Tuesday, December 22, 2020

FEI Warning Regarding Contaminated Batches of Feed - Caffeine

usef.org

by FEI Communications Department | Dec 21, 2020, 11:13 AM EST

The FEI would like to warn the equestrian community that some batches of Marstall feed containing apple pomace were contaminated with caffeine, a Controlled Medication and Specified Substance on the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List.

Bernhard Kreiling GmbH, the manufacturer of Marstall, identified apple pomace, an ingredient in the feed, to be the source of contamination. Measures have been taken by Bernhard Kreiling GmbH to prevent further contamination with caffeine and other substances derived from caffeine. Feed produced since 14 July 2020, i.e. batch numbers 219301, 219302, 219303 and 219304 onwards, should be unaffected. The FEI recommends that anyone using this feedstuff should carefully check the batch numbers and contact the manufacturers if they have any concerns.

The FEI recommends that samples are kept from batches of feed and supplements given to competition horses to enable a thorough investigation to be carried out should contamination be suspected.

Under the FEI Regulations, from 1 January 2021 it will be possible for horses to be tested for caffeine under the Elective Testing scheme. Since caffeine is listed as a Specified Substance, from 1 January 2021 any finding will be treated as an Atypical Finding.

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/fei-warning-regarding-contaminated-batches-of

Monday, December 21, 2020

Spain: A young rider follows her dreams to compete

Euroweeklynews.com

By John Smith -20 December 2020

JAZMIN GRAHM a 12-year-old from Estepona is well on the way to chasing her mum’s endurance riding records after securing a place on the Andalucian youth team at the first attempt.

Jazmin has been around horses all her life and is a regular face at her mum Caroline’s riding stables near Selwo, Ranch Siesta Los Rubios.

Since lockdown restrictions cut down on competition opportunities, Jazmin switched this winter to begin endurance riding on a young Arabian horse W INGA AREZU BEND VI DE LAM (Arezu for short)...

Read more here:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/12/20/a-young-rider-follows-her-dreams-to-compete/

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decisions in equine and human anti-doping cases

Inside.fei.org - full article

18 December 2020

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decisions in a number of equine and human anti-doping cases.

...The second case involves the horse Victotop Occitan (FEI ID 105EV49/UAE), trained by Ghanim Mohd Al Marri (FEI ID 10048641/UAE). Samples taken from the horse at the CEI2* 120 – Bou Thib (UAE) on 13 December 2019 tested positive for the Banned Substance Testosterone.

The trainer of the horse was unable to give any plausible explanation for the presence of the Prohibited Substance in the horse’s sample.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year Period of Ineligibility on the trainer. The Provisional Suspension, which came into effect on 20 February 2020, is credited against the Period of Ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning the trainer will be ineligible until 19 February 2022. He was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision (15 December 2020).

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

Separately, the FEI has announced new adverse analytical findings (AAF) involving equine prohibited substances. The cases involve *Banned Substance and a Controlled Medication Substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).

In the following Endurance case, the athlete and the trainer have been provisionally suspended until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification...

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-tribunal-issues-final-decisions-equine-and-human-anti-doping-cases

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Rose Sandler, World Traveler, Adventurer Dies at 39

Jewishexponent.com - full article

By Sophie Panzer -December 17, 2020

No adventure was too daunting for Rose Sandler. The Pipersville native went diving in the Caribbean, hiking in Patagonia, lobster fishing in Maine and camel riding in the Gobi Desert.

She rode in countless horseback races. She completed the 655-mile Mongol Derby in 2014, competed in the 250-mile Race the Wild Coast in South Africa in 2016 and was named “rookie of the year” in the 100-mile Tevis Cup in California in 2017.

Sandler, a materials specialist, also suffered from mental illness and spent years battling depression. Her parents, Jay and Lisa Sandler, flew out to her home in Poway, California, in July to escort her back to Bucks County when it became clear her condition was getting worse.

She died by suicide on Nov. 23. She was 39...

Read more here:
https://www.jewishexponent.com/2020/12/17/rose-sandler-world-traveler-adventurer-dies-at-39/

FEI Endurance World Championship to stay in Italy as Verona secures 2022 edition

insidethegames.biz - full article

By Geoff Berkeley - Saturday, 19 December 2020

Isola della Scala in the Italian province of Verona has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Endurance World Championship.

The FEI Board made the decision at a videoconference meeting this week as it looks to keep the event in Italy.

Italian city Pisa was due to stage the competition this year before it was moved to May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sabrina Ibáñez, secretary general of the FEI, said they were pleased to have the "experience and passion" of the Verona Organising Committee to run the 2022 edition.

"We will be working closely with the organisers and the Italian Equestrian Federation to ensure that this is a top-notch sporting event that challenges the strategic skills of our athletes and brings the sport back to its original roots of endurance riding rather than endurance racing," said Ibáñez...

Read more here:
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1102205/fei-endurance-world-championship-2022

Friday, December 18, 2020

Italy endurance champs to “bring the sport back to its original roots”

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

December 18, 2020
Horsetalk.co.nz

FEI Secretary-General Sabrina Ibáñez says the FEI will work closely with organisers to ensure the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022 challenges the strategic skills of riders and “brings the sport back to its original roots of endurance riding rather than endurance racing”.

Ibáñez made the statement after the allocation of the event was made Isola della Scala in Verona, Italy, by the FEI Board at its videoconference meeting this week.

“We are pleased to have the experience and passion of the Verona Organising Committee for the FEI Endurance World Championship in 2022. We will be working closely with the Organisers and the Italian Equestrian Federation to ensure that this is a top-notch sporting event,” Ibáñez said...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2020/12/18/italy-endurance-champs-original-roots/

FEI Board makes key Championship decisions for 2021 and 2022

Inside.fei.org

17 December 2020

The FEI Board took a series of key decisions on allocation, cancellation, and reopening of bids for FEI Championships at its videoconference meeting this week.

The Board agreed to allocate the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022 to Isola della Scala in Verona (ITA).

“We are pleased to have the experience and passion of the Verona Organising Committee for the FEI Endurance World Championship in 2022,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “We will be working closely with the Organisers and the Italian Equestrian Federation to ensure that this is a top-notch sporting event that challenges the strategic skills of our athletes and brings the sport back to its original roots of Endurance riding rather than Endurance racing.”

Separately, the Board agreed to reopen the bid process for the FEI Eventing European Championship 2021, following numerous requests from a number of European Eventing stakeholders, including National Federations and Athletes, and with the full support of the European Equestrian Federation and the FEI Eventing Committee. The bid process will open on 18 December 2020 and National Federations and Organisers have until 15 January 2021 to apply to the FEI. The FEI Board will take a decision on the allocation of this Championship at its March 2021 teleconference.

Following the cancellation by the Organiser of the FEI Dressage European Championship U25 2021 in Donaueschingen (GER), the Board agreed to reopen the bidding process for the Championship. The deadline for expressions of interest to be submitted to the FEI (bidding@fei.org) is 15 January 2021 and the FEI Board will take a decision on the allocation of this Championship at its February 2021 teleconference.

Due to the Covid-19 related cancellation of the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2020 in Verden (GER), and following consultation with all parties involved, the Board agreed to reallocate the 2021 Championship to Verden. The 2021 Championship had originally been allocated to Ermelo (NED) for the three-year cycle, 2021-2023. The Board has now agreed to allocate the 2024 Championship to Ermelo, meaning that the Dutch venue will host the Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Based on the recommendation of the FEI Endurance Committee, and in consultation and with the support of the Netherlands National Federation, the Board agreed to terminate the Host Agreement with the Organiser of the FEI Endurance European Championship 2021 and FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2021.

Both these Endurance Championships were scheduled to be held at the Netherlands National Federation-owned venue at Ermelo (NED), and the FEI will now consult with the National Federation about a potential alternative Organiser to host the Championships at the Ermelo venue on the original dates (6-11 September 2021).

FEI appoints new Endurance Director

Inside.fei.org

16 December 2020

Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR) has been appointed as Endurance Director for the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the global governing body for equestrian sports.

Ms Abu-Dayyeh, 31, has been Secretary General of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation since 2017 and will start in her new role at the FEI on 1 April 2021. Her arrival in Lausanne (SUI) will further improve the gender balance in the FEI management team, with seven females and eight males.

During her time at the Jordanian National Federation, Ms Abu-Dayyeh was responsible for the management of all equestrian disciplines in the country, as well as heading up the Organising Committees for the biggest equestrian events in Jordan across all disciplines. She also worked directly with the Ministry of Agriculture on all equestrian matters, including quarantine procedures, animal welfare and the import/export of horses.

Prior to taking on the role at the National Federation, she worked as a marketing and communications consultant at the Princess Alia Foundation, and Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife in the Jordanian capital, Amman, the only wildlife sanctuary in the Middle East. She was a research analyst at a political consulting start-up in Abu Dhabi, and also worked in consulting and recruitment roles in Vancouver (CAN).

