Great Britain: WCSPS Squad is Announced

Endurancegb.co.uk

29th March 2012

The International committee, Selectors and the Management Team of the WCSPS would like to thank the ride organisers of Kings Forest, Di Luke and Karen Collier, for once again welcoming the Squad for their selection ride in preparation for the competition at Mont Le Soie, Belgium on 28th and 29th April 2012.

Congratulations to the following combinations who will be representing Great Britain at the ride.

Caroline Cowley and Summer Mistral
Jane Greatorex and Trust me Too
Alison House and Aberllwyd Briar Rose
Rebecca Kinnarney and Seren Capella
Jo Malcolm and Rasslan

Helen Boston the Young Rider Chef with Young Riders Kate Atkinson, Brett Corcoran, Carri Ann Dark, James Dickinson and Louise Rich will be travelling with the Team and competing at Mont Le Soie which is also the pre-run for the Young Rider European Championships on 8th September 2012. Emma Miller, Chair of International, said "We would like to wish the riders the very best of luck at this ride."

Great Britain: Riders enjoy the Camel Valley scenery as part of endurance ride

Thisisdevon.co.uk - Full Article

Friday, March 30, 2012
Western Morning News

Members of Endurance (GB) South West and pleasure riders from across the Westcountry have enjoyed two gloriously scenic rides in Cornwall, thanks to the county's landowners.

The first, at Colquite, near Bodmin, was held with permission of the Countess Pinky Le Grelle, the Colquite Estate and the Forestry Commission. Nearly 70 riders turned out to enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful scenery of the Camel valley. The route covered 19km (12 miles) of woodland, fields and tracks along the Camel River. Riders wound their way down through the woods to the bank of the river at Helland Bridge, where they crossed the lane and turned uphill on forestry tracks towards Tresarrett...

Read more here:
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Riders-enjoy-Camel-Valley-scenery-endurance-ride/story-15667516-detail/story.html

Great Britain: First home in 120km ride

Midweekherald.co.uk - Full Article

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Young endurance rider Dace Sainsbury from Lyme Regis has won a 120km FEI 2* ride with her horse Ballota.

The pair are aiming to get qualified for the Young Rider championships which will be held in Belgium this year.

After a winter spent keeping Balotta (Lottie) fit and building her stamina up, they had their first training ride on Exmoor with lots of hills and tough terrain.

They started the competition season successfully, finishing third in the 80km Jubilee Trail ride in early March.

To qualify for the Young Rider Team the pair had to pass a 120km FEI 2* ride early season. Endurance rides have vet gates where the horses have to pass strict recovery and fitness tests before they can carry on. Dace entered for a ride at Bury St Edmunds, and despite the distance, Lottie finished full of running, and held a 20 minute lead over the field at the final vetting...

Read more here:
http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/sport/first_home_in_120km_ride_1_1331574

Bahrain riders crash out

Gulf-daily-news.com


Sunday, March 25, 2012

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team riders Jaffer Mirza, Ahmed Al Hazza and Abdulrahman Al Zayed crashed out of the 120km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup held yesterday.

The trio were unable to complete the prestigious four-stage ride, which took place at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Assalam area in the UAE.

Both Al Zayed and Al Hazza were eliminated after their horses suffered injuries at the end of the first stage, which was over 40 ams, while Jaffer made his exit during the second stage for the same reason.

Host country's Sultan Al Beloushi of Al Reef Stable steered Corns to victory with a total ride time of four hours, 21 minutes and 46 seconds at an average speed of 27km per hour.

Behind him was Nad Al Sheba Stable's Abdulla Al Ghanim on Angelica (4:22:49) in second place while Fatma Jassim Al Mirri (4:22:02) of Seeh Al Salaam Stable was third on Ohio.

Completed

Riding Saj, Al Zayed completed the first stage in one hour, 36 minutes and eight seconds with a 27km per hour average speed.

Al Hazza, who came second in the 160km Sheikh Mohammed bid Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup held two months ago, was also out after his horse Sondon was unable to reach the finish line.

As for Mirza, he successfully passed the veterinary examination at the end of the stage on Dancer, clocking 1:36:16 and an average speed of 24km per hour.

