Saturday, February 28, 2015

British endurance racing rips up Sheikh Mohammed sponsorship deal

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Endurance GB takes 'difficult' decision because of horse welfare crisis in Middle East

By Pippa Cuckson, Equestrian Correspondent
4:05PM GMT 28 Feb 2015

Endurance GB has dropped a proposed “blanket” sponsorship deal from Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Meydan corporation for this season, as the crisis about horse welfare in the Middle East sport rages on.

EGB’s decision represents a second major setback for the UAE in 48 hours, following the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) cancellation of the UAE’s FEI rides scheduled for March, in the wake of widespread flouting of the rules, welfare concerns and global outrage about Splitters Creek Bundy, the horse who fatally broke both forelegs in a race ride on January 31.

EGB chairman John Hudson told members: “Sponsorship negotiations with Meydan will be suspended until further notice. This has been an extremely difficult decision but we believe, in view of the current national and international sensitivities and pressures surrounding the sport of endurance, it would not now be in Endurance GB’s interests to enter into a sponsorship agreement...

Read full article here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/11442015/British-endurance-racing-rips-up-Sheikh-Mohammed-sponsorship-deal.html

Endurance Great Britain Suspends Meydan Negotiations

Endurancegb.co.uk

Update on the Meydan sponsorship negotiations - (Published:28 February 2015)

We regret to inform you that, after much deliberation, taking into account the recent announcement by the FEI and following consultation with the BEF, the Board of Endurance GB has decided that the sponsorship negotiations with Meydan will be suspended until further notice. This has been an extremely difficult decision but we believe, in view of the current national and international sensitivities and pressures surrounding the sport of endurance, it would not now be in Endurance GB’s interests to enter into a sponsorship agreement at this time.

As a consequence of this decision, we are unable to proceed with the three rides scheduled for Euston Park in 2015.

I hope you will understand and respect our decision which has not been taken lightly. We will be looking at ways to try and deliver at least some of our exciting plans to improve the sport of endurance for all Members, although without sponsorship this will be a significant challenge. However this does not affect our normal activities which will continue to offer a wide range of local, national and international rides at all levels throughout England and Wales.

Best regards

John

John Hudson
Chairman EGB
For and on Behalf of the EGB Board

Friday, February 27, 2015

French Endurance Federation (FFE) Supports FEI Cancellation of UAE Races

FFE.com

27/02/2015

(translated from google)

Temporary removal of Equestrian Endurance Race


The French Equestrian Federation approves the action taken by the International Equestrian Federation removing from the official calendar the next two international Endurance races Endurance in the United Arab Emirates. This decision follows the incidents where trained horses died in the sands of the Emirates during endurance races.
 
FFE has been involved for many years in a policy of respect for the health of horses, including the establishment of appropriate national sporting regulations. The federal teams of technical staff working in the coasts of the FEI on this subject. Future work will focus on the development of rules on the responsibility of the competitor Endurance rider.

Australia: Statement Endurance

Equestrian.org

Posted by Equestrian Australia on 27/02/2015

Equestrian Australia (FEI) welcomes the announcement from the FEI overnight, advising of the removal of UAE international endurance events from the official calendar (see statement HERE).

At a meeting to discuss the recent horse welfare incident involving Australian bred horse ‘Splitters Creek Bundy’ and the current state of horse welfare in endurance internationally, the national endurance committee and EA have resolved to maintain a close dialogue with the FEI and other national federations on this matter.

EA supports the FEI’s course of action in investigating this issue and will continue to push for swift action to ensure horse welfare remains a priority for all sectors of the equestrian community. EA is encouraged by the action taken by the FEI to curb some of the ongoing horse welfare issue through changes to the endurance rules and encourages all national federations to adopt stringent horse welfare protocols at all equestrian events.

EA also remains in contact with the Australian Endurance Riders Association regarding this issue.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Belgium Considers 2016 World Endurance Championships Boycott

Horse-canada.com

February 26, 2015 | 0 comments

by: Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation

The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation (FRBSE) has released a statement to express their disappointment in the state of endurance racing in the UAE. In it, they urge their members not to participate in any events held in these countries, and note that they may not send a team to the 2016 World Endurance Championships.

