Ahmad powers UAE to team silver in world junior event

UAE Gulf News
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Photo (Gulf News): Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with his brother Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the team event of the World Junior and Young Riders' Endurance Championships in Buenos Aires on Friday.

Buenos Aires: Uruguay confirmed their status as an emerging endurance powerhouse with a golden double while the UAE battled conditions to snatch the team silver and individual bronze at the World Junior and Young Riders' Endurance Championship, 2007 here on Friday.

Fifteen-year-old Manuela Antonaccio on Metiche was superb in victory, making it a start-to-finish affair to lead the Uruguayan double which was completed by the silver-medal winning Ignacio Ospitaleche on EO Dubut, Vanessa Von Zakrzewsky on Indio Pampa and Manuel Perez on ED Virka.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, on Sadam, led the UAE to the silver while Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, on Kalkadoon Kampala, picked up the individual bronze with a stirring display in the final loop.

Shaikh Abdullah was followed home by his younger brother Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi on Castlebar Sobea, who also came up with a searing finish while Shaikh Ahmad along with the Sabousi brothers of Mohammad and Mansour were steady in completing the 120-km distance and finishing with the silver medal.

The Brazilians, who were also expected to dominate along with the Uruguayans, took the team silver.

While the Uruguayans made the most of familiar conditions to score a fluent win, the UAE youngsters were hit by some bad luck with a couple of falls and the confusing loops which were inter-twined at many places amidst poor signage.

The UAE were expecting a tough challenge and despite the Uruguayans setting the early pace, they kept the pressure on but lost quite a lot of valuable minutes through tumbles and losing their way.

Military base

The Campo De Mayo venue is at a military base about 40km from Buenos Aires. The five different loops criss-crossed each other at many places on the open Pampas plains.

Shaikh Ahmad missed one of the loops and when he tried to make a quick turn he fell off the horse and was dragged for about 30 metres. The saddle went one way and the saddle cloth the other and Shaikh Mayed stopped to help. While Shaikh Ahmad lost almost 15 minutes, Shaikh Mayed lost 7 minutes, though it did not matter as he was eliminated after the third stage.

That left the UAE with just three riders in the team competition and all three had to complete to stay in contention, while the Uruguayans had all four and they were in the lead.

Shaikh Abdullah also had a fall when he could not avoid a ditch and lost quite a few minutes, while Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose was also unseated twice in the very first loop of 37km.

However, the UAE lads rallied to take the third, fourth and fifth places behind the Uruguayan duo and the 7th and 19th places to complete a rewarding day in their first-ever participation in South America.

2007 WEC Junior & Young Riders - Coverage Brazil

UAE riders face tough challenge in world junior championship

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Buenos Aires: Despite the absence of some of the leading European teams, the UAE will face a tough challenge in today's World Junior & Young Riders Endurance Championship from some of the rising endurance countries from the region.

Apart from hosts Argentina, who will try to take full advantage of home conditions, the main threat to UAE is likely to come from the riders from Uruguay and Brazil.

Key members of the UAE team arrived late last night including Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mansour Ahmad Al Subose and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose while Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi and Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, who are already here, took part in an impressive inaugural ceremony earlier on Wednesday evening.

WEC-Young Riders: Ahmad to lead UAE contingent

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Buenos Aires: Former world champion and Doha Asian Games team gold medallist Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum leads a six-member UAE team at the World Junior & Young Riders Endurance Championship, 2007 to be held here on March 16.

Shaikh Ahmad along with Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was also in the gold medal winning team at the Doha Asiad along with Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Mansoor Ahmad Al Subose and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose comprise the six-member UAE team.

Shaikh Abdullah and Shaikh Ahmad had won the silver and bronze medals respectively in the last World Junior & Young Riders Endurance Championship held in Bahrain in 2005 and the UAE team will be looking to improve on that display in conditions which will be totally new and unfamiliar to them.



The UAE riders, who have almost dominated the European and Asian endurance circuits, now venture out into the South American continent with a total of about 60 riders expected to be in the fray.

Though the final list of riders and teams will be known only after tomorrow's final veterinary check, over 10 teams are expected to be in the running for the team event while all the entrants will take a shot at the individual medals.