Thani Al Muhairi of Seeh Al Salaam Stable took the lead after the first stage in 1:25:42, followed by Al Reef Stables' Abdulla Khamees (1:25:47) and Mohammed Sulaiman (1:25:59) in second and third positions, respectively.

In second stage, which was also over 40 kms, Al Muhairi maintained his lead in 2:57:49. Ghanim Al Owaisi (2:57:50) moved up to second and Al Mirri (2:57:53) climbed into third position.

The 20-km third and penultimate stage saw major changes in the standings with Saeed Al Ma'amari (3:48:00) of Ammar Stable taking over the lead.

Al Beloushi (3:48:09) rose up to second and ahead of third Khalfan Al Sabri (3:48:05) of Ammar Stable.

At the end of the race, Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said his team took part in this event due to the strong linking both Bahrain and the UAE.

Shaikh Nasser congratulated the Crown Prince of Dubai Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the success of the race.

Scotland: Borders ride sees new distance

Thesouthernreporter.co.uk - Full Article

Published on Thursday 22 March 2012 19:43

THE Scottish Borders Endurance Club saw the return of their popular Harstanes ride near Jedburgh on Sunday.

With an excellent turnout of more than 70 horses and riders, and the weather playing its part too, the day was a great success.

Options included 18km or 30km and the new 40km, this being a first for Scotland, the caravan and vet crew were kept hard at work.

The ride itself was marked out well with the usual orange tape and pink arrows ideal for helping direct the 12 non-members who attended on the day.

With a great long stretch of railway line in position at the beginning of the ride and lengthy woodland tracks, it had the makings of what was a very fast ride...

Read more here:
http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/other-sports/borders-ride-sees-new-distance-1-2186901#

Great Britain: Riders treated to glorious views to cape Cornwall

Thisiscornwall.co.uk - Full Article

Western Morning News
March 23 2012

The St Just endurance ride is the most westerly endurance ride in Britain, jutting right out into the Atlantic.

As anyone who lives in the far west of Cornwall will tell you this region not only has its own unique landscape but its own very local weather. This year's ride, organised by the South West Group of Endurance GB, was no exception. The heavy rain forecast by the Met Office blew in overnight and then vanished, leaving glorious sunshine behind it with a cold and gusty wind.

This whipped up the white horses coming in across the sea and caused some of those on the ride to get "the wind in their tails".

Photographer Kim Goostrey is a familiar sight on many of the rides in the Westcountry and usually the horses and ponies take no notice. At the St Just ride, though, the sight of him up by the mast above Hillside in the strong wind caused quite a few sideways leaps and snorts...

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Riders-treated-glorious-views-cape-Cornwall/story-15599675-detail/story.html

Australia: 78 Days till the 47th Tom Quilty Gold Cup

AERA.asn.au/tq12

The 2012 Tom Quilty Gold Cup will be held in St Helens, Tasmania on 8-10 June at St Helens, Tasmania.

This is a general information page for all AERA members, riders, crews and families wanting to come down to Tasmania and participate in the 47th Tom Quilty Event. Don't be put off by the stretch of water – we Tasmanians manage to cross it every time we travel over to support the mainland events and commercial horse transport companies operate on most crossings on the Spirit of Tasmania.

To make your arrangements for the trip straightforward we have collated relevant information which is noted below. Please take special note of the requirements for the bookings on the Spirit of Tasmania, the quarantine regulations and supply of fodder.

For more information, contact
tq12@aera.asn.au

or see
http://www.aera.asn.au/tq12/index.htm

Australia: Cora our sports star of the year

Warwickdailynews.com.au

Gerard Walsh | 20th March 2012


AN AUSTRALIAN championship win in endurance riding has secured Freestone rider Cora Becker the Daily News/Warwick Credit Union Senior Sports Star of the Year Award.

Becker won the award last night at the Warwick RSL Memorial Club after winning the FEI 160km Australian National Championships at the Al Reef and RM Williams Endurance Festival Ride.

She won in eight hours, 46.34 minutes on a course at Toorbul near Caboolture just in front of the runner-up from Victoria.

The win was secured on her horse Bones the Wizard.

Such was the success of the event in which Becker won the endurance ride, it was named the event of the year at the Equestrian Australia Sport Achievement Awards in Sydney last month...

