UAE retain Euro title

From Amith Passela
Khaleej Times


ALCOCHETE (Portugal) – The UAE retained their FEI European Championship Open titles by claiming individual gold medal in yesterday’s Portugal 2007 Qatar Challenge. UAE's Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya astride Zakah Zahara won the 160km race. Asian Games broze medallist Sultan bin Sulayem crossed the finish line first by his horse Nashmi was disqualified.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, joined the celebrations after flying straight from his state visits to Vietnam and China.

The UAE had a dream start but suffered late blows to their chances of retaining the team gold when Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s 10-year-old chestnut Spenda Cresta Karnouflage was vetted out for lameness in the second last loop when he was in the leading group with the UAE, occupying the top five places.

Reigning champion Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, who changed his riding plans twice before jumping onboard 11-year-old Kaysand Farrazah, finished down the order after leading most of the way and his younger brother Shaikh Majid didn’t finish after holding every chance in the final kilometre of the race.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, rode a splendid race after his 10-year-old gelding Jazyk lost the left hind shoe in the middle of the opening 34.5km loop.

The 2002 FEI World Champions lost a lot of ground and trailed in 82nd from the 88 riders who were flagged off in foggy weather at 6.30am local time.

The early morning weather was an ideal start but the underfoot conditions were dry, sandy and hard. It turned hot and humid as the day progressed, but according to the locals, it was the best weather for such an event in the whole week.

It had been hotter and humid throughout the last three days, but the pleasant morning weather and a light breeze that continued to hold through the day was some bliss for the horses. The track threaded through the cork-oak forest and rice paddies provided a fine backdrop to compromise for the dusty underfoot conditions.

The UAE team held sway from the onset and led throughout the race. They occupied the first five places with Sultan bin Sulayem leading the opening loop from Shaikh Majid, Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya, Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Dubai Hamdan, in that order, only a few seconds separating them.

The reigning European champion Kristel van den Abeele on 10-year-old gelding Epson De La Bruskaie came in a close sixth ahead of Dubai based Maria Alvarez Ponton (Nobby) and Jaume Punti Dachs (Elvis Hab) riding under the Spanish flag.

The next loop remained almost the same with Shaikh Hamdan leading the UAE group ahead of Shaikh Majid, Shaikh Rashid, Shafya and Sulayem.

Fahad Munib Al Hajeri of Qatar moved up three places to finish sixth in front of Alvarez Ponton and Dachs with Van den Abeele in ninth. Italian Fausto Fiorucci on Jaifar moved up five places to finish 10th.

Hajeri’s Australian bred 11-year-old gelding Pravado was vetted out in at the end of the 27.5km third loop.

It left the two Spaniards, Van den Abeele, Philippe Tomas (Joel Cabirat) of France and German Sabrina Arnold (Jestime) in the top 10.

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Bahrain riders finish second

Gulf Daily News
BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team clinched second place overall in the FEI European Endurance Championship Open in Companhia das Lezirias, Lisbon.The six-member team, led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were behind eventual winners France and ahead of Spain in this six-stage event which was over 160 kms.

Riding Basic Instinct, Shaikh Nasser finished eighth overall in a time of eight hours, 45 minutes 29 seconds and with an average speed of 18.268 kmph.

The remaining Bahrainis who completed the race were Ghazi Al Dossary (9:01:43), Mohammed Abdulaziz (9:09:44) and Yousif Taher (9:09:45) who took 12th, 13th and 14th places, respectively.

The championship was won by Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya of the UAE who steered Zakah Zahra to finish the race in 8:22:13 with an average speed of 19.115 kmph.

In second place was French rider Jean Phillippe (8:23:12), ahead of Jaume Punti (8:23:18) of Spain who was followed by compatriot Maria Alvarez (8:23:43) in fourth.

Five of Bahrain's six riders completed the first stage which was over 35 kms after Mahmood was eliminated when his horse Antar failed to pass veterinary inspection at the end of the stage.

The team was then reduced to four riders as Shaikh Daij, riding Shar Rushkin, was eliminated for the same reason.

However, the remaining riders survived the challenge and continued for a remarkable second-place achievement.

The team staged a fine comeback starting from the third stage where they moved from seventh to third behind the UAE and leaders France.

In the final stage, the UAE team stumbled in the last 200 metres as Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoom fell from his horse while Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoom was eliminated.

Shaikh Nasser was congratulated after the race by Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who was present at the village.

General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who was also at the venue, praised members of the team on their achievement.

The championship was also attended by Dubai ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom.

