Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Al Beloushi retains superb form




photo: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Winner Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi finishes the white loop during the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum 120km endurance ride.


By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter



Dubai: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi ended the Dubai Equestrian Club's endurance season the way he had started it - with a superb victory - and laid claim to being the top rider of the current season.


The Al Reef rider-cum-trainer came up with a scintillating final-stage (12km) riding performance on Cameo Zinniaa to push Spain's consistent Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton to second place in the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum CEI three-star 120km endurance ride.


Yousuf, who had emerged as last season's third best rider, had started the season here at the Dubai International Endurance City with a win and yesterday won the last Open ride here to register his third triumph of the UAE season.


Terrific display


It was a terrific display by Yousuf as he trailed Maria by over 5 minutes, going into the final 12km. But Cameo Zinniaa, the 11-year-old chestnut mare which is trained by the rider himself, was in devastating form and nearly reached an average speed of 27kmph on the final loop to leave the Spanish rider well and truly beaten.


Omair Hussain Al Beloushi, riding Al Galahn, also a three-time winner of the season, and Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, riding Chupacbra, finished third and fourth, respectively.


"I was always confident of winning, though Maria was leading in the third and fourth stages," said Yousuf, who was third after 108km. "But Cameo Zinniaa proved she was a champion," said Yousuf.


Maria, the 30-year-old Spanish rider who is married to top endurance horse trainer Jaume Dachs, said she just could not do much against the winning pair. "They had too much power and I knew he would come strongly. But I am very happy with my display," said Maria.


Commenting on her success she said initially she was just riding the horses to prepare them, but now she was going all out and the results were showing.


Earlier, of the 86 riders who started, the top riders to make early exits were Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Musical Gully Tambourine) after the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Dalmook Bin Juma Al Maktoum in the third stage and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi in the second stage.


Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, attended the ride while Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, along with DEC's Saeed Al Tayer, and Ali Mousa and UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation's Hussain Mohammad distributed the trophies.

Bahrain senior riders best


BAHRAIN took the seniors category team title while Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Al Fateh Stable came second in the seniors individual race of the Qatar International Endurance Horseride Championship which was held yesterday at Al Sileen area.


More than 100 riders from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Syria took part in the event which consisted of senior and a junior races both over 120 kms.


The Bahraini team of Shaikh Salman, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Mohammed Al Moawda and Hussain Al Daylami crossed the finish line first after close competition with riders from Qatar, Syria and Saudi Arabia.


The remaining four Bahrainis - Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Abdulaziz Adam and Abdulla Al Khatry - were unable to complete the race after their horses suffered injuries.


The seniors race was divided into five stages with 30 kms for the first two stages, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth. Shaikh Salman finish the race in five hours, 48 minutes and 29 seconds, behind winner Ali Al Malki of Qatar who clocked 5:47:22 with Syria's Ahmed Saber (5:50:21) taking third place.


Qatar dominated the juniors race which was won by Khalid Al Malki (6:25:23) with Hamad Al Mirri (6:30:00) and Saeed Al Qadi (7:05:14) in second and third places respectively.


Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated the Bahraini team and Shaikh Salman on this achievement.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Riders off to Doha race



EIGHT Bahraini riders headed for Doha to compete in the senior race of the 120-km Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for today at 5.30am near Al Sileen coast.

The team include Shaikh Salman bin Saqer, Mohammed Al Moawda, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Hussain Al Daylami, Abdulaziz Khalifa, Misha'al Hassan and Abdulla Hilal.
The Bahrainis will go into this championship without Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid said they preferred not to take part in this event so that other Bahraini riders will get a chance to participate in such events and gain experience and confidence.

More than 60 riders from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are taking part in both the senior and junior sections.

The total prize money at stake is BD70,000.
The winner of the senior race will be presented with BD8,000. The runner-up will get BD7,000 and the third-placed rider will bag BD6,000.
In the junior section, the winner gets BD2,700, the runner-up BD2,300 while the third-placed rider will bag BD2,100.



Gulf News article

Thursday, February 22, 2007

UK: Stables complex gets go-ahead

21 February 2007

A "world class" racing stud owned by a Middle East magnate was given the go-ahead to house a second endurance team at its Norfolk base on Monday despite fears about the impact on the countryside.

The Shadwell Estate, near Thetford, owned by Dubai-based Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, was given permission for 25 stables, an isolation unit, gallop paddocks, two cottages and the conversion and extension of an existing building for grooms and riders at Home Farm.

It will be the summertime base for a second Dubai endurance team.
[More ...]

Saturday, February 17, 2007

2008 WEC in Malaysia


2/12/2006
2008 FEI World Endurance Championship

The 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship Trial run was held last weekend at Terengganu, on the East coast of Malaysia. The Championship had been provisionally granted to the Malaysian Equestrian Federation subject to there being a number of successful trial runs held in 2006 and 2007.

