Spain: CEI*** Santa Susana

Madrid, Dec. 4, 2008. - Tomorrow begins the first race of the 56th edition of the traditional Santa Susana Raid, the last big European Raid 2008. The first test will begin at 7:30 pm in the Parc de Colomer of the town of Barcelona. In the list of participants are 14 Spanish riders.

This classic, in addition to being the oldest rallies in Europe, has the honor of being the only one in Spain which is held in two days: the stage tomorrow is composed of 99 kilometers demanding in a scenario that is characterized by great difficulty, because it has a gap of more than 500 m. The final stage will take place on Saturday, and will consist of 99 km also Each of the two days will be divided into three stages of 40, 33 and 26 km.

Yesterday was the first veterinary review. It is planned that tomorrow at 15:00 am the review will be held on the first day of competition. Similarly, when finishing the final race on Saturday, will be held two further revisions: the very tender and will determine the award of "Best Fitness"

The celebration of the Santa Susana Raid closes a season in which this discipline has once again become a major player in the riding of our country, mainly thanks to the results obtained in the recently disputed World Championship, which has been repeated individual gold and has achieved a creditable 5th placed teams.

Qatar: Al Shaqab Team riders set to dominate event

The Peninsula

12/7/2008

Doha: The Endurance Riding season continues this weekend as three separate competition rides are scheduled to be held at the Qatar Endurance Village.

Al Shaqab, member of the Qatar Foundation, has entered a strong group of 12 riders in the Senior Open, 100 km event, and an additional nine, Junior Youth competitors, in the 80 km race. Both events are regulated by the rules of Concours de Raid d'Endurance International (CEI).

Five of the six Al Shaqab riders that represented Qatar in a second place finish in the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu, Malaysia will compete in the Senior Open event.

The sixth member of the successful Qatar national team will ride in the Junior Youth division.

The six riders include: Atta Mohammed Beer, Khalid Sanad Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Sultan Ahmed Al Suweidi, Faleh Nasser Saleh Bughenaim, Mohammed Tahous Saif Al Nuaimi and Abdulla Towim Al Marri.

The group will be joined in the ride by Al Shaqab's team trainer, Hadi Nasser Al Ramzani, and assistant trainer, Abdul Aziz Saleh Al Jaber.

In addition the Qatar National Cup will be held in two divisions on December 20, a 120km event and a junior youth ride at 100km.

The calendar for December includes:

Saturday, December 20

Qatar National Cup, 120k, CEI,Qatar National Cup, Junior-Youth, 100k, CEI

UAE: Baloushi brothers’ double delight

The National

Amith Passela
December 06, 2008
DUBAI

The al Baloushi riders from the Al Reef Stables are on the crest of the wave in endurance. They celebrated a double to take their tally to five winners and a second from six races.

Sultan al Baloushi led a superb 1-2 finish with his cousin Omair al Baloushi in the FEI 120-kilo- metre Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge in Dubai and the younger brother Rashed, 14, won the 100km Boudthib trophy for the junior and young riders in Abu Dhabi.

Yousef al Baloushi, who trained all the winners, said he did nothing special in churning out the victors. “Sometimes you need a lot of luck in this game and right now it seems to be with me. I thank God for that.

“This is the best ever start we have had. The horses that came first and second have done nothing better than today’s finish.

“And the one that won in Boudthib was also winning for the first time. So it’s all going well for us. we are very excited and cherishing every moment.”

The trainer al Baloushi, who was denied of a win in last weekend’s race by his Abu Dhabi rival Ali Khalfan al Jahouri from the Al Wathba Stables, had to make the exit at the end of the penultimate loop in yesterday’s race when the part-Arab mare Lauralyn Sisette was vetted out for lameness.

“She is new for endurance and got very nervous,” added al Baloushi. “She was hard to control and ran at a crazy pace.

“The rains had made the conditions underfoot a bit heavy in some parts of the course and difficult for the horses.”

Sultan, on the 12-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding Sharahd Talik, and Omair, on Hurst Ibn Hamed, crossed the finish line together in just over five hours for Al Reef.

Khalifa Ghanim al Marri on the seven-year-old Purebred Arabian mare Azurra was a further two minutes behind in third for the Fazaa Endurance Team.

Al Reef’s Mohammed Jasim Rahimi was fourth on Corleone and the Dubai-based Spanish world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton was fifth on Halim for the Emirates Stables.

Meanwhile, Rashed completed back-to-back victories in the event for the junior and young riders.