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EuChamp: Bin Shafya happy with UAE's show

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter - Gulfnews.com
Published: September 09, 2007, 21:33

Bin Shafya happy with UAE's show


Alcochette, Portugal: The European equestrian fraternity seemed to have become familiar with the UAE national anthem, which once again filled the air when Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya stood on the podium to extend the UAE's domination in the European Open endurance championships.

Bin Shafya, representing the UAE for the first time, won the 160-km Open individual gold medal on Saturday, but the newly-appointed trainer-cum-manager of the Al Asaafa Endurance Stables, owned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said luck deprived the UAE of a team medal.

"I am delighted with my performance, but we really had a good chance of winning a team medal until the final stages when luck turned against us. First Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum's horse just about failed before the final loop of 27 kms.

Good display

"Despite that we were in sight of the team gold but with less than a kilometre left for the final loop, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum's horse Kevin De Narthou slipped and fell forcing a key team member out of the race and our team medal hopes vanished with that.

"Sultan Bin Sulayem also did very well to finish first, but his horse could not clear the vet check. Overall it was a good display by the UAE riders and I am satisfied with the performances of the horses," said Bin Shafya, who was given charge about a month back.

"As far as my win here is concerned, I always set the pace and it paid off. That has always been my policy to go for a win and with me not being part of the team, it helped me to go for the gold," added the new European Open champion, the fourth consecutive one to hail from the UAE.

Fantastic achievement

Frenchman Jean Phillipe Francas on Hanaba Du Bois, who took the Open silver and also topped the European pack, said it was a very tough ride.

"A silver medal, in a ride dominated by the UAE riders, is a fantastic achievement for me. I knew I could not catch the UAE riders so I just decided to ensure I won the European section, so getting a silver in the Open is a bonus," said the 31-year-old, who hails from Aix en Provence. Jean had won a team gold in the 2002 World Championship with France.

The Head of Endurance at the Dubai Equestrian Club, Ali Moosa attended the prize distribution and gave away the team medals.

"We could have ended with more success but that is how sport is. We are happy that the UAE riders displayed excellent character and won the hearts of the large crowds here with their horsemanship," he said.

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2007 European Championship Qatar Challenge - Medal Winners

Full Event Coverage

Open Individual Division
Gold - United Arab Emirates - Mubarak Khalifa riding Zakah Zahara
Silver - France - Jean Phillippe Frances riding Hanaba du Bois
Bronze - Spain - Jaume Punti Dachs riding Elvis


Open Team Division
Gold - France
Silver - Bahrain
Bronze - Spain


Europe Individual Division
Gold - France - Jean Phillippe Frances riding Hanaba du Bois
Silver - Spain - Jaume Punti Dachs riding Elvis
Bronze - Spain - Maria Alvarez Ponton riding Nobby


Europe Team Division
Gold - France
Silver - Spain
Bronze - Switzerland


Best Condition
Hanaba du Boise ridden by Jean Phillippe Frances

EuropeanChampionship: Vetting In

The Vetting In

VET-IN DAY - Merri Melde

It's a hazy, warm, muggy Portuguese morning as the teams assemble with their horses for the vetting in for tomorrow's championship ride. The atmosphere (so far) seems to lack tension, and the vet check flows smoothly, with officials directing horse and groom traffic, taking the entries into the vetting area team by team. After they pass the vet check they are fitted with an electronic timer around their neck, and their numbers written on their butts with the grease pens. A few horses are wound up enough at the trot out they have to do it twice (or three times), but that's mostly because they've been separated from their buddies. The American horses look good and rested after their long journey.
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EuropeanChampionship: The Show Begins!

The Opening

The fun and chaos of a European Endurance Championship! Steph misses one of her flights due to insane security lines in London-Gatwick, there is no rent-a-car place at the airport that I rented a car from, I call the hotel and they have shuttle, and then they don't have a shuttle, the new hotel is so far out the taxi service is not quite sure how to get there or what to charge. I finally get to the hotel, throw everything all over mine and Steph's room (she will think a tornado hit), grab my gear, take another looooooooooong taxi ride to the venue (later one of the Swiss team said, ?I think your taxi driver was just driving you in biiiiiiiiiiiiiig circles, for fun!?), and once I'm there I realize I have forgotten some of my equipment. [More ...]

European Championship: Horses' progress to be tracked with GPS chips

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Gulf News
Alcochette, Portugal: Horses taking part in tomorrow's 160-km FEI European Open Championship will be fitted with a GPS chip in their collars to keep track of their progress.

