Middle Eastern countries boycott International Equestrian Federation conference on endurance racing

Footage of multiple rule breaches in a 120km ride in Bahrain has provoked outrage and renewed concerns that Middle Eastern countries are not embracing the clean-up of endurance racing.

The footage was revealed on social media as stakeholders from the region boycotted the global conference called to debate the crisis in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The conference was the latest stage of the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) strategy to address doping and horse injuries in the high speed version of endurance practised by Middle Eastern countries, where stables owned by Sheikh Mohammed have been at the centre of scandals highlighted in the past 12 months.

But none of their member federations was present to hear about drastic proposals primarily aimed at them.

Read more...

Endurance: “I believe that we need to stay as one sport”

The FEI says there is a broad consensus among endurance nations on the future direction for the sport, but views are mixed are whether there should be different rules for the more aggressive distance racing which finds favour in the Middle East.

Delegates from 23 countries have met in Lausanne, Switzerland, for a one-day endurance conference, where they showed strong support for most of the recommendations for reform proposed by the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG), formed after several FEI member nations voiced concern about welfare issues and the worrying number of drug infractions in horses centred on Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain – all members of FEI regional group 7.

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UAE teen bags Dh100,000 and 4X4 in Al Wathba Endurance Ride

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Ramona Ruiz
February 8, 2014

ABU DHABI // Sixteen-year-old Saeed Al Harbi beat a field of 141 horse riders to win this year’s Al Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride on Saturday.

The teenager, who was riding Rashka, scooped Dh100,000 and a Toyota Landcruiser after finishing first in the race held at the Emirates International Endurance Village.

“I’m so happy to win this race,” said Emirati Mr Al Harbi. “I will give the car to my brother Hamad, who is 20.”

Mr Al Harbi, who has been training for two years, covered the distance in four hours, 21 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 27.569kph to cross the finish line 47 seconds ahead of runner-up Rashid Al Baloushi...

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-teen-bags-dh100-000-and-4x4-in-al-wathba-endurance-ride#ixzz2sqFxK3cA

Sabrina Arnold tops FEI World Endurance Ranking for 2013

Germany's Sabrina Arnold top the standings for the Open Riders World Endurance Ranking for 2013. The UAE's Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri was second, with France's Virginie Atger in third. USA's Cheryl Van Deusen ranked sixth.

In the Open Combination World Endurance Ranking, Sweden's Maria Hagman-Eriksson and Al Tayar topped the list. Japan's Toshiaki Hirohashi and Lucky ranked second, with Uruguay's Miguel Meireles and EO Shadi third. Two USA riders ranked in the top ten, with Cheryl Van Deusen and EBS Regal Majjaan in fourth, and Melody Blittersdorf and Synthetic in fifth.

In the Junior/Young Rider division, Malaysia's Azizatul Asthma Dato' Haji Abdullah ranked first, with Uruguay's Maria Pereira in second and Joaquin Stirling in third. Three USA riders ranked in the top ten: Christina Kimery in sixth, McCamey Kimbler in seventh, and Taylor White in eighth.

In the Junior/Young Rider Combination World Endurance Ranking, Uruguay's Frederic Maidana and JQ Zarial ranked first, with USA's Taylor White and Hoover the Mover in second. Chile's Paula Llorens Clark was third.

India: Ahmedabad: Horse’s heartbeat key to entry in race say cops

DNAIndia.com - Full Article

February 7, 2014 - 22:57 IST | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
Abhishek Samuel

The upcoming Mahakali Ashwa Mela at Ambod is slated to be a decorated affair, with participation of as many as eight policemen from the state and 70 personnel from the Indian Army. These teams will ride alongside nearly 100 civilian equestrians from the country in the endurance race at the event, which kicks off on Sunday.

The eight participating cops from the state police include joint CP of special branch & additional director of anti-corruption bureau (ACB) Shamsher Singh along with mounted division police inspector LF Vasava and mounted PSI MS Barot among others. Singh, an avid equestrian, said that they have been training regularly and rigorously over the past fortnight for the event.

“A horse needs to be physically in tune with its rider and have the stamina to be able to finish the race. This has been our primary goal throughout the recent training. During the qualification round, the horse’s heartbeat is constantly monitored to see if it is normal. In case of high heartbeat, the horse may be disqualified for health reasons,” he explained.

