Qatar: Endurance Team ready for Worlds

Thepeninsularqatar.com

Web posted at: 9/26/2008 8:52:31
Source : The Peninsula

Doha - After two years of preparation and competition the Qatar Endurance Team has qualified eight riders for the FEI World Endurance Championship to be held from November 6 to 9 in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Although eight riders have qualified only six riders are allowed to compete. Qatar team officials must trim the list to six and submit the final entries to the sports governing body, Federation Equestre Internationale, by October 1.

The eight riders include: Faleh Nasser Abugnaim, Ali Yousef Al Malki, Abdulla Towaim Al Marri, Hassan Tahous Al Nuaimi, Khalid Sanad Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Tahous Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, and Atta Mohammed Beer.Owaida Al Hajeri serves as Chef d'Equipes for the 2008 Qatar Endurance Team and Hadi Nasser Al Naimi trainer.

The Qatar roster is entirely made up of riders from Qatar Foundation's Al Shaqab Endurance Team. During the past two years the riders have competed in various international events to qualify for the championship.

The prestigious World Endurance Championship is held every two years. When nominations closed on August 21, a total of 36 countries entered for the contest. The group included 24 nations represented by teams and an additional 12 countries that will feature individual competitors. In addition to the Qatar team other GCC nominations were received from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman.

Over the past 10 years, Endurance riding has grown as one of the most popular equestrian events. The sport requires the teamwork of rider and horse as they work to maintain pace over the grueling 158.1km cross-country course.

World Equestrian Games releases ticket info

Kentucky.com - Full Article

By Jim Jordan
jjordan1@herald-leader.com

Tickets for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will go on sale in one year — on Sept. 25, 2009, the World Games 2010 Foundation announced Thursday.

Prices will be set early next year, the foundation said, but the cheapest reserved seats will cost $25 each.

There also will be general admission tickets that will allow visitors to the Kentucky Horse Park to see equine exhibits and demonstrations, visit the trade show and restaurants, and attend competitions, such as endurance and cross country riding, that do not have reserved seats.

The tickets will be online at TicketMaster.com.

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Hamdan and Majid in UAE endurance team

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, are part of the nine-member UAE team of riders nominated for the 2008 World Endurance Championship to be held in Terengganu, Malaysia from November 6 to 9.

The UAE, who will be starting off as one of the favourites for the individual as well as team championship, will be pruning down their nine-man list over the next few days as the deadline for final entries is October 1.

Apart from Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Majid the other UAE riders who have been nominated are Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, Yousuf Abdullah Al Hammadi, Khalid Ali Al Shafar, Mohammad Ahmad Ali Subose and Mohammad Rashed Saeed Khamis Al Subose.

Considerable success

While Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Majid were winning members of the UAE team which won the Asian Games gold and the Pan Arab Games gold in the team championship, Sultan Bin Sulayem won the bronze in the individual event at the Doha Asiad.

The 160-km world championship will be held for the first time in the evening and finish at night and a total of 36 countries have sent in their nominated entries.

Among the 36 participating countries, 24 countries will be participating in the team championship with a team of four while 12 countries will be participating with individuals.

Apart from the UAE the remaining countries taking part in the event are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay.

Individual gold

The UAE endurance team have achieved considerable success on the international stage with Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum winning the individual gold in the 2002 World Championship held in Jerez, Spain while His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai won the silver medal at the 2004 World Championship held in Dubai.

The UAE, who will be starting off as one of the favourites for the individual as well as team championship, will be pruning down their nine-man list over the next few days.

[More ...]

Great Britain: Counter attack in hope of blazing a trail to the Olympics in London

Thisisderbyshire.co.uk - Full Article

Saturday, September 20, 2008

KAY Counter heads to Spain with her horse Cheeky Charlie today with the hope that it could be the first step on a long road to the London Olympics.

Endurance horse riding may be a relatively new sport but there are genuine hopes it could become an Olympic event by 2012, especially with major financial backing from the United Arab Emirates.

At 18, Counter has time on her side and her selection for this month's FEI European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders with the Great Britain team suggests she has the talent as well.

The Bargate rider has been targeting a place with the GB squad for two years after an injury to her horse forced her to drop out of selection last time.

When the call-up finally came this summer, it justified her faith in her mount, Cheeky Charlie, and two years of hard work.

"I was absolutely over the moon," said Counter.

"When you've worked for something so hard and for so long, for it to finally happen is the best feeling you can have.

"The selectors were really chuffed for me as well because they wanted to select me last time. He was like a different horse going around the selection ride."

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Australia: Tom Quilty Endurance ride this weekend

Abc.net.au

By Jane Paterson

Friday, 19/09/2008

Nanango State Forest, a couple of hundred kilometres north-west of Brisbane is the setting for the annual Tom Quilty endurance ride this weekend.

Around 200 competitors will saddle up for the Australia's number one endurance ride which kicks off at 4am tomorrow.

The 160-kilometre ride has attracted horsemen from the United States, Japan and New Zealand as well as Australia's elite endurance riders.

Tom Quilty was born at Normanton in 188, he was said to be "Robust and energetic", honing his horsemanship by riding with a band of wild young stockmen known as the 'Forest Devils'.

Quilty was an outstanding cattleman, an authority on northern Australia, a skilled 'poddy-dodger' and 'a bit of a menace' to his neighbours.

In 1966 he donated the Tom Quilty Gold Cup for what has become the national endurance-riding championship.

President of the Nanango Heritage Endurance Riders Association Barbara Timms says the event has been six months in the planning and of the over 200 horses registered to start, around two-thirds will probably finish.

In this report:
Barbara Timms, one of the organisers, Tom Quilty Cup, 2008.

USA: USEF Names Definite Entries for FEI World Endurance Championship 2008

Release: September 17 2008

Lexington, KY - The World Endurance Championship Definite Entries and Alternates were named after the final Training Session in Williston, Florida on September 13. All 12 nominated entries participated under the guidance of Chef d’ Equipe and three-time World Champion Becky Grand Hart. The Veterinary Panel examined the horses and the Endurance Selectors observed the horse/rider combinations as they completed a 38 mile course.

The following horse/rider combinations were selected to represent the US at the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 to be held November 6-9 in Terengganu, Malaysia:

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

Katharine Brunjes/55/Bethel, ME/Theatric/10/Arabian/G/Katharine Brunjes

John Crandell III/46/Star Tannery, VA/HH Saba Shams/9/Arabian/G/Ann Crandall

Cheryl Dell/48/Springville, CA/Reason To Believe/10/Arabian/G/Cheryl Dell

Valerie Kanavy/62/Fort Valley, VA/Flash Flame/10/Arabian/M/Valerie Kanavy

Margaret Sleeper/39/Frenchtown, NJ/Syrocco Reveille/8/Arabian/M/Margaret Sleeper

Jan Worthington/68/Scales Mound, IL/Golden Lightning/8/Arabian/G/Jan Worthington

Alternates in ranked order:

Lisa Green/39/Star Tannery, VA/LR Amana Tabi/8/Arabian/M/Lisa Green

Heather Reynolds/31/Doswell, VA/Cal Flaming Emit/11/Arabian/M/Heather Reynolds

Margaret Sleeper/39/Frenchtown, NJ/Shyrocco Troilus/15/Half Arabian/G/Margaret Sleeper

The Team will remain in Florida until shipping to Malaysia next month.

ENDS

For information regarding selection, please contact USEF Director of Endurance, Vonita Bowers at vbowers@usef.org.

For media requests, please contact USEF High Performance Communications Manager Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.

Malaysia: A sight to behold - horses on our shores

Gallant: Tuanku Mizan leading other
horsemen to the start of the
challenge.

Thestar.com.my - Full Article

Wednesday September 17, 2008

Story and pictures by NIK NAIZI HUSIN

IT WAS a test of wits and skill for 100 horsemen who took part at the Pahang Penn-Endurance Challenge at Cherating village near Kuantan recently.

This inaugural equestrian event was spread over five days with contests under the 100km, 60km and 20km categories.

The participants rode on a scenic route in Cherating covering its beautiful beaches, coastal jungle and village roads along the Kuantan-Kemaman stretch near Kampung Baging.

The challenge was graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin who rode his horse Magna Thor to win the 100km individual category.

Tuanku Mizan completed the route in eight hours.

Royal Terengganu Equestrian Stable took first place in the 100km team event.

More...

Malaysia: Participants from 36 countries expected

Thestar.com.my

Tuesday September 16, 2008

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

MALAYSIA is ready to host the International Equestrian Fede-ration (FEI) to host the FEI World Endurance Championship at the Terengganu International Endu-rance Park in Kuala Terengganu from Nov 6-9.

Malaysia is the first tropical country to host the endurance race covering 160km.

The event is organised by the Yayasan di-Raja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and participants are from 36 countries.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead the Malaysian team in the four-day championship.

YDSM vice-chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said preparations for the Fei World Endurance championship started in 2006.

“We had organised two trial events since 2006. One was for Malaysians while the other was the Sultan’s Cup for invited foreign participants.

“The trials gave us the opportunity to test all necessary aspects which are required to stage the prestigious event,” said Salleh.

The greatest challenge, he added, in organising the event was the climate-imposed hurdles as the foreign horses were not accustomed to the local climate.

“However, during the trial runs, we discovered that the hurdles can be handled.

“During both trial runs, the horses handled the heat and humidity well as we had 63% completion which is very good,” he said.

For the purpose, most of the rides will be done at night and coloured LED guide lights will be used as markers on the trails.

The first batch of horses, from the seven pick-up zones around the world, will arrive in Terengganu on Oct 13 while the riders are scheduled to arrive from Oct 29.

The horses from the different zones will be placed at different stables to ensure that they are free of diseases.

The championship has attracted top teams from France, Spain, United States, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.

Belize: Speed and Endurance in the Wild West

7newsbelize.com - Full Story

It was a staple on the sporting schedule for years and horse racing is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. And while in America it's called the sport of kings, in Belize, it's the country folk who keep the sport alive. In Cayo, it's more than a tradition, it's a passion, and this weekend we witnessed an off-road horse race unlike anything we'd ever seen. 7NEWS was there from start to finish and Keith Swift has the story.

Keith Swift Reporting
With the command to go - the 11 riders were off on the 24 mile Hanna's Endurance Challenge.

Rodolfo Juan, Organizer
"Today we're going to select who is really the toughest rider in this country. We are having an endurance race which is a test over 25 miles of horse and rider and it selects really who will be the toughest rider in the land."

And though they set off at lightning speed, the winner would be decided not on speed - but on endurance. That endurance was tested in 8 three mile laps up hills and down valleys on the sprawling but rugged and difficult terrain of the Juan family's 400 acre ranch in Cayo.

Santiago Juan, Organizer
"The goal of the race is to get the horse and the rider to learn about each other, to pace yourselves, it is not only about speed - it is about knowing your horse, knowing what to do and when to do it and that's what endurance racing is all about."

The riders spent months on horsebacks preparing for the race but it takes more than just knowing how to ride a horse to win. You need to know how to manoeuvre a horse like this through rough jungle terrain. These riders have to know their horses.

Rodolfo Juan,
"It is really about knowing your horse and knowing how to pace the horse. As you can see it is a very warm hot sunny day, it is 25 miles, that is a lot of distance to cover and therefore you need to know how to pace your horse so that you don't push it too much, otherwise you will just exhaust the horse or you risk injuring the horse."

A difficult balancing act - and that’s why on his fourth lap when Cesar Shi heard this:

[Horse Breathing Heavy]

More...

Malaysia: King launches book on endurance challenge

Significant achievement: Salleh
with the 160-page coffee table
book — the first ever endurance coffee
table publication in Malaysia.

Thestar.com.my

Tuesday September 16, 2008
By JADE CHAN

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdin launched the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007 coffee table book recently.

The book, published by the Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation (YDSM), is considered significant to the equestrian community as it is the first ever endurance coffee table publication in Malaysia. The book will be sold at major bookstores in Malaysia from next month.

The 160-page book, with 11 chapters, is a colourful documentation showcasing the moments leading to the hosting of the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endu-rance Challenge in 2007.

YDSM vice-chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said the book would serve as a testament of the glorious moments of the event.

“The publication also acknowledges the efforts of those who worked hard in organising the challenge and marks an honour for the country and its people in hosting such a prestigious event,” said Salleh.

Thirteen countries took part in the challenge that saw a completion rate of 67%, which exceeded the expected 40% set by the International Equestrian Federa-tion (FEI).

The outstanding success of the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endu-rance Challenge 2007 had prompted the FEI to give Malaysia the chance to host the FEI World Endurance Championship on Nov 6-9.

Malaysia WEC: USA selects squad

by Steph Teeter
Endurance.Net
September 2008

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made final selection of the six horse and rider pairs to travel to Malaysia for the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship:

Definite Entries:

Kathy Brunjes/ Theatric
John Crandell/ HH Saba Shams
Cheryl Dell/ Reason to Believe
Valerie Kanavy/ Flash Flame
Meg Sleeper/ Syrocco Reveille
Jan Worthington/ Golden Lightning

Ranked Alternates:

Lisa Green/ Amana Tabi
Heather Reynolds/ Cal Flaming Emit
Meg Sleeper/ Shyrocco Troilus

The selection was made at the end of a 3 day trial and evaluation held over the weekend in Florida. All horses were examined by the USEF staff of veterinarians. The performance of the riders and horses over a 40 mile demonstration course was evaluated by USEF staff including an independent selection committee, veterinarians, and Chef d'Equipe Becky Hart. The 40 mile course was run in 4 phases, with speeds of 10, 12, 14 and 15 mph respectively, with holds of 20, 30 and 40 minutes.

According to USEF Endurance director, Vonita Bowers, the trial went very well. "All of the horses that were selected recovered after each phase in 1 to 3 minutes. The horses did very well and we were pleased at the focus and professionalism of all of the riders and crews."

The selected horses and riders, as well as alternates, will now stay in Florida for the next month, prior to traveling to Malaysia. This will give time to train together, as a team, and to develop skills and strategies to improve their chances of winning a medal in Malaysia.

Three of the selected riders, Brunjes, Crandell and Sleeper gained valuable experience at the Sultan's Cup 160km event held last November in Terengganu, the venue for the 2008 WEC. Kanavy, Brunjes, Sleeper and Worthington have all had prior experience competing at World Championships, and Kanavy has won 2 Gold and 1 Silver individual medals.

Kanavy brought 2 horses to the selection trial, King Ali Gold and Flash Flame. While King Ali has out-performed Flash Flame in terms of speed and winning performances, he can also be a challenging horse to ride and difficult to rate. The final selection of Flash Flame was made based on her performance in Florida. Additional consideration was given to her prior experience at International events (a 5th place at the 2005 Pan American Championship in Argentina) and a more even temperament, which made her a better team choice. This year's goal for the USA in Malaysia is a team medal, and riders and horses were selected with that goal in mind.

Bahrain: Season-opening endurance horse race set

Gulf-Daily-News.com

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) will host the first endurance horseride of the season on November 22 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The federation, under its president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, approved the 2008/09 season calendar at its board of directors meeting. The inaugural race of the new season will be a 90-km qualifying event for young riders seeking experience in endurance races.

The first official race this year will be the National Day Championship set for December 13 and is over 120km. That will be followed by a 12km open race on January 3 next year.

Other events are the Women's Open Championship on January 31, the National Stables Championship on February 7, His Majesty King Hamad Cup on March 7, the Crown Prince Cup race on April 3 and the Season-Ending Championship on May 1.

Meanwhile, the Breef members also discussed the showjumping season and confirmed the schedule of its events. The showjumping season will get underway on November 7 with the Season Starting Championship, to be followed by the National Day Championship on December 19, then the Breef Cup on February 13.

In other competitions, the Arab League round for His Majesty King Hamad Cup will be held from February 19 to 22, the second Breef Cup on March 27 and the Season Ending Championship on March 10 and 11.

The federation also decided to form a marketing committee to promote its programmes and activities. The committee, to be headed by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, will start looking for sponsors to support the federation this season.

The meeting was also attended by Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, second vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi, assistant general secretary Dr Khalid Hassan, public relations head Faisal Al Ajmi and members Tawfeeq Salehi, Haider Al Zo'bi, Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Endurance horse reaches 20,000 mile mark

A BOY MORAB NAMED TULIP

20 YEARS OLD and 20,035 miles-AERC Hi-Mileage Horse

-and Still Going Strong Down the Trail-

(How We Did It?)

Les Carr, Ph.D.

Without the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) record keeping and supportive services; without the energetic efforts of ride managers; without Pony Express (XP) multi-day 3-5 day 50 mile/day rides; and without significant help from AERC members during the 15 years it took to make a hi-mileage Morab horse—-Tulip would not be the hi-mileage horse of all time. Yes, Tulip has 15 years of riding and trails under his belly, and has averaged about 1,350 miles/year in recorded, vet-checked, endurance competition (American Endurance Ride Conference).
[More ...]

Australia: Emma continues on her winning ways

Emma Smith has continued to
compete extremely well
and has recently completed
her first ‘100 miler’ -
the 160kms Horseland NSW
State Championships - riding
Kintamani Mistral.

TheGrenfellRecord

10/09/2008 8:54:00 AM

Emma has brought the mare Kintamani Silver Belle through the novice division where they can only do a minimum of 6 hrs, and once they have completed their 3 x 80kms rides in that division, they gain their ‘yellow log book’ and are able to compete faster.

In their first ride out of the novice classification, they won the Coolamon Junior section in 5.32 and backed up at the Zone Two Championships two weeks later, covering the 110kms in 7.52, a good time for that distance to win again and gain Best Conditioned horse as well.

Emma is next entered in the Shahzada 400kms Marathon ride at St Albans near Wisemans Ferry in ten days time riding Kintamani Silver Motif, a gelding owned by Erika Lindsay.

This horse has covered the distance before and Emma is looking forward to the challenge.

Emma is entered 3 weeks later in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup National Championships at Nanango in Queensland - a distance once again of 160kms.

Emma has become a valuable team member and very reliable, embracing a sport she has only begun competing in this year under the guidance of Alan Lindsay who has completed most of the rides with her.

Alan also works in Grenfell at the Weddin Shire on occasions.

Malaysia WEC: USA to select Team

Endurance.Net
September 9, 2008

Twelve horse and rider teams have gathered in Florida for the final selection of the squad to represent the United States (United States Equestrian Federation - USEF) in the 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship in Malaysia, November 6-9. Of these 12 horse and rider pairs, 6 will be selected to travel to Malaysia and 3 alternates will be named.

Friday September 12, is the first day of a 3 day evaluation session designed to determine which horses are the fittest and which riders and crews are the most capable and prepared for the ultimate international endurance challenge. All US hopefuls will begin the session with meetings and discussion Friday evening, introducing the staff to the riders and explaining the itinerary for the weekend.

Saturday morning will begin with a physical evaluation of each of the horses to determine base levels of metabolic and physical fitness. All will then participate in a 40 mile controlled demonstration 'competition'. Riders will be released in stages, 2 at a time, and will traverse the 40 mile course in 10 mile increments at pre-determined speeds, beginning at 10mph, and increasing speed in each consecutive phase, not to exceed 15mph. Ambient conditions will factor into the speed determinations. After each 10 mile phase, a veterinary check will be staged to evaluate the horse's condition.

In addition to the horse's evaluation, riders and crews will be expected to perform at peak efficiency and this will also factor in to the final selection. The full 'team' of horse, rider and crew will be on site for the demonstration ride, and will be expected to demonstrate efficiency and competency. At the World Championship level, a good crew can make a huge difference in the ability to minimize recovery time, cool and care for the horse during holds, trouble shoot, and prepare horse and rider for the next phase. Minutes can be shaved off of final ride times in this way, and minutes can often make the difference between medal winning performances.

Conditions in Florida will be as close as possible to what the US team will experience in Malaysia. The session is being held at the Black Prong Equestrian Center near Ocala, in north-central Florida. The trails in this area are flat and sandy. Heat and humidity will still be relatively high and according to Vonita Bowers, USEF Endurance Director, USEF feels that this will be an ideal test to determine which horses and riders are best suited to compete in Malaysia.

Becky Hart, 3-time World Endurance Champion, is the USEF Chef d'Equipe and has been coaching the USEF team since she was appointed to the position several months prior. Becky is aware of the unique challenges facing US riders in Malaysia and the need to prepare and acclimate both horse and rider.

"Horses going to Malaysia, for the most part, will have proven their ability in humid conditions. We have two west coast horses, one lives in a micro-climate of high humidity, the other is training in a neoprene neck sweat and wool rump rug in 104 degree weather. He wears his winter blanket at all times.

"The horses will be tested at the final training session over a 40 mile fast-paced course in Florida. Blood will be taken every 10 miles to compare fitness to the prior training session and to see where the horses are now in fitness. The horses will stay in Florida until they ship out, wearing their blankets to reduce hair coat growth as much as possible."

The USEF selection committee (Fred Clusky, Tom Johnson, Linda Howard, Jim Wiseman and Kathy Downs) will determine the final 6 horse and rider pairs to represent the United States. Also contributing to the selection will be USEF Chef d'Equipe and 'coach' Becky Hart and the USEF 3-member veterinary panel of Jim Bryant DVM, Tom Timmons DVM and Duncan Peters DVM.

Sunday, day 3 of the Florida session, all 12 horses will once again stand for a veterinary evaluation, similar to a Best Condition judging. Sunday evening the final selection will be made and the 6 member traveling squad and 3 alternates will be announced.

In 2010 the United States will host the World Endurance Championship as part of the World Equestrian Games. While USEF is determined to ship the best possible squad to Malaysia for the 2008 Championship, they are keeping their sites on the 2010 goal as well.

According to Becky, "We are just setting out on a new program for world competition and to develop a TEAM. Malaysia will be a test to gauge how we are doing. It takes time to develop a team, especially among independent endurance riders. How would you like someone telling you what pace to ride and with whom? Yet that is what our riders must do if we are to have any kind of team strategy. Winning for individual glory is not the goal. A rider may need to sacrifice an individual gold medal so the team can have a solid finish. This is what we are asking our best riders on their best horses
to do. Wait 'til the WEG in Kentucky. By then we should really have this team thing down."

With just 4 weeks left before shipping, the United States is now focused on choosing the best possible team to compete in Malaysia. Hopefully the efforts of the USEF staff and the hard work and focus of the riders will pay off with a medal performance in Malaysia.

The 12 nominated entries for United States:

Kathy Brunjes & Theatric
Cecilia Butler-stasiuk & Djb Sombeiul
Johnt Crandell & Hh Saba Shams
Cheryl Dell & Reason To Believe
Lisa Green & Lr Amana Tabi
Ann Hall & Bogus Thunder
Valerie Kanavy, Valerie & Flash Flame
Valerie Kanavy & King Ali Gold
Heather Reynolds & Cal Flaming Emit
Margeret M. Sleeper & Syrocco Reveille
Margeret Sleeper & Shyrocco Troilus
Janice Worthington & Golden Lightning

Malaysia: Final List Of 12 Riders For WEC To Be Announced On Oct 1

Bernama.com.my

September 08, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama)-- The names of 12 riders who will represent the country in the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI) World Endurance Championship to be staged at the Lembah Bidong, Setiu in Terengganu will be announced on October 1.

The National Sports Institute (ISN) director general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said 16 riders have qualified for the prestigious event, scheduled from Nov 6 to 9 but only 12 will be selected.

"All 16 will undergo centralised training from Oct 15 to beef up their team spirit, physical and mental strength," Dr Ramlan told reporters here Monday.

Ramlan added that the Selection Committee has set a number of criterias for the riders as well as their horses to ensure that they will be in the right condition for the gruelling race.

"In addition to horses that riders already have, we have also bought 13 horses from overseas at a cost of about RM2 million," he said.

Dr Ramlan said the horses which arrived early this month are to be quarantined for a period of four weeks before exposing them to the local conditions and weather.

The Malaysian team competing in the 160km race will be spearheaded by non other than the country's number one sportsman, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

So far 26 countries have confirmed their participation and from the total, 24 countries will compete in the team event and 12 in the individual event.

The list of riders who have qualified for the FEI World Endurance Championship on merit are Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Datuk Kamaruddin Abd Ghani, Datuk Shuib Isahak, Datuk Abdullah Taib, Mohd Faizal Ismail, Rosdam Mohd Noor, Che Ahmad Yusri Muhamad, Muhammad Alif Sabidi, Yusran Yusof, Zainuddin Yusof, Md Rino Abd Rani, Abdul Halim Alihan, Bakar Aman, Norlaily Buniyamin, Muhammad Firdaus Hamid and Md Aizie Ismail.

-- BERNAMA

Australia: Tom Quilty Cup on horizon for Fleming

The Inverell Times

9/09/2008 9:32:00 AM

LOCAL endurance rider Clare Fleming and her grey Arab gelding Mangueira Moksha have been chosen in the 2008 team to represent the Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) at the Nanango Tom Quilty Cup.

Fleming received the email notification that her application had been successful late last week.

And she said she was thrilled to have been selected.

On being chosen as a team member, Clare's Quilty nomination fee will be paid for by QERA.

She will also receive a pair of Qera team jodhpurs', a Qera team T-shirt and a Qera team saddle cloth for her horse all in Queensland colors.

On the day of the Quilty, Clare will proudly dress in this outfit and her horse will use the saddle cloth provided.

Jade Vergis, Angela Hawks, and Mitchell Teuwsen are the other three team members, with Gayle Holmes as the reserve.

The Tom Quilty Story began in 1966, when 26 riders rode the first Tom Quilty 100 mile endurance ride on a course west of Sydney in the Hawkesbury area.

The ride was the brainchild of R M Williams.

The idea - ride your horse 100 miles in one day. - no mean feat!

R M had convinced his friend Tom Quilty, a Kimberly cattleman and renowned horseman, to donate $1000 to make a gold cup.

This cup is known as Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

It is a perpetual trophy and it is on permanent display in the Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach.

Each year a field, often upwards of 250 riders, lines up to ride the 160 km of the Quilty course.

Only a handful of elite equine athletes are ever in contention to win the prestigious Gold Cup.

For most it is simply the challenge, complete the ride and win one of the famous silver buckles and achieve the motto of the sport - 'To Complete is to Win'

This year, Fleming and Moksha will join the line up of riders at Nanango in Queensland to endeavour for a completion and a Quilty buckle in this grueling 160km event and a QERA Team win for Queensland.

New Zealand: Hundreds expected for endurance champs

Wairapa-Times Age
09.09.2008
By Gary Caffell

The Wairarapa Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club will host the national endurance championships at the Whareama Domain on Easter weekend, April 11 to 13, next year.

Entries are expected to run into the hundreds for the event which can be likened to a cross-country mega-marathon for horses with the longest "race" covering 160kms and taking at least 10 hours to complete.

Wairarapa club president Shane Dougan says Whareama offers ideal conditions for endurance riding with flat to rolling country allowing for some faster stretches but also enough hills to provide an excellent test of stamina.

He said organising the logistics for accommodating, feeding, watering and co-ordinating so many people and horses would be a huge task, and one only made possible by the generosity and support of the Whareama community.

Endurance rides are held in several loops of up to 40km each, and horses must pass rigorous vet checks for any signs of fatigue or injury after each loop before being allowed to continue.

The longer events begin in the middle of the night to avoid having to race in the heat of the day, and often riders don't finish until late the following day.

Not surprisingly, it takes years of training to develop an endurance horse to peak performance and the sport is considered the ultimate test of strength, fitness and stamina & for both horses and riders.

Some overseas competitors could be amongst the starters next Easter with the defending champion in the 160km race being Wairarapa's very own Jenny Champion.

She and her horse Freckles came with a late burst to win the title in the South Island

last year.
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Malaysia WEC: Norlaily plans to seal her spot

By : Janet Singh

FIFTEEN men and one woman rider have been shortlisted to train for the World Endurance Championships (WEC) in Terengganu on Nov 6-9.
But four will be dropped after centralised training, and the gutsy Norlaily Buniyamin (pic) does not want to be one of them.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is also among those who have qualified for the WEC, and he has registered Pascha Larzac and Moonlight Pharaoh as his mounts.

"I have a good feeling that I will be able to make the final cut as my horse has been in terrific form this year," said Norlaily, who is more at home when astride her mount, Jessie James riding 160 kilometres under torturing conditions.

So, when it came to getting ready for yesterday's press conference, she found out she had no make-up available.

"I had to rush out and buy lipstick and powder for this function, and my mum gave me an earful," said Norlaily.
Which is just as well because there is no special category in the WEC, and she will be competing against rugged men from all over the world on equally tough horses. "Jessie James is from Australia and has been in Malaysia for the past five years, and we finished second in the Royal Kelantan Endurance (in August)," said Norlaily with a touch of pride.

"I believe the WEC will be better suited for 'local' horses as opposed to horses which have to be flown in and then get them to acclimatise."

National Sports Institute director general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz said: "In June this year, only five riders had qualified and we were worried on how to get seven more into the WEC.

"And so, it was a nice surprise when 11 more qualified via various races. Now we will have to trim the squad to meet the quota allotted."

The training squad: Datuk Kamaruddin Ghani, Datuk Shuaib Isahak, Datuk Abdullah Taib, Faizal Ismail, Rosdam Noor, Che Ahmad Yusri, Alif Sabidi, Yusran Yusof, Zainuddin Yusof, Rino Rani, Halim Alihan, Bakar Aman, Norlaily Buniyamin, Firdaus Hamid, Azizie Ismail.
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Malaysia: King to lead nation at world meet

Nst.com

by AJITPAL SINGH

THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (pic) will lead the Malaysian team in the 160km World Endurance Championships, and as hosts, will be looking to make an impact in the team event at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu on Nov 6-9.

Among others expected to be picked are veteran rider Datuk Kamaruddin Abd Ganai and Mohd Shuaib Ishak, who together with Tuanku Mizan, are the top local qualifies after having earned four Certificate of Capability (COC) to qualify two horses each in the world meet.

In total, 16 local riders made the event's qualification cut but only 12 will be selected by the National Sports Institute (NSI) today at a function to be attended by Tuanku Mizan in Kuala Lumpur.

A total of 36 countries, including Malaysia, will be competing.

NSI director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz hopes the Malaysian riders will be in their best form for the event. "Tuanku Mizan is one of the best riders we have in the squad. For several months now, he has been undergoing serious physical and mental training for the event," said Ramlan recently.
He said the Malaysian squad have a strong chance to make an impression. "It will be quite tough to challenge the overseas riders in the individual category but there's a chance in the team event," he said.

"The local riders will also start the race with an advantage as they know the course well."

Among the top international riders competing are current World No 1 endurace rider Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain, France's Jean Daniel Aiello and John Crandell of the US.