Great Britain: Annie Joppe’s endurance blog: last ever event and the big selection

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Annie Joppe
10:55 - 26 July, 2017

Little Chiara earned her three weeks’ holiday after completing her one-star competition and my attention reverted to Dilmun and, of course, Fantom’s ongoing fitness programme.

Fantom is possibly the most difficult horse to train. At home he seems to have the mentality of a riding school hack where all the motivation is kept for the return journey. However, this is coupled with the ability to perform Jekyll and Hyde-like transformations with incredibly spectacular Aires above the Ground!

Now, how to read these extremely exciting moments? A case in point today was a lungeing session over raised poles where, to start off with, he was pretty indifferent then in the blink of an eye he was Pegasus, the winged horse, with the snort of an express train going into a tunnel! They do say a good horse has to have attitude don’t they?...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/annie-joppes-endurance-blog-last-ever-event-big-selection-626979#mhEYpggXYlVuupWY.99

Forgery City

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | July 25, 2017

I don’t know what is worse, the imagination applied to forgery in international endurance or the fact the FEI seems resigned to it.

Of course, passing off a horse as something it isn’t is as old as time itself. And forging people’s signatures on documents is not exactly unknown in FEI endurance, either; one such incident even reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But fakery that compromises welfare again and again is plain evil. No horse sport is 101% squeaky clean, but I am staggered the other equestrian disciplines are still prepared to belong to the same international federation that ‘governs’ desert endurance when the rot we actually do know about is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

The infamy of endurance is spreading to unexpected quarters anyway. Ullrich Raulff, recently retired literary editor of famous German paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, has just written his own book Farewell to the Horse: The Final Century of Our Relationship.

It must be a relief that so few reviewers have picked up this paragraph: “The Emirate of Dubai in particular and the United Emirates in general have gained a reputation for harsh endurance rides in the desert at high temperatures which have risked or indeed caused the deaths of countless horses. Here, too, the curious can take on the role of passer-by, watching online as horses are so badly flayed and severely injured that they collapse and have to be put out of their misery by a vet.” I guess the general reader could not imagine that Raulff is actually talking about a sport regulated by a body affiliated to the International Olympic Committee. Anyway, I digress.

This past week there has been a disturbing development in the Bahrain controversy raging since April which, like the Marmoog and Pang horse swaps and the bogus rides, also has at its core fakery aimed at masking welfare concerns.
The FEI seems determined to take a blind eye on this one, falling back on the “this was a national ride so nothing to do with us – phew” excuse, despite evidence the incident did occur in a FEI ride and that the horse they say died wasn’t even there...

Read more here:
https://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/forgery-city/

South Africa: Fauresmith 2017, three days of racing with 400 starters

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

Text provided by: Susan Koekemoer

Fauresmith, Frees State Province, South Africa. Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5 and Saturday 6 July 2017.
During this weekend, the majority of the endurance riding community of South Africa descended on the tiny town of Fauresmith in the Frees State province of South Africa.

The Fauresmith 204km National Championship and Interprovincial event started on the 4th of July 2017. This was to be the 44th running of the event which started in 1974 with only 17 competitors.

The 204km is ridden over 3 days: Day 1 and 2 are 75km (23.5km/27.3km/24.2km) with the grooming points for loop 1 and 2 being on small farms on the outskirts of Fauresmith. The final inspection on all days is held in front of the grandstands at the ride base in Fauresmith. Day 2 is ridden in the opposite direction to day 1. Day 3 is 54km (27.2km/26.8km) with the grooming point after loop 1 at Sandymount Park.

One of the heroes of South African endurance, Oom (Uncle) Ami de Wet, at the age of 79 was attempting his 41st Fauresmith 200km. He has completed 35 of his previous 40 starts which is a track record any rider would love to claim.
400 riders started in uncharacteristically warm weather on Tuesday the 4th of July. Amongst these were 11 international riders: Rebecca, Teresa and Peter Birkett from New Zealand and Isabel and Sharon Foster, Peter and Victoria Bice, Natasha Willemse, Karen Winkel, Sally Fenner and Kenneth Moir from Australia. 72 competitors FTQ on day with 65 lameness and 3 metabolic...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/fauresmith-2017-three-days-racing-400-starters/

Saudi Arabia: Suspension and fine for endurance rider over horse’s failed drug test

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 25, 2017
Horsetalk.co.nz

A rider in Saudi Arabia has been suspended for a year and fined 2500 Swiss francs after his mount in a 110km endurance ride last January tested positive for phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, and dexamethasone.

Ibrahim Abdulrahman Alsughayer rode the horse Nashmi Alghzlan in a CEI1* 110km race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 14.

The horse was selected for testing, which revealed the presence of the three substances in the blood. Phenylbutazone and dyphenbutazone – a metabolic byproduct of phenylbutazone – are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid drug with anti-inflammatory properties...

