USEF Names Endurance Long List for 2014 World Equestrian Games

USEF has named 16 horse-and-rider combinations to the long list for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team

May 21, 2014 -- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named 16 endurance horse-and-athlete combinations to the Long List for 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. All combinations will be required to demonstrate continued preparation, soundness, and ability by attending one Fitness and Soundness Assessment. More information about these assessments will be available on USEF.org as it becomes available.

The following 16 combinations have named to the Long List (in alphabetical order):

Melody Blittersdorf (Jeffersonville, Vt.) with her own Synthetic
Synthetic is a 2000 Arabian gelding.

Willemina DeBoer (Hico, Texas) with her own Frisia Shaheen
Frisia Shaheen is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Lisanne Dorion (Williston, Fla.) with her own SH Sur Trad
SH Sur Trad is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

Valerie Kanavy (Fort Valley, Va.) with her own Just Gold
Just Gold is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Dr. Nicki Meuten (Zebulon, N.C.) and her own FYF Dutch
FYF Dutch is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

Ellen Olson (La Motte, Iowa) and Farzad Faryadi's Hot Desert Knight
Hot Desert Knight is a 2000 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Olson (La Motte, Iowa) and Amy Wallace-Whelan's Wallace Hill Shade
Wallace Hill Shade is a 2002 Half-Arabian gelding.

Martha Rattner (Paris, Ky.) and James Hay's Indepen
Indepen is a 2002 Arabian stallion.

Heather Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and her own Chanses
Chanses is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Heather Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Jeremy Reynold's RR Gold Dust Rising
RR Gold Dust Rising is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Heather Reynolds' Chanses
Chanses is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and his own RR Gold Dust Rising
RR Gold Dust Rising is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Kelsey Russell (Williston, Fla.) and Valerie Kanavy's My Wild Irish Gold
My Wild Irish Gold is a 2003 Anglo Arab mare.

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Syrocco Cadence
Syrocco Cadence is a 2003 Arabian mare.

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Syrocco Reveille
Syrocco Reveille is a 2000 Arabian mare.

Amy Wallace-Whelan (Louisa, Ky.) and Dr. Nicki Meuten's FYF Dutch
FYF Dutch is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

The Selection Procedures for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Endurance Team can be found here: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allendurance/hpendurance.aspx.

Follow the U.S. Endurance Team here.
- See more at: http://www.equisearch.com/news/usef-names-endurance-long-list-for-2014-world-equestrian-games/#sthash.g8wk94lZ.dpuf

New Zealand: Tragedy an inspiration for mother

ODT.co.nz - Full Article

By Steve Hepburn on Wed, 21 May 2014

Susie Latta does not have to look hard for inspiration to help her endure a sport which takes up more than nine hours at a time.

Latta (44) has been selected in the New Zealand endurance riding team to compete at the World Equestrian Games in France in August.

The Nenthorn Valley farmer will make her international debut. Riders are required to cover a 160km course on one horse.

Latta is the mother of the late Dion Latta, a 15-year-old schoolboy who died after being trapped in a waterfall near Wanaka in early 2012.

On some chilly winter mornings, the thought of her late son motivated her to go out on her horse...

Read more here:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/303051/tragedy-inspiration-mother

New Zealand: Higgins has her eye on a podium finish at Games

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

20 May 2014

Alison Higgins almost gave up riding after losing the horse she took to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

But the 45-year-old sheep and beef farmer from Nelson, who also breeds horses, is back in the saddle and has been selected in the New Zealand endurance team to compete at the 2014 edition in France.

Higgins lost her horse Twynham El Omar at the 2013 national championships.

"I would have loved to take him to another WEG," said Higgins.

"When I lost him I didn't think I would ever sit on another horse again."

It took her four months to get back into riding, and she struggled in many ways.

