Canada/Bromont 2018: Overdue Diligence

Horsecanada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | May 27, 2016
by Pippa Cuckson

In a long career you can’t remember every news story you ever wrote. However, one from the early 1990s sticks in my mind because it involved a conversation with Jacques Chirac, and it’s not often that a humble equestrian journalist gets her call put through to one of the most famous statesmen of his generation.

At the time M Chirac was the long-standing mayor of Paris. The reason I telephoned his office was because Paris had been awarded hosting rights for the 1994 World Equestrian Games, yet everything had gone awfully quiet aside from growing rumour there was no financial backing after all from the French capital….

Anyway, the gist is that when I explained I was asking about the Jeux Mondiales Equestre his immediate reaction was “what JEM?” Not only was M Chirac unaware of the notion of a WEG, JEM or anything else answering to that description, he was even more surprised to learn this enormous spectacle, at a time of year when Paris is already chock full of tourists, was supposedly being staged on his patch in three years’ time.

I can’t remember without looking it up exactly how the French bid unravelled thereafter, but 1994 ended up in The Hague, and I am pretty sure that if The Hague had been the first ever WEG the concept would have been trashed straight away.

Anyway, I had a strange sense of déjà vu reading recent coverage of the resignations of the five senior members of the Bromont JEM organising committee. A number of media had some of the departees blaming federal government for not coming up with an expected $8-9 million funding, claiming this in turn caused a loss of confidence in any other potential investors.

No one, though, seemed to have got the federal government’s point of view. It now seems neither Bromont, nor the FEI definitely said there was confirmed support from Ottawa at the time of the bid, but there is certainly an inference it had been promised soon after. So had Ottawa reneged on any deal? And if not, what might they have said to Bromont that could possibly have been interpreted as even a gesture of moral support?...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/overdue-diligence/

Dr Jane Greatorex wins the inaugural Scottish Horseshoe Endurance Ride

Lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk - Full Article

26 May 2016

Dr Jane Greatorex, Undergraduate Tutor & Fellow, wins the inaugural Scottish Horseshoe Endurance Ride. This endurance horse ride is 186 km ridden over 2 days (the longest distance ever achieved competitively in the UK) and includes 13,200 ft of climbing for horse and rider...

Read more here
http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/news-blog/latest-news/dr-jane-greatorex-wins-the-inaugural-scottish-horseshoe-endurance-ride

Western Australia Endurance Riding Association season kicking off, welcomes riders of all abilities

Communitynews.com.au - Full Article

May 27th, 2016, 01:00AM
Written by Lynn Grierson

RIDERS of varying abilities are encouraged to learn more about an upcoming endurance event in the Avon Valley.

The WA Endurance Riding Association kicks off the season with a challenge on July 30 in Mokine, near Northam.

Co-ordinator Amanda Rayner said organisers were anticipating a big turnout due to the growing popularity of the event in the past two years.

“Local farmers have graciously opened up their properties for the running of this event,” she said.

“This will allow minimal travelling on gravel roads.”

She said the Kep Track and Spencers Brook heritage trail would also be used in the event.

The ride will comprise distances of 80km, 60km, 40km and 20km to cater for qualified endurance riders through to social, trail and pony club riders...

Read more here:
http://www.communitynews.com.au/hills-gazette/news/wa-endurance-riding-association-season-kicking-off-welcomes-riders-of-all-abilities/

Mongol Derby dream come true for ‘adventure junkie’

Langleytimes.com - Full Article

by Monique Tamminga - Langley Times
posted May 25, 2016

Racing 1,000 km through the Mongolian desert, riding wild horses in blazing heat — with a chance she’ll have to fight off packs of feral dogs — is everything Langley’s Heidi Telstad signed up for.

Lawyer by day and daredevil by night, 43-year-old Telstad is taking her love of extreme sports to the next level this August as the only Canadian accepted into the Mongol Derby.

“My family is used to me doing crazy things, often coming back with a broken hand, ribs, but I got some strange looks from my colleagues, some saying ‘I hope you make it back,’,” said the self-described “adventure junkie...”

Read more here:
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/380705951.html

Great Britain: BEF Futurity 2016 Dates and Venues

Everythinghorseuk.co.uk - Full Article

POSTED BY: ROBERTA COLL MAY 20, 2016

BEF Futurity 2016

The dates and venues for the 2016 Baileys Horse Feeds/British Breeding/BEF Futurity evaluation series have been announced. The Futurity evaluations aim to identify British bred young potential sport horses and ponies, destined for top level careers in dressage, eventing, show-jumping or endurance. The Futurity is fast becoming recognised as an important first step in the careers of many potential top level horses and provides a valuable marketing tool for breeders.

