Abu Dhabi: Love blooms in the desert for Spanish duo

Gulfnews.com - Full Story

February 23 2008

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter

Abu Dhabi: Their interests are common as they are passionately involved in the sport of endurance.

Though both hail from Spain they had never met until in 2001 in Dubai and seven years later they have not only exchanged vows but progressed into world class riders.

Jaume Punti Dachs hails from Barcelona and arrived in the UAE in 1999 to train endurance horses...

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Australia: Recognition at last for rider

Mudgee Guardian - full article
FINALLY RECOGNISED: John Howe with the recognition he waited more than 17 years to receive.
By DON MAHONEY

Endurance rider John Howe was recognised for a rare achievement, some 17 years after the event, when he attended the annual general meeting of the NSW Endurance Riders Association on Saturday, February 9.

Howe was the first ever endurance rider to complete the Tom Quilty, Shahzada and the NSW State Championships on the one horse back in 1991.

In 1991, in the days before riding helmets were a compulsory part of an endurance riders’ equipment, Howe rode his 16HH American Saddle Horse ‘Beau Gallant Omen’ to complete all three rides.

"At the time Beau was a 9YO and I started with the 160 kilometres of the Tom Quilty on the June long weekend, then in August completed the 400 kilometres of the Shahzada and in October the 160 kilometres of the NSW State Championships at Mt Macquarie near Blayney," Howe said.

"I may never have attempted the feat if it hadn’t been for the late Paul Grieve, who was a great endurance rider.

"I asked if there was one thing he would like to do in his lifetime and he said he would like to complete these three events with one rider, one horse in the same year.

"Paul never got his wish so I set out to achieve it for him.

"To get over the line in all three events Beau had to pass 22 fitness tests on 22 occasions during the three rides and I’ll never forget the relief when the vets pronounced him fit after I crossed the finish line at Mt Macquarie.

"I decided to run the horse out myself for the last vet check as tired as I was and all the vets were there as well as a lot of endurance enthusiasts.

"I ran him out and then when I brought him back I felt him surge in his movement and felt confident he would make it - to this day it was my biggest thrill in the sport.

"Since 1991 only 10 people have been able to emulate the feat and at this year’s AGM at Port Stevens all 10 of us were presented with a special Big 3 award.

"Endurance riding is about completing the course safely and the horse being fit at every veterinary check point, including the final one."

Endurance riding has been at a standstill since the Equine Influenza outbreak forced the cancellation of the 2007 Shahzada last August.

The sport returns to the Mudgee district when the Mudgee Endurance Club hosts their 2008 race ride from the popular Cooyal base on May 18.

Britain: Inside Story from UK's Golden Horseshoe ride - Feb 20 2008

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

A reporter with Britain's BBC is to ride in a division of the Golden Horseshoe Ride, the country's most well-known and toughest endurance riding event.

Reporter Adam Henson is planning to ride in the The Exmoor Experience class, which is 80km (50 miles) over two days, 25 miles on each day...

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FEI Endurance Rankings

FEI Press News
13/02/2008 - 2008 FEI Endurance World Rankings now available!

We are happy to announce that the new 2008 FEI World Rankings are now available online by clicking on the following link:

Rankings

Following several requests to the FEI, we have created two new Rankings for 2008. These Rankings are:
- 2008 Open Horse World Endurance Ranking
- 2008 Junior/Young Rider Horse World Endurance Ranking

These Rankings highlight the performances of horses, and the points gained within FEI competition throughout 2008 by the individual horses. The points are distributed using the same calculations as per the Rider and Combination Rankings. Please refer to the above link for the calculation of the FEI World Endurance Rankings.

Full ranking lists include:
- 2008 Open Riders World Ranking List
- 2008 Open Combination World Ranking List
- 2008 Young Riders World Ranking List
- 2008 Young Riders Combination World Ranking List
- 2008 Open Horse World Ranking List
- 2008 Young Riders Horse World Ranking List

Australia: Horse flu's huge impact on the economy

Nqr.farmonline.com.au - Full Story

Friday, 15 February 2008

The Australian Horse Industry Council has released an Equine Influenza Economic Impact Study, revealing just how significant the cost of the horse flu has been, with small communities the hardest hit.

