UAE: Marri guides Castle Jumeirah to Endurance Cup victory

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

9 March 2014

11-year-old Arabian mare dominates at Emirates Int’l Village

Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri, on board 11-year-old Arabian mare Castle Jumeirah did everything right to land the Shaikh Zayed bin Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup — For Private Own Horses, CEN 100-km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village here on Saturday.

The brilliant rider advanced at the ride time to lead in the crucial stages of the grueling race and land the trophy in great style.

The race was attended by Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and a number of Shaikhs and top officials.

The winner covered the distance in 03:44:00 seconds at an average speed of 26.788 km/hour, followed on his heels by Saeed Ahmad Al Harbi and behind them came Ali Ghanim Obaid Al Ali.

Al Marri walked away with the major share of the Dh500,000 prize-money plus a car and Rolex watch...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/horseracing/2014/March/horseracing_March13.xml§ion=horseracing

Bahrain: Shaikha Najla claims title in Shaikh Nasser endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

Sunday, March 09, 2014

BAHRAINI rider Shaikha Najla'a bint Salman Al Khalifa of Ahmed Al Fateh stables won the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Championship at Bahrain International Endurance Village yesterday.

She finished in 4:58:15 hours with an average speed of 26 kmph...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=372179

FEI clarifies procedures in anti-doping cases

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 7 March 2014
 
FEI clarifies procedures in anti-doping cases
 
In response to recent discussions in the equestrian community about the length of time that FEI anti-doping cases may take to prosecute, the FEI is keen to clarify its procedures.
 
“It is the FEI’s role to ensure the full integrity of competition and fair play, while at the same time ensuring that the rights of the athlete are fully protected,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.
 
“As an international governing body, the FEI cannot allow that athletes would ever be condemned or sanctioned without having the proper opportunities to defend themselves. It is of course regrettable, on every level, whenever there is a positive finding, but the FEI has to follow due process in the interest of all parties involved.”
 
Following the confirmation of a positive sample, it is the FEI’s duty to prove to the Tribunal that there has been a violation of the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR). A positive finding is simply the start of the process.
 
In the event of a provisional suspension being imposed following a positive finding, the Person Responsible (PR) can apply at any time for a preliminary hearing to request lifting of the provisional suspension.
 
The PR has the right to contest the positive finding, including challenging the sample collection and analysis procedures to the Tribunal. The PR also has the right to provide an explanation for the presence of the prohibited substance in order to reduce or eliminate the applicable sanction.
 
The finding whether there has been a rule violation can only be made once the case has been heard by the Tribunal. It is only when the Tribunal confirms in its Final Decision that there is a rule violation that the automatic disqualification from the competition can be applied. Other sanctions may also be imposed by the Tribunal.
 
The FEI is a signatory to the WADA Code and has to respect the WADA principles, which include the right to a fair hearing. All parties involved have to be given time to prepare their submissions in order to properly defend themselves. Signatories to the WADA Code apply the same principles, and sports involving animals have to be consistent with the WADA Code.
 
FEI media contacts:
 
Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42
 
Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Qatar: CHI AL SHAQAB International Equestrian Tournament 2014

Chialshaqab.com

At a busy press conference, Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Executive Director of AL SHAQAB, spoke of the importance of bringing a world class CHI event to Qatar. He explained how the world’s greatest riders and horses will compete before royalty, VIPs and more than 10,000 spectators.

Mr Al Qahtani said: “The inaugural CHI AL SHAQAB was a spectacular success, and this year will be even better. AL SHAQAB supports Qatar Foundation’s vision to promote the country’s heritage by showcasing its equestrian excellence.”

Omar Al Mannai, AL SHAQAB Competition Manager, revealed that this year’s tournament will see around 170 riders and 200 horses from 30 countries come together to compete for a total of 1,460,000euros in prize money. He also revealed that, alongside jumping, dressage and endurance, the competition will feature vaulting for the first time.

Fahad Al Hajri, Media Manager, pointed out that CHI AL SHAQAB, are working with the world’s media to achieve the highest standards in broadcast production in equine history.

Finally, Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of Exxon Mobile, confirmed that his company is again proud to be the main sponsor of CHI AL SHAQAB.

CHI AL SHAQAB is also sponsored by Qatar Airways and organized under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani and Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani. The 2013 tournament was the first CHI event ever to take place in the Middle East and Asia.