Apart from Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi and Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, whose horses have arrived here from the UAE, the others will be riding Uruguyan horses owned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammad has based about 30 endurance horses in Uruguay and about six of them have arrived here after qualifying for the championship.

The 120-km event will be held at the Campo De Mayo on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and will be contested over five stages of 37km, 32km, 21km, 20km and 9km.

An opening ceremony later this evening (Buenos Aries time is about seven hours behind UAE time) will start the event.

"The horses are all in good condition and we have arrived here well in advance to make all preparations.

"The list of four names for the team will only be finalised after the final vet check and we are hoping the horses will be fit and pass the test," said Ali Moosa, Head of Endurance, Dubai Equestrian Club.

[More ...]

Argentina: 2007 Junior & Young Rider World Championship Entry List

UAE: Shaikha Alyazia is Ladies Endurance champion

Khaleej Times
12 March 2007


DUBAI — Shaikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan was declared the “Ladies Endurance Champion” as soon as she crossed the finish line ahead of 21 other lady riders in front of a cheering crowd on Friday. She won the first place with 290 points from all the rounds.

Shaikha Alyazia was riding 10-year-old, bay mare Ningadoo Moesha, from Al Reef Stables for the His Highness Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup, which was the last round of the of three-round Al Asayl Ladies Endurance Championship.

Shaikha Alyazia completed the distance in three hours, 18 minutes and 30 seconds riding on an average speed of 24.18 kmph. A total number of ten riders completed the ride.

The FEI, CEI Two-star Round III was run in three phases of 30 km, 30 km and 20 km respectively. All the rides were held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

The Organising Committee had formulated a point system based on which any rider, with the maximum number of points at the end of Round III, will be declared the “Ladies Champion.”

Second place in Friday’s ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi with 230 points. She was riding 13-year-old chestnut mare Red Sonya from Al Reef Stables. She finished the ride in three hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds riding on an average speed of 23.80 kmph.

Third place went to Shaikha Shamma bint Sultan Al Nahyan (125 points) who was riding 6-year-old grey stallion Sabee, owned by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

She clocked three hours, 27 minutes and one second registering an average speed of 23.19 kmph.
The ride was chiefly sponsored by Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with Assisi Endurance Lifestyle.

UAE: Strong response for Emirates Challenge

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter


Abu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village's Emirates Challenge is expected to attract around 100 entries for the FEI CEI Three-star 120-km endurance ride on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) said the event, earlier a three-round challenge, will now be a one-off event with Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) supporting it.

"There will be a total prize money of Dh400,000 and the ride will be run in five stages of 32km, 30km, 24km, 18km and 16km," Adnan said.

"This is a very prestigious event after the President's Cup and the National Day Cup and we expect all the top riders in the UAE along with the foreign riders to take part in it," he said.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Head of the ADACH Exhibitions Department, said the Authority was set up last year and aimed at preserving heritage sport and activities.

"We work directly under Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and this is the first time we are sponsoring an endurance event," he said.

"Apart from horse racing and camel racing, falconry is another sport that we support while we also hold the annual Equestrian and Hunting show," Al Qubaisi said.

"With Purebred Arabian horses playing a lead role in the sport of endurance, we are delighted to be part of this event and hopefully we will continue this association," he said.

ADEC's Marketing and Sponsor Liaison Lara Sawaya said that apart from the Dh400,000 on offer, there were many other awards and cash prizes for the spectators.

"Etihad Airways will be giving away three air tickets and Axiom Telecom will part with eight mobile phones to be raffled free. The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage will also give away a total of Dh10,000 through the free raffle," said Lara.

Meanwhile, Saturday's event will be the penultimate event at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba. Once again, Al Reef Stables are expected to make a strong bid to extend their domination.

Bahrain: Strong UAE team for endurance race

FORMER world champion Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan will be participating in His Majesty the King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir. Shaikh Hazza will lead a strong field of top UAE riders, including his young brother Shaikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The championship, featuring senior and junior races - both over 120 km - will also witness four riders from Kuwait as well as Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable team who have already arrived in Bahrain.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed the participants for the championship.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has received many entries from Bahrain and that registration will be open until Friday.

