IVEC II: Veterinary Endurance Conference close to WEG

IVEC.info

International Veterinary Endurance Conference taking place September 9, three days before the WEG endurance competition and only 30 minutes drive away from the WEG venue. Veterinarians and endurance professionals are invited to join the conference. Tickets will be available from August 1st at a price of $175 including lunch. Accommodation packages are also available.

Please click on "interested" on this facebook event to be kept up to date and share this invite with anyone else who might like to join the conference.

The first IVEC conference, two years ago at the World Endurance Championships in Slovakia, was attended by more than 80 professionals. This year's IVEC will have some of the foremost experts in endurance veterinary science discuss the latest scientific research. Topics include treatment during competition, pre-purchase exams, genetics, doping, ride strategy and much more.

For more information:
Monica Mira monicamira@alequine.com
Shanti Roos shantiroos@hotmail.com

http://ivec.info/

Lorie Duff to Represent Canada in the Gobi Desert Cup

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

June 28, 2018
by: The Gobi Desert Cup

Lorie Duff of Lorie Duff Horsemanship has been invited to represent Team Canada for The Gobi Desert Cup in Mongolia August 22-31. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Duff is a professional horsemanship coach and trainer now based at Liberty Lane Farm in Ottawa, Ontario.

Duff was the first western performer at the RCMP sunset ceremonies in Ottawa to showcase Liberty Horsemanship. She has been a featured demonstrator at the Can-Am Horse Expo; a guest performer at the Calgary Stampede; and recipient of the NEA Showmanship and NEA Sportsmanship Award...

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/lorie-duff-gobi-desert-cup/

South Africa: Fauresmith prepares for toughest endurance race

OFM.co.za

JOSCA HUMAN
11:32 Fri, 29 Jun 2018

People are making their way to Fauresmith in the Free State for one of the toughest endurance races of its kind.

Known as the Fauresmith International Endurance Race, over 500 riders and their horses enter each year, coming from all over the equestrian world. President of the Free State Endurance Ride Association of South Africa, Ronell Coetzer, says the distance of the race is 200 kilometres.

“Most of the people are going tomorrow. However, the race starts on Tuesday. It’s a 200 km race done over three days,” says Coetzer.

Coetzer says the riders and their horses will race for 75km on Tuesday, 75km on Wednesday and 50km on Thursday. She says they are expecting over 3000 people to attend this event, and most guest houses in the town have already been fully booked.

Euston Park 1 Flies High Following Championship Announcement

The first Euston Park event on the Endurance GB 2018 Calendar took place this past weekend with the venue and participants buzzing at the recent news that the 2019 European Championships has been awarded to Euston Park (GBR).

27th June 2018 – for immediate release

The first of four instalments of the Euston Park Endurance events on the Endurance GB Calendar took place this past weekend in glorious sunshine. The ever-popular venue saw a total of 75 combinations from nine different nations competing across distances from 80km to 160km over two days of competition. With the very recent announcement that Euston Park has been awarded the 2019 European Endurance Championships, the venue was buzzing with excited talk of things to come.

Saturday’s CEI1* saw 15 successful finishers from 24 starters and some very impressive performances despite the testing conditions. British rider Carina Kane took third place with her horse Evermore Artistic, competing in their first ever FEI event. Kane stated ‘I can’t believe that we finished third, I came here with absolutely no expectations and just wanted to get round. We came all the way from Cornwall but it turns out it was definitely worth it!’

British riders competing in the CEI2* had a 75% completion rate, with 7th placed Chaminda Manjula Rodrigo’s ride Bahia Du Cambou having the fastest recoveries of the class – a total of just 10 minutes and 10 seconds, including the finish.

There were three classes taking place on the Sunday; the CEI3*, CEIYJ2* and a second CEI1*. First place in the CEI3* went to Saif Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al Mazrouei (UAE) who’s horse, Quetzal Arvorig, took an average of just under 2.20mins to present at each vet gate, an impressive result given the extremely hot weather. There was one British entrant in the CEI3*; Kirsty Wiscombe with her stallion YawlHill Billy. Unfortunately, their day was cut short when ‘Billy’ was judged to be lame at the first vet gate and subsequently failed to qualify for the next phase. Better luck was bestowed upon the only other two British entrants, both of whom were competing in the CEI1*. This class had an extremely impressive 82% completion rate with Nicola Thorne (riding LM Bolena) and Charlotte Strang (riding Bolero Phantastik) finishing in 8th and 9th positions respectively.

