd Shafiq was named the best overall participant during the horse riding training course.

KUALA LUMPUR: He may have fallen off his horse eight times but Insp Mohd Shafiq Ghazali did not let it hamper his determination to succeed.

The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel said it was among the challenges he faced during his basic horse riding training course recently.

“There is danger and risk during the horse riding training, but it is worth it.

“I am glad I had to go through it as I want to improve as a rider,” he said when met at the conclusion of the seven-week training course at FRU headquarters yesterday.

Insp Mohd Shadiq was named the best overall participant for the training course.

He received a certificate of appreciation from Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali at the closing ceremony for the training course.

Insp Mohd Shafiq said forming a bond with the horse was another challenge.

“We really needed to understand the horse to foster a bond with it.

“We cannot force it as the connection has to come naturally. If there is no bond, we can forget about controlling the horse,” he said.

In horse riding, Insp Mohd Shafiq said it was the horse that must follow the rider’s lead, not the other way around.

The FRU Cavalry unit’s commanding officer Deputy Supt Nurhidayah Damanhoori said she was satisfied with the performances of the participants in the training course.

“Normally such basic training is held for three months but we had to shorten it to seven weeks due to various constraints.

“All 30 participants excelled (in the course) and I am very proud of them,” she said.