The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/04
Zainuddin Muhammad
SETIU, TERENGGANU:
The race is literally heating up. With the 12th edition of the World Endurance Championship at Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong kicking off Thursday, heat and humidity are being cited as 'fear factors' by some of the participants.
Even veteran Australian Margaret Wade, who is currently ranked sixth in the world, is struggling with the tropical heat astride China Doll, as she trains in preparation for the competition which is being held in Malaysia for the first time.
A first-timer in this part of the world, the 47-year-old said that it is much hotter and more humid here than in Australia, but after almost two weeks of acclimatising, she and her horse are coping a little better.
She said it was not often that she had to ride throughout the night in previous competitions, and it would take a while for her and China Doll to adjust to the new riding environment.
But Wade, one of six members in Team Australia, said it was all part and parcel of the game and after being in the circle for more than 20 years, she knows what it takes to attain success.
For now, she said that training comprises just four hours on the back of her horse in the morning and a walking session in the afternoon to develop fitness and to get to know the area better.
As for her target in the tournament, she said it would be nice to walk away with the champion's trophy, but she would settle for the best possible finish due to the presence of other world-calss endurance riders.
Her teammate, George Matthew, 40, is equally optimistic of his chances, as he said he and his team members had prepared well for the tournament.
He said one other reason for his confidence is his horse, Brookleigh Ricardo, which has been undefeated in the past two years.
Matthew added that he hoped the nine-year-old Arabian stallion could do it again here in Lembah Bidong, but hopes that there would not be a heavy downpour on race night.
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:40:00 PM
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
[WEC Reports] Age No Barrier For 68 Year-Old American Rider Janice Worthington
Bernama.com
November 04, 2008 19:04 PM
SETIU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- At 68, Janice Worthington of the United States is the oldest competitor in the FEI World Endurance Championship at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong here from Nov 6-9.
Worthington said age would not stand in the way of her pursuit of sporting fulfillment and glory due her deep passion for horse riding since 30 years ago.
In fact, this is her fifth attempt at the World Endurance Championship. The first was in Compiegne, France in the 2000 edition even though she never came close to winning.
"For me, the adage in endurance racing "that to finish is to win" still applies," she told reporters here today.
Worthington, who has four grandchildren, lives in Illinois where she has a 300-acre ranch complete with 65 horses which she breeds for sale. One of them is the eight-year-old "Golden Lightning", which she has brought here for the championship.
The plucky lady is every bit serious about gunning for the title and did a two-week training stint in Florida recently as the state's climate is almost similar to that of Malaysia.
"To acclimatise myself to the heat and humidity of Malaysia, Florida proved ideal. I think its is very important for the riders to acclimatise themselves especially when it involves hot and humid conditions," said Worthington.
Despite her age, she has chalked up well over 30,000 miles on the saddle and is not showing any signs of slowing down either.
Just a couple of months ago, she won a 100-mile all-night endurance race in the United States.
"Horse riding has been my first love and I am most happy on a horse. It's all in the mind and there is no such thing as too old to ride. As long as you are mentally fit, you can ride. More so in endurance racing," said Worthington, who is part of the six-member American team to the championship.
"I look forward to doing well here. That's why I have taken the trouble to train in Florida because I know I need to prepare the horse and myself to adapt to a different environment which is a challenging one," said Worthington.
The fact that she is in the team will serve as an inspiration to 133 riders from 32 countries who will taking part in the prestigious championship.
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:36:00 PM
November 04, 2008 19:04 PM
SETIU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- At 68, Janice Worthington of the United States is the oldest competitor in the FEI World Endurance Championship at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong here from Nov 6-9.
Worthington said age would not stand in the way of her pursuit of sporting fulfillment and glory due her deep passion for horse riding since 30 years ago.
In fact, this is her fifth attempt at the World Endurance Championship. The first was in Compiegne, France in the 2000 edition even though she never came close to winning.
"For me, the adage in endurance racing "that to finish is to win" still applies," she told reporters here today.
Worthington, who has four grandchildren, lives in Illinois where she has a 300-acre ranch complete with 65 horses which she breeds for sale. One of them is the eight-year-old "Golden Lightning", which she has brought here for the championship.
The plucky lady is every bit serious about gunning for the title and did a two-week training stint in Florida recently as the state's climate is almost similar to that of Malaysia.
"To acclimatise myself to the heat and humidity of Malaysia, Florida proved ideal. I think its is very important for the riders to acclimatise themselves especially when it involves hot and humid conditions," said Worthington.
