Puma Energy Namibia will, for the second consecutive year, sponsor fuel to facilitate the Namibia Endurance Club Championships, taking place at Henties Bay from today untill Saturday.
Adell Samuelson, General Manager of Puma Energy Namibia, says the sponsorship valued at N$25 000 will assist the Henties Bay Endurance Club to cover fuel costs of on duty veterinarians and endurance officials.
The six veterinarians will monitor the health and welfare of the horses, while eight endurance officials will ensure the competition is contested fairly. Samuelson commends the Henties Bay Endurance Club and the Namibia Endurance for ensuring that this event is staged according to the highest professional standards, safeguarding the welfare of the horses and promoting the longstanding close bond between humans and horses.
“It is for this reason that Puma Energy is pleased to support the event. Energising our communities is a core value underpinning everything we do at Puma Energy.”
Frans Jordaan, Chairperson of the Henties Bay Endurance Club and event director, says Namibia Endurance is grateful to Puma Energy for supporting endurance riding in Namibia.
Fuel support plays an important role in making these events possible, as riders’ support teams and officials travel many kilometres to ensure the horses’ welfare and safety.
Namibia Endurance is a Technical Committee under the auspices of the Namibia Equestrian Federation.
This year’s event attracted a record entry of 105 horses and their riders from 11 Endurance Clubs, which indicates that the sport is growing and becoming more popular. In developing the Endurance Sport, Namibia Endurance is focusing especially on children and young riders.
An endurance ride is a time test against the clock in which a horse and rider need to traverse a marked and measured cross country trail over natural terrain over a specific distance. Competitors will participate in five categories: Child Riders, Young Riders, Light Weight Riders, two standard weight riders and heavy weight riders. The distances to be covered over the three days of competition are 20 km, 40 km, 60 km, 80 km, 100, and 120 km.
Jordaan extends a special invitation to residents of Henties Bay, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to watch the riders and their horses in action. The start and finish line is situated behind the SPCA and Henties Bay Golf Course. Spectators can also follow the action along set beach routes and inland, adjacent to them.
“We are also glad to be hosting the Namibia Endurance Championships, FEI Group IX Regional Championships and the team competition against South Africa and Botswana in August at Henties Bay. Therefore, this event will serve as a test event in preparation for August.”
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