Ms Abu-Dayyeh has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada and a Masters in Management and International Business from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

“We are very happy to welcome Christina Abu-Dayyeh to the FEI to take on this really important role”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “The discipline of Endurance needs strong governance and we are confident that Christina is the right person to deliver the right mix of firmness and tact. She comes to us with a wealth of experience, not just in equestrian sport, but also in marketing and communications, skill sets that she will need for this post. Her knowledge of our sport in the Middle East, where Endurance is such a key part of the local culture, has given her a crucial insight and a vision that will undoubtedly benefit both the FEI and the discipline itself.”

“One of my proudest achievements at the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation has been creating open lines of communication and the transparency that was needed to inspire the trust of the community and stakeholders, which ultimately gave me a credible voice to move the sport forward in Jordan”, Christina Abu-Dayyeh said. “Leaning in and actively listening to those in the field who have mastered so many elements of it kept me humble.

Ms Abu-Dayyeh has strong Endurance experience, both at a national and international level, as the Jordanian National Federation is the main organiser of Endurance events in the country. She singles out Endurance as her favourite of all the disciplines that she is currently responsible for in her role as Secretary General in Jordan.

“I was aware that our Endurance Officials were having trouble fulfilling their crucial role of officiating at events and quickly realised that the main issue was miscommunication and the athletes’ lack of education on the rules. We made a huge effort to improve the knowledge base of our athletes, educating all stakeholders on the technical aspects of the sport and what it means to be a true horseperson, with the result that numbers increased by over 120% for our national rides.

“I believe that education and communication with the athletes and their entourage are key to improving horse welfare in the discipline internationally, continuing the fantastic work already done by the Endurance Temporary Committee.”

The FEI has been actively seeking a replacement Endurance Director since the announcement in March of this year that the Endurance & Driving Department was to be restructured with the aim of further streamlining management of the Endurance discipline. The restructuring was to allow for a special focus on a discipline that requires stringent oversight, although plans for the speedy recruitment of a new Endurance Director were significantly slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Abu-Dayyeh will replace Manuel Bandeira De Mello (POR), who joined the FEI in 2014 as Endurance Director. He will stay on in the role until Ms Abu-Dayyeh arrives in Switzerland and will remain at the FEI with the new title of Director Driving, Para Driving & Special Projects, allowing for an optimal handover to the new Endurance Director.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Bahrain: Al Hashemi triumphs

GDNonline.com - Full Article

GDN Online Desk
Sat, 12 Dec 2020

Al Rau’d Team jockey Mohammed Abdulhamid Al Hashemi clinched the 120km National Day Endurance Championship yesterday.

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) honorary president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the winner of the four-stage race with the coveted trophy.

Present were Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) vice-president, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Co-ordination, Implementation and Follow-up Committee vice-chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Breef chairman Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Endurance Committee chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa attended...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/910065

Friday, December 11, 2020

Malaysia: Mom takes up endurance riding after equine therapy helps son

FreeMalaysiaToday.com - Full Article

Bernama - December 11, 2020 6:29 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: A 38-year-old mother from Kuala Kangsar, Perak threw herself into horse riding after she saw how equine therapy had significantly improved the life of her son, Harith Danial Heazar Ismail, 14, who was diagnosed with hyperactivity and autism.

Sharifah Noorfaslina says Harith Danial greatly benefitted from several sessions of equine therapy at Cape Cavallho Equestrian Club in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan

“After his first equine therapy session, he could speak in one short complete sentence compared to before where it was only one or two words.

“In fact, my son is significantly calmer after each session,” she says, explaining to Bernama that he is usually very hyperactive and prone to putting himself in physical danger...

Read more here:
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2020/12/11/mom-takes-up-endurance-riding-after-equine-therapy-helps-son/

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Key Dates for the 2021 FEI Senior World, FEI Young Rider World, and FEI Pan American Endurance Championships

USEF.org

by USEF Endurance | Dec 8, 2020, 8:54 AM EST

The following application deadlines have been announced for the 2021 FEI Senior World, FEI Young Rider World, and FEI Pan American Endurance Championships.

2021 FEI SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Application Opening Date: Opened 1st September 2020

Early Application Deadline: 12th February 2021

Late Application Deadline: 17th March 2021

The 2021 FEI Senior World Championships will be held on May 22, 2021 in San Rossore, ITA. Additional information for these Championships can be found here.

The Selection Procedures for the 2021 Senior World Championships can be found here.

Applications for the 2021 Senior World Championships can be found on your USEF Athlete Dashboard here. Applications opened on 1st September 2020 and have an early application deadline of 12th February 2021 at 11:59 PM ET and a late application deadline of 17th March 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

2021 FEI PAN AMERICAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Application Opening Date: Opened 1st November 2020

Early Application Deadline: 31st March 2021

Late Application Deadline: 29th April 2021

The 2021 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships will be held on July 28-29, 2021 in Campinas, BRA. Additional information for these Championships can be found here.

The Selection Procedures for the 2021 Pan American Endurance Championships can be found here.

Applications for the 2021 Pan American Endurance Championships can be found on your USEF Athlete Dashboard here. Applications opened on 1st November 2020 and have an early application deadline of 31st March 2021 at 11:59 PM ET and a late application deadline of 29th April 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

2021 FEI JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Application Opened: 7th December 2021

Early Application Deadline: 31st March 2021

Late Application Deadline: 29th April 2021

The 2021 FEI Junior & Young Rider World Championships will be held on September 6-11, 2021 in Ermelo, NED. Additional information for these Championships can be found here.

The Selection Procedures for the 2021 Junior & Young Rider World Championships can be found here.

Applications for the 2021 Junior & Young Rider World Championships can be found on your USEF Athlete Dashboard here. Applications opened on 7th December 2021 and have an early application deadline of 31st March 2021 at 11:59 PM ET and a late application deadline of 29th April 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.

FURTHER QUESTIONS

Please contact Project Director of High Performance Programs, Steven Morrissey, at smorrissey@usef.org should you have any questions.

Bahrain: Stage set for National Day Endurance Championship

GDNonline.com - Full Article

9 December 2020

The National Day Endurance Championship will be held tomorrow and on Friday, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) will organise the championship, sponsored by Batelco, at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

Breef chairman Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa stressed commitment to implement the directives of Shaikh Nasser to ensure the success of the annual event...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/909821/Stage-set-for-National-Day-Endurance-Championship

Tuesday, December 08, 2020

Australia: History created at state champs

TATimes.com.au - Full Article

By Jeff Hanson - December 6, 2020

Liz Moir made the long trip to Tumut from Wauchope to compete at the NSW Endurance Riding Association (NSWERA) State Championships over the weekend, and in-turn created history, helping Baribo to overall line honours in the 160km event.

What makes the win extra special is that Baribo is a thoroughbred that is by King of Prussia, out of Torriva and though he won all of $500 as a racehorse, with two lasts and a second last from three starts, he did compete in a Group 3 event at Flemington.

Far from the world of group and listed thoroughbred racing, Baribo has now completed thousands of kilometres as an endurance competitor and is the first thoroughbred to be crowned the NSW State Champion.

“There has never been another thoroughbred with their name on the cup,” Moir said...

Read more here:
https://tatimes.com.au/history-created-at-state-champs/

The rate of South African equine exports is plummeting and jobs in the industry are haemorrhaging

DailyMaverick.co.za - Full Article

By Ruan Jooste • 8 December 2020

South Africa can’t export horses directly to the European Union, thanks to a leftover from an outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2011. The World Health Organisation set up protocols on moving animals around the world and we have been stuck in limbo ever since. Whenever there’s an outbreak, a two-year ban starts again, and there have been a few outbreaks since then. When the ban is up, a country can apply for an audit, which can take up to nine months.

Although South Africa has been disease-free for some time now and an audit was scheduled in April to free up exports from the local industry, the Covid-19 lockdown threw a spanner in the works and it has been postponed indefinitely.

Coronavirus aside, the delay is mostly due to other “trade irritants”, as Peter Fabricius referred to in his report on the first ministerial conference between SA and the EU in four years, in July.

Adrian Todd, managing director of SA Equine Health and Protocols, tells me we have been willing and able to export horses since the end of 2018. We have been left with only one option: to send horses offshore via Mauritius. There is an agreement in place that allows us to do that.

They can’t go anywhere else directly. They can’t go from Mauritius to Dubai or from Mauritius to Australia – they have to go to Europe and then from Europe to the relevant places...

