Sunday, January 30, 2011

Bahrain: Top riders for King's Cup endurance championship

Gulf-daily-news.com

January 30, 2011


THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) has started its preparations to organise His Majesty King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

Some of the best riders from Bahrain and the GCC will be coming in the endurance season's most prestigious event, sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory (WGA).

The 120-kilometre event is set to take place at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship will be held under the directives of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport's first deputy chairman and Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation is holding the event as a grand sports festival in the kingdom.

Welcomed

He welcomed the riders from across the Gulf region taking part and expressed confidence of an exciting competition that is expected to be held this season.

Shaikh Khalid underlined the large number of entries to the tremendous success of the championship in previous years.

Shaikh Khalid praised the efforts of the organising committee and the federation with one week separating them from the championship.

Shaikh Khalid highlighted the endless support from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the preparation for His Majesty the King's ride.

The Breef's chief also expressed appreciation to WGA founder and president Ahsan Ali Syed for sponsoring the event, adding that he is looking forward to possibly building on their partnership in the future.

Shaikh Khalid stressed the importance of cooperation with the private sector in the development of sport, especially in equestrian, in Bahrain.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Malaysia: Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1

SETIU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday took part in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1 at the International Endurance Park Terengganu in Lembah Bidong, here.

Tuanku Mizan, riding the horse VV Coco, led three other riders in the 80km ride which was flagged off by Youth and Sports Executive Chairman Rozi Mamat.

Also taking part in the race were his princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah, 15, prince Tengku Muhammad Mua'az, 11 and princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra, 9.

The race was divided into three categories namely 120km, 80km and 40km.

Other teams taking part are the Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, State of Terengganu Endurance Team, Langkawi Endurance Team and Malaysian Army Endurance Team.

The results are expected to be obtained tomorrow morning.

-- BERNAMA

Great Britain: This is a sport which endures

by Karen Dent, The Journal
Jan 29 2011

RIDERS interested in endurance are being offered a free introduction to the sport in the North East.

The Intro to Endurance evening in Stannington, Northumberland, next month, will cover everything from pleasure rides to the low-distance competitive endurance, crewing and a look at competing abroad. The main speaker on the night will be Angela Hall, the founder of the Equine Massage Academy (North East).

The event is being organised by the Northumberland & Tyneside Endurance GB group, which has 39 members and organises eight rides in the region annually.

Viv Knight from the group has been involved in endurance for 16 years and now her whole family are part of the team.

She said: “It is the safest, healthiest – for the horse – most sociable, family-friendly, lowest cost competitive sport for those with horses.

“My daughter, Lee-Anne, started riding in endurance when she was 14 years old. When she went to university and qualified as a vet – she now works for ScottMitchell Associates, Hexham – I took over the reins. Apologies for the pun!

“The whole family has been involved as my husband Graham and son Darrell have crewed for us.”

Haltwhistle-based Mrs Knight has two Arabs, a gelding called Ashraaf, who is 22 and now retired, and a 10-year-old mare called Sun Diva GFA, who is known as Geri.

“I bought her when she was a rising two-year-old,” said Mrs Knight.

“My daughter started to ride her when Geri was four in pleasure rides, but then as work and family commitments took over, we approached a friend, who in fact first backed Geri – Andrew Richardson, a point to point jockey and trainer who lives in Hexham.

“He now trains and rides her in the competitive season. We now concentrate on the endurance rides (races) of 50 miles and above.

“Their greatest achievements together have been in 2010, where they came first at the Hexhamshire Trophy Ride in August and first at the Red Dragon, Builth Wells in October out of a very high standard of riders of 22.

“We also came away with the Best Condition award for our class in that event.

“I am hoping that this year we will do even better, as she has matured and her whole body has strengthened.”

Mrs Knight is heavily involved in Geri’s diet and training programme and crews at events with her husband.

But she says it’s a myth that you need an Arab to do well at endurance.

“Many people have to wrong idea about needing an Arab horse, indeed one of our top horses in the North East is a trotter cross,” said Mrs Knight.

“Any type of horse can do endurance. They all become fit with time and the limitations are often due to the amount of time the owner can provide, as with most sports.”

In addition to the eight events put on the Northumberland & Tyneside group, there are also active endurance groups in Durham, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders that organised events of up to 65km.

The Intro to Endurance event takes place from 7pm on February 24 at Stannington Village Hall near Morpeth.