Read more here:
http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/story/2012/03/20/cora-our-sports-star-of-the-year/

Australia: Corryong readies for legendary bush festival

Sl.farmonline.com.au - full article

KATE HENNE
18 Mar, 2012

NESTLED among the foothills of the majestic Snowy Mountains, Corryong is gearing up for its annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival.

Held on the last weekend of March, the successful event is in its 18th year and hosts visitors from around Australia as well as overseas.

The festival has many attractions on offer with the main event the Man from Snowy River Challenge the modern day version of Banjo's Man from Snowy River.

The three-day event is split into six tests, with the winner being judged on the stamina, endurance and the relationship between horse and rider.

Following this, the Man From Snowy River re-enactment brings to life the poem with the ride celebrating Jack Riley's life and showcasing the beauty of horsemanship and agility of the brumbies.

The Station Team Muster gives a snapshot of a day in the life of a farmer teams of two start the race in their swag and complete an agility course, swag-breakfast, fencing and feeding stock as they race against the clock.

Festival co-ordinator Jenny Boardman said they were always adding something new to the program...

Read more here:
http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/corryong-readies-for-legendary-bush-festival/2490181.aspx

Belgium: Qualifying Ride for 2012 World Endurance Championship

Grandparquetendurance.fr

Friday 30 March 2012

CEI *** Qualification for the FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors August 25th 2012
(Selective for the World Championships)


Saturday 31 March 2012
CEI ** / Ama Elite
CIS * / gp AMA1


What to expect

237 boxes hard at your disposal.
six different loops.
Electronic timing (ATRM).
Exhibitors.
Large car park and concrete grooming area.
Presence of the same caterer as the first edition .

Spain: Four candidates to succeed as national coach Quico Yebra Raid

Ecuestreonline.com

March 13 2012

Fernando Carrillo, Ignasi Casas, Jordi Sánchez Arboix and Manolo are the candidates to succeed Quico Yebra as coach and team leader of Spanish Raid. These names were proposed in the March 12 meeting of the working forum formed by the FEI and representatives from different sectors of the discipline.

Australia: Applications for Chef d'Equipe

AERA.asn.au

March 15 2012

Equestrian Australia are calling for applications for the position of Chef d’Equipe for the World Endurance Championships to be held at Euston Park, Great Britain, in August 2012.

View/download the job description, resume template and nomination form or contact the AERA Secretary, Ieva Peters, email: ieva.peters@bigpond.com or from the AERA website.

Applications must be to the Equestrian Australia (National Office) by no later than 16th April 2012.

Great Britain: Equilibrium Products Sponsor the 2012 Endurance International GB Teams

Endurancegb.co.uk

12th March 2012

We are delighted to announce that Equilibrium Products are sponsoring the Endurance GB International Teams this year with the Equilibrium Therapy range of massage and magnetic products.

The first to benefit will be the World Class Start and Potential Squad who are competing in Belgium in just over a month's time. Next will be our Elite Team in the World Endurance Championships at Euston Park in August, and finally our Young Riders will also benefit in September in their European Championships in Belgium.

The Equilibrium Therapy massage and magnetic therapy pads have been very well received by International riders including Carri Ann Dark, Lorna Kidson and Louise Rich. Emma Miller, Chair of International said "We are really pleased to have this sponsorship and support from Equilibrium with such well designed and popular products. The riders will have access to the massage and magnetic back pads during each vet gate and pre and post-ride at their respective International competitions allowing the horses to benefit from these fantastic products."

Information on the Equilibrium range of products can be seen on their website:
http://www.equilibriumproducts.com/

Bahrain: World military endurance ride set

Gulf-daily-news.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

BAHRAIN will be hosting the First World Military Endurance Horse Ride Championship this year in December.

First vice-chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has issued directions for the preparation of the prestigious event.

The first edition will be organised in co-operation with the International Military Council (CISM), with large number of riders from around the world expected to take part.

The organising committee is yet to announce further details regarding the upcoming championship.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Khalid has approved the working committees. This was announced after Shaikh Khalid's meeting with Bahrain Military Sports Association president Col. Dawood Hussain Al Manea.

