Turkmenistan Riders to Take Part in UAE Endurance Events

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

3 November 2008

ABU DHABI -The doors have been opened and now its just a question of when. If everything goes according to plan, endurance aficionados will get to watch and compete alongside riders and horses from Turkmenistan in the UAE.

These racing horses are known for their unique colours somewhat different from thoroughbreds and pure Arabians.

This was the outcome of a recent visit by a high-ranking delegation from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, headed by the secretary general Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, according to a Press release.

The visit was in response to an invitation extended to Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, chairman of the UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation, from the president of the Turkmenistan Equestrian Federation, in an effort to boost mutual relations in this field. The visit, which coincided with the 17th independence day celebrations of Turkmenistan, included the opening of a mega building which houses the headquarters of Turkmenistan Equestrian Federation. Some races were held to mark the occasion.


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Ireland: Ireland decides against WEG 2014 bid

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 2, 2008

Despite a €10 million pledge in sponsorship Ireland has decided not to bid to host the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

The decision was made at a Horse Sport Ireland board meeting on Thursday.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the decision was an acknowledgement of the changing fiscal climate and the need for HSI to concentrate its resources on developing the sport.

Mr Walsh said that Horse Sport Ireland had a recent meeting with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen T.D. At the meeting an initial feasibility study that had been prepared for Horse Sport Ireland by Mazars Consulting was discussed. From the report it was clear that substantial Government and commercial funding would be required to bring the games to Ireland.

"We had a very open discussion with the Minister and while we all agreed that hosting these games would be of great benefit to Ireland we cannot ignore the economic realities," he said.

"As the Governing Body for the sport we have to be prudent and be absolutely sure that the games would be viable. With the global economic downturn the risk factors in taking on a project like this have increased significantly in recent months. We all know what happened in 1998 and we cannot risk a repeat of that." he said.

Mr. Walsh said he wanted to thank Dr. Pearse Lyons, Global President of Alltech, for his generous offer to sponsor the Games.

"As an Irishman Dr Lyons really wanted to bring the games to Ireland. His offer to be the title sponsor of the games was extremely generous and it is unfortunate that the timing just isn't right," he said.

He said that he was confident that Ireland would bid for the World Equestrian Games at some stage in the future and the work done in assessing the feasibility of a bid for 2014 would prove useful.

Bidders for the games are to be circulated to the FEI Bureau. Bidders will be asked to make a formal presentation prior to the decision by the Bureau on the host Organiser, which will be taken in the spring of 2009.

UAE: Munthar wins season's first race

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 22:58

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Al Reef Stables sent out the first winner of the 2008-09 endurance season as Munthar Ahmad Al Beloushi claimed victory in the 100-km Boutheib Endurance Challenge for Junior & Young Riders here on Saturday.

Riding Carallio, an 11-year-old horse trained by his elder brother Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi, Munthar scored his first career win completing the 100km ride in three hours 46 minutes and 51 seconds.

Munthar used to ride horses at the Al W'rsan Stables and shifted to the Al Ain base of Al Reef Stables. His horse Carallio was coming back after a long layoff due to injury.

"I was a bit tired toward the end of the race," said Munthar.

Despite winning the race, Munthar was not the first to cross the finish line.

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[WEC Reports] Royal support makes it possible for Abdul Halim

The New Straits Times
11/02/2008

ABDUL Halim Alihan could not have fulfilled his dreams of competing in next week's FEI World Endurance Championships (FEI WEC) if not for the support of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Abdul Halim's interest in horses began when he was a youngster. He often read books on horses but could not venture into the sport due to financial constraints.

However, his chance came when he started work as a groom and riding boy at the Royal Terengganu Stable Club in Sungai Besi in 2006.

"I have been one of the King's horse grooms for the past two years. Tuanku Mizan encouraged me to venture into competitive riding and even loaned me his horse (Brookleigh Kentara) for competitions," said the Kuching-born rider.