Read more at http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/07/25/suspension-fine-endurance-horse-drug/#uO7Pb2PBHLwi5Lpd.99

Endurance GB Announces British Team for European Endurance Championships

July 23 2017

Endurance GB is delighted to announce the team of riders and horses who will represent Great Britain at the forthcoming European Endurance Championships to be held in Brussels in Belgium on the 17th of August:

• Rachael Atkinson with Tannasg Psyches Realm
• Caroline Cowley with HS Bellini
• Harry Ingram with Warrens Hill Chayze
• Annie Joppe with Fantom
• Nicola Thorne with LM Bolena
Reserve: Lorna Kidson with Sheer Bliss

Chef d’Equip, Liz Finney, commented, “Following a very positive training day held at Euston Park, courtesy of HPower, we have made the difficult decision as to which horses would be selected. We have a strong team of riders who all have international experience and we are looking forward to competing in the European championships in Brussels.”

The Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters takes riders from the Bois de la Cambre park in central Brussels out towards the Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 5 loops of the 160km course can be found here. 

Each rider will have their own support crew who will assist them in vet gates and out on course, along with Endurance GB’s Senior Management Team, who consist of: 

Chef d’Equip - Liz Finney
Vet - Hannah Kelley  
Farrier - Kelvin Lymer 
Physio - Katie Dorman 

Mongol Derby: Darwin woman to ride 1,000km in the world's toughest horse race

ABC.net.au - Full Story

July 21 2017
By Kristy O'Brien and Neda Vanovac

When people hear that Jodie Ward is planning to ride 1,000 kilometres across the Mongolian steppe on semi-broken ponies as part of the world's longest and toughest horse race, they immediately ask her two questions.

"The first question is, 'are you crazy?' The second question is, 'what would make you want to do something like that?'" Ms Ward laughed.

"And then, 'you must be a good horseperson,'... Well, no!"

Ms Ward, who lives in Katherine, has completed some 40 to 120 kilometre-horseback endurance races in the past, but nothing like the mammoth undertaking ahead of her, riding 120 to160km per day for about 10 days during the Mongol Derby.

Only one in every 40 applicants makes it through the screening process to be selected to race along Genghis Khan's ancient mail delivery route across the remotest parts of the vast country, but for Ms Ward, it only took three days from her initial application being submitted to getting the nod.

"I was so surprised, I didn't think I would be qualified or I would have a chance," she said.

She said the interview process was a test of would-be riders' mettle...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-22/darwin-woman-prepares-to-ride-1000km-in-mongol-derby/8709284

Racing through the South African grasslands on horseback

BellingEncourier.com.au - Full Article

Ute Schulenberg
21 Jul 2017

Isabel and Sharon Foster are still landing after their amazing experience at the Fauresmith 200km National Endurance ride in South Africa two weeks ago.

“It was a totally awesome experience … every day there was another wow! factor,” Sharon said.

“There were about 400 of us camped in this big fenced area and we were hosted by the most beautiful family with whom we felt instantly comfortable.”

“We had no idea what to expect when we landed, but we needn’t have worried, we were made to feel totally at home and the horses we leased from them were really well-trained and well-cared for.”

The ride itself takes place over three days across 204km of sandy, dusty, at times rocky terrain.

“It was the middle of winter but the days were up to 20 degrees and there is absolutely no shade. Night temperatures got down to about minus seven degrees with sheets of ice on our tents...

Read more here:
http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/4800269/the-highs-and-lows-of-enduring-success/

World’s endurance elite flock to €2m feature event in Britain

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 21, 2017
Horsetalk.co.nz

One of the most significant endurance events in Europe is being planned for Britain next month, with a prize pool of some €2 million.

Already 160 entries have been received from 16 countries, and more than 200 overall are expected for the three-day FEI sanctioned competition, from August 18 to 20 at Euston Park. The aim is to attract competitors from five continents.

New ride categories have been created for the UK Endurance Masters, which is the third leg of His Highness’s Cup, staged under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The other two legs were hosted in Spain and Italy.

The competition will be centered on the FEI Best Condition Award, maintaining the emphasis on horse welfare, and total prize money and participation support will be €2 million (£1.7m)...

Read more at https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/07/21/endurance-2m-feature-britain/#b0ljDcaVK2fgOJed.99

Great Britain: Equestrian federation facing investigation as chief executive Clare Salmon quits

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

by Jim White
20 JULY 2017

The British Equestrian Federation has ordered an independent investigation into the administration of the sport following the resignation of Clare Salmon as the body’s CEO.

In her resignation letter Salmon, who only took up the post in June 2016, raised what Joanne Shaw, the BEF chair, described as “significant and serious concerns about culture, governance and the interaction of some of the Member Bodies.”

The BEF is an umbrella organisation covering 15 full and three associate bodies involved in British equestrian sport, from British Eventing to the Pony Club.

Part of its remit is responsibility for distributing funding from UK Sport for the Olympic programme. And since the post-2016 reduction in central financing, the BEF budget for Tokyo 2020 of just under £15.5million is nearly £2.5million down on what it was for Rio.

This has led to a series of disputes with the constituent bodies, all of whom have seen budgets shaved. Issues have ranged from Carl Hester, coach to Charlotte Dujardin and a leading figure in British dressage, suggesting that his sport has lost sponsors after they were leant on to make up the ensuing financial short fall, to those in eventing lamenting the enforced redundancy of a number of coaches on the junior programme.

Several figures within the sport have questioned why coaches have been laid off, while the BEF has not yet seen any reduction in its 30-strong administrative staff.