ENDURANCE GB NORTHUMBERLAND & TYNESIDE GROUP 2010 AWARDS

PLEASURE DISTANCE TROPHY

JUNIOR HIGHEST MILEAGE TROPHY

NEWCOMERS TROPHY

HAPPY TRAILS TROPHY

GRADED RIDE TROPHY

HIGH POINT TROPHY

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/2011/01/29/this-is-a-sport-which-endures-61634-28075476/#ixzz1CRyCevWp

Thursday, January 27, 2011

France: New International Endurance Event at Fontainebleau

Grandparquetendurance.fr

Welcome to Fontainebleau !

The Grand Parquet Endurance association is happy to present you with a new event happening in France: an International Endurance Ride Competition taking place in Fontainebleau on Saturday, April the 2nd 2011.

The event is hosted on the Grand Parquet spot, one of the most beautiful equestrian sites in France, very comfortable, as well for the horses as for the rider:

*Very easy to access : located 60 km south of Paris on the A6 Motorway, Exit No 14
*Many hotels situated around Fontainebleau
*230 permanent structure horse boxes
*Many horse shower areas
*Concrete grooming area
*Large consolidated parking area
*Exhibitors and caterer on the premises

On the programme:
*CEI** - 121 km in 4 loops (33km, 36,5km, 30km and 21,5km) – 1450 meters difference in height
*CEI* - 91 km in 3 loops (33km, 36,5km, and 21,5km) – 1100 meters difference in height

The courses are displayed in daisy shape around the site, in the magnificent Fontainebleau Forest, on excellent quality grounds (almost no asphalt).

Electronic timing will be applied to the riders.

Agenda
Monday, March 21st

closing date for final entries (through your federations)

Wednesday, March 30th (2 :00 pm) to Friday, April 1st (12 :00 pm) : Riders and Horses arrival

Friday, April 1st, 2 :30 pm : initial veterinary control

Saturday, April 2nd : 7 :00 am : CEI** start – 8 :00 am : CEI* start

Saturday, April 2nd : 8 :30 pm : Gala Dinner.

And thanks to our partners we will have a very nice award ceremony !

We are awaiting you all for this first edition !

To contact us
cg.cabardos@club-internet.fr

Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2011

SATomQuilty.com.au

 
 
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the SA Tom Quilty committee announces a change of venue and date for the 2011 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.  The event, now known as the Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty Gold Cup will provide a challenging event for participants on a new course.  There will be an away check point and riders will experience changing terrain as the course traverses Mt Crawford State forest, vineyards and pastures.  The second and potentially most challenging leg will be through pine forests, then onto private land owned by the Ross family (by kind permission).
 
The ride base will be at Mt Pleasant which hosts annually a large agricultural show in addition to many livestock and horse events.  One of the best scenic routes in our State runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands, forestry and the wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley close to Mt. Pleasant. 

Land was first purchased for forestry at Mount Crawford in 1909. Plantings commenced in 1914; two species of eucalypts (Narrow-leaved Ironbark and South Australian Blue gum) and two species of pine (Radiata and Maritime pine) which creates a fantastic horse riding environment.  The current reserve area is in the region of 12,000 hectares. 
 
Please note that the event will now start at midnight on Friday September 30th 2011 and continue through Saturday October 1st.
 
Changes to our website are being made and further announcements will follow as plans are finalised for the test event, the South Australian State Championships and FEI 1* featuring the Trans Tasman and Young Horse Qualifier (sponsored by Castlebar) which takes place later this year on October 8th - 10th
 
For more information, see http://www.satomquilty.com.au/about

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Qatar: HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (centre) is seen with the winners of the HH The Heir Appraent Endurance Cup at the indoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. Al Shaqab Endurance Team took the top five places while dominating in the Seniors 120 kms HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup held at the Sealine on Saturday. Abdulrahman Saad al-Sulaiteen riding Parlour Mountain came in first while his team mate Faleh Nasser Saleh Bughenaim astride Amir took the second place ahead of Hassan Tahous Saif al-Nuami. The Juniors event over 100 kms also saw the Al Shaqab Team in pristine form as their riders and champion horses took the first three places. Saad Senan Saad al-Kaabi riding Idaho Champ checked in ahead of Salem Ali Salem Feteas (Kalgan De Lafon) to take the top honours.