"I managed to earn two Certificates of Capability (COC) on this horse for the world meet," said the 27-year-old rider.
Abdul Halim is one of the 12 Malaysian riders competing in the FEI WEC at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu..

The 27-year-old rider, who has competed in four 160-km endurance competitions so far this year, is ranked 161st in the world. His best result was fifth placing at the Saera event in Australia in June.

The FEI WEC will have 133 riders from 32 countries competing.

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/02/2008 04:55:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Bahrain set for endurance test

Gulf-daily-news.com

BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead the Bahrain endurance horseride team at the World Endurance Championship to be held on Friday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengganu, Malaysia.

A few members of the six-member team reached Kuala Lumpur yesterday and will line-up with the world's top riders from 37 countries in this challenging event which will be held over 160 kms.

Other team members are Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.

The team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan is the manager.

This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship following their debut in 2005 in Dubai. The 2006 championship was held in in Akhn, Germany.

The riders will submit their entries at the endurance park and then attend the opening ceremony on Wednesday at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

On Thursday, there will be pre-ride inspection, followed by riders' weighing. The riders will then attend a briefing.

The race concludes on Saturday morning while the prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for the next day.

Shaikh Nasser, who will leave for Malaysia later this week, said the team members are optimistic of a podium finish. "We have been training for over a year for this championship," added Shaikh Nasser.

Their preparations started right after finishing second in the European Championship held in Portugal. The team resumed training in the summer in Europe where they had a month-long camp in the UK, Austria and France.

However, Shaikh Nasser said the team will encounter a fierce test as the surface of the race area in Malaysia is presently wet due to continuous rainy weather.

But Shaikh Nasser expressed faith in the team members who have gained enough experience to help them pass this stern challenge.

Shaikh Nasser thanked His Majesty King Hamad for his support and encouragement.

The course is designed to provide a safe yet challenging competition, taking the riders along the stunning coast line, through palm plantations, along canal banks and through natural forests.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/02/2008 04:53:00 AM

UAE: Dreaming of the big race win

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 22:58

Abu Dhabi: At six feet two inches Mattar Al Yabhouni hardly has the look of a horseman.

But not only is he a keen rider but also a polo player with a one goal handicap and a passionate lover of horses.

A two time winner of the President's Cup Polo Championship in Ghantoot, Al Yabhouni is an ardent follower of all horse-related sports.

When he is not looking after his business, he is either at his stables supervising the care and progress of his horses or playing polo.

Al Yabhouni, who owns a private stable with 20 endurance horses, says the encouragement he has received from the big horse owners in the UAE has allowed small, private stables like his to stay, expand and compete on level terms.

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[WEC Reports] Horse show a public sensation

New Straits Times

November 1 2008

KUALA TERENGGANU: The National Horse Show was a hit with 10,000 people turning up at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai on its opening day yesterday.

The show was officiated by the Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Among the activities held during the ceremony were a performance by the mounted unit of the Royal Malaysian Police and a horse-riding challenge by the Malaysian Pony Club members.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah also presented prizes to winners of the Secondary School Horse Art competition. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Sulaiman bagged the RM5,000 first prize while SMK Padang Midin and SMK Tengku Bariah walked away with the RM3,000 second and RM2,000 third prize, respectively.

Other attractions on the first of the three-day show were the start of the seventh Asian Regional farriery competition, Horse Carnival, Equine Exposition, Horse Breed and Carriage Display.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the event and the coming FEI World Endurance Championships would bring in more visitors to the state.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 05:52:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Riders to star in Terengganu

New Straits Times

November 1 2008

URUGUAY'S Pio Juan Olascoaga Amaya, the current World No 2 and the highest ranked endurance rider to feature in next week's World Endurance Championships (WEC), is the favourite to win the individual title at the Terengganu International Equestrian Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.

Amaya has been outstanding in several competitions -- especially in Uruguay -- where he has won two 160km Costa Azul events held in April and September, respectively.