He rode Al Galahn to victory in over four hours and three minutes with Hamdan Mousa al Hammadi over a minute behind in second on Rhiannons Nimbi for Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum.

The Al Reef also occupied the third and fourth spots with Munthar al Baloushi (Kasalo) and Ahmed Ali al Yahyaei (Spoutnik).

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser announces launch of Endurance Grand Prix

Bahrain News

MANAMA, DEC 6 (BNA)

THE BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION /BREEF/ PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA TODAY ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF THE 120 KILOMETRE ENDURANCE GRAND PRIX IN ABU DHABI, UAE NEXT WEEK.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD THIS EVENING AT THE BANYAN TREE DESERT SPA AND RESORT AT THE SOUTHERN GOVERNMENT, SHAIKH NASSER SAID THE IDEA RECEIVED GREAT RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION. LIKE EVERY ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP, HE SAID, THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AROUND THE IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. BUT SHAIKH NASSER SAID THIS CHAMPIONSHIP WAS CHARACTERISED BY A GRAND PRIZE PRESENTED TO THE WINNER AND WILL ALLOW JOCKEYS WEIGHING OVER 75 KILOGRAMMES TO COMPETE. THE ENDURANCE GRAND PRIX WILL TAKE A ROUND INCLUDING A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES TO COLLECT POINTS, HE SAID. SHAIKH NASSER SAID THE CHAMPIONSHIP RESEMBLED THE FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX. MOREOVER, SHAIKH NASSER PRAISED THE SUPPORT FROM THE UAE VICE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM FOR HOLDING THE EVENT IN ABU DHABI NEXT WEEK. SHAIKH NASSER SAID THE IDEA OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP EMERGED FROM THE WILL TO UPGRADE AND DIVERSIFY ENDURANCE RACES AND TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR JOCKEYS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE. HE WISHED THE SUCCESS EVENT AND WISHED THAT IT WILL RECEIVE RESPONSE ENABLING IT TO GROW FROM A REGIONAL INTO AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. NTQ/ 06-DEC-2008 20:58

UAE: Top riders for Rashid Challenge

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: December 03, 2008, 23:16

Dubai: Some of the top riders of the UAE will compete in Saturday's Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge - a 120km FEI CEI Three Star ride at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) in Seih Assalam.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, racing manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, said the annual event will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan.

"All the top riders in the UAE will be taking part and this is a prestigious event in the UAE's domestic circuit," Al Muhairi, who himself is an endurance rider and trainer, said.

"Shaikh Hamdan has, over the years, been patronising endurance rides in the UAE and once again we expect over a hundred riders, including some top foreign riders," Al Muhairi said.

The 120km ride will be run in five stages and on offer will be cars and cash prizes.

"The top three riders will be awarded cars along with cash prizes while the top 20 riders will also get cash awards," said Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club.

"There is also a car on offer for the spectators through a free raffle draw," he added.

Ali Mousa said two qualifier rides will also be held on Saturday.

"A 40km event and an 89km event will also be held along with the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge ride.

The qualifier rides will help novice riders and horses to qualify for rides of longer distances," Ali Mousa said.

On Saturday, the Emirates Heritage Club will also be staging a 100km endurance ride for junior and young riders.

The Boudtheib Endurance Trophy is the third junior event to be held at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister.

Two other qualifier rides are also scheduled to be organised on Saturday at the Boudtheib Endurance Village.

FEI: 2009 Rules and Notes for Guidance

The FEI has published the 2009 Endurance Rules:

• Notes for Guidance (pdf)
  
  
• Endurance Rules(pdf)
  

LEROY NEIMAN PAINTING FOR 2010 ALLTECH FEI World Equestrian Games Unveiled

December 2, 2008

LEXINGTON, KY— The World Games 2010 Foundation today unveiled the Official Image of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, created by internationally renowned artist LeRoy Neiman.

The painting features each of the eight equestrian sports that comprise the World Equestrian Games, illustrated in Mr. Neiman’s style of brilliantly-colored, energetic imagery. As the Official Commemorative Artist of the 2010 Games, creating the piece was a return to a subject, and a place, with which Mr. Neiman has had a lifelong love.

“The horse has always been a favorite subject of mine, from the work horse to race horses,” said Mr. Neiman. “Kentucky is horse country, where this noble animal is prominent and appreciated. It has been a joy to paint the eight different disciplines for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I’m looking forward to attending in 2010 with sketchbook in hand.”