A huge amount of effort went in to ensuring the very best for horses and riders alike with such testing conditions. Unlimited ice was available on both days helping to cool the horses as efficiently as possible. A number of improvements have been made to the tracks since last year, with the ground more forgiving, despite there only being 7mm of rain in the seven weeks running up to the event. Tracks were watered on a regular basis to minimise the dust and some crew points had been moved to ensure crews had more consistent and better access to their horses out on course.

As is now customary with Euston Park events, the main focus is the Best Conditioned Award presented for each class. The entire prize money fund is dedicated to this prestigious accolade as judged by the Members of the Veterinary Commission. Winners of the Best Condition Award were:

CEI1* (Sat) – Bon Jan Na’Do ridden by Rashid Mohd Ibrahim Al Baloushi (UAE)

CEI2* (Sat) – Afreet ridden by Mariam Adnan Abdulkarim Al Raid (UAE)

CEI1* (Sun) – Beduina Mt Noby ridden by Raed Mahmood (BRN)

CEIYJ2* (Sun) – Dji’nha de Fignols ridden by Salim Said Al Owais (UAE)

CEI3* (Sun) – Alandar ridden by Ghaith Abdul Wahid Khamis Saqer (UAE)

Event Director, Nick Brooks-Ward of HPower Endurance, said: ‘This was a great start to what promises to be a fabulous summer at Euston Park culminating in the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UK Endurance Festival on Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August—a celebration of all things Endurance. There’s huge excitement around the venue with this week’s news about us winning the bid to host the European Championships here in 2019. As ever huge thanks go to the Duke of Grafton for allowing us to use Euston Park for another year, to local land owners and all of our stewards and volunteers.’.


Euston Park Endurance - (Sat) CEI1 athletes


Euston Park Endurance - Best Condition (Sun) CEI1 Beduina Mt Noby ridden by Raed Mahmood (BRN)

Oman's Royal Cavalry wins in Paris

TimesOfOman.com

June 25, 2018 | 9:00 PM by ONA

Dalila from the Royal Cavalry secured first place in the 2-Star Endurance horse race held in Paris, which was organised by the International Equestrian Federation over 120km. The race saw a participation of 41 horse riders from different countries. The Royal Cavalry are preparing for the 2018 World Equestrian Games to be held in USA.

ONA

Cambodia: Makara, Narith top endurance in Siem Reap

Phnompenpost.com - Full Article

Tue, 26 June 2018
H S Manjunath

National riders Phat Makara and Sim Narith, representing the Phnom Penh Equestrian Club, won the 30km and 20km events respectively in the inaugural Royal Angkor Endurance competition, hosted by Happy Ranch Siem Reap under the patronage of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni on Sunday.

Several riders from the Thai Equestrian Federation and Thai Polo Club joined more than a dozen Cambodian riders, including members of the bronze medal-winning national squad at last year’s SEA Games in Malaysia.

Among the clubs sending entries were the Cambodian Country Club, Phnom Penh Equestrian Club, Areyksat Club and Siem Reap’s Happy Ranch.

“We were greatly honoured by His Majesty King Sihamoni granting us his patronage for this first edition, one which will chart a new path for this exciting branch of equestrianism we are determined to excel in,” said president of the Cambodian Equestrian Federation Mona Tep...

Read more here:
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/makara-narith-top-endurance-siem-reap

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s achievements hailed

BNA.bh

25/06/2018

Manama, June 25 (BNA): HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, confirmed that Bahrain Royal Endurance Team is maintaining their momentum thanks to the high spirits surrounding the team following their victories from one race to another.
HH Shaikh Nasser’s remarks were made in a comment of Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s triumph in the Euston Endurance Ride, held in Britain, winning the first five spots in the 80 km category which featured broad participation from world’s top competitors in this sport.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said, “The team has accomplished the goals for which they participated in the British race, which is reaping honourable sports achievements for the Kingdom, in addition to preparing for upcoming endurance racing championships, in hopes of further victories.”