Shaikh Khalid also chaired the Executive Committee meeting, which was attended by committee deputy chairman Al Mane and tournament director Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa.

CISM vice-president Abdulhakim Al Shino of Bahrain was named head of communication committee, while the technical committee is headed by Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan.

Shaikh Khalid noted that the military championship, to be organised for the first time at the international level, has received big interest from His Majesty King Hamad, who always shows interest and support for equestrian sports.

Shaikh Khalid praised Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his keenness to improve the abilities of the Bahraini riders and encourage them to participate in different endurance competitions.

He also hailed the role played by the Military Sports Association in Bahrain in preparing talented riders for the national military teams which have achieved outstanding results over the past years.

On his part, Al Manea expressed thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Khalid, praising his efforts in supporting and patronising horseracing tournaments, and for issuing his directives to develop plans and programmes to organise such events.

He emphasized that the Bahrain Military Sports Association, through its working committees, and in co-operation with Breef, will do its utmost for the success of the World Championship, which was approved by the CISM.

UAE: Polish rider rules endurance race

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Kart made a quantum leap from 10th place on first day to overall winner after three days

By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
Published: 00:00 March 11, 2012

Abu Dhabi: Kamila Kart seems to be enjoying her endurance season here in the UAE.
The Polish rider won the gruelling 240km three-day Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival endurance ride at the Boutheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem here yesterday.

Riding 11-year-old Novisaad d Aqui, Kart did very well to finish a mere two seconds ahead of Ceinwen Morgan on Kalawind de Sommant with the UAE's Noora Abdullah Ahmad Al Hosani on Fanmar Baza in third place.

Feature ride

Kart's win in the feature ride of the Festival, organised under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President's Representative, is her second after the Polish rider had earlier done well in two Ladies rides.

Kart had won the President's Cup for Ladies over 90km held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba and had earlier finished sixth in a Ladies Ride held at the same venue.

The three-day 240km ride was run with the riders negotiating 80km each day. At the end of the first day, Kart was in 10th position.

At the end of 160kms and after two days, Sabrina Mendiz was leading with Kart in fourth place.
In yesterday's final 80km leg, Kart initially slipped a place lower to finish the first stage in 5th place,but later gathered pace to top the final stages to stave off the second-placed Morgan.
Another consistent performer this season, Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Marri came up on top once again, this time winning the 120km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Cup. Al Marri, who won the prestigious National Day Cup earlier in the current season, pipped Emma Victoria Finnie of Germany with just a second separating the two after five loops covering a distance of 120kms...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/polish-rider-rules-endurance-race-1.992710

Great Britain: Endurance rides get under way ahead of first competition

Thisisdevon.co.uk - Full Article


Friday, March 09, 2012
Western Morning News

The new season of pleasure rides organised by the South West Group of Endurance Great Britain (GB) have now started.

Open to both members and non-members, these rides cover routes from ten miles up to 18 miles over a variety of terrain. For members, they are an opportunity to gauge the fitness of horses and ponies before the first competitive ride of the season. For non-members, they are a chance to experience an endurance ride and to enjoy riding across new and exciting countryside.

There was sunshine and a brisk wind for the first two rides, the first on Dartmoor from a venue at Okehampton and the second in Cornwall, around Cardinham Woods.

The Okehampton ride had a new venue this year, from the car park at Meldon Quarry, used with permission of the Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council. Some 30-plus horses and riders enjoyed a challenging route across north Dartmoor.

From the venue, the horses and riders headed up tracks on to the moor at Langstone Hill before riding down to Meldon reservoir and crossing the dam. The route then took them along the West Devon Way to Sourton Tors and the long canter up the grassy slope to the top of the ridge. From here the route carried on across Coombe Down, below Great Nodden, and on to the turning point at Nodden Gate.

On the way back, there was an alterative fast loop up towards Okehampton Camp, for those horses and riders who still had some energy left after the steep canter up Langstone Hill...

Read more here:
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Endurance-rides-way-ahead-competition/story-15456268-detail/story.html

Great Britain: Try Before you Buy Scheme Continues in 2012

Endurancegb.co.uk

12th March 2012

Non-members of EGB are welcome at all non-competitive rides, but Try Before You Buy provides a great opportunity to try this challenging sport in a competitive ride.

