The event was organized by HARAS El Pino Endurance Guatemala on February 13, 2010. One of the organizers of the event, Sandra de Gonzalez, explained that the first 2010 International Endurance competition was held in Tecpan, Finca Pasajinak in the department of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The event started at 3 in the morning and ended 10:22 at night when the last riders of the 160 km category passed the finish line.
Location, altitude, terrain and climate:
Finca Pasajinak has the beautiful landscape characteristic of the highlands of Guatemala, lots of forests, the smell of pine trees, clear blue skies and breathtaking views, it is hill country. The location in the highlands of Guatemala has the advantages of a cooler more temperate climate which helps the general physical conditions of horses and riders and there is little traffic, which is important for the safety of the participants. The terrain presented the challenge of steepness and difficult footing for the horses. It takes a lot of energy from the horse and the rider to respond to this terrain, especially for the category of 160 km. The altitude of 2000 meters also presents a challenge for the participants; the ideal altitude is more or less at sea level where the maximum oxygen level helps the competing horses and riders. The challenges at sea level in Guatemala are the extreme heat and humidity that can cause rapid dehydration and overheating of horses and riders.
About 30 riders and horses participated at the competition at Finca Pasajinak. It was a FEI CEI 3 Star (International Endurance Competition approved by the Internacional Ecuestrian Federation). It is a qualifier event for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA) in 2010.
FEI categories are: CEI 1* 80 km, CEI 2* 120 km, CEI 3* 160 km. The competition is also a qualifier for the national categories of 40, 60 and 80 km for the National Championship 2010.
Again, this event proved that the Guatemalan organizers can stage an event that is up to the highest international standards, classifying international riders for their participation in world wide events of Endurance. This event and others that have taken place last year, places Guatemala at the vanguard of the whole region with the capacity to develop this equestrian discipline with the participation of excellent riders, FEI approved judges, veterinarians and officials. 
Results
National category:
National level 40 km: first place Henry Guzman with Shaba, second place: Gabriel Ramos with T-Suki, third place: Alejandra Rodas with Magnolia. Best condition award for Zara EM (fourth place), ridden by Mauricio R. Evans.
National 60 km: first place: Miguel Angel de la Roca with Tarantella, second place: Carlos Bonessa with Chavo, third place: Frank Hesse with Moro Hugo. Best condition for : Tio Caiman (fourth place), ridden by Theresa Fryar
National 80 km: First Place: Fernando Paiz with Farahon, second place: Laura Paiz with Lm Ganador. Best condition: Farahon. 
FEI category:
FEI 1* 80 km, First place:Gaby Ufer with Extra Gold, also Best Condition award.
FEI 2* 120 km, First place:Luis Miguel de la Roca with Ali, second place:Martin Salazar with Candelita, a Costa Rican participant. Best Condition: Ali
FEI 3* 160 km: First place Jaime Mansilla with FKD Santiago, second place, Silvia Aldana de De Wit with Paisano. Best Condition: FKD Santiago.
Organizers: 
HARAS El Pino Endurance Guatemala, is the name of the team of organizers. HARAS is a breeding facility dedicated to the Arabian and Anglo Arabian sport horse, specialized in endurance. conformed by Primo Gonzalez, Sandra de Gonzalez, Jaime Mansilla and Juan Briz.
The international FEI Officials that where present at the event are: 
Theresa Cross from California, USA, Ketty Friedmann from Uruguay, Scarlet Schieber de Rodas from Guatemala, all 4 star FEI judges, and Dr. Ray Randall from Montana, USA, who acted as the President of the Veterinary Commission.
After the competition, the Officials also held a training workshop on Sunday the 14th of February for riders and endurance enthusiasts. They shared their abundant knowledge concerning all things related to horses, riding, riders and other important equestrian issues.
The international riders that participated are two Costa Rican riders, Martin Salazar who qualified and Oscar Delgado who's horse unfortunately was disqualified because it went lame.
Classification for the World Endurance Championship, Kentucky 2010
The category for classification for the WEC (World Endurance Championship) covers a total distance of 160 kilometers and is the International FEI -Fédération Equestre Internationale-, CEI 3* -Concourse Endurance Internationale-, Category for Adult Riders.
Two more international FEI category competitions are planned in Guatemala to be able to qualify more riders and horses for the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky this year. Guatemala has excellent riders and horses that have shown their potential already at Pan-American games and World championships in the past years. So far Fernando Paiz has already classified for Kentucky. But with two more competitions the Guatemalan Team and organizers hope to be able to classify at least 3 more riders to send to the World Endurance Championship.
Endurance in Guatemala is a relatively young equestrian discipline. However, in a very short time period this equestrian discipline has had more riders classified for and participated at World Championships then any other equestrian discipline in Guatemala (dressage, jumping and Eventing).