Read more here:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-08-the-rate-of-south-african-equine-exports-is-plummeting-and-jobs-in-the-industry-are-haemorrhaging/

Friday, December 04, 2020

Equestrianists World Series Launched

Equestrianists.com

The Equestrianists WORLD SERIES
The World's greatest horse racing series

December 3 2020

Welcome to the new home of the world's toughest horse races. The Mongol Derby, created by The Adventurists in 2009, pioneered the new sport of long-distance multi-horse adventure racing. The Gaucho Derby took the format to Argentine Patagonia...

Today the Equestrianists World Series has been launched as a new company to pick up the baton and create the greatest equine racing series possible on our planet.

Our goal is to find and celebrate those unique places where horses, humans, and history coexist in cultures that have defined our relationship with these majestic animals through the ages. It’s a series of races that will test the horsemanship and endurance of riders in new and unprecedented ways. This is the Equestrianists World Series.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re letting you in on the fact that we have begun the planning for the next race in the series - in North America. Stay tuned for details…

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/theequestrianists

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/theequestrianists/

Our new home and brand new website for all the horse races
https://equestrianists.com/

Let your friends know- The Equestrianists are here.
#TheEquestrianists

https://vimeo.com/486048678

Great Britain: Intrepid Perthshire horse rider wins international literary award

TheCourrier.co.uk - Full Article

by Gayle Ritchie
December 2 2020

A book about the adventures of a Perthshire horse rider, her rescue pony and deaf dog has won an international literary award.

In 2017, Karen Inkster completed a mission which saw her travel the length of the Outer Hebrides with her Standardbred Connie and collie Pip to raise more than £6,000 for Riding for the Disabled and Dogs Trust.

Karen, 45, went on to give talks about the trip and wrote a book about her adventure called The Deaf, The Daft and The Ditsy, donating proceeds from both to charities.

The gruelling 16-day journey saw the daring trio trek 270km from Vatersay near Barra to Stornoway, visiting 13 islands along the way.

Karen, who lives near Dunkeld, named the book The Deaf, The Daft and The Ditsy primarily due to Pip being hard of hearing and Connie being described as a bit “ditsy...”

Read more here:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/1782451/perthshire-horse-rider-award/

Saturday, November 28, 2020

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturns suspension imposed by the FEI Board on UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation

UAEERF.ae

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF) confirms that the original decision of the FEI Board, dated 24 September 2020, has been partially quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The suspension originally imposed by the FEI Board prohibited Endurance events until 31 March 2021. This suspension has been significantly reduced, such that all UAE equestrian disciplines can now return to competition from 1 January 2021. This CAS Decision granting all UAE equestrian disciplines the right to resume as of 1 January 2021 was ratified on 23 November 2020, by the FEI General Assembly.

CAS also emphasized that the remainder of the suspension should in no way interfere with the organization of events to be held in the United Arab Emirates from 1 January 2021, explicitly allowing any administrative preparatory activity to take place in the UAE from 1 January 2021. Notably, the fines originally imposed by the FEI have also been halved by the CAS, while an order by the FEI Board that the UAEERF should pay the FEI’s legal fees has been completely annulled by CAS.

The UAEERF Secretary General Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri commented: “We note the significant reduction in the sanctions by CAS. We considered the original sanctions to have been wholly disproportionate. We will review the full decision once we have received it before considering any further legal steps. For now, we are working hard to get riders, owners and organisers back on track from 1 January.”

Background information

On September 24, 2020, the UAEERF was suspended by the FEI Board following an investigation into allegations that at two national endurance competitions, the Sheikh Mohammed Cup (held on January 4, 2020) and the President’s Cup (held on February 10, 2020), the number of foreign riders permitted under FEI rules had been exceeded. The suspension was based exclusively on exceeding the foreign rider quota for national events and did not allege any horse welfare or integrity violations.

UAEERF launched an appeal against the FEI’s decision before the CAS. Following a hearing on 12 and 13 November, the CAS delivered the operative part of its decision on 17 November in which it set aside the FEI Board’s decision, partially upheld the UAEERF’s appeal and reduced the imposed sanctions.

The CAS has decided that the period of suspension should end for all disciplines, including endurance, on 31 December 2020. The administrative suspension has been brought to an immediate end, as the CAS stated that the suspension should in no way interfere with any administrative preparatory activity (including entry into the FEI calendar) of events to take place after the suspension ceases to have effect. In addition, the CAS has reduced the fines by half, and annulled the imposition of legal costs with the FEI now having to bear its own costs.

Australia: State champs sure to be an enduring affair

Tatimes.com.au - Full Article

By Jeff Hanson
November 27, 2020

The Tumut Endurance committee will breathe a heavy sigh of relief at 12pm tonight, when they finally get their chance to host the NSW Endurance Riding Association (NSWERA) state championships.

After originally preparing to host the event over the June long weekend, and again later in the year; the club was forced to put the date back for a third time due to the travel restrictions associated with Covid-19.

Still at the stroke of midnight tonight, Tumut Endurance will get to utilise the picturesque Bondo State Forest headquarters, as the best endurance riders in the country take off on 160km of beautifully rugged Snowy Mountains course.

Tumut Endurance committee member and event organiser, Kim Stephens, has been involved in the sport since 1966, and explained it was a very different feeling this year, although she was very pleased to see the event unfolding over the next two days...

Read more here:
https://tatimes.com.au/state-champs-sure-to-be-an-enduring-affair/

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Sweden: Dackeritten 2020

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

20 November 2020
Race Report made with the assistance of Yvonne Ekelund
Photo Credit: Peter Svensson

Växjö, Sweden. Sunday 1 November 2020.

Endurance World Dackeritten Växjö.02 HelleSwedish last international endurance race for 2020 took place in Växjö. The ride is named after the farmer and rebel leader Nils Dacke who lived in the area around Småland during the 16th century. Nils Dacke became known as the leader of the peasant uprising in Småland, the so-called “Dackefejden” against King Gustav Vasa.

The race tracks ran through the forests where once the rebels rode in the 16th century.

The CEI1* 100 km was ridden in 3 loops, the flat track ran through a large beech forest reserve and around one of its many lakes, Södra Bergundasjönin, in the Växjö municipality, with some gravel roads up to the village Dänningelanda and back to the competition site at the riding school in Bergunda. This year the tracks were a bit slippery due to all the wet leaves, otherwise the course was very nice, said competition leader Yvonne Ekelund...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/dackeritten-2020/

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

CAS upholds suspension of UAE National Federation until end 2020

Inside.FEI.org

17 November 2020
Author: FEI

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today confirmed that the United Arab Emirates National Federation will remain suspended from FEI membership until 31 December 2020.

The CAS ruling comes after a two-day hearing via videoconference on 12 and 13 November following an appeal by the UAE against the suspension imposed by the FEI Board on 24 September 2020.

“We welcome today’s CAS decision confirming that a violation of the FEI rules occurred which warranted a full suspension of the UAE National Federation’s membership across all disciplines and significant financial penalties”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We are grateful to the CAS for expediting the hearing of this appeal so that we are able to provide clarity to our community on the issue prior to the FEI General Assembly next Monday.”

Today’s CAS decision rules that the UAE National Federation “is suspended with respect to all FEI disciplines from 24 September 2020 until 31 December 2020”.

The FEI Board had imposed a suspension on the UAE National Federation following a detailed investigation into the circumstances around two National Endurance Events (CEN) in January and February 2020 - the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President's Cup – that should have been held as International Endurance Events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted for National Events.

The CAS also ruled that 25% of the prize money awarded at the 2020 Sheikh Mohammed Cup and 5% of the prize money awarded at the 2020 President’s Cup must be paid to the FEI, plus organising dues that would have been payable to the FEI had the Events been held as CEIs.

At the request of the parties, and in order to fast track the ruling, the CAS provided today’s decision without the full rationale, which will be provided at a later date.

More at:
https://inside.fei.org/content/cas-upholds-suspension-uae-national-federation-until-end-2020-0

Monday, November 09, 2020

Saudi Arabia: Rider blames ‘cocktail’ of drugs in horse’s system on ‘unknown’ operation

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Becky Murray
7 November, 2020 17:03

An endurance rider who competed a horse with a “cocktail” of drugs in his system, blamed the positive test results on an operation he claimed he was unaware the horse had undergone days earlier.

Moro Tianko, trained and ridden by Saudi Arabian Mohammed Alalewi, tested positive for prohibited substances following the CEI2* 120km Al Ula on 2 February 2019. The gelding’s blood sample tested positive for banned substance tolfenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic effects) and controlled substances lidocaine (a local anaesthetic used in the treatment of some skin diseases), flunixin, diclofenac, phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone (anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effects)...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/endurance-horse-positive-dope-test-blamed-on-operation-729725

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser on ‘Elite Jockeys’ list

GDOnline.com - Full Article

9 November 2020

HIS Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has qualified for the ‘Elite Jockeys’ category.

He won the 160km qualifying race held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village during the endurance season opener.

The race was held over five stages, with the first phase covering a distance of 40km.