Three senior FEI Endurance Officials attended the event: Dr Hallvard Sommerseth (NOR), Chairman of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee; Dr Jim Bryant (CAN) and Mr John Robertson (GBR).

The Malaysian Equestrian Federation, together with the Organising Committee (OC) – the State Government of Terengganu & Yayasan Kebajikan Perkasa Alam Terengganu, invited a number of leading Malaysian riders as well as riders from America, Europe and Australsia.

A detailed report is being produced; it will be submitted to the FEI Endurance Techncial Committee for further consideration but Dr Hallvard Sommerseth expressed his appreciation for the commitment made by the organizers in producing a very successful trial run.

The FEI Endurance Committee had required the trial run to be held at the proposed venue on a date to match the date of the 2008 Championship and for there to be a minimum completion rate of 40% and a maximum riding time of 16 hours for the 160 kms distance.

A total of 23 horses were presented at the start of the event and 60% completed the full distance well within the maximum ride time allowed. All of the horses performed well with no heat and humidity related problems.

Dr Jim Bryant confirmed that the horses had competed well under the conditions which had been relatively cool because of the timing of the event within the monsoon period. He commented that all of the riders had taken great care to compete using all of their horsemanship skills. Dr Bryant linked the performances of the riders and horses to a time within Endurance when events were less about speed and more about the combination of rider and horse working in close harmony together to overcome the challenges presented.

Mr John Robertson felt that there were certain areas which needed to be reviewed in relation to the overall management of the event. He confirmed that the OC was aware of these issues but he was confident that the OC would be able to solve them ahead of the Championship.

Dr Sommerseth confirmed that the next trial event, scheduled to take place in the first half of 2007, would involve the use of overseas based horses who would travel to Malaysia to test out the facilities and also to fully evaluate the timing required to allow overseas horse to acclimatise properly ahead of competition.

A team from FEI Television attended the event and will produce a short documentary to be shown at the planned FEI World Endurance Forum planned for March 2007.
[More ...]

FEI World Endurance Forum Update


19/01/2007
The FEI confirms the final details of the FEI World Endurance Forum to be held in Paris on 31 March and 1 April 2007.

FEI Endurance National Federations will be invited to send a delegation of up to three representatives to take part in the Forum which is organized at the start of a full review of the discipline of Endurance.

The Forum is part of a process, supported by the FEI President, H.R.H. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, to plan the development of the sport over the next five years following its dramatic growth in recent times.

The Forum will have three main phases:

· 31 AM - An initial presentation by each of the nine FEI Regional Groups on their own visions of the future

· 31 PM - A working session for Delegates from the National Federations separated into Judges, Technical Delegates and Veterinarians

· 1 AM - A final session for all delegates who will receive presentations from each of the above three groups on matters raised during their individual sessions

The FEI Regional Groups will also be requested to submit names as candidates for an FEI working group to be established post forum that will, in consultation with National Federations, produce a 5 year plan for Endurance.

Detailed information on Hotels, timings, bookings and reservations can be found on the FEI web site – Endurance. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Emilie Leyvraz at the FEI Endurance Department – e.leyvraz@horsesport.org
[More ...]

UAE: Worlds Fastest 160km Finish

Winners break record for 160km Endurance in UAE:

1 6:41:33 Sh Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ZT Faraventure (23.91km/hr)
2 6:47:41 Sh Majid Bin Mohd Al Maktoum Kaysand Farrazah Best Condition
3 7:01:49 Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri Cupid
4 7:06:00 Abdulla Thani Bin Huzaim Spenda Crest Kamouflage
5 7:12:16 Maria Alvarez Ponton (Spain) Nobby
6 7:17:40 Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi Jibba Enog
7 7:43:54 Dalpat Singh Ganpat Singh (India)
8 7:46:55 Chain Singh Mod Singh (India) Hungares
9 7:51:14 Mansoor Ahmad Ali Al Subose Dunwingeri Maakhal
10 7:52:12 Raghuveer Singh Hem Singh (India) Castlebar Kaden

[More ...]

Friday, February 16, 2007

UAE: 2007 President of the UAE Endurance Cup Underway

01 fresh, excited, prancing, beautiful horses just shot out of the starting gate. 5:45 Abu Dhabi time, still dark, a light fog, cool still, but it feels like it's going to be a hot one.

USA - 2 riders - Meg Sleeper on Shirroco Troilus, shipped from USA, and Fred Emigh on a local horse . Here's the list of starting riders. The riders from France, Portugal, UK, Australia and USA shipped their own horses, the other foreign riders are riding 'local' horses.