In the survey, the 2700 respondents estimated that there were losses of $29 million per week between August and December 2007.

The financial assistance available through government grant payments have only offset these losses by 8.5pc, the report states.

The greatest losses were in the not-for-profit sector and at the local community level.

AHIC president, Dr Barry Smyth, said that if the losses estimated by the survey respondents were applied to the whole of the Australian horse industry, "then the total would be in the billions".

Losses were significantly more than those estimated in a previous survey conducted in September 2007, Dr Smyth said.

The positive news is that the efforts to control the Equine Influenza outbreak and eradicate it from Australia seemed to have been successful, with no new cases reported in 2008.

Ladies Challenge - ready for Round III

FEI Press News:

Sue Sidebottom on Fenwick Cadenza, photo by Gillie Wheeler

Round II - Al Asayl Ladies’ Race sets New World Record!

Friday 8 February saw an exciting Second Round of the HH Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge. This three part series, held at the Al Asayl Endurance Village, Sweihan near Abu Dhabi, is specifically for Lady Riders. This is the second year the Challenge has been run and its ever increasing popularity is clear by the rise in the number of entrants.

Friday’s race saw 34 ladies set off into the chilly dawn of the day. Thirteen nationalities were represented with competitors from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Canada.

The winner of Round II was Sue Sidebottom (GBR), assistant to the General Manager, Mr Ali Moosa, of the Dubai Equestrian Club. She was riding Fenwick Cadenza, an 11 year old Anglo Arab owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sue had previously accompanied the chestnut gelding to 5th place in Round I of the Ladies’ Challenge and is aiming for the 3 finish hat trick with the same mount. ‘I am delighted to have won, the win belongs to Seeh Al Salam stable, HH Shk Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and my thanks go to him. Ali Al Mehairi trains the horse, he and his team have done a brilliant job and I had fantastic crewing.’

The top 5 finishers completed the 100km at over 26kph. The race was won at an average speed of 26.18kph, the fastest time recorded for an Open FEI 2* 100km Endurance Event. This is the second World Record to have been beaten in 2008. Omair Hussein Al Bloushi broke the 160km World Record in Dubai earlier this year finishing at an astonishing 24.71kph. The same combination hold the World Record for the fastest speed in a Young Rider FEI 2* 100km Endurance Event, 26.32kph – just 1 minute 51 seconds faster than the the finishing speed on Friday.

Reem Shaban Ibrahim Hasan (UAE) rode her mount for the day, Rivendell Sharman from Al Reef stables, into 2nd Place. This 14 year old Chestnut gelding, bred in Australia, was going for his 6th completion over a desert course and put in a great performance ensuring his 2nd top 3 placing for Al Reef Stables.

Third place went to another British rider Kayleigh Smith, on Stanpark Trooper, a part bred Arab Gelding also owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Of the 34 starters, 16 ladies finished giving an overall completion rate of just over 47%, a most impressive number given the highly competitive nature of the HH Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge.

The winner of the first round, Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi (UAE), finished in 4th place on Friday. She was riding the 10 year old bay gelding Al Galahn from Al Reef stables, not the same horse she won with in the first round. Ladies that have now finished in both Round I and Round II and are in strong contention for the title are:

Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi (UAE) – 1st & 4th
Sue Sidebottom (GBR) – 5th & 1st
Kayleigh Smith (GBR) – 4th & 3rd
Martha Mary Mischeff (USA) – 8th & 7th
Allison Jane Buckley (GBR) – 10th & 10th
Margaret Wade (AUS) – 7th & 11th
Sheika Maryam bint Omer Al Qasimi (UAE) – 9th & 15th
Karine Nelly Peron (FRA) – 14th & 16th

The third part of the Challenge is to be held on 7 March, and with a several ladies in strong contention to be the overall winner, it certainly looks to be a highly anticipated event!

Shaikh Hamdan wins President's Cup

Gulf News article
Shaikh Hamdan wins President's Cup

By M. Satya NarayanSenior Reporter
Published: February 16, 2008, 17:27

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, led a UAE sweep of the top three places in the H.H. The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup endurance ride yesterday.

Riding Kaysand Farrazah, Shaikh Hamdan completed the gruelling 160km course in 6hrs 52mins 29 secs.

Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose (Kevin de Narthoux) was a close second in 6:52.30, while Mohammad Rashed Al Subosi (Genio 11) finished third in 6:57.24. Oman's Ahmad Salim Al Beloushi was fourth in 7:06.51.

With Malaysia set to host the World Endurance Championships in November, some of the top riders from around the world were in action, either to prepare or to qualify for the event.

However, even before the first loop of 34kms was over, four of the top contenders - Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup winner Omair Hussain Al Beloushi and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi had retired.

Striking distance

In the second stage, another favourite Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi fell by the wayside, while in the third loop, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum also made an exit.

Shaikh Hamdan was 16th after the first loop while Majid Salem Al Sabri, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and Oman's Ahmad Salim Al Beloushi were fighting for the top place.

Shaikh Hamdan increased his pace to move into second and when the first five stages were completed he was in third. But on the final loop of 16kms, Al Jahouri's horse Aghmed went lame about two kms from the finish and Shaikh Hamdan was within striking distance to win the Dh1.5 million ride, sponsored by Hydra Properties and Emirates NBD.

Shaikh Hamdan, winner of team gold medals at the European Open Championships and the 2006 Asian Games, completed a memorable day when his horse was adjudged 'Best Conditioned Horse' to bag a special cash prize. That was after he also won the key to a 4WD car for his triumph.

Shaikh Nasser praises UAE rider's victory

BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated UAE's Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom on winning the UAE Endurance Horseride Championship held in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Nasser praised the performance of Shaikh Hamdan throughout the race which was over 160km with more than 120 riders from the UAE and overseas in the fray.

They are from the UK, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, France, Italy, the US, Malaysia, Russia, Uruguay, Indonesia, Oman and Bangladesh.

The race was divided into five stages with the first stage covering a total distance of 34 kms, 32 kms for the second, 30 kms for the fourth and 24 kms for the fifth.

Shaikh Hamdan completed the race with a total time of six hours, 52 minutes and 29 seconds. Behind him was compatriot Mohammed Al Sabosi (6:52:32) in second place while Mohammed Al Sabosi (6:57:24), also of the UAE, was third.

Endurance.Net Coverage

Major win, says elated Hamdan

Gulf News Article
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 17, 2008, 01:26

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, hailed his success at the HH The President Cup on Saturday as one of his most prestigious triumphs.

"Me and my horse finishing first is a major triumph. But the bigger victory is in the fact that it is the HH The President of the United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup," said Shaikh Hamdan after his win.

Shaikh Hamdan's best display in the eight-year history of the President's Cup has been a second-place finish in 2002 and sixth place finishes in the inaugural year and again in 2006.

Immediately after his horse passed the final veterinary inspection and was declared the winner, Shaikh Hamdan wound a UAE flag around Kaysand Farrazah, a horse with which he enjoys a close relationship having finished fourth in the European Open Championship in 2007 (Portugal). "I dedicate this win to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan," Shaikh Hamdan said.

HH Sh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum Wins President's Cup

The 2008 HH The President of the U.A.E. Endurance Cup has been won by HH Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum riding Kaysand Farrazah in a time of 6:52:29. Following closely, with a time of 6:52:30, was Mohammed Ali Al Subose riding Kevin de Narthoux.

The race, held at the Abu Dhabi Emirates International Endurance Village, was hotly contested with 88 starters in the 160km event. Images and complete results may be found at:

www.endurance.net

France bids for 2014 World Equestrian Games

Horsetalk.co.nz
February 13, 2008

The French Equestrian Federation is the first to formally apply to the FEI with a proposal to stage the 2014 World Equestrian Games.

The French have proposed the games be held in the region of Basse-Normandie in Northern France with the organisers to be Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), organisers of the world's biggest cycling race Tour de France and the annual off-road race The Dakar Rally.

Horse Sport Ireland has also expressed interest in hosting the games, with sponsorship from Dr Pearse Lyons, Global President of Alltech. HSI has set up a working party but a formal proposal has not yet been received by the FEI.

The FEI says that it will follow a clear and fair process in the allocation of the seventh FEI World Equestrian Games, the several procedures in place to help with decision making.

In the period until October 2008, any bidders will be visited by the FEI management and technical experts to assess their technical and commercial capabilities as well as to assist the federation and organiser in the preparation of their bid and clarify any issues that may arise.

