Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Here's my ride story - more story than riding, but I've come to appreciate the 
cultural complexity of this sport, and I enjoy the whole experience - the 
travel, the individuals that pop up from obscure lives in small countries to be 
'stars' - or at least achieve significance at some level of this sport. ... or 
the individuals that come from high places and use their power and influence to 
shape the sport. I recently read that Sh. Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - ruler 
of Dubai - was selected as one of Time Magazine's '100 most influential people' 
of the year. I saw the picture and short description of him, referred to as 
Sheikh Mo - and thought - wow! I know this guy! He's an Endurance Rider! 

Endurance is a small, obscure, tough and dirty sport - sweat, dust, rain, pain 
- and because of it's recent launch into the world of FEI Equestrian sports, 
and it's availability to people of any class, even people of limited riding 
skills - almost every corner of the world has discovered it's allure. I'm going 
to travel to Columbia this summer - they have now accepted Endurance as a 
Federation sport - and are starting an FEI Endurance program. Why not! Some 
countries are dabbling in Endurance, limited by participation, isolation, 
government, support. Other countries are committing their full energy and 
support, bringing Endurance to the level of the more traditional Equestrian 
sports - jumping, dressage, eventing. 

Malaysia is one country that is now in full swing - full involvement with the 
public, with the goverment, with the royalty - this country is determined. 
Here's my story, Edaran Classic 2006-

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I came to Malaysia for the first time in 2005, for the Edaran Endurance Classic 
2005. Dr. Nik Isahak Abdullah, a medical cardiologist, one of the first 
Malaysians to become involved in Endurance, is a significant motivater for the 
sport in this country. He helped orchestrate my invitation by Edaran Digital 
Systems Berhad, the ride sponsors and organizers. The goal was for me to 
participate in Endurance in the tropics, understand the unique challenges, and 
through Endurance Net share my experiences with the rest of the world. It was a 
fantastic experience, the trip of a lifetime for me (how could I have ever 
imagined this!) and I felt very honored to learn about this country and it's 
intrepid people.  I also felt the importance of understanding the commitment of 
the Malaysian people to the sport, and the opportunity to share my observations 
with the rest of the International Endurance community.  

I understood that the sport was important to Malaysia, and that the commitment 
of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin to promoting the sport was significant, but was 
still amazed to learn that 8 months later, the FEI had accepted Malaysia's bid 
to host the 2008 World Endurance Championship. A very ambitious undertaking, 
but in keeping with the ability of this small nation to achieve large things. 

When Edaran invited me once more to attend the Edaran Classic, ride in the 
competition and provide Endurance Net coverage, there was no hesitation at all 
- yes! I will be there! I felt a little more prepared this time, a little more 
certain of what to expect. They would provide a horse for me, but probably just 
to ride in the non-FEI 80km or 40km distance. All of the serious riders and 
high level horses were being focused on qualifying for the Asian Endurance 
Championship, part of the Asian Equestrian Games, to be held in Doha, Qatar, 
December 2007. A very important event, and a chance for Malaysian riders to 
compete at the International level, outside of Malaysia.

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, May 4 - after 27 hours of travelling from 
New Orleans, where I had been visiting family. Dr. Nik picked me up at the 
airport and as typical, was full of enthusiasm and questions and stories.  He's 
a great enthusiast of Endurance, I truly believe that part of the advancement 
Malaysia has seen with Endurance is due to Dr. Niks unshakeable optimism and 
passion for the sport. He is also willing to go beyond the normal protocols - 
to aim a little higher, and to convince others to do so as well.  We talked of 
the sport in general, new rules and rumblings within the FEI, the use of 
illegal drugs in the sport (as a cardiologist he understands the mechanisms - 
and threat to the horse - of the performance enhancing drugs - beta blockers, 
EPO). He took me on a little driving tour on the way into KL - past his small 
barn, where he keeps his horses and does his training, and through the amazing 
Putrajaya - the newly constructed administrative center (city) of Malaysa. Very 
modern, very artistically designed
, aimed at reducing the congestion in Kuala Lumpur and providing a network of 
offices and administrative centers. A palace-like Presidential building, and 
massive Mosque (Malaysia is primarily Muslim) dominate the mini-city. The 
architecture is a harmonious blend of the traditional and the modern. This is 
Malaysia - they seem to have achieved the leap into the modern world, without 
sacrifing their art, culture and history. 

