USEF Approves New Drug for Horses

The board of directors of the United States Equestrian Federation has approved the use of the new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Equioxx (firocoxib).

This new NSAID is the first cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) sparing drug to be approved by the FDA for use in horses. The drug specifically targets cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme responsible for causing inflammation and pain in the body, and spares COX-1, which is associated with many beneficial functions, including production of the protective mucous lining of the stomach.

Firocoxib is restricted to use outside competition until the rule allowing its use takes effect August 1, 2007.

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Endurance changing for the good

Dubai: Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: July 02, 2007, 00:24

Abu Dhabi: Ever since Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was elected as President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), many equestrian disciplines including endurance riding have seen changes for the good.

The sport of endurance, in which the UAE are one the strongest competitors, is not only one of the fastest growing disciplines in the world but has also been evolving into a highly competitive sport.

Under the FEI, the Endurance Committee has been testing and experimenting on various aspects of the sport as part of the Endurance Review which is being conducted during 2007 and early 2008.

Finish line

In the recent CEI Three-star 120km Bab Al Shams endurance ride held at Assisi in Italy, the organisers Assisi Endurance Lifestyle experiment with the new "Formula One Finish" which has been mooted to make endurance rides more attractive and spectator friendly.

As against the current practice of waiting for all the fit horses to complete the ride within the stipulated time, in Assisi the new move involved the closing of the out gates onto the course loops one hour after the arrival of the first horse to cross the finish line.

Any horse stopped by the use of the 'Formula 1' finish at a Vet Gate was still required to complete all Vet examinations and, in doing so, meet all of the parameters to continue even though not being required to do so.

Ian Williams, FEI Director of Endurance who was present at the event was quoted on the FEI website as having said, "Those involved in the trial were very positive with the outcome.

"We will now pass the findings on to the FEI Endurance Task Force who will consider the possibilities further.

"We will need to also further trial this style of finish over 160km to gain a full picture of its effect."

Speaking to Gulf News, Vijay Moorthy, Head of Endurance at the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation said, "The 'Formula One' finish when adopted does make it easier for the horses as well as those officials involved in the event.

"It makes the sport a little more spectator friendly and is easier for the media also," Moorthy added.

FRA: 2007 Florac First to Finish

1	11:14	FRA	DEMIERRE Cecile	SHAMAN
2	11:30	FRA	BOISSERON Catherine	EULALIE D'OUT LAW
3	11:30	FRA	SOUCHARDPierre	DARKAN

There were 74 Horse/Rider teams at the 4:00AM start. At this time, 7 have finished this world class course. 26 teams are still on the course as night falls in the Florac valley! Detailed Results

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FEI News: 'Formula 1' Finish receives warm approval

At the CEI 3* 120km event held last weekend, on the outskirts of the world famous Italian city of Assisi, the proposed 'Formula 1' finish was tested to much approval.

This test is the third in a series of trial events being undertaken as part of the Endurance Review which is being conducted during 2007 and early 2008.

The first trial involved a scientific study of Endurance horses competing in Dubai in February this year. The second trial, held in Portugal in the spring, tested the use of four vet gates (rather than five) over a 160 km course to ensure riders took more responsibility for the care of their horses rather than relying of the Veterinary Officials.

Last weekend's trial involved the closing of the out gates onto the course loops one hour after the arrival of the first horse to cross the finish line. Any horse stopped by the use of the 'Formula 1' finish at a Vet Gate was still required to complete all Vet examinations and, in doing so, meet all of the parameters to continue even though not being required to do so.

All of the horses effected by the closure of the course were supportive of the trial and felt that it was in line with the need to protect the horse in Endurance competition.

Whilst the riders were confident in their horse's ability to go on and complete the full distance despite the unusual hot temperatures experienced on the day, they felt that the closing of the course and the ability to still be placed in the overall standings was good for the sport.

Ian Williams, FEI Director of Endurance who was present at the event commented, 'Those involved in the trial were very positive with the outcome. We will now pass the findings on to the FEI Endurance Task Force who will consider the possibilities further. We will need to also further trial this style of finish over 160km to gain a full picture of its effect'.

The Organisers had worked hard to attract the general public to this showcase event. Fashion shows, an open air Gala Dinner and breathtaking firework display took place on the eve of the competition. Some 10,000 people watched the event on the day, increasing to over 20,000 who attended the prize-giving ceremony and the following musical entertainment, all of which took place below the floodlit medieval city of Assisi with its many churches and cathedrals.