HH added, “Bahrain Royal Endurance Team had greatly benefited from this outstanding participation in terms of training, performance and the enthusiasm of the riders to win. The British race was a place to confirm the superiority of Bahraini capacity and its development in different aspects, enhancing the achievements made in various sports tournaments.”

It’s of worth noting that Bahrain’s Khalifa Mubarak won first place in the race clocking 04.04.21 hours; in second place came the compatriot Khalifa Jamal clocking 04.04.22 hours; in third place Khalid Yusuf clocking 04.04.23 hours; in fourth place Yacoob Al Hammadi clocking 04.04.36 hours; in fifth place Raed Mahmood, who posted a time of 04.04.36 hours. The training of horses was supervised by the trainers Abdulrahman Abdullatif and Sumaya Jassem.

Bahrain’s Abdulrahman Al-Zayed won the fifth place for the distance of 160 km, and his horse was ranked among the elite horses, alongside HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Raed Mahmood, qualifying him to participate in the world championship which will be held in Tyron, USA.

AHN

FEI Releases 2017 Endurance Report

Inside.FEI.org

FEI has released its annual Endurance Report for 2017. The report includes statistics on the growth of the discipline of endurance, key performance indicators of 2017, independent governance advisors, endurance official statistics, and information on the FEI coaching system.

The report can be viewed and downloaded here:
https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/FEI_Endurance_Report_2017_for%20internet%20publication_Final_0.pdf

Brazil: André Vidiz wins in Jaguariúna and completes his 24th 160km race

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

23 June 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of Cidinha Franzão

Fazenda Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil. Saturday 16 June 2018. Third Stage of the São Paulo Championship also featured the National Endurance Competition of 160km (selection ride for WEG in Tryon), 120km and 80km.

At 5:30am on 16 June, the competitors of the CEI3* 160km (divided in six stages of 34 km, 32 km, 27 km, 27 km, 23.5 and 17 km), gathered for the most important ride of the day because it was the last opportunity to get selected for the 2018 WEG Brazilian Team.

André Vidiz riding the mare Bondgirl Endurance dominated the race since the start and completed the 160km in a total ride time of 07:41:40 and an average speed of 20.86 km/h, setting a speed record for a Brazilian three-star race. With this victory he completed his 24th 160km race...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/andre-vidiz-wins-in-jaguariuna-and-completes-his-24th-160km-race/

FEI Awards European Endurance Championships 2019 to Euston Park (GBR)

22 JUNE 2018

The FEI Bureau has confirmed that the FEI European Endurance Championship 2019 will take place at Great Britain’s 200-acre Euston Park venue, set in Thetford Forest from the 15th to 18th August 2019.
 
Endurance GB is delighted to confirm that the application for Euston Park (GBR) to host the European Endurance Championships 2019 has been announced as the winning bid. The FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) issued a Press Release on Wednesday 20th June confirming various Championship allocations in 2019 and 2020 following the decision of the FEI Bureau. Full details on the FEI Press Release can be found here.
 
Hosting the European Championships will present a unique opportunity for the sport of endurance riding in Great Britain and the Championship Organisers, HPower Endurance. EGB is confident that this will deliver a strong and concrete legacy for the sport going forward. Having this Championship ‘on the doorstep’ will make competing at such a level tangible for the many EGB members, both Senior and Young Rider, looking to step up on to the International scene.
 
Event Director, Nick Brooks-Ward, commented “We are delighted with this announcement.  We are about to start our third summer of rides at Euston Park and we believe that the previous two years have given us the opportunity to bring together a team which has the experience, knowledge and expertise to get the very best out of this stunning venue.  We have already started work on the Championships”.
 
Nicki Thorne, added, “We look forward to giving a very warm welcome to endurance nations from across Europe who will send their elite athletes to compete in the European Championships in what will be the highlight of a spectacular festival of endurance in an iconic location”.
 
