France: USA's Russell finishes 5th; UAE's Khalifa Al Jahouri wins YRJ World Endurance Championship

July 27 2013

The UAE's Khalifa Ali Khalifan Al Jahouri won the 120-km**** Young Rider Junior World Endurance Championship in Tarbes, France today in 6:00.34, 12 minutes 31 seconds ahead of second place rider, Marijke Visser of the Netherlands, riding Eomer. Australia's Erin Krahnen riding Emily Jones TE took the bronze medal in 6:21.10. Uruguay's Oriana Ricca riding Talita Kumi 50 finished 4th, in 6:21.10.

USA riders Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold, and Christina Kimery and Wallace Hill Shade completed the WEC. Russell finished in 5th place in 6:28.47, 28 minutes behind the winner, averaging 18.519 km/h. Kimery finished in 41st place, 2:18.56 behind the winner, averaging 14.414 km/h.

3 USA riders were eliminated on course: Katherine Gardener and AF Big Bucks at Gate 3 for lameness; Mary Katherine Clark and Chasing the Wind at gate 2 for lameness; and Sarah Jack and FYF Dutch at gate 1 for lameness. Clark's horse lost a shoe on loop 1 and was sore.

Unofficial Team Results are:
1st Place: France; 2nd Place Belgium; 3rd Place Spain; 4th Place Malaysia.

49 of 86 riders completed the course. It was described as a "tough technical trail, with mud and rocks."

short video of Kelsy Russell finishing the race


See more here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/

USA Horses Vet In for Junior Young Rider World Endurance Championship

7/26/2013

The 5 USA Team horses trotted out for the Vet Inspection for the Junior Young Rider World Endurance Championship in Tarbes, France today.

All the horses passed inspection. Riders will be: Kelsey Russell, Christina Kimery, Sarah Jack, Katherine Gardener, and Mary Katherine Clark. The race begins tomorrow at 6:30 AM (France time - 11:30 PM West Coast Time).

Updated starting list can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/Final_Start_LIST_25.07.13.pdf

Timing for the event can be followed here:
http://www.endurance-timing.net/

Live video will stream here:
http://www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com/

Trot Outs for the US Team for the WEC can be seen here:

My Wild Irish Gold, owner Valerie Kanavy. Runner is John Crandell. Rider #90 is Kelsey Russell.


Trot VIDEO of Wallace Hill Shade, owner Amy Whelan, runner is Jeremy Olson. Rider #89 is Christina Kimery.


Trot VIDEO of FYF Dutch, owner/breeder/runner - Nicki Meuten. Rider #88 is Sarah Jack.


Trot VIDEO of AF Big Bucks, owner Pam Weidel, runner Jeff Gardener. Rider #87 is Katherine Gardener.


Trot VIDEO of Chasing the Wind, runner and owner is Mustafa Tehrani. Rider #86 is Mary Katherine Clark.

Mongol Derby: Less Than Two Week Away

7/26/2013

The "longest, toughest, horse race in the world" is coming up, August 4-14, 2013, the Mongol Derby, a 1000-km multi-horse race across the Mongolian steppe. It's a recreation of Genghis Khan's legendary postal system.

Pre-race training will take place August 1-3, and the race will start August 4th. The race is expected to end August 13-14.

US endurance riders Lynne Gilbert and Devan Horn, and former-US-now-French endurance rider Sandra Fretelliere will participate.

For more information, see:
http://www.theadventurists.com/the-adventures/mongol-derby

Meet Your USA Team for Junior Young Rider World Endurance Championship

Left to Right
1-Christina Kimery  of Bixby, Oklahoma AERC #M33998 Total competition miles 1380. Riding ½ Arabian Wallace Hill Shade owned by Amy Wallace-Whelan AERC#H40746 Total competition miles 1915

2.Mary Kathryn Clark of Eatonton, Georgia AERC #M22809 Total competition miles 4335. Riding Arabian Chasing The Wind owned by Mustafa Tehrani AERC#M42389 Total Miles 1305

3-Sarah Jack of Nottingham, New Hampshire AERC #M35443 Total competition miles 2135. Riding Arabian FYF Dutch owned by Nicki Meuten AERC#H44049 Total Miles 1950

4.Katherine Gardener of Coventry, Rhode Island AERC #M38226 Total competition miles 850. Riding Arabian AF Big Bucks owned by Pamela Weidel AERC#37359 Total Miles 1440