Christiana, South Africa CEI*** 120km Race

The Timaru Herald
The New Zealand endurance horse riding team which includes Timaru's Linda Pullar has taken a win in Christiana, South Africa.

Pullar, riding a loaned 10-year-old grey South African mare, was the second kiwi rider home and a strong contributor to New Zealand's success.

Pullar was selected among the four-strong kiwi team to compete against South Africa at last year's Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

During the 122km event Pullar said her loaned horse was well behaved, especially as there were a number of animals in the wildlife park.

She was delighted with how scenic the event was, taking in sights of eland, springbok, a rhino and giraffe.

"Some riders saw monkeys and zebras but there was no time to lose concentration on the ride as the stones under the soft red soil posed a continuous hazard."

As the ride was on flat terrain and Pullar was used to the rolling New Zealand hills she said she found herself getting quite sore from riding in the same position and in an unfamiliar saddle.

The kiwis managed to finish the day with the fitter horses however, several of their opponents failing the required veterinary testing.

"When our final rider came in we were jumping for joy and hugging each other.

"It's a day that we will never forget."

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2007 Ride & Tie World Champions!

June 21 2007 - Humboldt County, California


Photo by Corey Rich


San Diego woman Rufus Schneider, and partner Tom Johnson, repeated a feat accomplished only once before in the history of Ride & Tie. This past weekend Schneider became the second woman ever to win the Ride & Tie World Championship since the sport's inception in 1971. The 34-mile race, which combined two runners taking turns riding their team horse across a rugged hilly course, took place June 16th in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in northern California.

At the tail end of the race another record was set: Madison Trocha became the youngest runner to ever complete a Ride & Tie World Championship at nine years of age. Madison partnered with her horse Barbie and her father Bob Trocha to best the previous youngest record, set by a ten-year-old girl in 1983. The oldest person completing this year's Championship race was 72 years of age.

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Italy: Assisi - Giacchero First to Finish Riding India

Italy

Assis Endurance Lifestlye: Bab Al Sham's Endurance Cup concluded with Italian rider Patrizia Giacchero taking the top prize on 'India' in a ride time of 7:27:19. The 120km course traversed fields and hills, with spectacular views of historic architecture and Italian countryside all around.

The venue was at the Misura Endurance Village, near Perugia Italy. Misura Endurance Village was built with a modern artistic open-air theme, to provide guests and competitors with a functional and elegant venue. Open-air restaurants, bars, galleries and shops dot the beautiful setting of the Endurance Village.

The organizers of this gala Endurance Event provided transportation, accomodation, stabling, and lodging for competitors from across the European continent. 94 horse and rider teams entered the event and 20 received completion times.

Full coverage of the event can be found at Endurance.Net - Assisi.

Top Ten Finishers:


1 Patrizia Giacchero / ITA India 07.27.19

2 Daniela Blasi / ITA Los Angeles Estashadek 07.37.11

3 Diana Origgi / ITA Primula Baia 07.44.23

4 Nicholas Cianfrocca / ITA Dameliette 07.44.26

5 Maria Alvarez Ponton / ESP Kalynka De Montegut 07.52.15

6 Marta Bravi / ITA Big Sky Fyrre 08.37.17

7 Ivan Fondriest / ITA Sharaby 08.38.19

8 Loris Venturi / ITA Zodjaco 08.38.19

9 Mario Cutolo / ITA Zyad El Asil 08.53.07

10 Vincenzo Catalano / ITA Parytet 09.01.15
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Japan: National Joba Club and NTT DoCoMo at Endurance Ride

Japan's Perfect Ride

It really was a perfect ride. After a few days of rain and unsettled weather, ride day dawned with bright blue sky and comfortable riding temperatures. It couldn't have been much better weather! And all of the work- the plans - paid off for a smooth and exciting event. The meals, the meetings, the awards, the trail, the pre-ride symposium, the transport of vets and officials from Narita airport to the small country town of Kita-Karuisawa - everything was 'right'. The completion rate was pretty good - 10 out of 18 finishers - in spite of (or maybe because of) a tough course. The race felt much like those we have in the USA. I think the fact that Hasumi san has 4 Tevis buckles and knows what 'real endurance' is about had something to do with this. Riders did their own thing, the pressure to win was not strong, to finish was a big deal.