Euston Park is set within the beautiful Suffolk countryside and will give riders from across the continent the chance to take in magnificent historic parkland, ancient forests, woodlands and river crossings – all on well-maintained tracks with minimal roadwork. An incredible experience for athletes, spectators and endurance fans alike.
 
As well as the 2019 European Endurance Championships, other Endurance Championships confirmed by the FEI Bureau are:
 
• FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses - Madrid (ESP), 21-24 May or 4-7 June 2020
• FEI Endurance European Championship for Young Riders & Juniors – Vic (ESP), 25-27 September 2020
 
Endurance GB and HPower Endurance is look forwarding to welcoming Europe’s Endurance Elite next year… the countdown has begun!

Australia Announces WEG Endurance Short List

Equestrian.org.au

June 15 2018

Equestrian Australia (EA) is pleased to announce its Endurance short list for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, in the USA.

The successful combinations are:

Penny Toft and Dream Dancer te
Naomi O’Shaughnessy and Castlebar Party Girl
Jodie Salinas and FLF Go Flight Leader
Stella Harbison and Magical Mikada
Samantha Jones and Wallace Hill Sundance


Congratulations to both riders and we wish them the best of luck with their preparations over the coming months.

Mongol Derby: Aussie Cousins race to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis

ABC.net.au - Full Article

By Jennifer Browning
June 20 2018

Fancy sitting on a horse for 10 days, travelling 1,000 kilometres through gruelling terrain with temperatures ranging from -5 degrees Celsius to 35C?

Crazy right?

Not for one Australian family.

Henry Bell and his three cousins, Rob, Ed and Jack Archibald are gearing up to race the Mongol Derby in August.

They are doing it to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis, a disease that has left Henry's dad, Rob Bell, wheelchair-bound.

"The concept of the ride was the Archibald boys, they were the ones who decided to do it and Ed's been the big pusher of raising money and awareness for Dad on behalf of MS," Henry said.

Mr Bell, speaking from his property south of Goulburn, said his son's and nephews' efforts were "flattering".

"For me it was very heartening to know young people are so keen to get rid of this terrible disease," he said...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-21/mongol-derby-cousins-race-to-raise-awareness-multiple-sclerosis/9880488

Brazil: First Stage of Chevaux Endurance Cup Crowns Champion

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

Text: Cidinha Franzão
Photos: J.C. Markun for Chevaux

15 June 2018

Brasilia Country Club, Brasilia DF, Brazil. Saturday 26 May 2018. First Stage of Chevaux Endurance Cup also featured the Brazilian National Championship of 160km and 60km in Brasilia Country Club.

Less than a month after winning the Brazilian National Championship in the 120km, with Al Saida Larzac, Pedro Stefani Marino, this time riding RG Komo, dominated the 160km race which was divided into six loops. Pedro Marino became the first Brazilian to win two important titles in the 30 years of endurance racing in Brazil.

At 5:00 in the morning, eight combinations left in pursuit of the most important national title of the year. In addition to claiming the Brazilian champion title in the 160km, (total ride time of 08:19:04 and average speed of 19.47 km/h) the representative of São Paulo, Pedro Marino and RG Komo also won the Best Condition Award. During the six stages the dispute was fierce with Jose Caio Vaz Guimarães and Chambord Endurance, but the young Caio’s horse was eliminated in the last veterinary inspection by irregular gait, in this way the second place and the runner-up was for Felipe de Azevedo Morgulis and Saiph SBV...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/first-stage-of-chevaux-endurance-cup-crowns-champion/

Botswana: De Graaff commends Ghanzi endurance horse riders

DailyNews.gov.bw

June 14 2018

A trustee of the Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT), Christian De Graaff has applauded the Ghanzi Horse Endurance Relay (GHER) riders for their commitment and sacrifice.

De Graaff, who is also the co-founder of the GHER, said the riders had ensured a successful relay since inception in 2009.

He said the main objective of the initiative was to raise awareness on horse endurance riding as well as helping disadvantaged members of the society.

He was speaking at this year’s GHER stop-over in Sekoma on Wednesday, which started in Ghanzi and will end in Gaborone.

The relay, which covers a distance of over 700km in four days, is intended to raise funds for the LKCT.