"This is the first time that a GPS system will be used in a major endurance championship and this has been done at the initiative of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation," said Hallvard Sommerseth, the Foreign Technical Delegate for the championship.

Insight

The Norwegian veteran of endurance rides said the introduction of the GPS will help keep track of the runners at various stages of the competition.

The move will aid in ensuring the welfare of the horse as well as it will give organisers insight into how the runners are faring. In endurance the horses run in stages of about 30 to 40kms at a stretch and are subjected to stiff veterinary checks after every stage to ensure their welfare. In between the stages the horses are given about 20 to 30 minutes to recover for the next stage.

"The European Championship will also be bigger and better this year as there will be live coverage of the event on Portuguese TV as well as Dubai and Qatar TV channels," Sommerseth added.

The move will aid in ensuring the welfare of the horse as well as it will give organisers insight into how the runners are faring.
EnduranceEurope.net Coverage

UAE the team to beat

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Gulf News

Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum , Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum will lead the UAE's challenge, along with Sultan Bin Sulayem in tomorrow's 160-km endurance ride in the World Endurance Games.

Alcochette, Portugal: Nearly 90 riders from 20 countries will start tomorrow's 160-km FEI European Open Endurance Championship here about 25 kms away from the capital Lisbon and the team to beat will be the United Arab Emirates.

Ever since the UAE won its first-ever international championship, which was here in Portugal when the 1999 European Open championship was jointly held with Spain, the UAE riders have dominated the open category.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was the architect of that first win in 1999 when the UAE won the team gold and after that the UAE has virtually dominated the Open championships.

Shaikh Mohammad himself won the 2003 individual gold in 2003 while Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum won the individual gold in 2001 and now Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum starts as defending champion having won the gold in Compiegne, France in 2005.

Medal fight

Shaikh Mohammad announced the team last month which includes Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Sultan Bin Sulayem and Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya. The 160-km European Championship will have medals on offer for the Open event as well as the European event and the UAE will be challenged by traditional European powers France, Italy, Germany and hosts Portugal while two other GCC countries, Bahrain and Qatar along with the US add another dimension to the medal fight.

Ali Moosa, Endurance Head at the Dubai Equestrian Club said the UAE horses have been based in Newmarket through the summer and have been well prepared for the event.

The UAE, who last swept honours in the Doha Asiad winning the team gold and the individual gold and bronze are once again expected to be a strong force here.

Strong advantage

While the final team composition and the horses will be known today after the final pre-event veterinary check, the championship has attracted a strong field of 90 entries with at least 14 countries in the team championship.

Hosts Portugal will have a strong advantage

EnduranceEurope.Net Coverage

FEI European Endurance Championship Definite Entries Available

Riders from 20 countries have gathered near Lisbon Portugal for the 2007 FEI European Endurance Championship and Open Portugal 2007 Qatar Challenge to be held on Saturday, 8 September. The much anticipated event has began to the festive display of sport horses of Portugal. The stabling of the entrants at the COMPANHIA DAS LEZÍRIAS venue has taken place and this afternoon will feature the official opening ceremonies of the competition.

Riders from Europe are joined by those from the Middle East and North America to compete over the 160km course. While the course is relatively flat with excellent footing, the challenge is anticipated to be the heat and humidity at the event! The 30c and 45% humidity with slight overcast will prove to be the deciding factor in this event!

Full EnduranceEurope.net coverage will begin with the opening ceremonies with Merri Melde and Steph both on site! [More ...].

Mexico: Endurance Oriental Ride

El dia 30 de Junio del año en curso se llevo al cabo la segunda competencia de Endurance en las instalaciones de la Hacienda Santiago Texmelucan en Oriental, Pue. organizada por el Club Hipico La Ladrillera de Teziutlan, Pue.

Se convoco este evento a nivel nacional contando con la presencia de varios estados de la republica, entre ellos el Edo. de Mexico, Distrito Federal, Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Michoacán, asi como presencia de jinetes de varias nacionalidades; India, Canadiense, Argentina.

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European Championship

140 riders from 30 nations gather in Barroca d'Alva Portugal for the 2007 FEI European Endurance Championship. The event, which starts tomorrow with the stabling of the horses, will take place on Saturday, 8 September. The Barroca d'Alva venue has hosted the pre-ride in 2006 and also the National Championship of Portugal this year.

EnduranceEurope.net coverage begins with the presentation of an interactive course map which, using google earth or google maps, allows you to navigate the course (or fly through). There are additional links to videos of the course as well.