Following on from huge success last year, the Try Before You Buy scheme will continue this season. Try Before You Buy is aimed at people wishing to experience competitive Endurance riding, and offers free registration for horse and rider to enable them to compete in two competitive novice rides up to 40km before becoming a full member of EGB. The list of rides to choose from is extensive, with 23 regional EGB groups and a busy EGB calendar offering over 100 rides, from February to October, covering all levels.

Endurance GB’s chairman, Jo Claridge said “try before you buy was so popular last year we have decided to continue it for 2012. The number of people wanting to take up Endurance riding is increasing all the time making it one of the fastest growing equestrian disciplines. Many people who took part in try before you buy in 2011 have now taken out full membership for this season”.

Endurance gives competitors the chance to ride through new and exciting countryside and rides frequently take part in areas where general hacking is not permitted. There is good camaraderie between riders and competitors have great fun taking part. For those who do decide to join EGB having participated in Try Before You Buy, there is an excellent coaching, training and support system for all the levels of competition for members. Welfare of the horses is paramount and there will always be someone experienced on hand at a ride to answer any queries.

Non-members of EGB are welcome at all non-competitive rides, but Try Before You Buy provides a great opportunity to try this challenging sport in a competitive ride. Participating riders will pay just the competitive ride entry fee for the ride which is £37. The registration fees for horses and riders, which are usually £97, will be free to allow participation in two rides under the scheme. Rosettes will be awarded for completion, but there will be no eligibility for trophy points or progression towards novice qualifications.

Riders may only participate in the scheme for one season, anyone who took part in 2011 will not be eligible to do so again in 2012.

For more information see http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=2699

Australia: 2012 Tom Quilty in Tasmania

AERA.ASN.AU

In June 2012, the Tom Quilty National Equine Endurance Championship will be held in St Helens, Tasmania. As you would be aware, the Championship will consist of a 160km competitive horse ride held over 24 hours. The Tom Quilty has been running for over 45 years, and is steeped in history and tradition. The Tom Quilty National Championship changes state each year and in 2012, it is Tasmania’s turn to host Australia’s premier endurance ride.

Based on previous Tom Quilty events held elsewhere in Australia, we anticipate at least 500 interstate and international visitors to St Helens, in addition to around 400 Tasmanians who attend the event. International visitors from the UAE, Japan, Malaysia and the USA are regular participants in the Tom Quilty Championship and to gain a Tom Quilty completion buckle is one of the most highly regarded awards within the international, as well as national, endurance community.

In addition to the Tom Quilty Championship, the event will have a Trade Stall section for attendees to browse and make purchases. Given that the large amount of riders, crew and officials will stay for the majority of the week of 4th – 11th of June 2012, this will provide a substantial market for sales and promotion. Every competitor will receive a copy of the Tasmanian Tom Quilty program, a glossy colour magazine with the details of each State’s Endurance Championship, plus an outline of the program of events for the three main days of competition. You may like to prepare a page to be inserted into the program.

The Tasmanian Tom Quilty Committee have a media plan in place and will be publishing regular articles and media releases in the Examiner and other local newspapers leading up to the Tom Quilty 2012. We can also promote your business through this medium if you would like. We have been allocated six large advertisements in the state-wide newspaper, the Examiner, specifically in the Horse Directory, and we will also be preparing a feature closer to the event. This could be excellent coverage for your business if you would like to promote your organisation.

If you would like further information on how you can be involved, please contact me on gburford@freshfreight.com.au or on mobile 0439961090. We hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Greg Burford
Treasurer
Tasmanian Tom Quilty 2012 Committee

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser Endurance Horse race a success

BNA.BH

3/3/2012

Manama, March 3 (BNA) The Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and Head of the Royal Endurance team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa today honored the winners of the Shaikh Nasser 100 Kilometers Endurance Race.

The race which started at the early hours of the morning witnessed the participation a great number of local stables despite the strong wind gusts and rising sands.

On this occasion Shaikh Nasser praised the winners' advanced level, hailing their tremendous effort to finish the race despite bad weather.