Gulf-times.com

Monday, January 24, 2011

Qatar: Al Shaqab Endurance is the Second Best in the FEI World Ranking

Al Shaqab.com

With all essential support and endorsement of Al Shaqab, represented by endurance manager Hadi Al Ramzan and the team, the dedicated, applied and professional endurance rider Faleh Nasser Bughenaim is the 2nd best endurance rider of the year 2010 in the ranking of the FEI, more once a source of pride for Qatar.

Winner of eight international endurance races in France, Uruguay, Brazil and Portugal, besides the honorable 5th place in Kentucky, he also exhibits in his ranking of results important victories in Uruguay, where he began ride together with the stallion Amir and was championin a race of 160 Km in July in Costa Azul, with an average speed of 20.82 km / h, doing the last loop with an of 28.03 km/h.

He was also 7th place in the difficult and demanding race of Florac, France, one of the toughest race of endurance world with more than 180 riders. In Florac, Faleh was riding Leonardo and the average speed was 16.84 km/h. The last loop was 21.83 Km/h, leaving all the connoisseurs impressed with the speed,the same that the champion Sarah Chakil did.

In September, the way home it was Kentucky, the Endurance World Championship, in the World Equestrian Games, where Faleh with the Qatar Team fought bravely for a big title. Riding Amir, the stallion from Uruguay, Faleh was once again among the best endurance riders, as Virginie Atger, Sarah Chakil, Maria Alvarez Ponton and did well for his country. At an average speed of 20.37 mph, he was 12°, 7°, 6°, 7° finishing in 5th place in a competition that unfortunately relied on dubious trials and controversies.

In October, Faleh and Urubu were gold medal of the Nations Cup in TrĂ³ia, Portugal, the average speed at 160 km was 18.89 km/h.He did race in 8h25min28s and the average speed in the last race was 23.129 km/h.The next day he did the race 120 km and with Opaline Cabirat he won with an average speed of 20.07 km/h, and the last loop was 24.69 km / h.

Along with these results, it also highlights the dedication of Hadi Al Naimi, who is responsible for all this success around the endurance in Al Shaqab Team, relying with a nice team.

Together with the Al Shaqab Team, Faleh spent months away from home by starting international season just before the half-year and only returned to Qatar in November 2010, in which he has already secured a 2nd place in a international race, riding the Portuguese horse Urubu an the average speed was 21.63 km / h.
So he ended the year 2010 in international endurance competitions and became with much merit with the 2nd best endurance rider in the world, proudly brought to the Al Shaqab this important title.

Abu Dhabi: Bin Ali clinches endurance ride

Gulfnews.com

* Staff Report
* Published: 00:00 January 23, 2011

Al Baloushi finishes 120-km in second place while Al Shafar third

Abu Dhabi: It was Hassan Bin Ali's day at the Emirates Championship — a CEI 120km endurance ride — when he rode IFO Rashin to victory at the Emirates International Endurance Village, in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The ride was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, owner of the winning horse.

The 120km ride started with India's Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan taking the lead in the first stage, which was over 32km, in 01.14.54 seconds. He was followed by his compatriot Chandra Singh Ladu Singh (1:15.07) in second place and the UAE's Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (01.18.11).

Khan maintained his lead in the 28km second stage, crossing the finish line in 02.19.22, followed by Singh (02.19.37) and Bin Ali (02.22.02) in third.

Bin Ali made a strong comeback in the third stage and climbed on top in 03.15.14 while his countryman Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (03.15.31) improved to second place with Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (03.17.42) third.

Bin Ali completed the ride in 04:41.38 to emerge the winner. Al Baloushi, riding Jayhal Shazal from Al Reef Stables, finished at second place (04:44.48) — followed by Shafar on Dalyn Man from Al Reeh Endurance Stables (04:45.08).

The race was sponsored by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS), Wathba Stud Farm, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) SAS Investment Co, Invest AD and Areej Al Ameerat.

RESULTS

Provisional (top five):

1. Hassan Bin Ali | (IFO Rashin) 04:41.38, 2. Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi (Jayhal Shazal) 04:44.48, 3. Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (Dalyn Man) 04:45.08, 4. Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri (Fazza Endurance Team) 04:47.52, 5. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Palhavi Des Pins) 04: 53.48.

Abu Dhabi: Second success for Spanish rider Uranga

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

* Staff Report
* Published: January 22, 2011


Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge


Abu Dhabi: Spanish rider Uma Mencia Uranga partnered HH Gabbar to win the CEN 90km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for ladies at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

It was her second triumph for 21-year-old Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge on January 7.