But Northwinds Apollo (owned by Chris King) has given her a new lease on life...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/10068114/Higgins-has-her-eye-on-a-podium-finish-at-Games/

USA Endurance Riders look to compete at World Equestrian Games

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 19 2014
Pamela Burton

May 19, 2014, California ~ On April 20, USA Endurance hopefuls gathered at Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt, South Carolina, to take part in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team Selection Trial CEI2* 120km. The race was scheduled to take place April 19, but heavy downpours caused the race to be rescheduled to April 20 and run under a new format.

Under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross, 14 applicants for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games plus an additional three proxy riders riding in two groups headed out onto the three-loop trail which totaled 69.44km. Riders had to maintain a specified speed, use their GPS units, and work together as instructed. On April 21, all horses completed a post-event veterinary inspection.

Chef Ross was pleased with the results and the next step will decide the Nominated list by June 12...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2014/05/19/usa-endurance-riders-look-to-compete-at-world-equestrian-games/

Italia Endurance Festival, a breathtaking race track

Italiaendurancefestival.com

29/04/2014 - evento sportivo

It is definitely going to be one of the winning cards of the great international event dedicated to horses, 10 to 27th July. The race track, which was carefully examined by the organizing Committee of Italia Endurance Festival, the European Juniores and Young riders and the CEIO, has all the characteristics to be the ideal host of the endurance sporting discipline.

120 km stretching across a vast country side which follows gently the natural course of the river Adige from north to south, from San Martino Buon Albergo to Albarello, across San Giovanni Lupatoto, Zevio, Belfiore and Ronco all’Adige.

The race track is made up of three loops: the 38 km Yellow Loop, the 27 km Red one and the 19,5 km the Blue Loop to be repeated both during the European and CEIO2* races in the following order: yellow, yellow, red and blue. A yellow loop less in the 90 km CEI1*.

On the background, as we already mentioned, there is the beautiful fluvial landscape which preserved its uncontaminated integrity over the centuries, an exciting and varied environment immersed in the natural oasis of Pontoncello Park, with paths shadowed by towering black poplars and elegant weeping willows immersed in the magical silence of the landscape.

Horses and riders blend in perfect harmony with these ideal surroundings, in which the relationship between man and horse reaches its utmost expression.

The silence is interrupted only by the sounds of nature and by an extremely rich fauna living in the Park: from the birds’ chirping to the croaking of frogs, from the leaping of a hare to the elusive look of a fox.

Participants will be amazed at the beauty and uniqueness of the Italia Festival track.

Seeing is the best proof.

Mum and daughter make New Zealand riding team

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

20/5/2014

New Zealand has named a five-strong endurance team, including a mother and daughter from Manawatu, for this year's World Equestrian Games in France.

Andrea and Georgia Smith were the first mother-daughter combination to represent New Zealand at the flagship equestrian event. Georgia, at 17, was also believed to be the youngest.

Joining them were Alison Higgins (Nelson), who made her second WEG team, Braden Cameron (Wellington) and Susie Latta (Otago).

New Zealand would also have three-day eventing and vaulting teams in Normandy, with the possibility of showjumping and para-equestrian representatives as well.

"These are riders who have all come up through the squad system and shown good form over recent seasons," the endurance team's chef d'equipe, Tony Parsons, said.

"There is a really good mix of experience and enthusiasm."

Parsons was picking Andrea Smith as the individual to watch.

"Her horse is a real star and she has the quality to match that talent," he said.

Information gathered at last year's endurance event was proving a valuable tool in preparation for the championships...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/10063634/Mum-and-daughter-make-NZ-riding-team

New Zealand: Kiwi Endurance Team for WEG a Cracker

NZEquestrian.org.nz

20/05/2014 9:52:15 a.m.

There’s history in the naming of the New Zealand endurance team to compete at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in France.