And relative to events I've seen around the world, I would call this one a 'world class' event, as good as it gets. An incredible effort was made by so many people, from organizers to volunteers, from local people to Tokyo transplants (Hasumi san recruited employees from his publishing company to come out and help!) to foreign officials and vets - a sincere effort and willingness to give 100% was the mode.

The ride's main sponsor was Joba Ride - the horse 'robot' training machine made by National. There was a booth set up near the vetting area with several units for people to try - it was almost like a carnival ride atmosphere - the little horse robots were working all day long. This machine has become very popular in Japan, and honestly I want one! It's a great workout for abdomen and glut's and legs. I think I can even type at the computer while I'm riding....

The rider tracking provided by NTT DoCoMo - a cellcom company - was incredible, and to my knowlege the first of it's kind. Every rider carried a cellphone with GMS coverage, and a GPS tracking system. Several guys were set up in the office/community room with wires and computers and software to project the tracking onto a large screen, syncronized with a map of the course. We knew at every moment exactly where every rider was. Officials, crews, OC, we all knew how the race was going, when riders would be in, when the passed the check points, etc. Fantastic!

I haven't been to any other rides in Japan, but I heard from many that they were all well run. There's a very active group in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, that ran Japan's first endurance ride, and many since then including the National Championship rides. They were all here - with or without horses (which have to be ferried from island to island) - to ride or crew or help.

...and I heard talk about 'next year' - I think this ride is a keeper!

Steph
Endurance.Net

Australia: Riders saddle up at Moyston

The Ararat Advertiser
June 22

MOYSTON - Riders from across the State will be saddling up this weekend for an endurance event in Moyston.

Around 150 people have signed up for the big weekend of riding which will encompass four events.

There will be a 87 kilometre, 45km, 25km training ride and 25km harness ride.

The course will take in undulating bush tracks, sandy and gravel roads in and around Moyston.

It is being run by the Moyston community in conjunction with the Victorian Endurance Riders' Association.

Rides begin at the Moyston Recreation Reserve on Sunday, the start time for the 87km ride is 5am, the 45km at daylight, the 25km at 9.30am and the harness at 10.30am.

The track takes in the Moyston West, Stears, Redmond and Moyston to Pomonal and Halls Gap Roads, it also encompasses the Mount William Picnic Ground.

Motorists are being urged to take care in these areas on Sunday and avoid them where possible.

Police will be escorting horses and riders across the highway, motorists are reminded that horses have the right-of-way.

Not just a one day event endurance rides are generally a weekend affair and the Moyston community is capitalising on this by creating a social community event.

Tomorrow night entertainment and a spit roast will be provided at the recreation reserve in the lead up to the event.

The entire community is invited along to enjoy a roast and listen to some music.

Funds raised from the evening's events will go towards the Moyston Country Fire Authority.

The Moyston community organised the weekend as an opportunity for the district to gather as well as raise funds for the CFA.

Action will begin at the recreation reserve tomorrow morning.

Nominations open for the event 10am, from then on it will be all go.

All horses are required to be assessed and passed by a vet before taking part in the endurance event and this process will begin at 12noon.

Later in the day competitors will have a chance to practise on the track, at 5.30pm there will be a race briefing.

Following this entertainment will begin.

ITA: 94 at the Starting line for Endurance Cup

PERUGIA- Saturday 23rd June at 6.30 in the impressive arena of the Misura Village, 94 horses and riders will be present behind the starting line of the Bab Al Shams Endurance Cup FEI-CEI 3* 120 Km in what promises to be a spectacular start.
In all its magnificence, St. Francis’ Basilica will watch over a scene which is destined to remain in the mind and the heart of both participants and spectators.
94 riders, from 15 countries throughout the world will take part in this highly technical race.

21 foreigners and 73 Italians will take part in the race.

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Gulfnews: Malaysia set to host World Endurance Championship

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter, Gulfnews.com
Published: June 19, 2007, 23:36

Abu Dhabi: The 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship will be held in November at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Setiu Terengganu, Malaysia.

The event, which is held once every fours years, was last held in Dubai in 2005 (2004 event). This is the first time that a tropical country will host the event.

The Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) will jointly stage the event which is being held for the third time in Asia. The UAE had hosted it in 1998 and 2005.

The UAE, gold medallists at the Doha Asian Games last year, will be starting as one of the favourites.

According to the organisers, the Terengganu International Endurance Park, situated a few kilometres from the South China Sea, will offer the best of Malaysia's natural beauty. and hospitality, as well as:

"The course is designed to provide a safe yet challenging competition, taking riders along the stunning coastline, through palm plantations, along canal banks and through natural vegetation forests," according to the championship's website.