"We are all excited and honoured to take part in this race which has attracted many top riders from Bahrain and overseas. Riders here are showing great spirit during training and are keen to steal the spotlight on this special occasion," said Shaikh Khalid.

He also thanked sponsors Durrat Al Bahrain, specially its chairman Abdulhakim Al Khayyat for its support to this championship.

"I am thankful to Durrat Al Bahrain for their support which will certainly help in making the championship a success," he said.

"Preparations are almost finished at the village which is now ready to host the championship and I am thankful for His Majesty King Hamad who has been supportive and inspiring the riders in different competitions," he said.

Meanwhile, the organising committee has named the working committees of the championship.

The judges committee is headed by Brian Dunn of Ireland and includes Sundar Rethinavel of India, Abdulsamad Al Busta and Haider Al Zo'bi of Bahrain. They will be assisted by Bahrain's Haider Rafii, Mhadi Al Kulaiti and Ali Ghuloom.

Ghalib Al Alawi, who is the Breef general secretary, has been chosen as the official commissioner of the championship while Mohammed Dadulla, Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi are the supervisors.

The veterinary team consist of Saudi Arabia's Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Ahmed Rida of Iran, Samuel Kamal of Malaysia, Zahid Rafiq of Pakistan, India's V C Thomas, Shafi Mohammed and Ibrahim Al Hassan, Bahrain's Abbas Al Haiki, Ibrahim Yousef, Adam Sabeel, Abdulrahman Abushook, Fareeda Abdulrazzaq and Sabah Al Kaabi.

Qatar: Mannai wins Endurance ride

Qatar: Gulf Times

Published: Monday, 5 March, 2007, 09:48 AM Doha Time

Photo: The King of Malaysia Wathiq Billah Mizan Zainal Abidin (fourth from right) seen with the winners of the Endurance Ride held on Sunday at Mesaieed

The King of Malaysia Wathiq Billah Mizan Zainal Abidin (fourth from right) seen with the winners of the Endurance Ride held on Sunday at Mesaieed
ESSA Ahmed al-Mannai finished the gruelling 160km qualifying ride in 12hrs25min.02secs , ahead of the King of Malaysia Al Wathiq Billah Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Endurance Village in Mesaieed on Sunday.
Mannai, riding Vertglant, was placed sixth at the end of the first and second vet gate, but improved to second at the third and made up enough time to finish first after the fourth and fifth stages to emerge champion.

The Malaysian king astride Moniqe Danilee started off the first stage of 35 kms with a ninth finish. He gradually made up and took the fifth spot in the second and third stage. With some of the contenders retiring from the fray, Abidin came back into reckoning in the fifth and sixth stage while checking in behind the eventual winner.
In another qualifying round which was held in two stages over 60kms, Diana Cumming Untermeyer riding Lamh Al Basr checked in first ahead of Lakshman Singh astride Omani Azaq. The former clocked a time of 4hrs35min11secs, while Lakshman was just 11 seconds behind the winner.

Bahrain: Stage set for top endurance race

REGISTRATION is underway for His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Cup scheduled for Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Top riders from Bahrain, the GCC and other countries are expected to take part in this prestigious event being organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef).

Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said more than 50 riders from Bahrain will be taking part in this prestigious event which consists of 120-km races for seniors and juniors.

The Breef chief added the race would be open to Bahrainis and expatriates with top riders from around the world expected to be in the fray. "I would like to welcome all the riders from outside Bahrain to participate in the championship. Their presence will be highly appreciated and will add more spice to the competition," said Shaikh Nasser.

Riders from Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable, which is owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, are also expected to participate.

"This championship is the biggest event on our calendar and we must work hard to guarantee its success," said Shaikh Nasser.

This year's championship will be sponsored by Durrat Al Bahrain who signed a sponsorship agreement with the federation.

"I am thankful to Durrat Al Bahrain for their support to us which will certainly help in making the championship a success," he said.

This race will be the fifth of the season, which kicked off with the Season Opening Championship, followed by the Kingdom Holding Championship, the Bahrain International Open Championship and the Prime Minister's Championship last month.

Shaikh Nasser also said the federation has submitted its bid to organise the 2008 World Endurance Horseride Championship for the seniors and are waiting for a reply from the International Equestrian Federation.