Further strain has been caused by the BEF’s embrace of Sheik Makhtoum’s sponsorship of the UK Endurance Masters being held next month in Euston Park, Suffolk. This offers prize money of £1,768,900 for horses competing in cross country races of up to 80km in duration.

After six horses died in an endurance event in Dubai in January, there has been widespread dismay at the connection: GB Endurance has seen a spate of resignations since the sponsorship announcement was made...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/equestrianism/2017/07/20/equestrian-federation-facing-investigation-chief-executive-clare/

Great Britain: Thorne hoping for home comforts at UK Endurance Masters at Euston Park

Ealingtimes.co.uk - Full Article

July 19 2017

Norfolk's Nicki Thorne is a woman on a mission, hell-bent on success as she prepares to saddle up once again and battle it out for top step on the podium at the UK Endurance Masters at Euston Park next month.

Great Britain’s Thorne, who was a former world No.1 in 2014, will be put through her paces at one of the premier endurance events of the year, with more than 200 competitors from across the globe set to compete as part of the Euston Park August Festival.

And as one of the most established endurance competitors, she cannot wait to get back in the saddle for the competition.

“Euston Park has done so much work into putting on an incredible series both last year and this year.

"It’s dear to my heart because I am from Norfolk and it’s my home turf,” said Thorne, who grew up in Wicklewood, near Wymondham, where her parents ran the village stores.

“There are some fabulous opportunities to ride in this area and Euston Park have provided us with a venue which is set up for endurance. To have the opportunity to take our horses to the event is a very good opportunity..."

Read more here:
http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/sport/15420655.Thorne_hoping_for_home_comforts_at_UK_Endurance_Masters_at_Euston_Park/

Great Britain: UK Masters Endurance to offer record prize purse

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

UAE riders sweep through Toscana Endurance event

Published: 19:00 July 18, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: A record prize money purse of £1 million (approx) is at stake for the first UK Endurance Masters, to be held on August 18-20 at Euston Park Suffolk.

The Masters, to be staged under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is the first event of its kind. It has the potential to become the most significant endurance event in the UK, the competition offering riders the challenge of a variety of terrains through Suffolk and Norfolk.

There are already 130 entries from 16 countries and that number is set to rise given the attractive terms of this announcement. The organisers are hoping that the competition will attract interest from all five continents...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/uk-masters-endurance-to-offer-record-prize-purse-1.2060989

Janahi races to victory in France event

GDNonline.com - Full Article

July 17 2017

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s Hamad Janahi won first place in the 130-km Argenton Race held in France to qualify for the World Youth Championship which is set to be held in Italy.

Janahi rode his horse Samira to victory clocking 06:24.57 hours at a speed of 20 km.

Completing Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s impressive performance were Mohammed Al Miqdad, who finished third, and Mohammed Abdul Samad at fifth.

Al Miqdad clocked 06: 25.02 hours at a speed of 20 km, while Abdul Samad registered clocked 07: 11.55 hours at 18 km speed.

Last year, Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s Rashid Al Rowaie also won first place on the same horse, Samira, on the same location.

With his victory, Janahi joined fellow Bahraini riders Fahad Al Khateri, winner of the latest edition of the World Youth Championship in Chile, Dana Al Bengadeer, Rashid Al Rowaie and Salem Sabt to the World Youth Championship...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/235159/Janahi-races-to-victory-in-France-event

Italy: Toscana Endurance Lifestyle delivers top class racing with UAE in charge

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

by Admin
17 July 2017

Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, San Rossore, Pisa, Italy. Saturday 15 July and Sunday 16 July 2017.

A total of 517 riders, coming from 44 different nations and prize money at Euro 2,000,000. These are the facts of this year’s edition HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival in this Toscana Endurance Lifestyle event.

The buzz was very vibrant during this high octane of racing with three races on Saturday CEI1* 80km (57 entries), CEIYJ2* 120km (29 entries) and the discipline that gains popularity the CEI2* 120km ladies (172 entries). Sunday two race were scheduled with the CEI2* 120km (200 entries) and the CEI3* 160km (50 entries).

The European record breaking entries for the ladies’ race obliged the organiser to move this race from Sunday to Saturday. “We felt this was necessary to have the best and safest races” were the comments.

On Saturday in the CEI1* 80km it was Bairisal Singh – IND (Magic Glenn Avelina) who was the strongest and crossed the finish half an hour in front of Essa Al Shair – UAE (Ghazwen) and Alessandro Generali – ITA (Ireno) a further 15 minutes back.
The warm weather seemed to be a concern for most stables: “It’s very hot out there and on certain parts of the track there is no air which makes it pretty hard for the horses...”

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/toscana-endurance-lifestyle-top-class-racing-uae-charge/

Italy: Toscana endurance ride breaks European records

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Festival inspired by Shaikh Mohammad sets new landmarks in entries and rider benefits

Published: 18:27 July 14, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: The status of the Toscana Endurance Lifestyle continues to grow as the competition sweeps all existing records with respect to unprecedented entries for this week’s endurance event at the San Rossore Estate.
The festival draws its inspiration from the patronage and vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The competition now boasts a record 500 entries from 44 nations, across all continents and a record prize money fund that has increased, from the previously announced Euro 500,000 to approximately double, by the Meydan Group.

