Australia: Margaret Wade still in coma after fall

Gulfnews.com

By Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
May 08, 2009



Abu Dhabi: One of the world's top endurance riders and a well-known faces in the UAE's domestic circuit, Margaret (Meg) Wade is still in coma since a fall during a ride in Tumbarumba, Australia on April 12.

Wade, a champion rider and a breeder and trainer of endurance horses, was riding Castlebar Dell when the horse shied away from a puddle unseating her.

"I was not there at the scene but since it happened close to a checkpoint she was attended by a doctor and ambulance staff," said her husband Chris Gates, speaking to Gulf News yesterday.

"Wade was airlifted by Snowy Hydro Southcare Rescue Helicopter to Royal Canberra Hospital where she has been in coma since then," said Gates.

"Her medical condition has improved and clinically it is not life threatening. But the doctors are waiting for her to come out of the coma. There seems to be a slight, very slight response," said Gates.

Wade, who had finished second in a 90-kilometre Ladies Ride in Al Wathba after a 19th place finish in the 160-kilometre HH The President's Cup during the recently-concluded UAE endurance season, has had many horses bred and trained at her Castlebar facility in Australia.

Wade has won three bronze medals at the World Endurance Championships, finished 4th individually in 2002 when Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the gold medal, has been Australian Rider of the Year nine times and won the world-famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup four times.

"We are devastated. Meg was a champion athlete and has never been in hospital. Very fit and athletic. I am confident that she will fight her way out of this," said Gates.

Meg has been a regular participant in rides in the UAE since the 1998 World Championship and her husband said, "We received many calls from the endurance fraternity in the UAE and the world. The Royal families of Dubai and Bahrain have been enquiring about her progress," he said.

Soon after the accident Gates had in an interview to ABC Radio said, "This is an injury that every horse rider fears. It happens, it's unfortunate. The riders all wear helmets but it's the fear behind everyone to have an accident that's so devastating,"

Gates said the fall was a freak accident, and other than her head injury, "Meg never sustained another injury. There's not a mark on her body."

UAE: Running, but not wild: Dubai warms to brumbies

smh.com.au

Andrew Stevenson in Dubai
May 9, 2009

THEIR names are Luca, Marran and Paraku. Born in the Kimberley and captured in Western Australia last year, the three brumbies are starting a new life in the stables of the deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

They and 11 other brumbies including a young colt have left life as wild bush horses far behind. In the sheik's stables they are training for the demanding sport of endurance racing.

Their arrival in Dubai completes a circle of sorts. Born wild, their pedigree traces back to the Arab horses taken to Europe over many centuries, the stock from which the modern thoroughbred was made.

The horse, once the most important animal in Australia, still stands at the heart of Bedouin culture - and when Ali Mohammed Al Mohairi, Sheik Hamdan's racing manager, heard tales of the brumbies in Australia, he wanted to know more.

Two years ago he went bush in the Northern Territory to see brumbies up close. But wild horses stop for no man.

"There was a mare and foal and they were galloping from behind and I yelled to go, I was screaming at the driver," he recalled. "It was something amazing. Then they crossed in front of us and the sparks were coming off the road. When they came to a lake, they jumped straight in and swam across.

"There was a rocky hill on the other side and I said: 'Impossible, they will not climb that'. And they did.

"My imagination cannot go as far as this. I was amazed. And [then] they were gone and we never saw them again."

But the story, worthy of an Arab Paterson in Mr Al Mohairi's retelling, took root. Sheik Hamdan, a leading racehorse owner and winner of two Melbourne Cups, was intrigued by the animals' capability in the wild but also concerned the brumbies - there are an estimated 400,000 in Australia - were being culled.

"I felt I wanted to do something to help this animal. I told him people shoot them, five or six hundred at a time, and I said we [can] get some to try," Mr Al Mohairi said.

The next step was to send a team into Lake Gregory, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, and to catch a dozen or so brumbies which were then trucked to Glen Innes, NSW, where they were broken in before being flown to Dubai.

One mare, Marran, dropped a skewbald colt after capture. Marjii might have grown up in Arabia but he can't hide his past.

"He's happy, friendly and playing but you can tell he's a brumby, with his face, big and ugly," Mr Mohairi said.

The horses arrived last year and since then several have been prepared for endurance racing, which is conducted under the enthusiastic patronage of Dubai's royal family, notably Sheik Hamdan's brother, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the country's ruler, who also competes in the events.