With less than 100 days to go until the championship event, Equestrian Sports New Zealand has announced its endurance team, which includes mother and daughter Andrea and Georgia Smith. The Mangaweka duo are the first such combination to represent the sport at an equestrian championship together, and Georgia is believed to be the youngest ever. Joining them are Alison Higgins (Nelson), who makes her second WEG team, Braden Cameron (Wellington) and Susie Latta (Otago).

New Zealand will also have eventing and vaulting teams at WEG, with the possibility of showjumping and para-equestrian representatives too. ESNZ high performance director Sarah Harris and the endurance team’s chef d’Equipe Tony Parsons are very excited by the prospect of their five-strong team.

“These are riders who have all come up through the squad system and shown good form over recent seasons,” said Parsons. “There is a really good mix of experience and enthusiasm.”

The horsepower under all five riders was impressive, but Parsons is picking Andrea Smith, who rode the champs test event last year, as the individual to watch. “Her horse is a real star and she has the quality to match that talent.”

Information gathered at last year’s endurance test event is proving a valuable tool in preparation for the championships. “It is not going to be a straight foot race in Normandy, which is great for teams like us,” says Parsons. “It’s going to require plenty of mental toughness too.”

The best three scores count for the team tally.

It’s been a tricky run for the endurance riders. The national championships were cancelled at Easter due to dreadful weather, and a final selection run at Taupo was arranged for three weeks later. That meant some riders just missed out, unable to juggle other commitments and keep their horses in work.

But one of the biggest hurdles for the riders has not been making the team. Rather it will be in the required fund-raising to get their horses to France, and hopefully back. Each rider needs to raise around $60,000 – but some have already said they will probably have to sell their horses in Europe.

“These riders get minimal funding,” says Parsons. “We really do think, that for the long term development of the sport, we would like these horses to come home . . . but that won’t be possible for all of them.”

For Sarah Harris, the strength of the team is an indicator of how far the endurance programme has come in the last two years. “Two years ago we only had one combination qualified for the Endurance World Champs, so we are thrilled to have the ability to send a team like this to France,” she says.

She reiterates Parsons’ belief in Andrea Smith. “She and her horse are the most exciting prospect ever sent offshore from New Zealand endurance,” says Harris. “She could definitely go top 10 – it is a big ask, but I believe they could do it.”

To celebrate the 100 days to go until WEG, artist Christophe Dumont, with more than 20 others, created sand art featuring giant horseshoes in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. The endurance event will pass through this bay.

By Diana Dobson
HP Media Liaison

Great Britain: Family pride as brothers-in-law win Windsor endurance 2* title

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on May 17, 2014 in Focus

Brothers-in-law Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum of The United Arab Emirates shared victory in the Royal Windsor Endurance 120km CEI** competition yesterday.

“We wanted to make both fathers happy – His Majesty King Hamad and my father-in-law His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid – by crossing the line together,” said Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad, who was riding Onirik de Becheral...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/05/17/family-pride-windsor-endurance/#ixzz31z0KDVep

Great Britain: Challenging endurance ride through beautiful woodland

Westernmorningnews.co.uk - Full Article

By Western Morning News | Posted: May 16, 2014
By Jane Holden

Under the rules of Endurance GB, to be able to enter the top level rides or international rides, horses and riders must be at Advanced Level. To qualify for this both horse and rider must have successfully completed an 80km (50 mile) ride in one day at an average speed of over 10kph.

At this year’s Blue Chip St Meubred’s ride, Nicky Martin from Kingsbridge, riding Rocheros Qasbah, a seven-year-old gelding, successfully achieved this. For the first two circuits she was riding with Carina Kane on Evermore Artistic but for the last ten miles Nicky and Qasbah were out on their own.

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Challenging-endurance-ride-beautiful-woodland/story-21104887-detail/story.html#ixzz31t1tiYP9

Bahrain attends Royal Windsor Horse Show

BNA.bh

14 May 2014

London, May14 (BNA)The 71st edition of the Royal Windsor Horse Show opened today in London. Bahrain is taking part in the prestigious equestrian extravaganza, being held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in London.

