A Horseback Adventure Across Europe

FEI.org - Full Story

23 May 2022
Words by Richard Mulligan

Louis Hall and Anglo-Arab horse Sasha are venturing 2,500km for charity...

An award-winning actor is raising thousands of pounds for good causes supporting refugees and mental health through an awe-inspiring horseback trek across Europe.

Louis Hall and his Anglo-Arab horse Sasha are now more than 1,400km into their 2,500km journey labelled ‘The Big Hoof’. The four-month trek has already taken them from Tuscany in central Italy to the south of France, and they aim to reach the finish line in Cape Finisterre on the north-western coast of Spain in July.

Every step they make during the trail, which began in March, will help to spread awareness for sufferers of mental health issues everywhere and to raise money for Amna, a charity that supports refugees and their trauma...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/lifestyle/horse-human/horseback-adventure-big-hoof-europe-louis-hall

Turkey: First endurance races at the Black Sea

Endurance-World.com - Full Article

Race Report made with the assistance of Tuana Aksoylar
Photo Credit: Light Collector
20 May 2022

Saturday 7 May 2022. Turkey’s very first CEI2* 120 and CEI1* 100 endurance competitions were held at the TK Cowboy Ranch in Palivor Town, the İğneada region of Kırklareli city.

Since the 2010 Endurance Balkan Championship, Turkey has not been able to host International endurance competitions, this is now all history thanks to the vision of Turan Karaman, owner of the TK Cowboy Ranch. The track consisted of different stages where the riders got to ride on the soft sandy beach of Black Sea as well as into the forest .

A total of 19 combinations entered with 18 Turkish riders and one foreign rider from Greece, Pantelis Selonikios. The CEI2* race started at 06:00 and the CEI1* race at 06:30 into the green forest of İğneada. The ride for all horses on the first and second loop was smooth, however during the third loop the temperatures increased...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/first-endurance-races-at-the-black-sea/

Shaikh Nasser wins in Italy

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

Other Sports
Sun, 22 May 2022

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian works and youth affairs and captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has added another feather to his bright record in endurance sport at the European level after winning the 160km race of the Montalcino International Endurance Championship held in Italy.

The race also featured wide participate of elite riders from several European countries...

Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1082851/Shaikh-Nasser-wins-in-Italy-

Journey to the Mongol Derby: Mental Preparation & Growth throughout COVID

Photo © The Adventurists via flickr

ThePlaidHorse.com - Full Article

May 20 2022
BY BIANCA FARMAS-GRIFFITH

Although this journey has been tailored to prepare me specifically for the Mongol Derby, it has inadvertently prepared me to become a more well-rounded equestrian and woman.

Growing up in the Hunter/Jumpers, I spent years competing against riders more fortunate than me. It was easy to get wrapped up in the A-circuit pretentiousness and lose track of what attracted me to the sport. Although I now only compete minimally (mainly due to financial constraints), taking a step back from the show ring has allowed me to rediscover my passion for all things horse, appreciating the process from hoof to jump, all the while enjoying each ride and acknowledging each little “win...”

Read more here:
https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/05/20/journey-to-the-mongol-derby-mental-preparation-growth-throughout-covid/

New Zealand: Mum and daughter win 100 miler endurance race on their trusty steeds

NZHerald.co.nz - Full Article

Kerry Rowe Photography

By David Haxton

A mother and daughter have triumphed in an epic horse riding distance competition for the second year in a row.

Jaki Bickerton, from Ōtaki, and Natalie Paroli, from Levin, completed the 160km distance in 13 hours and 40 minutes, to claim first and second respectively in the Distance Riding New Zealand national championships.

The pair, on purebred Arabians named SS Silas and Rivervale Shiloh Me, were among 14 riders in the 100 miler class who set out on Saturday, May 14 to attempt five loops over rolling farmland in Kuratau in a single day...

Read more here:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kapiti-news/news/mum-and-daughter-win-100-miler-endurance-race-on-their-trusty-steeds/6PDVZCPYVUEGF6JNGLF4C3NM6I/

Eco-friendly event promised for Italy’s endurance world champs

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

May 19, 2022
Horsetalk.co.nz

A legacy of the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championships in Verona, Italy, will be the transformation of the competition track into a horse riding trail in sync with the area’s eco-tourism values.

