Australia: Wagin riders put to the test

Waginargus.com.au - Full Story

By JAMES TAYLOR Feb. 26, 2014

LOCAL endurance riders have begun preparing following a decision to host famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup in Wagin later this year.

Announced last year, the premier horse ride will see riders flock to Wagin from around the world to take part in the event on October 3, 4 and 5.

Described by longtime Wagin endurance rider Anita Lunt as "the pinnacle of equine endurance", the event tests the mental and physical strength of horse and rider, requiring competitors to travel a distance of 160km within 24 hours.

Riders leave Friday night, pushing to complete the gruelling course before midnight on Saturday...

Read more here:
http://www.waginargus.com.au/story/2112865/wagin-riders-put-to-the-test/?cs=1665

Meydan Group to Sponsor 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

HORSE SPORT FEBRUARY 26, 2014
BY: HORSE-CANADA.COM

The Meydan Group has signed on to sponsor the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, which will be held August 23- September 7 in Normandy, France.

Malih Lahej Al Basti, vice-chairman of Meydan Group, said statement: “We are pleased to demonstrate [our passion for equestrian sports] through our role as an official sponsor of the Games. This is a prestigious competition that is truly international in its reach. The event provides Meydan with an excellent means to communicate our role in equine sports and highlights our exciting commercial ventures here in Dubai...”

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/meydan-group-to-sponsor-2014-alltech-fei-world-equestrian-games/

Changes in saddle at Godolphin to ensure Dubai operation’s firm hold

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Geoffrey Riddle
February 25, 2014

A Godolphin restructure was inevitable. From a small, elite band of equine talent when it started in 1992 under the guidance of Simon Crisford and Saeed bin Suroor, the international stable has mushroomed into an enterprise that spans the world.

The equine empire of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, goes beyond the Royal Blue silks of Godolphin, which have raced in more than 16 countries.

The huge Darley Australia operation and a blossoming presence in Japan is a growing aspect to Sheikh Mohammed’s global outlook.

The racing and breeding operation is without comparison and has moved to address the shortcomings exposed by last year’s Mahmoud Al Zarooni doping scandal...

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/changes-in-saddle-at-godolphin-to-ensure-dubai-operations-firm-hold

New Zealand Neurologic EHV-1: Seven Horses Euthanized

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Erica Larson, News Editor
Feb 10, 2014

New Zealand's first reported neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak has claimed several equine victims on the one affected property. As of Feb. 2, 13 horses on the property had been affected by neurologic EHV-1, Andre van Halderen, principal adviser for the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), told The Horse via e-mail received Feb. 7.

"Of the 13 horses, seven have been euthanized," he said. "The other affected horses are receiving supportive care..."

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33373/new-zealand-neurologic-ehv-1-seven-horses-euthanized?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=breeding&utm_campaign=02-16-2014

UAE to host World Military Endurance Championship

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won at inaugural event last year
Staff Report
Published: 18:41 February 24, 2014

Dubai: Leading military endurance riders from over 20 countries will vie for top honours in the second annual CISM World Military Endurance Championship, which will be held in Dubai next month.

The international event, sponsored by Meydan pillar partner International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) and organised by Meydan Group’s Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC) alongside the military sport body CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) and the UAE’s Ministry of Defence, will take place on March 6...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/uae-to-host-world-military-endurance-championship-1.1295289

Great Britain: Royal Windsor Horse Show secures series of prestigious international events for this year's show

Localberkshire.co.uk - Full Article

24 Feb 2014

THE biggest outdoor equestrian extravaganza in the country will become even bigger as it hosts a series of prestigious international events.

For the first time, Royal Windsor Horse Show has been granted prestigious Concours Hippique International (CHI) status meaning this year the event will feature three, international three-star rated jumping and dressage competitions attracting some of the top horseriders from around the world.

The five-day event will take place from May 14-18 in the grounds of Windsor Castle and will feature hundreds of competitions in showjumping, dressage, driving and endurance with the three-star rated Concours de Dressage International (CDI) and Concours de Saut International (CSI) competitions taking place on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings of the show promising to be a highlight...

