Thursday, October 30, 2008

[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

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

[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

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

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

[WEC Reports] FEI World Endurance Championship Almost Under Way



Release: October 28 2008

By Malina Gueorguiev

In just a matter of days, the much expected and anticipated FEI World Endurance Championships will be under way at the sprawling Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, situated on the scenic coastline 25 km north of Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia. From November 7-9, there will be 142 riders and horses from 34 countries set to compete, of which 22 have sent teams while the remaining 12 countries will be competing with individuals.

As the majority of the horses have now arrived, Malaysia is on the verge of becoming the first Far East country to host a Senior FEI World Endurance Championship, held every two years since it's inception in 1986, which will also mark the first ever to be held in a tropical climate and during the hours of darkness.

The facilities and venue are of the highest international standard, while the 160 km course is designed to provide a safe yet challenging competition, taking riders along the stunning coastline, through palm plantations, along canal banks and through natural vegetation forests.

Research and Planning
Considerable work has taken place over the last two years whereby the organizers, in conjunction with the FEI and independent veterinary organizations, have held a number of trial events with specific targets to meet to ensure the event could take place without increased risk to the horses that would compete in Malaysia.

The 2006 trial event involved local horses and required a minimum completion rate and speed imposed by the FEI. These criteria were met and the 2007 trial run was then allowed to take place. This time the competition involved overseas-based horses who were again required to meet FEI minimum speeds and completions rates across the senior competition distance.

The overseas riders and horses who attended this event exceeded expectations by riding skilfully to the conditions they faced and produced an above average completions rate across all starters. The required criteria were met and permission was then granted by the FEI for the championship to take place in November 2008.

Welfare
The FEI is committed to the welfare of all horses competing in equestrian sport and is confident that all the riders and horses that will be competing in the upcoming championship are qualified to show the same degree of horsemanship as shown during the trial events and to work with their horse as true partners in meeting the very special challenges they will meet together in Terengganu.

Whilst the tropical temperatures and high humidity will be exacting challenges, the two successful trial runs have shown that horses ridden with care can compete safely and still produce an exciting result.

Endurance has always been a competition to test the horsemanship skills of the rider and the fitness and athletic ability of the horse. In recent years much of that challenge has involved the need to produce increasing levels of speed across the ground and within the vet gate.

In the words of a senior and well respected FEI endurance veterinarian and judge, "The World Championship at Terengganu will return to more traditional challenges for the horse and rider where speed must not be the main route to success, rather it will be the ability of rider and horse working together to overcome the challenges on the day that will bring results."

The FEI has made it clear that anyone who overrides their horse or subjects a horse to excessive demands within competition will be considered to be in breach of the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse. The FEI will not hesitate to bring such instances to the attention of the FEI Legal Department to take further action as required.

The FEI and the Malaysian Equestrian Federation together with the organizers YDSM are looking forward to an exciting event held amidst the beautiful region of Terengganu on the East Coast of Malaysia.

For up-to-date information and the latest news, go to www.malaysia-wec.com.

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 10/29/2008 02:28:00 AM

Monday, October 27, 2008

Hungary: FEI Juniors & Young Rider World Championship

The 2009 Championship event will be held in Babolna, Hungary on September 6, 2009.

Babolna website
Event Information
Qualification Criteria


Information on Bábolna and the National Stud:

The Bábolna National Stud farm has been founded in 1789. There are just a few unique studs in the world, that operate for two hundred years, to preserve, promote and develop the values in breeding Arabian horses, created by the efforts of the predecessors.

The goal of Bábolna Stud is not only to preserve, but also to convey our equestrian heritage to the general public, which once was closely connected to warfare, now has become the vehicle for a noble sporting activity.
The history of Bábolna Stud, that is world famous today, looks back to the end of the 18th century.

József Csekonics, captain of a cuirassier regiment, had the idea that horse breeding in Hungary may flourish only under the professional hands of stud masters, who may create imperial-royal studs. As ordered by Joseph II, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, a stud was created first in Mezőhegyes in 1785, then in Bábolna in 1789 with the purpose to breed fast and strong horses for the use of the army and public.
From 1816 only Arabian horses are bred in Bábolna. This proves that the Bábolna Arabian breed came into being not too much after the Stud Book of the English through-bred horses, that was established in 1793.

1836 was a historically determining year in the life of the Stud, when Shagya Senior, a pure-blood Arabian stallion was brought to Bábolna by Eduard Herbert. This horse bred the first Shagya Arabian horses. Shagya Arabian breed was recognised in 1978 as being independent. Bábolna Stud preserved the values of this breed and even expanded it with other world famous families like Gazal, O'Bajan, Kemir, Mersuch, and Siglavy Bagdady.

The Stud survived both World Wars, although it suffered severe losses. After World War II., Bábolna lost its military role, and the control of it was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture as a State Farm. Adverse economical and social circumstances made many stallions to be transferred to western countries.
During the 60's Bábolna tried to find new ways to breed pure-blooded Arabian horses, the Shagya Arab breed has conquered the hart of horse-lovers all over the word.
From the past decades Bábolna stud is prospering again. The Shagya Arabian breed that was tested through the storms of history, is now became stronger and victoriously fights its reputation among its breeders, appreciating the loyalty and friendship between men and horse.

[WEC Reports] Malaysia ready for action after two-day trial

The Star Online
October 26 2008

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian team completed a two-day trial on Saturday ahead of the FEI World Endurance Championship (WEC) with all 12 riders declared ready for the race on Nov 7.

The panel of selectors will be naming four riders for the team event while the remaining eight will contest the individual category.

The list will be announced on the eve of the race at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, 30km north of Kuala Terengganu.

The team's project manager, Che Mohammad Din, said that the vet checks revealed the mounts were primed for action.

"We are placing equal emphasis on both the individual and team events, hoping to attain a creditable finish," he said.

As hosts of the 12th edition of the WEC, Malaysia are allotted 12 places. The team are spearheaded by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who will mount Taljari Moon Pharoah.

Completing the line-up are former world number one endurance rider Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani (Navidad), Abdul Halim Alihan (Brookleigh Kentara), Bakar Aman (Almira Alborada), Norlaily Bunyamin (Bremervale Jessie James), Firdaus (Ifra Des Jamets), Shuaib Ishak (Blue Bronco), Azizie Ismail (Janor Fee), Faizal Ismail (Edenfels Zephyr), Rosdam Mohd Noor (Janor Mamatembo), Yusran Yusof (Nashaar) and Zainuddin Yusof (Texas).

Based on the latest FEI rankings as of Oct 10, the highest ranked Malaysian rider is Kamaruddin at No. 93.

The Pekan-born rider bagged the 2001 SEA Games gold medal and has competed in various international championships for the past 10 years.

Apart from undergoing training at various areas within Lembah Bidong, the riders are required to maintain their fitness through a programme designed by the National Sports Institute (NSI).

They have been undergoing a fitness programme for the past one year under the watchful eyes of several NSI staff, including former national taekwondo exponent R. Selvamuthu.

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 10/28/2008 01:19:00 AM

FEI and Yamamah join forces to transform global Endurance data access

Inside.FEI.org 27 November 2025 The FEI has partnered with the Yamamah App, a leading mobile application in the Endurance community, whic...