Portugal riders on shipped horses: Joao Raposo on Pipoca, Anglo Arab 10yr mare, Rui Pereira on Solero Tonecas on Cruzado, 8 yr gray stallion, Ana Margarita Costa on Piperino 14 yr gray gelding

Great Britain: Liz Taylor o Falaina Bint Chatanz, 13yr gray arab mare Abigail Lockett on Delorto Zaranz, 17 yr bay gelding

France: Philippe Thomas on Bara Park Bastien, 15 yr gray arab gelding Jean Philippe Frances on Hanaba Du Bois 12 yr arab mare

Australia: Meg Wade on China Doll 12 yr gray part-arab mare Penny Toft on Elctra BBP Murdoch, 12 yr gelding (appaloosa!)

Fausto Fiorucci is here riding a local horse - Kedjari Des Serres 9 yr saddle horse

[More ...]

Thursday, February 15, 2007

UK: Britain finishes team at 20 Mule Team

Four British riders met in Ridgecrest CA USA to represent Great Britain at the Twenty Mule Team AERC/FEI sanctioned endurance race. The Northern California contingent (Dom, Team Vet Paulo Fasano and crew Joel Guerrero) arrived safely at the ride site with three of the team horses to meet Emily coming from New Jersey via Los Angeles and Suzanne traveling up from Southern California. On site already scoping out the venue were Pauline and Len Beach, and Stevie Martin and Rosemary Attfield arriving by way of Los Angeles.

The desert air was crisp and cool and crackling with excitement. Horses were bedded down after the 9 hour trailer ride and our camp area gaily adorned with British Flags

[More ...]

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

UAE to host world's richest ride

GulfNews
By M. Satya Narayan. Staff Reporter

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi (2nd right), Sulaiman Al Fahim (2nd left), Walid Al Masri (right) and Lara Sawaya of ADEC during a press conference.
UAE to host world's richest ride









Abu Dhabi: The 2007 edition of the His Highness The President's Cup Endurance ride, to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday, will enter the record books as the richest endurance ride in the history of the sport.

A whopping Dh1.2 million will be on offer for the annual FEI CEI 160-km three-star ride, which is being sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai, Hydra Properties and Al Awani Trading Enterprises.

Giving details of the world's richest endurance ride, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), said Saturday's ride will be one of the biggest events on the endurance circuit.

"There is a lot of prestige associated with this event and there is also big prize money on offer. In keeping with this we have invited 16 of the world's top riders to take part in the event," he said.

"Riders from the US, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and many other countries will be in the fray. Over 100 riders will be starting in this event," Adnan added.

Walid Al Masri, Head of Corporate Communications for the National Bank of Dubai, said: "Our sponsorship of this championship is proof of our unfaltering commitment towards our community. It is also part of our contribution towards developing this sport in the UAE, the region and the world.

UAE tradition

"Endurance racing has always been an integral part of the Arab heritage and UAE tradition," he said.

Hydra Properties is supporting a sporting event for the first time and its CEO Sulaiman Al Fahim said: "We are overwhelmed to be part of this great event that truly reflects the great heritage of our great nation.

"A new leader in the UAE real estate market, Hydra Properties is a key sponsor of the event and we wish all the participants the best of luck in this trek of endurance," Al Fahim said.

Saturday's event will be run in six stages of 34, 32, 30, 24 and 16 km and will get off to a mass start at 5.45am at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

"There are a lot of prizes for the spectators. Etihad Airways will be giving away five return air tickets to European destinations through a raffle," said Lara Sawaya, Marketing and Sponsors' Liaison.

"Hydra Properties have also announced Dh10,000 to be raffled away in the form of 20 prizes free to the public, while a large number of watches will also be distributed to the raffle winners," Lara said.
[More ...]

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

U.S. Endurance Riders to Compete at the Abu Dhabi President’s Cup

Equestrian News Release
AUBURN, Ca. — Two U.S. riders have been invited to participate in the February 17th FEI***160 km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup ride in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) top-ranked endurance riders, Susan Summers, riding Mags Motivator, and Dr. Meg Sleeper, DVM, riding Shyrocco Troilus, will make the trip to Abu Dhabi to compete at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

A strong field of UAE and International riders is expected to take part in the 8th edition of the prestigious ride. The competitors for 2007 will once again be looking to end the UAE’s stranglehold on the Cup, which has so far been won only by UAE riders.

The prestigious 160-km ride started in 2000 with 14 national and 22 International riders. In 2006, 80 riders from 19 countries participated. The United States is regularly invited to send riders. In 2006, World Endurance Champions Valerie Kanavy and Danielle McGunial represented the United States on their horses, Iron Man Gold and Bull, but were vetted out in the 4th loop.

The 160-km ride is jointly organized by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Emirates International Endurance Village under the patronage of Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. Mohammed Al Sayed, Chairman of the Emirates International Endurance Committee (EIEC), called the ride, ‘The Jewel of the Middle East’. He continued, “This is one of the toughest rides on the world circuit. The course is famous for the notorious Tora Bora, a switchback of rolling sand dunes that challenges both the visiting as well as local riders."