On the track the brumbies' results have not been a complete success. The horses have speed, and can rapidly recover after running one stage of the race, but they don't want to run again.

"They're not tired but they take care of themselves," said Mr Al Mohairi, who believes their wild instincts lead them to to preserve their energy for whenever it might be needed in the future.

But the experiment at Seeh Al Salam stables will be given at least another year. "People here are waiting to see what this stable will do. If we do well with them, they will go there and do the same as we did," Mr Al Mohairi said.

"To be honest, we spent money on them and I hope it will work. It will help me to look good in front of my boss because I asked him to do it, plus it will help the horses."

Australia: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc

Melbourne, Victoria, 8/5/2009

Australia's premier endurance ride gains pace.

The countdown is on, planning is in full swing and the excitement is starting to build as the 2009 Tom Quilty Endurance Ride draws closer.

With only five months to go until Australia's premier endurance horse ride, organisers are working feverishly preparing for this major event scheduled for 18 September at Tonimbuk, Victoria.

The Tom Quilty Endurance ride is an internationally acclaimed endurance event attracting riders and horses from around the world. The event tests the skill and fitness of horse and rider as they compete to finish 160km within 24 hours.

"This year's Tom Quilty course is sensational," says Event Director, Lissy Verity. "Based at the world-class Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre, the course includes the beautiful surrounds of the Bunyip State Park, whilst also traversing private land, bush tracks and all weather roads. It is a highlight on the international endurance calendar without a doubt," she says.

Despite part of the track being affected by the February bushfires, organisers guarantee the course will be ready for the September ride. Visitors and spectators won't be disappointed either as this picturesque area is also home to many wonderful wineries, restaurants and interesting tourist destinations.

An experienced endurance ride organizer, Lissy knows better than anyone what is involved in running an event like this. "It's expensive, requires many volunteers and consumes enormous man hours to prepare for and to host," she says. "We are totally reliant on fundraising and sponsorship and given the current economic climate we are having to work even harder to raise the necessary funds to ensure a successful ride."

Organisers are busy preparing for a major fundraising dinner in July to be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham in the hope they can raise $25,000. One organisation that has already shown its support is Cardinia Shire Council. Council has committed significant funds and in-kind support, without which organisers would have faced an even harder financial challenge.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Bill Pearson says he is looking forward to the event, adding the Tom Quilty Gold Cup will put Tonimbuk - and Cardinia Shire - on a global stage.

"It will be a fantastic spectacle and we expect thousands of people to be here for what will be one of the biggest events ever staged in Cardinia Shire," Cr Pearson says.

"Council is proud to be supporting the Tom Quilty Gold Cup and we hope the local community and businesses really get behind what will be a fabulous showcase of equestrian skill and stamina."


For more information about the fundraising dinner or to book tickets please contact Sue Cousins on 03 56292530 or visit the website at www.tonimbukgoldcup.org.au


Contact Person: Helen Ward
Company Name: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc
Telephone: 0438 59 4285
Email: hiward@bigpond.com

Australia: Riders ready for Cooyal

Mudgee.yourguide.com

7/05/2009

Mudgee endurance riders dominated the ride held at Tooraweenah on April 19, a result that shows that the locals and their horses are in great shape for the coming Cooyal ride.

The Tooraweenah ride attracted 31 riders in the 80 kilometre ride and 34 in the 40 kilometre training ride.

Mudgee riders Mette Sutton, Garry Bennett and Gloria Mills rode together throughout the event accompanied by Bernie Harvey from Tooraweenah.

Bennett said it was a benefit to have Harvey ride with them as, being a local, it made it easier to find the track markers in the pitch darkness of the 5am start.

This made sure the Mudgee contingent didn’t stray off course in the early stages but they were faced with a rocky, hilly track that was affected by the dry spell of weather, which resulted in horses having to travel over loose stones underfoot.

Riders needed to be sensible in their approach to the course to ensure their mounts did not slip - especially when travelling down hill.

Middleweight rider Bennett riding 'Karabil Yaningi' pulled away from his companions after the final descent down Ned's Mountain and crossed the line ahead of the field to win the ride in four hours 58 minutes.

Sutton and 'Tuldar the Magician' were second across the line one minute after the winner and, much to Sutton’s delight, her mount was awarded the fittest horse.

Mills and 'Glendos Sabodie' arrived back at the base for the final time shortly after her Mudgee co-riders to take out the lightweight division and the fittest horse for that division.

