Van Wijk and Latino Capture Dutch Championship!

Jannet Van Wijk on Latino of The Netherlands race to the finish of the 2008 Dutch National Championship 160km Race moments ahead of Michaela Kosel on Black Shetan of Germany. Ms Van Wijk and Latino are the Champions of the Day, followed in completion by a trio of German riders.

The beautiful weather and excellent venue provided a suitable context for this very competitive championship event!

[Full Coverage on www.enduranceEurope.net]

New Date: FEI European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Oviedo

FEI News 28/05/2008

Important information regarding the FEI European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Oviedo (ESP)

Grave concern was expressed following the Trial Run in Oviedo earlier this month when it was learnt that the Championships were due to clash with a large national cycling competition.

It was reported that there would be considerable risk for competitors when sharing tracks with the cyclists. Likewise for the crew and back up vehicles. It was also reported that there was a severe lack of accommodation available during the time of the Championships.

With all this in mind the FEI had submitted a request to the Organising Committee to consider a date change to avoid the clash.

We have now received confirmation from the OC that the event has been postponed by 2 weeks. The new dates for the Championships are:

26 - 28 September 2008

Whilst the FEI tries, at all costs, to avoid date changes of competitions, it was felt, under these extreme circumstances, that the risk of having the two events at the same time was too great not to have a change of date.

We would ask all parties involved to kindly note this change of date and inform all persons affected.

Dutch National Championship

Riders prepare for 2008 Dutch Endurance Championships at Ermelo. The championship event anticipates riders from Russia, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Great Brittain, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, France, Poland, Austra, Switzerland and Finland

Endurance.Net Event Coverage

Official Web Site

Endurance rider places in Idaho championship

Humboldt Beacon
Article Launched: 06/05/2008 03:31:03 AM PDT

On Sunday May 25, Joyce Sousa of Hydesville and her Arabian equine partner, LV Integrity raced to a four way tie in the 100 mile Owyhee Fandango AERC, FEI,and AHA Region IV Championship in Idaho. The pair received the Best Condition award in the Arabian Horse Association Championship Ride. The pair posted a time of 9 hours and 2 minutes.

The pair competed against 25 riders, most of which have been nominated for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Malaysia in November of this year. Riders came from Virginia, Utah, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and California. Becky Hart, World Team Endurance coach, attended the ride and divided the nominated riders into rider teams.

Joyce Souza and LV Integrity teamed up with two riders from California and two from Washington. The team placed first taking the top four placings. A final training session will take place in Nevada at the end of July with the selection of a World Team sometime in August.

Endurance riding is a popular sport with rides taking place across the United States. Locally, the Redwood Empire Endurance Riders put on four events each year. The first club ride will be on June 6 at the Chalk Mountian Ranch in Bridgeville.

Humboldt Beacon

Rambouillet: Raid Yvelines Bahrain Cup

114 Entrants from 14 Countries will test the endurance course at Rambouillet France on 7 June. The CEI*** 160km Raid Yvelines Bahrain Cup will feature members of the National Endurance Team as they qualify for the upcoming 2008 World Endurance Championship in Malaysia.

The 3 day event will also host qualifiers for the upcoming 2008 World Young Horse Championship!

EnduranceEurope.net Coverage

Malaysia: Abdul Rahman Strides To Terengganu's First Gold Of The Games

June 02, 2008 18:06 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 (Bernama) -- Abdul Rahman Mohd strode his way to Terengganu's first gold medal of the 12th SUKMA (Malaysia Games) after winning the 80km endurance race in equestrian held at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai near here Monday.

The 18-year-old, riding "Tanwin Allure" averaged better speed throughout the gruelling 80km race to win ahead of team-mate Muhammad Alf Sabidi and give the host state every reason to celebrate, especially after failing to hit the gold trail on Sunday.

However, despite making it a 1-2 finish in the individual event, Terengganu failed to make it a grand double when riders from the Federal Territories clinched the Team gold with better average speed from their four riders.

The silver in the team event went to Melaka while Terengganu had to be contended with the bronze.

A total of 30 riders from nine states - Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Pahang, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Federal Territories - started the race which lasted for about eight hours as the horses needed to be rested after every 20km.

According to technical delegate for equestrian Major Yap Mou Soon, the race which started at 4pm Sunday ended at well past 1am.

"The horses needed to be checked after every 20km as per the requirement stipulated in the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and that was the reason why endurance races take a long time to complete," he told Bernama when contacted.

Equestrian offers six gold medals in the SUKMA with four more coming from show jumping and dressage.

-- BERNAMA

Bernama.com

Mohammad and Hamdan clinch top honours

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the endurance race in Damascus on Saturday, according to a report received here.

Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, won top honours in the 120-km endurance race.

Other UAE participants came third, fourth and fifth in a field comprising 170 competitors from the UAE and Syria.
Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, also participated in the race.

[More ...]

Maria Alverez Ponton and Iska Shine in France

Maria Alverez Ponton, riding Iska, holds first place at the 2008 Compienge CEIO 160km race. Ms. Alvereze Ponton held a spead of 25.055 km/hr on the final 6th phase of the race to hold the lead ahead of Laurent Mosti (FRA) on Khandela des Vialette (2nd) and Karin Boulanger (BEL) on Armia.
EnduranceEurope.Net Coverage

GBR: Success at Bahrain Dukeries Ride

Congratulations to Tricia Hirst riding Vlacq Abattarik, who won the FEI 160km in an exciting racing finish with H.H.Sh.Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and H.H.Sh.Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at a speed of 16.96kph. Congratulations too to Jenni Gilbert on Flurrie who won the 160km National class.

[More ...]

Great Britain: Lyme Regis rider earns silver medal

Midweekherald.co.uk - Full Story

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
29 May 2008

ENDURANCE RIDER Kirsty Wiscombe from Lyme Regis completed two 160km rides in the last two weeks and finished both.

She has four horses registered to compete this season plus her young riders Natasha and Dace Sainsbury, who also live in Lyme, who have three horses.

Kirsty's two novice horses, Yawl Hillbilly and Ishtar Spirit, have been going well and have done three rides each.

She said: "Billy gave a stunning display at the Golden Horseshoe stallion parade...

More...

Nordic-Baltic Championship

A Photo Finish in Finland!! - Baltic-Nordic Championship

Gold	NOR	06:29:34	Olaug Espeli Carstensen and Jubilee
Silver	SWE	06:29:35	Jessica Holmberg and Ztefan
Bronze	NOR	06:30:28	Ellen Suhr and Shamrac ox

[More ...]

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Bahrain: SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD NOMINATED FOR WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA HAS BECOME A NOMINEE FOR THE NEXT ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FEI AFTER HIS BIG WIN YESTERDAY IN THE 160KM BAHRAIN DUKERIES RACE.

SHAIKH NASSER CAME THIRD IN MAY'S RANKING. HE CAME SECOND IN THE BRITISH DUKERIES RIDE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR. SHAIKH NASSER WAS ALMOST A WINNER AT YESTERDAY'S EVENT BUT WAS HELD BACK WHEN HIS THE HORSESHOE OF HIS HORSE GANDA KOY FELL AT THE FIFTH STAGE. THIS CAUSED HIM A 10 MINUTE DELAY. SHAIKH NASSER, THE ROYAL TEAM CAPTAIN, EXPRESSED DELIGHT TO STAND ON THE PODIUM FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR NEXT TO HIS BROTHER SHAIKH KHALID WHO CAME THIRD.
THE BIGGEST GAIN FROM THIS RACE IS THAT THE BAHRAINI TEAM, NOMINATED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2008 FEI WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN MALAYSIA, HAS COMPLETED ALL STAGES OF THE EVENT SUCCESSFULLY, HE SAID. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN PREPARING THE TEAM FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, HE NOTED. SHAIKH NASSER DESCRIBED THE RACE AS EXCITING AND SAID THAT EACH HORSERIDER HANDLED THE RESPONSIBILITY EFFICIENTLY. BAHRAINI SUCCESS IN EUROPEAN RACES WILL CONTINUE IN COMING STAGES, HE REMARKED.
SHAIKH NASSER AND SHAIKH KHALID SAID THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF BAHRAINI ENDURANCE WERE A RESULT OF THE SUPPORT OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING. HIS MAJESTY'S FOLLOW-UP DURING THE RACE PUSH US TOWARDS PUTTING MORE EFFORT TOWARDS CLINCHING MORE ASSETS FOR BAHRAINI SPORT IN GENERAL, AND ENDURANCE ESPECIALLY, THEY SAID. THEY VOWED TO PUT EVEN MORE EFFORT TOWARDS MORE BAHRAINI SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS.
MEANWHILE, SHAIKH KHALID SAW THAT COMING THIRD IN THE RACE WAS AN ENCOURAGING START FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS BUSY WITH HIS STUDIES, HE WAS KEEN ON CONTRIBUTING TO ACHIEVEMENTS THAT HONOUR THE NAME OF BAHRAIN AND HAD SUCCEEDED IN THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SHAIKH NASSER. SHAIKH KHALID EXPRESSED JOY AT THE RESULTS OF BAHRAINI JOCKEYS IN THE RACE AND AFFIRMED THAT THE COMING RESULTS WOULD BE EVEN BETTER. ROYAL TEAM JOCKEY AHMED ABDULLAH CAME FIRST IN THE 120KM PHASE OF THE BAHRAIN DUCKERIES RACE IN THE UK.
THE GUIDANCE OF SHAIKH NASSER AND SHAIKH KHALID AND THE COOPERATION OF THE TEAM WERE BEHIND THE ACHIEVEMENT, HE SAID. THE RACE WAS GOOD AND EXCITING IN ALL ITS STAGES AND WAS A GOOD BEGINNING FOR THE FIRST RACE OF THE ROYAL TEAM IN BRITAIN, HE SAID. COMMENTING ON THE RESULTS OF THE TEAM IN ITS FIRST RACE IN THE UK, THE COACH AND JOCKEY AT THE TEAM SHAIKH DUAIJ BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA THAT THEY CAME AS A GOOD PREPARATION FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN MALAYSIA.
THE PREPARATION PROGRAMME FOR THE TEAM WILL CONTINUE FOR THE SAKE OF ACHIEVING THE BEST RESULTS UNTIL THE MALAYSIA CHAMPIONSHIP, HE SAID. NTQ/ 25-MAY-2008 23:09