The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level. The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of t endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. For more information about the U.S. Endurance Team and the 2006 selection process, contact USEF Director of Endurance Programs, Vonita Bowers : Email: vbowers@usef.org, phone (908) 563-0732

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit http://www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star http://www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the AERC National Championship.
[More ...]

Monday, February 12, 2007

UAE: Alyazia wins Round II at Al Asayl

Khaleej Times

12 February 2007

DUBAI — Shaikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan won the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, which at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.

Riding 10-year-old Arab, bay Mare Ningadoo Moesha, from the Al Reef Stables, Shaikha Alyazia completed the 80-km ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds riding on an average speed of 24.58kmph.

The FEI, CEI Two-star Round II, which was run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20km respectively, was flagged off early in the morning with 20 enthusiastic young ladies of whom 13 riders successfully finished the ride. Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, President of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation presented the trophies to the winning ladies.

The Round II endurance ride, jointly organised by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, is part of the Three-round Al Asayl Endurance Championship, the first of which was held on January 19, 2007. The Round III, which is the culmination of the Series, will be held on March 9, after which, based on a point system, the Ladies Endurance Champion will be declared.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian Federation.

For Shaikha Alyazia, who is the Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, this was a real moment of glory as she had decided to retire from Round I at Gate II keeping the welfare of her horse in mind.

With a good and efficient planning and sharing a brilliant rapport with her horse Ningadoo, Shaikha Alyazia finished the first loop of 30 km in one hour, 16 minutes and 53 seconds riding on an average speed of 23.41 kmph. She finished the next two loops ahead of others.

Second place in the ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi who partnered 12-year-old Jen A Dale Zamarah, a chestnut mare also from Al Reef Stables.

She finished the ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, just a second behind Shaikha Alyazia, and rode on an average speed of 24.57 kmph.

Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum finished third riding Huzie D Ax, 12-year-old grey mare from Emirates Stables.

She clocked 3 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds and her average speed registered was 23.77 kmph.
Shaikha Madiya was a bundle of happiness as in Round I, though she completed the ride in the first place, she could not collect her trophy as her horse was found to be lame.
[More ...]

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Alyazia wins Round II at Al Asayl


2 February 2007


DUBAI — Shaikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan won the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, which at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.

Riding 10-year-old Arab, bay Mare Ningadoo Moesha, from the Al Reef Stables, Shaikha Alyazia completed the 80-km ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds riding on an average speed of 24.58kmph.

The FEI, CEI Two-star Round II, which was run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20km respectively, was flagged off early in the morning with 20 enthusiastic young ladies of whom 13 riders successfully finished the ride. Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, President of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation presented the trophies to the winning ladies.

The Round II endurance ride, jointly organised by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, is part of the Three-round Al Asayl Endurance Championship, the first of which was held on January 19, 2007. The Round III, which is the culmination of the Series, will be held on March 9, after which, based on a point system, the Ladies Endurance Champion will be declared.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian Federation.

For Shaikha Alyazia, who is the Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, this was a real moment of glory as she had decided to retire from Round I at Gate II keeping the welfare of her horse in mind.

With a good and efficient planning and sharing a brilliant rapport with her horse Ningadoo, Shaikha Alyazia finished the first loop of 30 km in one hour, 16 minutes and 53 seconds riding on an average speed of 23.41 kmph. She finished the next two loops ahead of others.

Second place in the ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi who partnered 12-year-old Jen A Dale Zamarah, a chestnut mare also from Al Reef Stables.

She finished the ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, just a second behind Shaikha Alyazia, and rode on an average speed of 24.57 kmph.

Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum finished third riding Huzie D Ax, 12-year-old grey mare from Emirates Stables.

She clocked 3 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds and her average speed registered was 23.77 kmph.
Shaikha Madiya was a bundle of happiness as in Round I, though she completed the ride in the first place, she could not collect her trophy as her horse was found to be lame.

Al Ain Stables shine in Hamdan Bin Rashid ride

Al Ain Stables shine in Hamdan Bin Rashid ride

By M. Satya Narayan, Gulfnews.com



Abu Dhabi: Mattar Al Yabhouni's Al Ain Stables scooped up the Nissan Patrol and Dh50,000 after a 1-2 finish by Mohammad Asif Abdul Razzaq and Narayan Singh Dungar Singh in the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge CEN 100km endurance ride yesterday.

Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club, yesterday's ride had on offer the Nissan Patrol and Dh515,000 in prize money and was meant exclusively for riders from smaller stables and individually-owned stables and riders.