I met up with Leonard Liesens at the hotel. My good friend from Belgium, 
competitive and adventurous Endurance rider, with whom I have shared so many 
adventures - Tevis, Dubai WEC 1998, Outlaw Trail multiday ride, President's Cup 
in Abu Dhabi, Pan American Championships in USA and Argentina... the list goes 
on. We have both watched the sport grow during the past 15 years, and have 
stayed involved at every level - from competitor to journalist . Leo was 
offered the opportunity to come and ride at the Edaran Classic 2006 - and I 
encouraged him to do so - even for a short ride, the experience of being here 
was not to be missed! Leo and his partner Carol and I joined Dr. Nik for dinner 
after a short rest. Traditional Malaysian food, a bit of Thai, Indonesian, 
spice and coconut - wonderful!

We did a little bit of tourist shopping the next day, some traditional 
Malaysian crafts and art, and shopping at the Central Market - an 
indoor/outdoor pavillion loaded with small shops selling Malaysian items, and 
imports from other Asian ports. My favorite type of shopping! Little items, 
sometimes exotic, sometimes bizarre, always interesting and of unique ethnic 
flavor. After lunch and a short rest we were taken out to Ar-Raudah, the 
Equestrian center where the ride would be held. Edaran had provided us with 
drivers - Azri Ghani - a friendly and very knowlegable employee of Edaran was 
my driver and guide - an endless source of information - great company. He was 
a very special guide - and new friend. And Ardi - a student on leave from 
college, who applied for the job with Edaran so that he could meet the foreign 
guests (us) and learn a little more about other parts of the world. Ardi was 
delightful and very charming. On our last night in KL (after the ride) he took 
Leo and Carol and I to his parent's Thai restaurant. The restaur
ant was situated a few blocks from the KLCC (where the magnificent KL towers - 
at one time the tallest buildings in the world - are located). Off the main 
road, down a quiet alley, a traditional Thai/Malay restaurant - not fancy, but 
well known for its excellent food and special dishes. It was delightful! Ardi's 
mother treated us like family (a Muslim woman with 9 children, maybe everybody 
is family to her!) bringing her favorite dishes, and explaining their 
preparation. Plus she was happy to tell us a little more about the Malay people 
- culture and history. A special dinner - simple and sweet. 

The traffic in the KL area can be bad - it took a while to get out to 
Ar-Raudah, but there was plenty to look at and talk about on the way. The 
scooters here just amaze me. While the cars are inching along, stopping and 
starting, thousands of little scooters - mopeds - are darting in and out of 
traffic, squeezing between cars, zipping in front of one, behind the other, 
missing the bumpers with their wheels by inches, it made me nervous to watch 
them! And they all drive with their shirts worn backwards - arms through the 
sleeves - buttons or zippers open to the back - avoiding the billowing wind, a 
little extra protection. 

At Ar-Raudah we were greeted by the stable and facility manager, Encik 
Asbanizam, who took us to meet our horses. Two mares had been shipped over from 
Sabah (the island of Borneo) one month before, to prepare for the ride. The 
mares had been cared for and trained during their stay at Ar-Raudah so that we 
could participate in the ride. Not enough time to prepare them for the CEI*** 
120 event, but fit and healthy and perfectly prepared so that we could 
participate in the 80km or 40km event. The care was evident, and the 
opportunity to ride was greatly appreciated!  We saddled the mares and rode 
them in the arena - just fine. Kind, and willing - I really liked my little 
gray mare 'Famous' - she had a plain head, not particularly elegant, but a good 
body type for Endurance, and a kind eye. 

Just as we finished riding, the sky opened up and it RAINED - warm, tropical 
downpour. When it rains here it really rains. It was unusual for it to be so 
wet this time of the year - the rainy season was technically over, but this 
year the rains had gone on much longer - so much rain! We sat in the small 
pavillion by the arena for a bit, and then were taken up to the club house 
pavillion for 'High Tea'. Invitation by YBhg Dato' Bistamam Ramli, Managing 
Director of Edaran Digital Systems Berhad, we were greeted by the Organizing 
Committee, Tansri Tajuddin and his wife. Guests and media, sharing tea and 
light food. Very nice, very Malaysian (and just a bit British). 

