New Straits Times Online
2008/10/30
Transport woes force Brazil to withdraw
Ajitpal Singh
THE Brazilian Equestrian Federation has withdrawn its six riders from the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) in Terengganu on Nov 6-9.
According to www.endurance.net, Brazil had little choice in the matter due to administrative delays involving various agencies to transport the horses to Malaysia.
The European Union (EU) had invoked a six-month transit ban on receiving equines that originate from Brazil following the death of a horse from glanders at the Sao Paulo Veterinary.
Since all horses from South America must transit through Europe en route to Malaysia, the ban adversely affected the horses from Brazil.
The earliest scheduled arrival was Nov 5 but that was determined to be too late for competition horses.
The total transit time from Brazil to Malaysia for the horses would be four days.
Those who have withdrawn are Heloisa Garcia (Desert Lee Morab), Lilian Garrubbo (Juda Hem), Maria Victoria Lins (Filoteu Rach), Newton Lins Filho (Nnl Zhest), Ana Carla Maciel (Gr Pimentinha) and Andre Vidiz (Pyvha Ata).
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Carmen Du Preez and Dominique Freeman of the United Kingdom have also withdrawn as their horses are stabled in Brazil.
WEC operations manager, Salim Fazlay confirmed the withdrawals. “As of now, we have 133 riders from 31 countries competing,” said Salim yesterday.
The WEC will be held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.