Pakistani rider Asif completed the 100km ride on Bahia in 4hrs 27mins and 38secs at an average speed of 22.87kmph. India's Narayan Singh on Al Marek, the second of the eight runners from Al Ain Stables, finished about eight minutes later, completing a good day for the riding boys from the sub-continent. Young Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha was third on Foxtrott 40.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Ali Mousa of DEC gave away the car keys and other trophies. "I finished 13th once and then 2nd recently, but this is my first win in my 7-year riding career," said the winner.

Results: Top five finishers only:

1. Mohammad Asif Abdul Razzaq -

Pakistan - (Bahia) 4:27.38; 2. Narayan Singh Dungar Singh - India - (Al Marek) 4:35.39; 3. Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha (Foxtrot 40) 4:44.45;

4. Al Hareth Hamad Al Badi (Shahad) 4:52.58; 5. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mahri (Shahir Bint Al Archon) 4:53.30.
[More ...]

UAE: Major Races for Smaller Stables

Smaller stables to take part in endurance rides today

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter


Abu Dhabi: Two endurance rides at two different venues will be held in the UAE today.

However, none of the star riders of the UAE will be on view.

The Dubai Equestrian Club's Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge is a 100-km national ride in which only small stables, privately-owned stables and individual owners are eligible to take part.

A Nissan Patrol is the first prize and apart from that total prize money of Dh515,000 is on offer in this event which has been conceived mainly to encourage smaller stables and individual owners.

This ride is being held at the Dubai International Endurance City and spectators will get a chance to win Dh50,000 in a free raffle draw.

The President Cup for juniors and young riders will be held at the Boudthib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi today.

This annual event, which is a CEI JY two-star FEI ride, will be run over a distance of 100 km.

Point system

This ride gets off to a mass start at 6.30 am and will be run in four stages of 30kms, 30kms, 24kms and 16 kms each.

Today's third ride at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi is the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre are organising this FEI, CEI two-star event, which will be run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20 km.

Meanwhile, over 25 lady endurance riders participated in the second ride of three rides prior to a Ladies Endurance Champion being crowned.

The first ride was held on January 19 and the third and final ride will be held on March 9.

A point system has been formulated and the rider with the highest points at the end of all the three rounds will be named the UAE Ladies Endurance Champion.

An amount of Dh111,000 will be awarded to the top five point holders at the completion of all the three rounds.

The rider with the highest number of points at the end of the third ride will get Dh37,000.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

UAE: 2007 President's Cup for Young Riders








Baudib Endurance Center - UAE

10 Feb 2007

100km - 54 starters, 17 finishers




















First place (3:47:22)

Omair Husain ABdulla Al Bloushi, UAE, Al Reef Stables,
riding 9yr old Charlandre El Sharif.




Second:


Ali Ghahnim Al Marri, UAE, on 14yr old horse Little Joe Fox, Sh.
Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum stable

Third:

Sh. Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, UAE on Kalkadoon Kampala, Sh.
Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi stable




The first foreign riders, in 5, 7th and 7th(??) place are from the Czech Republic:

Marketa Terberova on Charlie Rach
owned by Sh. Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Katerina Kysela on Ramalea Captain Starlight

owned by Sh. Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Petra Trojakova on Mora Camelia (congratulations Pavlovsky's!!)

owned by Sh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan







US Riders


The USA did great! Four young riders started, 3 completed! Finishing 14, 15
and 16 were Heather Stevens, Ashlee Lynn Van Raalte and Jennifer Stevens.
Brittany Dials horse was elimated early in the ride, but she crewed all day
and was dunked in the water trough at the end, along with all the rest of
them. They were happy! and did a fantastic job.




Complete Coverage

Friday, February 09, 2007

Sheika Alyazia wins Ladies Challenge Round 2


February 9
Al Asayl Endurance Center
Abu Dhabi, UAE

The top 3 lady finishers at the Al Asay Endurance Challenge's second running finished the 80km desert race in a ride time of just over 3 hours. Sheika Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan, Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi and Sheikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum left the last vetgate within a minute of each other, and ran most of the final 20km loop side by side. Sheikha Madiya riding Huzie D Ax of Emirates Stables dropped back during the final 5km, while Sheikha Alyazia and Afra Khalifa picked up the pace even more. Sheikha Alyazia riding Ningadoo Moesha of Al Reef Stables nosed ahead of rival Afra Khalifa Al Suwadi (riding Jen A Dale Zamarah) at the finish line for a winning ride time of 3:15:19. Sheikha Madiya's caution during the final push paid off as her horse was awarded Best Condition.