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USA: Santa Fe Horse Race - Starting

Participants in the Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race will start off Monday, September 3rd to begin an 800 mile trail ride!

Commencing at 7:00 am near Rowe Mesa, the ride will see horses and riders travel all the way to Independence, Missouri during a 13-day endurance competition which includes 10 riding days and 3 break days.

Many competitors arrived in Santa Fe a week or so ago, in order to have time to acclimatize horses and riders to the altitude.

endurance horseThe endurance race will closely follow the old Santa Fe Trail which was traveled by traders and pioneers during the 1800s. New Mexico towns on the route include Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Clayton and Springer, and participants then proceed through numerous Kansas towns like Dodge City and Council Grove before finishing up in Independence, Missouri. Race participants can sign up as teams, with either a single rider handling the entire race, or two riders alternating the 50-mile legs of the race. Veterinarians will perform welfare checks on each horse three times daily, chekcing that the animal's heartbeat comes back down to normal after 30 minutes.

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Official Race Site

European Championship: USA to compete in Open

The USA Endurance Team Left the USA on Thurs. August 23rd for Amsterdam, on their way to the European Open Championship in Portugal. Along with the horses for the trans-Europe trip were Jim Bryant Jr, DVM, rider Jan Worthington, rider Darolyn Butler and crew members Dewayne Brown,and Jeremy Reynolds. They were joined in Amsterdam by Gary - a crew member for Cheyl Van Deusen and the van driver Michael.

After a two night rest in Amsterdam, the group set out for Tours, France. One night there, then on to Spain. Days began at 3:00am, in order to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the morning. Day three marked the teams' arrival in Lisbon, Portugal, and a short drive out to the ride site at Companhia das Lezirias. The facility is a beautiful ranch, complete with dressage rings, cross country and driving courses.



The terrain is much like south central Texas, rolling and arid. During the day, the horses are out in temporary paddocks, much the same as would be at an event in the US. At night, the horses go back to the stalls. Each day, the riders hand walk the horses and the horses are able to graze on the green grass along the edges of the rice paddies. The riders are able to take the horses out on what will be the start and finsh of the course.

THe course is fairly flat, with areas of deep sand and gravel. I think it is a bit harder than it appears at first glance. The climate is hot - mid 80's to 90s. The humidity is below 60%. The expected winning time is around 8 hours. First examination is Tuesday, the opening ceremony is Thursday, and the first inspection is Friday. The ride begins at 6:30 am on Saturday, which is 1:30 AM Saturday moring on the East Coast.

USA Team:
Darolyn Butler/ DJB Mercy Merci
Heather Reynolds/ Cal Flaming Emit
Cheryl Van Deusen/ DA Al Capone
Janice Worthington/ Molly’s Valiant Heart

submitted by Vonita Bowers, USA Chef d'Equipe. photos by Dewayne Brown

FRA: FEI World Endurance Young Horse Championship

Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain riding the French horse Julius de la Drome achieved first place and Best Condition at the 2007 CEI*** 140km FEI World Endurance Young Horse Championship in Compiegne France. Ms Ponton bested a field 84 starters to achieve the win.

As reported by Merri Melde, "...Fifteen riders went out within 3 minutes of each other, galloping out the gate in hot pursuit of the one ahead, with Nicolas Vazquez leading the charge. It looked like it could be a very close finish... what kind of strategy do you use on a last loop when you're all so close? It would likely all come down to what their horses had left, instead of what the riders had planned. ...".

The Festival included team competitions as well as the Young Horse Championship!

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Great Santa Fe Horse Race The Ride of a Lifetime

Aug 30, 07 | 11:46 pm


Endurance Race Traces Historic Trail
Santa Fe, NM– Up to 100 teams of horseback riders are expected to take part in the first annual Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride this September. The race will follow, as closely as possible, the route of the Santa Fe Trail, America's first commercial highway running from Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe from 1821 to 1880.

The race begins on September 3 just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico and will end 13 days later just east of the Kansas border in Missouri; a riding distance of over 500 miles and a total distance of more than 800 miles. Each riding day will be 50 or 55 miles in length. There will be several rest days along the route when teams will move to new locations but without any riding being done.

Three types of teams will compete: The type 1 teams have one rider who rides one horse or a number of different horses throughout the event but can only ride one horse per day/leg. Type 2 teams have different riders for each day/leg, although the same rider and horse complete an entire day/leg, and a number of horses over the ride may be used. The Super Teams (limited to 10 teams) can have up to 4 riders and 4 horses compete in each leg of the race (this does not take into consideration the conserving of horses for future legs of the race).