Commenting on this very positive development Brigadier Mohammad Essa Al Adhab, General Manager, Dubai Equestrian Club, stated: “Such positive feedback from competitors and officials inspires us to plan for bigger and better events to promote endurance riding.

“The positive vision and blueprint designed by Shaikh Mohammad makes us confident that the best is yet to come in the world of endurance riding competitions supported by the UAE and Dubai all over the world..."

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/toscana-endurance-ride-breaks-european-records-1.2058867

Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance ride: Enduring honours for Tasmanian riders

The sought-after Quilty cup returns to Tasmania for the second year in a row after Brooke Brown Cordell and Tierview Salama won the overall event in South Australia.

Miss Cordell, of Lilydale, completed the gruelling 160km ride in a time of 10 hours and 28 minutes to win the middleweight section and overall ride.

Nine-year-old mare Salama is owned by the Pickering family and Miss Cordell has been competing on her for about 12 months.

The pair came fourth in last year’s Quilty.

“She’s got a really loveable character,” Miss Cordell said.

“She’s a beautiful mare to ride. Sometimes she can be a bit silly on the first leg, but she knows her job. She really impressed us last year and did really well this year.”

Miss Cordell, 20, started competing in endurance riding when she was about eight. She has now ridden in eight Tom Quiltys and this is the third time she has won a buckle.

Fellow Tasmanian and last year’s Quilty winner Debbie Grull and her horse Lauralyn Notorious also put in a great performance to come second.

Tasmanian Bella Pickering won the junior section riding Vandieman Trojen. Kirstie Lockhart, also from Tasmania, was second on Zane.

All up, 12 Tasmanians received the prized Quilty buckles for completing the event this year. They include Keryn Marney of Deloraine who now has 20 Quiltys to her name.

Tasmania also won the team competition.

Ms Grull was hoping to defend her title this year but said she was just pleased to see the trophy back in the state.

“I was really happy with how we did, especially considering we had a few issues leading up to it,” she said.

“To be honest it’s nice to see a new name on the trophy.”

This year’s Quilty was the seventh time Ms Grull has received a buckle and for her horse Fred it is the fifth time he has placed in the top five.

Ms Grull said this year’s course was quite challenging with plenty of hills and rain.

She said Tasmania’s dominance this year came down to the quality of the horses.

“Tassie does hilly quite well and our conditions down here can be quite thought, we do get rapid changes in the weather at times,” she said.

“I think the main thing is thought that our horses are just tough.

“ We do have a very good veterinary team and they are quite fussy with the horses so over time that has helped with the quality of the horses competing too,” Ms Grull said.

Full article plus photos and videos ..

Lilydale rider the toast of the endurance horse riding in Australia after winning the Tom Quilty

20 year old Brooke Brown-Cordell from Lilydale has stunned the horse world with a brilliant win in this year's Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

The young rider was in the saddle for just under 10 and a half hours to win the event which was held in South Australia.

Brooke Brown-Cordell has told Laurissa Smith the win on her mare Sally was very satisfying.

Listen to the radio piece on Brooke here..

Australia: Grull goes well again at prestigious event

TheAdvocate.com.au - Full Article

Alex Fair
12 July 2017

Staverton’s Debbie Grull has once again tasted success at the prestigious Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Grull and her horse and her horse Lauralyn Notorious finished equal second in the middleweight division of the the 160 kilometre endurance event held over the weekend.

Grull and Lauralyn Notorious finished the course in 11 hours and 11 minutes after starting at midnight on Friday, backing up after last year’s win in the event.

This year’s event was held in Wirrina Cove in South Australia, with strong winds and rain an obstacle on what was already going to be a tough course.

“We are quite pleased with how we did,’’ she said this week.

“We also won the Shareym award for the horse with the most consecutive buckles at the Quilty and the Newbridge Trophy as the first registered horse across the line...”

Read more here:
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/4784782/grull-goes-well-again-at-prestigious-event/

Brooke Brown Cordell and Tierview Salama win 2017 Tom Quilty

July 8 2017

Brooke Brown Cordell and Tierview Salama won the 2017 Tom Quilty at Wirrina Cove, South Australia in a finish time of 10:28.40. They took the top Heavyweight award and the Best Condition award.

Tying for second place (and also Middleweights) were Debbie Grull aboard Lauralyn Notorious, and Talea Hasko-Stewart aboard Blake's Heaven Bombora.

106 finished the tough ride in rough weather out of the 164 starters, for a 64.63% finish percentage.

Complete results can be seen here:
http://www.aeraspace.com.au/RideResultsDetail_S.aspx?eventid=36895&ridenumber=1

More on the ride at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Australia/2017TomQuilty/

Great Britain: Cornish farmer prepares for ride of a lifetime

FWI.co.uk - Full Article

11 July 2017
Charlotte Cunningham

A Cornish dairy farmer is preparing to complete the longest and toughest horse race in the world in a bid to raise money for charity.

Paul Richards, from Hayle, Cornwall, is heading off to Mongolia in August to take part in the Mongol Derby, which will see him cover 620 miles in 10 days on semi-wild horses.

“I came across the Derby by accident a few years ago while I was looking for hunting videos on YouTube,” explains Mr Richards. “I followed it for a couple of years and thought I would love to have a go, but feared I was too old.”