Shaikh Nasser finished first, followed by Abdulrahman Al Zayed in second and Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa third.

Shaikh Nasser expressed utmost happiness at winning first place and joining the elite group, in which the kingdom’s jockeys are always present, confirming the advanced level of the kingdom’s endurance sport...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/897065/Shaikh-Nasser-on-%E2%80%98Elite-Jockeys%E2%80%99-list

Friday, November 06, 2020

Three-Year Ban After Horse Tests Positive to Six Different Drugs

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Canada’s Tribunal member rejects claims that the prohibited substances resulted from surgery ‘a few days before the race.’

By: Pippa Cuckson | November 5, 2020

Vancouver lawyer Harveen Thauli has handed down a record three-year FEI suspension for a first anti-doping offence on a Saudi endurance rider whose horse tested positive to six prohibited drugs at the showcase Al Ula ride in February 2019. He was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (CAN $ 14,400.)

Mohammed Alalewi claimed that his horse Moro Tianko underwent an operation a few days before the ride and this must have accounted for the positives.

Both Ms Thauli, sitting as a one-member FEI Tribunal panel, and the FEI’s legal department dismissed the rider’s argument he was unaware of the alleged surgery, if it even occurred. He was also the horse’s registered trainer and so responsible for its care.

Moro Tianko tested positive to Tolfenamic Acid, a banned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and five controlled substances – Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic with local anaesthetic effects, Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and Flunixin, Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone, anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effects...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/horse-news/three-year-ban-horse-tests-positive-six-different-drugs/

Shaikh Nasser praises Bahrain’s endurance achievements

GDOnline.com - Full Article

Fri, 06 Nov 2020

A total of 160 riders took part in the second endurance qualifying race held yesterday under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) honorary president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The contenders, representing different stables, took part in the 40 and 80 kilometre races, which were also attended by Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE) vice-president, SCYS Coordination, Implementation and Follow-up Committee chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Breef chairman Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/896831

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

SGC riding pants ready for endurance!

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

Info@endurance-world.com
3rd November 2020

Interview with Daphne Leers, CEO of SGC International

Tuesday 27 October 2020.

Not so many people heard of the new brand SGC riding pants but once they tried the first product it is a name and product not quick to forget. That first product are riding pants, designed and produced by horse riders, for horse riders. An interview with Daphne Leers, a 20 year old entrepreneur and the force behind SGC International.

Who is Daphne Leers?

I am a 20 year old girl living in a really small country, the Netherlands, somewhere in Zuid Limburg. Although I live in such a small country I have always had big dreams and I am not someone who is easily scared to take the steps.

What is the story behind SGC International?

SGC International is actually a really fortunate accident, because I was also starting a fitness brand back in May. But as you can see now our first product are riding pants. So why the focus on riding pants?

Somewhere during May this year Ijjou Mohamed and Marijke Visser were talking about how they would love some new type of riding pants since the ones they liked weren’t for sale anymore. Ijjou knew I was about to start a fitness brand and said since I had the contacts to do so, why not make a new type of riding pants? I also wasn’t satisfied with the products that were on the market and thought I could design something just for my dearest friends, Marijke, Anne Marijn (Kok), Ijjou Mohamed and myself...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/sgc-riding-pants-ready-for-endurance/

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decisions in three equine anti-doping cases involving Prohibited Substances

Inside.FEI.org

21 October 2020

The first case involves the horse Caipirina (FEI ID 105RC16/COL), ridden by Major Juan Pablo Garcia Salgado (FEI ID 10063069/COL), which tested positive for the *Banned Substances Boldenone Undecylenate, Boldenone and Ractopamine following samples taken at the CIC1* in Bonza (COL), 20-22 September 2018.

The athlete admitted to injecting the horse with Boldenone, but claimed he was unaware that Boldenone was a prohibited substance. He was unable to give any information about the presence of Ractopamine in the horse’s sample.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse and athlete from the event, and suspended the athlete for two years. The Provisional Suspension, which came into effect on 30 October 2018, was credited against the period of ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning the athlete will be ineligible until 29 October 2020. He was also fined CHF 400. The full Decision is available here.

The second case involves the horse S H CIRO (104ZN21/CHI), ridden by Paula Llorens Clark (FEI ID 10086065/CHI). Samples taken from the horse at the CEIYJ2* 120 in Llay Llay (CHI) on 30 March 2019 tested positive for the *Banned Substance O-Desmethyltramadol.

The athlete was able to provide a plausible explanation for the horse testing positive, support personnel having urinated close to the horse, while being on Tramadol. As a result, the FEI entered into an agreement with the athlete and did not impose any period of ineligibility or costs.

The horse and athlete combination were disqualified from the event. The full Decision is available here.

The third case involves the horse Tra Duncan (104CE66/KSE), ridden by Mohamed Al Jaberi (FEI ID 10063829/KSA), which tested positive for the *Banned Substance Diisopropylamine following samples taken at the CEI1* 110 in Al Qaseem (KSA) on 9 March 2019. The athlete failed to establish the source of the substance and therefore there could be no reduction of the standard two-year suspension.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete, and disqualified the horse and athlete combination from the event. The Provisional Suspension on the athlete, which came into effect on 11 April 2019, was credited against the period of ineligibility imposed in the decision, meaning the athlete will be ineligible until 11 April 2021. He was also fined CHF 7,500 and ordered to pay the legal costs of CHF 2,000 that the FEI incurred in these proceedings...

More at:
https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-tribunal-issues-final-decisions-equine-anti-doping-cases

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

BC Native Riding Solo Across Mongolia in Gobi Gallop

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Julie Veloo hopes to raise $50,000 for Children of the Peak during her 700-km trek on her charity’s annual fundraiser.

By: Kim Izzo | October 14, 2020

“The Gobi Gallop is the longest annual charity horseback ride on the planet,” explains Julie Veloo, who splits her time between B.C.’s Okanagan Valley and Mongolia.

Veloo is the founder and vice-president of the Veloo Foundation, a registered charity. Its main initiative is Children of the Peak, which consists of 12 programs which include, “sustainable educational, vocational and infrastructure development along with relief efforts to address immediate, serious need in the Songin Khairhan and surrounding districts where many of the community members survive simply on what they can scavenge from the garbage dump to eat, burn or sell...”

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/bc-native-riding-solo-across-mongolia-gobi-gallop/

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

UAE equestrian body intends to appeal its suspension from the FEI

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

October 11, 2020
Horsetalk.co.nz

The United Arab Emirates Equestrian and Racing Federation has signalled its intention to appeal last month’s decision by the FEI Board to suspend it from the international organisation.

The suspension arose over the running of the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President’s Cup. Both should have been held as International Endurance Events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted under the rules for national events, according to the FEI.

The FEI Board imposed a full suspension of the UAE national federation, across all FEI disciplines, until the end of the year. The suspension in relation to Endurance will run longer, until March 31, 2021.

The board has also imposed a financial sanction on the organisers of the events in question, requiring them to pay a percentage of the prize money – 50% for the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and 10% for The President’s Cup – as well as the organising dues that would have been payable to the FEI had the events been held as international events.

The world governing body signalled that the suspensions will remain in place until all financial sanctions have been paid in full...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2020/10/11/uae-equestrian-body-appeal-suspension-fei/

Monday, October 05, 2020

Will the UAE’s Suspension Trigger an Endurance Breakaway?

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Fans of ‘desert racing’ seem baffled by the suspension - not surprising, against a background of widespread disregard for the rules.

By Cuckson Report // Pippa Cuckson | October 1, 2020

There are many reasons why the FEI shouldn’t have so promptly lifted its first suspension of the UAE national federation (NF) in 2015. Since then, the discipline’s dominant player has had more “second chances” than it deserved. But unlike 2015, last week’s FEI decision to suspend it again has massive impacts, wiping out the winter endurance season and grinding the global horse trade to a halt.

The FEI produced this concise Q&A for riders of limited attention span. Here is my unofficial – and rather longer – Q and A:

Isn’t a six-month suspension rather short, bearing in mind the UAE’s history of doping, cheating and horse fatalities?...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/cuckson-report-1/will-uaes-suspension-trigger-endurance-breakaway/

Saturday, October 03, 2020

FEI spells out what UAE suspension means to riders, officials and event organizers

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

October 2, 2020
Horsetalk.co.nz

The world governing body for horse sport says the recently announced suspension of the National Equestrian Federation of the United Arab Emirates will have many practical consequences for athletes, owners, trainers, officials and organizers beyond the country’s borders.

The FEI Board suspended the UAE’s national equestrian body after an investigation into the circumstances around two national endurance events (CENs) in January and February 2020 — the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President’s Cup.

Both should have been held as international endurance events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted for national events, the FEI concluded.