"Our chances of having this world event in Bahrain are very good. We have already organised the world junior championship and are also capable of hosting the senior event," said a confident Shaikh Nasser.

Qatar: Tuanku Mizan Finishes Second

Bernama.Com - Malaysian News Agency
March 04, 2007 01:13 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Qatar International Endurance Race had a royal glitter with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin riding his mare to a podium finish at the Qatar Endurance Village in Doha.

According to a statement, His Majesty completed the gruelling 160km course in second place behind Qatari rider, Isa Al-Manai, who was riding for the Al Shaqab stable owned by the Emir of Qatar.

It was a double delight for Malaysia with Faizal Ismail of the Selangor based Ar-Raudah Equine Centre finishing third.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, who accompanied the King to Doha, expressed her delight over the King's achievement. She said it was more satisfying since the weather was rather chilly and windy.

All the 39 riders that took part in the race were flagged off at 9pm, Friday and the top three riders finished the race in approximately 13 hours.

Azalina said Tuanku Mizan's second placing placed him on track to qualify for the World Endurance Race to be held in Terengganu next year.

The King is expected to participate in the Royal Kedah International Ride in Bandar Darul Aman, Jitra from March 8-10. The event has attracted more than 80 riders including several royalties from West Asia.

Two more international endurance events are scheduled to be held in Selangor and Johor this year as part of the build up to next year's world championship.

Malaysia: Kedah Host Royal International Invitational Ride 2007

Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency

March 01, 2007 23:56 PM

ALOR STAR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Kedah will once again draw world attention when it hosts the Royal Kedah International Invitational Ride 2007 at the Darul Aman Equine Centre in Jitra on March 9 and 10.

The endurance race will be participated by 80 riders, including 15 world-class foreign riders as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and royalty from the Gulf states.

This grand event in the northern region, after the Langkawi Ironman Triathlon 2007 which ended on Feb 24, is set to draw greater public interest in equine sports.

The Darul Aman Equine Centre, run by the state government's investment arm, Darulaman Realty Sdn Bhd, since two years ago, is the only such centre in this part of the country.

When visiting the centre recently, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said equine sport, although regarded as a sport of the rich, could still result in the development of the equine industry and emerge as a new tourism product for Kedah.

According to her, the competition had attained recognition from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM).

"Kedah's success as the host and the ministry as the joint organiser will have a bearing on the holding of the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu next year."

She said the organisers of the Kedah event should ensure that the competition turns out to be the best as "the fans all over the world will be watching us".

The participation of Sultan Mizan with five others in his team is expected to draw much public attention, especially among equine sport fans in this country.

Among the participating royalty are Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Rashid from Qatar and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Sultan Al-Nahyan.

Riders from Australia, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands will also compete against those from Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.

The endurance race, will be divided into three categories -- 120km, 80km and 40km from 5.30 pm on March 9 to about 10 am the next day.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid is confident that the competition would run smoothly and urged the people to warmly welcome the participants.

"As the races are not only held at night but will pass through housing estates, villages, padi fields and rubber plantations, the people must give their full support," he said.

Mahdzir hoped the sport would not only evoke interest among the people but also result in the emergence of top riders to represent Kedah at international events.

He also called on the people to give their cooperation to the authorities in ensuring the safety of the participants.

The participants are expected to arrive in Alor Star tomorrow while some of the horses are already here, including six from Brisbane, Australia, and they are placed at the Darul Aman Equine Centre.

To make it a more interesting event, the organisers will hold some side activities which are open to the public.

The Sultan of Kedah will flag off the races and present the prizes to the winners.

-- BERNAMA

WEC-JYR: Ride Map On-Line - Campo deMayo

The map for the upcoming 2007 World Endurance Championship at Campo de Mayo Argentina is online at

EnduranceBrasil

Al Beloushi retains superb form

photo: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Winner Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi finishes the white loop during the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum 120km endurance ride.


By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter


Dubai: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi ended the Dubai Equestrian Club's endurance season the way he had started it - with a superb victory - and laid claim to being the top rider of the current season.


The Al Reef rider-cum-trainer came up with a scintillating final-stage (12km) riding performance on Cameo Zinniaa to push Spain's consistent Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton to second place in the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum CEI three-star 120km endurance ride.