Forty-six riders of different nationalities had to deal with tough conditions affected by rain in the SAS Investment Co-sponsored event. In second place with a time of 3:18.18 was Saudi Arabia's Maha Hashem Al Jefri on Aloha Kamahl while Maha Khalid clocked 3:19.20 on Princess Diana to finish third.

Results (top five): 1.Uma Mencia Uranga (HH Gabbar) Fazza Endurance Team (3:15.27), 2. Maha Hashem Al Jefri (Aloha Kamahl) Al Reef Stables 3:18.18, 3. Maha Khalid (Princess Diana) Dubai Endurance Stable 3:19.20, 4. Chantelle du Plessis (Israk Grey) Al Reeh Endurance Stables 3:20.28, 5. Gerda Petronella Burger (Oska) Dubai Endurance Stables 3.22.56.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Australia: Lost horse register under way as owners begin searching

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 15, 2011
By Neil Clarkson

Five horses are listed as missing but the number is certain to grow as horse owners in flood-torn Queensland work to discover the fate of their animals.

he Queensland Horse Council is co-ordinating the lost horse register, which aims to re-unite lost horses with their owners, and hopefully bring closure to owners whose animals were washed away in the flash floods.

The toll of horses is unknown, as the cleanup across the state gets under way.

To date, 80 standardbreds are known to have perished at Cold Mountain Stud, but the equine death toll is certain to go much higher.

Sixteen people are confirmed dead in the flood, with the death toll predicted to double in the next couple of days. About 50 people are still missing...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/01/092.shtml

Bahrain: Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Abu Dhabi: US Riders to Ride in President's Cup

January 20 2011

3 American riders have been invited to participate in the 160-km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi. Former multiple World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy will ride Spectacular Gold, Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will ride DJB Cytron Kon JMF, and Deborah Reich will ride DJB Juniper in the event.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

New Dutch Chef d’Equipe Endurance

Horsus.nl

19-01-2011

The Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has appointed Marjolijn de Rooy as the new chef d'Ă©quipe endurance. The 53-year-old entrepreneur have signed a contract until 2012.

Marjolijn de Rooy has more than 25 years experience in managing horses. She coached for many years endurance riders and horses where she not only paid attention to the preparation of training plans and management of the horse, but also the veterinary matters had high priority.

In 2003 Marjolijn was a member of the Dutch endurance team that won bronze at the European Championships in Punchestown.

HorsUs

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Australia: Floods claim stud horses

Weeklytimesnow.com.au

Fran Cleland | January 19, 2011

FIFTY horses at Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer's stud were drowned when floods swept through the Lockyer Valley last week.

Mr Palmer said staff had herded the horses into the barns but the barns then began filling with water, forcing staff members to climb on to the roof.

"The horses were drowning beneath them," Mr Palmer was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, fears are held for 80 Arabian endurance horses belonging to Australian endurance champion Penny Toft, at Marburg.

The horses are missing, but Penny said she was hopeful they would be found alive.

The farm produces some of the world's best endurance competition horses.

"Horses are smart, and we are hoping they have moved uphill," Penny said.

"We are still better off than others in the area. More than 40 Thoroughbreds and 29 Standardbreds have been drowned."

Penny said the biggest problem for horse owners would be the lack of feed and hay, with roads to the area impassable

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Bahrain: Abdulrahman claims junior endurance ride

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=296287

Sunday, January 16, 2011

ABDUL-RAHMAN Abdulla of Al Asayel Stable steered Al Haseel to victory in the 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride yesterday.

More than 60 riders of different stables competed in the event, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Abdulla completed the five-stage ride in five hours, 32 minutes and 38 seconds with an average of 19-km per hour.

Second overall was Nasser Awad of Al Mugheirat Stable in 5:35:40 while Al Shuwamekh Stable's young rider Saud Al Dossary (5:35:42) rounded off the podium winning third place.

The ride, which was the second event of the season, was flagged off at 6.30am by Breef's general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi and media committee head Tawfeeq Salehi.

Abdulla dominated the ride right from the start. He completed the first stage, which was over 30 kms, in one hour, 38 minutes and 49 seconds.

Behind him was Abdulla Al Qaud (1:20:07) of the Royal Endurance Team in second place and Ali Yousef (1:20:28), also of the Royal Endurance Team, third.

In the second stage, which was also over 30 kms, Abdulla continued to lead by finishing the stage in 1:18:57 while Yousef (1:25:10) advanced to second and Al Qaud (1:25:45) dropped to third.

