It's Official, Malaysia To Host FEI-WEC 2008

Bernama.com

April 02, 2007 00:10 AM

From Rozaini Ahmad

PARIS, April 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year, the first tropical country to do so.

The right to organise the 2008 edition of the championship was awarded to Malaysia here today with the signing of a tripartite agreement between FEI, the Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM).

YDSM was represented by its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, FEI by its vice president, Sven Holmberg, and EAM by its secretary-general Lau Choo Seng. The event was witnessed by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is also EAM president.

As a symbolic gesture of the award, a flag handing-over ceremony was held soon after the signing.

Speaking to Bernama after the ceremony, Salleh said YDSM was very proud to have been given the responsibility to spearhead Malaysia's effort in organising the championship.

"We are very proud to organise the championship and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin himself, as the patron of this championship, will ensure that the event will be organised successfully," he said.

He said that prior to the championship, which is to be held in November 2008, a trial championship would be held in November this year, at which riders would get the chance to collect points to qualify for the FEI-WEC 2008.

Jamaluddin said the federal government would give its full support to YDSM in its effort to organise the championship.

"The event, which will be treated as a major event, is expected to draw a number of world class endurance riders to the country. The federal government will support this event and we will help the state government of Terengganu and YDSM to organise it," he said.

The FEI-WEC is to be held from Nov 8 to 10 next year at Terengganu's International Equestrian Park in Lembah Bidong, Merang, Setiu. The championship is held once in four years, the last one having been held in Germany.

-- BERNAMA

FEI World Endurance Forum identifies areas for further action

FEI World Endurance Forum Summary

Malaysia: YDSM Positive On M'sia Hosting FEI World Endurance Race

Bernama.com

From Rozaini Ahmad

PARIS, March 31 (Bernama) -- The Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) is confident of securing the right to organise the World Endurance Race Championship 2008 (WEC) based on the direct involvement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in bringing the prestigious meet to Malaysia.

YDSM Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said the involvement of Sultan Mizan, who is the Sultan of Terengganu and Chairman of YDSM, has convinced the Federation Equestre International (FEI) that Malaysia is committed to organising the championship which also has the backing of the federal and Terengganu governments.

"His Royal Highness Sultan Mizan has taken on the responsibility of bringing the organisation of the WEC, held once in four years, to Malaysia in 2008. He was given that mandate while attending the Annual General Meeting of FEI in Compein, France in 2005.

"His Royal Highness is also an avid endurance rider. His involvement in the sport has instilled confidence in all parties, including FEI, that Malaysia is ready to host the WEC," he told Bernama here.

Salleh is in Paris on behalf of Sultan Mizan and YDSM for a flag handing over ceremony where Malaysia will officially be given the right to organise WEC 2008. The ceremony takes place at the end of FEI's two-day World Forum which begins today.

According to Salleh, on the second and last day of the forum tomorrow, Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) President Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, will outline Malaysia's preparation for WEC 2008 which will be held in Lembah Bidong, Merang, Setiu in Terengganu from Nov 8 to 10 next year.

"This is the first time that the championship will be held in a tropical country and FEI wants to ensure that the organiser will do its utmost best for the horses, the riders and the whole aspect of the championship.

"It is a challenge to us due to the fact that FEI still has certain reservations towards our capability in organising the world event. We will use the forum as a platform to convince them," he said.

Salleh said several official trial runs would be organised at the newly opened Terengganu International Equestrian Park (TIEP) to ensure that the infrastructure is fully tested and ready for the WEC next year.

Sultan Mizan will participate in the YDSM-Penn Endurance Challenge 2007 which will be held over two days from May 4 at the TIEP. The event will offer qualification points for the WEC 2008.

Salleh said the WEC 2008 would be held during Visit Terengganu Year 2008 and he expected the championship to draw tourists to the state, which is known for its diverse natural treasures and tourist spots.

-- BERNAMA

FEI Endurance Forum: Day 1

FEI World Endurance Forum opens in Paris




Some 70 delegates representing 31 National Federations have gathered in Paris for the FEI World Endurance Forum from 31 March to 1 April 2007. Placed under the motto “Consolidation, Cooperation, Creation”, this event is the starting point of an in-depth review of this FEI discipline.

The basis of the current FEI Rules for Endurance came into being over 20 years ago; indeed, Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982. In the last five years, the sport has undergone dramatic growth: in 2006 the total number of Endurance events was 393 which is an increase of 480% compared to 2000. In terms of numbers, the Endurance is now the third FEI discipline after Jumping and Eventing. From a leisure activity enjoyed by amateurs on weekends, it has turned into highly competitive sport where breeders, owners, trainers and riders earn their living. Countries from new regions of the world presenting unusual climatic conditions have joined. There is a significant difference between the amateur and professional levels of the sport which is all the more apparent when facing challenging conditions.

The time has therefore come to undertake a comprehensive review of the sport in order to provide it with a solid basis upon which it can continue to grow and expand.

Following the morning the morning session where regional groups presented a picture of Endurance within the various countries, the Forum separated into working groups during the afternoon to consider in detail the proposals from the regions.

The three main groups of FEI officials – judges, technical delegates and veterinarians – taking part in the Forum will provide the FEI with their informed opinion on key issues such as qualification standards, competition format and the welfare of the horse, which will serve as a basis for the new structure. An interim report will be issued in October 2007 by the task force which is to be appointed post-forum.

The key element of the opening day was the genuine sprit of cooperation and the willingness to consider change. Day two will see all of the working groups coming together in general forum to establish the task force’s main areas for review.

[More ...]

FEI World Endurance Forum

New Zealand to South Africa: Ride of her life

Timaru woman Linda Pullar is set to sightsee around South Africa on horseback.


The endurance horse rider has been selected in the New Zealand team to compete there in June.

The four riders were named at the recent Horse of the Year competition in Hastings.

As this year was the first time endurance riding had been included in the event it was also a first-time competition for Mrs Pullar.

"It was a childhood dream to go up and look at it let alone ride in it."

But the biggest thrill will be the upcoming trip when she wears the silver fern for the first time.

"I didn't get any foreword warning, it was all just a big surprise."

Mrs Pullar travelled to Hastings to compete as an individual in the 120km endurance event.

Upon arrival, however, she found herself named as reserve for the New Zealand team.

Mrs Pullar said as a team of riders from South Africa and an international team made up of riders from various countries including Spain and Belgium, had come to compete, officials decided New Zealand should also field a team.

Nearly 50 people were entered into the 120km endurance event but Mrs Pullar said only 33 started. Of those only 16 horse and rider combinations completed the tough course.

Mrs Pullar said many of the horses were "vetted-out" as their heart rates were too high.

"I think it was the extremes of very flat then very steep."

Mrs Pullar and her horse Kishon Fashamatazz passed each of their vet checks and were the third kiwi combination home, finishing in seventh place in just under seven hours.

As one of the New Zealand team riders failed their checks Mrs Pullar, as reserve, was slotted into the team.

And next weekend she will be back in the saddle, competing in the 100km event at the national endurance riding champs in Feilding on her second horse Kishon Abigail.

[More ...]