To follow is a translated version of the FRBSE’s statement:

The Royal Belgian Equestrian Federation has, for years, worried about the evolution of endurance races (CEN and IEC), and especially in some countries in the Persian Gulf, and regrets the incidents that occurred on January 31st, in Abu Dhabi at the Al Reef Cup, where three horses were killed, including at least one in terrible conditions.

Because the FRBSE finds that it is not a one-off event, they can only conclude that the United Arab Emirates does not estimate correctly the situation, despite the efforts of the FEI, who are making extra efforts to find a positive solution to these abuses through the formation of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group, and Task Force, as well as by making changes to regulations and officials for example.

The FRBSE wishes to state its commitment to participating in a sport where animal welfare and respect for the rules are adhered to. Consequently, pending a complete reversal of the situation, the FRBSE strongly discourages its members from participating in any endurance race organized in one of the countries concerned. At the same time, they are considering whether or not to send a Belgian team to the next World Endurance Championships in 2016, which was awarded to Dubai.

FEI removes UAE international Endurance events from official calendar

26 Feb 2015
FEI.org

Following the first meeting of the new FEI Executive Board, chaired by recently elected President Ingmar De Vos, Secretary General Sabrina Zeender has removed the two remaining international Endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2015 from the FEI calendar in an emergency measure to protect horse welfare and to preserve the integrity of the FEI rules and regulations at FEI events.

The move follows a mandate from the FEI Bureau to the Executive Board to urgently investigate horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI rules and regulations in the UAE. The Executive Board will now finalise its recommendations to the Bureau.

“We have made this our top priority and will make our conclusions as speedily as possible so that the recommendations can be presented to the Bureau for urgent consideration”, the FEI President said after the meeting, which was held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).

The Executive Board meeting was attended by the FEI President, 1st Vice President and Chair of the Jumping Committee John Madden (USA), 2nd Vice President and Chair of FEI Regional Group VII HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman (NED), Chair of the Athletes’ Committee Maria Gretzer (SWE), and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender (SUI). Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), Chair of FEI Regional Group VI, was unable to attend due to meetings in Brazil on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Endurance Rules were strengthened last year specifically to protect and promote horse welfare following recommendations from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group. The widely supported measures include additional dope testing, injury surveillance and reporting, athlete penalties for equine injuries, and extended rest periods. Other measures increase the responsibility and accountability of riders, trainers and officials, as well as steps to address any conflicts of interest.

Notes to Editors:

The removal of international events from the FEI calendar is covered in the FEI General Regulations. Article 112 states: "The Secretary General shall have the authority to remove any Competition and/or Event from the Calendar if justified circumstances relating to a Competition or the Event are established."

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Swiss Willing to Boycott 2016 World Endurance Championships in Dubai

February 24 2015

Statement of the Swiss Equestrian Federation regarding various incidents in endurance races
(English version of the Swiss press release)

The Swiss Equestrian Federation SEF is outraged by recent dramatic incidents that have arisen in endurance, especially during the Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi. It calls upon the International Equestrian Federation FEI to examine the conditions, both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), to take immediate and effective measures as well as to continue to act accordingly. It is paramount that the welfare of the horse comes first. As the governing body of equestrian sports, the FEI must find ways to enable the application of sanctions against national federations, which tolerate mistreatment during their national races.
Furthermore, the SEF reserves therefore the right under these circumstances to not attend the Elite Endurance World Championships 2016 in Dubai.

In recent weeks the endurance season (group VII of the FEI) in the Middle Eastern countries has been in full swing. Some events left strong traces in the media and on other social platforms and have indicated again in dramatic proportions, that the new regulations of the FEI have not been adopted by all national associations and have respectively not been sufficiently enforced by the FEI officials.

The SVPS is outraged with regard to the horrific events i.e., (multiple fractures in racing, positive doping tests, prohibited manipulations, various rule infringements, as well as too many grooms and vehicles per horse etc...) in various national and international events.
It calls urgently upon the FEI, to take immediate and effective measures and to act accordingly.