“These young men and women that you see here today, embarked on this four day long endurance relay from Ghanzi to Gaborone to raise awareness on endurance horse-riding in Botswana, and more importantly, to raise funds for the Trust. For their efforts and sacrifice, we will forever be grateful,” he said.

A representative of the GHER riders, Seeiso Maine said their journey was a mixed one where they encountered challenges along the way.

He said even though the relay was fun, they were faced with challenges such as wild animals, especially dangerous snakes.

He urged young people to come forth and join them to keep away from the streets and also play a role in contributing to helping the less-advantaged members of the society.

GBR Confirm Nominated Entries for European Championships

Endurancegb.co.uk

- (Published:16 June 2018)

Endurance GB is delighted to confirm the submission of Nominated Entries for the Junior and Young Rider Championships due to take place in San Rossore, Pisa (ITA) on the 25th and 26th July 2018. The following combinations have been selected to represent Great Britain:



Charlie Chadwick on Hazelcroft Gosens Tsar

Kate Atkinson on DNS Ronaldo

Ollie Holman on Bronze Nahdir



Chef d’Equipe, Jo Chisholm, commented “All being well, the Definite Entries (which will be submitted on 19th July 2018) will constitute all three of our selected combinations. We are really happy with team for this Championship – we have a great mix of experience and new combinations to this level”.



Athletes must be aged between 14 and 21 and horses must be a minimum of 8 years old in order to compete at the Regional Championship. The 120km course is made up of four loops of 33km, 28km, 31km and 28km respectively. Pre-Ride vetting takes place at 4pm on the 25th July and the ride itself will start at 6.30am on the San Rossore Race Course (Pisa, ITA). FEI Medals are on offer for both team and individual podium placings with a prestigious Best Condition Trophy also to be won.



This will be Kate Atkinson’s third Championship, her second with selected mount DNS Ronaldo. The pair unfortunately failed to complete at their previous Championship, the Junior and Young Rider World Championships last year, also held in Italy. They will be looking to better their result this year and continue the excellent form we are used to seeing with this talented pair.



Charlie Chadwick with Hazelcroft Gosens Tsar will be tackling their second Championship course together. This combination was selected to represent Great Britain in 2016 where they travelled to Portugal as part of the British Team. An unlucky result saw their dream end at the second vet gate – so another combination with some demons to put to bed! Charlie and Tsar have been competing at International level together since 2014 so they know each other well and are sure to put in a great performance this time round.



A new combination in 2018 is Ollie Holman and Bronze Nahdir – that said, they’ve certainly arrived with a bang! Ollie has been competing in FEI competitions for just two years, but partnered with Bronze Nahdir, they have a perfect record this year competing two CEI2*, both in first place. Whilst they may be a new combination, Bronze Nahdir is more than used to the International scene having been competing in FEI Competition since 2014.



The GBR Young Rider team is being supplied team kit by sponsor Musto so they will be looking super smart to represent their country at this prestigious event. Horse and Rider profiles will be shared shortly and definite entries confirmed on the 19th July 2018. Further information on the event itself can be found on www.endurancelifestyle.it.

Voting Rights and Wrongs Revisited

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | June 14, 2018

A “record” 52 riders are contesting the upcoming athlete elections: so gushed a recent FEI press release. Well, it wouldn’t exactly be difficult to create a record: it is only the second time these elections have been held and – like any other new concept that people didn’t quite get at the outset – awareness first time round was inevitably muted.

Still, you can only applaud that so many active international riders want to shape the future by serving as athlete representatives on the FEI sports technical committees for the next four years. Despite the FEI’s random efforts to engage a more diverse population in policy-making, turn up at any FEI forum and you’ll quickly notice that 95 per cent of equestrian politicians are gray-haired and gray-suited.

So, in view of the surge in interest for the 2018 renewal, I hope the FEI doesn’t regret slashing voting rights to the elite few hundred riders, drivers and vaulters that have competed at recent Olympics and/or world championships. This mass disenfranchisement is a total contradiction of everything done – some of it arguably to the detriment of sporting prowess – to embrace the emerging equestrian nations.