The painting will initially be stored and displayed at the International Museum of the Horse at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, the site of the 2010 Games. A traveling schedule for the painting is in development. In addition, Cobalt Artworks of Louisville, Kentucky hopes to present a retrospective exhibition featuring Mr. Neiman’s collection of equestrian work in downtown Lexington during the 2010 Games.

“When it comes to sports, and particularly sport in America, Leroy Neiman has been an icon for more than a half century. We are extremely pleased and honored to know that he will now be represented in our collections,” said Bill Cooke,Curator, "A Gift from the Desert" exhibition and "The Arabian Horse Galleries". “That his wonderful painting depicts all aspects of the most significant event in the history of the Kentucky Horse Park makes this even more special.”

Official merchandise including signed and official posters and notecards of the print, are now available at the 2010 Games online store, at www.feigames2010.org. or at Cobalt Artworks gallery site, www.cobaltartworks.com. Merchandise featuring the individual disciplines as depicted in Mr. Neiman’s painting is also in development.

“Having a LeRoy Neiman painting is a special achievement for any sporting event, and we are honored that the 2010 Games will be another great canvas to join his great body of work,” said John Long, Chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation Board of Directors.

Best known for his images of sporting events and leisure activities, LeRoy Neiman is considered one of the most popular living artists in the United States. He has been the official artist of five Olympics, four Super Bowls, as well as the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. He has most recently been in Kentucky to attend the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville and was the Official Commemorative Artist for that prestigious event. Mr. Neiman was commissioned as the Official Artist of the 2010 Games and began research on the work in October of 2007.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines competed at a single site—both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, and Ariat International, Inc. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.

Cobalt Artworks is a Louisville based publishing and licensing company and is currently hosting a year-long retrospective of Neiman’s work entitled “LeRoy Neiman – Five Decades.” The exhibit is comprised of paintings, prints, drawings, books and posters curated from the Artist's personal collection and will be on display through December, 2008. For more information about the Neiman retrospective please call (502) 584-0020 or visit www.cobaltartworks.com.
Media Contacts:

World Games 2010 Foundation
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org

Colbalt Artworks
Ben Isaacs
502-584-0020
bisaacs@cobaltart.com

UAE: FEI introduce novice qualifiers

Staff Report
Published: December 02, 2008, 00:41

photo: FEI President Princess Haya with Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General, UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, and Sundar Rethinavel of DEC at the FEI General Assembly in Buenos Aires.

Abu Dhabi: The UAE delegation successfully spearheaded a re-vote on the rest period for endurance horses between competitions in the revision of Rules for Endurance which have been ratified by the FEI's General Assembly and will be introduced from January 2009.

Another significant development at the Assembly was the introduction of a pre-FEI national system (Novice Qualifying) for riders and horses, though not necessarily as a combination.

It has been decided that all horses and riders must have successfully completed Novice Qualifying to be eligible for CEI Star Qualifying.

This in effect means a progress from one FEI star level to the next, riders and horses must have graduated from the qualifying process.

The FEI's General Assembly was held at the Sociedad Rural in Buenos Aires, Argentina last month and some new endurance rule changes were adopted following suggestions from a Task Force in co-operation with the National Federations, according to a press release from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

Eighty-three National Federations gathered for the Assembly and FEI President Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the proceedings and later presented awards to winners in competitions on the concluding day.

The UAE and other endurance countries in the region were not in favour of the proposed increase in the rest period for competition horses from 27 days to 41 days for events between 120km to 160km.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation were represented by the Secretary General Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi and Dubai Equestrian Club General Manager Ali Mousa Al Khamiri among others.

The UAE, which is part of the Group VII, first raised its objection at the group meeting and placed it before the Bureau.

But Ian Williams, Director for non-Olympic equestrian sport said it was too late and it should have been suggested earlier.

But the UAE along with other countries in the region and in Asia argued their case saying that the recent World Endurance Championship had kept the National Federations of endurance nations busy.

Williams suggested that the rules regarding rest periods be adopted from 2010 but in the General Assembly it was voted out.

This ensured the changes were included and the UAE which is one of the leading endurance nations got the rest periods to 20 days instead of 47 days.

The guiding principle behind the UAE's insistence for shorter rest periods is the short endurance season in the UAE and the region due to the climate whereas in other parts of the world rides can be held almost through the year.

Further the UAE has proved that despite the high speeds registered by their horses, the welfare has never been compromised and this to a large extent tilted the argument in their favour.

The rest periods as amended following a revote by the General Assembly after a failure to approve the original timings is as follows: 0- 80 km -13 days rest and 81 km and above 20 days rest.

Canada: Area rider competes in Malaysia

Standard Freeholder

Posted By ANGELA DORIE

Riding knows no boundaries and, as reported here earlier, Wendy Maccoubrey of Ste. Justine, Que., and her Arab gelding, Mariah, competed in the F. E. I World Endurance Championships in Terengganu, Malaysia from Nov. 6-9 as part of the seven-member Team Canada.

Held bi-yearly, the 2008 World Championship was held, for the first time ever, in a tropical environment at the Terengganu International Endurance Par, a venue which covered varying terrain such as the ocean coastline, palm plantations and canal banks, as well as naturally vegetated areas (jungle?!).

Daytime temperatures peaked at 105 degrees with 80 per cent humidity.

The King of Malaysia, HM Tuanku Mizan, himself an accomplished endurance rider, had the park as well as its stables, schooling areas, etc., created to encourage development of the sport.

It is one of only two such specialized facilities in the world.

ALL-EXPENSES PAID

To ensure that the best in the world competed at this event, the King paid all expenses for the 133 competitors, from air passage to accommodations and food, for both two-and four-legged participants.

Also, each country was allowed to send a veterinarian and a Chef d'Equip as well as two support staff for each rider and horse -- a very large contingent indeed.

As anyone who travels will attest to, there are always problems along the way, the SNAFUs of travel if you will, and this trip was no exception for Wendy and Mariah.

It was timed so that the Canadian team would arrive a couple of weeks early, giving them ample opportunity to acclimate themselves and their horses. A case of "misinformation" regarding the timing of a West Nile booster resulted in Mariah's papers being rejected two days before departure. Trying to reschedule another flight 15 days later, followed by a one-day delay in transport time, resulted in Mariah arriving only five days before the competition. In true Arab fashion he arrived full of beans, apparently walking his handlers everywhere when he disembarked.

After a couple of days to settle in and some hand walking, he and Wendy started night time rides and were deemed fit to start the championship race.

The 160-kilometer (100-mile) race was ridden the night of November 7, riders departing from the start gate at 5 p. m. and riding the seven LED colour-coded "loops" of the course, passing through the mandatory checkpoints at the end of each.

CHECK CONDITION OF HORSES

This is where the condition of the horses is checked by a full flight of vets and technicians: recovery rate, body temperature, pulse and respiration, as well as lameness and/or soreness, before they are permitted to continue on the next leg. As testament to the difficulty of this type of competition, 78 of the 133 who started were either eliminated, disqualified or voluntarily retired.

Canada was represented by Wendy on Mariah, along with six other riders and their horses, three competing as individuals and four as a team (best three times to count).

All but one finished the course, a member of the team, however as three still completed, their times counted and Team Canada placed seventh over all with a time of 38:25:45.

FINISHED 46TH

Wendy and Mariah finished 46th with an individual time of 13:08:21, an astounding effort considering their trials just getting there.

Talk about going against all the odds!

UAE: 2009 Heavyweight GrandPrix Series

Original Article

Body weight endurance race on again

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation will resume the Body Weight endurance championship with a three-round series.

The first race of the Endurance Grand Prix will be staged on December 13, 2008, at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release.

The Grand Prix is being staged under the instructions of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.

In this specialised endurance category, every rider must weigh 75kg or above without riding equipment and must be registered with the FEI, according to the release.

The first ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village will coincide with the National Day Cup, scheduled for the same day. The next two rides will be held in Bahrain and Dubai respectively.
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UAE: Al Jahouri winner of 120km race

Gulf News

photo: Al Jahouri overcame a slow start and later registered some terrific speeds on the final loop to leave some equally talented riders far behind.Abdul Rahman/Gulf News

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: November 29, 2008, 23:31

Dubai: Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri of Al Wathba Stables rode Berloiz de Piboul to a superb win in the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) 120-kilometre ride to drive away with a Nissan four-wheel drive and a cheque of Dh200,000 on Saturday.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended yesterday's ride in Seih Assalam with a total of 127 starters in the first event of the UAE season.

Seasoned campaigner

Al Jahouri, a seasoned campaigner from Al Wathba, who also is a well-known endurance horse trainer, overcame a slow start and later registered some terrific speeds on the final loop to leave some equally talented riders far behind.

It was the first win for his 10-year-old chestnut gelding and Al Jahouri got the better of two Al Reef riders, including champion Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, who finished second while world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain had to settle for fifth place after dominating the initial stages.

Al Jahouri, who was in 20th place after the first loop, moved up six places after the second loop. After the third loop, in which he was fourth behind Ponton and Al Beloushi, he began to make his move.

"The initial pace was a bit too much but at the third loop my horse was in fine nick and I decided to go for it," said the winner, who averaged nearly 27kph on the final loop of 12km.

Al Beloushi, who was just about a minute behind Al Jahouri going into the final loop but finished over eight minutes behind, said: "My horse [Charlandre El Sharif] was coming back after an injury and initially I just wanted to race him for three loops."

"But he looked good so I continued, but I did not want to push him too much.

Charlandre El Sharif holds the world record in a 160-kilometre ride.

Saudi Arabia's Fauiz Jamil Al Turkmani, riding SAS Alexis, a horse belonging to the Dubai-based Al Fazaa Endurance Team, finished third while Al Reef's Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi was fourth on Cameo Zinnia.

Ponton, crowned world champion earlier this month in Terengganu, Malaysia, blamed the lazy attitude of her horse Antares Sauveterre for her fifth-place finish.

"He is very lazy and does not like to challenge. But I must admit the pace was crazy. I think Antares Sauveterre is more of a 160-kilometre horse," said the Dubai-based Spanish ace.

Thaleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, and Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, sponsors of the ride, gave away the trophies and the keys to three cars for the top three riders.

Results

* 1. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Berloiz de Piboul) 4hrs 44 mins 49 secs. Average speed: 25.28 kmph.
* 2. Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi (Charlandre El Sharif) 4:53.02 (24.57 kmph);
* 3. Fauiz Jamil Al Turkmani-KSA-(SAS Alexis) 5:10.10 (23.21 kmph)
* 4. Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi (Cameo Zinnia) 5:17.06 (22.71 kmph)
* 5. Maria Alvarez Ponton (Antares Sauveterre) 5:18.42 (22.59kmph)

Mexico: Fall 2008 Ride Results Mexico

Endurance News in Mexico
www.Endurancemex.com

Resultados Otoño 2008

Boca del Rio Veracruz, 12 octubre:
Catagoria unica 40 kms.
1. Bobby Ortiz con Bossanova,
2. (& Best Condition) Ricardo Galan con Kinetic,
3. Mary Jane Gagnier con Torrid Elegance

Huichapan, Hidalgo, 16 noviembre Primera competencia nacional de 80 kms.
1. Ricardo Galan con Kinetic,
2. Guillermo Viñals & Duende,
3. Mary Jane Gagnier & Torrid Elegance
4. Gabriel Mendoza & Bossanova. *

60 kms.
1. Eduardo del Hojo & Shamal,
2. (& Best Condition: Juan De La Rosa con PT Crusier,
3. Mauricio Orozco con Menta

40 kms.
1.Juan Chavez Guerrero con Cantinero ********** www.endurancemex.com **********

Canadian Endurance Team Finishes Seventh in Malaysia

Hunter Jumper news
Written by Julie Cull
November 28, 2008

Ottawa, ON—The Canadian Endurance Team comprised of Wendy Benns of Pontypool, ON, Ruth Sturley of Owen Sound, ON, Yvette Vinton DVM of Simcoe, ON, and Bob Gielen of Norton, NB, finished in seventh place out of 21 starting teams on November 7, 2008, at the World Endurance Championships.

Held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Merang Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia, 126 riders representing 33 countries took part in the 100-mile competition, which saw only 48 individuals finish.

Only seven nations finished three riders, and the results were very close. First place went to United Arab Emirates in a time of 27 hours, 57 minutes and 59 seconds. Qatar finished in second with a total time of 28:47:17, and third place was awarded to Bahrain with 30:54:22. Canada finished in 38:25:45 for seventh place overall.

“I felt our strength would be in our teamwork and I think this proved true. Even though it didn’t always go according to pre-ride planning, on the whole the strong Canadian performance was the work of the whole group—grooms very much included—that got the horses through in such good condition and in position to place top ten,” remarked Chef d’équipe Kay Melvin. “Congratulations again to the whole Canadian contingent on a job well done. We should also thank our hosts who treated us so well and made us welcome in their beautiful country.”

