Edaran Digital Systems Berhad (EDARAN) hosted its second Endurance Riding Classic on the grounds of Ar-Raudhah Equine Centre in Kuang, Selangor, yesterday, 16 May 2004.
Results
Kpt. Zulkefli Sa’ari who rode Kitya emerged overall winner in the CEI** 120Km event and bagged the First Prize of Rm7,000.00 and the champion’s trophy. His horse Kitya won the Trophy for ‘Best Condition Horse’ plus a cash prize of Rm 1,500.00.
In the 60Km event, the First place was a tie among three participants namely Sjn Mohd Badri on horse, Ras Cardiz, Shamsudin Roni on horse, Malin and Datin Lara Hussein on Elsi De L’Aigoual. All three participants finished with a time of 4 hours 16 minutes.
Prizes for the 60Km were Rm2,000.00 for First Place, Rm1,500.00 for Second place and Rm1,000.00 for Third place.
There were no second and third placings in the 60 Km event.
Fourth place went to M.S. Azwan on Frogley with a time of 4 hours 22 minutes and 39 seconds, while fifth place went to Saskia Karina on Blue Boy with a time of 4 hours 22 minutes 45 seconds.
In the 20 Km Ride, Tn Syed Shukran and horse Humousque bagged first place with a time of 2 hours. Second place went to Mohd Izry Razali on Milwaukee with a time of 2 hours and 2 seconds and third place went to Yam Tengku Temenggong Raja on Charlie with a time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 57 seconds. Winners received certificates of completion.
Official Sanction of the FEI and EAM
Following the inaugural event which was held at the same time last year, EDARAN’s Endurance Classic was officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (Federation Equestre Internationale ) and the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM). Its 120Km Ride has accordingly been recognized as an FEI-CEI** event.
This year, NEC Systems Integration Malaysia Sdn Bhd joined forces with EDARAN as the Joint Title Sponsor adding greater significance to the event while TV3 Malaysia provided the media publicity support as the Official Broadcaster. The NEC· EDARAN Endurance Classic 2004 featured prominent endurance riders including DYMM Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Sultan of Trengganu, Peter Toft, world renowned endurance rider from Australia, Dr. Nik Isahak Wan Abdullah as well as EDARAN’s own up and coming endurance rider Tuan Haji Shu’aib Ishak.
Among Malaysia’s top endurance riders are Dato Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani, Zulkefli Saari, Roslan Osman and Mohd Izry Razali all of who have frequently participated in international endurance events and competitions.
“EDARAN initiated this event with the aim of promoting endurance riding among Malaysians particularly our younger generation because we believe in the values and principles that are innate within the sport. Endurance riding inculcates respect for the environment, appreciation for nature and love for horses in particular. The sport teaches and demands discipline, perseverance, strategy and skill, values that are universally good for individuals or corporations alike ,” said Encik Bistamam Ramli, Director of EDARAN and Organiser of the Event.
“We are happy that NEC Systems Integration Malaysia our Joint Title Sponsor and TV3 our Official Broadcaster share our belief in the values of this sport. It is most encouraging that a multinational company like NEC and an established national TV station see it relevant to support the promotion of this sport,” added Encik Bistamam, noting that this equestrian sport is comparatively under exposed compared to more commercial sports like football or golf.
“This is the first time that NEC is involved in an Equestrian sport and we are happy to have this opportunity to play our role as a corporate citizen and do our part to create awareness and love for the outdoors among Malaysians. Malaysia is a country blessed with beautiful terrain and wonderful weather, rendering it ideal for the sport. Given enough attention, endurance riding may well be one of the sports that can put Malaysia on the international sports scene, ” said Mr Tomohiro Yagi , Managing Director of NEC Systems Integration Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
The Competition Events
The NEC· EDARAN Endurance Classic 2004 was held over distances of 120 KM, 60 KM and 20 KM with a total of 60 participants. Riders arrived at Ar-Raudhah Equine Centre as early as Wednesday, 12 May with their horses and sports gear to familiarize themselves with the event grounds.
Ar-Raudhah Equine Centre – The Event Venue
Ar- Raudhah Equine Centre which is nestled within the quiet precinct of Kuang, Selangor, just outside of Kuala Lumpur is highly accessible and well away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its combination of serene, wide open terrain, gently undulating grounds and lush tropical wooded areas offers an ideal and interesting venue for endurance riding. The Ar-Raudhah Equine Centre is adequately equipped with good equine facilities and stable grooms.
The Event
Participants in the CEI** 120Km ride and the 60 Km ride were flagged off in the early hour of 6.30 am to enable them to complete the trail before sundown. The CEI**120Km competition event was staged on a 5 – phase basis, specifically 40Km, 30Km, 20Km, 20Km and a final 10Km phase. On the average, a 120 KM ride would take 15 hours. This would include the time taken for the 4 mandatory veterinary checks of the horses, in between the phases of the trail.
The goal of endurance riding is not just to be the first to cross the finish line but to do so with the horse remaining in excellent physical condition before, during and after the race.