As a cautionary tale of the heartbeat’s importance, one need only glance at the state police’s participation in the same event last year. Only one of the participating state police horses was cleared to race, while the rest were all disqualified due to high heartbeat...

Read more here:
http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-ahmedabad-horse-s-heartbeat-key-to-entry-in-race-say-cops-1960102

Bahrain: Riders set for Endurance Race Cup

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

February 08, 2014

BAHRAIN'S best riders will participate in HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Endurance Race Cup, which kicks-off at 7am today at Bahrain International Endurance Village.

The championship will comprise two race-categories, the 120 kilometer race (five stages, 30, 30, 24, 20, 16 km) and the 80 km qualifying race (three stages, 30, 30, 24 km).

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee president and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the organisers' efforts to ensure the success of the race, while he visited the veterinary examinations for participants' horses. The examinations were conducted by international experts at the village yesterday.

Shaikh Nasser said that the Royal Endurance team will be tough competitors for the title, wishing the best for the rest of the contenders...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=370185

Abu Dhabi: 120km Hamdan endurance ride set for Saturday

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Elite UAE riders to compete in Al Wathba race that boasts Dh1m prize fund
WAMPublished: 17:37 February 6, 2014

Abu Dhabi: The Hamdan Bin Rashid Festival 2014 Al Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride (120km) will take place from 7am on Saturday at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The race, which is run under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, will feature an elite group of riders from stables across the UAE

The prizes, whose value totals Dh1 million, will be distributed between the riders who complete the five stages of the race, as well as the award of a sports utility vehicle for the champion...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/120km-hamdan-endurance-ride-set-for-saturday-1.1287537

Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 confirmed in NZ

NZEquestrian.org.nz

5/02/2014 12:00:00 p.m.

ESNZ wishes to inform its members that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has notified of an outbreak of a neurological disease in horses arising from Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1).

· EHV-1 is a common virus in the NZ horse population.
· This is the first instance when neurological effects have been observed and confirmed in NZ.
· Many horses are infected as foals and show no clinical signs of disease. The virus often sits dormant and can be reactivated later in life. Reactivation is more likely in times of stress, such as, giving birth, weaning and long distance transport.
· This neurological form of the outbreak is very limited and has currently been isolated to a small part of a single property – a Waikato thoroughbred stud farm
· MPI have notified that 12 horses have been infected, of which 6 have been euthanised; all other horses on the property are being closely observed.
· MPI have examined horse and staff movements in relation to the affected property, and on the basis of known information, including consideration of the period of time since horses have left any part of the property, state that there is low risk of infection for horses that had been on the property.
· On the basis of information provided by MPI and having consulted with the NZ Equine Health Association; ESNZ advises no changes to continuation of all planned ESNZ equestrian activities.

MPI are urging horse owners to be vigilant for signs of the disease (see attached fact sheet) and to contact their own vet should you have any concerns.

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Chile: Enduro Ecuestre 2014 - Torres del Paine

Lastorres.com

At the end of the world, right in the middle of Chilean Patagonia, we invite you to be part of one of the most extreme, unique and unforgettable experience: The equestrian Endurance race of Torres del Paine. (FEI)
On April 12, 2014, right at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park the 10th version of the Equestrian Endurance Race will take place, combining the magic of this exciting sport with the spectacular scenery of one of the most important national parks in Chile.

Enjoy organized programs with accommodation, excursions, transfers and days of activities within the national park Torres del Paine. Get to know the most important attractions of the magnificent national park like Grey Glacier or the imposing Torres del Paine, which undoubtedly will surprise you.

Don’t miss this opportunity and participate in one of the most extreme and exciting endurance races in the world.
This race will run by the international FEI Rules valid since 2009. (Exceptions: junior ages and recovery time).

