Pan Arab Endurance

"The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation has nominated the following
UAE riders for the 120-km endurance ride to be held as part of the
11th Pan Arab Games on November 19, 2007, at Saqarah Club Endurance
Village, Cairo, Egypt.

The riders include Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sultan bin
Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya, Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subose,
Majed Mohammed Salman Al Sabri and Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim.


The first four riders are included in the Team Event category.

The Pan-Arab Games are one of the most important regional multi-sport
event held in the Arab world, with the first Games being held in 1953
in Alexandria, Egypt."

[More ...]

Malaysia Confirmed to host World Endurance Championship

Malaysia Endurance Blog


Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Malaysia Confirmed to host World Endurance Championship

IT'S confirmed! Malaysia will get to host the 2008 World Endurance Championship after passing the final test set by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu, yesterday.

To qualify for the host job, at least 40 per cent of the foreign riders taking part in the Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, had to complete the 160km race.According to event manager Azrin Zuhdi, the foreign riders' completion rate was 67 per cent while the overall completion rate was 71 per cent, well above the international average of 46 per cent.


The race was full of surprises as non-ranking rider Naser Marzouqi of United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged champion after shrugging off challenges from top ranking riders, including world number one Jack Begaud of France.


Naser crossed the finish line with his 12-year-old mare, Hafiza Du Mas, in 10 hours 31 minutes and 50 seconds, beating Begaud on 11-year-old gelding, Idais Tohiba, by one minute and 23 seconds.


Malaysian rider Faizal Ismail, astride 10-year-old Rayyan, sprang a surprise early on by finishing first in the first two rounds but squandered the lead in the next five rounds to finish 10th.


Third place went to another UAE rider, Khalid Al Shafar, who took 10:39:07s to finish the race with gelding Supreme Dream, a second faster than Brazillian Maria Vitoria Lins on gelding Filoteu Rach.


Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, riding 13-year-old gelding Harmere Cairo, completed the race in 14:20:26s to finish 23rd.


A total of 41 participants, including 20 riders from Spain, France, Qatar, Argentina, Brazil, the United States, Japan and Belgium, took part in the three-day event.

Posted by Malaysia Endurance at 12:00 PM

UAE: Endurance: Abdullah wins top honours

Gulfnews.com
photo: Abdullah Rashid Mohammad, on EO Fahad, reacts after winning the 100km Boudtheib Endurance Cup for juniors at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem yesterday.

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: November 10, 2007, 22:52

Abu Dhabi: Abdullah Rashid Mohammad from Al Wathba Stables won the 100km Boudtheib Endurance Cup with a convincing ride on EO Fahad at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem here.

The 15-year-old finished first in each of the four stages of 30km, 30km, 24km and 16km to finish ahead of Al Reef Stables' Naser Khamis Ali Saeed in the season's first competitive ride.

Both Mohammad and Saeed were involved in a close contest and finished almost 30 minutes ahead of third-placed Butti Mohammad Khalaf Al Merri.

"This is my first win here in the UAE. I have won a junior ride in the UK," said Abdullah, who is trained by Al Wathba's top rider and trainer, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri.

"Conditions were nice in the early part of the ride, but after that it became a bit hot. But my horse [EO Fahad] was in good form," said the youngster.

Abdullah and EO Fahad completed the ride in a total time of 3 hours 59 minutes and 23 seconds. "There are quite a few rides for juniors this season and I am looking forward to some more top finishes. I will also be taking part in a few open rides," said Rashid, who averaged 25.06 km/h speed through the 100km ride.

Naser Khamis, younger brother of top UAE rider Abdullah Ali Khamis, did give Rashid a solid fight. Khamis on Tris Filou finished just over a minute behind the winner while the rest of the field were left far behind.

A total of 32 youngsters took part in the ride which was accompanied by two Qualifier Rides, one over 44km and the other over 80km.

Endurance squad for Arab Games

Bahrain Gulf Daily News
12 November

BAHRAIN's Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa named members of the national endurance horseride team who will take part in the endurance race of the Arab Games scheduled for November 19 in Al Giza, Egypt.

Shaikh Nasser will lead the seven-member team which also includes Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Ahmed Abdulla, Manal Fakhrawi and Raed Mahmood.