The board believed the reason for re-classifying the events as CENs was to avoid the application of the new FEI Endurance Rules scheduled to take effect on January 1 this year...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2020/10/02/fei-uae-suspension-riders-officials-event-organizers/

Thursday, October 01, 2020

British Horse Feeds and Golden Paste Company Red Dragon Festival

EGB.myclubhouse.co.uk

30 September 2020

Organisers pledge Endurance GB British Horse Feeds and Golden Paste Company Red Dragon Festival ‘will rise again’

Following news of the cancellation of this year’s British Horse Feeds & Golden Paste Company Red Dragon Festival of Endurance due to a spike in Covid cases across Wales, organisers say support for this year’s planned event will mean it comes back bigger and better in the future.

While the sport’s annual season finale scheduled for next weekend from its home at the Royal Welsh Showground had been billed as Covid-compliant ‘Red Dragon Lite’, entries across all the classes had exceeded expectations and organisers John and Jane Hudson say they had been overwhelmed both by the strong backing of the sponsors and the support of the endurance community.

John Hudson said: “A huge amount of work had gone in to making this happen and we were devastated when it became clear that the Welsh Government would have had to delay their rollout of the relaxation of restrictions for larger events in Wales and were then unable to give us assurance that the restrictions will be sufficiently lifted to enable the event to take place.

“We would like to express our thanks to our sponsors British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company for their unwavering backing and generosity throughout the preparations and to Steve Hughson and his Royal Welsh Showground team and the numerous volunteers and local landowners who worked so hard to try to make the event happen.

“We were hugely encouraged by the support the ride received and can assure everyone that the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance will rise again and this has given us the impetus to ensure that next time it will be bigger and better than ever.”

Meanwhile, Endurance GB’s season has been extended until the end of the year and a number of rides are in the calendar including the popular two-day Concrete Cows event, a uniquely urban endurance ride over purpose built bridleways around central Milton Keynes which is scheduled to take place on 24 and 25 October.

Planning is underway for the 2021 domestic and international season which will see British teams competing at both the World and European Endurance Championships.

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decision

Inside.fei.org

30 September 2020 Author: FEI

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case involving two Prohibited Substances.

The case involves the horse Leslie O’Nil (FEI ID 105PA88/FRA), ridden by Ludovic Saroul (FEI ID 10014413/FRA). Samples taken from the horse at the CEI2* 120 in Al Ula (KSA) on 2 February 2019 tested positive for the Banned Substances Mephentermine and Oxetacaine.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete. The FEI Tribunal took note that the FEI accepted that the athlete bore no significant fault or negligence for the rule violation, as he was able to establish how the Prohibited Substances entered the horse’s system.

As a result, the period of ineligibility was set at 18 months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (10 September 2020). The provisional suspension (effective from 11 March 2019) was credited against the full suspension, meaning that the athlete was ineligible until 10 September 2020.

The results of the athlete and horse at the event were disqualified and the athlete was ordered to pay a fine of CHF 1,500. Each of the parties will bear its own legal costs.

More at:
https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-tribunal-issues-final-decision

Monday, September 28, 2020

Endurance GB statement following suspension of UAE National Federation

EGB.myclubhouse.co.uk

25 September 2020

Following news that the FEI has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a detailed investigation into the circumstances around two National Endurance Events (CEN) in January and February 2020 - the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President's Cup – that should have been held as International Endurance Events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted for National Events, Endurance GB has issued the following statement from Director of Welfare, Antonia Milner-Matthews, a veterinary surgeon who also competes at International FEI level endurance.

Antonia Milner-Matthews said: “Following these rides back in January, we made clear our concerns that running these events with a very international flavour as CENs was not within the spirit of Article 101 of the FEI’s General Regulations. Endurance GB also expressed grave concerns via the BEF that such rides do not carry the level of scrutiny, welfare safeguards or sanctions that are in place at FEI CEI International level competition.

“Of course it is a shame that such sanctions are required but we welcome such a step from the FEI emphasising that the situation is being taken seriously. Going forward our advice is that all riders need to ensure they are very aware of the potential consequences of riding in unsanctioned events abroad.”

FEI suspends UAE National Federation for Rules violations

Inside.FEI.org

25 September 2020

The FEI Board has suspended the National Federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a detailed investigation into the circumstances around two National Endurance Events (CEN) in January and February 2020 - the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and The President's Cup – that should have been held as International Endurance Events (CEIs) as the number of foreign athletes far exceeded the quota permitted for National Events.

Under Article 101 of the FEI General Regulations, National Events must be limited to no more than four National Federations (NF) and/or more than 15 foreign Athletes aside from “Athletes living outside their country of nationality” (Article 119.6 of the FEI General Regulations). However, in this particular case, the investigation led by Bird & Bird LLP, found that a total of 93 foreign Athletes from 24 different NFs participated in the 2020 Sheikh Mohammed Cup and total of 88 foreign Athletes from 21 different NFs participated in the 2020 President's Cup.

The FEI Board met via videoconference on 16 September to hear presentations from Bird & Bird and the UAE NF legal representatives. Legal counsel from both parties responded to questions from the FEI Board prior to the Board Members reaching their in-principle decision, which has been formally notified to the UAE NF on 24 September 2020.

The Board concluded that the UAE NF had violated the FEI Rules, in particular, Articles 101, 109.2 and 100.7.2 of the FEI General Regulations and Article 2.8 of the FEI Statutes (see Notes to Editors below). In the case of the Sheikh Mohammed Cup, the violations were deemed intentional, and in the case of the President’s Cup, the violations were considered at the very least negligent. The Board also concluded that the reason for re-classifying the events as CENs was to avoid the application of the new FEI Endurance Rules that were scheduled to take effect as of 1 January 2020.

Given the serious nature of the rule violations, the FEI Board unanimously agreed that a significant sanction was required and in accordance with Article 8.3 of the FEI Statutes, the UAE NF will be suspended with effect from 24 September 2020 as follows:

• A full suspension of the UAE NF (all activities across all FEI disciplines) until 31 December 2020
• A suspension of the UAE NF’s activities in relation to the discipline of Endurance until 31 March 2021

The suspension also affects any events (including national Events) in the UAE, which become “Unsanctioned Events” during the suspension period and any FEI Athlete, Horse or Official participating will be liable to a period of ineligibility of up to six months in accordance with Articles 113.4 and 155.7 of the FEI General Regulations.

The Board also imposed a financial sanction on the Organisers, requiring them to pay a percentage of the prize money – 50% for the Sheikh Mohammed Cup and 10% for The President’s Cup - as well as the organising dues that would have been payable to the FEI had the Events been held as CEIs. The Board also decided that the UAE NF must pay the FEI’s legal fees. The suspensions imposed on the UAE NF will remain in place until all financial sanctions have been paid in full to the FEI, as per Article 164.5 of the FEI General Regulations.

“The decision to suspend the UAE National Federation was not taken lightly, but it reflects our commitment to good governance, integrity and horse welfare”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Regrettably we were forced to suspend the UAE Federation in 2015 following an investigation into Endurance horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations. It is extremely disheartening that we are tackling similar issues in 2020 and that we have had to revert to the suspension of the National Federation. However, the UAE National Federation’s clear intent to avoid the application of the new Rules at the biggest events in their calendar was reflected in their actions around these two events and, as a community, we cannot allow individual NFs to apply the rules only as and when it suits them.

“It is my sincere hope that this suspension will drive change within the Federation and give rise to a new era for Endurance in the UAE equestrian community.”

The UAE National Federation was notified of the decision by the FEI on 24 September 2020 and has 21 days to appeal the decision to the FEI Tribunal.

More:
https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-suspends-uae-national-federation-rules-violations

Strong performances at first Endurance GB FEI competition of 2020 at Lavenham Ride in Suffolk

EverythingHorseUK.co.uk - Full Article

26/09/2020
Suzanne Ashton

Britain’s leading endurance riders were out in force as the sport staged a return to FEI competition for the first time in 2020 at Suffolk’s Lavenham Ride.

The popular Lavenham Ride (19-20 Sept) saw strong performances and given the lack of competition over the past year, encouraging completion rates across the classes.

Organisers and riders alike were delighted to have been able to meet stringent COVID guidelines to enable the competition to take place from the grounds of Semer Manor near Ipswich. Sponsors over the two days included; RiderCise, Zayin Arabian Stud, Gadebrook Stud, Lancashire Group Endurance GB, Haygain, Elm Farm Arabians, Equine Exceed and On The Hoof Distance Training

In the top FEI CEI 3* 140km class, Dorset-based Nikki Malcolm and Oso Arabian’s Oso Spiralling Wind, who made their mark on the 2019 season with wins in the RiderCise Southern Championship and at the British Horse Feeds Red Dragon, maintained their record with a superb victory. The pair won by a nose after a racing finish ahead of second-placed James Dickinson with Magdy, who train in West Sussex with Powys rider Fiona Griffiths with Balishla who followed in third...

