UAE: On Target (Presidents Cup)

Gulf News
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 13, 2009, 22:58

Abu Dhabi: Some of the world's top riders will be seen in action today at the Al Wathba International Endurance Village, battling for a slice of the Dh 1.5 million in cash and four cars, all part of the bonanza on offer for the 10th running of the President's Cup.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and winner of last year's President's Cup leads a strong line-up of UAE riders, while an invited pack of 20 riders from around the world and the Dubai-based reigning World Endurance champion from Spain, Maria Alvarez Ponton, will be looking to halt the UAE domination.

The prestigious ride is supported by the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hydra Properties and Al Awani Enterprises.

Today's ride will be run over the championship distance of 160 kms and Shaikh Hamdan, who won last year on Kaysand Farrazah, will be riding Wadhnan in a bid to defend his win.

Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 2007 winner, along with his elder brother Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also be in the fray.

Other UAE riders who are expected to be making a strong bid for victory are Al Reef riders Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi and Omair Hussain Al Beloushi; Al Wathba Stables star campaigner, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, who rides Sudan today hoping to add the President's Cup to his National Day Cup triumph earlier in the season.

Maria Alvarez Ponton, winner of the World Endurance Championship in Malaysia last year, partners EO Fawati, a horse on which she finished third here earlier this season, and should be there battling for top honours.

The invited riders include Phillippe Benoit, Caroline Denaye, Pascale Dietsch (from France); Australians Penny Toft, Kristie McGaffin and Meg Wade, Portugal's Rui Pereira and Joao Raposo; Italians Simona Garatti, Patrizia Giacchero and Cinzia Iacchelli; Germany's Belinda Hitzler, Stefanie Arnold and Rebecca Arnold, American riders Janice Worthington and John Crandell, Belgium's Maritza Pereira, Spain's Jon Zabalua Dorronsoro, Poland's Beata Dzikowska and Kamila Kart and Jordan's Farah Abunameh.

Over 70 riders are expected to take part in the ride which will be run in six stages of 34 kms, 32 kms, 30 kms, 24 kms, 24 kms and 16 kms and gets off to a mass start at 6 am.


[More ...]

New Zealand: Avery rides to endurance victory

The Marlborough Express
Friday, 13 February 2009

Talented Waihopai Valley endurance rider Kylie Avery continued her winning form by taking her second championship event for the season at Fairlie last weekend.

Riding Silands Mia Bella, Avery won the South Island Endurance Championship's CEI 2-star 120-kilometre ride by an impressive margin of two hours six minutes over the second-placed horse.

It was the first time the seven-year-old, part-Arabian mare, bred by Avery's mother, Barbara Avery, had attempted the distance.

She finished the demanding course in 7.41.06 hours looking fresh and keen, taking the award for the best-conditioned horse.

The win added to the CEI 1-star 100km North Island Championship Avery claimed aboard her New Zealand representative stallion Silands Jasark at Aria in January.

The final main event on the calendar is the New Zealand Endurance Nationals held in the Wairarapa at Easter where Avery plans to step the mare up to the CEI 3-star 160km event and her stallion to CEI 2-star 120km.

Four other Marlborough riders also attended the South Island endurance champs.

Kevin Prangley, riding his stallion, WD Amir Ibn Kaliph, was second in the CEI 1-star 100km and daughter Alice Prangley rode BTR Symphony to sixth in the CEIJY 1-star 100km.

Unfortunately Linda Harmon vetted out lame in the CEI 3-star 160km main event; Penelope Valk also went out lame in Avery's race.

The Marlborough club hosts its next competitive trail ride this weekend on the Godsiff's Wairau Valley property, The Haycocks.

[full article]

HH the President of the UAE Endurance Cup FEI CEI*** 160 km

Full coverage on Endurance.Net

12th February 2009
Merri Melde
Endurance.Net

The 10th Running of the His Highness the President of the UAE Endurance Cup FEI CEI*** 160 km will be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on February 14, 2009.

The race is sponsored by Hydra Properties, Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Al Wathba breeding stables of Normandy, France, and Al Awani General Enterprises Establishment, whose support for equestrian activities in general and endurance races in particular is an integrated partnership between the economic and sport sectors of the UAE.

---

Gulf News article: President's Cup winners will ride away with Dh1.5m and cars
Abu Dhabi: A whopping Dh1.5 million and four cars are up for grabs in the President's Cup 160-km endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba tomorrow.