Mr Richards, 59, is one of just nine people from the UK taking part in the Mongol Derby – a race that comes with the disclaimer: “Your chances of being seriously injured or dying as a result of taking part are high...”

Read more here:
https://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/cornish-farmer-prepares-ride-lifetime.htm

FEI Issues Decisions on Three Banned Substance Cases

Thehorse.com - Full ARticle

By Edited Press Release Jul 11, 2017

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal has issued its final decisions on three banned substance cases from 2015 and 2016 in which the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs) were violated.

Houkoumi G

Samples taken on Sept. 4, 2015, from the endurance horse Houkoumi G, ridden by Evelyne Stoffel (BEL) at the CEI1* 100 in Virton, Belgium, tested positive for O-desmethyltramadol, a metabolite of the opoid analgesic tramadol. The tribunal imposed a 15-month suspension on Stoffel with a fine of CHF $2,500 and contribution of CHF $1,000 towards legal costs...

More at:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/39399/fei-issues-decisions-on-three-banned-substance-cases

Italy: Dh2m prize purse for Tuscany endurance

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Two events to be held July 14-16 and August 4-6

Published: 16:48 July 11, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

San Rossore: The third Toscana Endurance Lifestyle will take place at San Rossore Estate and Racetrack in Italy with two events from July 14-16 and August 4-6.
The highlight of the first meeting is the Italian round of the HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival, for which a record number of entries have already been received. Participants have made their way to Tuscany to prepare for the race, which offers a record-breaking prize purse of €500,000 (Dh2 million) from the Meydan Group.

World renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli headlines a star-studded festival inspired by the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/dh2m-prize-purse-for-tuscany-endurance-1.2056796

Great Britain: Annie Joppe’s endurance blog: on the edge of a nightmare

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Story

Annie Joppe - 10 July, 2017

Fitness preparation continues for Fantom and we were lucky enough to enjoy a ‘guided’ interval training session on Dartmoor recently. The going was just right, not too wet, and not too dry and we completed six uphill sessions each of over a mile, interspersed with walking down and steadily progressing between each climb. This succeeded in raising heart rates far more efficiently than any work on the gallops possibly could and I was so pleased with Fantom’s performance and attitude. Unfortunately after that we had four days of driving rain, which meant work on the grass cross-country course ceased.

I am now just back from a weekend in Norfolk. How very idyllic you might say, but our weekend was focussed on Chiara’s first FEI competition; indeed her first race and the biggest occasion in her young life.

As usual the King’s Forest competition was a superbly organised event with an excellent venue and facilities and everything was in place to make things as easy as possible for the competitors.

We had decided in advance to leave Cornwall on a Thursday to avoid the ridiculous gridlock of holiday traffic coming into and out of Cornwall on a Friday. This had the added advantage of giving us a day’s breathing space before the competition which was on the Saturday. We had a straightforward journey with a stop at Bristol Airport (nearly on the way) to collect stalwart crew member, Kiwi, who had flown in from Holland.

There had been a fair amount of rain just prior to the ride, just after the organisers had marked the course which had the dire effect of removing most of the markers. But they were actually superheroes and, almost single-handedly, drove 350 stakes with coloured loop markers into the side of the forest tracks (six different loops of up to 20 miles long!) in time for the competition...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/annie-joppes-endurance-blog-edge-nightmare-625814#IGGuu1tDPPr1LGwO.99

From Goodwood to Mongolia: BEF chief takes on extreme races days apart

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Lucy Elder
12:53 - 8 July, 2017

British Equestrian Federation (BEF) chief Clare Salmon heads the 12-strong British contingent taking on the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

The 2017 Mongol Derby features 13 men and 29 women from nine countries. The 1,000km route recreates Chinggis Khaan’s ancient horse messenger system and is expected to take around 10 days to complete.

Clare, who started the top BEF job in June 2016, will also be riding in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood on 3 August — days ahead of the start of the Mongol Derby.

“The challenge of going from the shortest and most glamorous horse-race on ladies’ day at Glorious Goodwood to the longest and most unhygienic one in Mongolia the next day is pretty irresistible,” said the 53-year-old in her race biography...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/clare-salmon-mongol-derby-2017-625680#DuEwWzizsQIhC2Zk.99

Canada: B.C. Wildfires Force Livestck Evacuations

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

July 10, 2017
by: Horse-Canada.com

As more than 180 wildfires burn in British Columbia, and nearly 40,000 residents are under order to evacuate, several online resources have emerged to assist livestock owners.

This wildfire animal rescue map, for example, identifies locations where people can access trailering, pasture horses temporarily and plan evacuation routes. It will be especially helpful, as the fires have forced the closure of some major highways.

Plus, the BC’s Emergency LivestockAnimal Evacuation Group Facebook page was created to provide information to horse owners looking to relocate their animals.

Several news agencies are sharing harrowing tales of horse owners on the run, including one woman’s story of packing up her 20 horses and four dogs and fleeing her home in 108 Mile Ranch, B.C...

Read more here:
https://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/b-c-wildfires-force-livestock-evacuations/?utm_source=Enews+July+10%2C+2017&utm_campaign=EnewsJuly102017&utm_medium=email

Woman who quit her City job to become a full-time ADVENTURER...