Shaikh Nasser said the selection was based on the performance and results of the riders in recent championships. The team will head for the Egyptian capital on Thursday to prepare for the race.

The Breef chief stressed on the importance of taking part in such regional competitions, adding that he is keen to take a place on the podium in the upcoming event.

UAE's Naser Marzouki Wins Sultan's Cup

Bernana.Com
SETIU, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- United Arab Emirates' Naser Marzouqi edged France's Jack Begaud to win the Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Race 2007 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) here Sunday.

Naser astride "Hafiza Du Mas" finished the 160km race in 10 hours 31 minutes and 50 seconds while Begaud was a close 10:33:27 behind.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who also took part, finished in 23rd place after posting a time of 14:20:26. Tuanku Mizan, the patron of the championship, rode "Harmere Cairo".

Maria Vitoria Liberal Lins of Brazil was third in a time of 10:39:07.

A total of 41 riders from Brazil, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia and Malaysia took part in the championship, which is part of the preparations for the World Endurance Race (FEI 2008) to be held at the same venue next year.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh flagged off the riders at 4.30pm at the TIEP yesterday. His Majesty is scheduled to present the prizes to the winners at Dewan Besar, Wisma Darul Iman tonight.

[More ...]

40% Completion Rate Achieved

International riders have achieved the 40% completion rate deamed by the FEI as the final test for the Malaysian endurance committee to host the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship. The Terengganu International Endurance Park will be the venue for the event, currently scheduled for Novemeber 2008.

In addition to achieving the agreed upon goal, 38 competitors who started the 2007 Sultan's Cup Endurance Challenge will achieve an completion rate well beyond that which is normal at FEI events around the globe.

This achievement, the ability to bring a competitive field to the tropics, has shown the skills of the ride organizers, the international team of FEI officials and veterinarians, the riders and, beyond all -- the horses!!!


Full Endurance.Net Coverage

Official Sultan's Cup Site

Official 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship

Book your tickets now!! The invitation is to come early and stay late!! and bring your horse!

MAS: 6 Riders Vie for Finish

Jack Begaud, Naser Marzouqi, Maria Vitoria Liberal Lins, and Khalid al Shafar have closed within 4 minutes of each other as they prepare for the final 10.1 km of the 160km race. Marzouqi and Lins each brought their pace to 18+km/hr for the 6th leg to close the gap. The cool morning air is helping to encourage the riders to move forward with plenty of horse left.

Daylight will great the riders and horses as the pull this final leg along the sea shore of the South China Sea. American riders John Crandell and Kathy Brunges are following closely on strong horses - but must overcome a 15 minute lead to achieve first to finish.

7 have been eliminated at this point of the race, 4 from the list of invited foreign riders.

[More ...]

Begaud first to Gate 5 at Sultan's Cup

Jack Begaud, the current #1 FEI endurance rider globally, has just arrived first at Gate 5. He was followed closely into the vet gate by Che Ahmad Yusri Muhamad of MAS - entering Gate 4 as the last rider on that phase of the course.

It is 04:51am and beginning to feeling tiredness of 12+ hours of competition!

jt

Video: http://www.malaysia-wec.com/sc_video.html

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Hujan Bukan Halangan Buat Yang Di Pertuan Agong

Oleh: Farezul Fadzal

Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin meredah hujan ketika menyertai Kejohanan Kuda Lasak Piala Sultan Terengganu 2007 di Lembah Bidong. - Gambar ZULKIPLI PUTRA.

Hujan lebat selepas beberapa minit kejohanan Kuda Lasak Piala Sultan Terengganu 2007 berlangsung sedikit pun tidak mematahkan semangat Yang Di Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin meneruskan cabaran sejauh 160km.

Tidak ketinggalan Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah berkenan hadir sambil memberi semangat kepada Sultan Mizan.

Semangat seperti itu menjadikan acara berkenaan bertambah sengit terutamanya apabila acara tersebut turut disertai oleh peserta terbaik dunia, Maria Alvarez Ponton dari Sepanyol.

Dalam pada itu, Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh berkata Terengganu Endurance International Park (TEIP) merupakan antara lokasi sukan kuda lasak terbaik di dunia pada ketika ini.

Kata-kata tersebut turut sama diakui oleh peserta luar negara yang menyertai pada Kejohanan Kuda Lasak Piala Sultan Mizan 2007 di Lembah Bidong.