He will be riding his trusted horse -- Ar Vale -- at the WEC.

The second highest ranked rider in the competition is Mohd Ahmed Ali Al Subose of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The world No 4 has proved himself in several competitions and finished on the podium several times this year.

His latest win was in the United Kingdom, where he captured the Euston Park competition on Oct 10 while his compatriot, Abdulla Thani Huzaim, the World No 5, is also a strong challenger in the WEC.

The other challenger, Prince Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Maktoum is the only rider from UAE to have won the individual world title. He did it at the 2002 edition in Spain.

From the local front, Datuk Kamaruddin Abd Ghani is the highest ranked Malaysian rider at 93rd.

Kamaruddin, a former Sea Games gold medallist, has been involved in endurance riding for more than a decade.

He has competed in five tournaments so far this year and his most memorable outing was in Uruguay, where he finished third in the Costa Azul competition in April.

Kamaruddin will be riding Navidad at the world meet. Among other Malaysians competing are Ismail Faizal (World No 107), Abdul Halim Alihan (161), Zainuddin Yusof (168) and Rosdam Mohd Noor (192).

The 12-member Malaysian team will be led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 05:46:00 AM

UAE: Endurance riding growing among women in UAE

Gulfnews.com - Full article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 00:01

Abu Dhabi: Women's endurance riding has been given a boost by the Al Asayel Endurance Village and the 2008-09 season will see the first GCC Ladies Championship.

Encouraged by the success of the rides held at this endurance venue in Sweihan in Abu Dhabi, the Al Asayel Endurance Village will be hosting the inaugural GCC Ladies Championship, a 120km ride in January.

The Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge, a three-round series of races for female riders, was a major success last season with each of the event attracting over 30 participants.

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UAE: Long Ride

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 00:01

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's 2008-2009 endurance season gets off to a soft opening today with the Boutheib Endurance Cup for Juniors and two qualifier rides being staged at the Boutheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi.

After today's rides the season takes a pause as the 2008 World Endurance Championship is being held in Malaysia next week.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Culture and Arts Authority, are part of the strong six-member UAE team at the World Championship being held in Terengganu, Malaysia on November 7-8.

Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Subose complete the UAE line-up. A week later, the UAE's endurance season resumes with the first competitive endurance ride in the Open category to be held on November 15 at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.


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[WEC Reports] Wendy Benns off to the races

TheScugogstandard.ca

By Blake Wolfe/The Scugog Standard

October 31, 2008

A local equestrian and familiar face at the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Control Centre will be heading to Malaysia next week to represent Canada at an international endurance race.

Wendy Benns and Supreme Justice, her nine-year-old Egyptian Arabian, will be attending the World Endurance Championships on Nov. 7, hosted this year in Terengganu, Malaysia. The one-day event consists of a 100 mile race, with 150 horse and rider teams from around the world at this year's edition, including six members of Team Canada representing the top six horses in the country.

Back home, Ms. Benns works as an animal control officer at the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Control Centre, and takes the photos of pets seen in the 'For Adoption' pages of local publications like The Scugog Standard.

"Travelling to a tropical region to compete means a lot of stress for the horses," said Ms. Benns of the challenges she will face in the competition, "especially the travel and acclimatization." She added that this particular race requires years of constant training and conditioning for participating horses.

In addition to this year's event, her first World Endurance Championship, Ms. Benns has also competed in three Pan-Am Games as a member of Team Canada, making the jump to the international level of competition in 2006. Ms. Benns originally got into equestrian through the Uxbridge-Scugog Pony Club, which introduced her to the various types of competition.

Ms. Benns also added that she was "overwhelmed" and thankful for the sponsors who helped her along the way, especially for what she described as a somewhat unconventional sporting event.

"Endurance racing is a difficult sport to attract sponsors to," she said, "as it really isn't a spectator sport. Horses and riders race on trails in remote areas."