The 2016 Futurity evaluations will run from the 15th to the 31st August, covering 11 venues nationwide, with a total of 12 days of evaluations. Entries are taken online and will open on the 1st July 2016.

The Futurity is open to British bred horses and ponies with group ages for foals, yearlings, two and three year olds, and selects for the main disciplines of dressage, show jumping, eventing and endurance. Each horse or pony undergoes a vet’s assessment and is then evaluated in hand and loose in an indoor school. Three year olds entered into either the show jumping or eventing sections are required to loose jump.

The BEF’s Head of Equine Development Jan Rogers said:“Breeders, buyers and riders of British bred horses are increasingly finding that a Futurity premium is very useful in helping to assess these horses. We are also seeing a marked improvement in the standard of youngsters entered in the futurity, which is very good news for the future of British breeding”...

Read more here:
http://everythinghorseuk.co.uk/bef-futurity-2016-dates-venues/

Great Britain: Major sponsor announced for Euston Park endurance rides

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Eleanor Jones
15:09 - 19 May, 2016

Emirates has been confirmed as the major sponsor for endurance events at Euston Park this summer.

The airline is supporting rides of 80, 120 and 160km, on 28 May, 19 June and 13 August, which organisers hope will “attract a broad spread of leading international horses and riders”.

Nick Brooks-Ward, event director at The Hpower Group, said: “We are truly delighted that such a major global brand is supporting the 2016 endurance rides at Euston Park, and we hope the rides will become a regular fixture in the Endurance calendar.

“The backing of Emirates – which has a strong track record in major sporting event and equestrian sponsorship – will allow us to ensure that the competitors’ experience with us is a memorable one and we will also be able to provide great facilities for our spectators...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/major-sponsor-announced-euston-park-endurance-rides-536136#JBmz3DHezFJXJw0a.99

Could Australia succeed in hosting WEG in 2022?

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | 18 May 2016

Even Queen Elizabeth admitted to enduring an annus horribilis – a horrible year – in the early 1990s, so it can happen to the best of us.

Australia’s quarantine service racked up its shocker in 2007. That was when the equine influenza virus escaped from its Eastern Creek quarantine station near Sydney, probably from an infected Japanese stallion.

Australia’s horses had never been exposed to equine influenza and the disease swept up through New South Wales and into southern Queensland. At its peak, 47,000 horses were infected across New South Wales alone.

It was a massive and impressive biosecurity effort that finally eliminated the virus from Australia.

The country then rejoined New Zealand and Iceland as the only nations free of the disease.

I am sure that staff at the headquarters of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service were gripping their pencils tighter than usual yesterday when Equestrian Australia announced it was interested in hosting the World Equestrian Games in 2022.

If successful, the event could potentially draw up to 1000 horses to Australia’s shores to compete across the eight disciplines showcased at the FEI event...

Read more: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2016/05/18/could-australia-host-weg-2022/#ixzz4978EyyDE

FEI World Equestrian Games 2022 - Australia?

Equestrian.org.au

16 May 2016

Equestrian Australia (EA) has submitted to the FEI a non-binding Expression of Interest (EOI) in relation to hosting the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).

By submitting a non-binding EOI, EA will be provided with the Official FEI Bid Documentation which will enable us to further explore the feasibility of Australia successfully bidding for and hosting the 2022 WEG. At this point in time, Adelaide and South East Queensland are being considered as possible host locations.

As this is the first phase of the FEI process, there is no obligation for Australia to proceed with a formal bid. Further analysis and deliberation is required before any decisions are made.

UAE’s Saif Ahmed Al Mazroui wins the Royal Windsor Endurance race

7days.ae - Full Article

Mike Starling | May 14, 2016

UAE rider Saif Ahmed Al Mazroui claimed top spot in the Royal Windsor Endurance ride on Friday when his 12 year-old gelding, Ramaah was the runaway winner of the CEI2* event over 120km of Windsor Great Park in England.

Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum was third on 2012 World Chamoion horse, Intisaar.

Both horses were prepared by dual code-trainer, Mohammed Ismael, with Ramaah coming back into full health having been unable to race during the UAE winter season following a set back.

The ride, which is part of the five-day Royal Windsor Horse Show in England, was held at Windsor Great Park and proved a truly Royal affair with members of the ruling families of Dubai, Great Britain and Bahrain in attendance...

Read more here:
http://7days.ae/uaes-saif-ahmed-al-mazroui-wins-royal-windsor-endurance-race/85711

Kyrgyzstan takes part in endurance riding in Turkmenistan, timed to 5th Asian Games

06/05/16 12:31, Bishkek – 24.kg news agency, by Kanykei MANASOVA

The delegation from Kyrgyzstan took part in the endurance riding in Turkmenistan, timed to the 5th Asian Games. The Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic reported.

