The scope of the opening ceremony yesterday evening has left more than a
stunned …
This is the king of Malaysia in the person who gave three strokes Traditional gong marking the official start of celebrations, before a delirious crowd of some 40 000 spectators who had wanted under any circumstances miss this evening of celebration in honor of the popular sport.
Speeches, parade of teams, folk dances, launches local show biz, and
highlight of the evening, the sight of Lorenzo with its 6 Lusitanian,
currently on tour in Asia, which would trigger rightly general enthusiasm.
The World Endurance Championships unofficially start today (09h00) with the
first horse inspection at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Setiu.
The inspection of horses is the most crucial part of the WEC as riders will
be eliminated if their mounts fail the test. A total of 133 horses will be inspected by the Veterinary Commission and the Ground Jury at the Vet Gates.
Veterinary Commission Dr Hosain Abbara said previous world meets have
witnessed mounts failing the first inspection.
“Affected riders will have to withdraw as they cannot replace their horses,”
said Hosain at the TIEP yesterday.
Today's inspection will include taking the horse's temperature, measuring
its heartbeat rate, respiration rate and a full metobolic profile. The horses will also be trotted to confirm its soundness. A total of 133 horses will be
inspected by the Veterinary Commission and the Ground Jury at the Vet Gates.
There is no denying France, the reigning world team champions, are heavily
favoured to win a fifth time.
The French, however, pointed out that things won't be as simple as they
look.
“It's true that we have great chances to win the WEC team event, but that
doesn't mean it's a done deal,” said France team leader Jean-Louis Leclerc.
“It's humid here unlike in France. My riders are inexperienced in such
weather conditions and they need a good strategy to overcome it.