Yousuf, who had emerged as last season's third best rider, had started the season here at the Dubai International Endurance City with a win and yesterday won the last Open ride here to register his third triumph of the UAE season.


Terrific display


It was a terrific display by Yousuf as he trailed Maria by over 5 minutes, going into the final 12km. But Cameo Zinniaa, the 11-year-old chestnut mare which is trained by the rider himself, was in devastating form and nearly reached an average speed of 27kmph on the final loop to leave the Spanish rider well and truly beaten.


Omair Hussain Al Beloushi, riding Al Galahn, also a three-time winner of the season, and Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, riding Chupacbra, finished third and fourth, respectively.


"I was always confident of winning, though Maria was leading in the third and fourth stages," said Yousuf, who was third after 108km. "But Cameo Zinniaa proved she was a champion," said Yousuf.


Maria, the 30-year-old Spanish rider who is married to top endurance horse trainer Jaume Dachs, said she just could not do much against the winning pair. "They had too much power and I knew he would come strongly. But I am very happy with my display," said Maria.


Commenting on her success she said initially she was just riding the horses to prepare them, but now she was going all out and the results were showing.


Earlier, of the 86 riders who started, the top riders to make early exits were Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Musical Gully Tambourine) after the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Dalmook Bin Juma Al Maktoum in the third stage and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi in the second stage.


Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, attended the ride while Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, along with DEC's Saeed Al Tayer, and Ali Mousa and UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation's Hussain Mohammad distributed the trophies.

Bahrain senior riders best

BAHRAIN took the seniors category team title while Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Al Fateh Stable came second in the seniors individual race of the Qatar International Endurance Horseride Championship which was held yesterday at Al Sileen area.


More than 100 riders from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Syria took part in the event which consisted of senior and a junior races both over 120 kms.


The Bahraini team of Shaikh Salman, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Mohammed Al Moawda and Hussain Al Daylami crossed the finish line first after close competition with riders from Qatar, Syria and Saudi Arabia.


The remaining four Bahrainis - Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Abdulaziz Adam and Abdulla Al Khatry - were unable to complete the race after their horses suffered injuries.


The seniors race was divided into five stages with 30 kms for the first two stages, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth. Shaikh Salman finish the race in five hours, 48 minutes and 29 seconds, behind winner Ali Al Malki of Qatar who clocked 5:47:22 with Syria's Ahmed Saber (5:50:21) taking third place.


Qatar dominated the juniors race which was won by Khalid Al Malki (6:25:23) with Hamad Al Mirri (6:30:00) and Saeed Al Qadi (7:05:14) in second and third places respectively.


Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated the Bahraini team and Shaikh Salman on this achievement.

Riders off to Doha race

EIGHT Bahraini riders headed for Doha to compete in the senior race of the 120-km Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for today at 5.30am near Al Sileen coast.

The team include Shaikh Salman bin Saqer, Mohammed Al Moawda, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Hussain Al Daylami, Abdulaziz Khalifa, Misha'al Hassan and Abdulla Hilal.
The Bahrainis will go into this championship without Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid said they preferred not to take part in this event so that other Bahraini riders will get a chance to participate in such events and gain experience and confidence.

More than 60 riders from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are taking part in both the senior and junior sections.

The total prize money at stake is BD70,000.
The winner of the senior race will be presented with BD8,000. The runner-up will get BD7,000 and the third-placed rider will bag BD6,000.
In the junior section, the winner gets BD2,700, the runner-up BD2,300 while the third-placed rider will bag BD2,100.

Gulf News article

UK: Stables complex gets go-ahead

21 February 2007

A "world class" racing stud owned by a Middle East magnate was given the go-ahead to house a second endurance team at its Norfolk base on Monday despite fears about the impact on the countryside.

The Shadwell Estate, near Thetford, owned by Dubai-based Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, was given permission for 25 stables, an isolation unit, gallop paddocks, two cottages and the conversion and extension of an existing building for grooms and riders at Home Farm.

It will be the summertime base for a second Dubai endurance team.
[More ...]

2008 WEC in Malaysia

2/12/2006
2008 FEI World Endurance Championship

The 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship Trial run was held last weekend at Terengganu, on the East coast of Malaysia. The Championship had been provisionally granted to the Malaysian Equestrian Federation subject to there being a number of successful trial runs held in 2006 and 2007.