According to it, the riding started in the historical and cultural natural reserve "Nisa" on May 5. Representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic and other countries got acquainted with the construction of the Olympic Village for the upcoming games.

The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will start in Ashgabat on September 17, 2017.

http://www.eng.24.kg/community/180324-news24.html

UAE: Mohammed forms Equestrian Club board

Emirates247.com - Full Article

Princess Haya will chair the board

By Staff
Published Monday, May 02, 2016

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, has issued Decision No. 3 of 2016 pertaining to the formation of the Board of the Dubai Equestrian Club.

According to the Decision, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will chair the Board of the Dubai Equestrian Club...

Read more here:
http://www.emirates247.com/news/government/mohammed-forms-equestrian-club-board-2016-05-02-1.628996

Mass Resignations from 2018 WEG Bromont

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

April 30 2016

Horse Sport has confirmed that five members of the board of the 2018 Bromont WEG (COJEM) have resigned en-masse including: Luc Fournier, CEO; François Duffar, chair of the board, Julie Payette, Rene Perreault, and Linda Heathcott.

A press release issued by COJEM stated:
“Faced with a number of issues since the beginning of their respective mandates, the two leaders came to the conclusion that, without major changes and the reiteration of their strong support from all partners and stakeholders, they will not be able to deliver and to stage the Games as planned in two years. They therefore resigned from their positions, both for professional reasons and in the hope of delivering a necessary wake up call. The resignation of the Board’s Chairman is effective immediately; as for the CEO’s, it will become effective in three months-time. The organization also accepted the resignation of two other Board members, Ms Julie Payette and Mr. René Perreault.”

In a frank interview with the regional newspaper La Voix de L’Est, Fournier was quoted as saying that he realized this week that the organizing committee would not be able to deliver a quality product and that it would take somebody better equipped than him to make it work...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/mass-resignations-from-2018-weg-bromont/?utm_source=Enews+May+2%2C+2016&utm_campaign=EnewsMay22016&utm_medium=email

Bromont 2018: A (sort of) Progress Report

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Written by: Karen Robinson

With a little over two years to go until the World Equestrian Games in Bromont, QC, the wheels are finally starting to turn.

In just over two years, the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) are scheduled to take place at the Parc Équestre Olympique in Bromont, QC. One would naturally expect the venue in Bromont to be a beehive of construction activity, and the internet to be peppered with promotional communications about the largest equestrian sporting event ever on Canadian soil.

But very little has progressed with Bromont 2018 since the bid was won, other than a turnover in CEOs last summer when Paul Côté departed less than a year after he was hired. He was replaced in September 2015 by Luc Fournier, who was persuaded to leave his post as Quebec’s Deputy Minister for Sports and Recreation. Fournier brings a strong, relevant background to the job of running the 2018 WEG project, having been at the helm of several major annual sporting events in Quebec. The 2018 WEG will almost certainly be the biggest challenge of his event management career, not least because he inherited a project that had been both stagnant and badly deficient in funding...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/magazine_articles/bromont-2018-a-sort-of-progress-report/

Ana Grande Wins 2016 Young Rider Spanish Championship

May 1 2016

With a sprint of 6 horses to the finish line, Ana Grande Avila, riding Jaleo RD 50%, won the 120-km Young Rider Spanish Championship near Badajoz, Spain, on May 1. Paula Mental Sanches was second on Akthara, and Naroa Calvo Ibañez was third aboard Tra Felic. Finishing time was 5:35.13. Seventeen finished out of the 38 starters finished the race.

The Young Rider Championship came the day after Alex Luque won the senior Spanish Championship.

For more information on the Spanish Championships, see:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/

Hungary: Okorn shines on Ebla

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

May 1 2016

Slovenia's Helena Okorn was in a class of her own as she stormed to victory in the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-supported FEI Central European Endurance Cup 2016 international 120-km endurance ride held in Babolna, Hungary, on Saturday.

Riding HS Ebla, a horse she has owned for 9 years, Okorn made it a winning debut in this historic Arabian horse breeding town while Polish rider Wojciech Heliasz on Sinda finished second and French rider Marion Wasilewski took third place on Quernika Du Cade.

Earlier in the morning, competitors took off in five different competitions, all international FEI rides with riders from France, Poland, Austria, Czech Rep, Romania, Croatia, China, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Serbia and the host country Hungary in action.

All five rides were held as part of the festival under directions of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Okorn and HS Elba almost made it a start-to-finish affair as they led in three of the four stages though before the final stage of 20-kms, just a minute separated the winner and the second-placed Polish rider...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/other/okorn-shines-on-ebla