Formal bids should be finalised by October 2008; the contract will be signed during the FEI General Assembly in November 2008.

The bids will then be circulated to the FEI Bureau. Bidders will be asked to make a formal presentation prior to the decision by the Bureau on the host Organiser, which will be taken in the spring of 2009.

Top class field for President's Cup ride

Gulf News article
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 14, 2008, 00:45
(photo: Ravindranath/Gulf News)
Lara Sawaya, Managing Director, Tasweeq, Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi and Ali Mohammad Ali at a press conference to announce the His Highness President's Cup Ride at Abu Dhabi Equestrian and Racing Club yesterday.


Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum are expected to be part of a 100-strong line-up for the Dh1.5 million His Highness The President's Cup endurance ride on Saturday.

The 160-km FEI CEI three-star ride will be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba and is sponsored by Hydra Properties and Emirates National Bank of Dubai.

Apart from Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Mayed, the strong UAE representation includes Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum, Sultan Bin Sulayem, Hassan Bin Ali, Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, Rashed Salem Bin Ghadayer, Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Beloushi, Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed and many other top riders.

His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the King of Malaysia, is part of a very strong list of foreign riders, many of whom will be using the event to prepare for the World Endurance Championship, to be held in Malaysia later this year.

Top American riders John Crandell and Katherine Brunjes along with Stephen Rojek, Australia's Meg Wade, Dubai-based Spanish husband and wife pair of Jaume Punti Dachs and Maria Alvarez Ponton, French stars Virginia Atger, Philippe Benoit and Marlyn Lemoine are also in the fray.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: "The total prize money on offer is Dh1.5 million. In addition, the winner will also receive a car. Cash prize will also be given to the best conditioned horse award winner."

Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO of Hydra Properties, said: "Hydra Properties has been in the forefront in sponsorship of various community events including sport, but this support for The His Highness The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup is a moment of great pride .

"Last week Hydra Properties sponsored the His Highness The President's Cup for Juniors and we were very happy to see some of the most promising youngsters display their skill in endurance, a sport which is part of our culture and heritage."

Ali Mohammad Ali, Regional Manager, Abu Dhabi, Emirates NBD, who also addressed the press conference, said: "This is the year that we are involved with the His Highness President's Cup. It is an honour for us to be among the sponsors of this prestigious event, which is taking the local and regional equestrian sport to an international level."

Saturday's ride gets off to a mass start at 6am and will be run in six loops of 34, 32, 30, 24, 24 and 16 kms.

Dutch endurance champion Joan Eikelboom dies - Feb 12 2008

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

Former national Dutch endurance champion Joan Eikelboom died on February 1 in Namibia. She was aged 38.

Eikelboom was the national and international face of Dutch endurance for the last decade. She began riding as a teenager, and took up endurance in 1995. She gradually increased her competition distances from 80 to 160km, and in 2004 was Dutch National Endurance Champion.

At the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, she was one of the organizers of the support and grooming for the South African Endurance team.

She died at her farm, Katjapia, in Okahandja, where she had moved to in October last year.

She is survived by her busband, Ab van Wijk. The funeral took place on February 7, under the tree where she and Ab were married on December 21, 2007.

A memorial service will be held in the Netherlands at a later date.

Hamdan Mousa wins President's Cup for Junior and Young Riders

Al Hammadi and Nadja Lotoise on the trail. photo by Steph Teeter, www.endurance.net

Press Release, UAE Equestrian Federation, February 10
Hamdan Mousa Mohammad Al Hammadi won the His Highness The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup for Junior and Young Riders at the Boud Theib Endurance Village in Al Khatem on Saturday, February 9, 2008.

He was riding 11-year-old grey mare Nadja Lotoise, owned by UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to clinch the coveted ride and finished the distance in four hours, 48 minutes and 15 seconds.

The ride which was sponsored by Hydra Properties was flagged off in the early morning at 6.30 am with 44 riders. The 120-km FEI.CEIJY three-star was run in five phases of 30 km, 30km, 24 km, 20 km and 16 km respectively.