The voting change was suggested last summer by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) https://horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/voting-rights-and-wrongs/ Their opposite numbers in dressage and eventing knew nothing about it till the ink was dry, and tell me they would have opposed it, had they realised in time. The FEI’s rationale for implementation was that very few people voted in 2014 – just 431 of 10,855 eligible riders.

That decision was surely premature, and the voting system should have been re-evaluated only if there is an equally poor response in 2018. Heaven help us, though, if the relative proportions do remain the same – there will more candidates than voters!...

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/voting-rights-wrongs-revisited/

Canada's Wendy Benns: Going the Distance

HorseNetwork.com - Full Article

A veteran of the Canadian endurance team, Wendy Benns is no stranger to championship competition. She’s competed in three Pan American Games, the UAE World Cup in Dubai and the World Equestrian Games in Malaysia during her 20 year career. But with no seasoned horse in her stable and a wedding to plan in 2018, qualifying for this year’s WEG is an entirely new breed of challenge. Benns takes us on her whirlwind journey to qualify for Tryon 2018. As told to Carley Sparks.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend trying to qualify for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) and plan your wedding in the same year—unless you like to take on a challenge!
Each of those things on their own require a tremendous amount of planning and preparation. Put them together and, well, let’s just say there were moments when my fiancé, Jeremy Dupuis, probably thought I was a little on edge. (Or crazy. There’s a good chance that crossed his mind…)

But, in the end, I wouldn’t change a thing. It all came together just perfectly for us!

Jeremy and I were planning our wedding for March in Mexico. It was a destination wedding, so it was a little easier than planning a traditional one at home but it’s still a lot of work. As exciting and fun as it is to dream about your wedding day, a lot goes into pulling all the different pieces together, especially when you have a full-time job—I’m an animal control officer—and a stable full of horses on your property to manage.

I was consumed with all that and really wasn’t concerned about this year’s WEG.

Plus, I didn’t have a horse to do it.

I’ve been competing in endurance or over 20 years. As with any horse sport, always you’re looking to the next horse. For me, that’s usually meant breeding.

We bred my top mare, Flirt with Fyre (an offspring of my Pan American Games mount Flirt with Ecstasy) last year. She just had her foal in June, a chestnut filly that is the first ever Canadian-born/Asgard-bred Arabian. (And gorgeous, if I do say so myself!) Competition-wise, that left me with my upcoming horse Egalite. He only started competing in FEI last year, so my focus has been bringing him along. I figured either the stars would align and I’d qualify or I’d sit out this WEG.

Then the ride on a top endurance horse just sort of materialized...

Read more here:
https://horsenetwork.com/2018/06/wendy-benns-going-distance/

Estonia: Dubai based riders dominant in Padise Endurance Festival

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

9 June 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of PEC Team
Photo Credit: PEC Team

Padise Equestrian Centre, Padise County, Estonia. Thursday 24 and Thursday 31 May 2018.
In 2017 Padise Equestrian Centre hosted two FEI Endurance international events, this year Padise Equestrian Centre will host six endurance events under the Padise Endurance Festival.

The Padise Equestrian Centre is the brand-new capital of equestrian sports in Northern Europe located in beautiful Padise County, Estonia, near the cost of the Baltic Sea.

The third and fourth edition of the Padise Endurance Festival were held on 24 and 31 May 2018. These events gathered riders from dozen of European countries as well as from the UAE., including the Crown Prince of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who won the competition for 160 km at Padise Endurance Festival IV.

It was the first time in history of the Republic of Estonia that horses arrived by several planes and landed at Tallinn Airport. 24 horses came from Spain, Italy and Great Britain to compete in the championship level distance of 160 km...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/dubai-based-riders-dominant-in-padise-endurance-festival/

Mongolia: The Gobi Desert Cup challenges riders, body and soul

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

4 June 2018

Race Preview made with the assistance of Heather Wallace.
Photo Credit: The Gobi Desert Cup.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 4 May 2018. The Gobi Desert Cup is a 480 kilometer endurance ride beginning outside Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The challenge is focused on teamwork, horsemanship and immersion in the Mongolian culture as well as completing the marked course safely.