Along the race route where the riders stop a Race Village will be established, made up of local merchants, vendors, support services, and various race sponsors. The Race Villages are intended to give local horse enthusiasts and spectators a chance to learn more about the Santa Fe Trail, find out about endurance horse racing, and see the racers, both human and equine, up close in a festive atmosphere.

As the namesake and western terminus of the trail, Santa Fe will host the teams and race organizers beginning September 1, 2007 at the first Race Village. All 100 teams will gather at the Santa Fe Downs just south of the city to prepare for the start from Lamy, N.M. just outside of Santa Fe. The race will remain in New Mexico for 3 days of riding and 3 nights before moving into Kansas.

The race itself is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference and all horses will be under veterinary supervision and care along the entire length of the route. For more information contact Race Organizer, Rob Phillips, 785-218-3265, sfthorserace@aol.com, www.sfthorserace.com

For a complete list of events check the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau's web site at http://www.santafe.org or contact the bureau for a free Santa Fe Visitors Guide, 800-777-2489.

Travelvideo.TV article

Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 launched

There was a touch of pageantry fit for a King at the launch of the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 as the organisers used a delightful little pageant to launch the event. It told the story of how the Sultan’s Cup Challenge had been conceived and the challenge made to the rest of the world. The call has truly gone out to all corners of the world to find the best endurance horse and rider. With the 2008 World Endurance Championships set to be held in Terengganu, the best in the world are taking up the challenge from this November. Participants from sixteen countries will take part in this CEI 3-Star ride over 160 km. The riders and their horses are expected from Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, UAE, USA and Malaysia. They will start to arrive in October and will have a month’s acclimatisation before the event on 9th to 11 November.

Twenty-five foreign participants and fifteen Malaysians are expected to take part in the 160 km event. The horses will arrive at KLIA on specially chartered and commercial flights and will be transported to Terengganu by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The event serves as second trial for the FEI World Endurance Championships which will be held in November 2008. The FEI requires a completion rate of 40% at this event. The organisers realize that Malaysia is facing some international pressure to have the WEC2008 to be held in another country. Nevertheless they are confident of achieving the required completion rate to satisfy the FEI. With an average speed of just 10 km/h, they should be quite safe. The Sultan’s Cup in 2006, also over 160 km saw a completion rate of 57% of an entirely local field. Facilities are being upgraded at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) including infrastructure for a full veterinary hospital with surgery facilities, under the direction of Dr Balakrishna Polanaidu. YBhg Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Nor, Vice-Chairman of Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) voiced a hope that “through our efforts to organise world class equestrian events like the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge and the continued growing interest in the sport, we can ignite a love and interest in horses.”

The official launch was graced by Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, who is the patron of the event.

His Majesty, already a World Class endurance rider who has already earned the first part of the required Certificate of Capability to compete in next year’s WEC, will be competing and hoping for another CoC finish. Other VIP guests who attended the event this morning were Yang Teramat Mulia Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, who is the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan and Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Hj Idris Jusoh, Menteri Besar of Terengganu.

Posted by equestrian.com.my at 12:53 PM

Australia: Equine flu forces cancellation of events

HORSETALK -New Zealand

August 27, 2007

The Sydney International Three-Day Event has been cancelled because of the equine influenza outbreak in Australia.

The event - an important Olympic qualifying event - was to be run at Sydney's Horsley Park from 13 to 16 September. But organisers today announced that the event was not to go ahead. Event Director, Rose Read said today that given the state of the equine flu outbreak "it would be impractical for all involved to delay the decision any longer."

"The event is an important stepping stone for individual riders and horses qualifying for the 2008 Olympics and the committee will be working closely with the Equestrian Federation of Australia, riders, sponsors and supporters to explore future opportunities to run this important qualifying event as soon as the equine flu outbreak is under control.

"On a more positive note I am pleased to advise that the construction works on the cross-country course scheduled for the event will proceed as planned. It is important that the future of our sport is not compromised and that the event is ready to run at short notice when the opportunity arises," she said.

The event was set to host more than 160 horses competing in the three-day event, along with the Asian-Pacific Challenge Trophy, in which 18 riders from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand were competing as well as an Invitational Grand Prix Dressage Exhibition Event.

"We are very lucky to have such committed sponsors and greatly appreciate their unwavering support," Read said.