DailyMail.co.uk - Full Article

Woman who quit her City job to become a full-time ADVENTURER reveals how she almost died crossing India on a rickshaw (and shares the items she NEVER leaves home without)

Katy Willings, 34, signed up for a 3,000km rickshaw race across India in 2009
She was working as a management consultant but fell in love with adventuring
Katy quit her London job and now organises adventures for others full-time
She shares what she's learned rafting, riding and paramotoring around the world

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 08:00 EDT, 7 July 2017

Whether it is horse riding across Mongolia's rugged terrain or motorcycling through Siberia, Katy Willings has a knack for looking perfectly at ease in settings that would push most others to the brink of their physical limits.
But then again, she has had plenty of practise. The 34-year-old has completed feats of physical endurance in some of the world's most remote and unforgiving locations.

This spirit of intrepidness is made all the more remarkable because up until a little more than eight years ago Katy was working as a 'depressingly mediocre' management consultant in London.

The new, adventure-seeking chapter of her life began when the tragic and sudden death of a close friend led to her signing up to take his place in a 3,000km rickshaw race in India just weeks before the January 2009 start date.
After that came the Mongol Derby, a 1,000km horseback ride across Mongolia, and by the end of 2010 Katy had quit her job and relocated to Bristol to work full-time for The Adventurists, a company that organises adventures for those who find their daily lives a little on the quiet, safe side...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4647580/Woman-quit-City-job-time-adventurer.html#ixzz4mLR70uvL

Canada: Horses take veterinarians for a run

Producer.com - Full Article

Family affair


Posted Jul. 6th, 2017 by Christalee Froese

CARNDUFF, Sask. — They jointly run an average of 160 kilometres per week and that doesn’t include running to veterinary calls and chasing after three kids.


Dr. Marcel Macfarlane and his wife, Dr. Dawn Pauwelyn, are not only experts on equine colic, feline parasites and bovine prolapse, but they have mastered ultra-marathon running in their spare time.


They have sometimes gone to extreme and unusual lengths to fit lengthy training runs into their schedules. Pauwelyn has run 29 km back to town after dropping off a car at her in-laws’ farm while Macfarlane has jogged 40 km to the U.S. border and back for a parcel. 


Macfarlane can sometimes be found running next to a horse and rider as part of his quest to train for 50 to 162 km races.


“I’m always looking for ways to make training interesting, so I’ll call up my buddy, Jake, and say, ‘you ride, I’ll run,’ ” said Macfarlane, adding that while a horse has more speed, humans can have greater endurance.


Relying on his vast knowledge of equine physiology, Macfarlane said that when the environmental temperatures rise, a horse can’t cool off as quickly and that’s where he can outperform a horse. 


“I’ve done runs with Jake and when we got back in after eight miles, those horses were beat, but I was still OK,” said the 45-year-old vet.
..

Read more here:
http://www.producer.com/2017/07/horses-take-veterinarians-for-a-run/

Scotland: Charities benefit from Peeblesshire endurance ride

Peeblesshirenews.com - Full Article

July 6 2017
by David Knox

ONE of the Scottish Endurance Riding Club’s favourite events of the year took place last weekend in the hills around Broughton.

Almost 150 competitors were received from all over Scotland, and some from south of the border, descended on the Peeblesshire village for this three-day challenge for horse and rider.

While distances ran to a maximum of 80 kilometres over Saturday and Sunday, most riders chose the shorter 30 kilometre as well as the pleasure options – attracted by a different and very scenic route each day...

Read more here:
http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/sport/15391187.Charities_benefit_from_Peeblesshire_endurance_ride/

The Mongol Derby: A Ride of a Lifetime

TryonDailyBulletin.com - Full Story

July 6 2017

Written by Judy Heinrich

Photos submitted

Endurance competitors cover 50 to 100 miles in a single day on a single horse, within allotted times of 12 to 24 hours, depending on distance. There are several mandatory vet checks during rides, to ensure horses are fit to continue and give both rider and horse an hour or so to rest, re-hydrate and eat. Out on the trail, competitors encounter all kinds of terrain in whatever conditions the weather gods decree, from freezing cold to blistering heat, pouring rain and thunderstorms, or some combination. And if they’re lucky, cloudless skies to light the dead-of-night trails. For riders who can’t get enough, there are “Pioneer Rides,” with multiple days in a row of endurance riding for combined distances of at least 150 miles.

It’s no wonder endurance riding is considered an extreme sport. But for Marianne Williams of Tryon, your typical endurance rides just aren’t extreme enough. In August she’ll be competing in the Mongol Derby, deemed the world’s longest and toughest horse race by the Guinness Book of Records. It’s in Mongolia, of course, a landlocked sovereign state in East Asia that’s bordered by China to the south and Russia to the north. The Derby is 1,000 kilometers long – that’s 621 miles – and riders have 10 days to complete it, preceded by three days for navigation and survival training, and meeting the horses.

Unlike typical endurance races for which courses are well marked by friendly florescent ribbons, the Derby course isn’t marked at all. In fact each year’s course is kept secret until right before launch. But you can be sure the riders will experience every type of Mongolian terrain, from high passes, open valleys, wooded hills and river crossings to wetlands, floodplains, sandy semi-arid dunes and, of course, “open Steppe” – the expansive grasslands that cover most of the country.