5-Kelsey Russell of Williston, Florida AERC #M39343 Total competition miles 1575. Riding Arabian My Wild Irish Gold owned by Valerie Kanavy AERC#44134 Total Miles 1325

6-not shown McCamey Kimbler of Aberdeen, South Dakota AERC #M33852 Total competition miles 1560 Elite Rider and Team Alternate

For more information see:
http://usequineendurance.org/team-usa-young-riders.html
WWW.twitter.com/@US_Endurance
www.youtube.com/user/USEquineEndurance1
www.flickr.com/photos/USEquineEndurance

France: Opening Ceremonies for JYR World Endurance Championships

July 25 2013

Opening Ceremonies for the Junior Young Rider World Endurance Championships will take place today in Tarbes, France. 91 riders from 26 countries will participate.

The 120-km**** race will begin Saturday, July 27th at 7 AM.

Live GPS tracking can be seen here:
http://www.endurance-timing.net/

Video streaming can be seen here:
http://www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com/

Drug breaches in endurance must be cut, delegates agree

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Jul 25, 2013 in Focus

A round-table meeting called by the FEI on endurance has mapped out a strategy for the discipline, but only time will tell whether it will ease tensions over worrying levels of drug infractions and injuries in the Middle East.

The world governing body for equestrian sport said Wednesday’s meeting at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, achieved unanimous support for a strategy mapped out for endurance by the FEI.

The meeting drew 22 delegates, including representatives from Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the European Equestrian Federation, the FEI Endurance Committee and FEI Headquarters...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/25/drug-breaches-in-endurance-must-be-cut-delegates-agree/#axzz2a3z1g000

New Zealand: Need for speed carries Walton long distances

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

MURRAY HILLS
24/07/2013

Trevor Walton knows all about endurance riding.

The 71-year-old is a national champion in his chosen sport, receiving the award at a special function in Christchurch last Saturday night.

There's no engine power, just good old horse power with Walton claiming the New Zealand endurance title on his 12-year-old Arab gelding, Lotus Blue Moon.

Walton, who has a block of land near Bell Block, had the best points tally in the national series, beating competitors young enough to be his grandchildren.

Riders had to compete in at least five races in the series, over distances between 40km and 79km.

"You take your best five rides over the year from rides in different areas and different types of terrain . . . from Wairarapa to Pukekohe. I'm up against riders from 21 or 22 right through. I was the oldest rider competing in the series," he said yesterday...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/8955446/Need-for-speed-carries-Walton-long-distances/

Great Britain: Abbie, 14, and 50 horses raised £1,500 for mother

Burtonmail.co.uk - Full Article

Written by HELEN KREFT

A 14-YEAR-OLD has joined 50 horse riders on an epic trek across the National Forest to raise £1,500 to beat cancer.

Abbie Mae Trayford, who attends Abbot Beyne high school, was given the challenge by Kathryn Parker, the school’s library assistant, after the pupil’s mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.

After months of planning and advertising for riders, Mrs Parker, Abbie and friends -Marissa Golding and Holly Lindsey, along with 50 riders and their horses took part in a 12-mile Long Distance Horse Ride.

Mrs Parker said: “It came about as I know Abbie has an interest in horses and her mother suffers from lung cancer. I thought what can we do to entertain Abbie at this time?

“I thought about horse riding. It is lovely where I live, there are lots of paths, but we needed to get permission from landowners to ride across their land but it all linked up...”

Read more here:
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Abbie-14-and-50-horses-raised-1500-for-mother-20130723134235.htm

Canada: Flesherton's Webb wins two silvers at youth equestrian championships

Owensoundsuntimes.com - Full Article

By Bill Walker, Sun Times, Owen Sound
Sunday, July 21, 2013

LEXINGTON, KENTRUCKY - LEXINGTON, KTY.. – Flesherton's Emma Webb won two silver medals at the North American Junior Young Riders Championship's endurance division on Friday.

The 19-year-old Webb rode Vagas in the 120-km race against the top riders in North America, claiming the individual silver with a time of 7:29.40.

Webb also led Team Canada – which included Alberta's Jessica Yavis on Jahlad (8:33.11) and Jaylene Janzen on Sakic (9:42.51) – to a silver medal. Canada finished with a total time of 25:45.42.

