[WEC Reports] UAE Riders Set for World Endurance Championship

Khaleejtimes.com

Allaam Ousman

6 November 2008

KUALA TERENGGANU (MALAYSIA) - The six-member UAE team led by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, were in high spirits 48 hours before the start of the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships which is being held in Malaysia for the first time.

ShaikhHamdanbinMohammedbin Rashid AlMaktoum,CrownPrince of DubaiThey have been installed as the top contenders for the world title having in their ranks accomplished riders and because of their familiarity with the tough terrain and humid weather conditions which are expected to prevail in this first ever night race on Friday.

Team member Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim speaking to the Khaleej Times said they were well primed to aim for the title. "We are ready and confident of doing well. With a little bit of luck we could strike gold," said Bin Huzaim, who is ranked fifth in the FEI world rankings.

The UAE riders which includes Shaikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mohammed Ahmad Al Subose, Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya and Sultan Ahmed Sultan bin Sulayem, arrived on Monday while the horses landed on Wednesday on a special Boeing aircraft.

Asked whether they felt any pressure since they have been tagged as favourites, Bin Huzaim said they looked at it positively. "It's a night race but we have experience of night races. The humidity is nothing new to us because we experience it back home. But it will be a tough race but the same difficulties will apply to all the competitors," he said.

The weather during daytime was 25 degrees Celsius but humidity could rise up to 80 per cent. The Terengganu International Endurance Park is the first sole endurance village in south east Asia. Situated in the fishing town of Merang, 25km north of Kuala Terengganu, competitors will ride along the coastline of the South China Sea, through plantations, fishing villages and forests.

"There are a lot of trees while the fifth loop is hilly," observed Bin Huzaim after the team performed a track recce on Wednesday. "But the weather is nice, people are nice," he added.

Asked about the fitness of the horses, he said: "All are in good condition. We are ready."

Asian Games gold medallist Shaikh Hamdan is set to ride Jazyk. Shaikh Majid will be aboard European Open campaigner Spenda Crest Kamouflage.

Shafya is booked on Zakah Zahara, Sulayem on Tazoul El Parry, world no. 4 Al Subose will be riding Koum Des Jamets and Bin Huzaim Castlebar Kadeen.

A total of 133 riders from 32 countries have assembled for this world championship which will be cover a distance of 160km divided into seven stages.

Meanwhile, Uruguay believe it is their turn to win the title having in their midst world no.2 Juan Miguel Pio Olascoaga Amaga, the highest ranked rider in this competition. However, they have never won a title in the World Endurance Championship since its inception in 1986.

Amaya, 28, a winner of two 160-km titles this year, said he and his teammates have the experience to wrest the title from hot favourites the United Arab Emirates and France.

"We have been training hard and our horses have adapted well to the humidity. We like the track as it's flat and soft.

"I hope to compete both in the individual and team events for Uruguay," said Amaya. "As the top seed in the individual event, the pressure will be on me to perform. My strategy on race day is to get a head start and maintain my speed throughout. I need to opt for this strategy as my main rivals will be doing the same."

UAE on the other hand produced the youngest and first male winner of the world championship in Jerez, Spain in 2002 when Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed won the coveted title. UAE also have come close to claiming the team title on several occasions.

The World Endurance Championship was officially inaugurated on Wednesday night by the Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium following a spectacular opening ceremony.

Ian Williams, non-Olympic sports director of FEI, the world body governing equestrian sports, read out a special message on behalf of FEI head Princess Haya bint Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressing her inability to attend the event. Princess Haya wished everyone a great competition, a sporting competition and great endurance competition.

The ceremony began with a colourful dance ensemble with the theme Malaysia Welcomes the World 'Selamat Datang' followed by the march past of the participating teams.

