The Netherlands: 2009 Ermelo: Dutch National Championship

Belgium's Kristel Van Den Abeele, riding Yasmina du Florival, won the
160-km CEI*** Endurance ride and Dutch Championship in Ermelo,
Netherlands on 12 June, 2009.

Finishing just seconds behind Van Den Abeele were Dutch riders Yvonne
Van Der Velde and Jeanne Linneweever, both of whom made up at least 17 minutes on the final 16 kilometer loop to
almost catch the leader Van Den Abeele. Unfortunately, both Van Der
Velde's horse Joy Escobar, and Linneweever's horse Riki's Macho Man,
were eliminated at the finish, for lameness and metabolics, respectively.

Lisette Druenen of the Netherlands, who came fourth across the finish
line 25 minutes later, placed second when her horse completed the
final vet inspection, making her the 2009 Dutch National Champion. Van
Den Abeele's mount Yasmina du Florival also received the Best
Condition award. Last year's Dutch Champions, Jannet Van Wijk and
Latino finished third. 19 riders from 9 countries contested the 160 km ride,
with 6 finishing. Winning time was 9:37.37, with an average speed of
16.62 km/h.

Additional rides were held, including the CEI** 125 km ride, where
Maike Grell of Germany, riding Tango Lady XX, finished in first place,
just a few seconds over Rashed Saeed Al Kamda of the UAE, riding
Taliesen. Heike Blumel of Germany and Voila Kossack finished third; 15
of 21 riders completed the race, and Tango Lady received Best Condition. In the CEI-J-YR** 120 km ride, all four entrants were elimated by lamenesses at the third vet gate.

Complete results and photos at

www.endurance.net/international/Netherlands/2009Ermelo

Great Britain: Team GB needs £500,000 for World Equestrian Games

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Butcher, H&H news editor

13 June, 2009
Prohibitively high costs of transporting horses and riders to next year's Alltech FEI (International Equestrian Federation) World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky, could have serious repercussions for the competition.

National federations have expressed real concerns over the costs of flying horses to America for the 2010 WEG (25 September-10 October) and at the inflated prices that "official" hotels near the horse park are charging for accommodation.

Eight disciplines are represented at WEG — driving, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, paraequestrianism, reining, show jumping and vaulting.

The competition has been held every four years since 1990 and 2010 is the first time it will take place outside Europe.

New Zealand, Austria, Ireland, Australia and the British Equestrian Federation have told H&H they are struggling to meet budgets to send full teams.

Team GB manager Will Connell said: "It will cost between £1.25million and £1.5million to take eight full teams to WEG — it's an expensive operation."

More...

Australia: Record-breaker off to United States

Qt.com.au

David Lems | 13th June 2009

FOR record-breaking Australian endurance horse rider Linda Meredith, her latest success has been something special.

However, she's even more excited about her future after a stunning performance at the recent national titles at Imbil, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

By winning the 160km endurance event for the first time, Kalbar-based Meredith qualified to represent her country at next year's World Equestrian Games in the United States.

"That will be huge," Meredith said, delighted about the prospect of taking on the world's best in Kentucky next year.

"I'm absolutely over the moon."

Meredith has been competing in endurance riding since 1995, enjoying top 10 finishes at major events and competing in Trans-Tasman series at New Zealand championships.

She also won six Tom Quilty buckles (at national events).

However, her latest achievement is her best so far. She's ecstatic her husband Ted and rapidly maturing grey gelding Anglesea Trooper are sharing the journey.

"Ted is my strapper, coat person and taxi driver," she laughed.

"We're very much a team.

"We've just been waiting for our horse to explode out of the blocks."

Meredith, a registered nurse at Ipswich Hospital, said having nine-year-old horse Anglesea Trooper starting to peak gave her more confidence.

"I've always known he had potential and he's been very hard work to keep him under wraps," she said.

"He's old enough now to be able to race.

"I believe our best years are ahead."

Meredith's 160km endurance event is over six stages on different courses.

"It's a race against the clock or each other," the former Gold Coaster said, having been in Kalbar for seven years.

What satisfied her last weekend was clocking the fastest 160km time in Australia.

"It's the thrill of the race," Meredith said, explaining why she loves endurance racing.

Nationals course director Bob Sample said the Sunday of last weekend's competition "belonged to Linda Meredith and Anglesea Trooper" after they quickly took charge, leading all the way on the 160km course.

The rider and her horse completed the journey in eight hours, 56 minutes.

"Anyone who is familiar with the Imbil forest trails will know what a great performance this was," Sample said.

Australian endurance squad manager Barb Timms agreed.