---

An amount of 1.5 million AED has been allocated as cash prizes and will be distributed to all riders who complete the race. In addition, four cars will be awarded as prizes to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, and for Best Conditioned Horse.

115 riders are expected to participate, including 20 foreign invitees from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, USA, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Poland, and Jordan.

The ride will consist of 6 loops of 34, 32, 30, 24, 24, and 16 km, with holds of 30, 30, 30, 50, and 40 minutes, with 2 presentations to the vets at each hold. Minimum weight carried is 75 kg, and maximum pulse is 64 bmp, with recovery inspections during the 4th and 5th holds.

The race begins at 6 AM.

Foreign riders:

Belgium - Maritza Pereira - Taborah De Sier

France - Phillippe Benoit - Akim Du Boulve
- Caroline Denayer - Kouleur Du Parc
- Pascale Dietsch - Hifrane Du Barthas

Australia - Penny Toft - Kitt
- Kristie McGaffin - Castlebar Darthvader
- Meg Wade - Castlebar Kalahari

Spain - Jon Zabalua Dorronsoro - Eteldjel De Peyrinie

Portugal - Rui Pereira - Trovador Da Oliveirinha
- Joao Raposo - Titanic

USA - Janice Worthington - Golden LIghtning
- John Crandell - LR Jasuur Melika

Italy - Simona Garatti - Drago Sauro
- Patrizia Giacchero - Sunny Boy
- Cinzia Iacchelli - Missouri

Germany - Belinda Hitzler - Shagar 5
Stefanie Arnold - TBA
Rebecca Arnold - TBA

Poland - Beata Dzikowska - Cyryl
Kamila Kart - Cert

Jordan - Farah Abunameh - Zarazeen

Kuwait: Bahrain Royal team for Kuwait event

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a 12-member Bahrain Royal Endurance Team at the 120-km Kuwait Open Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday. The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president will be accompanied by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, captain of Al Khaldiya Stables, besides 10 other members of Bahrain's finest riders who are expected to reach Kuwait today.

They are Yousif Taher, Jaffer Mirza, Abdulrahman Al Saad, Ahmed Abdulla, Mohammed Al Thawadi, Abdulhaq Qadori, Ahmed Abdulsamad, Raed Mahmood, Fahad Ismail and Abdulrahman Al Zayed.

Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan had already arrived in Kuwait to arrange the accommodation and training venue for the team.

More than 100 riders from Kuwait, Bahrain and other GCC countries are taking part in the championship to be held at Kabad desert located in the southwest of Kuwait as part of Kuwait's National Day celebrations.

The race, which provides a total prize money of $50,000, will be divided into five stages, including 30km each for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

The prize includes $10,000 for the winner, $9,000 for second place and $8,000 for third.

The veterinary examination is set for tomorrow while Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi was named head of the ground jury committee. Other committee members are Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mohsin Al Battal of Kuwait besides Eyad, Nasser, Yaqoob Al Khalaf, Ali Faraj, Falah Fahad, Ali Ghuloom and Mohammed Dadulla.

Commenting on this participation, Shaikh Nasser said he is excited to take part in this event which brings his memory back to 2005 when they won top positions in a similar race which was also held in February.

Shaikh Nasser added that this race will be a useful experience for his team who are gearing up for the third and final round of the Endurance Horseride Grand Prix scheduled for February 28 in Dubai.

After two rounds, Shaikh Nasser is holding third place overall with 140 points, just 10 behind UAE riders Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan who are sharing the lead.

Shaikh Mohammed, the UAE vice-president, Prime Minister and the ruler of Dubai, steered Tahhan to win the second round race which was over 120km and staged at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

After coming fifth in the first round race held in Abu Dhabi where he won 50 points, Shaikh Mohammed gained 100 points for winning top spot in the second race.

For Shaikh Mansoor, he was given 80 points after finishing second in Abu Dhabi then 60 points for coming fourth in the Bahrain event, received an extra 10 points for riding the same horse in both races.

Shaikh Nasser took 60 points for coming fourth in the first race and 80 after finishing an impressive second in the second race.

The Breef chief is being followed by Shaikh Hamadan, son of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with 70 points gained from taking third place overall in the second race of the series.