"I'm hoping to help Canada become a medal contender in this competition," she said of her hopes for the race.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 12:02:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Tuanku Mizan Opens National Horse Show

Bernama.com

October 31, 2008 23:23 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on Friday opened the three-day National Horse Show at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here.

The event, held for the first time in Terengganu, involves various programmes like horseshoe pitching contest, a horse carnival, equine exposition as well as exhibitions on horse breeding and horse carts.

Tengku Mizan, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah and the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, also witnessed a dressage event performed by the Royal Malaysia Police's cavalry unit.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said and State Youth and Sports Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said.

The show is jointly organised by the Terengganu government, the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stables and the STC Equestrian and Sports Centre.

In conjunction with the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Malaysian Equine Council (MEC) and the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA).

The MoU was signed to give MEC the rights to use EFA specifications in Malaysia.

The show is a prelude to the World Equestrian Championship to be held at Lembah Bidong, Setiu from Nov 6 to 9.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 12:00:00 AM

USEF News: Kanavy and McCarty Score Wins in the American Endurance Ride Conference National Championships

Release: October 30 2008

By Troy Smith

Five weeks after Hurricane Ike devastated trails in the Clark State Forest in Indiana, the 100-mile and 50-mile American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Championship riders and horses enjoyed excellent weather and trails on October 16 and 18.

“The only reason the ride took place was because of the nearly 300-plus hours in manpower it took to get the trails in excellent condition,” said co-ride manager Cindy Young. “Few people realize what a mess those trails really were and without some key people working diligently on some 35 miles of trails, the championships would probably not have happened.”

For a sport where weather and trails can collude to make for precarious conditions, especially this late in the season, this year’s national championship was nearly perfect. “Trails were excellent, the weather was perfect, and the knowledge and expertise of all the workers helped to make the national championships run flawlessly,” said Young. “It truly was a great event!”

The well-attended ride had 45 starters in the 100-mile event and 114 starters in the 50-mile event.

“The level of competition and the caliber of riders truly made for a national championship on all levels,” said Young. “We had competitors from 26 states as well as Canada, Switzerland, Holland and Namibia.”

100-Mile Competition
Winner of the 100-mile contest was AERC Hall of Fame inductee Valerie Kanavy with King Ali Gold. With a time of 9 hours and 53 minutes, they were 45 minutes ahead of the next competitors. Best Condition went to Hot Desert Knight, ridden by Farzad Faradyi, who were the second finishers.

Top weight division finishers: Joni Buttram and Cash Bonus (Junior), Kirsten Kimbler and Cody Canuck (Featherweight), Valerie and Ali (Lightweight), Farzad Faradyi and Hot Desert Knight (Middleweight) and Ed Kidd and Merlin (Heavyweight).

There were 31 completions out of the field of 45 starters in the 100-mile event, held October 16.

50-Mile Competition
Teresa McCarty and Spectacular Gold were first to finish the 50-mile event, with a time of 3 hours and 58 minutes, and also won Best Condition.

Other top weight division finishers were Austin Shaffer and Pearl Jam (Junior), Katherine Shank and Wind Dancer-Bey (Featherweight), Deb Shaffer and Sheik Abu Galihad+ (Lightweight), and Roger Barrett and Blueberry Bey (Heavyweight).

There were 114 entrants and 98 completions in the 50-mile event, held October 18.

The prestigious endurance ride was held in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association’s Arabian and Half-Arabian Endurance Championship.

For more information, check out the National Championship website at www.dbdr.info/NC%20Home.htm.

Next year’s AERC National Championship will be held in Northern California on September 11 and 13.

For more information about AERC and endurance riding, visit www.aerc.org or phone the AERC office at (866) 271-2372.

UAE: 2008/2009 Season Starting

ABU DHABI — The season’s inaugural endurance ride is all set to roll with the staging of the Bou Thib Endurance Cup at the Bou Thib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in co-operation with the Emirates Heritage Club, Abu Dhabi, is organising the event for Junior and Young Riders.