And forget the trusting longtime bonds that endurance riders invariably have with their horses: Mongol Derby riders are on half-wild Mongolian horses that they switch out every 25 miles. Fresh horses are provided at 25 stations along the way, with choice of horse on a first come-first served basis. So if you’re in the back of the pack, you choose from the horses nobody else wanted...

Read more here:
http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2017/07/06/the-mongol-derby-ride-of-a-lifetime/

Canada: Local vet explains the art of endurance riding

Citizen.on.ca - Full Article

July 6 2017

By Constance Scrafield

There is all kinds of art, including more than we acknowledge, in the world of sport. To ride a horse in a 50-mile race and bring him in, also winning the award for Best Condition, takes skill, work – and finesse.

Local horse veterinarian Bri Henderson took time this week to discuss the art of endurance riding with us.

The horse in this case is her fabulous grey Arab stallion Stryder, stable name Rivendell Elessar, “one of the most competitive horses I’ve ever ridden,” Dr. Henderson said.

She described their recently won race, the Coates Creek Endurance Competition: “We went out five minutes after the group of riders went so I could keep him calm. He was quiet until he saw the others horses as we caught up to them. He realized what we were doing and then – he hunted [the other horses], passing each one. He hates a horse to be in front of him. I had to hold him back a lot of the time.”

An endurance race, essentially a competitive 50-mile trail ride at speed, is run in stages both as to the trails themselves and the breaks for recovery along the way. These latter are actually serviced stops with vets in attendance, watching the speed at which the horse’s heartbeat recovers and its general condition as to soundness of limbs and lungs – whether it is eating and drinking and is in good spirits – before horse and rider continue on their way. The ride is mapped out in loops that come and go into the area of the pit stop and vet checks...

Read more here:
http://citizen.on.ca/?p=9338

German Championship Races in Neustadt Dosse

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

6 July 2017
Race report made with the assistance of: Dr. Juliette Mallison

Brandenburg’s State Stud, Neustadt Dosse. Saturday 24 June 2017.

The winner of the CEI3* 162 km ride and the new German endurance riding champion is Anne Wegner with her home bred 8 yr. old grey Arab gelding, Salamah Ibn bint Khazzan, his first CEI3* 162 km ride, in 09:17:08 hrs 17.45 km/h.

She won a thrilling finish against Bernhard Dornsiepen with Rio 243 09:17:13 hrs and Dunja Kolossa with Bekele El Djem in 09:17:18 hrs. Rio 243 won the best condition award. Six horses and riders were ranked, a finishing rate of 40%.

Anne Wegner, former Junior and Young rider champion and her horse are members of the German Federation’s perspective group for promising young endurance riders.

This was also the case for the winner of the CEIYJ2* 121km ride, the junior and young rider German champion Moira al Samarraie (18) with Zarah 41 in 06:56:55 hrs 17.41 km/h. and the second placed Nayla al Samarraie (16), her sister, with Warsana in 06:56:56 hrs...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/german-championship-races-neustadt-dosse/

Great Britain: Long List for European Championships

Endurance.gb.co.uk

European Championships - Long list - (Published:04 July 2017)

The final assessment for the International Squad was held at Warwick on Saturday 3rd June ahead of the European Championships in August. The Squad Management Team were able to work with riders, horses and crews and it can now be confirmed that the longlist of nominated entries are:

Caroline Cowley HS Bellini

Harry Ingram Warrens Hill Chayze

Lorna Kidson Sheer Bliss

Annie Joppe Fantom

Carri-Ann Dark HS Drift

Rachael Atkinson Tannasg Psyches Realm

Nicola Thorne LM Bolena, LR Bold Greyson

The final team training session will be on 20th July where the team will be selected and we would like to wish all combinations the best of luck.

UAE lady riders dazzle at endurance race in Italy

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

July 3 2017

Lady riders from the UAE did the country proud when four of their riders finished in the top five in the 120-km Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies CEI Two-star Cup which was part of the three-day Sardinia Endurance Festival that concluded on Sunday in the Horse Country Resort area in Arborea, Sardinia in Italy.

Four rides were part of the Sardinia Endurance Festival and the highlight was the ladies competition in which UAE riders Alyazia Al Romaithi on Holoutaria and Alia Al Saboori on Shamberlain finished hand-in-hand in the 120-km.

Italian rider Isabella Bonetto on Ottello finished third to prevent a podium sweep but the next two were again two UAE riders - Nouf Ali on Aranza and Ayesha Al Romaithi on Oregon - thus making it four in the top five for the UAE.

Alyazia and her horse Holuoutaria, a 10-year-old chest mare, covered the 120-km distance in 6 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds at an average speed of 17.44 kmph...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/horse-racing/uae-lady-riders-dazzle-at-endurance-race-in-italy

Great Britain: Horse rider rescued after falling on farmland near Guisborough on endurance ride

TheNorthernEcho.co.uk - Full Article

3 July 2017

A HORSE rider was taken to hospital with serious back injuries after an accident on a 40-mile endurance ride, writes Laura Gilbert.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team were called out to Dunsdale, near Guisborough, to help a 34-year-old woman who fell from her horse just after midday yesterday, Sunday.