Tomorrow, February 10 will be the H.H. The President's Cup for Junior & Young Riders at Bou Thib Endurance Village. The 50 Junior and Young Rider entries will start the 100km challenge at 6:30 AM. A strong field of foreign riders will test the course, including the 4 USA riders who will be riding horses from Sheikha Madiya's stable.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

UK: £5000 grant for Golden Horseshoe

Horse and Hound.co.uk



Anna Tyzack
7 February, 2007

The prestigious Golden Horseshoe ride across Exmoor is to be supported by a £5000 grant from the Exmoor Sustainable Development TrustEndurance riding's esteemed Golden Horseshoe ride (13 – 15 May) has been honoured by the Exmoor National Park Authority. A 12-strong panel from the Authority have decided to administer a £5000 grant from the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund to the event which attracts competitors, supports and visitors from across Britain.
The sustainable development fund is designed to help groups and businesses living and working on Exmoor. "This grant is the best news we could have hoped for," she organiser Barbara Wigley. "It is a mark of confidence from the National Park, which has given permission for us to ride over its land, and a signal to the equestrian world that our sport is gaining even more official recognition."

This year the Golden Horseshoe ride will start and finish at a new venue and follow a different route. The two day, 100 mile (160km) Golden Horseshoe Ride is the centrepiece of the event, and widely acknowledged as one of the most demanding challenges in the endurance calendar. This is supported by the 75 mile (120km) Exmoor Stag, the Exmoor Experience, a new class designed to give Open riders and horses experience of a two day ride on Exmoor, but of 25 miles (40km) each day and the Exmoor 80, one day of 50 miles (80km.)

There will also be a 15 mile (25km) sponsored pleasure ride on Sunday, May 13, in aid of the Moorland Mousie Trust - a local charity to promote and support Exmoor ponies.

For more information visit
www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

UAE: Endurance.Net travels to 3 big rides

Trip to UAE

Endurance.Net is on the road, headed to United Arab Emirates.

First stop is the second race in the Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, organized for the first time in the country by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in cooperation with the Al Asayl Endurance Centre. The first running of the 3 part series was January 19.

(First running - "Shaikha Maryam Bint Omer Al Qasimi rode to a thumping victory in the 80-km FEI CEI Two-star Al Masaood Jewellery Endurance Cup at the Al Asayel Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi")

February 9 will be the second event in the 3 part series. Endurance.Net will be there (Steph is hoping to ride!) to cover the event and renew contact with Sheikha Madiya, who is now UAE's leading woman trainer!

Some history on Sheikha Madiya, who has come a long way in a short time:

Story from the 2004 World Endurance Championship in Dubai, UAE

On February 10th, we'll travel to the Presidents Cup for Young Riders, held at Bou Thib Endurance Village. USA riders Heather and Jennifer Stevens, Ashlee Van Raalte and Brittany Dial will be challenging the course under the supervision of Chef d'Equipe Mark Dial.

February 17 will be the long running Presidents Cup, at Emirates International Endurance Village (Al Wathba). Meg Sleeper and Sue Summers will be riding for the USA with the guidance of Chef d'Equipe Grace Ramsey.

We'll be there to take pictures and tell the story!

Steph Teeter
www.endurance.net

Monday, February 05, 2007

Brasil: Efficiency Tropy Award Winners

Brasil: EFFICIENCY TROPHY

This trophy is awarded to the first ranked riders in all equestrian disciplines by Federação Paulista de Hipismo (Federation of the State of São Paulo)

View all Winners: Endurance Brasil


Sunday, February 04, 2007

Bahrain: Shaikh Saqer and Dossary lift titles



JABUR Al Dossary was crowned champion in the seniors race while Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa won the juniors section of the Prime Minister Endurance Horseride Championship yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

A total of 75 riders from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia took part in this prestigious event which was organised for the first time with the support of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In the seniors race, which was over 120 kms, Al Talia Stable's Al Dossary completed the five-stage race in five hours, 39 minutes and 50 seconds with an average speed of 21.19 kmph.

Al Dossary was followed by another Al Talia Stable rider Ahmed Al Ruwaiei (5:57:01) in second place with Ghazi Al Dossary (6:02:57) of Royal Endurance Team third.

The juniors race, which was also over 120 kms divided into five stages, featured a stiff battle between riders of the Royal Endurance Team and Al Asayel Stable.

Eventually, it was Royal Endurance Team rider Shaikh Saqer who completed the race on top in 6:07:28 and ahead of Al Asayel Stable duo Abdulaziz Adam (6:36:48) and Hamad Ibrahim who were second and third respectively.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa took part in the seniors race but bowed out during the fourth stage after his horse suffered an injury.

Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also in the fray in the 60-km qualifying race which was a warm-up event and open to young riders.

Shaikh Nasser thanked the Prime Minister for his support to this championship, adding that such initiative will boost the sport in the Kingdom.

The race was attended by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalifa bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa who deputised for the Prime Minister.

General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Breef endurance committee head Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi were also present at the event

Results (name of horse and time in brackets):

Senior: 1 Jabur Al Dossary (Omsura Nasrohin, 5:39:50), 2 Ahmed Al Ruwaiei (Hurst Star, 5:57:01), 3 Ghazi Al Dossary (Freelance Al Danatti, 6:02:57), 4 Ahmed Abdulla (Maraka, 6:14:26).