For more information see:
http://www.lastorres.com/all-inclusive-torres-paine/enduro-encuestre/

Oman: Endurance competition on Sat

Omanobserver.com

January 2014 / 23:35 Written by Oman Observer

MUSCAT — The Omani Equestrian Federation represented by the Endurance Committee announced the launching of the fifth endurance competition for 2013/2014 starting on Saturday.
The competition, which will take place at the Endurance Village in Saih al Mahamid /Al Wahra/ in the Wilayat of Barka, will be an exceptional qualifier in response to a request submitted by horse owners who are interested in tolerance
and endurance for 40 km and
80 km.
The Omani Equestrian Federation has announced an endurance competition on February 14. It is an international race for 120 km and a 90 km race for juniors.
The Omani Equestrian Federation also unveiled an endurance competition for female horse riders on March 7. — ONA

Getting Ready for the Games: Endurance

Horsechannel.com - Full Article

What does it take to prepare for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy? A top endurance rider shares her story.
By Leslie Potter | January 29, 2014

This spring will be an exciting time for the top equestrian competitors as they work to earn a spot at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, France. The Games will take place from Aug. 23-Sept. 7 and feature the world's best riders and drivers in eight different disciplines. Reaching this level of competition takes more than just practice. These competitors have to manage their horses' nutrition, conditioning and overall well-being in order to be ready for the challenge ahead.

Heather Reynolds and her husband, Jeremy, train endurance horses at Reynolds Racing in Dunnellon, Fla. Between the two of them, the Reynolds have four Tevis Cup wins, multiple national championship wins and best condition awards and team and individual golds from the North American Endurance Championships. Heather was the first American rider to cross the finish line at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Lexington, Ky. Currently, they have six horses—all purebred Arabians—that they are bringing along as prospective competitors for Normandy.

Miles of Training
Endurance horses at the Games compete in a 100-mile race, and the winning teams will finish in approximately seven hours. That kind of sustained effort requires careful conditioning, but Reynolds explains that they don't log as many training hours as people might think.

"Our horses work six days a week," she says. "We ride them three days and the other three they're on the EuroXciser [a type of hot walker]. When they're in top training, they're probably doing a total of 70 miles a week between the EuroXciser and riding..."

Read more here:
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-news/2014/01/29-getting-ready-for-the-games-endurance.aspx

Saudi Arabia: Kingdom Team wins Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Cup

Arabnews.com - Full Article

January 29 2014

RIYADH: Kingdom equestrian team of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal captured first place in the 120-kilometer endurance race in the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Arabian Horse Festival here.
Giving the Kingdom team’s 60th international achievement was international jockey Abdulaziz Aldweesh whose mount, Anwar Almamlakah, was awarded the Best Horse title in the championship.
Aldweesh and Kingdom Team coach and supervisor of Alwaleed’s private stables, Najeeb Albarjas, dedicated this accomplishment to Prince Alwaleed.
Prince Alwaleed commented: “We dedicate the team’s achievement to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...”

Read more here:
http://www.arabnews.com/news/516766

FEI announces officials for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

Normandy2014.com

January 28 2014

The Ground Juries, Technical Delegates, Chief Stewards, Course Designers, Appeal Committee and Medical Officer have been appointed for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA), where from 23 August to 7 September athletes from 60 nations will compete for medals in the FEI’s seven disciplines.
 
“We are now 207 days from the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, the world’s biggest equestrian event”, said Ingmar de Vos, FEI Secretary General.
 
“We are extremely grateful to the international officials who will be travelling from around the world to Normandy, where they will be working closely with the Organising Committee, the FEI and our athletes, upholding the key values and principles of these Games including fair play and providing the perfect stage for this seventh edition of the Games”.

Appointed FEI OFficials for endurance are:
Ground Jury President Denis Letartre (FRA) is joined by Ground Jury Members Mathilde Beaur (FRA), Elizabeth Huyghe (CHI), Ruth Carlson (CAN), Haider Zubi (JOR), John Robertson (GBR) and Ahmed Ali Al Hammadi (UAE), with Technical Delegate Elisabeth van Schelle (BRA), Course Designer Jean Louis-Leclerc (FRA) and Chief Steward Derek Liebenberg (RSA).  