Scheduled to conclude on May 18, the four-day event is playing host to International Jumping, Driving, Dressage and Endurance Competitions. The endurance competition made its debut at Royal Windsor Horse Show when it was first introduced last year by Bahrain Royal team, led by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
Bahraini riders are taking part in the endurance and showjumping competitions, along with contenders from the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Britain and other European countries. Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa stressed the importance of Bahrain's participation in the festival which was first launched 71 years ago.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland attended last year's event. "The participation in Royal Windsor Horse Show reflects deep-rooted historic relations as Bahrain and Britain celebrate the bicentennial of their bilateral ties", he said, paying tribute to HM King Hamad for supporting Bahraini knights. Led by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Bahrain Royal team includes Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Khalid Al-Khateri, Basel Al-Dosery and Ahmed Mansour, who are scheduled to make their debut tomorrow.

Australia: Endurance Riding to Turn Pink

Theadvocate.com - Full Article

By HOLLY MONERY May 15, 2014

ENDURANCE riders are the marathon runners of the equestrian world.

They battle all weather conditions for hours on end and say that competing in the 80 kilometre or 160 kilometre events is addictive.

However, unlike a marathon, endurance riders are not in these challenges alone.

Wild About Hooves owners Jen Clingly and Jeremy Ford agreed the comradeship built with your horse is what makes the sport popular.

"Definitely for us that partnership that you develop with your horse is so important in endurance because you develop that skill to be able to listen to them, so if they're struggling or on track or if the weather conditions are impacting on their physical abilities," Ms Clingly said.

"If you're in tune with them you'll recognise when they need a rest, when they need food or when they need a drink...

Read more here:
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2283482/endurance-riding-to-turn-pink/?cs=130

2014 WEG: The Games’ programme of festivities is finally unveiled!

Normandy2014 - Full Article

Wednesday 14 May 2014

The 183 hours of competition will not be the only entertainment provided during the fortnight of the Games. In addition, the Games Village, which will be at the heart of the event, will offer a varied programme of top-quality festivities and entertainment !

More than 150 hours of entertainment planned!

Open from 11am to 10pm, the Games Village will be accessible free of charge to everyone who has a ticket for one of the day’s sporting competitions, and entry will be just 5 Euros for anyone else. In total, the Village will offer more than 150 hours of entertainment, spread over an area of 110,000m2 and with no fewer than 500 horses and 450 people in action on site. Horses will of course take centre stage, but the Norman region will also be honoured! The thousands of visitors expected will be invited to discover the shared history and culture of the horse and France’s number 1 horsey region...

Read more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/articles/421/the-games-programme-of-festivities-is-finally-unveiled

Spain: Raid de Bàscara

10 May 2014

On Saturday May 10 three international tests in Bàscara Raid (Gerona), were attended by 62 pairs from Spain , United Arab Emirates, France, Belgium and Italy.

The CEI** and CEI*** races were dominated by pairs of Juma's Team, with victories by Maria Alvarez on RAMSES-DE-LA-ROTJA in the 160 kilometer race, and Gil Berenguer with NINA-BIN-MENFIS in the 120 kilometer race.

The participants in the CEI*** rolled together for the first three phases. In the fourth phase differences occurred and in the final phase, María Álvarez ,and RAMSES-DE-LA-ROTJA and Nuria Serrabassa with NOVISAAD-D'AQUI , went first and took the top two spots with no problems.

The first phase of the CEI** ran more than 21 km / h average speed, with a lead group of ten pairs, of which only four reached the final goal, all of Juma 's Team. The winner was Gil Berenguer riding NINA-BIN-MENFIS ahead of Mireia Clua riding SOULETOULE-DE-SOMMANT, Sandra Dachs riding TSUNAMI-BIN, and Angel Soy riding SUPER- SANG.