Junior: 1 Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa (Lilanna, 6:07:28), 2 Abdulaziz Adam (Muniki, 6:37:48), 3 Hamad Ibrahim (Hard).

Saturday, February 03, 2007

UAE: Hamdan ushers in two new endurance rides


Published: 04/02/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)
Hamdan ushers in two new endurance rides

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, announced the creation of two new endurance rides - open only to small stables and individual owners and riders.

Shaikh Hamdan attended yesterday's Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup endurance event at the Dubai International Endurance City. The event was won by Mansour Ahmad Al Sabousi.

Shaikh Hamdan said the two rides will open up opportunities for many such riders from smaller stables and individual owners who can never compete against the big stables.

he winner of the first of these two new rides next week will receive a Nissan Patrol and the second-placed rider will be richer by Dh50,000.

Commenting on the high speeds being the average in UAE rides, Shaikh Hamdan said this was mainly due to the conducive climate prevailing here and also because of the quality of horses competing here.

Congratulating the UAE football team on winning the Gulf Cup, he said: "Initially everyone thought the favourites were Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but the UAE players showed vast improvement after losing their first game."

Meanwhile, two of Shaikh Hamdan's best Purebred Arabian horses will not be running in today's President's Cup race in Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Hamdan said: "Both Madjani and Al Soudi are nursing minor injuries and we don't want to risk them."

Shaikh Hamdan also felt the need for separate trainers for Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds.

Earlier yesterday, Mansour Ahmad Al Sabousi, riding Musical Gully Tamdourine, won the 120km FEI CEI three-star Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup. The pair completed the ride in 4 hrs 46mins and 36 seconds at an average speed of 25.12kmph.

Friday, February 02, 2007

UAE: 2007 Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge

Leonard Leisens, Belgium
Leonard Liesens, Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge
(photos by Caroll Gatelier, see more)


Leonard Liesens from the Dubai Endurance City Seih Assalem where he competed in the 120km CEI*** event. "I finished 22nd out of 80 starters. Dubai has changed in just one year. Now there is grass everywhere in the vet and grooming area and horses are trotted on the grass as well.

Speed has increased as well. If you don't navigate 23Km/H or more, you are nowhere and no question to loose even a handful of seconds at the vetgate or on the track. What amazes me is the recovering time at the vetgate with horse galoping at 25..28 Km/H on the track.

I had a sweet french mare who was here since only 3 month. Hafiza du Mas, a mare with proven bloodlines by Dormane, ex Jamila du Mas, trained by Antonio Moreno and owned by Shaikh Mohammad. We finished 22nd at 19Km/H, maintaining a constant pace the whole race.

The mare is here only since 3 month and I think will progress a lot. She had already 2 160Km races in France at her credit. I had great fun, never any sign of tireness from her."

Full Photos and ride recap





Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup 12okm winner: Mansour Ahmad Al Sabousi

Results 120km

Results 82km Qualifier

Results 43km Qualifier

Brasil: 2007 WEC for Young Riders: Team Brasil

Italy: 2007 Gubbio Nations Cup



Thursday 24 May
9.30 a.m. Opening stables
Friday 25 May

10.00 a.m. Opening registration
15.00 p.m. Vet visit: metabolic
16.00 p.m. Vet visit: trot
18.30 p.m. Briefing pre-race
19.30 p.m. Gala Dinner

Saturday 26 May6.00 a.m.
Start cat. CEIO*** 160 km7.00 a.m.
Start cat. CEI C*** 120km8.30 a.m.
Start cat. CEN**B 90 km2130 a.m.
Best Condition and Prize Ceremony

Wednesday May 14th

Expiry date for inscriptions
Inscriptions must be sent by fax

to +39 075 9272315by e-mail: info@faulaarabs.com


Race Informations
Faula Arabs, 06024 Gubbio (Pg)
ITALIAFax: +39 075 9272315 /
Mobile phone: +39 347 3681792
info@faulaarabs.com


ENTRIES 2007CEIO***
Km 160Entry in Principle: 26th March 2007
Nominated Entry: 26th April 2007
Definite Entry: 14th May 2007
CEI*** Km 120

Definite Entry: 14th May 2007


Endurance Village
(Roman Theatre)

Portugal: 2007 Endurance European Championship "Open"



Endurance Brasil
What is the Endurance European Championship "OPEN“

The International Equestrian Federation (F.E.I) has the guardianship of the Championship; The Endurance European Championship, of the Senior, happens every two years, intercalated with
the World Championships;
Such as the name suggests, it’s meant for the European nations
and, therefore, it is with World Championships;
Due to the huge attendance of the discipline, F.E.I. decided to include in these Championships the assignment "Open"; At the end, it is the equivalent to a World Championship once most of the countries of all the continents mark presence in this European Championship "Open".

