International Horse Sports Confederation Holds First Meeting

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Edited Press Release
Apr 01, 2014

At the first meeting of the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) confirmed that they share the same core values of protecting horse welfare and discussed in detail the different models under which both organisztions operate.

The two organizations came to the conclusion that there are many commonalities and opportunities for further cooperation. Although there are operational differences due to regulatory requirements of our sports, both organizations are united by the horse and a shared philosophy built on our common values.

The FEI and the IFHA have joined forces by the creation of the IHSC and agreed on the priority to work together in the following fields always with the aim of ensuring the highest standards for welfare of the horse:

The continued commitment to fight against doping and any abuse of horses;
The cooperation with the World Organization for Animal Health to facilitate the international movement of horses through the adoption of the concept of the “high-health, high-performance horse”;
Assist the industry by surveillance of and reporting of diseases; and
The creation of a fund for joint initiatives to support the horse sports industry.

Further to recent allegations in the United States raised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and reported on March 20, the IHSC strongly declares that animal cruelty has no place in its sports and urges the U.S. authorities which are investigating these allegations to leave no stone unturned.

Moreover, the IHSC calls on PETA to immediately and as a matter of urgency share with the relevant regulatory bodies all the materials they might still hold with regard to horse welfare in order to allow them to undertake the necessary actions.

Additionally, working groups were established to deal with the aforementioned issues.

Record Number of Nations Declare Participation in 2014 WEG

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Edited Press Release
Apr 02, 2014

Seventy-two national federations (NFs) have declared their intention to participate in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) 2014 in Normandy, France, meeting the 31 March deadline for entries in principle. The number is an all-time high and represents a 10% increase compared to the entries in principle for any of the previous WEGs .

At this initial stage, the NFs have indicated the disciplines in which they intend to be represented by a team or individual athletes. Although the final participation will be confirmed first by the nominated and ultimately by the definite entries, this is a significant first step in the games entry process.

The disciplines that have attracted the greatest number of nations are jumping with 57 NFs, followed by endurance with competitors from 50 countries. Australia, Austria, host nation France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States have entered teams in all FEI disciplines: jumping, dressage, para-dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, and reining.
Breakdown by Discipline

Jumping: 57 NFs (41 teams; 16 NFs with one or two individual riders)
Endurance: 50 NFs (40 teams; 10 NFs with one or two individual riders)
Dressage: 39 NFs (28 teams; 11 NFs with one or two individual riders)
Para-Dressage: 34 NFs (24 teams; 10 NFs with three or four individual riders)
Eventing: 29 NFs (23 teams; 6 NFs with one or two individual riders)
Vaulting: 29 NFs (20 squads; 14 pas-de-deux; 23 NFs with one to three female vaulters; 15 NFs with one to three male vaulters)
Reining: 25 NFs (19 teams; 6 NFs with one or two individual riders)
Driving: 19 NFs (15 teams; 4 NFs with one individual driver)

Twelve countries will be making their WEG debut—Hong Kong, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Morocco, Mauritius, Peru, Palestine, Romania, Thailand, and Tunisia—demonstrating the increased globalization of the FEI’s flagship event.

The full list of entries in principle is available on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 website.

“We are delighted with the strong interest the national federations are showing in this summer’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said. “It is very exciting to welcome new nations from all over the world to the FEI’s biggest event. The majority of the nations that will be participating for the first time have indicated their intention to send teams or individuals in more than one discipline, which shows how well our sport is developing all around the world. These are exciting times and I am looking forward to a successful record-breaking Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy.”

Laurent Cellier, the games' sports director, added, “The number of nations wishing to participate in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy demonstrates how enthusiastic everyone is about this major event. We are looking forward to welcoming all the nations here in Normandy. With only 144 days to go, the entire organizing committee is hard at work to ensure all our guests enjoy their stay and to make them feel welcome.”

The next deadlines in the entry process for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy are as follows:

Nominated entries:

June 24: Endurance
July 21: All other disciplines

Definite entries:

August 14: Dressage, para-dressage, eventing, endurance, and reining
August 21: Jumping, driving, and vaulting

Botswana: Dansawani Arabians Dominate Maun Endurance Race

Thevoicebw.com - Full Article

Posted by THEVOICEBW on April 4, 2014

The Dansawil Arabian Endurance team competed over the weekend of the 22nd March at the first ever 80km ride held in Maun.
The team consisted of two locals Willie Herbst who is the owner, manager and groom and Tebogo Mosorwa on FTB Magnifico.
The other two team members were Louise Herbst on Fa’Nardi Zara and Felicity Cooper on Dansawil Gorbasjof. Another Dansawil horse, Wilshane Shakespeare was lent to a Maun rider.