Given the dramatic incidents of recent weeks, the Danish Federation has already issued a conditional start ban for its riders on events of the group VII of the FEI. The SVPS also strongly advises its endurance riders not to start in eventual races in these countries. Taking part in such races is currently incompatible with Membership of the Swiss elite team.

Under the circumstances, the SEF finds it at this moment also impossible and incompatible with its mission statement for the welfare of the horse, to participate in the next Elite World Endurance Championships 2016 in Dubai (UAE).
The SEF, therefore, reserves the decision, to not attend the WEC 2016 and to not send any riders.

Additional Information:
- Dr. Charles F. Trolliet, President of the Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports,
Tel. +41 79 205 32 91, e-mail: trolliet@swissonline.ch
- Dr. Claude Nordmann, International Relations, Swiss Federation for Equestrian Sports
Tel. +41 79 353 75 54 E-mail: claude.nordmann@bluewin.ch

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Abu Dhabi: 10 cars on offer for endurance rides on weekend

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Activities for children, families also on anvil
staff reportPublished: 14:07 February 22, 2015

St. Moritz, Switzerland: Ten 4WD cars will be on offer for the top five who finish in next week’s 100-km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup on Friday (February 27) and the 100-km Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup For local Stables (February 28), to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The event is being organised by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs as part of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival with the support of Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.

Speaking to the media at the Kempinski Hotel in St. Moritz before the third leg of the Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee in the Int’l Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities ( IFAHR) said: “The top five finishers in each race will drive away a brand new 4WD, bringing the total to 10 cars...”

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/10-cars-on-offer-for-endurance-rides-on-weekend-1.1460653

Bahrain: Al Khatri claims King's Cup Endurance title

BNA.bh - FUll Article

21/02/2015

Manama, Feb21(BNA) - Fahad Hilal Al Khatri claimed the seniors' category title in the King's Cup Endurance Race Championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) and held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

The seniors' ride covered a total distance of 120km and juniors' event was for 80km, with the participation of a large number of riders from the Bahrain Royal Team and other local stables, and with the follow-up of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Athletics Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.

Khatri from Victorious Team was followed by Ghazi Al Dossary from Al Ruood team in second place, while Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa from Al Zaeem Team came third...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/655210

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Australian officials to meet over demise of Splitters Creek Bundy

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | February 17, 2015

Senior endurance figures in Australia will meet with board members from Equestrian Australia this week, as the fallout from the death of Splitters Creek Bundy from two broken front legs in an Abu Dhabi endurance race continues.

The Australian-bred horse suffered the fatal injuries late last month in the Al Reef Cup, with harrowing images of his plight before euthanasia causing outrage in the global endurance community...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/17/australian-officials-demise-splitters-creek-bundy/

NZ adds voice to rising tide of concern over death of Splitters Creek Bundy

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Horsetalk.co.nz | February 17, 2015

The head of Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ), responding to the harrowing demise of Splitters Creek Bundy in an Abu Dhabi endurance race, says her organisation will take a strong stance against any individual or organisation that fails to endorse high standards of horse welfare.

Chief executive Vicki Glynn added her voice to the rising tide of international concern over the death of the Australian-bred horse, who suffered two broken forelegs during the Al Reef national endurance event late last month.

“Endurance is an extreme sport and protecting our horses has to be the highest priority, always over and above the importance of the competition,” Glynn said...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/17/nz-voice-global-concern-death-splitters-creek-bundy/

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Abu Dhabi: Teeanger Al Mehairi claims President’s Cup glory

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Dedicates victory to Shaikh Mohammad after dominating rivals in gruelling 160km endurance ride


By Leslie Wilson Jr Racing & Special Features Writer
Published: 19:15 February 14, 2015Gulf News

Abu Dhabi Teeanger Saeed Mohammad Khalifa Al Mehairi claimed the biggest victory of his burgeoning career when delivering a gripping performance in the final leg of the 160km CEI3* His Highness The President of the UAE Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

Representing the powerful MRM Stables aboard the eleven-year-old gleding Mureib, the talented 18-year-old rider made ever yard count in the 20km run to judge, to finish 50 seconds clear of second placed Suhail Ali Rashed Ali Al Ghailani (Khalifa) and Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi who finished third on Castlebar Tornedo...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/uae/teeanger-al-mehairi-claims-president-s-cup-glory-1.1456892

Crisis Mis-Management

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | February 13, 2015
by Pippa Cuckson

Two weeks after the Al Reef double fracture scandal, the FEI president has finally managed to say something, in this email today to national federations, a cut-and-paste embellishment of something sent to the many individuals and groups who have already written in to complain.