Read more here:
https://everythinghorseuk.co.uk/endurance-riders-suffolk-lavenham-ride/

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Poland: Kliczków; an excellent ride in historic location

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

22nd September 2020
Race Report made with the assistance of Paweł Górski

Kliczków, Poland, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2020.

Kliczkow is a small village located in the Lower Silesian part of Poland. It is mostly known for its XIII century Castle where the horses represent a large part of the castle’s 700-year history. In the historic park there is the remaining bit of a full 800 meters horse track. More than 100 years ago, the one and only horse cemetery was built in the middle of the track.

Castle Kliczków was the central point for the whole event. The scenery for the endurance event gave everybody a special and unforgettable experience. For the third time, the castle as well as the Lower Silesian Forest were hosting the endurance event. Thanks to the Polish National Forests, Equestrian Club Brawura and local authorities it was possible to organise an endurance ride in cooperation with Polish equestrian federation. For the second year in a row competitions were in the rank of Polish National Championship...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/kliczkow-an-excellent-ride-in-historic-location/

Monday, September 21, 2020

Mongol Derby Diary #4

TheAdventurists.com - Full Story

August 6 2020

The Adventure Continues...

Rosie Bathhurst ~ ” Coming into HS2 at the end of Day 1, I was riding in a big group and most people decided to stay there than risk going on, but Alice, Marie and I got on our steeds and off we went. Along we trotted, hopping back and forth across a river. We saw some camels, got excited by camels… then realized we had a long-ass way to go until HS3 and not much time. We debated whether we should go left or right of a big rock. We went left. Shoulda gone right! Got chased by some big scary wolf dogs because we got a bit close to a ger!

After riding away we saw some wooden buildings in the distance. We realized that we were going to get penalized to hell if we kept riding past curfew, so we investigated and decided we were here for adventure. Camping it was! Turns out it was a goat shed with a little corral. Marie and Alice hobbled their horses and put them on one side of the shed. I had lost my hobbles along the way – great job on Day 1!

Once the horses were happily settled, selfies were taken, and we went to find where we could sleep. We stepped into a hut filled with goat poo, picked our way over the decaying goat carcasses, and settled down for the night! We tucked into dinner… chocco protein bar for the win. It was nice and dark when we saw car headlights through the shed walls and we SHIT ourselves! We definitely thought we were in trouble! Thankfully, it was just the Derby crew checking on riders. The crew was followed by another car with the family whose scary doggos had chased us earlier. They had taken in rider Chips Broughton earlier in the evening and saw us ride over the hill, so came over to check on us as it was forecast to rain like crazy. What legends!...

Read more here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/updates/derby-diary-4/

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Strong entries as FEI Competition returns for Endurance GB

EGB.Myclubhouse.co.uk - full article

17 September 2020

Press Release for Lavenham

Strong entries as FEI Competition returns for Endurance GB this weekend at Lavenham Ride in Suffolk

A strong entry of nearly 30 of Britain’s leading riders will take part in FEI International level competition under Endurance GB auspices for the first time this season at Lavenham, Suffolk (19-20 September).

Organisers of the 2020 endurance season’s first and only FEI event which takes place this weekend at Lavenham in Suffolk say they are delighted to have been able to meet stringent COVID guidelines in order to stage the competition.

The ride starts off in the grounds of Semer Manor, 12 miles to the West of Ipswich and offers an undulating course under the wide Suffolk skies.

The ride has previously been described by riders taking part as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of East Anglian competition combining both technical sections as well as faster elements.

Lined by trees and hedges, the track is almost entirely on wide grass margins which have been prepared for hunting and team chasing or on grassland. There are some very short road sections but remarkably the distance on tarmac is no more than half a mile in total.

Ride co-organiser Heather Weston who has been shielding previously and is therefore running the event in conjunction with Shelley Bates said: “This is a lovely course but more testing than it appears. Riders have to be aware that although it is potentially fast, there are a lot of tights turns along the way, and in some places there are ditches. The going has been spot-on in recent weeks but with the hot dry spell, riders need to be aware of the ground conditions.”

The FEI classes will see riders compete at one star 100km (CEI *), two star 120km (CEI **) and three star 140km (CEI ***) level. The 140km CEI 3* class will give some combinations the chance to secure vital qualifiers for both next year’s World and European Endurance Championships...

Read more here:
https://egb.myclubhouse.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Strong+entries+as+FEI+Competition+returns+for+Endurance+GB+

Friday, September 18, 2020

Great Britain: Llanidloes mum to join horse race on Genghis Khan's route

Cluntrytimes.co.uk - Full Article

17th September 2020
by Matt Jnmes

A MUM-of-two is gearing up to take on a gruelling endurance challenge in which she must solely navigate a team of 25 horses across 1,000km of untamed Asian wilderness.

Zoe Geddes, 26, will take on the Mongol Derby next August – renowned for being the longest and toughest horse race on earth.

The race has been organised since 2009 and traces the steps of the Mongolian postal message system set up by legendary Mongol Empire leader Genghis Khan in 1224 – whose mighty horse messenger system connected half the planet.

For the last decade, race chiefs have been rebuilding this ancient network to stage the world’s greatest equine adventure race.

The Mongolian horses used are semi-feral and well suited to the extreme and varied terrain. The race covers high passes, deep valleys, wooded hills, rivers, wetland, sandy dunes, rolling hills and the vast expanse of the Mongolian steppe.

Zoe, from Llanidloes, says it has long been a dream to compete in the race, even if her invite took her completely by surprise...

Read more here:
https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/18727387.llanidloes-mum-join-horse-race-genghis-khans-route/

Great Britain: The 'highly addictive' joys of endurance racing

BBC.com - Full Article

By Padraig Coyle
BBC Sport NI
Last updated on17 September 2020

The mysterious and mystical woodlands of South West Brittany are famous for the legends that connect them to the ancient dolmens - Merlin's tomb and the Knights of the Round Table.

On a recent walk in the Forêt de Floranges, we came upon ribbons hanging tantalisingly from trees and strange, arrow symbols painted at crossing points on some of the paths.

The sudden emergence of cantering yellow-gowned figures, who disappeared back into the morning mists in an instant, was startling.

As we discovered later, these ghost riders were French, Belgian and German competitors in an endurance race over a 100km controlled course that had been organised by the Fédération Équestre Internationale.

Dungannon-born horse woman, Avril Bray, knows the terrain well. On that particular day though, she was involved in another endurance riding event nearer to the Normandy farm she runs with her husband Anton.

"I began riding when I was three and would spend several hours a day in the saddle. When I was 17, I made the choice to focus on judo," explains Bray, better known as Avril Malley back in the days when she was winning Commonwealth gold in Edinburgh and competing in the Seoul Olympics...

Read more here:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/equestrian/54194556

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Great Britain: Red Dragon Cancelled

EGB.MyClubhouse.co.uk

15 September 2020

Cancellation Announcement

We are very sorry to announce that the British Horse Feeds & Golden Paste Company Red Dragon Festival of Endurance due to be held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on 3 & 4 October has been cancelled. This is because, due to the spike in positive Covid 19 cases in Wales over the last fortnight, the Welsh Government have had to delay their rollout of the relaxation of restrictions for larger events in Wales and they are now unable to give us assurance that the restrictions will be sufficiently lifted by 3 & 4 October to enable the event to take place. Full refunds will now be issued to entrants and these will be processed over the next 48 hours or so.

We are so grateful to John and Jane Hudson (organisers), Steve Hughson (CEO of the Royal Welsh Showground), Iain Graham (British Equestrian CEO) and the numerous volunteers and local landowners who worked so hard to try to make the event happen, but unfortunately the event has fallen victim to the unpredictable Covid 19 situation in which we find ourselves. Our thanks also go to British Horse Feeds and the Golden Paste Company for their loyal and unwavering support.

Our other Welsh events are restricted to 30 entrants at a time and are currently going ahead as planned.

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Mongol Derby Diary #3

TheAdventurists.com - Full Article

…and they’re off!

Start camp survived, training rides tested, the riders line up on Day 1 of racing not knowing what the next ten days may bring. Some will crash and burn; some will persevere through hardships previously unimaginable; but each and every rider will come away with memories that will sustain them for the rest of their lives.

Leslie Wylie ~ “If post time at the Kentucky Derby were a polite tea party, the start of the Mongol Derby would be a stein-smashing bar brawl. All around me, mayhem: 42 white-knuckled, steel-faced riders mounted up on tiny horses with steam blowing out their ears, the most civilized among them skittering around like popcorn while others spun like tops or flat bolted through the crowd.

These were the descendants of Mongolian warhorses and for all they knew we were charging off into battle, having missed the memo that Chinggis Khan’s mighty empire fell several centuries ago. In the final moments before the race a couple riders were still endeavoring just to climb in the saddle, their mounts issuing a buck-spin the moment they put their foot in the stirrup despite the herders trying to hold them down.

