Endurance GB Crowns 2018 Young Rider National Champion

11 July 2018. The British Young Rider National Championships took place this past weekend at Kings Forest, Thetford, in some of the toughest conditions seen so far this year.

Endurance GB is extremely proud to announce that the 2018 Young Rider National Champion is Endurance GB Spotlight Scholar, Ella Bunting, who rode Emma Daniel's Aly’s Estrella de Rock to victory last Saturday. The combination successfully completed the CEIYJ2* 120km ride at King’s Forest (GBR) in what can only be described as extremely challenging conditions. With temperatures well over 30 degrees centigrade, excellent horsemanship and understanding were required by all riders competing across the entire field of classes.

The Young Rider Championships was a closely fought affair throughout the day. Five of the entrants in the CEIYJ2* were eligible to compete for the coveted title. In the initial stages the British contingent was dominated by Charlie Chadwick (GBR) partnered by Aragorn, Charlie’s mother’s 14 year old Arab gelding. Chadwick sat in second place behind the class leader Hamdan Ahmed Mohd Al Marri (UAE) with a comfortable nine minute lead over 3rd and 4th placed Bunting and Katie Bedwin (GBR) respectively.

As the day progressed the extreme conditions took their toll with two combinations failing to qualify for their next respective stages. British rider Keighley Pomroy’s ambitions were dashed at Vet Gate Two where her horse Hathek was judged to have an irregular gait. Despite Chadwick’s early success her day was cut short at the fourth Vet Gate, just 16km from the finish, where Aragorn also failed to qualify for the final stage due to an irregular gait. This left the competition wide open between the three remaining British riders. Bunting left on to the final loop with a two minute lead over Bedwin, with Harry Ollis (GBR) riding Kirsty Wiscombe’s homebred bay mare, Yawl Hill Pollyanna, a further nine minutes behind.

Bunting and Bedwin rode the last loop together, as they had done the entire ride leading up to that point, ensuring their horses had company and were well motivated for the final stage. However, it was Ollis who put in the quickest final loop at 15.4kph – he successfully created a four minute lead over his compatriots, crossing the finish line in 2nd place behind 1st placed Al Marri (UAE), who had completed the course nearly two hours beforehand. However, Ollis’ joy was short lived as Yawl Hill Pollyanna was judged to be lame at the final vetting. Bunting and Bedwin crossed the finish line together, hand in hand, having tackled the tough course together all day – the perfect display of camaraderie, sportsmanship and support with just one second separating the pair’s final result. Both combinations passed the final vetting and the 2018 National Champion and Reserve Champion were crowned!

Various other classes took place over the weekend at the popular Thetford venue. Nicki Thorne, Chair of Endurance GB, said: “Special thanks to all those involved in ensuring a smooth and successful event despite the extremely testing conditions; the ride organising committee, the volunteers and officials, and of course, ongoing support from HPower Endurance and event sponsor Meydan.”

Amongst many other things participants were treated to, top class veterinary services, unlimited ice and a very tasty barbeque for all in attendance on the Saturday evening.

Germany: Close fight for victory in the Endurance Festival Bavaria

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

10 July 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of Ilka Fichtel

Babenhausen, Germany. 16 June 2018. The Endurance Festival Bavaria comprises a series of international endurance competitions combined with national rides and is organized by Endurance Team Klingbeil, headed by international rider Ursula Klingbeil.

The German Championships for Seniors and Juniors and Young Riders were also held at the event at the Riding Club Babenhausen.
The area meets all requirements for international events with a high number of competitors. Since April 2018 the timing system ERTZ has been used at the Endurance Festival.

The most discussed subject during the weekend was who would be the champion this year.
Would it be Melanie Arnold for the sixth time, or Bernhard Dornsiepen who was vice-champion for the past two years and victorious in 2003?...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/close-fight-for-victory-in-endurance-festival-bavaria/

Australia: Anti-Vaxxers Are Targeting a Vaccine for a Virus Deadlier Than Ebola

TheAtlantic.com - Full Article

The vaccine for Hendra, a virus that can spread from horses to humans, has pitted owners against vets—revealing that science alone can't prevent the next global pandemic.

