Ireland: ILDRA returns to the trail

Farmweek.com - Full Article

By Bree Rutledge - August 10, 2020

THE Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) held their first event since the start of lockdown at the much-loved and beautiful venue of Shane’s Castle, Antrim on Sunday, July 26. Under the new normal, a range of COVID protocols had been introduced prior to this ride, including the requirement of all riders to pre-enter and a restriction of the numbers of riders able to ride together on the day. All of the organising committee at ILDRA would like to thank the attending riders for the adherence to the new guidelines and their ongoing support.

Riders (and their horses!) enjoyed seeing old friends (socially distanced, of course) and reuniting after several months apart. All of those attending on the day enjoyed riding around the scenic trails in the Shane’s Castle Estate and into Randalstown Forest Park, where deer and buzzards could be spotted...

Read more here:
https://farmweek.com/ildra-returns-to-the-trail/

COVID-19 Postponed the Mongol Derby—Here's What You Can Watch Instead This Month

HorseNetwork.com - Full Article

Liz Brown
August 3, 2020

It’s August and for some of us, it’s that time of year when we’re glued to our social media feeds following that 1,000 kilometer jaunt across Mongolia—the Mongol Derby. As with many events this year, COVID-19 forced the organizers to postpone the 2020 edition of the world’s longest and toughest horse race. Next year they’ll run two races—one in July and one in August. That means the summer of 2021 will be Mongol Derby all day every day.

But this year there’s no middle of the night Twitter checks to find out who’s currently being chased by wild dogs, who’s currently chasing their missing horse, and who’s currently lost in the mountains somewhere just south of Siberia.

Sigh...

Read more here:
https://horsenetwork.com/2020/08/covid-19-postponed-the-mongol-derby-heres-what-you-can-watch-instead-this-month/

Horse People: The Longest Horse Race—The Story of the Oldest Mongol Derby Winner

Sarah Farnsworth photo
HorseIllustrated.com - Full Article

At 70, Robert Long became the oldest rider to win the 600-mile Mongol Derby this year.

By Micaela Myers -August 6, 2020

To win the world’s longest horse race, Robert Long employed equal parts preparation and smarts. In August, the 70-year-old became the oldest winner of the Mongol Derby, which involves racing more than 600 miles across the Mongolian Steppe, recreating Genghis Khan’s horseback messenger system of the early 1200s. Riding approximately 12 hours each day for eight days, Long beat out 41 top riders from around the globe.

Preparations

Endurance riders make up most of the Mongol Derby crowd, but Long—more of a cowboy—grew up in Wyoming and lives in Idaho. As a kid, he worked cattle and went on horse-packing hunting trips with his family in the Yellowstone-Tetons area. Competition wise, ranch horse versatility is his main sport. It involves ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch cow work and ranch conformation. Long has started many competitive horses for the sport.

So what prompted this cowboy to join the endurance riders a world away?...

Read more here:
https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-people-the-longest-horse-race-the-story-of-the-oldest-mongol-derby-winner

Happy Trails Podcast - International Travel: Riding in Ireland

RideClimb.com - Listen

July 29 2020

There’s not much travel going on at the moment with the Covid-19 pandemic but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream!

Today’s guest, Krystal Kelly tells me about her recent trip to Ireland where she and her husband spent two months riding and camping as they made their way across the island.

She has produced five YouTube videos (to date) about her ride across Ireland. Check them out on her YouTube channel!

Krystal is a California native who has spent the majority of her life traveling the world pursuing her passion for horses. She is an FEI Level II Showjumping Coach, polo player, and endurance rider. She completed the Mongol Derby, a 1000 km race across the Mongolian Steppes, in 2014 riding 35 semi-wild Mongolian ponies over 10 days. She has traveled to over 60 countries for riding or teaching. Krystal is the CEO of Equestrian Adventuresses, a community of women that love horses, travel, and adventure...

Listen:
https://rideclimb.com/podcast/international-travel-riding-in-ireland/

Australia: Mountain Lagoon Endurance Ride makes return despite COVID-19 restrictions

HawkesburyGazette.com.au - Full Article

July 24 2020
Finn Coleman

The 2020 Mountain Lagoon Endurance Ride will take place next month in August - after being postponed from March due to COVID-19 - with all breeds and riders of all levels of ability being invited to the annual event.

The Mountain Lagoon race is an opportunity to learn all about endurance riding.

It allows participants to pit themselves and their mount against the terrain and the clock while enjoying the stunning views and the camaraderie of fellow riders.

Riders are invited to camp with their horses at the Mountain Lagoon Ride base on Sam's Way on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24.

This years ride will look a little different as everyone involved must follow strict coronavirus restrictions...

Read more here:
https://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/6846570/mountain-lagoon-edurance-ride-returns-after-covid-19/

Australia: Endurance riders are saddling up for the Roseberg Forest

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

July 23 2020

Like all other sports and activities, endurance riding has been on hold since March this year.

With Covid 19 restrictions now easing, riders and horses are chomping at the bit to finally be able to hit the trails again.

The Lachlan Endurance Riders Club is pleased to be hosting their newest ride, Roseberg, on August 1 & 2. The trails of Roseberg Forest and Pennsylvania Forest will be used for the course. Horses will be on these tracks from midday through to 5pm on Saturday August 1 and again from 5am until 5pm on Sunday August 2. With sandy four wheel drive tracks, shaded forestry trails and some hilly technical sections for the 80km riders, there is something to suit every level of fitness and experience...

Read more here:

CAS Reduces Suspension After Tryon Endurance Fiasco

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Sport’s highest court says the Spanish chef d’equipe was provoked before shouting at the ground jury for cancelling the WEG 2018 ride.

By: Pippa Cuckson | July 21, 2020
Dr. Ignasi Casas Vaque, the chef d’equipe at the centre of angry scenes when the 2018 WEG endurance ride was called off, has had his one-year suspension for “incorrect behaviour” reduced to three months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A one-year suspension – long since served – was handed down by the FEI Tribunal in February 2019. Casas Vaque was chef d’equipe of the Spanish team, who were in gold medal position when the ride was finally called off in worsening conditions, having already been subject to a false start and a re-start.

The FEI had argued he had obligations to the FEI because of his many senior roles in international endurance, including deputy chairmanship of the FEI endurance committee.

CAS did find that Casas Vaque behaved incorrectly under FEI General Regulations, especially as a senior official and veterinarian; he was “very negligent” for someone of his status, especially as the incident was filmed and gained “significant attention” on the internet...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/horse-news/cas-reduces-suspension-after-tryon-endurance-fiasco/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Free+Dressage+Lessons+%7C+WEG+Endurance+Fiasco+Appeal+%7C+Canadian+Results+at+Tryon&utm_campaign=HS-Enewsletter2019-Wednesday-July+22%2C+2020