Mudgee's only casualty on the day was Paddy Smith, whose horse was unfortunately vetted out lame.

Harvey, who rode the early stages with the Mudgee contingent, was the heavyweight winner.

Natasha Mitchell riding 'Rami' was successful in completing the training ride.

The Cooyal ride, hosted by the Mudgee Endurance Club is just over a week away and ride organisers will mark the course this coming Tuesday (May 12).

Local residents of Cooyal, Kains Flat and Botobolar are advised that endurance riders will be present on local roads on Saturday, May 16 and the following day.

Endurance spokesperson Pat Dickinson said the Mudgee committee hopes that anyone interested in taking up sport will participate in the 20 kilometre social ride at Cooyal.

"Endurance is not a race - it is a ride where the riders have to complete a course and do it in a way that the horse comes through the event fit and well," Dickinson said.

“In the social ride there are no winners or placings awarded - it is purely an introduction to the sport and is designed to give riders an idea of the way an endurance ride is conducted.

"An experienced pace rider will be appointed to accompany those taking part in the social ride.

"The social ride generally has an average speed of 10kph or slower - it is an easy course and is more like a trial ride."

Riders in the social ride receive a successful completion award to those riders whose horses who pass the veterinary examination after the ride.

"We hope these awards encourage participants to aspire to explore endurance at a higher level," Dickinson said.

"Our committee extends an invitation to all those riders who have been intrigued by the sport to come to Cooyal on the Saturday to find out more about this sport and perhaps take part in the social ride on Sunday."

For further information or to register for the Cooyal ride contact Mette Sutton (63724960) or Par Dickinson (63735346).

Great Britain: Endurance riders gather for Exmoor Golden Horseshoe

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

By Adrian Tierney-Jones
07 May 2009

Forget hunting, endurance riding is all the rage among the horsey set.

Exmoor's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which kicks off tomorow, is considered to be one of the toughest tests of horse and rider in Europe. It's just you and your horse over 100 miles of some of the most challenging terrain in Great Britain. All against the clock and your fellow competitors. Endurance riding (timed riding over long distances) is one of the fastest growing sports in Britain and, if you want to find out what all the fuss is about, you simply must trot down to Exmoor this weekend.

It's pure horse heaven as the village of Exford turns into a clip-clopping sea of bay, chestnut and grey. You don't even need to ride to enjoy the spectacle. The atmosphere is distinctly carnival: crowds spill out of the pubs, while up at the event venue (above the village) there is masses to see and do: you can watch the competition horses being vetted, buy horsey paraphernalia at the stalls and catch dog agility displays and parades of proud Arabians and their doughty distant cousins, the native Exmoor pony.

There are several different endurance races taking place over the next three days. The Golden Horseshoe ride itself is the big one with horse and rider competing over 100 miles on Monday and Tuesday. "Horses have to be very fit so only the very best endurance horses in the country can compete," says Barbara Wigley who heads the organising committee. "Most enthusiasts see a Gold award from Exmoor as having reached the pinnacle of the sport."

However, there are several other classes (over lesser mileage) that help riders build experience and fitness. And, just for the heck of it, there is a 15 mile Pleasure Ride (in aid of local charities) on the Sunday, a gentler way to enjoy part of the course. No horse? No problem. There's even a fun run for those who prefer two legs to four. As Barbara Wigley points out, ''They all give a chance to sample 'Horseshoe Country.'''

What country it is too: picture-postcard villages, wooded coombes, babbling streams, heather-clad moorland. Ten to one you'll see herds of native ponies and the wild red deer, buzzards wheeling lazily overhead and the larks flying up from under your hooves.

Top endurance rider Nikki Routledge explains the appeal...

More...

Australia: Sutton rides for Australia

Mudgee.yourguide.com

BY DON MAHONEY
7/05/2009

Mudgee rider Mette Sutton has been invited to ride in the South Africa national championships in July.

Sutton was a member of the Australian support team at the world championships held in Malaysia last November.

She said yesterday that it was during the world championships that she first became aware of the possibility of Australian riders being invited to ride in South Africa.

"The president of the Australian Endurance Riders Association met with his South African counterpart in Malaysia about the possibility of some of our riders riding at the South African championships," Sutton said.

"They then called for Australian members to nominate.

"To nominate you had to be a member of the Australian Endurance squad, which is a squad for endurance riders who aspire to ride at representative level for their country.

"I received my invitation yesterday (Wednesday) and had just 24 hours to accept.

"I can tell you it didn't take me long to make the decision - this is too good an opportunity to miss."

Sutton is one of six Australians that have been invited to ride at the coming South African championships.

The South African championships are to be held at Fauresmith on July 7, 8 and 9.

"We arrive in South Africa on June 26 to give us time to meet and familiarise ourselves with our horses, which are being supplied by the host nation," she said.

"Their championships, like our Shazada, are three rides of 80 kilometres a day.

"While they are run like the Shazada, they are considered to be the equivalent of Australia's national ride - the Tom Quilty."

Sutton began her love of Endurance at age 15 and had a break to rear her young family and resumed in the sport in the year 2000.

She is now one of Australia's leading Endurance riders and was named the Mid-Western Regional Council’s sportsperson of the year during the Australia Day celebrations in January.

She won the popular Cooyal ride last year and on Sunday week will be out to defend that title.

She then will ride in the Gulgong ride on June 14 - her last ride before she leaves for Johannesburg.

Belgium: Mont Le Soie

The Mont Le Soie CEIO*** 160 km, CEIOYRJ** 120 km, CEI* 100 km, CEI** 120 km was held over May 2-3 in Vielsalm, Belgium. Muriel Guillaudeux placed first in the 160 km Senior division while Leonard Liesens won the 120 km

A CEN 80 km, 60 km, 40 km, 30 km, and 20 km were also held.

Complete results, story, and photos by Leonard Liesens and Caroll Gatelier at 2009 Mont Le Soie on Endurance.net.

Great Britain: GB's Jill selected for 82-mile Mont le Soie ride in Belgium

Thisiscornwall.co.uk

Thursday, May 07, 2009

JILL Semmens from Penzance, who is a member of the senior development squad of Endurance GB, has been selected to ride at the Mont le Soie ride in Belgium this month.

She is among five riders picked to take part in the 82 mile FEI 2* event and will partner her nine-year-old 15.1hh Anglo Arab gelding Evermore Exciting. Jill acquired her gelding as a three-year-old and has gradually qualified him up from the basic 20-mile endurance ride to compete at the longer rides under FEI rules.

"Hopefully, we will try to achieve a 100-mile ride this year but my horse is still quite young for that sort of distance," said Jill. "He was not born until the end of August and missed the spring grass as a foal so I always think of him as a year younger than his official age."

To be selected for Belgium, Jill and Evermore Exciting made the trip up to the King's Forest Endurance ride in Norfolk at the end of March where they successfully completed a 50-mile ER.

Bahrain: Al Radhi races to victory

Gulf-daily-news.com

By Rami Hulayyel, Posted on » Sunday, May 03, 2009

SALMAN Isa Al Radhi of Hawar Stables clinched victory in the 120-kilometre Endurance Horseride Championship, the end of season endurance event, which concluded at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir yesterday morning.

Riding Aqaba St Nicholas, Al Radhi completed the five-stage night race on top in a time of five hours, 24 minutes and 25 seconds and an average speed of 21.19 kms per hour.

Al Radhi put up a remarkable show in the last stage where he finished almost six minutes ahead of his main opponent Abdulla Al Khatri (5:30:22) of Al Asayel Stable who came second on Faras Kaoma.

Rounding up the podium was Rachael Almeras, the first girl contestant to complete the championship. Riding Aargyle, the Royal Endurance Team rider clocked a total ride time of 6:03:26 and an average speed of 19.81 kms per hour.

The event, which was held under the patronage of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, started with 82 riders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain taking part.

However, 45 riders were unable to complete the race as 17 were eliminated after the first stage, 15 in the second, 11 in the third and two in the fourth stage.

Al Khatry took the lead in the 30-km first stage in one hour, 19 minutes and 33 seconds. Behind him was Jaffer Merza (1:20:51) of the Royal Endurance Team in second place and Homoud Salman Al Shammari (1:22:27) third.

Al Khatri maintained his momentum in the second stage, which was also over 30 kms, where he stayed ahead with a total ride time of 2:44:25.

Merza kept his pressure on Al Khatri by taking second position in 2:46:11 while Al Radhi moved up to third with a 2:48:43 total ride time.

In the third stage, which was over 25 kms, Al Radhi improved on his standings by taking second place with a total ride time of 3:40:44, just about 30 seconds behind leader Al Khatri while Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Khalifa of the Royal Endurance Team jumped to third in 3:45:57.