“Kejohanan kali ini menjadi penanda aras kepada kemampuan Terengganu dalam menganjurkan kejohanan yang sama pada peringkat dunia pada 2008 nanti,” kata Dato’ Seri Idris kepada media ketika ditemui pada pada upacara pelepasan peserta pada Kejohanan Kuda Lasak Piala Sultan Terengganu 2007 di Lembah Bidong, hari ini (10 November).

Upacara pelepasan acara berkenaan turut disempurnakan oleh Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh.

Hadir sama menyaksikan upacara berkenaan, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja, Ahli Majlis Penasihat Pemangku Raja; Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kebudayaan, Belia, Sukan dan Badan NGO Negeri, Dato’ Din Adam; Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pertanian dan Pembangunan Wilayah, Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Infrastruktur, Kemudahan Awam dan Komunikasi Negeri, Dato’ Wan Hisham Dato’ Wan Salleh.

Acara yang disertai 38 peserta memulakan cabaran dengan pelbagai rintangan antaranya hujan lebat dan meneruskan acara sehingga lewat pagi bagi menamatkan acara sejauh 160km dan para peserta dijangka menamatkan acara berkenaan pada jam 11.30 pagi esok.

Unit Komunikasi Negeri.

Dato' Seri Idris mengibar bendera ketika membuat pelepasan peserta acara 160km pada kejohanan berkenaan.

Peserta memulakan cabaran selepas upacara pelepasan.

Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Leads Sultan Terengganu Cup Endurance Race

SETIU, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead the Malaysian challenge in the Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Race 2007 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) here today.

Tuanku Mizan, the patron of the championship, is participating in the 160km race. The No. 101 rider will ride his horse "Harmere Cairo".

The King is expected to come up against stiff competition from world top riders, including world No. 1 Jack Begaud of France, world No. 2 Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton of Spain, John Osborne Crandell III of the United States and Mercedes Tapia of Argentina.

The 17 other riders are from Brazil, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Australia.

The Malaysian challenge will also come from Datuk Abdullah Taib, Datuk Awang Kamaruddin, Ahmad Azura and Azman Mat Ripin from the Darul Iman Endurance Team.

The endurance challenge was flagged off by Menteri Besar Datuk Idris Jusoh at 4.30pm today.

Even the downpour 10 minutes later failed to dampen the spirits of the participants.

The event is part of the preparations for the World Endurance Race (FEI 2008) to be held at TIEP next year.

Tuanku Mizan will present the prizes to the winners at Dewan Besar, Wisma Darul Iman, tomorrow night.

-- BERNAMA

[More ...]

Young riders raring to go in season opener

photo: wo Qualifier Rides - 80 km and 44 km, respectively - were held at the Boudtheib Endurance Village yesterday.

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: November 09, 2007, 23:39

Abu Dhabi: After last week's qualifier rides, the UAE's 2007-08 endurance season gets into competitive mode with today's 100km Boudtheib Endurance Cup for Junior and Young Riders.

Over 30 youngsters are expected to take part in the season's opening ride which gets off to a mass start early today at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi.

Two Qualifier rides will also be held today and totally over a 100 horses and riders will be seen in action.

The Boudtheib Endurance Cup is a junior ride and will be run in four stages of 30kms, 30kms, 24kms and 16 kms.

Busy season

Meanwhile, two Qualifier rides for women were held at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The Qualifier Rides, one over 80 kms and the other over 44 kms, are part of such event organised by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation to help novice riders and horses to qualify for longer distances.

However, the main competition in the open category will start on November 17 with a 120-km Open ride in Boudtheib Endurance Village.

"The 2007-08 season has already warmed up with the Qualifier rides at Boudtheib last week and yesterday's Ladies Qualifiers at Al Asayl.

"Today we are looking forward to see the juniors in action and some talented riders are in the fray," said Hussain Mohammad Hussain, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

"Once again we have a busy endurance season ahead of us and this comes on the heels of a fantastic 2006-07 season.

"Riders from all over the world took part last season with a 24 FEI rides, two National rides and 25 Qualifying rides being held.

"Again the venues will be the Dubai Equestrian Club in Seih Assalam, the Al Wathba Endurance Village, the Boudtheib Endurance Village and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre all in Abu Dhabi.