The third stage was over 25 kms and Abdulla stayed in front, completing the stage in 1:18:57, ahead of Yousef (2:25:10) and Al Qaud (1:25:45).

Abdulla (59:36) held on to his lead after the fourth stage, which was over 20 kms. Yousef (58:13) remained second and Al Qaud (58:14) third.

Abdulla maintained his momentum in the fifth and last stage, which he finished in 45 minutes and 26 seconds.

Awad held on to second place, clocking 30:32, and was followed by Al Dossay in third place in 30:22.

The ride was witnessed by National Guard Commander Lt Gen Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

It was held under the patronage of Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who presented trophies to the top three riders at an awarding ceremony.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Belgium: Mont le Soie to organize the European but also the World Championships for Young Riders

www.endurance-belgium.com
Leonard Leisens

The European Championship in Mont Le Soie is nothing really new for well-informed people. Many have already been informed that Pierre Arnould — Director of the Equestrian Centre of Mont Le Soie— was concocting something special in order to regain prestige for the Belgian Endurance on the international scene. On another subject, referring to the governmental crisis taking place in Belgium since more than 200 days, it is high time for Belgium to generally regain prestige. If things go like some are dreaming in their extreme dreams —or nightmares, depending— we could end up with two Belgian Teams, one in 'Black and Yellow, The Flanders Lion' and the other in 'Red and Yellow, the Walloon Rooster'.

Anyway…

Mont Le Soie has applied for the organization of the European Championships for Young Riders in 2012. The event will take place on 8th September 2012.

But there is more!

As anyone knows, Brazil threw the towel and had to withdraw its offer to organize the Young Riders World Championships. We have no intention of offending the Brazilian organizers or our South American friends, but one has to admit that holding a World Championship outside Europe is a kind of 'Mission: Impossible". Because who —with the exception of France and even as France didn't send any representatives to Argentina two years ago— will be able to ship a team to South America?

So, as Mont Le Soie was feeling ready with the organization of the European Championship, the idea of applying for the World Championships germinated.

The Belgian Federation is fully supporting the project and has recently sent his official candidature to the FEI. Beside Mont Le Soie, Compiègne is also interested. France has already received the organisation of the European Championship at Florace this year. So this will maybe tip the balance in favour of Mont Le Soie.

Because Mont Le Soie has many cards in its game:

· The venue of the Equestrian Centre in the heart of Europe have no cause to be envious of anybody. An full size indoor arena of 30x60m, a huge and top quality outdoor arena of 60x80m, an additional working arena of 20x40m, a cross track of 4km, a canter training track of 2km. All of that inside a park of 50 hectares, so enough space to have paddocks, turning-out area, closed stables, parkings…

...more at http://www.endurance-belgium.com/chroniques/mls-europe/mls-europe.htm

Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf Daily News
Posted on » Saturday, January 15, 2011

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

An Exciting Year of Endurance Riding in Arizona

[More ...]
14 January 2011 By Kim Abbott View Comments

“I love you Arizona, your mountains, deserts and skies”… it’s a verse from a song written by the state balladeer, Dolan Ellis, about beautiful Arizona. But it should be the words spoken by every endurance rider in the state of Arizona and surrounding states. Especially this year… 2011 is offering many exciting new Arizona endurance rides! Here is a list of the 2011 Arizona endurance rides:

We started off the year with a huge bang! Rusty Toth, and accomplished endurance rider, hosted the 3 day Resolution Ride that took place in Scottsdale Arizona. Kevin Myers, also an accomplished endurance rider, and on the Easy Boot team assisted Rusty Toth in putting on a great New Years ride from their home in Rio Verde. Although the weather gave them fits, the riders had a great time and the horses did fantastic! Rusty was able to get riders from as far east as New York and as north as Oregon. Other states represented were Colorado, Utah, California, New Mexico, Oregon and New York.

We next jump to February and the Springdale Romp hosted by long time endurance rider Ray Sansom. The ride will take place in beautiful Safford, Arizona on February 3rd,4th,5th, a day off, then on 7th,8th,9th. This ride promises to be beautiful!

We then move on to the spring ride, Old Pueblo, hosted by Marilyn McCoy on the Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ. I last participated in this ride in the fall. The grass was knee high, the flowers were incredible and the fields of sunflowers were amazing! Don’t miss this ride March 11th,12th and 13th.

...more

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Bahrain: Junior riders set to match skills

Gulf-daily-news.com

12 January 2011

E Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising a 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The third event of the season targets junior riders as the organisers are looking to expand this discipline while searching for young talents to include them in the national team.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the federation is keen to boost the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain in the fray.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will also take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the veterinary examination would be held on Friday from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir.