The most contested race of the day was definitely the CEI* where Goyo Núñez de Arenas riding ANWAR-RAINA set the pace in the lead from the first phase, accompanied by Mohd Balarti riding TRA-IRKUT, and Dani Marfa riding MIDNIGHT MIRAGE. In the second phase were left only Marfa and Núñez de Arenas, and in the final phase Gregorio Núñez de Arenas and ANWAR-RAINA, and alone in the lead, dominated the race and finished the winners.

Italy: National Championship Suspended During Ride Due to Sabotage

10 May 2014

Even as the 160-km Italian Championships at Golvant were underway on May 9th, the race was suspended because of poorly marked trails and missing signage. More than 30 riders were lost out on trails between the first and second phases. Aside from a few who were able to find and follow the trails, most of the others, lost in the forest, threw in the towel and returned back to the vet gate. The event was noted by one Italian reporter as the most 'miserable' event in the history of Italian endurance.

An urgent meeting was held between race judges and the Italian coach, where it was decided the Italian Championships would be cancelled, and any riders wishing to try to qualify and rank for the August WEG could continue to ride a distance of 160-km. A loop was selected, which would have to be ridden 3 more times with the required vet stops. Eight riders chose to continue riding the rest of the 160 kilometers, while the other riders left, with the promise of rescheduling the Italian Championship on May 31 in Castiglione del Lago. Entry fees were refunded to the riders.

The next day a CEI** and CEIJYR** and CEI* were held (repeating 2 loops to get the mileage) and all went smoothly, with a motorcycle and two cars on the course to make sure markings were not removed.

The culprits of the sabotaged trail markings are not known, but it was noted that a mountain biking race with hundreds of participants not far from the endurance race had no problems with their trails. it is thought that better relations between ride management and locals - not just political leaders of the territory - could forestall such further incidents.

France: Raid Al Shaqab Yvelines Cup

The 29th edition of the Rambouillet ride, known as the Raid Al Shaqab Yvelines Cup, took place on May 2 and 3 in Rambouillet, France.

152 riders took to the trails for the races, which included a CEI***, two CIS*, CEI**, CEIYR**, and CIS*.

20 of 44 riders completed the CEI*** 160-km, with France's Emilie Lambert riding Ekstrem Black Font coming in first in 9:04.21. In second place by one second, was France's Sandrine Lance riding Samba Island, and third was France's Tiphaine Leon riding Natifao Bozouls, in 9:05.02.

Except for ground which had suffered heavy rains the day before the CEI***, and an unexpected traffic jam in the village of Sonchamp during an assistance point, the races were conducted in the best possible conditions - climatic and organizational.

Riders and audience enjoyed both dinners and a final concert by the rock band The Luciolles, offered by Enduro Horse Association, who teamed up with Al Shaqab and Rambouillet to put on the ride.

Full results can be seen here:
http://www.atrm-systems.fr/index0eng.htm

Morgan to represent NI at UK championships

Antrimtimes.co.uk - Full Article

11 May 2014

Antrim Grammar School pupil Morgan Skillen has come third in the recent St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride.

The Year 10 pupil, who was representing both her school and Mid Antrim Pony Club at the event, has now qualiied to go to the UK championships in England to 
represent Ulster.

She will go forward to represent the Ulster Region in Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire on August 15–18.

This is the first time that any competitors have succeeded in reaching the Champsionships from NI and the first time that any schools have taken part.

Morgan took part in her first Pleasure Ride with the Irish Long Distance Riding Association in September 2012 at Shane’s Castle Antrim and was smitten immediately.

Since then she has been taken to Gosford in County Armagh, Woodburn in Carrickfergus, Tyrella Beach in Co Down, several times back to Shane’s Castle and countless cross country events all to train and build up both Mayo’s endurance and her 
own stamina...

Read more here:
http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/sport/other-local-sport/morgan-to-represent-ni-at-uk-championships-1-6049033