Now in its second year, this life-changing experience accepts no more than 20 riders from around the world to compete from 22 to 31 August 2018.

Each participant arrives at camp and is trained for two days on the tack and horses in preparation for the race to begin. This also gives the participants the opportunity to meet officials and discuss the rules and safety guidelines. Each rider has six horses for the length of the trip, one per day. Ride Director and Co-founder Camille Champagne notes: “The challenge focuses on testing your endurance and horsemanship by managing the horses over 80 km in one day.” Throughout the course there are two veterinary exams: one at 40 kilometers and the second at the end of the day’s ride, at approximately 80 kilometers.

“You may have what it takes, but it will take everything you’ve got.” Camille Champagne...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/the-gobi-desert-cup-challenges-riders-body-and-soul/

Australia: International riders compete at The Rock

TheRural.com.au - Full Article

June 13 2018
Nikki Reynolds

RIDERS from as far away as France and Sweden have competed in a world class endurance ride in the Riverina.

The ride holds significance on the world stage due to the fact it was affiliated with Federation Equestrian International (FEI).

For ride director Col Lewis the event, which used Bullenbong Station at The Rock as a base, was a big success.

He said 147 competitors entered and despite the international interest there was plenty of support from southern NSW. In fact, 60 per cent of the riders were from the local area...

Read more here:
https://www.therural.com.au/story/5464854/the-rock-endurance-ride-is-on-the-world-stage/?cs=6528

The secret to the man against horse race that brings thousands to a small Welsh town

WalesOnline.co.uk - Full Article

By Will Hayward
8 JUN 2018

At some point everyone has had a debate in the pub about something completely random.

Would Muhammad Ali beat Bruce Lee in a fight? Who is the greatest footballer of all time? One of these very conversations was happening in the Neuadd Arms Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells , in June 1980.


The then landlord, Gordon Green, overheard two men discussing the relative merits of men and horses running over mountainous terrain. And from that, the Man v Horse race was born.

Almost 30 years on, the race has grown and grown with a dedicated following and people travelling from all over the UK.

“We don’t really know what has made it so popular,” said 72-year-old Bob Greenough who is part of the organising team. According to Bob the event is a welcome boost to the area.

“It is very well attended, a lot of people come out to watch it. People will come here from a long way away. The runners will come from all over the UK and people come with them...

Read more here:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-man-v-horse-race-14729882

New Zealand: Waikato man gears up for the 1,000km Mongol Derby, the world's longest and toughest horse race

TVNZ.co.nz - Full Article

It's "one hell of a ride" but Waikato horse rider Eion Kemp says he's looking forward to competing in the world's longest and toughest horse race, the Mongol Derby.

It's raced over 1000 kilometres of some of the world's most gruelling terrain in Mongolia in August.

TVNZ1's Seven Sharp found Eion Kemp breaking in yearlings and two-year-olds at a farm at Matamata before they go on to a trainer.

In much the same way, Mr Kemp is about to be broken in, in the biggest riding challenge of his career.

"The Mongol Derby. The world's longest and toughest horse race. It's raced over 1000 kilometres through the steppes of Mongolia," he said...

Read more & see video here:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/waikato-man-gears-up-1-000km-mongol-derby-worlds-longest-and-toughest-horse-race

Two-Year Ban for Endurance Rider in 'Feed Contamination' Claim

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

June 8, 2018
by: Pippa Cuckson

A young Uruguayan endurance rider has been suspended for two years and fined 3,000 Swiss francs by the FEI Tribunal after her horse tested positive to a substance associated with lowering the heart rate.

Victoria Goni, 22, argued vehemently that the presence of banned substance ergonovine in El Mate’s sample was caused by contaminated feed. Uruguay has a known problem with an arable fungus which can cause a disease called ergotism linked with alkaloids including ergonovine. In worst cases, ergotism leads to gangrene of the limbs.

However the FEI argued that as “one of the side-effects of ergonovine was that it lowered the heart rate” and “it could therefore be abused in endurance.”

El Mate was sampled at a 120km ride in Trinidad in February 2017. (FEI results show there were just three starters, with El Mate the only finisher at an average speed of 18.7kph)...