Great Britain: Success at the Bahrain Dukeries Ride

Endurancegb.co.uk

26th May 2008

Winner of the Bahrain Dukeries Endurance Ride FEI 160-km in an exciting racing finish with H.H.Sh.Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and H.H.Sh.Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was Tricia Hirst, riding Vlacq Abattarik, at a speed of 16.96kph.

Jenni Gilbert on Flurrie won the 160km National class.

The ride took place at the Dukeries at Thoresby Park, through the undulating forest tracks of Sherwood Forest. With thanks to the main sponsors, the Bahrain Royal Stables, the event was a wonderful showcase for Endurancegb, in front of the beautiful Thoresby House.

Results are on the Dukeries website and photos are by David Saunders.

Great Britain: Farewell to gold medal-winning endurance horse Hero

Horseandhound.co.uk

H&H news desk

24 May, 2008

Endurance horse Hero, who helped Britain win a gold medal at the 1990 World Equestrian Games, died on 2 May, aged 30, at his retirement home in Ash, Kent.

He had been looked after for the past 10 years by Kay and Alan Anstey.

Joy Barling Loyla partnered the 15.1hh palomino in most of his career successes. The pair picked up a gold award at the 25th anniversary Golden Horseshoe Ride at Exford and represented England three times in the Home International, as well as winning numerous other rides including the Red Dragon and Breamore.

Bahrain: Shaikh Khalid makes strong comeback

SHAIKH Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa's horse Kheopsy Du Pilat was awarded 'Best Condition' trophy after Bahrain Dukeries Ride held at Thoresby Park near Nottingham, in the UK.

Having finished third in the main race which was over 160km, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation first vice-president made a strong comeback to international competitions and came close towards taking the title.

Shaikh Khalid was congratulated on this award by Breef president and captain of the team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who came second overall in this challenging FEI race which was a qualifier for this year's World Championship to be held in Malaysia in November.

Shaikh Khalid expressed delight for taking part in this annual championship which was their first of many races as part of their training camp in Europe to prepare for the World Championship.

The 160km race, sponsored by the Bahrain Royal Stables, consisted of six stages, starting with 40km for the first stage, 30km for the second and third besides 20km for the fourth, fifth and sixth stages.

The event also featured other distances including a 120km race which was won by Bahraini rider Ahmed Abdulla after a fierce battle with top riders from the UAE, UK and Europe.

The other Bahrainis who took part in the race were Shaikh Talal, the Bahrain Athletics Association president, Yousif Taher, Jaffer Mirza and Abdulrahman Al Saad who were either eliminated or had to quit during the race stages.

Gulf Daily News

Owyhee Fandango: Day 1

Images and Results for the first day of the 2008 Owyhee Fandango are available! The first day's events included a 50 mile AERC endurance ride as well as a 25 mile AERC Limited Distance ride.

Day 2 will feature a 100 mile AERC ride, as well as a 100 mile FEI CEI*** race and also include the Region 4 AHA 100 mile championship event.

[More stories and images!]

Britain: Endurance Team set for UK race

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Story

22 May 2008

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team arrived in the UK yesterday prior to their participation in the Endurance Championships for the Kingdom of Bahrain Cup scheduled for Saturday near Nottingham.

The team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and features the participation of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, captain of Al Khaldiya Stable which is under the umbrella of the Royal Team.

This prestigious event, featuring 160km and 120km races, will be the second consecutive appearance for the Bahraini team with Shaikh Nasser coming second overall in last year's championship.