Second place went to Rashed Ajmad Al Bloushi from Al Reef Stables. He was riding nine-year-old chestnut gelding Waterlea Tuppence. Khalifa Ganem Al Merri clinched the third place riding 15-year-old grey gelding Little Joe Fox owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"I am very happy to win this prize as this is my first ever win and I have been taking part in competitions for over seven years now. Finally to win in the President's Cup is a great victory and I am very happy," Al Hammadi told the gathered media after his stupendous victory.

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CEO of Hydra Properties Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, Emirates Heritage Club's Mohammad Saif Al Neyadi and Tasweeq Managing Director Lara Sawaya were present during the prize distribution ceremony.

The 160-km The President's Cup will be held on Saturday February 16, 2008, at the Emirates International endurance Village, Al Wathba.

Photos and coverage on Endurance.Net

Al Hammadi on Nadja Lotoise and Al Baloushi on Waterlea Tuppence in a close finish. photo by Steph Teeter, www.endurance.net

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser champion - Feb 10 2008

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full story

---

Endurance.Net Coverage

Photo by Osama

ROYAL Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was crowned winner of the 160km race in the Endurance Horseride Championship yesterday.

The Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship, which was held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, comprised two races - 160km and 100km - besides two qualifying races for new riders over 85km and 65km.

The 160km race, which was a qualifier for the World Cup in Malaysia next year, was dominated by Royal Team riders as Shaikh Nasser steered Raushkan to a first-place finish in seven hours, 48 minutes and seven seconds.

Behind him was runner-up Ahmed Abdulla in 7:48:10 while Ghazi Al Dossary took the third place, completing the race with a total ride time of 7:48:33.

In the 100km race, Tawfeeq Al Ghattan of Hawar Stables clinched the trophy in four hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds.

Al Ghattan was followed by Abdulla Al Dossary of Al Asayel Stables in 4:55:54 and head of Al Fateh Stable rider Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa finished third in 5:00:02.

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Hamad attended part of the championship and was welcomed on arrival by Shaikh Nasser and representatives of the championship sponsors, Durrat Al Bahrain, as well as Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation officials.

Shaikh Nasser presented a briefing to His Majesty on the championship races and their stages.

His Majesty congratulated the winners in each race and wished the others success in future competitions.

His Majesty also lauded the efforts of the federation officials in organising the competition and Durrat Al Bahrain for their sponsorship.

The event was also attended by Durrat Al Bahrain chairman Abdulhakim Al Khayyat and General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa who presented trophies to the winners.

Results:

160km: 1 Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalif (Raushkan, 7:48:07); 2 Ahmed Abdulla (Barakah Bar, 7:48:10); 3 Ghazi Al Dossary (Maxico, 7:48:33); 4 Yusuf Tajer (Paula, 7:48:51); 5 Raed Mahmood (Willo Bint Khyberie, 7:48:55); 6 Sh. Daij Al Khalifa (Endrea 765, 7:48:58); 7 Mohmmed Abdulaziz (Hanneliza Baron, 7:51:16); 8 Shaik Khalid Al Khalifa (M K Whiskey, 7:51:49).

100km: 1 Tawfeeq Al Ghattan (Aqaba St Nicholas, 4:49:56); 2 Abdulla Al Dossary (Hard, 4:55:54); 3 Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa (Prince Charming, 5:00:02); 4 Isa Al Ghattam (Silver, 5:19:00); 5 Muthlaq Al Muhannan (Dirham El Oumzil, 5:31:03); 6 Mohammed Ismail (Reemir, 5:51:58; 7 aqcoob Yousif (Mehboob Taj, 7:38:26; 8 Andrew Scoop (Muniki, 7:52:05); 9 Laura Lewi (Bahrain, 7:52:13).

Abu Dhabi: Sidebottom finishes on top in Ladies' Challenge - Feb 9 2008

Gulfnews.com - Full story

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: Sue Sidebottom of Great Britain staved off a stiff challenge in the final loop of 16km to win the second round of the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Challenge 100-km ride for Lady Riders sponsored by Sorouh and held at the Al Asayel Endurance Village in Sweihan on Friday.

Sue, who is a key member of the Dubai Equestrian Club's endurance organising committee, notched up her first ever win on Fenwick Cadenza and the pair, who finished 5th in the First Round, are now in contention for the overall championship award.