Webb was part of the gold-medal winning team at last year's North American Junior and Young Riders Championships...

Read more here:
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2013/07/21/fleshertons-webb-wins-two-silvers-at-youth-equestrian-championships

Meg Wade completes her first 20km ride in Australia Since Accident

July 22 2013

Meg Wade completed a 20 km ride on July 20th at Colamon in Australia, her first endurance ride since her horrific head injury in April of 2009 when she was thrown from a horse and was critically injured with a fractured skull. It's been a long road of recovery from ABI, Acquired Brain Injury, for Meg, and returning to ride endurance was a major accomplishment.

She rode a "wonderful mare" named Actress. "Actress is the real star, she is so good with me." The duo persevered through the cool, wet and windy weather with good friends Kristie Taprell and Linda Tanian to finish the ride.

Australia: Riders take on Kundabung endurance event

Wauchopegazette.com.au - Full Article

July 18 2013

LOCAL riders from the Hastings Trail Riding Club took the opportunity to ride in Kundabung's annual Endurance Ride even though the odds were against them with the extremely bogey wet course.

Gary and Ashley Thomas finished 80km with Gary coming in third spot in the Heavyweight division while his daughter Ashley came in fourth in the Middleweight section.

HTRC members who entered the 40km ride were Maz Tattam, Jackie Tattam, Margaret Bentley, Helen & Ari Riek, Joan Barnes, Denise Wagner & Robyn Coombes.

Stephanie Hunter & Sarah & Danika Glover participated in the social 20km ride.

Well known local Robyn Coombes is no stranger to Endurance riding and riding in general...

Read more here:
http://www.wauchopegazette.com.au/story/1643372/riders-take-on-kundabung-endurance-event/?cs=1671

Burnley rider Kate ready for GB outing

Lancashiretelegraph.co.uk - Full Article

16 July 2013

Kate Atkinson showed she has the endurance to succeed after she was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2013 FEI World Young Rider Endurance Championships in Tarbes, France at the weekend.

The 15-year-old from Burnley will tackle the tough 125km course in the foothills of the Pyrenees riding her own and her mother Rachael Atkinson’s horse, Oakthwaite Samara.

The five strong British team for the Championships was chosen after a hotly contested team selection trial held on the 16th June at the Endurance GB Wimpole Way ride in Cambridgeshire.

Kate was a member of the bronze medal winning British team at the 2012 European Young Rider Championships...

Read more here:
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10550977.Burnley_rider_Kate_ready_for_GB_outing/

Hendra jabs hurdle to the horse export trade

Warwickdailynews.com.au - Full Article

Michelle Slater
16th Jul 2013

SOME trainers are refusing to vaccinate their horses against Hendra, because vaccinated horses will not be accepted into export markets.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore have closed their borders to Hendra-vaccinated horses because blood tests show up as Hendra positive.

Warwick showjumper Dave Goodwin is about to take his top horse to Europe where he may go on to compete in the UAE.

"I wasn't going to vaccinate him because I'm going travelling with him and I didn't want to worry about travel delays," he said.

Mr Goodwin sells horses to China and Japan where a good horse will sell for between $50,000 and $100,000.

Toowoomba trainer, Jay Randall, exports Arabian endurance horses to the UAE at around $30,000 per horse...

Read more here:
http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/hendra-jabs-hurdle-to-the-horse-export-trade/1945919/

2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships Update

Freestyle medals go to Uhlir and Tetreault, Roberts wins endurance gold, and USA Southeast takes endurance team gold at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North

July 21, 2013 -- On Saturday afternoon, dressage riders competed for their Freestyle Individual medals in the Rolex Stadium at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). Ayden Uhlir (Region 6) and Sjapoer won their second Individual Gold medal of the week in the Young Rider division. Laurence Blais Tetreault and Lowelas also won another Gold medal in the Junior division. Endurance riders competed in their 75-mile race yesterday, and it was Cassandra Roberts (Team USA Southeast) who won the race for the Gold medal with Viktory Banner. The USA Southeast team took Gold in endurance. [More ...]

