Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Pinamar Argentina 2004: Life on the Pampas

We returned to Miguel and Celina's estancia Sunday last afternoon. I had spent the morning working on photos and checking my email at one of the Internet Cafes in Pinamar. Miguel picked me up at the hotel and we took a small tour of Pinamar, a very charming beach resort town, and he showed me the various hotels and villas that were available so I could report back to the USET folks in case they sent staff and riders to the Pan Americans next year.
We coincidentally met a friend of Miguel's - Alina (Lola) Gonzales Vidal (a trainer and rider who has been working in the Emirates) and Jason Kirk, the Australian trainer at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Jason was in Argentina looking at endurance horses, and after talking with Alina and Miguel he decided to come the next day to Miguel's to look at his horses. Argentinean horses are becoming well known now in the Emirates, horses bred and sold by Los Estribos (Elena Romero Onata) recently placed 1st and 5th at the Presidents Cup, and 1st at another recent Emirates race - so Argentina is the new 'hot spot' for endurance horses. There are many buyers coming to look for both younger horses (5, 6 yrs) and horses that have competed well,"

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Sunday, March 14, 2004

Bahrain: 18Mar Endurance Championship

Gulf News: Bahrain Endurance race set


Shaikh Nasser during a practice session TEAMS resumed practice yesterday for their participation in His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship which will be held on Thursday at the endurance village premises.

The Royal Team, which is captained by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, underwent extensive training sessions at the venue in preparation for the prestigious event.

Members of Al Khaldiya team, under the umbrella of the Royal Team, also had their practice session under their leader Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is the federation's first vice-president.
The event, which is the final round of the first Bahrain Endurance Challenge, will be run over a distance of 120km and divided into five stages. "

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Argentina: PanAm Pre-Ride

Argentina Arabian Horse Society Endurance Ride
Steph Teeter - 13 March 2004
Pinamar, B.A. Argentina


Today I rode a 45 km Endurance ride in Argentina!!
For this week and next, I am the guest of Miguel Pavlovksy. Miguel is a medical doctor, a hematologist, in Buenos Aires. He and his wife Celina own and operate a large estancia in the pampas, south of Buenos Aires. The estancia produces agricultural products (corn, soy, sunflower), cattle and sheep, and is most famous for its Arabian horse breeding program.

Haras San Andres del Moro is the home of truly exceptional performance (track, driving and endurance) Arabian and Arabian cross horses. With over 30 mares and several foundation stallions, the Haras is very productive. The ‘Moro’ horses are beautiful, with size and substance. One of the foundation stallions ‘Fugativo’ who has sired most of the ‘Moro’ endurance horses has also performed well in dressage, jumping and driving. His strength and versatility are typical of his offspring as well, with good minds and a very willing work ethic.

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Friday, March 12, 2004

Al Wathba takes Emirates Endurance Championship

Hammadi takes tally to seven
By Amith Passela

12 March 2004

ABU DHABI - The Al Wathba juggernaut took their Emirates endurance championship tally to seven by claiming yesterday's Emirates Challenge trophy at the Emirates International Endurance Village.

Hassan Yousef Abdulla Al Hammadi won the truncated CEI Two-Star ride on Ro-Fabiola from stable-mate Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri riding Parlour Mountain Anzac after Al Reef Stables Matar Ali Al Hammadi's 13-year-old Arabian gelding, Mylex Cherokee, was eliminated for lameness after crossing the finish line first.
The 130km race was reduced to 110km in the middle of the second loop because of the rising hot weather condition."