Sultan's Cup: Gate 1

The riders have left on the second phase of the race as dark settled over a very very wet endurance venue. The 23c - 99.1% humidity is providing a very difficult endurance challenge for all riders and horses. The possibility of elmination at gate 1 faces Mariana Cesarino Steinbruch as she was requested to re-examine her horse b/f passing gate 1.

Mariana is one of the 19 Invited Foreign Riders in the event. The completion rate of 40% of these riders must complete if the TIEP in Malaysia is to be the home of the 20087 FEI World Endurance Championship.

Current Ride Results
Real-Time Position on Trail
Live Video Stream with Archives

38 Prepare for Sultan's Cup Start

Steph Teeter
Endurance.Net
38 Horses and Riders are ready for the 4:30pm start of the Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007! The vetting procedure was accomplished successfully by all horses presented. The international competition is a test also for the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship to be held in November 2008 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park.

International Riders Jack Begaud, Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton, and Mercedes Tapia are just a few of the leading international riders present to attempt the 160km course.

The race with be presented on the Internet with Live video feeds as well as dynamic positioning displays so that all of the world might follow this challenging event!

Offical Web Site
Complete Coverage on Endurance.Net

All systems go for Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007

Posted by Malaysia Equestrian Blogspot

After months of planning, everything is ready to go for the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 from 9th to 11th November 2007 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Terengganu.

Forty-one riders from 14 participating countries including Argentina, Brazil, United States, Japan, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Portugal, Qatar, UAE, South Africa, Australia and Malaysia together with their horses have been in Terengganu for the past three weeks training and acclimatising themselves to our hot and humid weather, and also familiarising themselves with the race route covering a multitude of terrains where they will do seven loops to cover a distance of 160km.

“The Organising Committee, the technical staff and everyone involved in the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 has been working very hard to ensure that the event is successful. And I believe it will be, with all the preparation work that has put in to make this event happen,” said YBhg. Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor, Vice Chairman of Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan, the Organiser of the event.

The race itself will be flagged off on 10th November at 4.30pm by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Hj Idris Bin Jusoh, Menteri Besar of Terengganu at TIEP, and is expected to run through the night with the riders finishing the 160km challenge some 10 to 12 hours later, the next morning.


It will be an exciting and challenging race as the world’s top endurance riders will be competing in the competition together with our Supreme Ruler Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah.

Both the world’s No.1 and No. 2 ranked riders, Jack Begaud from France and Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton from Spain, are participating in this event.

Apart from the race proper, there will be plenty of other activities happening during the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007. There will be a carnival on the grounds of the TIEP from 9th to 11th November in-conjunction with the race that is open to the public. Visitors will be able to enjoy games, rides, entertainment and also concerts by local artistes.

“We hope everyone will come to TIEP for the event,” said YBhg Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh. “It’s not only an event for horse lovers but for all. We are sure they will have a good time at the Sultan’s Cup.”

This year’s Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge is also significant because it serves as the official trial event for the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 which will be held at the same venue in Terengganu next year.

Posted by Malaysia Endurance at 12:15 PM

MAS: The Royal Treatment

By MICHAEL CHEANG
Competition horses are given the utmost care to ensure that they are healthy and fit for endurance events.

THE flight started off on a worrying note. As our plane was preparing for take-off, news filtered in that bad weather at our destination had caused an earlier passenger aircraft to abort its landing and turn back to the KL International Airport.

Nevertheless, that news did not worry the crew of our Royal Malaysian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules one bit. Fondly referred to as “Charlie”, the C-130 is the workhorse of the RMAF and has been the main tactical airlifting plane in most military forces worldwide for decades.

[More ...]

MAS: No horsing around

Monday November 5, 2007


“The horse is paramount in this sport. All the rules are specifically geared to protect the horse. It might sound pretty harsh but, at the end of the day, the riders come second, even though they take the glory,” he said.

Horses are subjected to veterinary examinations throughout the race to monitor their health. For instance, the 160km Sultan’s Cup involves seven vet checks to determine if the horse is fit enough to go on to the next loop. If the health of the horse is not good or if it is lame, it will not be allowed to continue the race.

Zulu Liebenberg

“Even if you finish the entire 160km of the race but your horse is not fit at the end of it, you will be eliminated,” said Liebenberg.