July 9 2018
BRENDAN BORRELL

Cedars ernest was a certifiable goofball. He was a purebred Shire, a type of British draft horse that once specialized in hauling carts of ale. Nicknamed Ernie, he tipped the scales at more than a ton, and had a chocolate-brown coat with luxuriant white hair feathering his hooves. His owner, Nicole Carloss, a horse trainer in Queensland, Australia, adopted him in 2013, when he was 7 years old, and he immediately found his place in her family.

“He would burst open the screen door and try to do the dishes with you,” Carloss said. When her children played in their sandbox, Ernie would plop his front hooves down next to them. Carloss took Ernie to compete in shows throughout the state, where he would strut around with a sequined browband. “He stole everybody’s heart,” she said.

In August 2016, Carloss came home from work and headed out to the fenced pasture to visit Ernie. He lifted his head dolefully, like Eeyore from Winnie-the-Pooh. His eyes were empty, his breathing was strange, and he wobbled when he walked. Carloss suspected he might have been bitten by a snake, but she saw no fang marks on his legs.

She called a local veterinarian and described Ernie’s symptoms. The vet asked Carloss if her horse had been vaccinated for Hendra.

“No,” she replied.

Carloss had anticipated the question, but that didn’t make it any less unsettling. Hendra is a deadly virus that is endemic in Australia and is spread by bats. Since the first documented outbreak in horses in 1994, Hendra has killed 102 of the animals. It kills people, too: On seven occasions, it has crossed from sick horses to the veterinarians and other professionals attending them, leading to four excruciating deaths...

Read more here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/anti-vaxxers-horses-hendra/559967/

The Timid Rider Takes Mongolia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Equestrian Author and Photographer to Attend the Gobi Desert Cup

[Red Bank, New Jersey July 9, 2018] Small business owner Heather Wallace is known as an animal massage therapist, author, equestrian blogger at The Timid Rider, and photographer. With a varied skill set and strong work ethic, she is most recently known for her best-selling book, Confessions of a Timid Rider, which is an Amazon bestseller in three categories.

While no stranger to hard work, Heather will be challenging herself this August as the Media Consultant for the second annual Gobi Desert Cup taking place this August in Mongolia. Serving as a writer and photographer to document the journey, she is also acting as liaison for international riders and the global press.

Co-founded in 2017 by FEI 3* Endurance Rider, Camille Champagne and leading Mongolian veterinarian Naranbataar Adiya, the Gobi Desert Cup is a 480 kilometer multi-stage endurance race through the Gobi Desert, riding Mongolian horses every day for 6 days over 80 kilometers (approximately 50 miles). This challenge is the only one of its kind to combine endurance while positively supporting Mongolian culture and their horses.

To follow her journey or learn more about the Gobi Desert Cup, contact Heather Wallace at 1+732-784-7195; email heather@timidrider.com; or https://www.timidrider.com.

South Africa: Mongol Derby is Neigh big deal for Drummond biker

HighwayMail.co.za - Full Article

Samantha Anderson is one of the lucky few who were chosen to tackle the intense Mongol Derby in late July.
July 7, 2018

SAMANTHA Anderson has swopped her 1909 Humber pedal cycle for ponies to tackle the gruelling 1 000km Mongol Derby.

The reason is, “Motorbikes can’t love you back,” joked Sam.

She took a leap of faith by adding her name to the pool of entrants wanting to take part in the Mongol Derby.

Sam said being accepted was a wake-up call as she had never ridden endurance on a horse and was faced with the exciting and stupidly daunting challenge of riding 1 000kms in 10 days on semi-wild Mongolian ponies with no comforts or support.

To go from zero to hero she enlisted the help of her family and friends.

“I owe a life time debt of gratitude to a number of people who have been amazingly generous to me,” said Sam. Her partner, Kevin Tebbutt, Dube Pricemoor, Craig Gillespie, Craig Egbrink, Pete Dommit, Mark and Elsa Fraser and Wiesman Nel have all helped. She said there were three she owed a special thanks to who have helped shape her abilities in preparation for the event.

“The first is Glynn Redgrave, an extremely talented horse whisperer who had the terrible job of trying to teach me to ride unbacked race horses at Summerveld in the hopes that I would learn to handle semi-wild ponies.”