We’d been randomly issued horses for the first leg of the 28-leg race. Mine was midnight black and moved with a cocky mob-boss swagger, and I wanted desperately to stay on his good side. Ed Fernon, an Australian Olympic pentathlete whom I’d gotten to know on the six-hour bus ride to start camp, pointed out that I’d drawn the winner of the Naadam children’s race that had been our afternoon entertainment the day before. So he was basically a kid’s pony, right? Surely I could handle that. As the countdown began I lingered near the back, hoping to avoid fallout from the frontline and just run with the pack for a while...

Read more here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/updates/derby-diary-3/

Thursday, September 10, 2020

'Excited but nervous': Zoe, 26, to take on world's toughest horse race

Shropshirestar.com - Full Article

By Charlotte Bentley | Bishop's Castle | News | Published: Sep 9, 2020

People from all over the world apply for a place in the Mongol Derby, the world's longest and toughest horse race, and a 26 year-old from Shropshire is one of the chosen few.

Zoe Geddes, who lives in Lydbury North in south Shropshire, never thought she'd get a place in the infamous horse race, which only has 40 places.

She said she has had to work hard for everything in her life and this will be no different, as alongside the gruelling training, Zoe must raise £11,000 to take part.

After raising two children, and coming out of a toxic relationship only this year, Zoe wanted something to set her mind to, and thought of nothing better than achieving her lifelong dream of competing in the 1,000km race on the other side of the world...

Read more here:
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/south-shropshire/bishops-castle/2020/09/09/excited-but-nervous-zoe-26-to-take-on-worlds-toughest-horse-race/

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Great Britain: Red Dragon ‘Lite’ gets green light!

EGB.myclubhouse.co.uk - Full Article

31 August 2020

Green light for Endurance GB’s British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company’s Red Dragon ‘Lite’ Festival of Endurance

Organisers announce traditional end of season ride will go ahead 3-4 October at Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, thanks to generosity of sponsors and with strict changes in format to comply with Covid 19 regulations

British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company have announced their continued support for the sport with title sponsorship of this year’s "Lite" Red Dragon Festival of Endurance.

Endurance GB and the organising team have stressed their gratitude for the support of both sponsors and the hosts and underlined that the event will be run with strict changes to the format to ensure compliance with Welsh Covid 19 regulations with the focus this year being on individual sport.

The Red Dragon Festival of Endurance at Builth Wells in mid-Wales is traditionally the last big event of the endurance riding season, with competitors travelling from across the UK to the Royal Welsh Showground for the unique atmosphere and challenging riding through the Cambrian mountains.

To enable the 2020 event to go ahead, classes for this year’s "Lite" version of Red Dragon have been revised to ensure that groups of people do not meet. The classes will run over two days instead of the usual three, with distances of 25km, 36km, 42km and 48km and various combinations of these for riders wishing to take part over two days. The 22 classes will include Graded Endurance Rides and Pleasure Rides but no Competitive Endurance Rides this year.

Graded Endurance Rides are ideally suited to social distancing because they are a solitary competition where the horse and rider head out over the course on their own or in pairs and are then given a grade at the end of the ride based on the fitness of their horse. The organisers intend to make full use of the enormous 150-acre Royal Welsh Showground site to also keep groups of people apart back at the venue...

Read more here:
https://egb.myclubhouse.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/+British+Horse+Feeds+and+The+Golden+Paste+Companys+Red+Dragon+Lite+gets+green+light

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Mongol Derby Diary #2

Ian Haggerty photo
TheAdventurists.com - Full Story

August 4 2020

Training Camp Trials and Tribulations: the Guts and the Glory

The Derby proper begins when the start gun fires on Day 1 of the race, but there’s an entire universe of events leading up to that moment. Once the riders have made it to Mongolia, with or without their gear, Start camp is the next stop and the first exposure to the realities of this race for the majority of these brave souls. Start camp is where you first get on a horse. Start camp is where you test your kit, test your mettle, and where the steppe tests you in return.

Outlaw Kate (Katherine Friedley) ~ “It was the first day of on-the-steppe rider training and I was both excited and extremely nervous about what was to come. I’d met up with a few of the riders back in UB and I was suffering from the worst case of imposter syndrome imaginable: there were the race-horse-riding girls from Dubai, the polo-playing rich-looking dudes from the UK, and horse trainers and horse traders from all corners of the globe, all of whom seemed more nonchalant about the coming race than me. I was 47 years old and on the upper end of the age scale in comparison to the majority of the riders and definitely feeling out of my league. What was I doing here? But there was literally nothing I could do about my misgivings at that point except to cowboy-up and put on my game face.

I will forever remember my first training ride and settling on my first horse – a cooperative-looking dun with a dorsal stripe. I will also forever remember hitting the ground an hour later, doing around 20km/hr across the steppe in a race mock-up with Julie Youngblood...

Read more here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/updates/derby-diary-2/

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Australia: Tom Quilty gets the go-ahead for 2021

FarmWeekly.au - Full Article

Amanda Rayner
29 Aug 2020

NO matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.

It is with great disappointment and regret that the Tom Quilty endurance horse ride, due to be held in Collie in September, is to be postponed due to the repercussions of COVID-19.

The good news is that following two months of negotiation, the ride will be held on October 1-3, 2021, at Collie.

New South Wales was due to hold the event next and had had significant preparations in place - that event will now be held in 2022...

Read more here:
https://www.farmweekly.com.au/story/6900659/tom-quilty-gets-the-go-ahead-for-2021/

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

First time endurance races in Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Czech Republic

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

25 August 2020
Race Report made with the assistance of Zuzana Zezulkova

Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Czech Republic. Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August 2020.

Chlumec nad Cidlinou, is a small old city in lowlands close to the highway between Prague and Hradec Kralove, almost in the centre of Czech Republic. Close to it is a 200 years old stud “Ostrov”, home of the Kinsky horses, and host of the very first endurance event in history. All surroundings are still owned by the Kinsky dal Borgo family and thanks to their kindness it was possible to organise an endurance ride in cooperation with the Czech equestrian federation and several sponsors.

Despite the short time for preparation of the event due to the Covid pandemic, the organiser managed to make a comfortable base for all participants. Luckily the Covid situation in Czech Republic was not too bad and with some hygiene measures green light was given for this event...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/first-time-endurance-races-in-chlumec-nad-cidlinou-czech-republic/

Friday, August 21, 2020

Mongol Derby Diary #1

TheAdventurists.com - Full Story

August 3, 2020

Welcome to our recap of some of the best/worst/most memorable moments of the Derby over the past decade. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of this mind-blowing race with stories from many years, many riders, and many angles. What happens when a rider turns up in Mongolia but their carefully curated-and-tested-to-oblivion gear doesn’t? What really goes on at start camp? What goes on behind the scenes? What’s this all about? Stay tuned over the coming days to find out the answers to these questions and much, much more.

Where it all started, way, way back when:

Ever heard the term “Packing the Mail”?

The mighty Mongol Derby is a recreation of Chinggis Khan’s empire hustling supply routes. Örtöös (check points) were manned by nomadic families who lived along these routes and provided food, shelter, and fresh horses for the Mongolian army messengers. The Mongolian army was famous for traveling at high speeds atop their tough-as-nails horses, so these messengers needed to be faster. Urgent messages were known to travel at speeds of 200–300 kilometers (120–190 mi) per day...

Read more here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/updates/derby-diary-1/

Monday, August 17, 2020

Endurance Report – No Rides, But Still Bad News Days

HorseSport.com - Full Article

An 18-year ban for abuse, exposure to CAS and dilemmas over the WEC keep endurance in the headlines during the Covid hiatus.

By Cuckson Report // Pippa Cuckson | August 15, 2020

An endurance friend recently asked if I was ill, as I haven’t blogged about their sport for months. While pointing out that I write about other horse sports too, I checked and it’s true! No lengthy endurance blog since February.

Alas, it hasn’t needed me to keep endurance in headlines. Despite ride cancellations in the pandemic, endurance has continued to attract attention, for all the wrong reasons.

In June, the 18-year FEI ban on a sheikh for horse abuse was reported in the global media. The likes of Yahoo Sport, Associated Press and Eurosport don’t usually cover endurance. They still might not know what endurance is. But when a governing body sends you a graphic press release about animal abuse and a 18-year ban, you twig that it must be Very Serious Indeed, and so give it some prominence.

That case involved Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Qasimi, a member of the ruling family of Sharjah, UAE. It confirmed FEI suspicion that nerve-blocking is routine in certain stables, with resultant orthopaedic weaknesses being fractures-in-waiting...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/cuckson-report-1/endurance-report-no-rides-but-still-bad-news-days/

Bahrain: New endurance season calendar approved

GDOnine.com - Full Article

16 Aug 2020

Bahrain’s new endurance season will start officially on October 16.