Another eye-catching performance was the performance by Malaysia singers, a horse show by Lorenzo, the Flying Frenchman, and a dazzling fireworks display.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/05/2008 10:58:00 PM

[WEC Reports] 800 to maintain security at endurance show

Nst.com.my

2008/11/05
KUALA TERENGGANU, TERENGGANU:

Eight hundred policemen will be deployed to provide security for partcipants and guests at the four-day FEI World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2008 which starts in the Bidong Valley, Setiu, tomorrow.
Terengganu deputy police chief Datuk Jalaludin Abdul Rahman said today that the guests included the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah.

"Their safety, from the moment they arrive until they depart will be our responsibility," he told a news conference here.

He the police had also sought the cooperation of the public and residents in the surrounding areas to stay away from the tracks as their presence might scare the horses.

The championship will see 133 riders from 32 countries competing at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, the first time that the FEI championship is being held in a tropical country.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/05/2008 04:51:00 PM

[WEC Reports] Amaya buoyant on Uruguay's chances

The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/05
By : Ajitpal Singh

photo: Amaya kisses his beloved horse Ar Vale after a training session in Lembah Bidong yesterday. — Pic: IMRAN MAKHZAN

URUGUAY believe it will be their year to be crowned world champions in both the individual and team events at the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) which starts tomorrow at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
But their fortunes will depend on World No 2 Juan Miguel Pio Olascoaga Amaya, the highest ranked rider in this competition.

For the record, Uruguay have never won a title in the WEC, which incepted in 1986.

Amaya, 28, a winner of two 160-km titles this year, said he and his teammates have the experience to wrest the title from hot favourites the United Arab Emirates and France.

"We have been training hard and our horses have adapted well to the humidity. We like the track as it's flat and soft.
"I hope to compete both in the individual and team events for Uruguay," said Amaya at the TIEP in Setiu yesterday.

"As the top seed in the individual event, the pressure will be on me to perform. My strategy on race day is to get a head start and maintain my speed throughout. I need to opt for this strategy as my main rivals will be doing the same."

At the WEC, Amaya will be riding his trusted eight-year-old horse Ar Vale which he has been riding for the past seven months.

The others in the Uruguay squad are Adriana Basso MacGregor, who will be riding Ed Virka, Flavia Maria Danvila (Count Spot), Sofia Maria Danvila (Nortea), Juan Cruz Aranda (Espartaco In) and Isadora Mackinnon (Guarda Costa). Their coach is Amaya's father, Pio Olascoaga Silveira.

Unlike in previous editions, the WEC in Terengganu will start tomorrow evening after the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) had taken into account the humid conditions in Terengganu.

The 133 riders will have to complete 160km in 13 hours and 20 minutes. The race will be broken into seven loops or phases.

Amaya also described the facilities, including the stables, at the TIEP as world class.

"The TIEP offers the best facilities for riders and horses. I have raced in may courses and I must say, this course has the best stables and track."

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/05/2008 02:25:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Janice's love for riding evergreen

The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/05

photo: Janice is most happy when on a horse. (The New Straits Times Online)

JANICE Worthington, at 68, holds the distinction of being the oldest competitor at the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC). Age, according to the United States rider, will not stand in her way of attaining glory.
With more than 30 years of experience in horseback riding, she's looking forward to a fairytale outing at the WEC which starts at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu, tomorrow.

This will be Janice's fifth outing in a WEC, the first of which was in Compiegne, France in 2000, followed by Jerez de la Frontera, Spain (2002), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2004) and Aachen, Germany (2006).

Janice, who has four grandchildren, lives in Illinois where she has a 300-acre ranch and 65 horses. One of them is eight-year-old Golden Lightning which she has shipped out here for the championship.

Despite her age, Janice has chalked up over 48,500km in the saddle and has not showed any signs of slowing down. Just two months ago, she won a 160-km all-night endurance race in the United States.
"Horse riding has been my first love and I am most happy when 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," Janice said at TIEP, Setiu yesterday.

"You only have to worry about your horse because it cannot tell you personally if it is tired or needs a rest," added Janice, who is part of a six-member US team.

"I look forward to doing well here. It's hot and I reckon it will be a challenging race."