Call me a cynic, but it’s funny how the damage limitation machine only started to crank into action after the Daily Mail‘s Martin Samuel, a top sports columnist in the UK, queried on Monday if there was any sports body “less effective” than the FEI, and opined it was time for the International Olympic Committee to intervene.

I criticized the deafening silence from the FEI earlier this week, but maybe I should take it all back; it’s better for the morale of the global equestrian community to hang on to the hope that the FEI is taking this all seriously, than to see written confirmation that there is no such hope.

Here is Ingmar De Vos’s statement in full, with my comments bracketed in italics as we go along:...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/crisis-mis-management/#.VN4mj-ME4iU.facebook

Ninth global equestrian discipline announced: FEI Bashing

Horsetalk.co.nz
Neil Clarkson | February 15, 2015

Today is a red-letter day in international horse sport, with the first formal recognition of FEI Bashing – the ninth equestrian discipline to fall under the jurisdiction of the world governing body.

The FEI Bureau is expected to meet in coming days to form a committee which will develop the rules and formulate the all-important Code of Conduct.

The new sport already has a small band of hardened professionals playing within its ranks, with legions of amateurs, armed with keyboards and social media accounts, making a pretty good fist of it, too.

The new discipline is expected to enter the FEI’s ranks in the top tier, in terms of the number of participants. There is no need for pesky horses, nor expensive tack. FEI Bashing represents fun for all the family, and can even be played by those who don’t know the biting end of a horse from the kicking end.

[Read more ...]

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Bahrain to host Ladies' World Championship

BNA.bh - Full Article

13/02/2015

Manama, Feb. 13. (BNA) -- Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed Bahrain's hosting of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies' World Championship (IFAHR), which will be held under the auspices of the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Shaikh Nasser noted that hosting the event comes in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, in order to develop horse sport on a global level as well as greater cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in this area.

He praised the interest of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, and her commitment to the development of women's sport in Bahrain and in the Gulf region.

Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain will strive for the success of this important sporting event, which will be held for the first time on the island, stressing that Bahrain will start from now to prepare and organise the event.

International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Chairman Lara Sawaya announced in a Press conference held in the UAE that Bahrain is to host the Fatima bint Mubarak World Ladies Championship (IFAHR), with the presence of Bahrain Olympic Committee member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Assistant General Secretary Dr. Khalid Ahmed Hassan.

Lara Sawaya said that the event will be held in two days, the first day on March 13 and the second on March 14. The first day to be held at Rashid Horse Racing Club for horse racing event, while the second day to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village for endurance race event. She noted that Bahrain will organise this event as part of ongoing cooperation between UAE and Bahrain in various fields specially in the equestrian sport, stressing that Bahrain is able to ensure the success of all aspects of the event...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/653969

Al Reef fatality: Investigation our top priority, says FEI president

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Feb 14, 2015 in News

FEI President Ingmar De Vos has written to national federations amid the growing storm around the Abu Dhabi endurance race in which a horse shattered his two front legs, assuring them that the world governing body’s investigation was a top priority.

Splitters Creek Bundy suffered his catastrophic leg breaks during the Al Reef Cup in Abu Dhabi late last month. The race was a national event run under the rules of the United Arab Emirates Equestrian Federation and was not under the jurisdication of the FEI...

Read more: http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/14/al-reef-fatality-investigation-priority-fei-president/#ixzz3RjZfrROJ

Danish equestrian body acts over Group 7 horse fatality

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Feb 14, 2015 in News

The Danish Equestrian Federation has imposed restrictions on the country’s riders wanting to compete in Middle Eastern endurance races staged under local rules, as the fallout from the death of a horse in an Abu Dhabi race continues.

