August 16, 2007
© Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd.

FEI 5-STAR KL GRAND PRIX

For the very first time, riders in Asia will be able to compete in the FEI Nations Cup CSIO event to be held in conjunction with the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix 2007 in November this year.

Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Korea, China, Hong Kong, India, Qatar and Taiwan have been invited to field a team each. Riders will compete on their own horses over two nerve wrecking rounds to bring honor to their respective countries.

“By introducing the FEI Nations Cup CSIO at the KL Grand Prix, we aim to create more top-level competitions for riders in the Asian region,” said Wan Zaleha Radzi, Managing Director of Asiapromote Ventures – the organisers of the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix.

“The FEI Nations Cup CSIO is the equestrian world’s oldest and most prestigious event and is one that will undoubtedly help pave the way for the sport to reach greater heights in this part of the world,” she added.

Lauding the move to include the FEI Nations Cup CSIO as part of the program line up for the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix 2007, FEI Secretary General Michael Stone remarked that such an initiative will add a new dimension to the sport in Malaysia and the region.

Dato’ Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister of Youth and Sports commended Asiapromote Ventures’ unfaltering efforts in continuing to bring such an exciting and high-level international sporting event to Malaysian shores.

“The FEI 5* KL Grand Prix has not only raised the benchmark for equestrian sports in the country but has also brought recognition for Malaysia as a choice contender capable of hosting and organizing world class sporting events. Such an event also provides drive and inspiration to our riders be they young or accomplished, to reach and achieve their very best,” she said.

Aside from the FEI Nations Cup CSIO, other highlights at the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix 2007 include the Future Champion Search, designed to provide an opportunity for young riders aged 21 and below, who would be Malaysia’s future gold medallists and Olympians to compete in an international event. These riders will also have the chance to observe, interact and learn from Olympians, world champions and gold medallists and be inspired.

The 2007 Final of the FEI World Cup South East Asian League will witness the best riders from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines battle it out to represent the region at the Gothenburg FEI World Cup Final Jumping 2008.

Recognised as one of the top five equestrian events in the world, the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix will feature 30 of the top-ranked international riders and horses vying for the coveted title and one of the world’s richest purses of RM1 million.  The only five-star international show jumping competition in the Asia-Pacific region, the KL Grand Prix is growing from strength to strength.

Wan Zaleha Radzi remarked that Asiapromote will continue to innovate and help raise standards of the horse sport in Malaysia and the region with the hope that the KL Grand Prix will inspire riders to reach for the pinnacle in the sport.

To be held from November 23 to 25, the FEI 5* KL Grand Prix is expected to draw 30,000 visitors to Stadium Putra, feature 30 of the world’s top riders and their prized horses, 40 riders from the Asian region and 30 Malaysian riders.

Throughout the several days of adrenalin-packed competitions, spectators will have the opportunity to see beautiful horses at the highest level of sport performance and experience the pinnacle of power and grace.