“At the European championship this year, the guy who crossed the line first was eliminated because his horse’s pulse stayed too high. He was supposed to bring the pulse down to below 64 beats per minute within 30 minutes, but his horse took 40 minutes, so he was eliminated,” recalled Liebenberg. “The rider has to know how to pace his horse. If he goes too fast, the horse might get worn out too quickly. The rider must know when to slow down and when to go faster.”

While this practice benefits the horses, it results in a race that is conducted at a rather leisurely pace at times, and can last an entire day. For instance, for the Sultan’s Cup this weekend, riders have a maximum time of 16 hours to finish the 160km ride.

The race starts at 4.30pm. The riders will ride through the night because it is cooler for the horses, and finish the race around noon the next day.

Special efforts have been put in to make this Sultan’s Cup a spectator-friendly affair.

“A special GSM tracking system has been put in place for the horses,” said event manager Azrin Zuhdi. “A map will be projected onto a big screen and spectators can see how fast the horses are moving, where they are and who is overtaking who,” she explained. “This will make the race more exciting and spectator-friendly, since we know where the horses are.”

Azrin Zuhdi

Organised by the Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation, the Sultan’s Cup is an annual event that has been running for several years now. However, this year’s race is significant as it is a trial event for the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008, to be hosted by Malaysia.

“Malaysia has been chosen to be the host for the FEI Endurance Championship next year but under a condition by FEI (International Federation of Equestrian Sports). It will be the first time the championship is hosted by a tropical country.

“There is a technical criterion that we have to meet before we get the official confirmation to host the world championship race – 40% of the foreign riders and horses that start must finish the entire 160km within 16 hours.

“Since it is harder for the horses to compete here because of the heat and humidity, the Sultan’s Cup is a trial to see how the foreign horses adapt to the climate here,” said Azrin. The onus is now on the organisers to keep the horses fit before and throughout the race.

Endurance.Net Event Coverage

41 Entrants in 2007 Sultan's Cup

41 Horse/Rider teams are preparing for the upcoming Sultan's Cup Endurance Challenge in Terengganu Malaysia. The event, which is also the pre-ride for the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship, will start at 16:30 and continue through the night in this tropical venue.

Riders from 12 countries will test their skills and the endurance of their horses on this jungle course.

Initial starting list is now published.

Full Event Coverage

Uzes Young Horse Championship

by Sophie O’Hara-Smith, Endurance GB Senior Elite Squad Member 2007
A very warm welcome was extended to the four British riders, Sophie O’Hara Smith, Larissa Whiley, Philip Hurst and Rachael Claridge, who went over to Uzes in the south of France as guests of the Society Hippique Francais (SHF). Not only had the organiser Guillaume DeThore provided a translator but had also prepared special copies of the crew routes etc in English, and had decorated some of the tables in the restaurant the marquee with union jacks.

This event is the national showcase for young horses from all over France. It was set up 14 years ago and started with just 40 horses. This year there were over 400. It is designed to pin point potential elite horses and influence their early training so that they are brought in a controlled and well planned manner. I understand it has become a successful a commercial event which was not the original intention and many horses are for sale.

[More ...]

Bahrain: Endurance race season set to begin

Gulf Daily News BAHRAIN's Royal Equestrian and Endurance Team is set for the inaugural endurance race of the season scheduled for tomorrow at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir.

The team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and includes top riders like veteran Yousif Taher, Aabdulhaq Qadoori, Khalid Al Ruwaiei and Fahad Ismail.

Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan said the team started their preparations for the new season after returning from the FEI European Endurance Championship Open in Companhia das Lezirias, Lisbon were the team finished second overall.

But Hassan said the team's true preparations right after the month of Ramadan with two daily training sessions.

Three stages will be featured at the race. The opening race will be over 90 kms and consists of stages each over 30 kms.

Another race will also be held on sidelines of the main event which is a warm-up race. The race aims to qualify new riders as well as recently-brought horses in this sport.

The Breef, under its president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, earlier approved the schedule of this season which includes races of 120 and 160 kms.

The opening race is to be followed by the National Day Championship on December 12 and will be over 120 kms. Next will be a 120-km Open Endurance Race Championship on January 12 while the fourth race is the 120-km Breef Open Championship scheduled for February 9.