The event in October is being run at Isola della Scala in the Veneto countryside, an area rich in scenic beauty and renowned for the production of Vialone Nano rice – a short-grain or “dwarf” rice especially suited to risotto.

In describing endurance as “one of the most eco-friendly disciplines on the equestrian scene”, Event Director James Coppini said that in the current world climate, the championships had “really important social connotations”...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/05/19/eco-friendly-italy-endurance-world-champs/

Shaikh Nasser to lead Royal Team at Montalcino endurance event

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

18 May 2022

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead the team at the Montalcino International Endurance Championship, to be held on Friday and Saturday in the Italian city.

Shaikh Nasser will compete in the 160 kilometre race, while the other team riders will take part in the 120km race for the public, the 120km race for juniors and the 100km race...

Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1072534

Italian Endurance Rider Suspended

Inside.FEI.org

FEI Tribunal issues Consent Award in human anti-doping case

17 May 2022 Author: FEI

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Consent Award in a human anti-doping case involving the refusal to submit to sample collection by an athlete.

On 13 November 2021 at the CEI3* 160 Citta della Pieve (ITA), the Italian athlete Chiara Marrama (FEI ID 10017324/ITA) was selected for an in-competition doping control test but she refused to submit to sample collection after the notification, which constitutes a violation of the Article 2.3 of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).


The athlete admitted the violation, accepted the proposed consequences and benefited from a one-year reduction in the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility of four years asserted by the FEI in such cases and in accordance with the ADRHA.

In its Consent Award, the FEI Tribunal confirmed the imposition of a three-year ineligibility period on the athlete, effective from 3 May 2022...

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/fei-tribunal-issues-consent-award-human-anti-doping-case

Shaikh Nasser triumphs in Windsor endurance race

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

Sat, 14 May 2022

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian works and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa added a new accomplishment to Bahrain’s endurance sport after being crowned the champion of the 160km race which was held as part of the Windsor Equestrian Championship.

Shaikh Nasser crossed the finish line in first place following stiff competition from the world’s elite riders, especially those from the UAE. His teammate Abdulrahman Al Zayed finished third, while Maria of Portugal came second with fourth place going to Saif Al Mazrouei of the UAE...

Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1072146#

Bahraini Royal Team set sights on top spots at Windsor

GDNonline.com - Full Article

Fri, 13 May 2022

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday led the last training session of the team ahead of the Windsor Equestrian Championship.

Shaikh Nasser met the riders of the team after yesterday’s veterinary examination, and he also witnessed the jockeys’ weigh-in process. Present was Supreme Council for the Environment vice-president and Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser will spearhead the Royal Endurance Team riders in the 160km race that will be held for the first time in the championship. The team will also take part in other races, including the 120km race for the public, the 120km race for juniors and the 100km race...

Read more at:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1072112

To support Doddie Weir motor neurone charity, Scottish Borders duo take part in world's toughest horse race

Pic: Bill McBurnie Photography

Scotsman.com - Full Article

It’s a feat of endurance

By Gaby Soutar
Wednesday, 11th May 2022, 4:45 pm

“It's known to be a proper challenge, not a pony trek”, says Alice Gully, 46, co-owner of Aardvark Safaris.

In a few months' time, Heriot-based Gully, along with her friend, Kate Mactaggart, 46, who lives in Jedburgh, will be taking part in the Mongol Derby - otherwise known as the toughest horse race in the world. Only 40 jockeys are selected for this grueling event, which takes place from August 7-20 and covers a 1000km route through the Mongolian Steppe.

The horses are semi-wild, temperatures are expected to range from freezing to 38 degrees centigrade, riders will survive on a diet of offal and mutton, and the terrain covers mountains, rivers and desert. Usually, half of the riders quit or are injured before the finishing line...

Read more here:
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/to-support-doddie-weir-motor-neurone-charity-scottish-borders-duo-take-part-in-worlds-toughest-horse-race-3690087

South Africa: Smaldeel club enjoys first endurance ride in Gqeberha

News24.com - Full Article

May 11 2022
Johanette Van Heerden

OVER the last weekend of April, 35 endurance horse riders descended upon Emerald Valley, in Kragga Kamma Road, Gqeberha, for Kouga Riding Club’s (KRC) first ever ERASA (Endurance Riding Association of South Africa) affiliated ride.