The other members of the US team are Kathy Brunjes on Theatric, John Crandell (HH Saba Shams), Cheryl Dell (Reason To Believe), Valerie Kanavy (Flash Flame) and Margaret Sleeper (Syrocco Reveille).

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/05/2008 02:20:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Rookie Firdaus out to earn his spurs

The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/05

MUHD Firdaus Hamid's first experience with horses was on a pony when he was just nine years old.
Today, at 15, Firdaus is preparing for the biggest race of his career at the FEI (WEC) at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Setiu, starting tomorrow. The Kuala Terengganu-born rider is the youngest Malaysian competitor in the event.

"My involvement began when I was just nine. Picking up the sport is easy in Terengganu, especially those living in villages as farmers keep horses," said Firdaus, a student with SMK Tengku Bariah in Kuala Terengganu, yesterday.

"My first ride was on a pony owned by my father's friend. My love for horses grew but I ventured into show-jumping first before deciding to make a switch to endurance early this year.

"I was competing in a show-jumping event in Ipoh, Perak last year when another rider told me that I was more suited for endurance. I decided to try it and have not looked back since."
Firdaus made an immediate impact on his maiden endurance competition in Uruguay in June, where he earned his first Certificates of Capability (CoC).

A month later he earned his second CoC, also in Uruguay, and made the cut for the world meet.

"I was not expecting to make an immediate impact. The WEC will only be my fourth 160km race. It's going to be tough but I hope to complete the race and earn a good position," he added.

Meanwhile, a host of local artistes will be performing at the opening of the WEC at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu today.

Among those performing are Mawi, Jamal Abdillah, Ramli Sarip and local rock queen Ella.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is also competing in the WEC, will officially open the event.

-- AJITPAL SINGH

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/05/2008 02:16:00 AM

Bahrain: Season-opening endurance horse race set

Equestrianbahrain.com

04 November 2008

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) will host the first endurance horseride of the season on November 22 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The federation, under its president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, approved the 2008/09 season calendar at its board of directors meeting. The inaugural race of the new season will be a 90-km qualifying event for young riders seeking experience in endurance races.

The first official race this year will be the National Day Championship set for December 13 and is over 120km. That will be followed by a 12km open race on January 3 next year.

Other events are the Women's Open Championship on January 31, the National Stables Championship on February 7, His Majesty King Hamad Cup on March 7, the Crown Prince Cup race on April 3 and the Season-Ending Championship on May 1.

Meanwhile, the Breef members also discussed the showjumping season and confirmed the schedule of its events. The showjumping season will get underway on November 7 with the Season Starting Championship, to be followed by the National Day Championship on December 19, then the Breef Cup on February 13.

In other competitions, the Arab League round for His Majesty King Hamad Cup will be held from February 19 to 22, the second Breef Cup on March 27 and the Season Ending Championship on March 10 and 11.

The federation also decided to form a marketing committee to promote its programmes and activities. The committee, to be headed by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, will start looking for sponsors to support the federation this season.

The meeting was also attended by Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, second vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi, assistant general secretary Dr Khalid Hassan, public relations head Faisal Al Ajmi and members Tawfeeq Salehi, Haider Al Zo'bi, Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

[WEC Reports] Veterinarians Deployed To Terengganu For World Endurance Champi...

Bernama.com.my

November 04, 2008 15:41 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Veterinarians, including from outside the state, have been deployed to Lembah Bidong, Setiu for the upcoming World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2008 starting Thursday.

Veterinary Services Department Director Dr Azizol Mohd Sharom said up to 10 veterinarians would assist in monitoring the horses' health as well as carrying out quarantine.

Until Monday, 129 horses from participating countries arrived at the Sultan Mahmud Airport here while several others arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

All the horses are now being quarantined at the Sultan Mahmud Airport and in Lembah Bidong.

"Despite the long journey and climate differences, checks showed that the horses are healthy," he told Bernama when contacted.

The organiser would determine whether the horses were fit for the race, he said.

The horses are from Norway, Slovakia, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia and New Zealand.

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

Malaysia is hosting the championship for the first time.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:49:00 PM