Over 55 youngsters have already confirmed their participation for the CEN-JY 100km ride, which will be run in four phases of 30km, 30km, 24km and 16km respectively. The ride will begin at 6am.

The day will also feature two Federation Qualifying rounds of 40km and 80km respectively which has attracted a field of over 170 riders.

Qualifying rides are organised by the UAE Equestrian Federation to enable the riders to qualify to participate in long-distance rides.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club.

Pre-ride inspection for the rides were held on Friday, at the Endurance Village.

Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum, Shaikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Shaikh Saqr bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Munthar Ahmed Al Bloushi, Rashed Ahmed Al Bloushi, Ali Ghanem Al Marri, Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri, Mara Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem, Ahmed Tariq Abdullah Al Mutawa, Muhanad Ali Khalfan Al Abdullah, Buti Mohammed, Khalaf Al Marri, Hamad Ibrahim and Abdullah Al Marzouqi are some of the contenders for the juniors championship on the opening day.
[More ...]

[WEC Reports] Deyaar announces title sponsorship of World Endurance Champions...

Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Demonstrates support for UAE team led by Dubai Crown Prince

Dubai, October 29, 2008: Deyaar Development, the region's fastest growing real estate company, announced today its title sponsorship of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Endurance Championship, set to take place in Terengganu, Malaysia, from November 6-9, 2008. The UAE will be represented in this highlight of the global equestrian calendar by a six-strong team led by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Earlier this year, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, personally led the UAE team to victory at the Austin Park Endurance Race in London, qualifying the national team to participate in next month's World Endurance Championship.

"We are very pleased to sponsor this landmark equestrian event and, in particular, to demonstrate our support for the UAE team as they prepare to compete in this test of strength and courage," said His Excellency Nasser Bin Hassan Al-Shaikh, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Finance and Chairman of Deyaar. "The UAE has a long and proud association with the sport of horse racing, including earning gold medals at the most recent Asian and Pan-Arab Games. We wish the team great success at the championship in Malaysia."

The FEI World Endurance Championship, held once every two years, is an extremely challenging event, covering 160 kilometres of terrain along the coast of the South China Sea. Held for the first time in Malaysia, the race will feature 142 riders from 34 countries, including stalwarts such as France, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Spain.

"Just as the UAE continues to play an increasingly prominent role in the global economic arena, so too is the country taking on a leadership position in the world of sport, especially horse racing," said Markus Giebel, Chief Executive Officer of Deyaar, said: "At the same time, economic and trade relations between this country and Malaysia continue to strengthen, including in sectors such as real estate, finance and tourism.

"For all of us at Deyaar, it clearly made sense to sponsor the FEI World Endurance Championship, a wonderful sporting event that demands teamwork, trust and a shared commitment to excellence. In choosing to sponsor this event and offer our support to the UAE team, we also noted that those are the very same values that continue to make Deyaar itself such a success," Giebel concluded.

About Deyaar:

Deyaar Development PJSC is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the region. Headquartered in Dubai, the company has grown significantly to evolve into a complete one-stop real estate solutions provider. Today, Deyaar is one of the most prominent brands in the regional real estate sector, with interests in development, property and facilities management, in addition to offering a range of services such as brokerage, marketing and sales. Deyaar's strategic solutions and deep market insights have helped create exceptional value for its investors. The company currently manages over 16,000 commercial and residential properties. Deyaar is set to continue to play a pivotal role in the ongoing development of the region's property landscape. The company complies with the Escrow legislation and all relevant laws in the UAE. Deyaar is registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority under reference number 15/07.