Shaikh Hamdan was unable to win any points in the first race in Abu Dhabi where he had to pull out after his horse suffered from exhaustion.
Full Article

FEI announces 2010 WEG COC requirement

The FEI has announced the qualification (COC - Certificate of Capability) requirement for the 2010 WEG:

Download document

Australia Fires: Livestock Assessment Begins, Feed Needed

Thehorse.com - Full article

by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
February 09 2009, Article # 13589

Recovery from the recent fires in the Australian state of Victoria is just beginning. The fires burned an estimated 850 square miles. According to the state's Department of Primary Industries, Victoria produces around 26% of Australia's agriculture and food from 3% of Australia's arable land.

According to a statement on the DPI Web site, livestock assessment teams will go into affected areas as soon as it is safe to do so. They will also asses other losses, and are working with the Victorian Farmers Federation to arrange for emergency feed.

Senior DPI veterinarian and Manager of Animal Health Field Services, Lloyd Klumpp said farmers have three major options:

* Destroy immediately--if the animal is down, unable to walk, has excessive burns, swelling of limbs, or difficulty breathing.
* Keep and nurse--if the animal is mobile and alert or has burns to less than 10% of its body. These animals will need shade, water, feed, daily inspection, and veterinary advice and treatment. They will also need constant reassessment.
* No apparent damage--Livestock will still need shade water and feed and they will also need to be reassessed.

More...

USA: 2009 North American Young Riders Championship

Updated, February 7:

July 24, 2009 (Friday) - Clark State Forest - Henryville, IN

Similar trails to what the AERC NC ride ran on this past year.

75 mile (120 KM) FEI 2* Event

To be held in conjunction with the North American Junior Young Rider Championships to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 22-26. We will be participating in Opening and Closing Ceremonies along with being invited to all the parties and festivities that go along with it. Lots to see - other disciplines etc - vendors.

I will have complete information up soon on our website at http://www.NAYRER.org - just finishing up on the qualifications for the event.

It will be open to all riders 16-21 years old (This includes riders from the beginning of the year they reach the age of 16 until the end of the year they reach the age of 21 per FEI General Regulations Article 124.1 - this includes riders born between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1993.). In addition, riders who are 14-15 years old who have a letter from AERC stating that they are allowed to ride unsponsored in the senior division of AERC are also welcome to attend.

Jan Stevens
Ride Manager

Bahrain: Latifa wins title in women's race

Gulf Daily News

SAUDI Arabia's Latifa Al Shaikh of the Kingdom Stables won the women's race in the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Clocking five hours, 22 minutes and six seconds, Latifa finished ahead of her main opponent Manal Fakhrawi (5:22:52) of Bahrain Royal Endurance Team.

Sherine Fayez (5:27:38), also of the Royal Endurance Team, finished third.

Top riders from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman took part in this race which was the first women's event of the season.

Nine horses were disqualified - six in the first stage, two in the third and one in the fourth.

The race comprised of five stages, the first two stages of 30 kms each, 25 kms in the third, 20 kms in for fourth and 15 kms for the fifth and final stage.

The event, sponsored by Maalem, also featured a 160 kms senior race besides an additional 100 kms race.

The 100 kms race, which was open to men and women of various age-groups, consisted of four stages in total, including 30 kms each for the first and second, 25 kms for the third and 15 kms for the fourth and final stage.

Around 40 riders, representing 15 stables, were in the fray. Raed Mahmood of Al Murghairat Stable won this race in four hours, 29 minutes and 27 seconds.

Behind him was Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Khalifa (4:43:13) of Ahmed Al Fateh Stable in second while Al Asayel Stable rider Khalifa Saad (5:04:34) was third.

Fourth place was taken by Nooruddin Qadoori of the Royal Endurance Team, followed by Yousif Isa of Al Asayel Stable in fifth, Ibrahim Busheit of Alio Ghuloom and Hussain Al Mulla of Abdulaziz Al Rumaihi Srables in sixth and seventh positions respectively.

Twenty one horses were unable to compete the 100 kms race as seven horses were disqualified at each of the three stages.

The championship was held under the patronage of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who honoured the winners of each race in presence of first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid congratulated the top riders and wished others success in future races. The Breef chief praised the standard of competition and thanked the entrants from Bahrain and other GCC countries for taking part in the event.

Also attending the event was actress Tuba Buyukustun of Turkey. She was the chief guest of the event and awarded trophies and other prizes.