Emergency crews were called when family members became concerned after the woman, from the Midlands, failed to reach a check point.

Paramedics and mountain rescue volunteers found the woman on remote farmland...

Read more here:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15387030.Horse_rider_seriously_injured_on_40_mile_endurance_trail/

Canada: Lexi Vollman On the Rise

Equestrian.ca - Full Story

Lexi Vollman Has the Endurance to Make it to the Top
It takes more than dedication, training and stamina to excel at endurance riding. It takes real passion for the sport, and Lexi Vollman of Regina, SK, has that in spades.

The 17-year-old first started riding at age three, walking around the yard and up and down the road at her grandparents’ farm. From there it was on to her first pony, Lola, before entering the competition ring when she was 12.

“I began competing in barrel racing jackpots and small shows,” explained Vollman of her competitive start. “I used a couple different horses over the years, but the main ones would be my mom’s old mare Chiquita, my old pony Roxy and my current horse, Splash. None of them particularly enjoyed showing but they all put up with it anyways.”

Proving her versatility as a rider, Vollman opted to try her hand at tackling the trails, and took on the challenge of endurance riding, a sport that tests horse and rider over varied and often tough terrain. Not phased by the challenging treks, she made the move to the FEI level last year with her trusted mount, AJ Splash of Pizzaz, aka Splash, a 10-year-old bay Pintabian gelding.

“From the start of my endurance career, I’ve always loved riding with my mom,” explained Vollman, who often competes alongside her mother and fellow FEI competitor, Tracy. “Even if it’s a miserable day or race, it’s always nice to cross the finish line and see the smiling faces of your crew. One of the biggest highlights of my competitive career has been meeting so many welcoming people who are always so helpful to both the riders and horses...”

Read more here:
https://www.equestrian.ca/news/rtfToNs82ygJ6ZaMX/on-the-rise

Scotland: International field ride in East Lothian

EastLothianCourier.com - Full Article

2 July 2017
Gavin Harper

AN INTERNATIONAL endurance horse riding event took place in East Lothian last week.

Scores of human-equine partnerships descended on the county for the three-day event, near Whitekirk.

With the kind co-operation of James and Sarah Grant-Suttie, the Scottish Endurance Riding Club played host not just to riders from north and south of the Border but also a sizeable contingent from Ireland and 11 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The event has been run for several years and has grown in size and stature as word of its appeal has spread through the endurance riding community.

Offering not just wonderful riding but also spectacular scenery and centuries of very visible history, East Lothian has been very welcoming to the colourful endurance tribe...

Read more here:
http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/sport/15380203.International_field_ride_in_East_Lothian/

Belgium: Homeopathic remedies in medicine bottle sees Endurance horse fail drug test

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 3, 2017
Horsetalk.co.nz

A Belgian Endurance rider’s slip-up in putting homeopathic remedies for her horse in an empty Tramadol bottle has resulted in a 15-month suspension from the FEI Tribunal.

The tribunal has released final decisions on two banned substances cases in Jumping and one in Endurance, with the endurance rider receiving the harshest sanction – the 15-month suspension and a fine of 2500 Swiss francs.

The Endurance case related to the testing of the horse Houkoumi G, ridden by the Evelyne Stoffel at the CEI1* 100 in Virton, Belgium, on September 4, 2016.

The horse tested positive for the opioid analgesic O-Desmethyl-Tramadol, used in humans for the control of moderate to severe pain. It is classified as a banned substance under the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List...

Read more at http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/07/03/homeopathic-remedies-medicine-fail-drug-test/#SHV1xBUxghQ9V2pa.99

Uruguay: Weather made it hard racing in Punta del Este

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

Race report made with the assistance of Lucia Olascoaga
Photo Credit: pioendurance

Punta del Este is called by some travellers as the “Saint-Tropez of Uruguay” and will be the next PAN AM venue on October 2017.

Although winter started, the endurance riders and horses were welcomed with summer time, a hot wind from the north elevated the temperatures for one week, this weather condition is called “Veranillo de San Juan” and just started the day of the 120km race. This meant that all the visitors, owners, grooms enjoyed the race more than the riders who had to manage the race in a different way and had to take care of the horses to finish with elevated temperatures and humidity.

Competitions of CEI2* 120km and CEI1* 80km were both in Senior and Young Riders categories...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/weather-made-hard-racing-punta-del-este/

New Zealand: Rotorua woman to take in a 1000km horse race in Mongolia

NZHerald.co.nz - Full Story

By: Shauni James
Shauni James is the Rotorua Weekender reporter
shauni.james@nzme.co.nz @thedailypost

A Rotorua woman will be taking part in the Mongol Derby - a 1000km horse race in Mongolia.

Jennifer Cook is one of 36 competitors from around the world who will take part in the Mongol Derby in August.

The 1000km course recreates Chinggis Khaan's legendary postal system. Riders change horses every 40km and stay with the local herders or camp under the stars.

She says being an adventurous person she loves doing things that will challenge herself, which is why she decided to enter.

"The chance to do something like this on a horse and raise money for a charity - it was a no brainer.

"Adventure and giving back at the same time is why I really got into it..."

Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=11881978