AL SHAQAB equestrian center was founded in 1992 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Father Emir of Qatar, to promote and enrich his nation’s traditional association with the Arabian horse. It is a member of Qatar Foundation and serves as the Gulf’s premier venue for equestrian education, breeding and events.

Journalists and other equine specialists are warmly invited to attend CHI AL SHAQAB 2014. For all attendance, interview and other media requests, please contact Laura Wrede (+974 55296773) or email laura.wrede@grayling.com and media@chialshaqab.com.

UAE: Shaikh Hamdan wins second consecutive World Military Endurance title

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

UAE riders claim Team Title in 120km event at Dubai International Endurance City

By Leslie Wilson Jr,Racing & Special Features Writer
Published: 19:36 March 6, 2014

Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was a picture of confidence as he won his second CISM World Military Endurance Championship at the Dubai International Endurance City on Thursday.

Riding Aghaab, winner of the HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Endurance Cup in January, Shaikh Hamdan dominated the 70-strong field as he completed the 120km ride in 4 hours, 33 minutes and 36 seconds...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/shaikh-hamdan-wins-second-consecutive-world-military-endurance-title-1.1300517

New Zealand: Instant blood tests for endurance horses a first at SI Champs

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Mar 06, 2014 in Focus

Endurance veterinarians in New Zealand have a new hand-held blood analysis tool to instantly test equine blood samples at events.

The new EPOC Blood Analyser has been purchased by Equestrian Sports New Zealand’s Endurance board, thanks to a donation from the Dion Latta Estate...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/03/06/instant-blood-tests-endurance-horses-first-si-champs/#axzz2vCB1aaFE

Key Defra body ignored in Lord Stevens’ drugs raids investigation for Sheikh Mohammed

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Veterinary Medicines Directorate was not asked to supply input for report and disputes claim that seized products were not intended for use in UK

By Pippa Cuckson
9:05PM GMT 05 Mar 2014

Defra’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the body that seized 124 unlicensed drugs from Sheikh Mohammed’s Newmarket stables in August, has revealed it had no input into Lord Stevens’s subsequent investigation for racing’s most powerful owner.

Further, the VMD disputes a claim recorded in the report that the seized drugs were not intended for use in the United Kingdom...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/10679378/Key-Defra-body-ignored-in-Lord-Stevens-drugs-raids-investigation-for-Sheikh-Mohammed.html

UAE: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Horsesportinternational.com - Full Article

Karen Robinson
March 1 2014

"...even the most basic rules of horse welfare are so far from being enforced at middle eastern endurance races that they are a complete farce, an absolute joke, and an insult to the principles that supposedly govern the FEI."

Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain permission from the photographer to publish the photo that I wanted to share with you, so instead I will use the proverbial thousand of these one dimensional little things to describe it.

It was snapped during the recent President World Cup Endurance race in Abu Dhabi, and the person who sent it to me sent it with the subject line ‘spot the horse’. The photo could also have been titled ‘where’s Waldo’ – if Waldo were a horse.

See, the horses are not the most prominent feature in this shot of the endurance race. The cars are. Roughly 100 cars, pick-ups, SUVs and those silly little Japanoid van/pick-ups are crowded so thickly along the white racetrack fencing that keeps them off the track that you can barely see that there are actually horses in the frame. Also obscuring a clear view of the horses is a pink haze caused by a combination of churned up sand and exhaust from what are surely hundreds of vehicles – if we make the reasonable assumption that all the cars chasing the race did not miraculously squeeze into this one photo. If you didn’t notice the horses you would think it was a traffic jam in the desert...

Read more here:
http://www.horsesportinternational.com/2014/03/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words/

Oman: All-Women Endurance Horse Race on March 7

Muscatdaily.com - Full Article

Muscat Daily staff writer
March 05, 2014

An all-women endurance horse race will be organised in Barka on March 7, according to a press release from the Oman Equestrian Federation (OEF).

The race will witness a total of 44 riders compete over a distance of 80km and will be conducted according to the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) rules and regulations. Some of the participating riders are from the neighbouring countries.

The veterinary examination of the horses will be held a day before the event. The race will kick off at 6.30am and will be held in three stages. The first stage will cover 40km, while the remaining 40km will be split into two legs of 20km each.