"A long and wide grassy stretch of track provides ample space for the start of the competition and egress from the venue, and for a safe finish line and entry back into the Endurance Park," the organisers said.

Meanwhile, a pre-ride will be held in November to give veterinarians and officials a chance to experience the venue and the course, with the goal of experiencing and understanding the unique challenges of Endurance competition in tropical climate.

Apart from the UAE and Bahrain, Malaysia have made a mark in the sport ever since the UAE invited them to take part in the 1998 World Championship.

New Zealand: Endurance duo riding high

By DAVID DAWKINS - The Marlborough Express | Thursday, 21 June 2007

Marlborough's young endurance riders have continued to excel on the international endurance riding scene with Kimberley Ryan and Kylie Avery both recently returned from major overseas rides.

Ryan was part of the New Zealand junior team that competed in the Trans-Tasman Challenge in Nanango, Australia, last weekend while Avery was chosen to compete at a privately-funded ride in South Africa at the start of June.

Avery was selected for the team to travel to South Africa after winning the 100km CEI two star at the Horse of the Year in May.

She continued her good form in South Africa, placing fifth in the 122km CEI two star ride and helping the Horse of the Year endurance team to gold in the eight nation tournament.

While Avery is becoming an old hand on the international riding scene Ryan's trip across the ditch was her first opportunity to ride internationally.

While the New Zealand team failed to come away with the Trans-Tasman Trophy honours for the first time in the competition's four-year history Ryan had an excellent day on a personal level.

She was the only New Zealand rider to complete the FEI three star 160km ride and placed sixth in the youth division, missing fifth by a single minute.

Making the feat all the more impressive was the fact it was the first-ever 160km completion for the 17 year old student at Telford Rural Polytechnic, on just her second attempt at the distance.

"It was awesome. We rode as a team the whole way with all the horses pulling each other and helping each other along," Ryan said.

However, as the ride wore on the three New Zealand open riders faltered and as each lap passed another was vetted out until Ryan was left alone to ride the sixth and final loop in the dark, not finishing until 9.30pm, another new experience.

"I'd rode in the dark before, but it has always been starting not finishing," Ryan said.

The ride was made all the more challenging by stormy local weather conditions that forced a remarking of the first three loops of the track and meant for a bitterly cold race day.

Ironically the wet weather made the course a lot more like home for Ryan as it took away a lot of the hardness the Australian tracks are renowned for.

While Ryan praised the efforts of the open riders who helped her through the first five laps she was also thrilled about the performance of her leased mount Splendercrest Dryad. The duo only met two days prior to race day but hit it off immediately.

"She was very tough, very goey. She was still pulling after the 160km. It was the second 160km complete for her and she just kept going and going and going."

Ryan made such an impact on the Australian stables that she has been invited back to ride in Australia later in the year by Jay Randell, the owner of Splendercrest Endurance Stud.

However, Ryan is going to have to put the offer on hold. The end of year date's are likely to clash with exams for her Certificate in Agriculture and even for international endurance riders school has to come first - at least for now.

USA: Wabash man enters race along Santa Fe Trail

Wabash Plain Dealer


By SHEILA RHOADES
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:44 AM EDT

It extends nearly 1,200 miles, crosses five states, and was the nation's first international commercial highway. But in September, tens of thousands will converge on the Santa Fe Trail to witness an 515-mile, 13-day adventure known as the Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race.

Among the nearly 100 participants will be rural Wabash resident Mike Urschel. He and his 11-year-old purebred Arabian, Josh, will make their ninth endurance ride when the race begins in Sante Fe, N.M., on Sept. 3. Their journey will end in Missouri on Sept. 15.

Urschel is no stranger to horses or riding. At 55, he currently holds four spots in the World Championship Barrel Racing competition set for Oct. 29, in Augusta, Ga.

He owns four other purebred Arabians and also boards an American Paint. The home he shares with his "companion, partner and best friend," Bev Staats, is nestled back a mile lane amid hay fields and forest.

Urschel considers himself a simple man. He's been employed by 1st Ayd Corporation for the past 20 years, selling industrial maintenance supplies. He has a grown son and twin daughters and leads a relatively quiet life.

For the last five or six years Urschel has had some physical problems to deal with. He had several serious shoulder injuries from a fall he took and shattered his heel from a 15-foot fall. Just when it looked like he was on the road to recovery, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Urschel's reaction to the news, however, was not what one might expect.