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La Baule


Un nouveau tracé pour la course d'endurance
Pour la 2e année, La Baule fait se côtoyer les
champions de deux disciplines équestres : le
saut d'obstacles et l'endurance - la version
équestre du marathon - :163 kilomètres en
une seule journée, à une vitesse moyenne
estimée de 18 km/heure pour les meilleurs, en
six étapes et cinq contrôles vétérinaires et
haltes de repos obligatoires, tel est le menu du
2e Concours d'Endurance International Officiel
de France, disputé le samedi 8 mai.
Le départ des 160 kilomètres se fera dès 8h30
sur la plage de La Baule, à marée
descendante, à la hauteur de l'hôtel Hermitage
Barrière. Soixante concurrents, soit le double
de la 1ère édition, sont attendus pour le premier
CEIO de la saison 2004. Une préparation
incontournable en vue des championnats du
monde de janvier prochain à Dubaï.
Les 1er et 3e "vet-gate", à Herbignac, se feront
comme l'an passé, au pied des somptueuses
ruines du château médiéval de Ranrouët.
Penestin accueillera concurrents et suiveurs à
l'heure de la halte déjeuner en bord de mer,
non loin des Falaises de la Mine d'or. La fin de
journée se déplacera vers Guérande où le PC
course sera installé au pied des remparts de
cette vieille ville pleine de charme. Enfin,
retour pour l'arrivée sur la plage de La Baule
aux alentours de 20 heures, à peine la marée
redescendue pour les plus rapides. Les plus
lents passeront la ligne d'arrivée à la lueur des
lampes de mineur fixées sur leur casque,
jusqu'à minuit...
L'équipe de France championne d'Europe en
titre (2003), et gagnante par équipe l'an
dernier, devrait retrouver ses concurrents les
plus coriaces, les cavaliers des Emirats
Arabes Unis, qui avaient trusté les places de
premier et troisième en individuel.


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2005: AERC National Championship - FEI Division

Bill and Jan Stevens
Fort Howes Endurance Rides, Inc.
Home of the 2005 AERC National Championship


The AERC Board of Directors has approved that the 2005 AERC National Championship be held at the Fort Howes Ranch in Montana. In addition, the board approved sanctioning an FEI division to be held along with the AERC National Championship.



The Fort Howes site has hosted FEI/CEI*** events for the last 4 years. Additionally, it has hosted IAHA National Championship events.

The event is planed for June 2005. "We found in looking back through the past 2
years of endurance rides that there are more 100 mile rides with more
riders in May, June, and July." according to Ride Manager Jan Stevens. "Last year the winner of our ride was
from Canada, 2nd from Virginia, and third from northern Illinois. One
more item; there are only so many 100 mile horses in the US and if FEI
and AERC rides are separated then each will impact the other
negatively but if they can be combined there is a synergistic effect."

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Thursday, March 11, 2004

2004 Emirates Challenge CEI**

Huge participation for Endurance ride

Khaleej Times: By A Correspondent

11 March Results - The race was shortened to 110km because of adverse weather conditions. There were 73 starters and 30 finishers in the event. The event was won by Hassan Abdulla Youssef Al Hammadi and Ro-Fabiola of the U.A.E. in 4:35:26

10 March Story 2004 DUBAI - Over 100 riders have confirmed their participation for the forthcoming Emirates Challenge endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, tomorrow.

The day will also hold a Federation Qualifier for ladies. The CEI 2-star, 130-km Emirates Challenge ride will be run in five stages of 34 km, 32 km, 28 km, 20 km and 16 km respectively. It will feature horses aged six and above and the ride is scheduled to start at 6 am.

The pre-ride inspection will be held on March 10, 2004. The 48-km Qualifier for ladies will be run in two stages of 32 km and 16 km and will begin at 7 am. The pre-ride inspection for the qualifier will be held on the same day in the morning"

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Wednesday, March 10, 2004

2004 AERC Convention

Februay 27-29, Silver Legacy Hotel Convention Center, Reno, Nevada.
By Pamela Burton


Over 1000 attendees braved a California/Nevada Winter snowstorm to assemble at the annual American Endurance Ride Conference Convention at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno, Nevada, February 27-29. The two-day, Trade Show and Seminar Schedule was augmented by extra days at either end for working meetings.