Read more here:
http://www.localberkshire.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2014/02/24/97984-royal-windsor-horse-show-secures-series-of-prestigious-international-events-for-this-years-show/#sthash.whCP4sAy.dpuf

2014 Normandy: Interview with Mathieu Collet, an orchestrator of the Games

Normandy2014.com - Full Article

Tuesday 18 February 2014 - 15h02

After multiple experiences working at some of the world’s greatest sporting events, Mathieu Collet joined the Organising Committee of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy on 19 June 2013 as Site Manager for the Exhibition Centre, the Zenith and the Games Village. His role is to coordinate the requests of the Committee’s different departments in order to ensure that the event takes place in the best possible conditions on these 3 sites. With 35,000 visitors predicted in the Village every day, and tens of thousands of spectators expected for the Vaulting and Reining events, Mathieu is a very busy man!

Mathieu, which events did you work at before joining the Games adventure?

At the beginning, I worked in classic corporate event planning. Then I dipped my feet into the world of sport at the Rugby World Cup in 2007. I was in charge of layout and fittings on the Cardiff site, and I really loved the atmosphere and excitement that prevailed within the Committee. So I continued in the same thread by working in volunteer recruitment and management for the opening and closing ceremonies of Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria, artists’ transport for the Asian Cup in Qatar (equivalent of the Euro), and entertainment for the Arab Games in 2011 (equivalent of the Mediterranean Games). In 2012, I worked as site manager for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, before working for the Taewando's Sports Operationsat the London Olympic Games in 2012...

Read more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/articles/269/interview-with-mathieu-collet-an-orchestrator-of-the-games

Gallops of Oman — the real experience

Omanobserver.om - Full Article

By Lakshmi Kothaneth — There was ecstasy in the air as Gallops of Oman came to a conclusion in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali’s seashore. The excitement was not just among the winning teams, but each member of the 20 teams as they completed the journey of endurance — crossing 180 km of Sharqiyah Sands. “I think it’s a great success that we have achieved, it has been an excellent experience and organising Gallops of Oman was not easy,” said Brig Abdulrazak Alshahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Gallops of Oman. They had reached the final stage of 21 km and at the finish line as the riders accompanied their horses to the veterinary doctors; one could see the bond between the riders and the horses that had developed in the last six days.

At the end of each stage the team of veterinary doctors would inspect the horses for their heart rates and stress level, and the time taken to reach the finishing line. Being early or late meant losing points. The Arabian horses impressed their riders with their stamina, strength and spirit...

Read more here:
http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=59105

"One of the Greatest Scandals of Modern Horse Sport"

February 23 2014

In a comment column in Great Britain's Horse & Hound, editor Lucy Higginson blasted the equine doping violations and injuries involving the Middle Eastern nations and plaguing FEI endurance racing, calling it "…one of the greatest scandals of modern horse sport. It is a convoluted saga that has involved drugs, ghastly injury rates and inadequate reporting systems."

Great Britain's The Telegraph and Horse & Hound (primarily with freelance reporter Pippa Cuckson) have led the way in bringing to the world's attention the atrocious doping incidents and high fracture rates in endurance racing in the group 7 Middle Eastern countries, and FEI's responses to the worldwide uproars these have caused.

A new article by Pippa Cuckson, "Progress made - but key nations stay away" can be obtained by subscription to Horse and Hound here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/

Omani teams lead Gallops charge

Timesofoman.com - Full Article

BY SARAH MACDONALD | FEBRUARY 23, 2014

Muscat: The Gallops of Oman desert endurance horse ride along the coast concluded on Friday, approximately 100km south of Al Ashkarah, with two Omani teams leading the charge.

The five-day event challenged 110 riders from nine nationalities riding in teams of five to cross the Wahiba Sands at a pace that ensured their horses stayed in good health. Omani teams Al Safinat and Al Adiyat finished in the first and second place respectively, the best overall timings of the week, while the French team Khasab finished third.

"I'm so happy that our team was united like a fist and we won. I thank all the people who helped us. It was difficult but it was easy for us whenever we laughed and talked together. We put it in our minds that we had to win and that's what helped us win today," said Azhar Al Wardi from the Al Safinat team, as she celebrated with her fellow riders Mahmood Al Fori, Fatima Al Manji, Ahmed Al Hamadani and Hisham Al Farsi...

Read more here:
http://www.timesofoman.com/News/Article-30168.aspx

Record Line-up for Mongol Derby

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

The Mongol Derby — the world’s longest, toughest horserace —boasts its biggest line-up yet for 2014.

43 riders — 26 of them women — from 15 countries will be taking part, including former National Hunt jockey turned valet Chris Maude, England polo player Jamie Peel and Rob Skinner, military rider and 1 of H&H’s hunting’s most eligible bachelors (14 February 2013)...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/record-line-mongol-derby/#SypzL91II672mKKb.99

It’s not all black and white when it comes to FEI yellow cards

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

The yellow-carding of a rugby or football player is, in my view, a sporting spectacle in itself.