Spain's Jon Fernandez de Antona wins at Evora, Portugal

Ecuestreonline.com

Spain's Jon Fernandez de Antona riding Talita Kumi 50% won the CEI3* Evora ride in Portugal on March 1.

Cold, wet, muddy trails with constant ups and downs made for a challenging ride.

Alex Luque and Calandria PH won the CEI2*.

Cuckson lodges formal protest over endurance race in Bahrain

Horsetalk.c.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Mar 03, 2014 in News

British equestrian journalist Pippa Cuckson has been joined by the editor of Horse & Hound magazine in lodging a formal protest with the FEI over the treatment of the winning horse in the February 8 running of the King’s Cup 120km endurance race in Bahrain.

The letter, under the Horse & Hound letterhead, is co-signed by Cuckson, who is a freelance contributor to the magazine, and its editor, Lucy Higginson...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/03/03/cuckson-formal-protest-endurance-race-bahrain/#ixzz2uun3GdZm

UAE: Glory for Spanish lady rider Laia Soria Pinol

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham Al Gizouli / 1 March 2014

Spaniard completes the 100-km ride in 3 hrs 23 minutes and 02 seconds at an average speed of 29.55 km/hour.

Top Spanish lady rider Laia Soria Pinol won the 100-km Shaikha Fatma bint Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba here on Friday. Laia Soria Pinol, riding her eight-year-old Magic Cross Bred mare Sembra Rails, completed the 100-km ride in 3 hrs 23 minutes and 02 seconds at an average speed of 29.55 km/hour...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/horseracing/2014/March/horseracing_March1.xml§ion=horseracing

Great Britain: Young and determined Dace Sainsbury conquered the difficult UAE 160km desert course

Photo by Gilly Wheeler
Endurancegb.co.uk

21st February 2014

Young and determined Dace Sainsbury conquered the difficult 160km desert course in Abu Dhabi with great skill.

Riding her grey mare Ballota she maintained between 18/19kmph over each loop to finish in 8h 56m 05s.
The mare’s recovery times had been good throughout:t around 3 minutes. From the 128 starters just 47 finished (36.72%). The winner was the current JYR World Champion Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri

UAE: More than 100 riders confirmed for endurance races

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Attractive prize money and a car up for grabs at Al Wathba

By N.D. Prashant, Staff Reporter
Published: February 27, 2014

Abu Dhabi: More than 100 riders have confirmed their participation for the Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup and the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for private owners to be held on Friday and Saturday respectively at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba.

On both days, total prize money of Dh500,000 and a car is up for grabs...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/more-than-100-riders-confirmed-for-endurance-races-1.1296808

UAE: setting the pace with endurance horse racer Mahra Al Shamsi

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Anna Zacharias
February 27, 2014

After hours of racing through the desert, Mahra Al Shamsi recites the Quran to her horse to give it strength. Al Shamsi, an endurance horse racer from Ras Al Khaimah, will go to any length for her horse.

She competes for Seeh Al Salam stables in 80km, 100km and 120km events, a test of perseverance, strength and strategy for both horse and rider that may last five or six hours.

“I talk to my horse, I sing to my horse, and I recite the Quran to my horse during the race,” she says. “Sometimes when somebody passes by me, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, what did you say’?”

“I say, ‘No, I’m talking to my horse’. If you don’t connect with the horse, that horse is going to bound off or throw you off.”

Endurance horse racing has grown in popularity with young women since Al Shamsi, 27, took up the sport five years ago.

Training requires a minimum of two or three hours a day, four days a week. “Every season I do seven races, sometimes more,” she says...

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/my-uae-setting-the-pace-with-endurance-horse-racer-mahra-al-shamsi#ixzz2ucxM1swR

Great Britain: Racing authorities "lack conviction" on drugs

Youtube.com

David Walsh on C4's Morning Line

Published on Feb 22, 2014

David Walsh, the award-winning journalist from the Sunday Times who uncovered much of the Lance Armstrong saga, says "it's a big worry when officials outside of racing unearth a drugs problem." He says the Mahmood Al Zarooni case and the ongoing Philip Fenton issue reveal that "Authorities are ambivalent... I don't sense true conviction..."

See the video interview here:
[embedded]


or link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB4raU0uvU&feature=em-share_video_user