Court reduces length of suspension against Belgian Endurance figure, but fine upheld

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

December 4, 2021
Horsetalk.co.nz

A prominent figure in the Endurance community has had his suspension reduced in his appeal against an FEI Tribunal decision that found he had falsified FEI horse passports.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland reduced the length of Pierre Arnould’s suspension from 20 months to 14 months. It left in place the fine of 5000 Swiss francs, along with the tribunal order for a 7000 franc contribution toward legal costs.

The CAS said in its written decision that the FEI vaccination system was insufficiently robust and should be improved.

Arnould is a 61-year-old Belgian national who has been involved in equestrian sport for 35 years, in particular Endurance. He served as team leader of the Belgian national team for many years, organised two FEI Endurance European Championships, one FEI Endurance World Championship, and is an active trainer of Endurance horses...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2021/12/04/court-suspension-endurance-figure-fine-upheld/

The Spanish King’s Cup at Ademuz

Endurance-World.com - Full Article

Race Report made with the assistance of Jackie Paarhuis and Manuel Ferrer Gómez for Albalat Endurance
Photo credit: David López
30 November 2021

Ademuz, Valencia, Spain. Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November 2021 saw the end of the 5th endurance season in Ademuz.

With 5 competitions to choose from, riders from around Spain and abroad came to enjoy this rural Spanish area.

With a tried and tested track, the organiser included a CEI3* competition for the first time. This class brought a new level to Ademuz, with 7 out of the 8 starting combinations completing the course. For the first 2 loops the group stayed relatively close together. During the 3rd loop four riders, David Vilar, Roberto Laherran, Silvia Yebra and Gorka Llaguno broke away raising their average loop speed from around 17.5km/hr to around 21.5km/hr. This speed was maintained, and superseded until the last second, with a high-speed sprint finish by David Vilar on Koheilan Ishani CA and Roberto Laherran on Pirlo, finishing first and second respectively...

More story and photos here:
https://endurance-world.com/the-spanish-kings-cup-at-ademuz/

Cautious hope hyposensitivity testing is leading to ‘changed mentality’ in endurance

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Lucy Elder
28 November, 2021 12:21

A LEADING vet has aired cautious hope that targeted hyposensitivity testing is having a “very deterrent effect” in endurance.

FEI veterinary director Göran Åkerström shared the news of the “very successful control programme” at the federation’s general assembly last week (14–17 November).

He said the programme, which ran across 2020 and 2021, was designed to protect horses from being nerve blocked before or during rides.

A total of 395 horses were examined at FEI events, with 452 examinations. Of these, four positive cases were found.

“It’s been a really, really useful tool and the reactions from the endurance community have been very positive,” said Mr Åkerström...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/cautious-hope-hyposensitivity-testing-is-leading-to-changed-mentality-in-endurance-770507

Ireland: End of season rides for ILDRA

Farmweek.com - Full Article

By Bree Rutledge
November 25, 2021

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) has hosted several pleasure rides (PRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs) throughout 2021, offering numerous riders the opportunities to enjoy safe off-road riding with their horses.

ILDRA returned to the very popular venue of Shane’s Castle on October 10 for a day of riding in glorious autumn sunshine. Attending riders enjoyed the riding trails on offer through the Shane’s Castle Estate and into the neighbouring Randalstown Forest.

Thanks go to the Conly family for marking the route and to Emma Hayes and David Cunningham for running the event on the day. Thanks also go to the O’Neill family and Shane’s Castle Estate staff for allowing access and for the Forestry Service for allowing access to Randalstown Forest...

Read more here:
https://farmweek.com/end-of-season-rides-for-ildra/

FEI Endurance World Championship to stay in Italy as Verona secures 2022 edition

Insidethegames.biz

By Geoff Berkeley
Saturday, 19 December 2020

Isola della Scala in the Italian province of Verona has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Endurance World Championship.

The FEI Board made the decision at a videoconference meeting this week as it looks to keep the event in Italy.

Italian city Pisa was due to stage the competition this year before it was moved to May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sabrina Ibáñez, secretary general of the FEI, said they were pleased to have the "experience and passion" of the Verona Organising Committee to run the 2022 edition.

"We will be working closely with the organisers and the Italian Equestrian Federation to ensure that this is a top-notch sporting event that challenges the strategic skills of our athletes and brings the sport back to its original roots of endurance riding rather than endurance racing," said Ibáñez...

Read more at:
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1102205/fei-endurance-world-championship-2022

Gaucho Derby Academy Launched

TheEquestrianists.com

The Equestrianists
November 16 2021

Ever considered taking on the Mongol or Gaucho Derby but not sure if you’ve got the experience to tackle the beast?

"In 2019 we launched our first academy to help acclimatise people to the unique challenges of multi-horse relay racing. This took place in Mongolia and was rather awesome. So we’re expanding the idea globally. Soon we hope to have academies in countries around the World so more people can get a flavour of the adventure sport we love without having to commit to a full race.

And so it is with some excitement that we announce the launch of the second of our academies.

The Gaucho Derby Academy. Happening in Argentine Patagonia from 17th February to the 23rd February. This is a multi-day immersive and educational experience which trains equestrians to to tackle our 500km Gaucho Derby. We’ve taken inspiration from The Gaucho Derby pre race training camp and created an intensive six day experience where you can learn the survival and horsemanship skills you need plus get immersed in the culture and lifestyle of the Gauchos of Patagonia. It all culminates in helping the Gauchos with a multi-day wild horse roundup across the wilderness.

Our team of international event managers, local Gauchos, equine experts, medics and veterinarians will lead the experiences on navigation, riding the gnarly terrain, wilderness survival and managing horse health throughout this adventure. Once you’ve graduated you’ll be confident in your skillset to tackle the beast that is The Gaucho Derby.

There is a load more information and an itinerary on our website here..."
https://equestrianists.com/guides/gaucho-derby-academy/

Great Britain: Winning endurance pony proves his versatility by successful switching to the show ring

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Alex Robinson
10 November, 2021

Until recently the Connemara gelding Carrowkeel Storm was a proven all-rounder who was more commonly found on the endurance circuit. But when his owner, Hannah Sedgwick, took him to a showing competition to keep another horse company on the lorry, she realised that her pony of a lifetime could have the right features to make it in the show ring.

After only contending a handful of shows together, the pair are set to make their debut in the SEIB Search For A Star mountain and moorland (M&M) final at Your Horse Live, after qualifying on their first attempt at West Wilts Equestrian Centre.

Hannah was first acquainted with Storm, now 11, when he was an unbroken five-year-old.

“He was living in a field next to where we kept our old horse and my mum, Clare, had helped his owner move him into a new field,” explains Hannah, who works as a pub supervisor. “She said to Mum that if we needed something to do, we were more than welcome to do some work with Storm. When I came back from my ski season I instantly fell in love with him and after having him on loan he was then kindly gifted to us by his owner...”

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/carrowkeel-storm-sfas-768758