"I was diagnosed last March," he told the Plain Dealer. "But it's a relief finally knowing. I'm just thankful to be alive. Parkinson's doesn't really bother me because I like to stay active and that seems to be helping it."

He then added, "I get a little shaky at times, but the horses don't mind."

Kokomo neurologist Dr. Nancy Frappier has been caring for Urschel and encourages him to ride, he said, noting, "She told me it would be beneficial."

But optimistic or not, some things have gotten more difficult for Urschel. He's noticed he is not as steady as he used to be. There is some muscle stiffness at times, the memory tends to fade, and there are also those occasions when he is unable to speak.

"Sometimes it's a hard road to travel," he said.

"I guess that probably bothers me the most," he explained. "With my work I have to be able to talk to the customer."

But Urschel's optimism seems to never wane. Even at 55, he constantly looks ahead. He has ridden competitively in 43 rides, logging close to 2,000 miles. In 2001, he received recognition for having the best conditioned horse in 13 states. In the upcoming Santa Fe Trail race, he is the only Hoosier of the 78 that have qualified thus far.

"To finish is to win," he advocates.

He hopes to promote the sport of endurance riding and doesn't focus on his Parkinson's. "I'd rather be on the trail every day than sitting around doing nothing," he said.

Staats, who will travel with him to Santa Fe, will do his vet checks, when Urschel and Josh arrive at designated checkpoints.

"She's my pit crew," Urschel said.

Staats also remains encouraged by Urschel's attitude and likes the fact that Josh, who has suffered injuries in the past, will be on the long trail with him.

"His horse takes care of him," she said. "They take care of each other."

Urschel is seeking help to offset the cost of his $3,500 entry fee or other road expenses. Anyone interested in helping may send checks made out to "The Great Race" in care of First Farmers Bank & Trust, 1004 N. Cass St., Wabash, IN 46992.

Australia: Floods provide test of endurance

Malaysia: Sultan's Cup 2007 (WEC Test Event) Schedule Online

Malaysia: The Sultan's Cup 2007 scheduled for November 9-11 will be a pre-ride test event for the 2008 World Endurance Championship. Riders from around the world will ship their horses to Terengganu International Endurance Park for this prestigious event.

The FEI (draft) Competition Schedule and Ride Info can be found on the 2008 World Endurance Championship website .

Montana: Ovando woman rides her horses to glory

by Betsy Cohen of The Missoulian

Imagine a few hours in the saddle, riding a horse nonstop at a steady trot up and down mountain trails.

Think of the pounding and jarring over uneven, sometimes unforgiving and rocky ground.

For most of us, it's not too hard to imagine the soreness and aches that would follow.

Over two days recently, Ovando rancher Suzanne Hayes racked up two national championship endurance titles - logging 15 hours in the saddle and 150 miles - at the Arabian Horse Association's National Endurance Ride Championships in Montana's Custer National Forest near Ashland.

On June 9, Hayes rode her 7-year-old Arabian-thoroughbred cross named Chevy in the 50-mile competition, finishing the ride in about five hours and earning the national championship title in the half-Arabian division. The following day, Hayes climbed aboard her World Endurance contender, a 12-year-old Arabian-quarter horse cross named Quincy for the 100-mile competition, finishing the ride in 10 hours and earning the reserve championship title.

Hayes didn't need any aspirin to recover from her whirlwind 150-mile weekend in the saddle. The achievement of finishing and the giant silver trophies she received at trail's end fully numbed any soreness and stiffness.

Adding to the sweetness of it all, both horses received “best conditioned” honors by the competition's team of veterinarians, and out of 180 competitors, Quincy was chosen to receive the veterinarian's highest score for fitness and soundness.

“I'm really excited,” Hayes said. “It feels really good to have done so well.”

With two major championships under her belt, Hayes is now eyeing in earnest the American Endurance Ride Conference National Championships in Boise, Idaho, at the end of August, the World Endurance Championship in Malaysia in 2008 and the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010.

Ambitious as her goals may sound, Hayes, 53, has been competing in endurance rides since she was 11 years old. She earned a bronze medal in the Pan American Championship in 1991, was selected to be on the U.S. Equestrian Team for international competition, and was a member of the U.S. silver-medal squad in the 1992 World Championship in Barcelona, Spain.

