The Maya Adventure Ride 2008 is an equestrian qualification event in Guatemala for several Endurance World Championships, one for Malaysia in November 2008 and Junior & Young Riders in 2009. This is the most important equestrian event for Guatemala in 2008. Starting 19 of July 2008 at 4:00 pm. The event takes place at the Ingenio (Sugar Mill) Magdalena, in La Gomera Escuintla, Guatemala.
Exclusive coverage by The Guatemala Times.
What is Endurance?
Endurance is a competition against the clock where the speed and endurance of a horse is put to the test, but where riders are also challenged with regards to effective use of pace and thorough knowledge of their horses and cross country. Indeed, although the rides are timed, the emphasis is on finishing in good condition rather than coming first. Endurance is a genuine test of horsemanship which began as a necessity rather than a sport. Horseback riding was the main form of transportation for centuries and reliable horses that could travel long distances while remaining healthy and fit were much sought after. Since necessity was replaced by many other means of transportation, Endurance has thrived as a sport.
In its 24th year with the FEI - Fédération Equestre Internationale - Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982 - Endurance has come to be the Federation's fastest growing discipline. In 1982, there were four international rides. This number slowly increased to an average of 18 rides per year up until 1998 when the World Championships were held in the United Arab Emirates. Thanks to the sponsorship of the UAE National Federation, 47 NFs came from all over the world to compete. This huge attendance proved to be the catalyst for an amazing growth in participation. This tendency was confirmed in 2005, when the 353 international competitions made Endurance second only to Jumping and Eventing. The area with the biggest growth being South America. 
Modern competitions consist of a number of sections called phases. At the end of each phase, in principle at least every 40 km, there is a compulsory halt for veterinary inspection, usually referred to as a vetgate. Riders are free to choose their own pace between the start and the finish of the competition.They may lead or follow their horses, but must be mounted crossing the starting line and the finish line. Each horse, which is thoroughly examined before it is allowed to start the ride, must be presented for inspection within a set time of reaching each vetgate. The aim of the check is to determine whether the horse is fit to continue the ride. A final veterinary inspection occurs at the end of all rides to ensure that horses completing the ride are not overly fatigued or lame. Excessive fatigue, signs of lameness and other indications of problems are grounds for elimination.
It can take years for a combination to be ready to compete in a 160 km ride. Endurance requires extensive preparation and a deep knowledge and understanding between horse and rider. In this way the well being of the horse can be maintained at all times.
The minimum distance for a one day competition is between 40 and 160 km, depending on the type of competition. For competitions of more than one day, the minimum average distance for each day is 40 - 79 km for FEI * rides, 80 km to 119 km for FEI 2* and 120 km or more for FEI 3* events. For a Championship FEI 4* one-day competition, the distance is usually 160 km and the winning riding time about ten to twelve hours.
The World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years - the latest edition was held in Aachen, whilst the next FEI World Equestrian Games will be crossing the Atlantic for the very first time to be held in Kentucky (USA) in 2010.
World Championships
The Endurance World Championships are held every four years in the same year as the Olympics. However, due to extraordinary circumstances, the last Endurance Championships were staged in January of 2005 in Dubai (UAE). The next World Endurance Championships are to be held in 2008 in Malaysia.
Continental Championships
The European Endurance Championships are held every two years.
FEI World Endurance Championship 2008. Malaysia.
His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan (King of Malaysia), an endurance riding enthusiast himself, went to France in 2005 with the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) to bid for the FEI World Endurance Championship to be held in Malaysia.
Despite bidding against other better established endurance nations, Malaysia was conditionally granted the opportunity to host the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008.
Following this sanction, two trial events were arranged to evaluate the feasibility of holding the World Championship in a country of a tropical climate for the first time ever. The first trial was held in 2006 for Malaysian horses and the second in 2007 for international horses. The precondition for the trials was a minimum completion rate of 40%.
In 2006 and 2007, encouraging completion rates of 56% and 67% were achieved for each respective year.
Expected Participating Countries
Expected are between 120 - 150 top qualified international Endurance riders to compete in the WEC in Terengganu this year along with top Malaysian Riders. According to the entries in principle received by the Organizer, the expected participating countries are:
1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Bahrain
5. Belgium
6. Brazil
7. Brunei
8. Canada
9. Chile
10. Colombia
11. Costa Rica
12. Denmark
13. Ecuador
14. Finland
15. France
16. Germany
17. Greece
18. Guatemala
19. Hungary
20. Ireland
21. Italy
22. Japan
23. Malaysia
24. Netherlands
25. New Zealand
26. Norway
27. Oman
28. Poland
29. Portugal
30. Qatar
31. Russia
32. Saudi Arabia
33. Slovak Republic
34. South Africa
35. Spain
36. Sweden
37. Switzerland
38. United Arab Emirates
39. United Kingdom
40. United States
41. Uruguay
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