The track consisted of three 27km legs and the riders had to negotiate water, tight turns, mud and extreme humidity due to the heavy down pours Maun is experiencing.

Wilshane Shakespeare won the race in a time of 3.59.34 hrs, Louise Herbst on Fa’Nardi Zara came second in a time of 3.59.34 hrs and Felicity Cooper on Dansawil Gorbasjof came third in a time of 4.20.01 hrs...

Read more here:
http://www.thevoicebw.com/2014/04/04/dansawani-arabians-dominate-maun-endurance-race/

Australia: Horses for courses at Neville

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

April 4 2014

This weekend, the historical little town of Neville will host many horse and rider combinations for endurance and social rides.

Camping will be at the shady show ground with all general amenities, come kick back and enjoy some nice scenery.

The Lachlan Endurance Riders Club (LERC) have taken up the task with locals from the Blayney/Carcoar area.

This ride will cater to the young, the old, the slow, the fast with a 20km, 40km and 80km distance available...

Read more here:
http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/2195646/horses-for-courses-at-neville/?cs=593

Australia: Enduro riders to saddle up

Batemansbaypost.com.au - Full Article

April 4 2014

NELLIGEN will be the site of an endurance ride in July, taking in scenic Clyde River bushland.

The South Coast Zone ride will be held on July 5 and 6, with 80km, 40km and 20km options.

Organiser Jenny Shepheard said two previously successful rides in the area had presented access problems, so the ride base would be located 40 metres off the Kings Highway.

“It is very easy to get to,” Ms Shepheard said.

“The ride base is on the outskirts of Nelligen, off the River Rd (Shallow Crossing Rd).

“There is a flat paddock we have kindly been given permission to use.”

Ms Shepheard said the legs of the ride would follow some trails familiar to Eurobodalla riders...

http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/2196005/enduro-riders-to-saddle-up/?cs=12

Is global unity still possible in the world of endurance?

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Neil Clarkson on Apr 03, 2014 in Comment, Featured, News

The endurance juggernaut grinds on, with only optimists still believing a solution is within reach at this month’s FEI Sports Forum in Switzerland.

The much-publicised issues centre on several Middle Eastern nations within the FEI’s Group VII.

The wider endurance community has grown increasingly vocal over the number of doping infractions, excessive fracture rates, wider horse welfare issues, and what many consider to be some Middle Eastern competitors’ cavalier attitude to the rules...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/04/03/global-unity-endurance/#ixzz2xpvVkcRo

More rule breaking in Middle East endurance

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

3 April 2014

Riders from stables owned by members of the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai received 3 of the 4 yellow warning cards handed out in Dubai (21-22 March). This comes as the FEI clamps down on rule-breaking in Middle East endurance.

2 broke multiple rules and administered unauthorised fluids and were also disqualified. 2 others showed “incorrect behaviour” towards officials...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/maktoum-family-riders-receive-3-yellow-cards-endurance/#iyrbyXwQQOfUKPHV.99

Proposed rule changes spelled out for endurance

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Apr 02, 2014 in News

Proposed changes to the rules of endurance spell out more clearly the responsibilities of riders and trainers, and explains potential conflicts of interest for event officials.

The proposals will be put to FEI member nations at the endurance roundtable talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, late in April on the second day of the world governing body’s Sports Forum.

The proposed rule changes are the result of a months-long consultation process, sparked by growing concern among some FEI nations centred on welfare issues in endurance in the Middle East...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/04/02/proposed-rule-changes-endurance/#axzz2xjmojZmD

Australia: 90-year-old Sensational Senior Endurance Rider

April 1 2014

"I know if a horse likes me or not - it's just a feeling," says 90-year-old Ken Hobday, Australian endurance rider featured on "Today Tonight's Sensational Senior."

Ken's love for horses and his love for endurance riding shine in this short but heart-warming documentary piece about this member of West Australian Endurance Riders Association.

[video here]


or link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLYltZqK8EM&feature=youtu.be

France: Géraldine Brault riding Pomoska du Barthas wins 160km Endurance at Fontainbleau

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

Pamela Burton

28 March, 2014, France ~ French rider, Géraldine Brault, 29, riding her own Pomoska du Barthas won the 160km course, the first CEI 3* of the year in France. Brault led the course from the first to the sixth loop and finished 3:49 minutes ahead of Germany’s Sabrina Arnold on Wamid. In spite of a fall after arriving at the finish line, Dominique Payen (FR) made it onto the podium in third place after finishing the ride on her horse, Naelle du Fonpeyrol...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2014/04/01/geraldine-brault-riding-pomoska-du-barthas-wins-160km-endurance-at-fontainbleau/

Great Britain: Timeform lambast BHA over handling of Godolphin steroids scandal

Theguardian.com - Full Article

British Horseracing Authority urged to widen drug testing and seek greater control over vets

Tony Paley - theguardian.com
Tuesday 1 April 2014

British racing's rulers have come in for stinging criticism from the respected Timeform organisation over their handling of the Godolphin steroids scandal last year.