Individually, Gielen was the top placed Canadian rider, with a time of 12 hours and 27 minutes for 40th place, with his horse FC Galaxy, an 11-year-old Arabian gelding. In 42nd spot, in a time of 12 hours and 49 minutes, was Sturley and RBF Super Sport, her 15-year-old Arabian gelding. Recording the same time, of 13 hours and eight minutes, was Wendy MacCoubrey of Ste. Justine, QC, for 46th place, on Mariah, a nine-year-old Arabian gelding, and Vinton, for 47th, and Tease, an eight-year-old Arabian gelding. Benns her horse Supreme Justice, a nine-year-old Arabian gelding, did not complete the ride.

“This was the most challenging ride that I have ever completed, and my horse performed way beyond my expectations,” remarked Gielen who hope to qualify for the Canadian Endurance Team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. “Completing the ride in Malaysia was just an incredible experience.”

Maria Mercedes Altars Ponton of Spain lead the competition from start to finish on Knobby, a 13-year-old Arabian gelding in a time of eight hours, 48 minutes and six seconds.

“This year’s world championships lived up to Endurance’s reputation as the most demanding of all equestrian sports, as the nearly two-thirds of competitors who were unable to complete the course can certainly attest. The climate, terrain, and distance were physical and psychological trials of both horse and rider, and we are proud of our team for thriving on a course that most other nations struggled merely to survive,” praised Equine Canada CEO, Akaash Maharaj.

The next stop for the Canadian Endurance Team is to field two teams, Canada East and Canada West, to 2009 World Equestrian Games Endurance Test Event in Kentucky in preparation for the 2010 World Championships.

About Endurance Canada

Endurance Canada is a committee of Equine Canada, and the National governing body of the sport of Endurance Riding in Canada, from the grassroots to the international level. Endurance Canada is responsible for the growth and pursuit of excellence at all levels of the sport, providing support and guidance through various programs and committees: veterinary; rules and sanctioning; athlete and sport development; education and coaching; communication and awards. For more information, please visit the Endurance Canada section of the Equine Canada website.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada’s equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

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Spain: Tierras de Al-Andalus set for 2009

JOSE MANUEL SOTO PRESENTA EN EL SICAB LAS ÚLTIMAS NOVEDADES DEL IV RAID KALIBER TIERRAS DE AL-ANDALUS

(click here for English Version)

El Paris-Dakar del mundo del caballo se desarrollará del 27 de marzo al 4 de abril de 2009 y contará con el Río Guadalquivir como protagonista.

Sevilla, 26 de noviembre.- El IV Raid Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus está ya a la vuelta de la esquina. José Manuel Soto, alma mater de este proyecto, ha presentado esta tarde en el marco del Salón Internacional del Caballo (SICAB) las principales novedades previstas para el 2009.

Los participantes descubrirán los rincones más bellos de nuestra geografía. Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz, Jaén,...todo a lomos de un caballo, que será el único compañero de viaje. En la edición del año que viene está previsto una participación de 70 caballos y ya hay confirmaciones de equipos de Francia, Alemania o Australia. La media de kilómetros que realizarán en cada jornada será de unos 60 kilómetros. El recorrido comenzará en Jerez de la Frontera, por el Valle del Guadalquivir y finalizará en Jaén.

José Manuel Soto expresó su confianza en la edición del 2009. “Ya tenemos tres años de experiencia y los jinetes cada vez están más satisfechos con esta prueba. Intentamos superarnos día a día y nuestro equipo trabaja todo el año para diseñar una prueba tan carismática. La mejor recompensa es que la gente disfrute con esta experiencia”.

Diego Antoñanzas, Director de Patrocinios de Heineken España, indicó que “Kaliber y el Raid Tierras de Al-Andalus están hechos el uno para el otro. Es más, el logotipo de nuestra cerveza sin alcohol es un caballo. Estábamos predestinados” prosiguió Antoñanzas, que reveló la importancia de este evento dentro del mundo del deporte.

El Director del Área de Promoción de Deporte Andaluz, Juan Carretero resaltó la importancia de unir Turismo y Deporte y que el Raid Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus demuestra las amplias posibilidades que existen en Andalucía.

Más información:
Javier Franco.- 662 105 410
Inés de Albert.- 637 790 386

links:
Official Website
Endurance.Net coverage of Tierras de Al-Andalus 2008

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JOSE MANUEL SOTO PRESENTS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF KALIBER TIERRAS DE Al-ANDALUS 2009 at SICAB.

The Paris-Dakar of the horse world will run from March 27 to April 4 of 2009 and will have the Guadalquivir River as a protagonist.

Seville, November 26 .- The IV Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus is now just around the corner. Jose Manuel Soto, creator of this project, has presented this afternoon in the framework of the International Salon of the Horse (SICAB) major developments planned for 2009.

Participants will discover the most beautiful parts of our geography. Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz, Jaen, ... everything from the back of a horse, which will be the only travel companion. In the edition of next year participation of 70 horses is expected and already there are confirmations of teams from France, Germany or Australia. The average mileage to be carried out on each day will be about 60 kilometers. The tour will start in Jerez de la Frontera, the Valle del Guadalquivir and end in Spain.

Jose Manuel Soto expressed his confidence in the edition of 2009. "We already have three years of experience and the riders are increasingly satisfied with this event. We try to do better by the day and our team works all year to design a test so challenging and enjoyable. The best reward is for people to enjoy this experience. "

Antoñanzas Diego, Director of Sponsorships Heineken Spain, said that "Kaliber and Tierras de Al-Andalus are made for each other. Moreover, the logo of our non-alcoholic beer is a horse. We were predestined "continued Antoñanzas, which revealed the importance of this event within the world of sport.

The Director of Sports Promotion Andaluz, Juan Carretero stressed the importance of uniting Tourism and Sport and the Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus shows the wide possibilities that exist in Andalusia.

More information:
Javier Franco .- 662 105 410
Ines de Albert .- 637 790 386

links:
Official Website
Endurance.Net coverage of Tierras de Al-Andalus 2008

Mexico: Oaxaca takes 3rd and 4th in 50 Miler

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Dear Friends and Family,

On Oct. 16th the state of Oaxaca took home 2 ribbons in Mexico's
first 50 mile endurance race.Gabriel Mendoza & his mom,
Jane Gagnier, with the great crewing of Gregorio Morales trailered
horses to Huichapan on the high plateau of the central state of
Hidalgo 10 hrs. away. Gabriel partnered seamlessly with veteran
endurance horse Bossanova to trot over the 50 mile finish line,
breeze through vet checks and take 4th place. G being the youngest
rider at 16 and Bossa the senior horse by far at 19.
Mary Jane & Tory teamed up once again taking their second consecutive
3rd place ribbon. Tory was definitely ready to keep going, loving her
job and giving a big, sassy trot through her final vet check. MJ looks
forward to riding this 13 yr. old mare to their first 75 mile race in
2009. While Gabo plans to rep. Mexico in the Int'l Youth Riders Cup in
Colorado in summer 2009.

FEI 2009 General Assembly, Buenos Aires

Eighty-three National Federations gathered in Argentina for the 2009 General Assembly.
Full review online

Endurance topics:
ENDURANCE 21/11/2008 View online
Rules

The revision of the Rules for Endurance - 7th edition, effective 1 January 2009 – was adopted. They are the result of a major review which began in January 2007. In fact, it was the largest and most in-depth consultation process ever undertaken in this discipline. It was done by a Task Force in cooperation with the National Federations involved in the sport. The new rules are largely based on the concern for the welfare of the horse. The major topics to be noted are the categories of endurance events; rest periods (as amended following a revote by the General Assembly following a failure to approve the original timings); and progress from one level to the next. Another significant improvement is the introduction of a pre-FEI national system (Novice Qualifying) for riders and horses, though not necessarily as a combination. All horses and riders must have successfully completed Novice Qualifying to be eligible for CEI Star Qualifying. To progress from one FEI star level to the next, riders and horses must have graduated from the qualifying process. The full text of the rules is available here.

Education Programme

This Education Programme, for which sponsorship has been secured for the next two years from Hydra Properties, will work on the revision and formatting of all of the Courses for Endurance Judges (Levels I and II), Technical Delegates and Stewards to reflect the new rules.

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser claims title

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa emerged overall champion of the Endurance Horseride Qualifying Championship, the first endurance event of the season, held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

After leading the Bahrain national team to a remarkable third-place finish in the World Championship held two weeks ago in Malaysia, Shaikh Nasser was again unstoppable as he competed with the Kingdom's best riders in this 90-km race.

More than 75 riders, representing different stables from across the Kingdom, took part in this championship which featured four stages, starting with 30km for the first, 25km for the second, 20km for the third and 15km for the fourth.

Shaikh Nasser, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president, steered Omsura Nasrohn to victory in three hours, 41 minutes and 27 seconds with an average speed of 24 kms per hour.