The combined Convention with the National American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) was an experiment in expediency which bolstered the attendance at many events, some combined, and some totally independent. The NATRC home office felt that the combination turned out "exceptionally well", and members who have joined both organizations were thrilled to go to one Convention that covered both subjects so well.


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Tuesday, March 09, 2004

EnduranceNet: 2004 Ride & Tie World Championship

2004 Ride & Tie World Championship



Have you always wanted to attend the Championships.... or do it again after a few years away? Well, this year is the perfect time! The WCRT will return to Mendocino Country on June 26, 2004, based on a 300 acre ranch called Simcha, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Ten Mile River just north of Fort Bragg, California. The trail meanders past virgin Redwoods, with 360 degree ridge top views over the ocean to the west and to neighboring mountain forest ranges in the other three directions.
Building on the excitement and camaraderie of past Championships, the focus will be on a family reunion atmosphere for endurance enthusiasts, with newcomers enthusiastically welcomed! Plus, the famous Mendocino Coast is a grand destination vacation area in and of itself, offering everything from ocean caves and river kayaking, salmon fishing and abalone diving, to world class wining, dining and art galleries in town. Bring your friends, kids, and partner, and enjoy an escape to this secluded yet cosmopolitan paradise.

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Monday, March 01, 2004

North Ireland - Lorraine Sloan has her sights fixed firmly on Gold

Together, they have enjoyed five consecutive FEI wins.
FarmingLive -

ONE of Ireland's top-ranking endurance riders, Lorraine Sloan, from Raffrey, County Down, has her sights fixed firmly on Gold after winning a £7,000 award from the Northern Ireland Sports Council to finance her preparation for the European Championships in 2005.

Lorraine, number 66 in the world, was thrilled with the grant - the first for an endurance rider in Northern Ireland.

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Saturday, February 28, 2004

2004 Presidents Cup: Dry run a winner for Penny [29feb04]

The Sunday Mail QLD: : "Dry run a winner for Penny
29feb04

ENDURANCE horse racer Penny Toft has returned triumphant from a gruelling 160km race across a desert in the United Arab Emirates.

Riding her favourite steed Phantasm DJ, Toft, 40, was the first woman to finish the President Cup endurance race.
'He is a very special horse,' Toft said at her home in Marburg, near Ipswich, yesterday. "

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Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Cairo Times: Egyptian Endurance: Riding it out

First Egyptian Endurance Race: May 2000
Madeleine Stein



...By the time Al Beckreya arrived, the elaborate tents were being dismantled and only a few time keepers and vets remained, but both Janie and her horse, who had slowly walked some of the last loop and then trotted with new energy in the last stretch before home, were warmly greeted by enthusiastic friends. The catchphrase of endurance racing is 'To finish is to win,' and within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line, Al Beckreya was deemed fit by the judges and became a happy winner.
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Equisearch: An Endurance Ride in Egypt

A Desert Ride: A rider tackles her first endurance ride -- in the sands of Egypt -- with a little help from her friends.


By Denise Hearst



When an Egyptian friend of mine, Gamal Breesh, dropped the idea in front of me, I said, 'No way.' But then, after walking around with it for a couple of days, I began to warm to the idea: to compete in an 80km endurance race. In four weeks. In Egypt. On a strange horse.
Never mind that I'd never ridden in an endurance race before, or that I'd hardly been riding my own horse lately because a rainy December had made California's central coast trails too muddy. No, these details were not going to stand in my way. The ride appealed to me as a way to take a measure of myself as much as to sample a new life experience. At the very least, I figured there'd be stories to tell ... and I'll take any excuse to spend "

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Tuesday, February 24, 2004

New Zealand Horse of the Year Show

Endurance Competition at New Zealand Horse of the Year Show



For the first time in the history of the Horse of the Year Show, 20 of New Zealand's best endurance riders will be joining the competitors of the other 12 equestrian sports in this year's Horse of the Year Show.
The race will begin at 3pm with all riders departing on horseback from the Premier Arena of the Showgrounds, to return five hours later. "