Hayes made the U.S. team again for the 2005 World Endurance Championship in Dubai, but just weeks before the competition Quincy came up lame and couldn't compete.

Emotional days, weeks and months followed the let down, Hayes said. It had taken the duo years to achieve the level of fitness and mental edge needed for international competition, riding alone nearly every day through rain, heat and snow, some 15 to 25 miles at a stretch in the mountains behind her Ovando ranch.

Quincy's soundness issue, which arrived unexpectedly and with vengeance was a bit of a mystery. Hayes' response was to give him a full year off and turn him out to pasture to heal and rest. When he began to step out soundly and all traces of lameness were gone, Hayes slowly started him on a reconditioning program last year.

This spring, her old friend showed Hayes he was fully recovered.

Hayes' goals at the Arabian national championships was to ride conservatively and if any hint of lameness showed up, she would pull him out of the competition.

But the 100 miles didn't faze the horse.

When she crossed the finish line, Quincy's eyes were bright and his stride even and strong and she knew they had left the dark days of recovery and broken dreams in the dust.

The honors given to Hayes and Quincy by the competition vets was perhaps the most rewarding part of the weekend, Hayes said.

“To me, the horse's welfare is much more important than winning or even finishing a ride,” Hayes said. “My game plan all along was to finish with a sound and happy horse.”

As for Chevy, Hayes couldn't be more pleased.

The youngster is showing he as the grit for competition and a cheerful attitude that makes it fun.

“He's still in the building process and I still don't allow him to go fast as he is capable of,” Hayes said. “I want this horse to last a long time.

“He's a candidate for the World Games in Kentucky. They both are.”

Shining Moon 100: Tamotsu Sasaki and Dameon PJ First to Finish

June 17, 2007
Shining Moon 100 Mile Ride, an FEI CEI*** event was won by Tamotsu Sasaki riding Dameon PJ, a 10 yr Arabian gelding owned by Seiichi Hasumi. A ride time of 13:12 earned Sasaki and Dameon an FEI Certificate of Capability, and the honor of being the first team to complete a 100 mile endurance ride in Japan.

The ride was the dream of Seiichi and Harumi Hasumi and brought riders and officials from around the world to the small resort town of Karuizawa, nestled at the foot of the live volcano, Mt. Asama. Japan Equestrian Federation and the sponsorship of National 'Joba Ride' helped make the event a success. A huge crowd numbering close to 500 people turned out to observe and help work the ride. National, local and International press covered this premier event. Entry fees were waived and the event offered full amenities to competitors and spectators alike.

Coverage, results and photos of the event can be found at http://www.endurance.net/international/japan/2007ShiningMoon/

UAE: Ruling body keen on new measures

Photo: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi played a stellar role in Al Reef Stable's domination as he finished as the top trainer as well as the top rider. (Gulf News)

Gulf News
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

The Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Hussain Mohammad Hussain, termed the recently-concluded endurance season a highly successful and memorable one for the sport in the UAE.

"The 2006-07 UAE endurance season has been featured with quite a few achievements both at the national level as well as the international level," Hussain Mohammad said.

"The UAE team of Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum created history by winning the team gold medal when endurance made its debut at the Doha Asian Games. Shaikh Rashid also won the individual gold while Sultan Bin Sulayem won the bronze," the official said.

"In April this year, Shaikh Ahmad and Shaikh Mayed, along with Mansoor Ahmad Al Subose and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose, won the team silver in the World Junior Championship held in Buenos Aires while Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi won the individual bronze and Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qassimi finished fourth."

"Both these achievements once again reasserted the UAE's supremacy in the sport of endurance and the top riders will now begin to focus on the future challenges," said Hussain Mohammad.

"Regarding the UAE season, the officials and veterinarians - both from the UAE as well as those invited from abroad according to FEI rules, together ensured that a high standard of competition was held. The number of international riders using the UAE to prepare themselves and qualify for international events again saw an increase this season," he added.

High quality

"Quite a few officials from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, as well as other equestrian bodies in the UAE, have been invited to officiate in international rides and this once again reflected the high quality of cadres present in the country," the Secretary General said.

"We are keen to build on this success and hope to bring in more changes in the next season," said Hussain Mohammad Hussain.

JPN: 2007 Shining Moon

5:45pm Local Time - Tamotsu Sasaki riding Dameon PJ have opened a 45 minute lead over the field with 51Km remaining! All are riding into the evening with the approach of darkness at the Shining Moon

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Pan American Championship: Schedule and Info