Edaran Endurance Classic 2005

Kuala Lumpur, 3 May 2005

Edaran Endurance Classic 2005

Edaran Digital Systems Berhad To Hold Third Endurance Classic Event at
ar-Raudhah Equine Centre, Kuang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Following two successful endurance events held in 2003 and 2004, Edaran Digital Systems Berhad (EDARAN), a Company involved in Systems Integration and Smart Technology Solutions in Malaysia, has scheduled the third endurance competition, Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 in May this year. Last year?s Edaran Endurance Classic had edged up a notch when it achieved FEI-CEI** certification for its 120Km Ride, a commendable achievement after just one competition event at ar-Raudhah in 2003. This year, the Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 will further step up the challenge for participants with a full 160KM ride as the main competition event. A second competition event is set at the 85Km distance and a third at a 40Km distance. A non-competitive event for Young Riders is set at a 15Km distance.

Edaran Endurance Classic 2005, as with the first two Endurance Classic events, will be held at the tranquil and picturesque setting of ar-Raudhah Equine Centre in Kuang, Selangor, just 40 minutes north of Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.

ar-Raudhah Equine Centre and its surrounding region offer challenging but interesting trails through secondary jungles, lush wooded areas, gently undulating to hilly terrain, oil palm plantations, rubber estates and village settlements as well as pockets of water crossings. Malaysia?s endurance landscape which generally reflects Malaysia?s out-of-city topography, contrasts well with the desert landscape of the Middle East countries or rugged outbacks of Australia where endurance riding, in the two countries have become a sophisticated and well developed sport.

For the first time, Edaran Endurance Classic has opened the competition to international participants with the aim of creating greater international awareness of Malaysia as an endurance riding venue as well as to further elevate the status of the sport in Malaysia. The Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 anticipates Riders from United States of America, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Germany. From within the country, at least 100 participants including the HRH (Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu, an avid and keen endurance rider, are expected to take part in this year?s competition.

The Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 will stretch over three days from 20 May till 22 May, starting with veterinary checks of the horses and technical briefing to participants on Friday, 20 May.

Organising Chairman, Dato? Hj Abdul Hamid Mustapha:

?Endurance riding is a relatively under-exposed equestrian sport in Malaysia. Compared to the more visible and popularly promoted equine sports of Polo, Dressage and Show Jumping, endurance riding has yet to gain awareness among our younger Malaysians. Edaran Endurance Classic was initiated with the aim of promoting and developing the sport to a level where it can bring tangible benefits to the country and to our potential endurance sportsmen and women,? said Dato? Haji Abdul Hamid Mustapha, a Director of Edaran Digital Systems Berhad (EDARAN) and Organising Chairman of the Event.

Recognising the sport?s potential we have, with the support and help of Equestrian Association of Malaysia, introduced for the first time, an event for Young Riders. The Young Riders? 15Km Ride will serve to encourage endurance enthusiasts to pick up the sport early and grow with it. Endurance riding is one equestrian sport that holds tremendous potential for Malaysia. We believe it is one sport in which Malaysians can excel in, given that we have ideal sites and venues for training in the sport. Apart from that, we also believe that endurance riding can contribute significantly to sports tourism,? added Dato? Hamid Mustapha.

The Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 is organized with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia. Other supporting organizations include Equestrian Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Endurance Riding Society, Majlis Ekuin Malaysia, TV3 as official broadcaster, Skuadron Istiadat Berkuda, ATM, Unit Berkuda Polis Diraja Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia Fakulti Veterinar, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat , Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and Carisbrook as Official Apparel.