Malaysia WEC: Thoroughbred Arab Horses are Main Pick of Endurance Riders for WEC

Malaysia.news


Bernama - Wednesday, October 22

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Thoroughbred Arab horses aged from six to 12 are the popular choice of a majority of riders competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) to be held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Terengganu from Nov 6-9.

Project Manager for WEC 2008 Malaysian riders, Mohd Din Mat said not all bred are suitable for endurance races, especially to withstand the gruelling 160km endurance race at WEC, considered the toughest race in the world.

"The race is a real test and combination of the horses' stamina, endurance and the riders physical and mental strength. The Arabian horses are picked because they are renown for their intelligence, high spirit and outstanding stamina," he told Bernama here today.

Mohd Din said Malaysian riders, including the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin too, would be using Arab horses during the competition.

"Tuanku Mizan who qualified for the championship on merit, will be using two Arab horses named Taljari Moon Pharoah and Ibrahim Pascha Larzac, during the competition," he said.

He added that apart from being physically and mentally fit, horses must also qualify for a Certificate of Competition (COC) from the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) to compete in the bi-annual championship.

Mohd Din said endurance race horses needed special care, attention and food to ensure they remained in good shape.

"Among the types of food consumed by such horses are Cuibes, Haven, Chaff and their food are supplemented by vitamins.

"For race horses, expenses for food can cost anywhere between RM1,000 to RM2,000 a month, based on the owner's financial capability," he said.

-- BERNAMA