Riders and officials came from as far as Stellenbosch and Worcester to participate in this new event in the Eastern Cape.

Endurance horse riding is all about a horse and rider combination completing a technical course over a long distance, vetting out at several vet checks along the way within a specified time.

At this particular event, horses and riders completed either the 40km or 80km course, which started at Emerald Valley and passed through four different farms...

Read more here:
https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/local/komani-karoo/smaldeel-club-enjoys-first-endurance-ride-in-gqeberha-20220511

Paramedic sets off on 1,000-mile hack around Scotland to raise money for charity

Yourhorse.co.uk - Full Article

7 May 2022
by Mel Beale

A paramedic has pledged to ride 1,000 miles around the Scottish Highlands in three months in a bid to raise £1,000 for The Ambulance Staff Charity.

This Sunday (8 May), 48-year-old Claire Alldritt will saddle up two horses and set off on the mammoth trek.

“It’s an ambition that I’ve had for quite a long time, but haven’t had the opportunity to do it before,” said Claire.

“I wanted to try and complete the Hack 1,000 Miles challenge last year, but with work commitments and everything else, I only did about 800. So I thought I just need to do it all in one go.”

Claire was also spurred on by the loss of her friend.

“It made me realise that life is too short, and I should just take the opportunity to do it right now...”

Read more here:
https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/hacking/claire-alldritt/

ILDRA raises funds for Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland

Farmweek.com - Full Article

By Bree Rutledge
May 6, 2022

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) headed to the West of the province to County Fermanagh on Sunday, April 10 to Florence Court Estate. Dry weather made for enjoyable riding conditions, with riders taking in the varied trails in Florence Court. Riders made their way towards Cuilcagh Mountain, enjoying scenic views across the Fermanagh countryside. Thanks go to Kirsten Conly and John Anderson for marking the route and to the Conly family for organising the ride on the day. Thanks also go to the National Trust for allowing access to Florence Court Estate.

ILDRA’s next ride then headed to Clandeboye Estate on Saturday, April 23, hosting a charity pleasure ride in aid of Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland to help raise funds for this well-deserving organisation...

Read more here:
https://farmweek.com/ildra-raises-funds-for-huntingtons-disease-association-northern-ireland/

Australia: Easter endurance event a winner

NoosaToday.com.au - Article & Photos

02/05/22
Erle Levey

Perfect conditions greeted more than 300 riders at the annual Easter at Stirlings Crossing endurance event.

It followed frantic efforts by the Stirlings Crossing Endurance Club members and HQ Plantations to get the courses ready after the recent flooding damaged so many of the tracks.

“Entries were good for the three days,’’ endurance club president Kim Moir said, “with options to suit everyone.’

“The events were marked by wonderful weather, good vetting, and riders looking after their horses which resulted in fantastic completion rates.

“Most of the tracks had been affected by the heavy rainfall which saw a lot of top soil and gravel washed away.

“The riders obviously managed it very well and were riding with care...’’

More at:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/02-05-2022/easter-endurance-event-a-winner/

Jose Luis Flores, the first Mexican rider to take part in the Tom Quilty Cup in Australia, hopes to improve his ranking

PrudentPressAgency.com - Full Article

April 29, 2022
Posted By: Dawn Davis

Jockey Luis Flores: He is the first Mexican to participate in the prestigious competition Tom Quilty Cup, In Australia, considered one of the two most demanding in the world, he spoke with ESTO to announce the challenges and expectations he will have to face, in this equestrian endurance competition, on 9 July.

He said in an interview (via Zoom).

Joseph Lewis flowers His career has been on the rise since 2018 as he represented our country, where he was also the first to participate in United States Tevis Cup (160 km) where he clocked 20:45 hours, to put himself in 28th place out of 200 participants.

In 2019 crowned Mexico National Champion In the 80 km class. Also in 2019, he took the Team Silver Medal at the North American Endurance Championships, 80km class, in Brookston, USA; And a gold medal as a team leader in the 120 km category...

Read more at:
https://www.prudentpressagency.com/jose-luis-flores-the-first-mexican-rider-to-take-part-in-the-tom-quilty-cup-in-australia-hopes-to-improve-his-ranking/