Riding into limelight

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

Malaysian equestrian N. Shoorendran has arrived in Tokyo with his horse Limelight AD to compete in the showjumping qualification at the Asian Games, aiming to improve on his 12th-place finish from the previous Games. Overcoming significant financial and logistical challenges, Shoorendran views this competition as a critical step toward qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and advancing Malaysia’s presence in the sport.

Malaysian equestrian N. Shoorendran is preparing for a stronger performance at the upcoming Asian Games in Tokyo, drawing on experiences from his challenging debut at the previous edition. The 33-year-old rider arrived in Japan on Wednesday with his horse Limelight AD, ahead of the showjumping qualification round scheduled for October 1 at the JRA Equestrian Park in Setagaya Ward.

Shoorendran, who trains and competes out of Luxembourg, finished 12th in the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, riding Wanskjaer Cuneo. He described that outing as a difficult start but a valuable learning experience. This time, he is partnering with Limelight AD, a horse he has been working with for just over a year, marking their first championship appearance together.

"Managing the horse’s travel and ensuring she reaches peak condition before the competition is critical," Shoorendran said. "I believe I have done a better job of preparing this time and hope for a positive result. Limelight AD arrived in good condition and is showing promising form."

Despite the optimism, Shoorendran faced significant logistical and financial hurdles leading up to the Games. Transporting Limelight AD from Luxembourg to Japan and back involved costs of approximately €22,000 (about RM103,000), putting his participation at risk until he managed to secure the necessary funds before the September deadline.

“Representing Malaysia on this stage is a great honor but comes with substantial financial challenges,” he explained. “Equestrian sport requires considerable resources to compete at a high level. It was a last-minute decision to focus all efforts on this event to improve from my previous performance.”

Shoorendran credits his upbringing in a modest family background for instilling perseverance and values, coupled with strong support from his family throughout his career. He views this Asian Games as a pivotal step toward his goal of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to become Malaysia’s first Olympic showjumper.

In addition to his competitive pursuits, Shoorendran and his partner Mel Van Der Weken recently launched SM Sporthorses, a venture focused on breeding young horses and assisting riders in finding suitable mounts for competition. He emphasized that discipline and management are key to success both in training and competition.

“Being actively involved in the stable environment and managing both horses and riders has sharpened my focus and motivation. It’s made me hungrier to achieve better results,” Shoorendran said.

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