Edaran Digital Systems Berhad To
Hold Third Endurance Classic Event at ar-Raudhah Equine Centre, Kuang,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Following two successful endurance events held in
2003 and 2004, Edaran Digital Systems Berhad (EDARAN), a Company involved in
Systems Integration and Smart Technology Solutions in Malaysia, has scheduled
the third endurance competition, Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 in May this year.
Last year’s Edaran Endurance Classic had edged up a notch when it achieved
FEI-CEI** certification for its 120Km Ride, a commendable achievement after just
one competition event at ar-Raudhah in 2003. This year, the Edaran Endurance
Classic 2005 will further step up the challenge for participants with a full
160KM ride as the main competition event. A second competition event is set at
the 85Km distance and a third at a 40Km distance. A non-competitive event for
Young Riders is set at a 15Km distance.
Edaran Endurance Classic 2005, as
with the first two Endurance Classic events, will be held at the tranquil and
picturesque setting of ar-Raudhah Equine Centre in Kuang, Selangor, just 40
minutes north of Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
ar-Raudhah Equine Centre and
its surrounding region offer challenging but interesting trails through
secondary jungles, lush wooded areas, gently undulating to hilly terrain, oil
palm plantations, rubber estates and village settlements as well as pockets of
water crossings. Malaysia’s endurance landscape which generally reflects
Malaysia’s out-of-city topography, contrasts well with the desert landscape of
the Middle East countries or rugged outbacks of Australia where endurance
riding, in the two countries have become a sophisticated and well developed
sport.
For the first time, Edaran Endurance Classic has opened the
competition to international participants with the aim of creating greater
international awareness of Malaysia as an endurance riding venue as well as to
further elevate the status of the sport in Malaysia. The Edaran Endurance
Classic 2005 anticipates Riders from United States of America, United Arab
Emirates, Australia and Germany. From within the country, at least 100
participants including the HRH (Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal
Abidin of Terengganu, an avid and keen endurance rider, are expected to take
part in this year’s competition.
The Edaran Endurance Classic 2005 will
stretch over three days from 20 May till 22 May, starting with veterinary checks
of the horses and technical briefing to participants on Friday, 20 May.
Organising Chairman, Dato’ Hj Abdul Hamid Mustapha:
“Endurance
riding is a relatively under-exposed equestrian sport in Malaysia. Compared to
the more visible and popularly promoted equine sports of Polo, Dressage and Show
Jumping, endurance riding has yet to gain awareness among our younger
Malaysians. Edaran Endurance Classic was initiated with the aim of promoting and
developing the sport to a level where it can bring tangible benefits to the
country and to our potential endurance sportsmen and women,” said Dato’ Haji
Abdul Hamid Mustapha, a Director of Edaran Digital Systems Berhad (EDARAN) and
Organising Chairman of the Event.
Recognising the sport’s potential we
have, with the support and help of Equestrian Association of Malaysia,
introduced for the first time, an event for Young Riders. The Young Riders’ 15Km
Ride will serve to encourage endurance enthusiasts to pick up the sport early
and grow with it. Endurance riding is one equestrian sport that holds tremendous
potential for Malaysia. We believe it is one sport in which Malaysians can excel
in, given that we have ideal sites and venues for training in the sport. Apart
from that, we also believe that endurance riding can contribute significantly to
sports tourism,” added Dato’ Hamid Mustapha.
The Edaran Endurance Classic
2005 is organized with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the
Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia. Other supporting organizations include Equestrian
Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Endurance Riding Society, Majlis Ekuin
Malaysia, TV3 as official broadcaster, Skuadron Istiadat Berkuda, ATM, Unit
Berkuda Polis Diraja Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia Fakulti Veterinar,
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat , Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and Carisbrook as
Official Apparel.