American Endurance Ride Conference: Letter of concern over FEI Endurance Sport

Mr. John Long, Chief Executive Officer
United States Equestrian Federation
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511

June 25, 2013

Dear Mr. Long,

As President of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), and at the direction of our Board of Directors, this letter serves as a request that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) submit a letter to the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) in regards to increasing concerns regarding Endurance at the international level; and specifically as support for the letters publically issued by Equestrian Federations of Belgium (October 2, 2012), France (October 12, 2012) and Switzerland (March 26, 2013).

We share the alarm voiced by the European federations of Belgium, France, and Switzerland in regards to profoundly disturbing evidence of deficiencies in horse welfare issues; including an increase in equine fatalities, orthopedic injuries and serious drug violations. We note that these letters have been widely circulated throughout world press, and that the reputation of the sport and all those federations involved is likely to become irreparably tainted if decisive action is not taken at once to resolve these issues.

The AERC prides itself on our motto, “To Finish is To Win”, which illustrates our uncompromising bedrock principles that welfare of the horse must remain of paramount importance and never become subordinate to an attitude of “win at all costs”. We are further disturbed that AERC’s cornerstone principle of remaining a drug-free sport has in recent years deteriorated at the international level to the extent that FEI Endurance has the highest number of violations of anti-doping rules, specifically in regards to teams originating from the Middle East.
AERC remains very dismayed over an apparent unwillingness on the part of FEI to follow through with their own Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse as described repeatedly throughout the FEI’s rules and schedules for every equestrian FEI discipline. May we draw your attention to the FEI Endurance Rules:

“800.1 Endurance Riding is a competition to test the competitor’s ability to safely manage the stamina and fitness of the horse over an endurance course in a competition against the track, the distance, the climate, the terrain and the clock. Therefore, the most important responsibility of the Technical Delegate, the Ground Jury, the Stewards, the Veterinary Commission, the Chef d’Equipe, the Team Veterinarian, the Grooms and ultimately the Athlete is to ensure the health and welfare of the horse by diligent application of their skill together with a caring, knowledgeable attitude by the Athlete. To be successful, the competitor must have knowledge of pace and efficient and safe use of the horse across country.”

We support these principles, in which the health and welfare of our equine athletes is held as primary importance. As such, it is of the highest priority that the rules previously set in place to support these values be consistently and strenuously upheld, regardless of the influence and financial sponsorship of one or more individuals involved as competitors, owners of vast racing stables, and/or as elected officials within the highest echelons of FEI. A failure to do so on the part of FEI threatens the integrity of the entire sport, but most especially endurance racing at its top international levels.

In addition to the above issues, AERC is alarmed about the increasing speed requirements in order to obtain a Certificate of Capability. It is understood that endurance events are a race, and therefore the winning horse and rider is by definition those who complete the course in the fastest elapsed time. However, we are dismayed that FEI endurance has evolved from its prototypical roots of challenging, technical courses requiring advanced horsemanship, strategy and judgment to a long distance flat race where horsemanship is subordinate to speed and speed alone.

While we understand the desire expressed by some individuals to make endurance a more spectator-friendly sport, such choices in course design and venues also encourage racing at unsafe speeds on the flat courses. It is therefore of little surprise that the incidence and types of injuries and fractures within FEI Endurance now approach those observed in traditional flat-track racing. Specifically in 2010, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, Equine Veterinary Education, documented musculoskeletal injury rates of one limb fracture per 236 FEI starts in the 2007-2008 European endurance season.

We note that articles in highly respected publications such as the New York Times detailing drug rule violations and catastrophic injuries within flat-track racing has resulted in increased scrutiny and negative perceptions by the public, animal welfare groups and governmental agencies. Additionally, the New York Times has even detailed official blatant partiality to certain Middle East nation teams at FEI's highest level (world) competitions. Should FEI fail to take decisive action to correct the current serious deficiencies within the federation and Endurance discipline, we cannot help but predict a similar fate for the entire sport of endurance.

It is therefore AERC’s request that USEF add their strenuous support to those federations which have previously expressed their concern over the current state of horse welfare issues in the Endurance discipline. We look forward to working with you on this very important issue.

Entries for FEI YR & J World Championship in France Announced

July 16 2013

The definite entries have been announced for the FEI Young Rider & Junior World Championship to be held in Tarbes, France, on July 27, 2013. 91 riders from 26 countries are scheduled to be on the starting line for the CEI4* 120 km race.

Entries can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/DEFINITE_ENTRIES.pdf

For more updates on the race, see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/