He also praised BREEF's efforts in organizing the race, asserting that Shaikh Khalid's directives are well appreciated and reflect the federation's keen interest to develop its races. He also wished all the federation's staff further success.

For his part, Shaikh Khalid expressed happiness of the race's success despite the cancellation of its last stage due to bad weather.

He congratulated Shaikh Nasser on the success of the race and the high competence showed by the riders.
He also congratulated the winners of the race and hailed their efforts, wishing them further success in future races.

h.s.

Bahrain: Endurance ride preparations on

Gulf-daily-news.com

Friday, March 02, 2012

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) has stepped up preparations for the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Adults Endurance Horse Ride, to be held tomorrow.

Set to take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, the event will be over 100km and offers valuable awards, including three Toyota 4x4 cars that will be given away to the top three riders.

A veterinary examination is scheduled for today from 3pm to 5pm at the village. The veterinary commission is being headed by Dr Abbas Al Haiki of Bahrain.

It includes foreign veterinary delegate Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia's Yassine Motemri, Roula Shabhan of the UAE, Ridhab Zeki of Iraq, Khalid Al Ruzaiqi of Oman, Mohammed Al Daen of Saudi Arabia and Dounia Motemri of Tunisia.

Other veterinarians are Bahrain's Ebrahim Yousif, Sabah Al Kabie, Abu Obaidah Yacooq and Abdulrahman Abu Shook.

The federation also named the officials for the ground jury. Dhafi Al Merri of Qatar was appointed president of ground jury, which also includes Bahrain's Ghalib Al Alawi, Abdulsamad Al Bosta, Mahdi Al Kalati, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Ali Ghuloom.

Mohammed Dadulla is the foreign technical delegate, Jordan's Haider Al Zu'bi was named chief steward while Abdulla Al Rumaihi is the event steward.

The race will feature four stages. The first will be over 30km, while the second will also cover 30km. The third stage will be over 20km, while the fourth and final stage also covers 20km.

Tomorrow's event will be held under the patronage of Breef president and first vice-chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid said that races in Bahrain differ from those of other countries due to the large number of stables and horses, which underlines the kingdom's great interest in this sport. He highlighted the efforts of the board of directors of the federation in developing endurance competitions.

Meanwhile, Royal Endurance Team will head into this event as the top favourites.

The team, captained by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, comprise some of the kingdom's most prominent riders. They include Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Raed Mahmood and Abdulrahman Al Saad, who all expressed keenness to put forward their best performance and win the competition.

On his part, Al Ruwaie Stable captain Khalid Al Ruwaie said his team is well-prepared for tomorrow's ride, which promises to be one of the most interesting rides in the season.

Al Ruwaie also said that his team includes the youngest participant in the championship, 14-year-old Rashid Khalid Al Ruwaie, who is making his debut in endurance ride championships.

Horse sport faces Olympic hurdle

Weeklytimesnow.com.au - Full Article

March 1 2012
Fran Cleland

EQUESTRIAN events are no longer a given for the Olympics, writes FRAN CLELAND

The Olympic Equestrian Federation has reassured its support for horse sports in the Olympic Games for the next 100 years.

But many still have doubts.

This year's London Olympic Games at Greenwich Park marks 100 years of equestrian sport in the Olympic movement.

FEI president Princess Haya issued a statement last week celebrating the milestone.

Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Stockholm Games.

It is one of the few Olympic sports in which men and women compete against each other and the only one which involves an animal.

But there is considerable discussion as to whether the equestrian sports can survive at the Games.

Other sports - far less expensive to run and hosted by countries not capable of holding horse sports because of quarantine issues - are hammering at the IOC's doors for inclusion.

Horse sports appear "elitist" and their requirements can cause resentment.

London's Greenwich Park has come under criticism from residents - similar to the Grand Prix-related Albert Park protest in Melbourne - due to the loss of access to the park at competition times.

The $68.5 million cost of construction for what is only a temporary venue which carries no benefit to the equestrian community is difficult to justify when it would have cost far less at existing facilities at Windsor.

The simple fact cannot be denied. Equestrian Sport is expensive to run.

The 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington finished with a loss of $1,386,625 despite sponsorship, and required a cash loan close to the event...

Read more here:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/03/01/449591_opinion-news.html