The comments are made in the latest edition of Timeform's Racehorses annual covering the 2013 Flat racing season and will make for uncomfortable reading for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Timeform argue that the damage caused by the Mahmood al-Zarooni case will take "years to repair" and call on the BHA to widen the scope of its drug testing and seek greater control over vets involved with racing stables. "Any sport that fails to police its doping problems with the utmost rigour pays a heavy price," they conclude...

Read more here:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/01/timeform-godolphin-steroids-scandal

AERC Takes Action As International Endurance Abuses Continue

Chronofhorse.com

Original article appeared in The Chronicle of the Horse

As the sport of endurance has grown more popular, so have the cheating and welfare issues, and the American riders want to protect the sport they helped create.

BY ERIN HARTY

This is a story of international intrigue, of power and influence, of drugs, cheating and preferential treatment.
It involves sheikhs, princesses and cowboys, viral Internet videos and lumbering bureaucracy.

It’s also the story of how the participants and enthusiasts of perhaps the most organic of all the international
equestrian sports—the pursuit of riding a horse as fast as you safely can from point A to point B across natural terrain—are trying to save the sport from its own success. This story begins in the deserts of the Middle East and ends in a conference room in Atlanta where people who share a common interest in endurance all agree there is a problem and are having a healthy debate about how to fix it.

Are you intrigued yet?

To follow this story, let’s start at the beginning...

Read full article:
Erin_Harty_Article_on_AERC_to_FEI_Motion.pdf

Australia: Endurance ride back by popular demand

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

The Neville Endurance Ride is back by popular demand.

On the 5th and 6th of April this beautiful and historical little town will be host to many horse and rider combinations all setting out to enjoy riding around the beautiful pine forests on sandy tracks, in great company.

Camping will be at the shady show ground with all general amenities, come kick back and enjoy some nice scenery.

The Lachlan Endurance Riders Club (LERC) have taken up the task with locals from the Blayney/Carcoar area in particular Marjorie Trudgett (who has put heart and soul into this event) Also to Di Luker who is Secretary and helped with tracks, etc. Together a strong and effective team is ready and prepared to welcome horses and riders to Neville...

Read more here:
http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/2179535/endurance-ride-back-by-popular-demand/?cs=594

New Zealand: Kiwis aim to make big impact at WEG 2014

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Mar 27, 2014

New Zealand Equestrian Sport’s High Performance leader Sarah Harris says it’s a “real shame” that the country won’t have a dressage rider at the upcoming FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games in France, but the discipline’s focus is now on the Rio 2016 Olympics and beyond.

Sole “A” squad rider Vanessa Way has retired her mount, KH Arvan, after the horse failed to bounce back as well as expected following an operation.

But Harris said the results from the young combinations at the recent Horse of the Year showed the sport had an exciting future...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/03/27/kiwis-aim-big-impact-weg-2014/#ixzz2xAp3MRU8

Scotland: Endurance riders in Penninghame Forest

Gallowaygazette.co.uk - Full Article

26 March 2014

Scottish Endurance Riding Club

Dumfries Branch

The above branch held a successful endurance ride in Penninghame and Glenrazie Woods recently.

Many thanks to the Forestry Commission at Newton Stewart for the use of these tracks and also for clearing all fallen trees in order for the riders to use the tracks. Also local residents for putting up with the horses and riders around their homes and sharing their walking areas for part of the day...

Read more here:
http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/endurance-riders-in-penninghame-forest-1-3353771

Australia: Harden Up Endurance ride evokes spirit of the bush

Hardenexpress.com.au - Full Article

March 25 2014

ENDURANCE horse riding evokes the spirit of the bush according to Fia Hasko-Stewart, the organiser of the Harden Up Endurance Ride and Carnival, which was held in town on the weekend.

She said long-distance riding was something that was common in earlier days and many country people spent hours in the saddle getting to their destinations.

Endurance riding was also about riders being able to 'listen' to their horses so they would how their horse was travelling and when to ease up...

Read more here:
http://www.hardenexpress.com.au/story/2166278/harden-up-endurance-ride-evokes-spirit-of-the-bush/?cs=12