It’s the sense of anticipation that draws me. One can sense 30,000 bottoms sliding forward on their stadium seats as the referee summons a player after some egregious sin.

It is clear what’s coming. The referee is strutting and looking especially officious by this stage.

The player receives a brief dressing down and the referee, in a grand flourish, reaches for his pocket and pulls out the yellow card, or possibly even a red card.

Dramatic stuff.

The FEI has a yellow-card system, too. However, their use does not generate anything like the same drama and spectacle.

In equestrian sport, the yellow card is essentially a small yellow form which is printed out and given to the offending rider by the president of the ground jury at an event. No drama. No theatrics. That, my friends, is the FEI way.

[More ...]

Canada: Endurance breeder honored with Award of Excellence

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Feb 21, 2014 in Just Briefly

Arabian horse breeder Carl Fudge has been presented with the Award of Excellence for his outstanding achievements in the sport of Endurance in Canada.

Fudge, who is Managing Partner of Sturgeon Creek Arabians, was presented with the award at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala recently in Winnipeg, Manitoba, by current Chair for Endurance Canada, Terre O’Brennan.

As of last month, Sturgeon Creek Arabians (SCA) has completed over 25,000 miles in Endurance competitions...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/02/21/endurance-breeder-honored-award-of-excellence/#ixzz2tyKJJcys

2014 Normandy: 220,000 new tickets going on sale on 4 March 2014

Normandy2014.com - Full Article

Tuesday 18 February 2014 - 17h33

4 March 2014: Opening of the final phase of ticketing for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. This is a definitive stage where the Organising Committee puts over 200,000 individual tickets on sale to the public. Based on the number of messages and calls already received, this is a much-awaited stage and one likely to be a great success. So to Normans, horse riding fans and extravaganza enthusiasts wishing to attend the largest equestrian competition in the world in Normandy from 23 August to 7 September 2014, now’s your chance!

On 4 March, everyone will be able to purchase a place for their chosen session(s) (ex: Jumping of Eventing, Jumping’s Speed competition, etc.) when over 200,000 places are put on sale. It’s worth noting that 80% of these places involve Olympic disciplines (Dressage, Jumping and Eventing) and that the best places are still up for grabs.

The Organising Committee insisted on making the event accessible to the greatest number of people, with an average ticket price of 25€, and some tickets available for only 5€ ! All those tickets will give spectators a free access to the Games Village set up in Caen’s "Parc des Expositions". A great place to relax, eat, watch exhibitions, concerts, and more.

It should be noted that tickets for the ‘4-way final’ will not go on sale just yet. The latter won’t be accessible until late April on the principle of an online registration, and a drawing of lots will be organised...

Read more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/articles/262/2200-000-new-tickets-going-on-sale-on-4-march-2014

Great Britain: Horse riders urged to sign up for charity event next month

Knutsfordguardian.co.uk - Full Article

February 20 2014

HORSE riders from across the north west will endure 10 and 15 mile routes around a Cheshire forest in aid of Cancer Research on Saturday, March 8.

As part of a series of National Rides organised by Endurance GB, riders are being encouraged to enter this event at Delamere Forest whether or not they have done endurance riding before.

Liz Finney, chair of the Cheshire Group of EGB said: “This is a family sport, open to anyone with a horse fit enough to complete the distance at a steady pace within 3 hours...

Read more here:
http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/11025145.Horse_riders_urged_to_sign_up_for_charity_event_next_month/

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour steps into endurance racing row

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, owner of Manchester City, is understood to have intervened in the clean-up of endurance racing at the President's Cup ride in Abu Dhabi


By Pippa Cuckson


Six yellow warning cards were handed out, with two riders disqualified, at the 100-mile President's Cup ride in Abu Dhabi on Saturday as organisers finally reacted to global pressure to punish rule-breaking and horse abuse in Middle East endurance racing.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and owner of Manchester City, is understood to have intervened in the clean-up, and been instrumental in the installation of security cameras at vet-gates (vet check) areas and on the “crew” cars following the horses.

Representatives of Lord Stevens’ intelligence services company Quest, and International Equestrian Federation (FEI) endurance director Ian Williams were on hand to support officials.

The unprecedented move came days after Telegraph Sport’s exposure of horse-beating by a running groom, caught on video at a ride in Sakhir, Bahrain, on Feb 8.

The FEI later announced that the rider, winner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, received a yellow card and was suspended.

The Telegraph