The Horses and a Jumbo have Landed
The 12th FEI World Endurance Championship (FEI WEC) was officially declared open by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in a colourful and glittering ceremony at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Gong Badak Sports Complex here on November 5, 2008.
The competition will be held from November 7 at the Terengganu International Park and is expected participation of some 120 riders from more than thirty countries including Chile, with a total route of 160 kilometers.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead the 12-member Malaysia team.
Five horses (Don Pancho, Garota, Amen Corner, Pistrat and Mantequilla) including their riders will represent Chile in the Endurance competition. The riders are Arcaya Ricardo, Figueroa Pablo, Ibanez Mark, Novoa Ana María and Searle Enrique.
The riders are being assisted by Arebalo Luis, Arcaya Alberto, Cornejo Gilberto, Fernandez Felipe, Gonzalez Jorge, Maldonada Nelson, Nale Berenice, Salas Jose, Searle Enrique and Torres Jaime. Parra David is the veterinary.
History was also made at the Kuala Terengganu Airport when a huge Boeing 747 landed and 30 horses were safely unloaded. Some of the horses had to go through a 13 hour non stop flight from Amsterdam just to be here!
The 12th FEI WEC will be divided into two categories, individual and team. The flagging off ceremony will be performed this Friday November 7, 2008 and the race is expected to be completed on Saturday morning at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.
Apart from Malaysia as the host nation, the other countries contesting are South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, 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.
France is the current world champion, won that title in 2006 in the tournament that was played in Germany.
2008 World Endurance Champions
World Champion
Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton and Nobby
(Spain)
Individual
Gold - Maria Mercedes Avarez Ponton / Nobby (Spain)
Silver - Augustin Vita / Baraka Ibn Al Tamah (Argentina)
Bronze - Sultan Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem / Cal Ramon (United Arab Emirates)
Team
Gold - United Arab Emirates
Silver - Qatar
Bronze - Bahrain
The 12h FEI Endurance Championships has literally put Terengganu on the World Map
Yang di Pertuan Agong leads the Malaysian challenge
The Horse Shoe arch welcoming horses and riders in Terengganu
Chile Endurance Team leaving for Malaysia
HE Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Zain wishing Team Chile a safe and wonderful journey to Malaysia
The horses arriving in Kuala Lumpur International Airport
The Jumbo made a historical landing, a first, at the Kuala Terengganu Airport to unload 30 horses
Team Chile
Against the backdrop of the South China Sea, Terengganu
The work "horse" of Malaysia
Even horses enjoy a swim.
The idea actually is to get the horses used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the beach and sea as the ride includes a stretch through the beach.
The Chilean Endurance Team invited for Hi-Tea before departure for Malaysia
Home-made cheese for the HE Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Zain
Viewing tourism video on Malaysia
Getting a "taste" of Malaysia
More of that "regalo (gift)" can be obtained in Terengganu. More reasons to go to Malaysia.
Photographs courtesy:
www.federacionecuestre.cl
www.endurancemalaysia.com
www.my-endurance.net
ridecamp's gallery
www.terengganu.gov.my
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago
