[WEC Reports] Uruguay Team Banks On Women Power in Endurance Riding C'ships

Bernama.com
November 04, 2008 19:26 PM

SETIU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Apart from lining up their top most rider, Olascoaga Amaya, who is the world number two and highest ranked endurance rider in the FEI-World Endurance Championship (FEI-WEC) here from Nov 6-9, Uruguay are also fielding four women riders, including two sisters.

Uruguay coach Pio Olascoaga Silveira said their six riders, consist of two men riders, Olascoaga Amaya and Juan Cruz Caceres Aranda who form the backbone of the team, and four women riders, Adriana Basso Mac Gregor, Isadora Machkinnon and sisters Flavia Maria and Sofia Maria Fernandez Danvilla.

"All the women riders are very passionate about this toughest endurance race. They are well prepared to compete against the 142 riders from 32 countries," he said after a training session held at Pantai Merang, here, today.

Asked on Uruguay's target for the championship, Olascoaga said the team's ultimate aim was to win the team title.

He, however, acknowledged that they will face a strong challenge from defending champions France as well as Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

"In actual fact, we are not too worried about our competitors but rather the hot and humid weather conditions here that might affect our riders and the horses," he said.

Meanwhile, sisters, Flavia, 24, and Sofia, 22, said since they are not familiar with night riding, they are set to face a new challenge as the race starts at 5pm and goes on right through the night.

"In Uruguay, we seldom ride at night. However, to meet the requirement of this championship, we have trained several times at night and now have some knowledge and confidence of competing against the rest," said Flavia who rides Count Spot.

The FEI-WEC, a 160km endurance horse race held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, is regarded as the toughest horse race in the world as the competition winds around paths along the beach, woods, several water crossings, village settlements, plantations, flat logistic roads and tarmac crossings.

Apart from Uruguay, riders from South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, France, Portugal, Qatar, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States and Britain are competing.

Malaysia are represented by 12 riders and led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/04/2008 04:33:00 PM

Malyaysa WEC: Bahrain riders ready for Endurance race

Gulf Daily News

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team continued their preparations for the World Endurance Championship scheduled for Friday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengganu, Malaysia.

The team is being led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and includes five other members. They are Breef first vice-president and Al Khaldiya Stables leaders Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.

The six-member team, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur, will line-up with the world's top 142 riders from 34 countries in this challenging event which will be over 160km. It commences at 12 noon (Bahrain time).

The team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan was appointed team manager.

This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship. Their debut was in the 2005 edition cup in Dubai. They also took part in the 2006 championship in Akhn, Germany.

The Bahrainis, whose horses were already shipped to Kuala Lumpur and then to Terengganu, will be vying to take a podium finish in this prestigious $200,000 tournament which features teams and individual races.

A total of $100,000 will be split into smaller amounts for the top riders in the individual race, including $22,000 prize for the overall winner, $16,000 for runner-up, $13,000 for third place and $11,000 for fourth.

In the teams category, $80,000 will be divided for the winners, including $22,400 for the champion, $19,200 for runner-up, $14,400 for third and $12,000 for fourth.

Additional cash awards will be given away, including a $20,000 prize for the owner of the horse with the best condition.

Meanwhile, the Bahraini riders will submit their entries today at the endurance park and then attend the opening ceremony tomorrow at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

On Thursday, there will be pre-ride inspection, followed by riders' weighing. The riders will then attend the briefing and team declaration on the same day.

The race concludes on Saturday morning, and the prize-giving ceremony will be held the following day.

More than 120 riders, representing 33 countries from across the world, are taking part in the prestigious event. Among top countries in the fray are the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and the US.

Besides Bahrain, other GCC countries have also approved their entries. They are the UAE, Oman and Qatar.

The trails consist of shore front, wooded areas, water crossing, village settlements, flat logistic road and tarmac crossing. The trail will be marked with noticeable markers at strategic points to guide the riders.

Coloured markers and signage will be used to differentiate the respective loops. Night riding will be more interesting with respective different coloured lights marking the different loops.

Designated water points along the trail will be provided at approximately every five km distances.

The course will be established today and it will be open for inspection by teams from today until Thursday.

Malaysia WEC: South Africa looking for improvement

The New Straits Times Online
2008/11/04
photo: Thia Van Niekerk (left) and her brother Cornelius (right) will ride for the South African team while their father Sakkie Niekerk is the team manager. (The New Straits Times Online)

SIBLINGS Cornelius Van Niekerk and Thia hope to lead South Africa to a better outing in the 12th FEI World Endurance Championships at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, starting Thursday.
Their father, Sakkie Niekerk is also the team manager of the South African team.

Cornelius will be riding Ridasa Dr Gbm while Thia will be astride Izra Tendulkar.

The other South African riders are Gillese De Villiers (Traka Crypton), Carmen Du Preez (Nag Sharon Bez), Naomi Muller (Naomi Khyber) and Jenene Pretorius (Ruby).

Sakkie said his charges stand a better chance in the team event.
"We hope to do better than the ninth placing achieved in the 2006 edition in Aachen, Germany," he said at TIEP, Setiu yesterday.

Meanwhile, Cornelius, who is also captain, said it is going to be a difficult race for the team due to the adverse weather conditions in Terengganu.

"This is the first time we are racing in this part of the world. It's hot here compared to Europe. We really hope it will be raining on race day," said Cornelius.

"We have been training hard for the race for quite sometime. We are aiming big and all of us are in confident mood."

[WEC Reports]Bahrain looking for podium finish

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president, Shaikh Nasser Hamad Al Khalifa will lead his country in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu on Nov 6-9.
The other team members are Shaikh Khalid Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.

The team is coached by Shaikh Daij Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan is the manager.

This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship following their debut in the 2005 edition in Dubai.

Shaikh Nasser, said the team members are optimistic of a podium finish.
"We have been training for over a year for this championship," Shaikh Nasser told www.endurance.net, recently.

Their preparations started right after finishing second in last year's European Championships in Portugal.

The riders have been training in Europe, where they had a month-long camp in the United Kingdom, Austria and France.

However, Shaikh Nasser said the team will encounter a fierce test as the surface of the race area is presently wet due to continuous rain. But Shaikh Nasser expressed faith in the team members who have gained enough experience to help them pass this stern challenge.

Malaysia: Marisa's first strides to excel in equestrian sports

Thestar.com.my - Full Article

Monday November 3, 2008

By SHAHRIL CHE WAN

MARANG: Having taken up horse riding four years ago, Marisa Hasmah Mokhzani has taken her first strides towards excelling in equestrian sports.

Marisa Hasmah, who is the ninth grandchild of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was among the three youngest participants to take part in the 40km Royal Tournament Endurance Stables/National Horses Show Ride 2008 at Kampung Permatang Seratus, yesterday.

"I was nervous at first but I am glad that I took part in this tournament as the experience gained today can be considered a stepping stone for me to further succeed in this sport," she said after the prize-giving ceremony.

Marisa Hasmah, 12, rode Blanco, an Argentinian horse, during the race.

She said she practised by riding her horses, Blanco and Otto, with her family every Sunday.

She decided to enter the competition after being invited by her friend Her Highness Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah, who is the daughter of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Her father Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir beamed with pride at his daughter’s achievement although she was a novice in the strenuous endurance competition.

He added that his daughter picked up horse riding from Dr Mahathir and the two would ride in Putrajaya and at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club.

"We are proud of her achievement and talent. She is a brave girl," he said. Terengganu's Regent, Tengku Muhammed Ismail, 10, was the youngest participant and got fourth placing with his horse, Harmere Cairo.

His sister Tengku Nadhirah, won fifth place with her horse Aanetta.

The overall champion in the 40km category was Tengku Temenggong Raja, Tengku Baharuddin Sultan Mahmud while the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin won third placing in the 80km category.

King rides to third place in race

New Straits Times Online
2008/11/03

Photo: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (left) taking part in the National Horse Show’s endurance race at the Marang Endurance Track in Marang yesterday. With him are other participants, including his son, Terengganu Regent Tengku Muhammad Ismail (second from right) and his daughter Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah (third from right).

MARANG: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin warmed up for the World Endurance Championship, scheduled for Nov 5 to 9 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, with a third-placed finish in the National Horse Show's endurance race at the Marang Endurance Track yesterday.
The debut 80km category race at the three-day show, which ended yesterday, was flagged off by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah with 23 riders taking part.

National Horse Show 2008 supreme committee joint vice-chairman Che Mat Din Ismail said the downpour in the morning made the ride more challenging for the competitors.

First place went to Nazuki Muda of Langkawi Endurance Team while Ahmad Ali Abdullah Kanis Mohd Yusoff of D'Bali Stable came in second.

Che Mat Din said the event was a good test of the riders' stamina besides providing opportunities for local grooms to familiarise themselves with new methods of cooling down horses.
He said Terengganu Regent Tengku Muhammad Ismail, 10, his sister Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah, 12, and Marisa Hasmah Mokhzani, also 12, who is the granddaughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, participated in the 40km category race.

He added the 70 per cent completion rate in the 40km category was an outstanding achievement as in endurance racing, it was important for both horse and rider to finish in good condition to prove a test of good horsemanship.

New Straits Times Online Article

Turkmenistan Riders to Take Part in UAE Endurance Events

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

3 November 2008

ABU DHABI -The doors have been opened and now its just a question of when. If everything goes according to plan, endurance aficionados will get to watch and compete alongside riders and horses from Turkmenistan in the UAE.

These racing horses are known for their unique colours somewhat different from thoroughbreds and pure Arabians.

This was the outcome of a recent visit by a high-ranking delegation from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, headed by the secretary general Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, according to a Press release.

The visit was in response to an invitation extended to Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, chairman of the UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation, from the president of the Turkmenistan Equestrian Federation, in an effort to boost mutual relations in this field. The visit, which coincided with the 17th independence day celebrations of Turkmenistan, included the opening of a mega building which houses the headquarters of Turkmenistan Equestrian Federation. Some races were held to mark the occasion.


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Ireland: Ireland decides against WEG 2014 bid

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 2, 2008

Despite a €10 million pledge in sponsorship Ireland has decided not to bid to host the World Equestrian Games in 2014.

The decision was made at a Horse Sport Ireland board meeting on Thursday.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the decision was an acknowledgement of the changing fiscal climate and the need for HSI to concentrate its resources on developing the sport.

Mr Walsh said that Horse Sport Ireland had a recent meeting with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen T.D. At the meeting an initial feasibility study that had been prepared for Horse Sport Ireland by Mazars Consulting was discussed. From the report it was clear that substantial Government and commercial funding would be required to bring the games to Ireland.

"We had a very open discussion with the Minister and while we all agreed that hosting these games would be of great benefit to Ireland we cannot ignore the economic realities," he said.

"As the Governing Body for the sport we have to be prudent and be absolutely sure that the games would be viable. With the global economic downturn the risk factors in taking on a project like this have increased significantly in recent months. We all know what happened in 1998 and we cannot risk a repeat of that." he said.

Mr. Walsh said he wanted to thank Dr. Pearse Lyons, Global President of Alltech, for his generous offer to sponsor the Games.

"As an Irishman Dr Lyons really wanted to bring the games to Ireland. His offer to be the title sponsor of the games was extremely generous and it is unfortunate that the timing just isn't right," he said.

He said that he was confident that Ireland would bid for the World Equestrian Games at some stage in the future and the work done in assessing the feasibility of a bid for 2014 would prove useful.

Bidders for the games are to 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.

UAE: Munthar wins season's first race

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 22:58

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Al Reef Stables sent out the first winner of the 2008-09 endurance season as Munthar Ahmad Al Beloushi claimed victory in the 100-km Boutheib Endurance Challenge for Junior & Young Riders here on Saturday.

Riding Carallio, an 11-year-old horse trained by his elder brother Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi, Munthar scored his first career win completing the 100km ride in three hours 46 minutes and 51 seconds.

Munthar used to ride horses at the Al W'rsan Stables and shifted to the Al Ain base of Al Reef Stables. His horse Carallio was coming back after a long layoff due to injury.

"I was a bit tired toward the end of the race," said Munthar.

Despite winning the race, Munthar was not the first to cross the finish line.

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[WEC Reports] Royal support makes it possible for Abdul Halim

The New Straits Times
11/02/2008

ABDUL Halim Alihan could not have fulfilled his dreams of competing in next week's FEI World Endurance Championships (FEI WEC) if not for the support of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Abdul Halim's interest in horses began when he was a youngster. He often read books on horses but could not venture into the sport due to financial constraints.

However, his chance came when he started work as a groom and riding boy at the Royal Terengganu Stable Club in Sungai Besi in 2006.

"I have been one of the King's horse grooms for the past two years. Tuanku Mizan encouraged me to venture into competitive riding and even loaned me his horse (Brookleigh Kentara) for competitions," said the Kuching-born rider.

"I managed to earn two Certificates of Capability (COC) on this horse for the world meet," said the 27-year-old rider.
Abdul Halim is one of the 12 Malaysian riders competing in the FEI WEC at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu..

The 27-year-old rider, who has competed in four 160-km endurance competitions so far this year, is ranked 161st in the world. His best result was fifth placing at the Saera event in Australia in June.

The FEI WEC will have 133 riders from 32 countries competing.

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Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/02/2008 04:55:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Bahrain set for endurance test

Gulf-daily-news.com

BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead the Bahrain endurance horseride team at the World Endurance Championship to be held on Friday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengganu, Malaysia.

A few members of the six-member team reached Kuala Lumpur yesterday and will line-up with the world's top riders from 37 countries in this challenging event which will be held over 160 kms.

Other team members are Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.

The team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan is the manager.

This will be Bahrain's third appearance in the world championship following their debut in 2005 in Dubai. The 2006 championship was held in in Akhn, Germany.

The riders will submit their entries at the endurance park and then attend the opening ceremony on Wednesday at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

On Thursday, there will be pre-ride inspection, followed by riders' weighing. The riders will then attend a briefing.

The race concludes on Saturday morning while the prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for the next day.

Shaikh Nasser, who will leave for Malaysia later this week, said the team members are optimistic of a podium finish. "We have been training for over a year for this championship," added Shaikh Nasser.

Their preparations started right after finishing second in the European Championship held in Portugal. The team resumed training in the summer in Europe where they had a month-long camp in the UK, Austria and France.

However, Shaikh Nasser said the team will encounter a fierce test as the surface of the race area in Malaysia is presently wet due to continuous rainy weather.

But Shaikh Nasser expressed faith in the team members who have gained enough experience to help them pass this stern challenge.

Shaikh Nasser thanked His Majesty King Hamad for his support and encouragement.

The course is designed to provide a safe yet challenging competition, taking the riders along the stunning coast line, through palm plantations, along canal banks and through natural forests.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/02/2008 04:53:00 AM

UAE: Dreaming of the big race win

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 22:58

Abu Dhabi: At six feet two inches Mattar Al Yabhouni hardly has the look of a horseman.

But not only is he a keen rider but also a polo player with a one goal handicap and a passionate lover of horses.

A two time winner of the President's Cup Polo Championship in Ghantoot, Al Yabhouni is an ardent follower of all horse-related sports.

When he is not looking after his business, he is either at his stables supervising the care and progress of his horses or playing polo.

Al Yabhouni, who owns a private stable with 20 endurance horses, says the encouragement he has received from the big horse owners in the UAE has allowed small, private stables like his to stay, expand and compete on level terms.

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[WEC Reports] Horse show a public sensation

New Straits Times

November 1 2008

KUALA TERENGGANU: The National Horse Show was a hit with 10,000 people turning up at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai on its opening day yesterday.

The show was officiated by the Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Among the activities held during the ceremony were a performance by the mounted unit of the Royal Malaysian Police and a horse-riding challenge by the Malaysian Pony Club members.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah also presented prizes to winners of the Secondary School Horse Art competition. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Sulaiman bagged the RM5,000 first prize while SMK Padang Midin and SMK Tengku Bariah walked away with the RM3,000 second and RM2,000 third prize, respectively.

Other attractions on the first of the three-day show were the start of the seventh Asian Regional farriery competition, Horse Carnival, Equine Exposition, Horse Breed and Carriage Display.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the event and the coming FEI World Endurance Championships would bring in more visitors to the state.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 05:52:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Riders to star in Terengganu

New Straits Times

November 1 2008

URUGUAY'S Pio Juan Olascoaga Amaya, the current World No 2 and the highest ranked endurance rider to feature in next week's World Endurance Championships (WEC), is the favourite to win the individual title at the Terengganu International Equestrian Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.

Amaya has been outstanding in several competitions -- especially in Uruguay -- where he has won two 160km Costa Azul events held in April and September, respectively.

He will be riding his trusted horse -- Ar Vale -- at the WEC.

The second highest ranked rider in the competition is Mohd Ahmed Ali Al Subose of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The world No 4 has proved himself in several competitions and finished on the podium several times this year.

His latest win was in the United Kingdom, where he captured the Euston Park competition on Oct 10 while his compatriot, Abdulla Thani Huzaim, the World No 5, is also a strong challenger in the WEC.

The other challenger, Prince Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Maktoum is the only rider from UAE to have won the individual world title. He did it at the 2002 edition in Spain.

From the local front, Datuk Kamaruddin Abd Ghani is the highest ranked Malaysian rider at 93rd.

Kamaruddin, a former Sea Games gold medallist, has been involved in endurance riding for more than a decade.

He has competed in five tournaments so far this year and his most memorable outing was in Uruguay, where he finished third in the Costa Azul competition in April.

Kamaruddin will be riding Navidad at the world meet. Among other Malaysians competing are Ismail Faizal (World No 107), Abdul Halim Alihan (161), Zainuddin Yusof (168) and Rosdam Mohd Noor (192).

The 12-member Malaysian team will be led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 05:46:00 AM

UAE: Endurance riding growing among women in UAE

Gulfnews.com - Full article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 00:01

Abu Dhabi: Women's endurance riding has been given a boost by the Al Asayel Endurance Village and the 2008-09 season will see the first GCC Ladies Championship.

Encouraged by the success of the rides held at this endurance venue in Sweihan in Abu Dhabi, the Al Asayel Endurance Village will be hosting the inaugural GCC Ladies Championship, a 120km ride in January.

The Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge, a three-round series of races for female riders, was a major success last season with each of the event attracting over 30 participants.

More...

UAE: Long Ride

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 01, 2008, 00:01

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's 2008-2009 endurance season gets off to a soft opening today with the Boutheib Endurance Cup for Juniors and two qualifier rides being staged at the Boutheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi.

After today's rides the season takes a pause as the 2008 World Endurance Championship is being held in Malaysia next week.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Culture and Arts Authority, are part of the strong six-member UAE team at the World Championship being held in Terengganu, Malaysia on November 7-8.

Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Subose complete the UAE line-up. A week later, the UAE's endurance season resumes with the first competitive endurance ride in the Open category to be held on November 15 at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.


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[WEC Reports] Wendy Benns off to the races

TheScugogstandard.ca

By Blake Wolfe/The Scugog Standard

October 31, 2008

A local equestrian and familiar face at the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Control Centre will be heading to Malaysia next week to represent Canada at an international endurance race.

Wendy Benns and Supreme Justice, her nine-year-old Egyptian Arabian, will be attending the World Endurance Championships on Nov. 7, hosted this year in Terengganu, Malaysia. The one-day event consists of a 100 mile race, with 150 horse and rider teams from around the world at this year's edition, including six members of Team Canada representing the top six horses in the country.

Back home, Ms. Benns works as an animal control officer at the Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Control Centre, and takes the photos of pets seen in the 'For Adoption' pages of local publications like The Scugog Standard.

"Travelling to a tropical region to compete means a lot of stress for the horses," said Ms. Benns of the challenges she will face in the competition, "especially the travel and acclimatization." She added that this particular race requires years of constant training and conditioning for participating horses.

In addition to this year's event, her first World Endurance Championship, Ms. Benns has also competed in three Pan-Am Games as a member of Team Canada, making the jump to the international level of competition in 2006. Ms. Benns originally got into equestrian through the Uxbridge-Scugog Pony Club, which introduced her to the various types of competition.

Ms. Benns also added that she was "overwhelmed" and thankful for the sponsors who helped her along the way, especially for what she described as a somewhat unconventional sporting event.

"Endurance racing is a difficult sport to attract sponsors to," she said, "as it really isn't a spectator sport. Horses and riders race on trails in remote areas."

"I'm hoping to help Canada become a medal contender in this competition," she said of her hopes for the race.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 12:02:00 AM

[WEC Reports] Tuanku Mizan Opens National Horse Show

Bernama.com

October 31, 2008 23:23 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on Friday opened the three-day National Horse Show at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here.

The event, held for the first time in Terengganu, involves various programmes like horseshoe pitching contest, a horse carnival, equine exposition as well as exhibitions on horse breeding and horse carts.

Tengku Mizan, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah and the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, also witnessed a dressage event performed by the Royal Malaysia Police's cavalry unit.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said and State Youth and Sports Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said.

The show is jointly organised by the Terengganu government, the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stables and the STC Equestrian and Sports Centre.

In conjunction with the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Malaysian Equine Council (MEC) and the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA).

The MoU was signed to give MEC the rights to use EFA specifications in Malaysia.

The show is a prelude to the World Equestrian Championship to be held at Lembah Bidong, Setiu from Nov 6 to 9.

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Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/01/2008 12:00:00 AM

USEF News: Kanavy and McCarty Score Wins in the American Endurance Ride Conference National Championships

Release: October 30 2008

By Troy Smith

Five weeks after Hurricane Ike devastated trails in the Clark State Forest in Indiana, the 100-mile and 50-mile American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Championship riders and horses enjoyed excellent weather and trails on October 16 and 18.

“The only reason the ride took place was because of the nearly 300-plus hours in manpower it took to get the trails in excellent condition,” said co-ride manager Cindy Young. “Few people realize what a mess those trails really were and without some key people working diligently on some 35 miles of trails, the championships would probably not have happened.”

For a sport where weather and trails can collude to make for precarious conditions, especially this late in the season, this year’s national championship was nearly perfect. “Trails were excellent, the weather was perfect, and the knowledge and expertise of all the workers helped to make the national championships run flawlessly,” said Young. “It truly was a great event!”

The well-attended ride had 45 starters in the 100-mile event and 114 starters in the 50-mile event.

“The level of competition and the caliber of riders truly made for a national championship on all levels,” said Young. “We had competitors from 26 states as well as Canada, Switzerland, Holland and Namibia.”

100-Mile Competition
Winner of the 100-mile contest was AERC Hall of Fame inductee Valerie Kanavy with King Ali Gold. With a time of 9 hours and 53 minutes, they were 45 minutes ahead of the next competitors. Best Condition went to Hot Desert Knight, ridden by Farzad Faradyi, who were the second finishers.

Top weight division finishers: Joni Buttram and Cash Bonus (Junior), Kirsten Kimbler and Cody Canuck (Featherweight), Valerie and Ali (Lightweight), Farzad Faradyi and Hot Desert Knight (Middleweight) and Ed Kidd and Merlin (Heavyweight).

There were 31 completions out of the field of 45 starters in the 100-mile event, held October 16.

50-Mile Competition
Teresa McCarty and Spectacular Gold were first to finish the 50-mile event, with a time of 3 hours and 58 minutes, and also won Best Condition.

Other top weight division finishers were Austin Shaffer and Pearl Jam (Junior), Katherine Shank and Wind Dancer-Bey (Featherweight), Deb Shaffer and Sheik Abu Galihad+ (Lightweight), and Roger Barrett and Blueberry Bey (Heavyweight).

There were 114 entrants and 98 completions in the 50-mile event, held October 18.

The prestigious endurance ride was held in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association’s Arabian and Half-Arabian Endurance Championship.

For more information, check out the National Championship website at www.dbdr.info/NC%20Home.htm.

Next year’s AERC National Championship will be held in Northern California on September 11 and 13.

For more information about AERC and endurance riding, visit www.aerc.org or phone the AERC office at (866) 271-2372.

UAE: 2008/2009 Season Starting

ABU DHABI — The season’s inaugural endurance ride is all set to roll with the staging of the Bou Thib Endurance Cup at the Bou Thib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in co-operation with the Emirates Heritage Club, Abu Dhabi, is organising the event for Junior and Young Riders.

Over 55 youngsters have already confirmed their participation for the CEN-JY 100km ride, which will be run in four phases of 30km, 30km, 24km and 16km respectively. The ride will begin at 6am.

The day will also feature two Federation Qualifying rounds of 40km and 80km respectively which has attracted a field of over 170 riders.

Qualifying rides are organised by the UAE Equestrian Federation to enable the riders to qualify to participate in long-distance rides.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club.

Pre-ride inspection for the rides were held on Friday, at the Endurance Village.

Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum, Shaikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Shaikh Saqr bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Munthar Ahmed Al Bloushi, Rashed Ahmed Al Bloushi, Ali Ghanem Al Marri, Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri, Mara Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem, Ahmed Tariq Abdullah Al Mutawa, Muhanad Ali Khalfan Al Abdullah, Buti Mohammed, Khalaf Al Marri, Hamad Ibrahim and Abdullah Al Marzouqi are some of the contenders for the juniors championship on the opening day.
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