The accomplishments of the endurance enthusiasts of Guatemala have a very impressive record in the last five years:
2005. Bahrain, The first World Championship that endurance riders from Guatemala participated with four riders, Young Riders category, they obtained 8th place in team competition and up to the 8th place as individual competitors.
2007. Argentina, World Championship, Young Riders category, Guatemala obtained fifth place in the team competition.
2008, Brazil, Panamerican Games, only one Guatemalan participated, because of lack of funding, but obtained the Gold Medal for Junior and Young Riders Category.
2008, Malaysia, World Championship, 3 riders participated, one finished the race and obtained the third place among the competitors from the American continent.
2009. Uruguay, Panamerican Games, bronze medal for the Guatemalan team adult category, and the first time ever that Guatemala as an equestrian discipline had obtained a Team bronze medal in a Panamerican game.
These very important accomplishments are the result of the personal commitment, passion, relentless efforts and persistence of a relatively small number of people that have made the Endurance Sport in Guatemala. Now, with the international accomplishments of the team, the Guatemalan Equestrian Association and the Olympic Committee are providing assistance to contribute to the effort.
Family members and friends are the most important logistical help for the riders and horses in these long and hard competitions.
Everybody helps out, carrying water, running with the riders to give them food and liquids, cooling down horses, walking the horses at the vetgates, putting up the tents, taking pictures, and all the little details and work that a competition of this calibre requires.
Sponsors The sponsors that made this event possible are: Forestal Rio Blanco, SEVENDE, SA., The National Equestrian Association of Guatemala, ANEG and the Guatemalan Olympic Committee.
The next endurance competition will probably take place at Ingenio Magdalena in Escuintla on April the 24th 2010.
According to the information provided by Fernando Paiz, a Guatemalan veteran of promoting this sport, they are still looking for the most appropriate place for maximum possibilities to classify more riders and horses successfully.
Other important collaborators
Food, you can't live and compete without it. The Posada San Ricardo kept their staff awake until the late hours of the night on Saturday, at 10:22 pm the last rider crossed the finish line in the category of 160 km. After the successful conclusion of the competition, with everybody starving, the Posada San Ricardo served a most needed and deserved dinner to competitors, organizers, judges, veterinarians, helpers, etc.
Unfortunately the Guatemalan endurance riders that have already qualified to participate at the Central American Games 2010, are very disappointed that Guatemala cancelled it's participation at this important international sports event.
The Guatemalan team that had qualified are the following:
Jaime Mansilla, Santiago FKD
Silvia Aldana de De Wit, Paisano
Jonathan Johnston, Ali Yassir
Gaby Ufer, Goldie
Clarissa de Wit, Ali
Maria Paiz, Farahon
Luis de la Roca, Candelita
Janio Johnston, Lambrusco
Fernando Paiz, Moro Hugo
Damian Serovic, Aladino
Uber Rodas, Magnolia
Laura Paiz, Shabah P
Source: Guatecuestres.com
What is Endurance?
Endurance is a competition against the clock where the speed and endurance of a horse is put to the test, but where riders are also challenged with regards to effective use of pace and thorough knowledge of their horses and cross country. Indeed, although the rides are timed, the emphasis is on finishing in good condition rather than coming first. Endurance is a genuine test of horsemanship which began as a necessity rather than a sport.
In its 24th year with the FEI - Fédération Equestre Internationale - Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982 - Endurance has come to be the Federation's fastest growing discipline.
Modern competitions consist of a number of sections called phases. At the end of each phase, in principle at least every 40 km, there is a compulsory halt for veterinary inspection, usually referred to as a vetgate.
Riders are free to choose their own pace between the start and the finish of the competition. They may lead or follow their horses, but must be mounted crossing the starting line and the finish line. Each horse, which is thoroughly examined before it is allowed to start the ride, must be presented for inspection within a set time of reaching each vetgate. The aim of the check is to determine whether the horse is fit to continue the ride. A final veterinary inspection occurs at the end of all rides to ensure that horses completing the ride are not overly fatigued or lame. Excessive fatigue, signs of lameness and other indications of problems are grounds for elimination.
It can take years for a combination to be ready to compete in a 160 km ride. Endurance requires extensive preparation and a deep knowledge and understanding between horse and rider. In this way the well being of the horse can be maintained at all times. 
The minimum distance for a one day competition is between 40 and 160 km, depending on the type of competition. For competitions of more than one day, the minimum average distance for each day is 40 - 79 km for FEI * rides, 80 km to 119 km for FEI 2* and 120 km or more for FEI 3* events. For a Championship FEI 4* one-day competition, the distance is usually 160 km and the winning riding time about ten to twelve hours.
The World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years - the latest edition was held in Aachen, whilst the next FEI World Equestrian Games will be crossing the Atlantic for the very first time to be held in Kentucky (USA) in 2010.
Pictures: Sandra de Gonzales, Ketty Friedmann, Harry Hesse