VVDoItAgain: Brooklyn's Only Endurance Rider Leads Day 2

Brooklyn Endurance Rider Sandra Fretelliere holds a narrow lead going in to day 3 of the 4 day Very Virtual DoItAgain Endurance Ride. Riding in Arizona, an escape from the unpredictable weather in Brooklyn, Ms Fretelliere has 2 days left to maintain her lead and complete the 2009 VV DoItAgain

UAE: Khan wins 120km endurance race

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
February 07, 2009

Dubai: Roshan Ali Siraj Khan turned hero for the hundreds of work riders based in many endurance stables here in the UAE when he won the 120km Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalam.

The 24-year-old, who is a work rider in the Hadaybit Assalam Stables owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, improved with each of the five stages to win from a strong field of riders.

Riding an 11-year-old grey gelding, Kalkadoon Vagabond that was trained by Hassan Bin Ali, Khan completed the 120km ride in four hours 28 minutes at an average speed of 24.72km per hour.

UAE national team riders and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose finished second and third respectively on a day when the early morning cool weather turned sultry later in the day before changing to chilly conditions.

But Khan, whose previous best was a fifth place finish last year, finished the first stage of 32km in 28th position, was 11th after 63km and after the third loop and 90km, managed to move into sixth position. The Indian rider from the desert state of Rajasthan, which is also famous for the Marwari breed of horses, was third after the penultimate stage and went on to finish ahead of his better known rivals.

"My horse gave me the feeling that he would do well after the first stage. I have been riding ever since I came here there years ago but today's result was fantastic," said the winner who drew the loudest cheers while receiving the trophy and the keys to a four wheel drive vehicle.

Ali Muhairi, who finished second, said the changing weather affected his horse.

"However I am pleased with this result and I am looking forward to the President's Cup in Abu Dhabi next week," he said.
Results (top five) of yesterday's Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge 120-km endurance ride: Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan-India-(Kalkadoon Vagabond) 4hrs 48mins 53secs; Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi (Garaman Mikado) 4:49.16; Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Sabousi (India Eskalonik) 4:53.31; Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim (Xandu Haj Buba) 4:54.27; Mohammad Jasim Rahimi (Whyneemah Jaspah) 4:57.37.

UAE: Endurance Races Set

Gulf-daily-news.com

February 7,2009

TOP riders from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are in the fray for the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship, sponsored by Maalem, today at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Today's event features one race each for men and women. In the six-stage men's race, which is over 160km, 40 riders representing 15 stables have confirmed their participation.

Among the leading entrants are Hussain Al Nayem, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Khalifa, and Ali Ashoor, all from Al Fateh Stable.

Other favourite stables taking part include Al Asayel, Bahrain Riding School, Al Mughirat, Al Shuwamekh and Hassan Al Ruwaie Stable.

This challenging race, the main event of the day, is divided into six stages - 30km each for the first four stages, 25km for the fifth and 15km for the sixth.

The women's race, which is the first women's event of the season, will be over 120km divided into five stages.

The women riders include Saudi Arabia's Latifa Al Shaikh of the Kingdom's Stable, Layla Al Reda and Jamila Ahmed of the UAE besides Bahrain's Shaikha Najla bint Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Al Fateh Stable.

The women's race will be divided into five stages, including 30km each for the first and second, 25km for the third, 20km for fourth and 15km for the fifth.

An additional 100km open race, which is open to men and women of various age-groups, will see riders compete over four stages - 30km each for the first and second, 25km for the third and 15km for the fourth and final stage.

Attending the races will be Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun who is the chief guest. The 26-year-old popular Turkish, known in the Arab region by Lamees, will award trophies and other prizes to the top riders.

The federation named its officials for both the veterinary and grounds jury committees. The veterinary committee is being headed by Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan and includes veterinarians from Poland, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, India and Bahrain.

Maximum weight allowed for participants in the 160km race is 75kg, which is also the limit for the women riders taking part in the 120km race.

Mexico: En Oaxaca, Primera Competencia Nacional de Endurance Ecuestre

El Imparcial

Esta competencia se llevará a cabo el próximo sábado 21 de febrero, en la comunidad de Teotitlán del Valle.

Vidal Pineda Vásquez
05/02/2009, 20:02:20 PM

Será el próximo sábado 21 de febrero, la fecha en la que la comunidad de Teotitlán del Valle, será sede de la Primera Competencia Nacional de Endurance Ecuestre del 2009, así lo dio a conocer Mary Jane Gagnier, una de las impulsoras de este deporte en nuestro estado.

En entrevista con la canadiense, quien desde hace muchos años radica en esa comunidad zapoteca, señaló que para esta primer competencia, las distancias a recorrer serán de 40, 60 y 80 kilómetros, en los cuales, jinete y caballo, buscarán cubrir en menor tiempo y con mejores condiciones físicas, el recorrido.

La entrevistada señaló que una prueba de Endurance es una competencia contra reloj, para evaluar no sólo la resistencia del caballo frente a las grandes distancias a recorrer, sino también el planteo estratégico de la carrera por parte del jinete. El desempeño del caballo sobre diversos tipos de terreno y obstáculos naturales es significante para determinar el conocimiento hípico del jinete y el entrenamiento y estado del caballo. Ambos, caballo y jinete, deben reunir una condición física excelente, pues no hay nada peor para un caballo cansado que un jinete cansado.

Es como un maratón pero sobre los caballos – señaló - es recorrer grandes distancia pero a un paso moderado, el caballo del Endurance Ecuestre va a un paso de velocidad mucho menor que el de un cuarto de milla, con la única diferencia que en esta competencia, el caballo constantemente tiene que ser revisado por veterinarios para conocer la condición física en la que se encuentra, de no aprobar ciertas normas de resistencia, el caballo será eliminado.

Esta es la prueba en la que el médico veterinario tiene mayor participación, su función no es sólo terapéutica como en la mayoría de las otras disciplinas, ya que en el Endurance su participación es activa, tanto cuando obra como asistente del juez al descalificar a algún competidor, como cuando debe intervenir en la asistencia médica de un equino durante la competencia. El principal rol del veterinario de Endurance es practicar la medicina Profiláctica. El pilar fundamental de la competencia es la "Preservación del protagonista".

El rol del médico veterinario implica la realización de chequeos sucesivos de los equinos durante la competencia. Esto se realiza en diferentes etapas de la misma, evaluándose diversos parámetros fisiológicos como la frecuencia cardiaca, frecuencia respiratoria, grado de deshidratación, coloración de las membranas mucosas, tiempo de llenado capilar, movilidad intestinal y andares. Es importante recalcar que no es menos importante uno que otro parámetro, ya que la evaluación del conjunto de ellos permitirá al veterinario decidir sobre el estado del equino y determinar si continúa o no la competencia

Para esta competencia que próximamente se realizará en Teotitlán del Valle y a la cual se espera contar con la participación de caballos de Puebla, Veracruz, Hidalgo y otros estados de la república, Mari Jane Gagnier hace un llamado a todos aquellos que gusten de galopar al aire libre, sin importar si el equino de raza Árabe, Anglo Árabe, Appaloosa, Criollo, Mustang, y sus cruzas, pues no es la importancia de la raza sino las condiciones anatomofisiológicas necesarias de un equino para competir en Endurance.

Tras cinco años de estarse realizando esta competencia en nuestro país, esta será la primera vez que en Oaxaca se lleve a cabo un encuentro nacional de Ecuestre, por tal motivo, quienes deseen participar en este acto, pueden comunicarse con Mary Jane Gagnier al teléfono celular 044 951 199 7026 o con José Villegas Sánchez al 044 951 162 3035.

[More ...]

UAE: Stage Set for UAE Cup

Khaleejtimes.com

6 February 2009

ABU DHABI - The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup endurance ride will be held on Saturday at the Bou Thib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, a press release said.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in cooperation with the Emirates Heritage Club, Abu Dhabi, is organising The President Cup for Junior and Young Riders. Over 50 youngsters have already confirmed their participation for the CEN-JY, Two-star, 120-km ride, which will be run in five phases of 30 km, 30km, 24km, 20km and 16 km respectively. The ride will begin at 6.30am.

The day will also feature two Federation Qualifying rounds of 44km and 80km respectively which has attracted a field of over 90 riders. Qualifying riders are organised by the UAE Equestrian Federation every week to enable the riders to qualify to participate in longer-distance rides.

All the rides on Saturday will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club.

Shaikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Saqr bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Ali Ghanim Al Marri, Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri, Rashed Salem Mohammed Al Faresi, Mohammed Hatim Jumaa Al Junaibi, Hussein Ali A Marzouqi, Uma Mencia Uranga, Hamdan Mousa Mohammed Ali Hammadi, Hamad Ibrahim Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Naser Khamis Ali Saeed, Rashed Ahmed Al Baloushi, Abdul Aziz Salemeen Al Ameri, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Al Faresi, Nasser Khjamis Al Saeed are some of the contenders for the juniors championship.

The Emirates Heritage Club is closely involved in the development of several traditional and cultural activities and sports in the country, including endurance riding.
The club also provides vital training facilities for children in the UAE. The opening of its modern and excellently planned endurance village has been welcomed by the equestrian fraternity as an important step in the development of endurance riding in the UAE.

2010 WEG: UK teams up with WEG to offer support and services

Bizlex.com

February 05, 2009

by Margaret Buranen

Lexington, KY - The foundation behind the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games recently announced its newest sponsor: the University of Kentucky.

The sponsorship was the first one announced since Jamie Link became CEO of WEG 2010 Foundation. Link, who grew up in Cynthiana, previously worked for both the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Department of Tourism.

"What a great day for WEG and UK," Link said, while signing the sponsorship agreement. Asked later about the first sponsorship signed during his watch, Link said, "It's very important to me, being a UK alumnus, and a great privilege."

Signing for UK was its president, Dr. Lee Todd, who said, "We feel we'll benefit as well as WEG because of the exposure and activities our students, faculty and staff will get to enjoy."

Todd characterized UK's opportunities for participation at the WEG as "internships and practical experience on a world stage." He explained that students, faculty, and staff from various departments and units would be involved, including arts and sciences, fine arts, design, and career services.

Students and faculty members from the French, Spanish and other foreign language departments will serve as translators for the many international visitors and competitors. The Office of Economic Development will be working on parking issues.

UK's College of Agriculture, appointed as the "Official Equine Initiative" of the 2010 Games, will be very involved with the event. Some of its students are already working in related internships. Agriculture faculty members have also begun working on WEG matters, including turf and water management at the Horse Park. In addition, about 12 miles of the endurance course (one of WEG's eight events) will be run on Maine Chance Farm, UK's equine research facility on Newtown Pike.

The department within the College of Agriculture most closely related to WEG is the Equine Initiative. Dr. Nancy Cox, associate dean for Research in the College of Agriculture, said that "the 2010 World Equestrian Games place a special focus on Kentucky as the Horse Capital of the World."

Cox said that UK's Equine Initiative and the selection of the Kentucky Horse Park as the site for the 2010 WEG were announced at roughly the same time. "Our goal is to provide an array of progress in teaching, in research, in service that is appropriate to the Equine Initiative. [WEG] couldn't be better for us."

Part of the Equine Initiative is the new program leading to a bachelor's degree in equine science and management. About 120 students are now enrolled, with half in their second year. Cox added that "students representing UK will be recruiting [future students] at the Games."

As part of the sponsorship agreement, UK HealthCare will be designated at the "Official Medical Provider" of the 2010 Games. UK will donate more than 7,000 hours in medical personnel time plus equipment to care for spectators, volunteers, staff members and competitors.

Dr. Michael Karpf, executive vice president for UK Healthcare, said, "We're very excited to do our part to make this partnership be a success." Noting that the WEG, plus Keeneland and UK football games, will mean as many as 120,000 to 130,000 extra people in Lexington on some of the event's 16 days, Karpf asserted that, "We'll be ready and will have [emergency medical] facilities on site at the Games. We hope we're not needed, but we'll be there."

A significant factor in UK's ability to provide superior emergency medical care will be its new hospital, which will be open when WEG begins. The new hospital's emergency room will be four times the size of the current hospital building's ER.

"We are the cornerstone for trauma [care] in this region," Karpf said. He predicted that the new hospital's ER will be "the finest ER in the country when it opens up."

The newest sponsorship grew out of UK's past involvement with the Horse Park. Dr. Patricia Howard of UK's School of Nursing and Thomas Harris, vice president for external affairs, have helped the Horse Park with planning medical care during past Rolex events.

Harris explained that as people in various departments at the university were offering ideas on how they could be involved with WEG, "people at the Kentucky Horse Park were asking us to formalize this process and help the Games."

He described the partnership as "such a fine opportunity to engage the community. We feel a responsibility to be involved, as the flagship university of the state."

Reflecting on the value of the sponsorship to UK, its president said that "this event gives us a world stage to expose Kentucky to future students and future faculty."

Todd noted how important horses are to the Kentucky's undiversified economy. He added that UK's WEG sponsorship "gives us a chance to show our commitment to the equine industry and an opportunity to show the world that Kentucky is the equine leader."

Argentina: Endurance en Cazon

CN Saladillo
5 de febrero

La Secretaria de Deportes, Recreacion y Juventud informa que el proximo sabado y domingo se llevara a cabo una nueva competencia de ENDURANCE.

El sabado se realizara la clasificacion para integrar el equipo argentino que participaran de los Juegos Panamericanos en Uruguay en abril de 2009. Por otro lado el dia domingo se desarrollara la primera version de prueba de velocidad controlada para caballos novicios.

Invitamos a todos los amantes de la actividad ecuestre a acercarse a la Base de Campamento de Cazon para disfrutar de un fin de semana diferente.

FEI Rules: FEI to eliminate comprehension hazards - Effective 01 April 2009

FEI NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING

1000.1A No rider or horse owner, or person or persons acting on the direction or suggestion or supervision of the rider or Chef d'Equipe or FEI Endurance Official may try, or attempt to try or make or make attempt to try to comprehend or understand any or all, in whole or in part of the herein mentioned FEI Rules for Endurance, except as authorized by the FEI or an agent appointed by, or inspected by the FEI.

1000.1B If the rider or group of associated riders or Chef d’Equipe or FEI Endurance Official becomes aware of, or realizes, or detects, or discovers or finds that he, or she, or they, are or have been beginning to understand the FEI Rules for Endurance, they must immediately, within three (3) days notify, in writing, the FEI.

1000.1C Upon receipt of the above mentioned notice of impending comprehension, the FEI will immediately rewrite the FEI Rules for Endurance in such manner as to eliminate any further comprehension hazards.

1000.1D The FEI may, at their option, require the offending rider or Chef d'Equipe or FEI Endurance Official, to attend remedial instruction in FEI Endurance Rules until such time that the rider or Chef d'Equipe or FEI Official is too confused to be capable of understanding anything.

2010WEG: Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

LEXINGTON, KY—Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will provide veterinary services for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games test events, as announced today by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.
As the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood and Riddle has extended its partnership with the Games to provide veterinary services for a series of test events beginning in 2009. The test events, each called The Kentucky Cup, will allow the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. to prepare for the world championships coming to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010.
“Rood and Riddle is very pleased to provide the veterinary services for The Kentucky Cup test events,” said Dr. Tom Riddle. “Our entire staff of veterinarians looks forward with great excitement to serving the sport horse industry, both at the test events and the 2010 Games.”
Lexington-based Rood & Riddle is a full-service equine hospital established in 1986 as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care. Today, Rood & Riddle is known and respected throughout the world for its innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. The hospital facility offers a full range of services including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a focused Podiatry Center and a specialized Reproductive Center. The practice also provides ambulatory services (on-site care) for breeding farms, sport horse facilities, horse shows and events, with a variety of services, including emergency and preventative care, general reproduction, lameness, radiography, podiatry, and internal medicine.
“We are very fortunate to extend our partnership with Rood and Riddle through the test events for the 2010 Games, and to have the services of such a high-caliber equine hospital available to our equine athletes,” said Competition Director Kate Jackson.
The competitions will begin in 2009 and run through the 2010 Rolex Three-Day Event. All events will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will manage the veterinary needs for all test events. A complete schedule of all Kentucky Cup test events is available at www.feigames2010.org.
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, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.feigames2010.org.

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

Chile: Enduro Ecuestre en la Patagonia

Club de Campismo

La cuenta era regresiva para que llegara el 23 de febrero: el día del Enduro, el anhelado reencuentro con la Patagonia y lo que más me gusta de ella; su gente, la tierra, los caballos y los gauchos.

El Enduro es un carrera ecuestre de resistencia a campo traviesa, cruzando ríos, bosques y cerros. Por esto mismo implica al menos un mes de preparación de los caballos: sacarlos a galopar, darle una alimentación específica, cepillarlos, etc. Tareas, a las cuales los gauchos y la Gaela le han puesto todo el corazón y dedicación. Tenemos un equipo que se ha consolidado con el tiempo y, estoy segura ¡tenemos a los mejores!