The organising committee also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Shaikh Khalid earlier approved members of the working committees ahead of Friday's event.

Mohammed Abdullwa was named international referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb is the international steward, Ghaleb Al Alawi is the technical representative while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

The media committee is headed by Tawfeeq Salhi and comprises photographers Mahmood Abdulla, Qamber Mohammed and Hussain Abdulmajeed.

Bahrain TV crew are Sami Yaqoub, Mohammed Jameel, Mohammed Al Shoumeli, Alli Al Shoumeli, Hussain Al Aradi, Saddam Nasser, Fawaz Al Abdulla.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Abu Dhabi: College student wins Ladies Challenge ride

Gulfnews.com - Full ArticleJanuary 28 2011

Abu Dhabi: Twenty-one-year-old Uma Mencia Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, romped home a convincing winner of the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Averaging an impressive speed of 28.58 km per hour aboard the nine-year-old bay gelding Pintaka, the Spanish rider made every kilometre count as she completed the gruelling 90 kilometre course in a time of three hours, eight minutes and 55 seconds. Pintaka is owned by the Fazaa Endurance team stables.

Finishing in second place on board Siloah Hamza was Emirati rider Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Merri representing the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Stables...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/college-student-wins-ladies-challenge-ride-1.742691

Monday, January 10, 2011

UAE: Student wins first prize in ride

Gulfnews
Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri takes home the trophy for 100km endurance ride

By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing and Special Features Writer
Published: 00:00 January 9, 2011

photo: * Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri wins the 100km endurance ride of Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup at Emirates International Endurance Village, at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday. * Image Credit: Abdul Rahman /Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Schoolboy Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri surprised even himself when he won the Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately owned horses at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

Riding Shardell Sharna Golden, a horse he randomly picked from the 20 his family owns, he battled through early morning fog to secure the first victory of his career.

Al Marri completed the CEN 100km ride in a time of three hours and 39.58 minutes aboard the 11-year-old chestnut gelding owned by his father Mohammad Obaid Al Jaber. He clocked an an average speed of 27.28km/h for the distance.

"I really did not expect this win. I was only hoping for a top 10 finish," said a delighted Marri who was also presented with the keys of a new car, as the first prize. Marri is in 12th grade at the Al Nadjha School in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the trophies to the winners. Also present were Emirates Equestrian Federation secretary general Talib Daher Al Muhairi; Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club director general Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi; and Tasweeq managing director Lara Sawaya.

Results

Top 10 results (Provisional): 1.Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri (Shardell Sharana Golden) 03.39.58; 2.Sayed Mohammad Abbas Alawi (Polonia Endurance) 03.50.09; 3.Ahmad Mohammad Saleh Al Shehhi (Sheridon) 03.5357, 4.Mansour Ibrahim Ahmad (Guru)03:54.07; 5.Matar Saeed Mohammad Al Kaabi (Ghaith)03.55.05, 6. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Rayhana) 03.57.50; 7. Layla Abul Aziz Al Redha (Umm Khammas) 04.09.50; 8.Abdullah Bin Ahmad Al Shaikh (AS Elegida) 04:10.7; 9. Hamad Bader Abdullah Al Hammadi (Arabito) 04:12.31; 10. Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri (Meltharina Marzan) 04:12.54

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Abu Dhabi: Ponton facing a stiff challenge in Al Wathba for 90km race

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Amith Passela

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2011

ABU DHABI // Maria Alvarez Ponton, the world champion from Spain, will be challenged by more than 30 Emirati women in the Al Jaber Challenge, a 90-kilometre CEI one-star endurance race tomorrow at the Emirates International Endurance Village (EIEV) in Al Wathba.

Ponton, who trains endurance horses in Dubai, won the world title from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September. She heads a 70-runner, women-only field.

"We started with one race at Al Wathba two years ago and it doubled last year," said Adnan Sultan al Nuaimi, the secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

"We have two races already planned for the new season, and may have a third before the season ends.

"There is a lot of interest among the Emirati women to ride in competitions and the numbers are increasing at every race..."

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/sport/middle-article-list/ponton-facing-a-stiff-challenge-in-al-wathba-for-90km-race

Australia: Queensland endurance riding season off to a ’stirling’ start

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article 16/03/2024 Erle Levey It was like the first day back at school as Queensland endurance horse riders st...