Al Radhi took over the lead from Al Khatri in the penultimate stage which was over 20 kms. Al Radhi's time was 4:33:29, just 10 seconds ahead of Al Khatri who slipped to second. Isa Hazza from Al Asayel Stable made a good leap by moving up to third in 4:33:39.

There was no stopping Al Radhi who held on to his lead in the fifth and final stage which was over 15kms to record his first win in the season.

The awarding ceremony was held right after the race and was attended by Shaikh Nasser and other Breef officials who honoured the winners. Presenting the trophies were Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi, media director Tawfeeq Salehi and Breef member Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Shaikh Nasser said he was thrilled with the level of competition at the race and congratulated the winners and wished other riders success next season.

Australia: Endurance rider in a coma

Abc.net.au

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:54pm AEST

One of Australia's top endurance horse riders is fighting for her life in the Canberra Hospital.

Meg Wade remains in a coma after falling from a horse at Easter during a competition at Tumbarumba in New South Wales.

It is not known what caused the accident during the event.

Her husband Chris Gates says the doctors are hopeful she will recover from the serious head injury.

"'We had a brief meeting with her neurological surgeon at the end of last week, and much to our surprise he was happy with her progress," he said.

"You know she still is unconscious but her conscious level is rising.

Mr Gates says the phone calls and letters of support from the international horse riding community have been wonderful.

"Everyone's in shock. This is an injury that every horse rider fears. That's why we all wear helmets."

Interview with Chris Gates

2009 Torres Del Paine: Steph Arrives!

The Lake at Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile
Photo by Bob Morris


Steph is there and ready!
Endurance.Net Coverage

UAE: Better management could reduce horse doping cases

Thenational.ae

Sarah Tregoning
April 30. 2009

ABU DHABI - Better management could reduce the risk of competition horses testing positive for banned substances, according to an Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) official.

Alison Abrahams, a consultant to the EEF and a Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)-accredited showjumping and endurance judge, said that until FEI rules differentiating between medication and substances used for cynical doping were refined, rigorous care was essential in stables.

Four of the FEI's 14 ongoing doping cases involve UAE nationals.

"There must be a lot of emphasis on education and the importance of strict controls in stables," said Ms Abrahams, who in 1996 became the first woman to win an endurance race in the UAE, and who is a world governing body steward.

"A lot of people are training horses here for different disciplines and they all want to do the right thing, but unless you know what is going on in your stable to the smallest detail, there could be risks."

Horse doping, which has long cast a shadow over international equestrianism, reared its head in the UAE recently when four endurance horses failed drugs tests.

Their riders, who are identified as the "person responsible": under FEI rules, have been banned from competing in FEI-affiliated events pending tribunal hearings.

Vijay Morrthy, head of endurance riding at the Emirates Equestrian Federation, admitted the use of banned substances in UAE equestrian sport was a problem. But given the hands-off management style of most riders in the country, he seriously doubted they knowingly administered such drugs.

"The rider may have some moral responsibility, but I don’t think he knows about these things," he said. "Given the stringency of the testing, no rider or any experienced person would ever dream of doing such a thing and getting away with it.

"These things are absolutely inadvertent, and we need to make sure nothing like this happens again."

At the Beijing Olympics six showjumpers tested positive, four of them on the same day for the same pain reliever, while last week 21 polo ponies, worth an estimated Dh8.1 million, died in Florida after being administered poorly-measured supplements before a match.

While some doping incidents are attempts to enhance performance, the FEI's first vice president, Sven Holmberg, said most cases were medical infringements.

"Out of 2,800 tests per year, we only have one per cent that are positive and that includes the relatively large number of positive tests we have seen in the Middle East. Of the positive tests, 90 per cent are medical violations," Mr Holmberg said recently.

He added that the FEI was working with the World Anti-Doping Agency to clarify the issues of doping and veterinary science in the rulebook.

Ms Abrahams believes positive tests could be reduced with better understanding of how medication is metabolised and stricter controls over administration.

"There are issues with doping versus medication in every country," she said. "It's easy to see how mistakes can be made when horses are all living together and sharing the same feed, but it is essential that if one horse is medicated in a yard, that others do not inadvertently receive the same medication."

Ms Abrahams said the issue of stable management was discussed at the recent season-ending meeting of the EEF, which was held to allow everyone involved to comment on the season and issues affecting horse sport.