The opening day will feature the first international endurance qualifiers, covering a distance of 100km and a local 40-80km qualifying race.

His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, National Security Adviser and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa endorsed the 2020-2021 programme...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/840057

Friday, August 14, 2020

Latest Issue of Arabian Horse Intl Endurance / International Endurance Races 2020 is available

See the latest issue of Arabian Horse International Endurance, featuring the stories

• Miguel Pavlovsky: There is No Age for Endurance
• South African Eoné Willems wins in the 160 km Broxton Bridge Race
• Bronco Wins with Thonsik CW in Sao Paulo
• Carmine Villani, #1 in the World FEI Ranking
• Toth Jozsef Wins Race in Hungary in Times of Pandemic
• FEI Tribunal Applies Biggest Suspension of Horse Abuse in its History: 20 Years
• Endurance Reports from Chile, Uruguay, Spain, UAE, Bahrain, France, New Zealand, Sweden
• Marina Mata, Andalusian Young Rider Champion

and much more at:
https://issuu.com/arabianhorseintl/docs/endurance_international_2020

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Endurance GB Finance Director Chris Wray steps back pending disciplinary enquiry

Everythinghorseuk.co.uk - Full Article

11/08/2020
Suzanne Ashton

Endurance GB Finance Director Chris Wray steps back pending disciplinary enquiry Endurance GB has announced that the organisation’s Finance Director, Chris Wray, is to step back from his duties on the Board of Directors pending the outcome of a disciplinary enquiry. The move came following the organisers of the Tilford Ride filing a disciplinary report with Endurance GB’s Disciplinary Committee.

A spokesperson for Endurance GB said:...

Read more here:
https://everythinghorseuk.co.uk/endurance-gb-finance-director-chris-wray-steps-back-pending-disciplinary-enquiry/

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Ireland: ILDRA returns to the trail

Farmweek.com - Full Article

By Bree Rutledge - August 10, 2020

THE Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) held their first event since the start of lockdown at the much-loved and beautiful venue of Shane’s Castle, Antrim on Sunday, July 26. Under the new normal, a range of COVID protocols had been introduced prior to this ride, including the requirement of all riders to pre-enter and a restriction of the numbers of riders able to ride together on the day. All of the organising committee at ILDRA would like to thank the attending riders for the adherence to the new guidelines and their ongoing support.

Riders (and their horses!) enjoyed seeing old friends (socially distanced, of course) and reuniting after several months apart. All of those attending on the day enjoyed riding around the scenic trails in the Shane’s Castle Estate and into Randalstown Forest Park, where deer and buzzards could be spotted...

Read more here:
https://farmweek.com/ildra-returns-to-the-trail/

Friday, August 07, 2020

COVID-19 Postponed the Mongol Derby—Here's What You Can Watch Instead This Month

HorseNetwork.com - Full Article

Liz Brown
August 3, 2020

It’s August and for some of us, it’s that time of year when we’re glued to our social media feeds following that 1,000 kilometer jaunt across Mongolia—the Mongol Derby. As with many events this year, COVID-19 forced the organizers to postpone the 2020 edition of the world’s longest and toughest horse race. Next year they’ll run two races—one in July and one in August. That means the summer of 2021 will be Mongol Derby all day every day.

But this year there’s no middle of the night Twitter checks to find out who’s currently being chased by wild dogs, who’s currently chasing their missing horse, and who’s currently lost in the mountains somewhere just south of Siberia.

Sigh...

Read more here:
https://horsenetwork.com/2020/08/covid-19-postponed-the-mongol-derby-heres-what-you-can-watch-instead-this-month/

Horse People: The Longest Horse Race—The Story of the Oldest Mongol Derby Winner

Sarah Farnsworth photo
HorseIllustrated.com - Full Article

At 70, Robert Long became the oldest rider to win the 600-mile Mongol Derby this year.

By Micaela Myers -August 6, 2020

To win the world’s longest horse race, Robert Long employed equal parts preparation and smarts. In August, the 70-year-old became the oldest winner of the Mongol Derby, which involves racing more than 600 miles across the Mongolian Steppe, recreating Genghis Khan’s horseback messenger system of the early 1200s. Riding approximately 12 hours each day for eight days, Long beat out 41 top riders from around the globe.

Preparations

Endurance riders make up most of the Mongol Derby crowd, but Long—more of a cowboy—grew up in Wyoming and lives in Idaho. As a kid, he worked cattle and went on horse-packing hunting trips with his family in the Yellowstone-Tetons area. Competition wise, ranch horse versatility is his main sport. It involves ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch cow work and ranch conformation. Long has started many competitive horses for the sport.

So what prompted this cowboy to join the endurance riders a world away?...

Read more here:
https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-people-the-longest-horse-race-the-story-of-the-oldest-mongol-derby-winner

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Happy Trails Podcast - International Travel: Riding in Ireland

RideClimb.com - Listen

July 29 2020

There’s not much travel going on at the moment with the Covid-19 pandemic but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream!

Today’s guest, Krystal Kelly tells me about her recent trip to Ireland where she and her husband spent two months riding and camping as they made their way across the island.

She has produced five YouTube videos (to date) about her ride across Ireland. Check them out on her YouTube channel!

Krystal is a California native who has spent the majority of her life traveling the world pursuing her passion for horses. She is an FEI Level II Showjumping Coach, polo player, and endurance rider. She completed the Mongol Derby, a 1000 km race across the Mongolian Steppes, in 2014 riding 35 semi-wild Mongolian ponies over 10 days. She has traveled to over 60 countries for riding or teaching. Krystal is the CEO of Equestrian Adventuresses, a community of women that love horses, travel, and adventure...

Listen:
https://rideclimb.com/podcast/international-travel-riding-in-ireland/



Saturday, July 25, 2020

Australia: Mountain Lagoon Endurance Ride makes return despite COVID-19 restrictions

HawkesburyGazette.com.au - Full Article

July 24 2020
Finn Coleman

The 2020 Mountain Lagoon Endurance Ride will take place next month in August - after being postponed from March due to COVID-19 - with all breeds and riders of all levels of ability being invited to the annual event.

The Mountain Lagoon race is an opportunity to learn all about endurance riding.

It allows participants to pit themselves and their mount against the terrain and the clock while enjoying the stunning views and the camaraderie of fellow riders.

Riders are invited to camp with their horses at the Mountain Lagoon Ride base on Sam's Way on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24.

This years ride will look a little different as everyone involved must follow strict coronavirus restrictions...

Read more here:
https://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/6846570/mountain-lagoon-edurance-ride-returns-after-covid-19/

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Australia: Endurance riders are saddling up for the Roseberg Forest

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

July 23 2020

Like all other sports and activities, endurance riding has been on hold since March this year.

With Covid 19 restrictions now easing, riders and horses are chomping at the bit to finally be able to hit the trails again.

The Lachlan Endurance Riders Club is pleased to be hosting their newest ride, Roseberg, on August 1 & 2. The trails of Roseberg Forest and Pennsylvania Forest will be used for the course. Horses will be on these tracks from midday through to 5pm on Saturday August 1 and again from 5am until 5pm on Sunday August 2. With sandy four wheel drive tracks, shaded forestry trails and some hilly technical sections for the 80km riders, there is something to suit every level of fitness and experience...

Read more here:

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

CAS Reduces Suspension After Tryon Endurance Fiasco

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Sport’s highest court says the Spanish chef d’equipe was provoked before shouting at the ground jury for cancelling the WEG 2018 ride.

By: Pippa Cuckson | July 21, 2020
Dr. Ignasi Casas Vaque, the chef d’equipe at the centre of angry scenes when the 2018 WEG endurance ride was called off, has had his one-year suspension for “incorrect behaviour” reduced to three months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A one-year suspension – long since served – was handed down by the FEI Tribunal in February 2019. Casas Vaque was chef d’equipe of the Spanish team, who were in gold medal position when the ride was finally called off in worsening conditions, having already been subject to a false start and a re-start.

The FEI had argued he had obligations to the FEI because of his many senior roles in international endurance, including deputy chairmanship of the FEI endurance committee.

CAS did find that Casas Vaque behaved incorrectly under FEI General Regulations, especially as a senior official and veterinarian; he was “very negligent” for someone of his status, especially as the incident was filmed and gained “significant attention” on the internet...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/horse-news/cas-reduces-suspension-after-tryon-endurance-fiasco/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Free+Dressage+Lessons+%7C+WEG+Endurance+Fiasco+Appeal+%7C+Canadian+Results+at+Tryon&utm_campaign=HS-Enewsletter2019-Wednesday-July+22%2C+2020

Australia: Queensland endurance riding season off to a ’stirling’ start

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article 16/03/2024 Erle Levey It was like the first day back at school as Queensland endurance horse riders st...