TUARAN: Isabelle Lonjuing Sayeed has once again made the country proud after setting a record as the youngest polo captain in Southeast Asia through the Sabah Polo Association.
Last year, the 13-year-old lass from Penampang became the world's youngest licensed trainer.
She received recognition from the Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC), which on Nov 26, 2020 issued her a license to become a professional trainer and stable agent.
"I'm always trying to improve and highlight horse racing in my homeland. I want to introduce the sport to the younger generation as well as horse enthusiasts," she said when met at the Tuaran RSTC here, today.
With her committed efforts, she believed the results of her hard training in horse riding over the years paid off and helped her gain international recognition.
Her experience and commitment saw Isabelle establishing and heading El Venato Polo, the first women's polo team in Sabah. She currently has four students.
"The license obtained proves my hard work is worth it. I hope, in the future, I can bring our team to the forefront of horse riding whether for sporting events or otherwise," she added.
Isabelle, who has 10 horses, is scheduled to attend horse racing training in the United States from July to August this year.
"After that, I will return to Sabah to continue to train my students before heading to Argentina in 2023 to take on higher level training for a year.
"Once back home, I will manage the International Standard Polo and Equestrian Club in Papar," said the foresighted teen.
Apart from making her father, Adil Sayeed who is also a Polo Club player, as mentor, Isabelle also made sports figure and Grand Master Sensei David Wang as her mentor. She always took the opportunity to train under his guidance.