Despite her age, she has chalked up well over 30,000 miles on the saddle and is not showing any signs of slowing down either.
Just a couple of months ago, she won a 100-mile all-night endurance race in the United States.
"Horse riding has been my first love and I am most happy on a horse. It's all in the mind and there is no such thing as too old to ride. As long as you are mentally fit, you can ride. More so in endurance racing," said Worthington, who is part of the six-member American team to the championship.
"I look forward to doing well here. That's why I have taken the trouble to train in Florida because I know I need to prepare the horse and myself to adapt to a different environment which is a challenging one," said Worthington.
The fact that she is in the team will serve as an inspiration to 133 riders from 32 countries who will taking part in the prestigious championship.
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:36:00 PM
[WEC Reports] Uruguay Team Banks On Women Power in Endurance Riding C'ships
Bernama.com
November 04, 2008 19:26 PM
SETIU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Apart from lining up their top most rider, Olascoaga Amaya, who is the world number two and highest ranked endurance rider in the FEI-World Endurance Championship (FEI-WEC) here from Nov 6-9, Uruguay are also fielding four women riders, including two sisters.
Uruguay coach Pio Olascoaga Silveira said their six riders, consist of two men riders, Olascoaga Amaya and Juan Cruz Caceres Aranda who form the backbone of the team, and four women riders, Adriana Basso Mac Gregor, Isadora Machkinnon and sisters Flavia Maria and Sofia Maria Fernandez Danvilla.
"All the women riders are very passionate about this toughest endurance race. They are well prepared to compete against the 142 riders from 32 countries," he said after a training session held at Pantai Merang, here, today.
Asked on Uruguay's target for the championship, Olascoaga said the team's ultimate aim was to win the team title.
He, however, acknowledged that they will face a strong challenge from defending champions France as well as Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
"In actual fact, we are not too worried about our competitors but rather the hot and humid weather conditions here that might affect our riders and the horses," he said.
Meanwhile, sisters, Flavia, 24, and Sofia, 22, said since they are not familiar with night riding, they are set to face a new challenge as the race starts at 5pm and goes on right through the night.
"In Uruguay, we seldom ride at night. However, to meet the requirement of this championship, we have trained several times at night and now have some knowledge and confidence of competing against the rest," said Flavia who rides Count Spot.
The FEI-WEC, a 160km endurance horse race held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, is regarded as the toughest horse race in the world as the competition winds around paths along the beach, woods, several water crossings, village settlements, plantations, flat logistic roads and tarmac crossings.
Apart from Uruguay, riders from South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, France, Portugal, Qatar, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States and Britain are competing.
Malaysia are represented by 12 riders and led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:33:00 PM
November 04, 2008 19:26 PM
SETIU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Apart from lining up their top most rider, Olascoaga Amaya, who is the world number two and highest ranked endurance rider in the FEI-World Endurance Championship (FEI-WEC) here from Nov 6-9, Uruguay are also fielding four women riders, including two sisters.
Uruguay coach Pio Olascoaga Silveira said their six riders, consist of two men riders, Olascoaga Amaya and Juan Cruz Caceres Aranda who form the backbone of the team, and four women riders, Adriana Basso Mac Gregor, Isadora Machkinnon and sisters Flavia Maria and Sofia Maria Fernandez Danvilla.
"All the women riders are very passionate about this toughest endurance race. They are well prepared to compete against the 142 riders from 32 countries," he said after a training session held at Pantai Merang, here, today.
Asked on Uruguay's target for the championship, Olascoaga said the team's ultimate aim was to win the team title.
He, however, acknowledged that they will face a strong challenge from defending champions France as well as Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
"In actual fact, we are not too worried about our competitors but rather the hot and humid weather conditions here that might affect our riders and the horses," he said.
Meanwhile, sisters, Flavia, 24, and Sofia, 22, said since they are not familiar with night riding, they are set to face a new challenge as the race starts at 5pm and goes on right through the night.
"In Uruguay, we seldom ride at night. However, to meet the requirement of this championship, we have trained several times at night and now have some knowledge and confidence of competing against the rest," said Flavia who rides Count Spot.
The FEI-WEC, a 160km endurance horse race held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, is regarded as the toughest horse race in the world as the competition winds around paths along the beach, woods, several water crossings, village settlements, plantations, flat logistic roads and tarmac crossings.
Apart from Uruguay, riders from South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, France, Portugal, Qatar, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States and Britain are competing.