Any national championship, of the Europe or the World, as well as the so called 4 stars (****) competitions, must be competed in a 160 km ride, in one same day, in varied lands, in order to test the resistance of the horse.
The departures are given in line, i.e. in set, and with free speed. It is, at the end, a true race of horses in long distances.

It will have, however, two classifications - the final classification of the European Championship (individual heading and team heading), attributed only to the European nations and the final classification of the "Open" competition, also attributed by individual and teams, but having in account all the participant nations of the event.



8th September
2007 Portugal Endurance European Championship “OPEN”:
30 nations, 200 riders and horses, 325km2 of protected nature


A first time event in Portugal in what concerns equestrian sport but also in what concerns any other sport:

It will allow to bind the image of Portugal and link it to the development of other sides not yet explored such as the equestrian tourism and all the natural resources in the area that surrounds Lisbon;

It will impel in an active way the discipline of Endurance;

It will provide the national riders, participating in the event, with a bigger knowledge and more experience in the plan of international competition;

It will shake the national investment in what concerns the acquisition of new mountings, of believing in future projects, new knowledge of training and preparation of horses and riders.

It will allow that all the FEP officials, technicians and organisers, have direct contact with the international’s competition panorama, which, in any other way, is almost impossible to deal with;

It will allow the agents who have the guardianship of the national sports to realise, undoubtedly, that the equestrian development in Portugal is being implemented and successfully implemented, not only in what can be seen in the results but also in what relates infrastructures and the participants:

It will bring a new vision of the equestrian sport to the institutions related with the various intervenient sectors such as:

The tourism, hotels, gastronomy, trips, the several routs created in the meanwhile such as the Wine Rout or the Bull or Ribatejo Rout;

Developing the agriculture by presenting outdoors other agents such as our cattle, rice-paddies, marshes, pastures or the Tejo’s estuary, amongst many others;

That national economy starts to look to the equestrian sport as a partner in Portugal name’s divulgation, inside and outside of the county;

That the top equestrian events become credible and of national impact.







Contacts
Organizing
Committee of the Event

Paulo Branco - Vice President of FEP (Portuguese
Equestrian Federation) for the discipline of Endurance and
Technical Director of the Competition
e-m@il:paulobranco@fep.pt
Engº Francisco Barradas
Drª Antónia Mota

Portuguese
Equestrian Federation:

Av Manuel da Maia, 26 – 4º Dto
1000-201 Lisboa
Tel: 21 847 87 74/5/6
Fax: 21 847 45 82
www.fep.pt

General
Secretary of FEP

Manuel Bandeira de Mello
e-m@il: mbmello@fep.pt

Secretary
Filipa Rebelo de Andrade
e-m@il: frandrade@fep.pt

Julita
Santos

e-m@il: paulobranco@fep.pt





Thursday, February 01, 2007

Australia: Cowra's new national champion




photo: National champion Erika Lindsay riding Kintimani Charisma and Allix Jones riding Bo at Tingha in October.

Cowra has a new state champion with Erika Lindsay being crowned 2006 national junior rider of the year for the Australian Endurance Riding Association (AERA).

Lindsay took out the award after a long hard year of competition that saw her ride not only all over NSW but also in Victoria and Queensland.

She finished on a total of 108 points ahead of fellow New South Wales rider Allix Jones.

Points are awarded on the basis of where the competitor finishes on each ride. Extra points are awarded for competing longer rides over the 100 kilometres mark.

Lindsay also finished runner-up in the NSW point score on distance covering a staggering 1,750 kilometres over the course of the year. She was also runner-up in the one horse/one rider category with her mainstay gelding Kintimani Silver Motif. The duo covered a combined 1,270 kilometres together.

Kintimani Silver Motif also finished in second place for junior horse of the year.

Lindsay's other horse - Kintimani Charisma - was also in the NSW top ten in ninth place.

In the middleweight division, Lindsay's father Alan, came in runner-up for the New South Wales distance rider of the year covering 1,305 kilometres.

Woodstock's Karen Rhodes placed tenth on points for the year and her gelding Shadow came in fourth and seventh respectively for distance and points on the NSW point score.

In the heavyweight division, Andrew Bailey - also from Woodstock - came in seventh overall for the year in NSW.

The NSW ERA Annual General Meeting will feature the presentation of awards in Bathurst on February 10.

The AGM will no doubt have a strong contingent from the Lachlan Club supporting several important motions brought by the club in the running of the zone.

The 2007 riding calendar put out by NSWERA features and all encompassing schedule with a huge variety in courses and locations.

Anyone interested in competing locally can contact a committee member for details at Helen Brown 6345 0107, Karen Rhodes 6345 0257 or Annette Bailey 6345 0083.

New Zealand: Dozens of miniature horses readying for the Great Northern Gallop

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