See more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/articles/239/fei-announces-officials-for-alltech-fei-world-equestrian-games-2014

UAE: Al Jahouri wins HH The President Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Youngster sets new record as three-day endruance festivals culminates at Bou Thib Endurance Village

By Leslie Wilson JrRacing & Special 
Features Writer
Published: 22:03 January 25, 2014

Dubai Khalifa Al Jahouri brought the curtain down on three days of thrilling competition when he won the HH The President Endurance Cup for youth in record time at Bou Thib Endurance .
Al Khalifa, the son of European champion Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, completed the grueling 120km 2* ride in a time of four hours, 14 minutes and 11 seconds.
It was the fast time ever recorded for the junior division at Bou Thib.
“I am very happy to win such a prestigious ride as the HH The President Cup,” said Al Jahouri, who was partnering the Purebred Arabian Baraka Fard...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-jahouri-wins-hh-the-president-cup-1.1282157

Bahrain: Huge turnout in the first day of BREEF HH Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa Arabian Beauty Horse Show

BNA.bh - Full Article

25 January 2014

Manama, Jan. 25. (BNA) -- There was no sunset at Bahrain International Endurance Village yesterday, where Bahrain Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) held the sixth edition of the late HH Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa Arabian Horses Beauty Show (local production), lighting up the night of the village.

The event, which witnessed huge turnout, was organised under the patronage of the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and BREEF Honorary Chairman HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who assured that the show is an important event that the Federation is keen on organising annually...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/599395

New Zealand: New Sponsors Annouced

NZEquestrian.org.nz

13 January 2014

ESNZ Endurance Board member Barbara Avery is delighted to announce she has signed up a joint Naming Rights sponsorship for the 2014 South Island Endurance & CTR Championships.

The partnership between CopRice and Farmlands came about through the efforts of CopRice’s Lee Jamieson (CopRice - Melbourne) and Peter Brown (CRT [Farmlands] – Dunedin) last season for the Marlborough hosted event. Into their second season as joint Major Sponsors of the South Island event, Barbara is now working closely with CopRice’s New Zealand field representative Mike Drummond. Hosted by the Canterbury Endurance & Trail Riding Club at Brooksdale Station over the weekend of 8th and 9th March, the club is enthusiastically looking forward to this partnership and they appreciate the sponsorship of product and cash injection the two sponsors have committed to this event.

To give you some background on our sponsors, CopRice are a leading supplier of nutritional feeds to the companion animal and livestock sectors. For over 30 years CopRice have been manufacturing high quality feeds and use the latest equine nutritional research to formulate their range of extruded and pelleted cool horse feeds. The CopRice NutriRice horse feed range has a product balanced to suit the activity level, life-stage and stamina and energy requirements of your horse. Included within this range is NutriRice Stamina and Performance, which is an idea feed for horses in intensive aerobic work such as Endurance and CTR, eventing and polocrosse. NutriRice Stamina and Performance has a unique formulation with rice and rice bran which ensures optimum digestibility and helps to conserve stored muscle energy, delaying fatigue and enabling sustained performance.

The CopRice NutriRice range is used by top riders including Louisa Hill and the Wilson sisters, so ask at your local Farmlands store about the CopRice horse feed product that best suits the requirements of your horse. CopRice have now been involved ESNZ Endurance and the South Island Championship for three years, so if our riders can show their continued support of their products, it is hoped we can retain their faith to continue their support in the future.

Farmlands, which are currently going through a name change from CRT in the South Island and a continuation of Farmlands in the North, is a New Zealand farmer owned Co-operative Society. They started out in 1962 when a group of like-minded farmers and growers banded together to get better prices on the rural supplies they needed for their farms and orchards. They had two objectives: to supply shareholders with products and services at a lower everyday cost than they’d pay elsewhere; and to deliver shareholder returns in the long term. As a business owned by its customers, Farmlands always work hard to earn the trust and confidence of the people that do business with them, delivering an unparalleled level of rural expertise, integrity, professionalism, initiative and fairness – and of course, a complete understanding of the challenges a farmer or grower go through. From all manner of stock food supplies (including an extensive CopRice and NutriRice range of horse and dog), through to Animal Health, Chemicals, Pet Supplies, Finance, Horticulture, Fencing, Hardware, Seed, Animal Management, Apparel, Dairy, Feed Conservation, Fertilizer, Home & Leisure, Shearing, Water Management and Bulk Fuel. This one stop shop is open to the general public and as a member you can receive favourable discounts with many businesses such as Meridian and Genesis to name two.

Look at it this way, purchase your CopRice feed through Farmlands, it’s a win - win for all concerned, Barbara says.