"The veterinarian, Dr Jim Bryant, gave a great speech on how to medicate your horse and how to be as thorough and careful as possible in the administration of medicine," she said.

"It’s very easy to lose track when horses are living together, and that’s when you can get into trouble."

stregoning@thenational.ae

* With additional reporting by Hugh Naylor

Bahrain: Top GCC riders for Bahrain race

Gulf-daily-news.com

Thursday, April 30, 2009


A TOTAL prize money of BD5,000 is up for the grabs in the 120-kilometre Seniors Endurance Horseride Championship to be held tomorrow from 5pm at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The winner of the race will receive the biggest prize of BD900. Runner-up gets BD800, BD700 for third place, BD600 for fourth and BD500 for fifth.

The next five riders will receive cash prizes with BD400 going to the rider finishing sixth. The next four riders will get BD350, BD300, BD250 and BD200 respectively.

Patronage

This is the concluding event of the endurance season and is being held under the patronage of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Top riders from Bahrain and across the GCC are set to compete in this event which is set to conclude at 5.20am on Saturday.

Among leading riders are members of the Kingdom Stables team from Saudi Arabia besides other participants from the UAE and Oman who arrived in Bahrain yesterday.

Others who have confirmed their participation include riders from some of the top stables in Bahrain like the Royal Endurance Team, Al Khaldiya, Al Asayel and Al Fateh stables.

The championship will be held over five stages. The first and second stages will be over 30 kms each, the third over 25 kms, the fourth 20 kms and the fifth and final stage cover 15kms.

The veterinary examination will be held on the day of the event at a purpose-built area inside the village. The examination will be held from 2pm to 4.30pm.

The top three riders will be honoured at the awarding ceremony on Saturday at the race venue.

Australia: Meg Wade Still Hospitalized

Tuesday April 28, 2009

Australian endurance rider Meg Wade remains unconscious in Canberra Hospital, after a fall from a horse while competing in the 100 km Tumbaramba endurance ride on April 4th.

She has been moved from ICU to the Neurological High Dependency unit, where she is breathing on her own and shows response to some stimuli. The doctors are pleased with her progress.

Her family and friends appreciate the overwhelming words of care and concern and support from around the world.

USA: Team USA Wins Silver at 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships

USEF Press Release: April 28 2009

By Joanie Morris and Vonita Bowers

Lexington, KY - Team USA put in a remarkable effort on the final phase at the 2009 Pan American Endurance Championships in Costa Azul, Uruguay to secure a Team Silver medal. They finished less than six minutes off the gold medal-winning pace of Argentina.

The American riders blazed through the final 15km phase: Cheryl van Deusen and on DA Al Capone (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Stephen Rojek on Savvy (South Woodstock, VT) completed the final leg in just 37 minutes. Valerie Kanavy and LM Francesa Pharr (Fort Valley, VA) added to the effort with another strong final phase time and a sixth place Individual finish to secure a Team Silver medal.

The race was very close as the riders set off on the final phase, Team USA was just four minutes ahead of the Guatemalan Team and 25 minutes behind Argentina. The US riders made up considerable ground.

“We needed the riders to pick up the pace to assure a medal and the riders responded by turning in a phase speed of just under 16 miles per hour,” said Chef d’ Equipe Becky Hart. “The combined experience of not only the riders, but the crews, Team Veterinarian, and Team Staff contributed greatly to the overall result. This win was a true team effort.”

Gabrielle Mann and CM Big Easy (Bolinas, CA) served in the key anchor position in their first international competition. They delivered on their position and provided a security score in case one of the other members was unable to complete the competition. Her completion meant that the US Team was assured of at least the bronze, and allowed for a more aggressive strategy.

“Three of the American horses had to travel a long distance, and arrived with only a short time to prepare before the event. The horses and athletes adapted well to the short prep schedule and performed extremely well on a course that was quite different than what is common in the US. The result was a good performance,” said Team Veterinarian Jim Bryant. “They should be congratulated for the effort.”

Uruguay: King Begins State Visit To Uruguay

Bernama.com

April 27, 2009 14:47 PM

From Abdul Aziz Harun

MONTEVIDEO, April 27 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah today began their state visit to Uruguay.

Their Majesties flew in to the Carrasco International Airport in a special aircraft at 6.15pm Sunday (5am Monday in Malaysia), and were greeted by Uruguayan Foreign Affairs Minister Gonzalo Fernandez.