Second place went to Abdulhaq Qadoori, also of the Royal Endurance Team, in 3:59:54.
He was followed by Al Fateh Stable rider Isa Al Dossary, the surprise of the championship, who rounded off the podium with an impressive third-place finish in 4:13:24.

Ibrahim Al Jabouri of Al Fateh Stable was fourth while Royal Endurance Team rider Abdulrahman Al Saad, who had a good start, went down to settle in fifth position.
The race, which got underway at 5am, saw Raed Mahmood of the Royal Endurance Team ride Naima to take the lead at the end of the first stage in one hour, 12 minutes and 48 seconds.

Behind him was Shaikh Nasser (1:13:25) in second place and Qadoori (1:13:53) third.

However, Shaikh Nasser came from behind in the second stage which ended in his favour in 2:15:27 and ahead of Qadoori who went up to second place in 2:15:59 while Mohammed Al Thawadi (2:16:34) of the Royal Endurance Team jumped to third.

Shaikh Nasser maintained his lead in the third stage in 3:08:52, followed by Qadoori (3:12:49) who also remained second while Al Saad (3:16:05) moved up to third.

In the fourth and last stage, there was no stopping Shaikh Nasser who secured the title. The race was followed by the prize-giving ceremony during which Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi and Shaikh Nasser's Media Office director Tawfeeq Salehi honoured the top three riders in the race.

Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated Shaikh Nasser on this victory and said this season promises to feature exciting competition among many new talented riders who showed outstanding performance in yesterday's race.
The next event on the federation's calendar will be a 120km National Day Championship scheduled for December 20 at the same venue.

That will be followed by the Open Endurance Championship on January 10 then the Breef Open Women's Championship on January 31, both over 120km.

The next event on the Breef calendar will be a 100km and 160km races on February 7 and this will be followed by the season's most prestigious competition, His Majesty King Hamad Championship in March.

The season's first night race will be held on April 3 and is for the Crown Prince Cup covering a total distance of 120km. It will be followed by the final event of the season - a 100km senior championship in the first week of May which will also be held at night.

Abu Dhabi: Brothers ride high in competition

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
November 22, 2008

Abu Dhabi: It was a perfect day out for the Al Beloushis and Al Redhas at Bou Thieib Endurance Village in Al Khatem yesterday.

Fourteen-year-old Rashed Ahmad Al Beloushi and his elder brother, 20-year-old Munthar Ahmad made it a 1-2 finish for the all-conquering Al Reef Stables in the 100-km Emirates Endurance Cup for Junior and Young Riders.

The two horses Rivendell Sharman and Carallio were trained by Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, the elder brother of the two youngsters to complete a hat-trick of wins in the three rides this season for the Al Ain-based trainer-cum-rider.

Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi picked his youngest brother as a better rider after the 1-2 finish in the junior ride gave Al Reef another dominating victory.

"He is just 14 so it is a good achievement. Munthar, who finished second today had won the first ride here on the same horse and Carallio is shaping up into a great campaigner," said Yousuf.

After the exploits of the Al Beloushi brothers, the father and daughter combination of Aziz Al Redha and Layla tasted success in the 100-km Emirates Endurance Cup for privately owned horses.

More...

Abu Dhabi: 200 riders set for Endurance

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
November 21, 2008

Abu Dhabi: Two competitive rides and two Qualifier rides make up a busy day with nearly 200 riders set to be in action at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem on Saturday.

Organised under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, the rides are being held by the Emirates Heritage Club.

A 100-km ride for juniors and young riders will be the second for the juniors here this season while the second competitive ride today is a national ride open to horses owned by private and small stables in the UAE.

More...

Oman: Endurance race concludes in Barka

Omantribune.com

Friday, November 21, 2008

MUSCAT Habib Al Balushi won the second round of the endurance race, which was held in Barka on Thursday. Nearly 37 horses took part in the race, which was organised by the Omani Equestrian Federation under the auspices of HE Sayyid Suleiman Bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Chairman of Shabab Club.

While 37 horses took part in the first round (35km), only 18 of them qualified for the second round (30km).

After completing the veterinary inspection in the end of the second round, only 13 horses were qualified for the third and last round (25km).

Habib Al Balushi managed to come first at 6 hours and 1 minute followed by Abdullah Saleh Al Ajami at 6 hours and 19 minutes. Hisham Al Farsi came third with only five second behind the second place winner.

At the end of the race, the chief guest handed over awards to winners and horse riders who qualified for the last round.