For further information, please contact:
Nicholas Nesson / Anusyia Nathan / Nitin Nambiar
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-3355969
Fax: 971-4-3356080
Email: n.nesson@asdaa.com / a.nathan@asdaa.com / n.nambiar@asdaa.com

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 10/30/2008 02:07:00 PM

[WEC Reports] NSI Actively Involved In Preparing M'sian Team For WEC 2008

Bernama.com
October 30, 2008 17:22 PM

SETIU, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Institute (NSI) played a major role in preparing the Malaysian contingent for the World Endurance Championship 2008 horse riding competition which will take place at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong near here from Nov 6 to 9.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the NSI arranged international exposure for the riders by getting them to compete in countries like Argentina, Australia and the United States so that they could get the proper certification to be eligible for the WEC 2008.

"Secondly, the horses to be used were also tested by experts to ensure they would be able to handle the gruelling 160km race," he said in his speech at the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) handing over ceremony for the national contingent at TIEP here today.

The text of his speech was read out by NSI director-general, Datuk Ramlan Abdul Aziz. Also present was State Youth and Sports Committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said.

-- BERNAMA

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 10/30/2008 01:25:00 PM

[WEC Reports] Riders, Horses In Good Health Despite Unfavourable Weather

Bernama.com
October 30, 2008 20:02 PM

By Hilary Sebastian

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- All twelve members of Malaysia's team to the FEI World Endurance Championship in Terengganu which will be held from Nov 6-9 and their horses are in good health despite having to undergo gruelling training in the current unfavourable weather conditions.

The team is lead by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Team Manager Mohd Din Mohd told Bernama that the team members had to regularly undergo medical check-ups each time they completed their training sessions.

Entering the final training phase now, the team members practise twice daily -- morning and afternoon -- to be primed to land both the team and individual titles.

"Training includes riding several kilometers along the actual competition routes under the hot and dry weather conditions," Din said, adding that bad weather could affect the health of both riders and horses.

"Our medical teams and veterinarians are always on stand by to do regular medical check-up to determine the current health status of the riders and horses," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 10/30/2008 01:20:00 PM

[WEC Reports] Royal Ride

Thestar.com.my

Thursday October 30, 2008
By HILARY CHIEW

The sport of kings takes on its literal meaning at the National Horse Show in Terengganu.

ENDURANCE riding is one of the newest and fastest growing branches in equestrian sport and no less than the King himself is promoting the discipline.

Not only is Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin the patron of the Marang Endurance Track, a new competition at the 14th National Horse Show (NHS), His Majesty will also take part in the race to be held for the first time in his home state of Terengganu.

The accomplished equine enthusiast is all set to display his skills in the 40km and 80km events.

Jointly organised by the Terengganu state government, the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable and the Selangor Turf Club (STC) Equestrian and Sports Centre, the three-day event from tomorrow will also feature two other "firsts".

The annual show, which debuted in 1994, will host the Federation of Equestrian International World Jumping Challenge and World Dressage Challenge at the main venue, the Terengganu Equestrian Resort.

The endurance race is undoubtedly an exciting one as it challenges the fitness and skill of both the horse and rider. It is a test of good horsemanship where the riders must be attuned to the conditions of their mounts.

Apart from the medals for top placings, an additional award – the Best Conditioned Horse – will be given to the animal athlete determined by a combination of speed, weight carried and veterinary scores. This is undoubtedly a coveted recognition in any endurance race. STC veterinarians will be on hand to provide professional care to the horses in all the events at the show, especially those taking part in the strenuous endurance race.

STC official veterinary surgeon Dr Rebecca Tan, who is in the veterinarian commission of the NHS, says all the horses will be inspected for fitness to compete prior to the race and a series of compulsory checks are scheduled at intervals to ensure that the animals are fit to continue.

The newly-introduced equestrian events will certainly make the show more interesting. Besides the endurance race, there are also a pony club mounted challenge, a trade exhibition and a horse carnival. The carnival, called Kuda Sukmo, will showcase fun activities like pony rides, buggy and carriage rides, games, sideshows, treasure hunts and competitions to keep school children and families entertained.

As an event to promote the education and development of equine sport, visitors will get a chance to view 20 breeds of horses, ranging from the local registered miniature, Criollo and Java to the Percheron.