The royal couple was accompanied by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as the minister-in-attendance and several senior government officers.

This is the second visit to Uruguay by a Malaysian head of state. The first was in September 1995 by the late Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The current state visit is also to reciprocate the state visit to Malaysia by Uruguayan President Dr Tabare Vazquez Rosas in November 2007.

Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah are scheduled to have an audience with Vasquez tomorrow. In the evening, the President will host a state banquet in honour of Their Majesties.

The visit is expected to provide impetus for improving bilateral relations and symbolises the warm and close ties of friendship between the two countries.

Prior to the state visit, Tuanku Mizan participated in the Pan-American Endurance Race in Costa Azul, about 50km from here, on Friday at the invitation of Vasquez.

The Malaysian team clinched the first place among the six non-Pan American countries, which participated in the gruelling 120-km biennial challenge that involved a cross-country resistance race.

The six non-Pan American countries were Malaysia, England, France, Belgium, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

In the overall individual event, Tuanku Mizan, who rode Tormento, came in on 21st place while another Malaysian rider, Datuk Abdullah Taib, came in on 24th.

Tuanku Mizan clocked 8 hours 36 minutes, also to finish second in the non-Pan American category, while Abdullah took third place after clocking 9 hrs 21 minutes. Briton Dominique Freeman clocked 8 hrs 6 mins to win gold in the category.

Abdullah was seen with his right hand in a sling at the prize-giving ceremony at Santa Maria, Costa Azul.

He had suffered a fracture of the right shoulder after he fell from his horse, Horus. He managed to finish the race, riding the last five kilometres of the race with the injury.

Portugal: 2009 Monsaraz - Campeonato Nacional de Portugal

2009 Monsaraz

18 April 2009

Ana Margarida Costa and Gozlane du Somail won the 2009 Portugal Championships held 30 kilometers west of the Spanish border, near the historic medieval village of Monsaraz, in the beautiful hills of the Alentejo province. (Alentejo means "far from Tejo", the river belonging to Lisboa going to the Atlantic.)

Finishing 2 minutes behind Costa was Joao Raposo riding Titanic, followed by Roberto Paul Carranza riding Repoker.

Endurance.net coverage and results, and photos by Alice Proust at 2009 Monsaraz.

France: 2009 Uzes - 90 km, 125 km

2009 Uzes - France

CEI** 125 km: Robert PASTOR and INCHALLA were second on the first loop (00:00:29 seconds after the first), then first on the three following loops. He arrived under a sunny weather, while it was pooring with rain on the following riders.

Coverage on 2009 Uzes by Endurance.net

Photos and complete results by Brigitte Huard

USA Team takes Silver at Pan American Championship

The United States team started and finished 4 riders at the 2009 FEI Pan American Endurance Championship held in Uruguay. The Championship distance was 120 kilometers (75 miles).

Argentina won the Gold Medal, and Guatemala took Bronze.

USA Team results:
Valerie Kanavy riding LM FRANCESA: 6th place, 6:31 hours
Cheryl Van Deusen riding DA AL CAPONE : 11th place, 6:50 hours
Stephen Rojek riding SAVVY : 12th place, 6:50 hours
Gabrielle Mann riding CM BIG EASY: 21st place, 9:15 hours

Three of the USA horses were shipped from the USA. One horse was already in Uruguay. The 100 percent completion rate and the high placement of the individual riders was a great accomplishment for the USA, especially considering that they were among the few competitors whose horses where shipped from afar.

Team Chef d' Equipe Becky Hart was very pleased with the results. The USA is gearing up to host the next World Endurance Championship in 2010 and Ms. Hart is focusing all of her efforts on training and preparing USA riders and horses for a competitive showing at this event. The winning of Pan American Silver Medal was a great boost for this effort.

Full Pan Americano event coverage at http://www.endurance.net/international/Uruguay/2009PanAm/

Canada: World Endurance Championships

Ogilvyequestrianeng.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Following on strong results achieved November 7, 2008 at the World Endurance Championships in Malaysia, Canada is now preparing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Placing 7th at the Championships, the team is made up of riders Wendy Benns (Pontypool, ON), Ruth Sturley (Owen Sound, ON), Yvette Vinton DVM (Simcoe, ON) and Bob Gielen (Norton, NB).

Throughout this year, results from both Canadian endurance teams (Canada East and Canada West) will be compiled for qualification for the WEG.

OE will follow the season with great interest : good luck to all riders!