VETS DEPLOYED TO TERENGGANU FOR WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Veterinarians, including
from outside the state, have been deployed to Lembah Bidong, Setiu in east coast
state of Terengganu for the upcoming World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2008
starting Thursday.

Veterinary Services Department Director Dr Azizol Mohd Sharom said up to 10
veterinarians would assist in monitoring the horses' health as well as carrying
out quarantine.

Until Monday, 129 horses from participating countries arrived at the
Sultan Mahmud Airport here while several others arrived at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport.

All the horses are now being quarantined at the Sultan Mahmud Airport and
in
Lembah Bidong.

"Despite the long journey and climate differences, checks showed that the
horses are healthy," he told Bernama when contacted.

The organiser would determine whether the horses were fit for the race, he
said.

The horses are from Norway, Slovakia, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Hungary,
Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, South
Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia and New
Zealand.

Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead Malaysia's charge at
the championship. The team consists of 12 riders.

Malaysia is hosting the championship for the first time.
-- BERNAMA