Entry fees and other payments received will be refunded.

• The annual Shahzada endurance ride in St Albans, New South Wales, was called off at the weekend, and horses are stuck at the venue.

NSW's Department of Primary Industries revoked movement permits which meant the horses would have left the venue today.
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USA: Crandell/Heraldic First to Finish in CEI*** Championship

John Crandell, riding Heraldic, repeated their 2006 feat by finishing first in the 2007 AERC National Championship 100 Mile race. The event, held in the Owyhee Country of Southern Idaho, highlighted a 5 day Festival of Endurance in North America. Reason To Believe, ridden by Cheryl Dell, was awarded Best Condition for the 100 mile event.

The 55 Mile distance was won by BoB Steller riding Majestic Star. Best Condition for the 55 was awarded to HCR Jotyr ridden by Heather Reynolds. The Thursday running of the 55 provided insights to the 100 milers who shared that same 55 mile course on Saturday. Many of those riders crewed and volunteered during the 55 mile event, sharing the day and the insights of those on the trail.

Educational sessions in Competition, Management, and Training were also provided to all who attended the event. The APEX clinic and Moving On Up clinics were very well received. Endurance Riding/Racing in North America were showcased for all!

Complete Event Coverage

Australia: Ban came too late to stop spread

Sydney Morning Herald

Natasha Wallace and Bellinda Kontominas
August 27, 2007

THOUSANDS of people were either unaware of the equine flu outbreak or thought it affected only the racing industry and were moving horses around the state, possibly spreading the disease, by the time authorities issued a nationwide ban on movement.

On Saturday, Federal and state governments declared an emergency standstill of all horses after 11 cases of the highly contagious equestrian influenza were detected at Centennial Park, and one at Eastern Creek in a stallion which had travelled from Japan.

By yesterday afternoon, the State Disease Control Headquarters had traced infected horses to Parkes, Moombi (near Tamworth), Broughton Vale (near Berry), Wilberforce, Cattai and Wyong.

The ban applies to all equine animals, products and trucks and prohibits any gathering for recreation or competition, including markets, fairs and race meetings.

But horse trucks and floats had hit the road on Friday night - when a possible outbreak was detected - and early on Saturday - before the alerts were issued.

Even as late as yesterday, there were reports of horse floats on the roads, according to Judy Fasher, who is on the board of the NSW Branch of the Equestrian Federation of Australia.

An outbreak, if established, would have a large effect on the horse industry, she said. Australia's horse population is highly susceptible as the disease has never hit the country before.

"The implications are enormous," said Ms Fasher, who is also the co-ordinator of the elite equestrian program at the NSW Institute of Sport.

"The question is, who is taking responsibility for this so the horse floats that are on the road … with horses on them are being stopped?"

She added: "At the time when [the alert] needed to go out, which was basically Friday night, it was not and also people got the impression that it was the racing industry only."

She had seen people riding in her neighbourhood of Wilberforce, near Windsor, "well after the announcement" on Saturday.

"People don't understand the implications of it and they just think, oh well, that's the horse racing industry, and not us,"

she said.

Ms Fasher said all NSW equestrian events had been cancelled until further notice.

News of the lockdown did not come soon enough for about 80 people who were expecting to compete in the annual Shahzada endurance test - a week-long riding event at St Albans, north-west of Sydney.

An organiser, Ross Mudie, said the first news of the outbreak had come mid-morning on Saturday.

Malaysia: 25 Foreign Riders Vying For Sultan's Cup

Bernama.com

August 16, 2007 18:07 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Twenty-five professional riders from 15 countries have confirmed participation in the fourth edition of the Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Setiu on November 9-11.

The 15 Malaysian riders will be led by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is the patron of the event.

"The Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge will be the official trial event for the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) World Endurance Championship next year.

"The fourth edition will be our second trial event. The first trial was in November last year, where we first organised the 160km race. It was one of the most successful rides with a completion rate of 57 percent," vice-chairman of the Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said Thursday.

He was speaking to reporters after the championship official launch which was graced by Tuanku Mizan here today. Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

"To qualify for this endurance ride, a rider must complete a 160km race sanctioned by the FEI at least once. This is not an open championship as the riders are here on invitation.

"We received applications from various parties but we have to reject them as we have to determine that they have FEI qualification," said Dr Salleh.

The Sultan's Cup comprises of seven loops with a total distance of 160km. Each of the competing horse must meet the veterinary assessment before the horse is allowed to proceed to the next loop.

Besides Malaysia, the other participating countries are Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.