British Riders At The Young Horse Championship Uzes 2007

A very warm welcome was extended to the four British riders, Sophie O’Hara Smith, Larissa Whiley, Philip Hurst and Rachael Claridge, who went over to Uzes in the south of France as guests of the Society Hippique Francais (SHF). Not only had the organiser Guillaume DeThore provided a translator but had also prepared special copies of the crew routes etc in English, and had decorated some of the tables in the restaurant the marquee with union jacks.



This event is the national showcase for young horses from all over France. It was set up 14 years ago and started with just 40 horses. This year there were over 400. It is designed to pin point potential elite horses and influence their early training so that they are brought in a controlled and well planned manner. I understand it has become a successful a commercial event which was not the original intention and many horses are for sale.



The competition took place over three days. Two and three year olds were shown on the Friday and there were competitions for four five and six year olds. All the horses were competing at the relevant distance for the first time. The four year olds at 40k with two 20k loops run between 10-12k with an hours hold; the five year olds at 60k with two 30k loops run between 12-15k with a 40 minute hold and the six year olds at 90k with three 30k loops and no speed limit. We rode in the five year old 60k class.

The venue was at the Haras National (National Stud) with beautiful manicured grounds. It was lively and bustling, with lots to see with vetting going on most of the days. There was a running commentary, electronic information on the races and places to sit and watch the vetting and trade stands, and of course the horses at the stud.



There were large open sided marquees providing food for riders crews and visitors and a VIP marquee with lovely food which we were given passes for. Another nice feature of the weekend was the aperitifs that were provided in the evenings by the SHF which brought the riders and crews together.

On the Saturday we watched the 6 year olds competing. There were some 180 declared with 157 starters of which 91 finished. Only 15 received the coveted elite award by gaining three points, 30 were excellent, 29 tres bon, 12 bon and 5 classe and 66 eliminated or retired. The top successful speed was 18.2 kph.

Later on three of us got to meet our prospective mounts, all except Rachael who rode hers for the first time in the event. The horses all came from well known endurance homes and it was very generous of the owners Francois Atger, Antonio Noguera, Virginie Simone and Stephan Chazel to provide such potentially good horses for us to ride.

In the evening we were treated to a Gala dinner with a display of traditional Carmargue riding. The French team were at the dinner and were presented with gifts to mark their success in Portugal to the rousing strains of Queens “We are the champions of the world”!!



Our 5 year old class was on the Sunday. The 60k ride is run between 12k-15k in two 30k loops with a 40 minute hold. At the end the pulse is taken at 10 minutes. If it is 54 or under the horse scores one point if not it returns at 30 minutes and has to be under 64 and sound. The horses that pass the initial heart rate parameter then come back to be assessed for condition and attitude and trot up in front of the vets and others.

There were 135 starters and we set off in groups of about 10 at five minute intervals. According to reports on last year’s event the organisers had decided to avoid having a mass start after excessive speeds, especially for the 6 year olds. With the number of horses involved I was fully in support of this decision!



The ride was considered flat with a 400m change in levels over the course. There were two different 30k loops from the venue. The first loop was undulating and set off along the road and quickly lead onto a series of broad sandy tracks which had been specially prepared with a new top surface for the ride, these were interspersed with some narrow wooded quite stony sections and hard tracks. There were quite a few minor road crossings and the route took us through several small villages where the tarmac was very very slippery. The lead horse in my group went down on the road but was OK.

The second loop was mostly over flat open agricultural country with less of the beautifully prepared sandy sections. There was one significant climb which gave a fantastic view from the top towards the Cevenne mountains to the north.


We managed to get three of the four horses home within the10 minute pulse rate parameter of 54 which was not bad considering our mounts had had less training than their stable mates, mine was on it’s third ever ride! Three passed the trot up and attitude test, mine shied and failed to get a second point, so we ended up with two excellent and two tres bon. Overall there were 62 horses graded excellent, 48 tres bon, 21 classe and I believe only 4 retired or were eliminated. The owners were delighted and we were presented with tee shirts and stable plaques at the prize giving.




The organiser Guillaume DeThore extended an invitation for us to bring GB horses another year if we wished and said he could organise for us to join the French Federation to be eligible. Anyone wanting any more information could contact me through EGB http://www.endurancegb.co.uk