The Dansk Ride Forbund says riders from the country will not be permitted to ride in Middle Eastern endurance races staged under national rules by any of the FEI’s Group 7 nations until the world governing body has provided clarifications around endurance practices in the region...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/14/danish-horsesport-body-acts-group-7-fatality/#ixzz3RjZKRfS6

Friday, February 13, 2015

HH President’s Cup CEI 3*160km Endurance Takes Off on Saturday in Abu Dhabi

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

February 12, 2015

180 riders contest for awards including 11 4WD vehicles

Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ Endurance riders from around the world will battle for top honors in the prestigious His Highness The President of the United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup, a 160-km event organized by the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival at the Emirates International Endurance Village near Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 14 February.

Addressing a press conference at the Eastern Mangroves hotel on Thursday, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said the event was being held under the supervision of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

“Around 180 riders representing the UAE, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia will be part of the starting line-up and the riders will be competing for both individual as well as team honors,” he said.“Teams of four riders each will vie for the team championship for which a 4WD vehicle is the winning prize. The top ten riders in the individual competition will each receive a 4WD car while all those who complete the ride will get a slice of the Dh 60,000 ($16,335) on offer,” said Al Nuaimi...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2015/02/12/hh-presidents-cup-cei-3160km-endurance-takes-off-on-saturday-in-abu-dhabi/

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Great Britain: Outgoing chairman Ellie Head honoured by Iceni members

EDP24.co.uk - Full Article

Vanessa Britton
Thursday, February 12, 2015

Over 80 Iceni members and supporters attended Santon Downham Village Hall on the last day of January to enjoy a celebratory evening.

Endurance GB chairman John Hudson (originally from Woodbridge) was, with his wife Jane, a special guest and was pleased to make the presentation of awards.

Many special awards were made on the night including one to Ellie Head, outgoing chair, who after six years in the role received, as part of her presentation, a Peter Beales rose named ‘Simply the Best’. Ellie will continue on the Iceni Committee as Secretary in 2015...

Read more here:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/other-sport/norfolk-horse-racing-norfolk-equestrian/outgoing_chairman_ellie_head_honoured_by_iceni_members_1_3953078?usurv=skip

American Endurance Ride Conference Board Expresses "Anger and Disgust" After Horse Fatalities in Abu Dhabi

Equusmagazine.com Blog - Full Article

AERC CONDEMNS RULE VIOLATIONS AND RACING OF HORSES AT BLISTERING SPEEDS, LEADING TO CHRONIC INJURIES, FRACTURES AND DEATH

By Fran Jurga | Feb 11, 2015

An international outcry is echoing around the world this week in protest to reports of the death of at least three horses in a non-FEI endurance event in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Particularly provoking have been photos said to show an Australian-bred mount with two broken front legs that did not receive immediate veterinary attention. The race had a low completion rate, and critics complain that there is no way to know how many horses that are removed from the event location die later off premises.

The FEI's response to critics demanding action has been that this particular event was not an FEI-sanctioned event but rather one governed by national rules that are not required to comply with FEI international standards of equine welfare.

The Board of Directors of the American Endurance Ride Conference published the following news release today. It is published here as issued by the AERC...

- See more at: http://equusmagazine.com/blog/american-endurance-ride-conference-aerc-protest-region-vii-horse-deaths-27394#sthash.zh2awsLt.dpuf

FEI must tackle endurance problems, say US officials

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Feb 12, 2015 in News

The governing body for long-distance riding in the United States wants the FEI and US Equestrian Federation (USEF) to show their commitment to endurance reform, following the distressing demise of a competition horse in Abu Dhabi with two broken front legs.

The harrowing image of 12-year-old Australian-bred Splitters Creek Bundy, circulated widely in social media and published by Britain’s Daily Telegraph, shows the horse standing helplessly, having snapped both his cannon bones in the Al Reef Cup, staged in Abu Dhabi on January 31...

Read more: http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/12/fei-tackle-endurance-problems-us-officials/#ixzz3RXsspZ4c

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The Silence of the Lambs

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

by Pippa Cuckson
February 10 2015

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s just as well, because the greater the scandal, the briefer the utterance we get out of the FEI.

