U.S. endurance competitors were up to the task at the World Endurance Championship Test Event in Teregganu, Malaysia, November 10-11, 2007. Despite torrential rain and muddy conditions, two American combinations finished in the top ten.

Kathy Brunjes from Maine riding her own Theatric finished fifth, just inches in front of her fellow countryman John Crandell III. Crandell, from Virginia, was sixth riding Heraldic. Interestingly, these geldings are ¾ siblings. They are both by Statistic and their dams are half sisters. Theatric and Heraldic proved stamina and grit runs in the family.

In order to make use of the cooler temperatures, the race began late Saturday evening and was run primarily in the dark, with the first horse finishing at 8:01 a.m. Sunday morning.

The other two U.S. riders were Meg Sleeper of Frenchtown, NJ, riding H H Saba Shams and California’s Heather Reynolds and C P Magestic. Sleeper was running in the top ten through Vet Gate Four at approximately 70 miles, but Saba Shams was not eating or drinking well, and the decision was made to withdraw the gelding. Reynolds snd C P Magestic kept a somewhat slower pace throughout the day, and finished in 26th place.

The race was won by United Arab Emirates rider Nasr Marzouqi riding the 15-year-old mare Hafiza Du Mas. The World Endurance Championship will be held at the same venue in November of 2008.