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Al Fahad Endurance Championship - 22 Feb in Kuwait

Endurance riders set for challenge

THE Bahrain national endurance horseride team is set to take part in the Al Fahad Endurance Championship which takes place today from 7am at Al Wafra area in Kuwait.
The team, which is led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is gearing up for a winning performance in this race which will cover a distance of 120km.
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Sunday, February 22, 2004

ILPH: Brazil 2004 Challenge

Brazil 2004


The ILPH Brazilian Challenge will provide you with the opportunity to explore the largest country in South America. Since its colonisation by the Portugese in the 16th century, the country has held a constant fascination for foreigners. Brazilian culture has been shaped not only by the Portugese, who gave the country it religion and language, but also the country's native Indians, the large African population and other settlers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The state of Rio is one of the smallest in Brazil, but probably has the greatest diversity with its mountain ranges, coastline and forests.

Using Mangalarga Marchador horses (an orginal Brazilian breed), this Challenge follows the Imperial route from Penedo to Petropolis. The itinerary is truly exciting and challenging, incorporating the stunning mountainous region north west of Rio de Janeiro. It is a unique itinenary and one that we are sure will appeal to those with an adventurous spirit who want to "do their bit" for the ILPH, and be rewarded with the experience of a lifetime.
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ILPH Online - Mongolian Camel Challenge 2004

ILPH: Mongolian Camel Challenge 2004


Itenerary

Mongolia has always had a ring of unreachable mystery about it - one of those places so far away that it's hard to imagine that it really does exist!

The Mongolia Camel Challenge offers the participant the chance to sample one of the oldest cultures in the world at first hand, by spending 5 days crossing the Gobi Desert riding the 2-humped Bactrain camels.

You will experience the nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolians and will see the Gobi Desert in all its glory; the canyons, dunes, plains and "

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2004 HH Presidents Cup: Al Juneibi shines for Al Wathba

Al Juneibi shines for Al Wathba

By Amith Passela



20 February 2004



ABU DHABI - Abdul Rahim Hilal Al Juneibi clinched the President's Cup for Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Al Wathba Stables to complete a hat-trick of the coveted title here at the Emirates International Endurance Village yesterday.
Juneibi was also recording his third win of the season after claiming the first round of the Triple Crown Series in Dubai and the AGCC championship a fortnight back at Abu Dhabi.


Juneibi completed the Dh1 million Al Jaber sponsored 160km CEI three-star race in seven hours and 20 minutes on 10-year-old gelding Super to win from Mubarak Khalifa bin Shaya on Comes The Dawn and Al Reef Stables' Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi onboard 10-year-old Arabian stallion El Hadzin Deleyre, a former consistent performer on the flat."

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Saturday, February 21, 2004

The Star : Equestrian Centre to be built in Terengganu

Equestrian Centre to be built in Terengganu Indonesia

KUALA TERENGGANU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the RM54mil Equestrian, Sport and Recreational Centre at the Kuala Ibai Lagoon here which is expected to be ready in 2006.
The ceremony was performed by the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is an avid equestrian and endurance rider, on Saturday.


Also present at the function were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and leaders from Umno and PAS.
In his speech, Sultan Mizan thanked the Federal Government for sanctioning the funds and the state government for approving the 19ha site. "

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GN Online: Marzouqi rides Misty Reyn to President's Cup triumph

Marzouqi rides Misty Reyn to President's Cup triumph



Abu Dhabi | 21-02-2004


Marzouqi, finishing first during the HH The President's Cup for Juniors at Al Wathba. Young Hussain Ali Mohammed Yusuf Marzouqi's passion for horses was fully evident in his superb win on Misty Reyn in the His Highness The President's Cup for Children & Junior Riders here yesterday.


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Great Britain: West Sandford rider wins iconic endurance challenge on debut appearance

Julian Johansen and his Arab gelding CF Samuel won the two-day 80km class at the Golden Horseshoe Ride. (Julian Johansen) CreditonCourier....