Three senior FEI Endurance Officials attended the event: Dr Hallvard Sommerseth (NOR), Chairman of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee; Dr Jim Bryant (CAN) and Mr John Robertson (GBR).

The Malaysian Equestrian Federation, together with the Organising Committee (OC) – the State Government of Terengganu & Yayasan Kebajikan Perkasa Alam Terengganu, invited a number of leading Malaysian riders as well as riders from America, Europe and Australsia.

A detailed report is being produced; it will be submitted to the FEI Endurance Techncial Committee for further consideration but Dr Hallvard Sommerseth expressed his appreciation for the commitment made by the organizers in producing a very successful trial run.

The FEI Endurance Committee had required the trial run to be held at the proposed venue on a date to match the date of the 2008 Championship and for there to be a minimum completion rate of 40% and a maximum riding time of 16 hours for the 160 kms distance.

A total of 23 horses were presented at the start of the event and 60% completed the full distance well within the maximum ride time allowed. All of the horses performed well with no heat and humidity related problems.

Dr Jim Bryant confirmed that the horses had competed well under the conditions which had been relatively cool because of the timing of the event within the monsoon period. He commented that all of the riders had taken great care to compete using all of their horsemanship skills. Dr Bryant linked the performances of the riders and horses to a time within Endurance when events were less about speed and more about the combination of rider and horse working in close harmony together to overcome the challenges presented.

Mr John Robertson felt that there were certain areas which needed to be reviewed in relation to the overall management of the event. He confirmed that the OC was aware of these issues but he was confident that the OC would be able to solve them ahead of the Championship.

Dr Sommerseth confirmed that the next trial event, scheduled to take place in the first half of 2007, would involve the use of overseas based horses who would travel to Malaysia to test out the facilities and also to fully evaluate the timing required to allow overseas horse to acclimatise properly ahead of competition.

A team from FEI Television attended the event and will produce a short documentary to be shown at the planned FEI World Endurance Forum planned for March 2007.
[More ...]

FEI World Endurance Forum Update

19/01/2007
The FEI confirms the final details of the FEI World Endurance Forum to be held in Paris on 31 March and 1 April 2007.

FEI Endurance National Federations will be invited to send a delegation of up to three representatives to take part in the Forum which is organized at the start of a full review of the discipline of Endurance.

The Forum is part of a process, supported by the FEI President, H.R.H. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, to plan the development of the sport over the next five years following its dramatic growth in recent times.

The Forum will have three main phases:

· 31 AM - An initial presentation by each of the nine FEI Regional Groups on their own visions of the future

· 31 PM - A working session for Delegates from the National Federations separated into Judges, Technical Delegates and Veterinarians

· 1 AM - A final session for all delegates who will receive presentations from each of the above three groups on matters raised during their individual sessions

The FEI Regional Groups will also be requested to submit names as candidates for an FEI working group to be established post forum that will, in consultation with National Federations, produce a 5 year plan for Endurance.

Detailed information on Hotels, timings, bookings and reservations can be found on the FEI web site – Endurance. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Emilie Leyvraz at the FEI Endurance Department – e.leyvraz@horsesport.org
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UAE: Worlds Fastest 160km Finish

Winners break record for 160km Endurance in UAE:

 1 6:41:33 Sh Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan  ZT Faraventure  (23.91km/hr)
 2 6:47:41 Sh Majid Bin Mohd Al Maktoum Kaysand      Farrazah      Best Condition
 3 7:01:49 Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri              Cupid 
 4 7:06:00 Abdulla Thani Bin Huzaim              Spenda Crest Kamouflage  
 5 7:12:16 Maria Alvarez Ponton (Spain)              Nobby  
 6 7:17:40 Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi              Jibba Enog 
 7 7:43:54 Dalpat Singh Ganpat Singh (India)  
 8 7:46:55 Chain Singh Mod Singh (India)      Hungares  
 9 7:51:14 Mansoor Ahmad Ali Al Subose              Dunwingeri Maakhal 
10 7:52:12 Raghuveer Singh Hem Singh (India)      Castlebar Kaden 

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