Shaikh Nasser said the championships is one of several events in Europe which the team is looking forward to enter as part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup to be hosted by Malaysia this year in November.

Confidence

"Taking part in these races will give our riders more experience and confidence ahead of the World Cup. The team members have showed performed well during the national championships and now its time to prove themselves on a higher level," said Shaikh Nasser.

"We have been keen to allow all team riders to make this trip and take part in such races which will lift their morale as they prepare to compete with top riders from Europe," he said.

"Our main aim is to take part in 160km races as many as possible as we are hear up for the Malaysian race. Everyone here is determined to put up a good show in this race and continue our serious training ahead of the World Cup."

On his part, team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan said the team decided to start their preparations early this season for the World Cup.

He said the team will be split into two squads with the first taking part in the 160km race while the second will be participating in the 120km event.

Dr Khalid has arranged the shipment of the team horses from France. The horses are expected to reach the UK today.

Australia: First to Sutton

Mudgee Guardian - Full Story

BY DON MAHONEY
22/05/2008 8:26:00 AM
Local rider Mette Sutton took all before her when she had the best overall time at the Cooyal ride on Sunday.

Sutton and “Tuldar The Magician”, who were in the middleweight division, finished the 80 kilometre course in four hours and 15 minutes on a day when 72.7 per cent of competitors were able to complete the main ride.

For Sutton it was her first win on the popular Cooyal course on a day when underfoot conditions were described as excellent. It was also the first time that a local rider is believed to have been the overall ride winner at Cooyal.

More...

Great Britain: Success for coast-to-coast horse rider

By Mark Dowie

Published: 20/05/2008

Angus endurance horse rider John Thomson has successfully completed his 200-mile, east-to-west journey – raising about £2,000 for Ninewells Hospital’s acute stroke unit in Dundee.

Mr Thomson and his mount, pure-bred Arabian Prince Omar, arrived at Ardnamurchan lighthouse, the UK mainland’s most westerly point, at midday on Friday.

Mr Thomson, 57, of Parklea, Park Road, Brechin, left from Scurdie Ness lighthouse, near Montrose, on Thursday, May 8. He plotted a route which had never before been attempted on horseback.

He decided to embark on the journey after suffering a stroke two years ago. He took up horse-riding as part of his rehabilitation at the Dundee unit.

He became so enthusiastic about the sport that he trained in endurance riding. He is now a member of the Scottish Endurance Riding Club.

Mr Thomson’s intention to complete the journey by Thursday last week foundered when Omar cast a shoe while crossing Rannoch Moor.

“It was thanks to Neil Chalmers, the Blairgowrie-based farrier, that we managed to get Omar re-shod,” he said.

“Neil raced up the A9 to meet us in the early morning at the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre car park, after we had backtracked the 45 miles from the middle of Rannoch Moor where we had managed to remove the damaged shoe.”

Mr Thomson’s route, which passed through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, took him via Killin, Tyndrum and back across the moor to the West Highland Way.

One other incident caused a delay, when Omar slipped while crossing a wooden bridge on the West Highland Way. The animal’s injury required attention from a vet at Fort William before he could continue.

After spending the night at Kinlochleven, Mr Thomson crossed on to the Ardnamurchan peninsula on Thursday and made his way to the lighthouse via single-track roads.

Although Mr Thomson trained and planned over 12 months for the trip, the journey proved to be physically demanding for horse and rider over sometimes challenging terrain.

After spending up to eight hours a day in the saddle, Mr Thomson said it is a challenge he does not intend to undertake again soon.

“It was an experience and the weather and scenery were fantastic, but I won’t be repeating it, although I have thought about taking Omar to California next year to compete in the Tevis Cup, which is 100 miles in 24 hours.”

Although the exact amount raised for Ninewells has yet to be finalised, Mr Thomson expected the total to be about £2,000.

The Press and Journal

Italy: Events - Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2008

Assissi, Italy

Assisi (Pg) This year’s edition of the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle will run from June 11th to 15th.

The rich programme of this unique equestrian event is intended to promote the concepts of environment and our relation to it, as implied by its name. Riders from all over the world will be converging on Assisi to compete in the 160-kilometre long endurance ride around the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Mount Subasio.

The hub of the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2008 will be the Hospitality Village, covering an area of roughly 30,000 square metres between Assisi and Santa Maria degli Angeli. The Village will host athletes and a number of events.

Among the events that have been scheduled for this year’s edition there is an international forum on Tourism and Opportunity, focussing on the business opportunities between Umbria, Dubai and the Gulf States.

Shows and entertainment featuring leading performing artists have also been scheduled.

Info: 075 5288245, Fax 075 5287189, e-mail info@sistemaeventi.it.