Malaysia are represented by 12 riders and led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:33:00 PM
Monday, November 03, 2008
Malyaysa WEC: Bahrain riders ready for Endurance race
Gulf Daily News
BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team continued their preparations for the World Endurance Championship scheduled for Friday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengganu, Malaysia.
The team is being led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and includes five other members. They are Breef first vice-president and Al Khaldiya Stables leaders Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.
The six-member team, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur, will line-up with the world's top 142 riders from 34 countries in this challenging event which will be over 160km. It commences at 12 noon (Bahrain time).
The team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan was appointed team manager.
This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship. Their debut was in the 2005 edition cup in Dubai. They also took part in the 2006 championship in Akhn, Germany.
The Bahrainis, whose horses were already shipped to Kuala Lumpur and then to Terengganu, will be vying to take a podium finish in this prestigious $200,000 tournament which features teams and individual races.
A total of $100,000 will be split into smaller amounts for the top riders in the individual race, including $22,000 prize for the overall winner, $16,000 for runner-up, $13,000 for third place and $11,000 for fourth.
In the teams category, $80,000 will be divided for the winners, including $22,400 for the champion, $19,200 for runner-up, $14,400 for third and $12,000 for fourth.
Additional cash awards will be given away, including a $20,000 prize for the owner of the horse with the best condition.
Meanwhile, the Bahraini riders will submit their entries today at the endurance park and then attend the opening ceremony tomorrow at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
On Thursday, there will be pre-ride inspection, followed by riders' weighing. The riders will then attend the briefing and team declaration on the same day.
The race concludes on Saturday morning, and the prize-giving ceremony will be held the following day.
More than 120 riders, representing 33 countries from across the world, are taking part in the prestigious event. Among top countries in the fray are the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and the US.
Besides Bahrain, other GCC countries have also approved their entries. They are the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
The trails consist of shore front, wooded areas, water crossing, village settlements, flat logistic road and tarmac crossing. The trail will be marked with noticeable markers at strategic points to guide the riders.
Coloured markers and signage will be used to differentiate the respective loops. Night riding will be more interesting with respective different coloured lights marking the different loops.
Designated water points along the trail will be provided at approximately every five km distances.
The course will be established today and it will be open for inspection by teams from today until Thursday.
BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team continued their preparations for the World Endurance Championship scheduled for Friday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengganu, Malaysia.
The team is being led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and includes five other members. They are Breef first vice-president and Al Khaldiya Stables leaders Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.
The six-member team, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur, will line-up with the world's top 142 riders from 34 countries in this challenging event which will be over 160km. It commences at 12 noon (Bahrain time).
The team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan was appointed team manager.
This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship. Their debut was in the 2005 edition cup in Dubai. They also took part in the 2006 championship in Akhn, Germany.
The Bahrainis, whose horses were already shipped to Kuala Lumpur and then to Terengganu, will be vying to take a podium finish in this prestigious $200,000 tournament which features teams and individual races.
A total of $100,000 will be split into smaller amounts for the top riders in the individual race, including $22,000 prize for the overall winner, $16,000 for runner-up, $13,000 for third place and $11,000 for fourth.
In the teams category, $80,000 will be divided for the winners, including $22,400 for the champion, $19,200 for runner-up, $14,400 for third and $12,000 for fourth.
Additional cash awards will be given away, including a $20,000 prize for the owner of the horse with the best condition.
Meanwhile, the Bahraini riders will submit their entries today at the endurance park and then attend the opening ceremony tomorrow at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
On Thursday, there will be pre-ride inspection, followed by riders' weighing. The riders will then attend the briefing and team declaration on the same day.
The race concludes on Saturday morning, and the prize-giving ceremony will be held the following day.
More than 120 riders, representing 33 countries from across the world, are taking part in the prestigious event. Among top countries in the fray are the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and the US.
Besides Bahrain, other GCC countries have also approved their entries. They are the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
The trails consist of shore front, wooded areas, water crossing, village settlements, flat logistic road and tarmac crossing. The trail will be marked with noticeable markers at strategic points to guide the riders.
Coloured markers and signage will be used to differentiate the respective loops. Night riding will be more interesting with respective different coloured lights marking the different loops.
Designated water points along the trail will be provided at approximately every five km distances.
The course will be established today and it will be open for inspection by teams from today until Thursday.
Malaysia WEC: South Africa looking for improvement
The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/04
photo: Thia Van Niekerk (left) and her brother Cornelius (right) will ride for the South African team while their father Sakkie Niekerk is the team manager. (The New Straits Times Online)
SIBLINGS Cornelius Van Niekerk and Thia hope to lead South Africa to a better outing in the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, starting Thursday.