After breaking three ribs in her first couple of weeks of training, Sam was undeterred and still trains with Glynn every Friday...

https://highwaymail.co.za/296901/neigh-big-deal-for-drummond-biker/

Bermuda's Endurance Pioneer

FEI.org - Full Story

09 July 2018
Text by Stacey Stearns

Marvin Brangman of Bermuda will become his country’s first-ever Endurance entry in the FEI World Equestrian Games™ when he travels to Tryon in September.

Although a Bermuda resident, Marvin Brangman moved to the USA in 2000. He is a horse trainer in LaGrange, Georgia and an ordained minister at the Fellowship Christian Center International of Newman, Georgia.

His first Endurance ride was as recently as 2015, while he also trains in Dressage, Jumping, young horses and western. In May he completed the two-year process of qualifying for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG), where he will be riding MM Godiva Chokalat, who is owned by Lori Shifflet and Vicky Stanislawski...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/marvin-brangman-endurance-profile

Australia: Stirling’s Crossing to host endurance state Championships

MySunshineCoast.com.au

5 July 2018

The 2018 Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) State Championships will be hosted in Imbil next week and has attracted riders from as far afield as Scotland and Japan as part of the 180-strong contingent of riders tackling the course at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex.

Hosted by Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club, the event is expected to bring over 600 people ― including riders and their support crews ― to the Mary Valley town from 13-15 July, as the riders take on the diverse forestry terrain around the complex over 80km and 160km distances.

Event host and owner of Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex, Matthew Sample said those tackling the challenging 160km ride ― including riders as young as eleven ― would set off at midnight on Friday with many riding most of Saturday to complete within the 24-hour cut-off time.

“There’s a reason why our motto in endurance riding is ‘to complete is to win’ as even those who take out the championships will spend at least ten hours in the saddle to complete the 160km ride,” Mr Sample said.

“This event is truly unique and will give endurance riders the opportunity to take on a great challenge while bonding with their horses on one of Australia’s best endurance courses.”

“We anticipate we will have many riders who will be taking on their first 160km at this event, QERA has offered free entry to all Junior QERA members and the Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club has offered free entry for all open riders who wish to attempt this distance for the first time.”

“Anyone who has not yet completed this distance can use this ride as an opportunity to qualify for next year’s prestigious Tom Quilty Gold Cup which will be hosted at the Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex in July 2019. All riders must have completed a 160km to participate in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup and as there aren’t many of these rides on the annual calendar, the State Championships is a perfect opportunity.”

Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club President Kim Moir said that amongst the first-timers were several eleven-year-olds looking to qualify now in preparation for the 2019 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, as the ride also has a minimum age requirement of 12 years.

“It’s a real coming of age for our young riders to tackle a 160km, particularly when it’s an opportunity to qualify for the sport’s most prestigious ride which is expected to attract over 300 riders from across Australia to our Imbil complex next year,” Ms Moir said.

“These kids have completed 80km and 120km rides but a 160km ride requires a whole new set of skills and incredible commitment, so there will be a high level of excitement for both horse and rider which really adds to the energy of the event.”

“Endurance riders have the utmost respect and admiration for their horses as the sport is only suited to horses that have exceptional athleticism, intuition, intelligence and a very competitive nature.”

“The ride course sees riders return to the complex for vetting every 30-40 kilometres so vets can check on the horses’ wellbeing and ensure they are in a good condition before they set off on their next leg.”

Mr Sample said the course for the QERA State Championships was very similar to that for next year’s Tom Quilty Gold Cup so this event provided an excellent opportunity for all riders to get a feel for the terrain.”

“We have a fantastic field coming to this event, both for the 160km and for the 80km ride which starts at 6am on Saturday morning so we can expect to see very competitive times and a great day out on the track,” Mr Sample said.

“At Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex we are lucky to have unique trails through the Imbil State Forest; camping onsite for riders, their teams and their horses and facilities that are unmatched at any other endurance venue so these events are always a fantastic experience for the whole family.”

The list of competitors in the QERA State Championships includes the current Queensland Champion, Matthew Gadsby (Tweed Heads, NSW), the 2017 Pat Slater Cup winner Kaylea Maher (Imbil) and previous Tom Quilty Gold Cup winners Brook Sample (Kenilworth) and Jessica Langridge (Imbil).

The event is open to the public. To find out more please visit the website of the Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club www.stirlingscrossingendurance.asn.au.