I refer of course, to the hideous image of Splitters Creek Bundy perched on his shattered forelegs at the CEN in Abu Dhabi on January 31st, which the FEI said it could do nothing about because the Al Reef Cup was a national event.

Disgust on social media at the FEI’s inertia is still running a close second to the outcry at the grotesque fate of Bundy as the battalion of following vehicles ploughed on regardless, no doubt horns blaring and with one eye on the speedometer to see just how fast the remaining cannon-fodder could be hazed into running. No one has denied reports that it took a veterinarian 20 minutes to arrive...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/the-silence-of-the-lambs/

Monday, February 09, 2015

India: City girl shines at equine endurance race

TimesofIndia.com - Full Article

February 9 2015

VADODARA: City girl Arundhatee Sarvaiya has bagged second position at the Equine Endurance Competition that was recently held at the equine festival organized by the Equestrian Federation of India in Ambod village near Gandhinagar.

The Ambod Equine Festival is one of the few endurance races that are organized in the country. In an endurance race, the winning horse is the first to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal fit to continue.

Nineteen-year-old Sarvaiya participated in the open category race that was spread over a length of 20 km.

A horse-riding enthusiast since she was six years old, the fest was a comeback for Sarvaiya who had been advised to take a break following an injury two years back. Sarvaiya had competed against 19 amateurs and professionals in a race through ravines and village plains along the Sabarmati river passing through Ambod...

Read more here:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/City-girl-shines-at-equine-endurance-race/articleshow/46171135.cms

Saturday, February 07, 2015

FEI plays get-out-of-jail-free card in latest endurance controversy

HorseTalk.co.nz

It is hard to escape the conclusion that the FEI has chosen to play a get-out-of-jail-free card over the harrowing demise of an Australian-bred endurance horse in a race in Abu Dhabi.

An image which has circulated in social media, and was published by Britain’s Daily Telegraph on Friday, shows Splitters Creek Bundy standing helplessly, having snapped both his cannon bones in the Al Reef Cup, staged a week ago.

The problem? The race over 120km was not an FEI-sanctioned event. It was run under less stringent rules adopted by the United Arab Emirates’ equestrian federation for some domestic endurance races. On that basis, the FEI has no jurisdiction, or, as the Telegraph reported, the world governing body asserted it was “powerless to act”.

[Read More ...]

Friday, February 06, 2015

Spirited: Australia's Horse Stories

SMH.com.au - Full Article

February 6, 2015 - 11:45PM
Daniel Vaeth-Levin

The National Museum of Australia's Spirited: Australia's Horse Stories exhibition displays a beautiful photograph of a horse trotting through seemingly endless desert. With its graceful arched neck, large eyes and gorgeous contours, the horse, as any horse lover would recognise, is an Arabian.

The magnificence of the horse and rider and the almost mythical desert setting have captivated me and sparked an interest in something I did not know existed – endurance horse riding. The horse in the image is Castlebar Kalahari, being ridden by Meg Wade, of NSW, in the 2009 His Highness the President of United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi. Wade is a champion endurance rider in Australia, having won the Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance race four times...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/spirited-australias-horse-stories--daniel-vaethlevins-favourite-20150203-1328f8.html#ixzz3R0fgl5RF

Thursday, February 05, 2015

The World's First* Endurance Riding Video Game has arrived!

Endurance.net Games

Endurance.net's Steph Teeter has just released the world's first* Endurance Riding video game.

The goal sounds simple: You will ride your horse safely to the first rest stop. However, there are plenty of trail challenges and obstacles along the way, including jumps, rocks that your barefoot horse must negotiate at a walk, spooky monsters you must walk past, and flying monsters you must dodge. You'll need to watch your pace, time your jumps, and be sure to eat and drink to keep your horse healthy. Collect apples for extra points. First aid kits will assist your horse when necessary, but will also deduct points. Scores are calculated on time elapsed till the first vet check, amount of water and food and apples ingested along the way, and first aid required.

It is currently playable for free on your computer with a safe and simple Unity Web Player download. Play on Smart Pads and iPhones is just around the corner.