Their father, Sakkie Niekerk is also the team manager of the South African team.
Cornelius will be riding Ridasa Dr Gbm while Thia will be astride Izra Tendulkar.
The other South African riders are Gillese De Villiers (Traka Crypton), Carmen Du Preez (Nag Sharon Bez), Naomi Muller (Naomi Khyber) and Jenene Pretorius (Ruby).
Sakkie said his charges stand a better chance in the team event.
"We hope to do better than the ninth placing achieved in the 2006 edition in Aachen, Germany," he said at TIEP, Setiu yesterday.
Meanwhile, Cornelius, who is also captain, said it is going to be a difficult race for the team due to the adverse weather conditions in Terengganu.
"This is the first time we are racing in this part of the world. It's hot here compared to Europe. We really hope it will be raining on race day," said Cornelius.
"We have been training hard for the race for quite sometime. We are aiming big and all of us are in confident mood."
2008/11/04
SIBLINGS Cornelius Van Niekerk and Thia hope to lead South Africa to a better outing in the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, starting Thursday.
Their father, Sakkie Niekerk is also the team manager of the South African team.
Cornelius will be riding Ridasa Dr Gbm while Thia will be astride Izra Tendulkar.
The other South African riders are Gillese De Villiers (Traka Crypton), Carmen Du Preez (Nag Sharon Bez), Naomi Muller (Naomi Khyber) and Jenene Pretorius (Ruby).
Sakkie said his charges stand a better chance in the team event.
"We hope to do better than the ninth placing achieved in the 2006 edition in Aachen, Germany," he said at TIEP, Setiu yesterday.
Meanwhile, Cornelius, who is also captain, said it is going to be a difficult race for the team due to the adverse weather conditions in Terengganu.
"This is the first time we are racing in this part of the world. It's hot here compared to Europe. We really hope it will be raining on race day," said Cornelius.
"We have been training hard for the race for quite sometime. We are aiming big and all of us are in confident mood."
Sunday, November 02, 2008
[WEC Reports]Bahrain looking for podium finish
THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president, Shaikh Nasser Hamad Al Khalifa will lead his country in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu on Nov 6-9.The other team members are Shaikh Khalid Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.
The team is coached by Shaikh Daij 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 the 2005 edition in Dubai.
Shaikh Nasser, said the team members are optimistic of a podium finish.
"We have been training for over a year for this championship," Shaikh Nasser told www.endurance.net, recently.
Their preparations started right after finishing second in last year's European Championships in Portugal.
The riders have been training in Europe, where they had a month-long camp in the United Kingdom, Austria and France.
However, Shaikh Nasser said the team will encounter a fierce test as the surface of the race area is presently wet due to continuous rain. But Shaikh Nasser expressed faith in the team members who have gained enough experience to help them pass this stern challenge.
Malaysia: Marisa's first strides to excel in equestrian sports
Thestar.com.my - Full Article
Monday November 3, 2008
By SHAHRIL CHE WAN
MARANG: Having taken up horse riding four years ago, Marisa Hasmah Mokhzani has taken her first strides towards excelling in equestrian sports.
Marisa Hasmah, who is the ninth grandchild of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was among the three youngest participants to take part in the 40km Royal Tournament Endurance Stables/National Horses Show Ride 2008 at Kampung Permatang Seratus, yesterday.
"I was nervous at first but I am glad that I took part in this tournament as the experience gained today can be considered a stepping stone for me to further succeed in this sport," she said after the prize-giving ceremony.
Marisa Hasmah, 12, rode Blanco, an Argentinian horse, during the race.
She said she practised by riding her horses, Blanco and Otto, with her family every Sunday.
She decided to enter the competition after being invited by her friend Her Highness Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah, who is the daughter of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Her father Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir beamed with pride at his daughter’s achievement although she was a novice in the strenuous endurance competition.
He added that his daughter picked up horse riding from Dr Mahathir and the two would ride in Putrajaya and at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club.
"We are proud of her achievement and talent. She is a brave girl," he said. Terengganu's Regent, Tengku Muhammed Ismail, 10, was the youngest participant and got fourth placing with his horse, Harmere Cairo.
His sister Tengku Nadhirah, won fifth place with her horse Aanetta.
The overall champion in the 40km category was Tengku Temenggong Raja, Tengku Baharuddin Sultan Mahmud while the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin won third placing in the 80km category.
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