Dos días antes de la carrera llega el camión “El Torito” y todos saben sus labores: sacar brillo a las monturas, juntar los baldes, separar las botellas, la comida y la parrilla (muy importante) para así al día siguiente llegar y cargar. En la noche al que le toca cocinar tiene suerte… varios comensales entusiasmados y el menú, de seguro carne con papas.

El próximo día temprano ya se ve mucho movimiento en las caballerizas. Se cargan los caballos y los aperos en el camión, tomar unos cuantos mates y nos fuimos. José se queda a cargo del rancho. Silvio y Mario van en el camión y el resto, gracias a la bondad de algún chofer, llega al lugar de la carrera. Una vez allá, inscribimos los caballos y la tarde queda para seguir tomando mate, reencontrarse con viejos amigos y conversar de lo que más nos gusta: de caballos, ¡si podríamos pasar horas hablando de ellos!

El día de la carrera nos despierta el viento, si hasta levantaba las piedras! Pero eso no desanima a nadie, todo lo contrario, están todos listos y entusiasmados: caballos, jinetes, herreros, espectadores y aguateros, esperando la largada, y así se pasó el gran día. Montada de a caballo en la tierra que más quiero, cada paso un destino, cada tranco un recuerdo y cada galope una vida, y pienso: “si galopamos por tantas huellas… no me vayas a fallar zaino, seguí pa` adelante!

Este lindo recuerdo de una experiencia más en la Patagonia me deja feliz, pero sólo por un tiempo. Porque como dice una muy buena canción, nunca jamás se abandona lo que llorando se deja.

[...more]

Bahrain: Women's Endurance event set

Gulf Daily News
BAHRAIN's best riders are gearing up for the season's first-ever Women's Endurance Horseride Championship, to be organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Among prominent riders taking part in the Maalem Holding-sponsored event are Manal Fakrawi and Sumaya Jassim, both from the Royal Endurance Team.

The two riders, who took podium finish in several races in previous seasons, said they are both ready for this race.

Both Manal and Sumaya highlighted the endless efforts of Breef president and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to improve the level of endurance races in Bahrain.

They also thanked Maalem Holding Company for its sponsorship of the women's race.

The race, which is over 120kms, will take place along with two other races - the 100km open race and the 160km seniors race.

The women's race will be divided into five stages, including 30km each for the first and second, 25km for the third, 20km for fourth and 15km for the fifth.

In the 100 open race, which is open to all riders of different ages men and women, will see riders compete over four stages - 30km each for the first and second, 25km for the third and 15km for the fourth and final stage.

The challenging 160km seniors race, the main event of the day, was divided into six stages, including 30km each for the first four stages, 25km for the fifth and 15 for the sixth.

Horses must attended veterinary examination on the previous day of the event between 3pm and 5.30pm.

India: Rathod notches up double crown

Telegraphindia.com

RVC-A win 60km team event, RVC-B top 80km event
by OUR CORRESPONDENT

Dibrugarh, Feb. 1: Maj. Bharat Singh Rathod of the Army Services Corps, Eastern Command, won the 60km and the 80km endurance ride in the individual category to bag a double crown in the four-day National Endurance Championships here today.

The meet was organised by the Equestrian Federation of Assam (EFA) and came to an end at the Ethelwold tea estate today.

In the 60km ride, Maj. Rathod riding his horse Badal, completed the ride in two hours 59 minutes and 22 seconds with an average speed of 20.07 km per hour.

In the 80km ride, he rode another steed — Tanishq — to complete the ride in four hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds to complete the ride.

In the 60km ride, Maj. Rathod was followed by Sanjay Yadav of the Remount and Veterinary Corps astride his horse Monu and Jitender Singh of EFA astride Shamili.

In the 80km ride, Maj. Rathod was followed by Ramesh Kumar of RVC astride his horse Prince Top and Deep Chand of RVC astride New Star.

In the team 60km team event, the RVC-A team represented by Mukesh Kumar (He Man), Sanjay Yadav (Monu), Sanjay Singh (Herculesh) and Amit Yadav (Janbaj) bagged the first position.

In the 80km team event the top position went to RVC-B team, which was represented by Ramesh Kumar (Prince Top), Deep Chand (New Star), Sanjay Yadav (Vishal) and Rakesh Kumar (Monu).