Back to Kuala Lumpur, Leo and Carol and I went out for dinner later in the 
evening, a Thai restaurant at the KLCC (towers) center - a huge shopping 
center, very modern, very chic. And very tired.... I hadn't had a good night's 
sleep yet, it's a challenge to adjust to the time change, 12 hours different - 
day in USA, night in Malaysia. 

Friday morning we relaxed at the hotel, I took the opportunity to work some, 
download some pictures, get caught up on several days of Endurance Net email 
and correspondence. Dr. Nik had scheduled an informal Endurance forum for the 
afternoon - a chance to talk about the sport from a technical and International 
perspective, and learn a bit about the special challenges of Endurance in the 
tropics. Veterinarian Dr. Basheer Ahmad (Deputy Dean, School of Veterinary 
Science) would speak on this topic. Leo had prepared a power point presentation 
on Endurance - preparation, training, and the 'state' of the sport - with 
special emphasis on current training and competition methods. I was to speak on 
pacing and competition strategy. 

We arrived at the clubhouse and found that the 'informal' forum had suddenly 
become very formal! Sultan Mizan had decided to attend, as well as the Tansri 
Tajuddin and his special guests Prince Rashid Safar Bin Shaba'an Al-Haji and  
Mr. Ikbal Abbasi from Qatar, and also Al Jazeera sports network! I found it 
absolutely thrilling that Al Jazeera was attending. This is an important 
network in the Middle East and Asia, and they are producing a news piece on 
Endurance in Asia (the Gulf states - UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, etc are 
technically part of the Asian continent). They planned to cover the important 
Endurance events, conduct interviews, etc to promote the sport, and in 
particular promote the Asian Equestrian Games, including the Asian Endurance 
Championship, to be held in Doha, Qatar - December 2007. Qatar was actually the 
first Arab country to do Endurance - starting with marathons and Camel/Horse 
competitions in the late 1980's. Prince Rashid was a participant in the early 
Endurance events, and later during the closing ceremon
y dinner, we discovered that Dr. Bobby Surendra Babu (Foreign Veterinary 
Delegate for the ride) had also been involved in these early Endurance races - 
what coincidence that Prince Rashid and Dr. Bobby to find themselves together 
again, 17 years later, at an International Endurance event in Malaysia. The 
circle of this sport constantly astounds me...

Sultan Mizan arrived, seated in the center of the room, yellow carpet and chair 
for Royalty, an ardent and enthusiastic promoter of the sport of Endurance, and 
a man revered by the Malaysian people. Dr. Basheer spoke on the issues of heat 
and electrolyte loss, the same principles in every part of the world - the 
importance of pacing, slowing the speed, water intake - some basic 
physiological information. Leonard gave an excellent presentation - the 
audience was attentive and could easily follow his talk, he did a great job. 
Fortunately for me (feeling rather jet-lagged and unprepared to give a talk to 
this audience) we ran out of time, and I was spared! A few questions from the 
group, some comments from Paul Brown the Australian trainer working for the 
Royal Stables, and then we were done! Leo and I had been asked to interview 
with Al Jazeera, but the technician thought it was too dark, the light would 
not be good, and we decided to to wait until the following day, or after the 
race. 

I had also hoped to interview Sultan Mizan and his staff, ask questions about 
the 2008 WEC venue, preparations, horses in training, plans for attending the 
2006 WEC in Aachen, etc. - but we ran out of time. I spoke with Sultan's 
secretary and veterinarian for a while, making tentative plans to travel to 
Terengganu for a day after the Edaran event, to see the stables, and as much of 
the venue as had been constructed - but after some discussion they decided that 
it would be too rushed, the Sultan had to travel to France and wouldn't be 
there, and  we should just come back later - for the CEI*** 160km in 
Terengganu, in early August. Ok then! Perfect.  

After the forum, we went back to the hotel, Leo and Carol were going out again, 
shopping, and I crashed in the hotel. soooo tired! One good night's sleep was 
what I needed. 

more later  - 


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