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/two-year-doping-ban-endurance-rider-feed-contamination-claim/

Endurance GB launches Coaching For All scheme

Endurance GB, the National Governing Body for the sport of Endurance Riding, has launched Coaching For All, a new initiative to attract more coaches into the sport.

Endurance GB members aged 16 and over who are keen to further their own education and that of their fellow members, are encouraged to apply to the scheme where EGB will fund 50% of the cost of a UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification.

Applicants are invited to submit a 500 word personal statement, including details of why they would like to pursue the coaching qualification and what they, as individuals, will be able to contribute to Endurance GB with their qualification. From the applications, five aspiring coaches will be selected by an expert panel to benefit from this unique opportunity.

Nicki Thorne, Chair of Endurance GB, said: “Coaching has welfare at its heart. The greater the education, the better the horse's and rider's well-being. We are passionate about educating and training our riders and horses in Endurance and excited to be able to offer the support to provide future coaches with the best start possible. We are grateful to sponsors, HPower, for their support with this initiative.”

The announcement of the initiative coincides with a celebration of #GreatCoaching, spearheaded by UK Coaching, taking place this week 4th - 10th June. Maintaining their commitment to the education of coaches, later this year EGB will provide further opportunities for existing coaches to be supported in their move up to the next level.

The closing date to apply for the UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification supported by EGB is Friday 1st July; to find out more about the application process visit endurancegb.co.uk.

Aussie family taking part in the world’s toughest race

2gb.com - Full Article

June 4 2018
ALAN JONES

Four Australians are preparing to take part in the annual Mongol Derby, a 1000km trek labelled the world’s toughest horse race.

Henry Bell and his three cousins are raising money for Multiple Sclerosis, riding for Henry’s father Rob who suffers from the worst form of the disease.

When Rob was younger he was a fine horseman, so his son and nephews are hoping to do him proud and help find a cure.

Rob joins Alan Jones and says his diagnosis in 2011 came as a complete shock.

“It was five years before I knew something was wrong…spent the next five years finding what was wrong… it’s so cruel because it’s so slow...”

Read more here:
https://www.2gb.com/aussie-family-taking-part-in-the-worlds-toughest-race/

Ireland: A ride on the wild side for jockey who won biggest race of his life

Independent.ie - Full Article

Donie Fahy won a gruelling horse race through Mongolia - 10 months after breaking his back, writes Hilary A White

Hilary A White
June 3 2018 6:30 PM

In order to get back in the saddle and win the most meaningful race of his entire life, jockey Donie Fahy had to go to the ends of the earth.

Mongolia, to be specific.

In August 2012, Fahy took part in the Mongol Derby, an equine endurance race fashioned after the postal route used by Genghis Khan in the early 13th century. While simply crossing the finishing line of this gruelling 10-day and 1,000km-long marathon is a feat in itself, the unassuming Meath man won it.

What's more, his triumph happened 10 months after breaking his back...

Read more here:

Bermuda: Brangman Qualifies For World Equestrian Games

Bernews.com

June 2 2018

The Bermuda Equestrian has received official confirmation that Marvin Brangman and Arabian horse MM Godiva Chokalat have qualified for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in the Discipline of Endurance Riding, which will mark the first time the island will be represented in the genre.

Endurance is a long-distance competition against the clock, which test the speed & endurance of a horse. It challenges the riders on their effective use of pace, knowledge of their horses’ capabilities as well as the ability to cross varying terrains. Throughout the lengthy rides, there are periodic veterinary check stations to ensure the horse is fit to continue.

This will mark the first time that Bermuda will have a competitor in the discipline of Endurance Riding.

A delighted Mr Brangman said that qualifying for the 2018 World Equestrian Games was a challenge & commitment.

It required entry into numerous endurance competitions culminating in the recently held 160k competition in Ashville where this team successfully placed 1st place in a speed of 14.37 [km/h]. The World Equestrian Games will be held in the USA from 11th – 23rd September.

An ordained Minister, Mr Brangman gives thanks to his faith, as well as the dedicated support from his wife, Mary and the continual encouragement from his coach, Christo Dinkelmann.

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