June 21, Kuala Lumpur: The FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 (FEI WEC 2008) was officially launched at Dataran Merdeka.

The launch started off with a parade of 48 horses and riders from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Royal Malaysian Police mounted units accompanied by police outriders, 2 marching bands, from the Malaysian Prison Department and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall along with a convoy of 10 cars and 15 motorbikes from Sime Darby Motor; the official vehicle partner for the FEI WEC 2008. The parade began from Lake Titiwangsa to Dataran Merdeka, along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The Official Launch in Dataran Merdeka began upon the arrival of Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong (The King and Queen of Malaysia) and it started off with a colourful performance from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Cultural Group

The entire audience was then captivated by the parade as soon as it gracefully passed through Dataran Merdeka. The parade was led by ASP Amin Nordin b. Zainun from the Royal Malaysian Mounted Police; Insp (K) Ram Talib bin Jani Mohamed and Insp Mat Fuat b. Yusoff from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and representing the Malaysian Riders was Sergeant Roslan bin Osman.

The spectators' attention was then diverted to the sky where 4 paratroopers from the Royal Malaysian Air Force jumped off their aircraft at 3,000 feet above ground. 3 of them were carrying the Malaysian flag, the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) and the event flag (FEI WEC 2008) each. This amazing stunt signified that the FEI WEC 2008 event has arrived in Malaysia. The paratroopers landed perfectly on the field and left the entire audience in awe.

The FEI flag was then brought up to Ian Williams, the Non-Olympic Sports Director of the FEI who then graciously passed the flag to Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong officially acknowledging that the event is to be hosted by Malaysia. The CEO of FEI WEC 2008, Dato' Seri Dr. Salleh Mohd. Nor received the FEI flag from Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The FEI flag was taken for the official launch ceremony of the 12th FEI World Endurance Championship 2008. Flags of the 41 countries that have entered the event in principle were broken simultaneously along with the Malaysian flag, the FEI flag and the FEI WEC 2008 flag, symbolizing that the FEI WEC 2008 is officially launched!

The event successfully introduced the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 to Malaysia in a spectacular style.

Come November 6-9, 2008, the FEI WEC 2008 will be hosted at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, Terengganu, Malaysia.