Ottawa, ON—Malaysia brings thoughts of shining beaches at exotic resorts, tropical drinks under equatorial skies and bargains at crowded bazaars, but this November, it will also mean eager horses, determined riders, organized grooms and crews, veterinarians, officials and 100 miles of track which will wind among the beautiful countryside, the shore of the South China Sea, tropical rainforests and farms.  The World Endurance Championship will be held in this exciting land on November 7, 2008.

The venue will be the Terengganu International Endurance Park, Lembah Bidong, Merang Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia. The Organizing Committee has set up two excellent websites: www.malaysia-wec.com and www.eventuz.com, which will include ride information the day of the event. This will be the first time that a world championship will be held in a tropical location.  The track will be fully lit, as the ride is planned to start at 5:00 p.m. and run into the night. 

Horses and riders will represent some 36 countries, with 24 sending teams, and the others fielding individual riders.

Endurance Canada is pleased to be sending a full complement of six riders and horses. Four of the riders, still to be chosen, will comprise the team, and two will ride as individuals.

The Canadian Endurance Team Members

 Julius Bloomfield (Naramata, BC) and Avtar, 1999 Arabian gelding

Wendy Benns (Pontypool, ON) and Supreme Justice, 1999 Arabian gelding

Wendy MacCoubrey (Ste. Justine, QC) and Mariah, 1999 Arabian gelding

Ruth Sturley (Owen Sound, ON) and RBF Super Sport, 1993 Arabian gelding

Yvette Vinton DVM (Simcoe, ON and Morriston, FL) and Teese, 2000 Arabian gelding

Bob Gielen (Norton, NB) and FC Galaxy, 1997 Arabian gelding

Canadian Officials

Kay Melvin (Ontario) – Chef d’ équipe

Maura Leahy (Manitoba) – assistant Chef d’ équipe

Roxy Bell DVM (Alberta) – team veterinarian

Glenn Sinclair DVM (Manitoba) – assistant team veterinarian

 

Canadian Support Crew 

Nancy Beacon

Robert Benns   

Ruth Benns             

Toni Bloomfield          

Mike Bostic   

Angela Gielen   

Barb Gielen    

Julie Green

Alycin Hayes

Scott Hie      

Murray MacKenzie

Bianca MacKenzie

Laurie Whaley Pearson

Rocky Rehel  

Ken Sturley

 

“With its emphasis on bringing the horse across the finish line in best health rather than merely in the shortest time, Endurance is the ultimate test of sympathetic horsemanship,” noted Equine Canada CEO, Akaash Maharaj.  “The 160km course will be the culmination of years of training and perseverance for our horses and riders, and we are very proud that they will represent our country and our sport at the World Championships.”

Just getting to the ride has been an organizational, technical maze. The horses will be leaving from Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Riders, officials and crew will travel from Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles and Miami—all converging at Terengganu—where the real adventure begins.

“Enough of the paperwork and red tape—let’s just do it,” says Kay Melvin, Chef d’ équipe.

Endurance Canada wishes the entire team congratulations, and good luck.

 

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