Sue led in all the loops but in the final loop she was challenged by First Round winner Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi, fellow Briton Kayleigh Smith and Aliya Ali Mohammad Yousuf Al Marzouqi.

But Sue held on to win the ride with Reem Shaban on Rivendell Sharman finishing just ten seconds behind her and Smith third, a further 29 seconds adrift.

"I'm over the moon. This is my first ever win and I am delighted," said Sue after receiving her trophy and Dh30,000 cash prize for her winning effort.

"On the final loop, I was almost passed by two riders, but Fenwick Cadenza came up with that extra effort," said Sue.

Afra, who won the opening round, also becomes a leading contender with her fourth-place finish yesterday along with Smith, who has a 4th and 3rd place finishes in the two rounds.

Shaikha Hissa Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan on Sabee also did extremely well to finish sixth while another Al Asayel rider, Shamsah Awad Al Otaiba finished 5th while her horse Yaraandoo Jakara Silver was adjudged the 'Best Conditioned Horse.'

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikha Fatma Bint Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan along with Tasweeq managing director Lara Sawaya and Sorouh's Azadi gave away the trophies.

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Bahrain: Endurance race stages approved - Feb 8 2008

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full article

STAGES have been announced for the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for tomorrow.

The event gets underway at 6am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir. It consists of four races, including 160km and 100km for seniors besides two qualifying race over 85km and 65km.

The 160-km race consists of six stages, including 30 km for the first three stages, 25 km for the fourth and fifth while 20km is set for the six and last stage.

Four stages were approved for the 100-km race which featured 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third and 15km for the fourth.

In the qualifying races, which will be organised for new riders and horses, the 85-km event will be split into three stage, including 30km each for the first two stages and 25km for the third.

The 60-km race will be divided into two identical stages of 30km each.

The veterinary examination is set for today at the race venue to be attended by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and event patron Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Meanwhile, the organising committee announced members of its working committees for the championship.

The judging committee is headed by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi and includes Breef second vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Haider Al Zo'bi, Abdulsamad Al Busta, Haider Rafii and Ali Ghuloom. The official steward is Sondra Babo of India who will be assisted by Mohammed Dadulla, Mahmoosd Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Dr Mohammed Al Hammad of Sauid Arabia will head the veterinary committee which consists of members from India, France, Bahrain and the Dominican.

USA: USEF Announces Rider/Horse Combinations to Compete at HH President’s Cup CEI*** Endurance Competition

USEF Release

February 06 2008

By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY -The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recently received an invitation to name three of our best Rider/Horse Combinations as candidates for participation in the H. H. The President’s Cup 160km Endurance Competition scheduled for February 16, 2008 in Abu Dhabi. The annual event brings together some of the world’s most competitive Endurance riders and horses. The Rider/Horse combinations recommended by the USEF and invited by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club are:

Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner

Kathy Brunjes/54/Bethel, ME/Theatric/10/Arabian/G/Rider

John Crandell III/45/Star Tannery, VA/H H Saba Shams/9/Arabian/G/Ann Crandell

Steve Rojek/62/South Woodstock, VT/Seyvilla Triproof/12/Arabian/G/Stephen and Dinah Rojek

The alternate combination is:

Ann Hall/51/Auburn, CA/Bogus Thunder/15/Arabian/G/Rider

For more information about the USEF and/or the sport of Endurance contact Endurance contact Vonita Bowers at vbowers@usef.org.

India: Britain wins gold and silver in endurance first for India - Feb 6 2008

Image by Caroline Moorey

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full story

Sophie Montagne, H&H endurance editor

A British endurance team took gold in Rajasthan's inaugural 50km International Invitational Endurance Championship on 28 January, the first of its kind in India.

Britain's Lesley-Ann Parker took individual gold and Fiona Griffiths silver, with Caroline Moorey and Bryony Dickins making up the rest of the team that fought off competition from France, Sri Lanka and India.

Lesley-Ann and Fiona led from the start...

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Endurance Britain helps Buckinghamshire rescue horses - Feb 5 2008

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full story

Endurance GB, the governing body for the sport of endurance riding in Great Britain, has donated £1000 to Redwings Horse Sanctuary to support the work that the charity is doing treating horses rescued from Spindles Farm in Amersham.

Following the biggest rescue operation ever mounted by combined charities...

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