Horse breeds have evolved over the centuries through adaptation to their environment and human intervention in crossbreeding animals from different regions to get the desired characteristics for required tasks. For instance, horses that were needed for hauling heavy loads were bred for strength, while those required for fast transportation were bred for speed.

Today, there are more than 160 breeds of race and equestrian horses that have been developed through selective breeding.

Billed as the nation's premier equestrian event, the show has grown from strength to strength within the equestrian community over the years, as indicated by the number of visitors that now number around 10,000 to 15,000.

Besides activities that involve horses, the show offers other attractions, including a regional farriery (horseshoe-making) competition, an equine trade expo and a carriage display.

Held for the seventh consecutive year, the farriery competition is one of the biggest attractions for visitors, who are fascinated by participants hammering out and shaping horseshoes.

NHS head of media Lo Wai-fai says the profession is growing in tandem with the development of the equine service industry and the competition attracts local farriers as well as those in Asia from Brunei, to as far as Turkey.

Leading suppliers of equine products such as tack and saddlery, riding apparel, veterinary and equine nutritional products, fodder and stable equipment will participate in the expo, which has been an integral part of NHS since 1994.

And the show wouldn't be complete without that other item that is often associated with horse – the carriage.

The organisers have brought in a collection of these conveyances – the two most outstanding carriages are an authentic Australian regal glass carriage and an 18th century cobbin coach used to carry mail and money in bygone days.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 10/30/2008 05:10:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Security A Top Priority At World Endurance Championship

Bernama.com

October 29, 2008
By Ahmad Muliady

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Security will be a top priority at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2008, which Malaysia is hosting for the first time.

Almost 1,000 security personnel including from the Malaysian Armed forces and Royal Malaysia Police will be on duty to monitor security throughout the prestigious biennial event, which will be held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Terengganu, from Nov 6 to 9.

The championship will see 142 riders from 34 countries taking part.

Malaysia WEC 2008 competition director Mohd Din Mat said the security personnel would also help riders and point them in the right direction so that they do not lose their way.

"To ensure that riders are not confused at night, the organisers will provide direction signs and lighting throughout the race track," he told Bernama.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead Malaysia's charge at the championship. The team consists of 12 riders.

Other royalty who have confirmed their participation in the competition are Bahrain Crown Prince, Shaikh Nasser Hamad Al Khalifa and two members of the ruling Al-Maktoum family from the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and his younger brother Shaikh Majed.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 10/29/2008 03:33:00 PM

Uruguay: 2009 Pan American Championship

November 2008
Endurance.Net

The FEI has finalized the details of the 2009 Pan American Championship. The competition will be held on April 24 near the popular resort town of Punta del Este on the southern coast of Uruguay. This area, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Rio del Plata River, is modern and upscale and a very popular vacation destination with a wide range of hotels, restaurants, country clubs and resorts. It also offers everything for a beautiful and challenging competition - forests, grasslands, lakes and long stretches of sandy beach.

The Championship will be held over a distance of 120 kilometers.

According to Ketty Friedman, a Uruguay FEI 4* Judge who has been involved with International Endurance in Uruguay since 1997 a very dedicated core group of people have been working together to build the sport in Uruguay, and are primarily reponsible for the finalization of 2009 event. Gustavo Sclavo, president of the Uruguay Equestrian Federation has strong ties with Endurance discipline, has also been instrumental in building International Endurance in Uruguay, and in helping secure the bid for the 2009 Pan American Championship. They are certain that Uruguay will host a world class event and they look forward to introducing the world to this small South American country.

Uruguay Endurance - Endurance.Net coverage of 2007 Rocha Internacional





Photos: Beach at Punta del Este, Ketty Friedman and Gustavo Sclaro at Rocha Internacional Endurance, Pueblocasa - artist Carlos Paez Vilaro, Sailboats at Punta del Este