"Learning how to make games was a big project, and they will improve as I get better," Steph says. "I think you'll enjoy playing once you figure out the controls, the points scoring, and the goal. I have many more games planned - and will also eventually make them playable on smart pads and phones, and add multi-player functionality. And let you pick your horse and rider, maybe buy boots and special tack items, and other features. But that's another learning curve... this is just a start! Stay tooned!"

Get the game here:
http://www.endurance.net/Games/

Try it out, and send comments and questions to steph@endurance.net .


*It's probably the world's first endurance riding video game. If not the first, it's the most fun!

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Abu Dhabi: Focus on GCC riders in Al Wathba endurance rides

Gulfnews.com - FUll Article

4WDs and cash prizes up for grabs on Friday and Saturday at Emirates International Endurance Village

Staff Report
Published: 16:23 February 4, 2015

Dubai The focus will be on riders from GCC countries when the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival hosts two endurance rides this weekend at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.
The CEN 120-km Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge will be held on Friday, while the CEN 120-km Emirates Championship (Open) will be held on Saturday.

Highlighting details about the rides Adnan Sultan Al Nuami, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said: “The CEN 120-km Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge is an Open ride, but only riders from GCC countries will be considered for the prizes.

“The three top riders from Gulf countries will win a 4WD vehicle each, while the fourth and fifth finishing GCC rider will get Dh100,000 and Dh90,000 respectively. “Another Dh40,000 will be distributed for those GCC riders finishing 6th to 10th, while all the other riders who complete the event will get a share of Dh30,000,” he added.

“The Emirates Championship CEN 120km (Open) event will see the top six riders driving away with a 4WD vehicle each...”

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/uae/focus-on-gcc-riders-in-al-wathba-endurance-rides-1.1451582

2015 Tom Quilty Gold Cup

AERA.asn.au

June 6th and 7th 2015

The 2015 Tom Quilty Gold Cup will be the 50th anniversay of the event and to celebrate the event will be returning to where it all started; the Hawkesbury region, just north of Sydney.

Venue:
Del Rio Riverside Resort is set on 3kms of beautiful Hawkesbury River frontage at Wisemans Ferry surrounded by a majestic mountainous backdrop. Only 1.5 hours from Sydney.
Del Rio Resort has previously hosted the NSW State Championships in 2007, the UAE Australian Challenge FEI 200km in 2002 along with some standard AERA rides.


The Resort Boasts:
· A large variety of accommodation
· Male & Female Shower & Toilet Block
· Laundry Services
· Conference Room (Quilty Pre-Ride Entries)
· Fully licensed facilities
· Bistro & Cafe
· Internet Connection


Would you like to get involved

If you would like to become involved in the 50th Tom Quilty we would welcome you as a volunteer or sponsor. It will be a truly unique experience and with up to 350 horses expected to attended it will be one of Australia's largest events.
For more information on how to help or become a volunteer please contact
Rebecca Hogan on PH: 0412600173 or by
Email: bechogan@newmoonstud.com.au
For general information please
Contact Helen Lindsay (02) 6342 9289
Email: kintamaniarabs@bigpond.com

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Abu Dhabi: Argentinian jockey Sabrina rides Spaucay to victory in the Al Reef Cup

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham A Gizouli (Chief Reporter) / 1 February 2015

The race was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Abu Dhabi: Top Argentinian rider Sabrina Magali Mendiz, astride 11-year-old Part Arab gelding Spaucay, representing Al Reef Stables, made a smooth progress to land the Al Reef Cup CEN 120km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

UAE’s early leader Salem Hamad Malhoof, riding eight-year-old Anglo Arab gelding Du Bas Four, from Al Asafa 2 Endurance Stables, was relegated to second in the final loop and behind them came compatriot Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi onboard 10-year-old Unknown mare JJ Princess from the F3 Stables.

The race was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The race was held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and sponsored by the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The winner has covered the 120k distance in 4 hours, 12 minutes and 24 seconds at an average speed of 28,526 km/hour to lead by just six seconds ahead of the runner up...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/horseracing/2015/February/horseracing_February1.xml§ion=horseracing

Chile's Martin Playing the Long Game in Endurance

FEI.org - Full Story 20 September 2024 Words by Stacey Stearn We catch up with the Pan American champion... “Endurance riding is a spor...