"Linda Meredith and the big white horse Trooper established the lead well and truly in the first leg and never faulted for the entire ride," Timms said.

Meredith trains three to four times a week in the Kalbar area, often riding around Lake Manchester and up the Boonah hills.

'I believe our best years are ahead.'

- Linda Meredith

Australia: Gulgong ride will be popular

Mudgeeguardian.com.au

11/06/2009

Gulgong Endurance Club will hold their annual ride starting from the Gulgong Polocrosse grounds this Sunday.

Organisers report that more than 100 riders have nominated for the event with a number of top local riders taking part.

Promising local junior rider Ben Hudson will be taking part while Mette Sutton will be doing her last ride before she heads to ride in South Africa next month.

Sutton won the ride at Cooyal last month and says that Sunday's ride will be a good exercise before she leaves for South Africa National Championships in two weeks time.

Sutton said organisers of the South African event have arranged an attractive itinerary for the visiting international riders.

Australia and New Zealand are the only international countries that will be represented at the South African Nationals.

"We arrive on June 26 and travel to the event venue at Fort Buis Game Farm the next day," Sutton said.

"The next day we meet the horse owners and sponsors and our horses.

"Then on June 29 we will go on a leisurely trial ride to the Eland Safari Lodge and back, accompanied by local riders.

"We will also visit a stud and have time for shopping and sight seeing.

Sutton said she had received wonderful support from many local organisations who have either donated cash or held fundraising events to help with the cost of her trip. Sutton has received donations from Gulgong Sports Council, Mudgee Endurance Riders Club and the Gulgong Sporting Development Fund - an initiative of Gulgong Bowling & Recreation Club and Gulgong Sports Council.

The Bowling Club is also holding a charity bowls day on June 20 with proceeds to go towards the cost of the trip and everybody is welcome to come along.

Her work colleagues at Mid Western Regional Council have organised a trivia night for tonight (Friday) to raise more money for the trip and local wineries and the Scuba Diving Club have donated prizes for the night.

Motorists are alerted to the fact that horses will be present on many roads in the Gulgong area this Saturday and Sunday and are urged to use caution if driving in the area during the ride.

Roads likely to be affected are Barneys Reef Road, Old Barneys Reef Road, Jackson Lane, Puggoon Road, Tallawang Street, Station Street, Spring Creek Road, Snelsons Lane, Whitehouse Road, Henry Lawson Drive, Canadian Lead Road, Coming Event Lane, Springfield Lane, Reef Road, Hillside Lane and Williardt Lane.

France: 2009 Rambouillet

Cecile Miletto Mosti and Baja De Piboul of France won the CEII*** 160 km raid in 8:31.10 at Rambouillet, while Denis Le Guillou and Zannouba of France won the 160 km Amateur Elite GP in 10:37.43.

Frenchman Vincent Du Pont riding Nita Lotoise won the CEI** 130 km in 6:24.47, and Dorothee Rossez of France riding Dune D'Azat won the Amateur Elite 130 km in 6:56.13.

Photos and results at http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2009Rambouillet/.

South Africa: British endurance team win bronze at SA International Challenge

Horseandhound.co.uk
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
10 June, 2009

A team of British endurance riders returned from South Africa yesterday with a bronze medal from the first South Africa International FEI Challenge.

The six riders — Tricia Hirst, Nicky Sherry (pictured), Abi Taylor, Rachael Claridge (pictured), Sophie O'Hara-Smith and Helen Perry — were picked to take part in the 120km endurance race near Beaufort West.

The team were on borrowed South African horses, which they were given just two days to become familiar with before the event began.

This was the first time that any teams outside of Southern Africa had been invited to compete in the challenge. Hosted by the Western Province Endurance Union, the event was the largest ever held in South Africa, with some 310 horses taking part.

And the race lived up to its challenging name.

...more

Great Britain: Winning spell of endurance

Perthsire Advertiser
Jun 5 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTHSHIRE rider Kirstie Graham and her lionhearted pony, Arabelle, emerged supreme in the ultimate endurance challenge – 100 miles in one day – at the Bahrain Festival of Endurance in Nottingham.

Kirstie, from Abernethy, explained: “One hundred miles in one day is the ultimate endurance goal. It is tough, gruelling, technical and horse and rider must forge an incredible partnership.

“Endurance riding has strict vetting parameters. A 160km race ride is run over six stages, with the horses being checked by vets after each stage. Horses can be failed on lameness, high heart rate or if they are showing any signs of dehydration or distress.”

Mum-of-two Kirstie, who is the current Scottish Endurance Champion, won convincingly, more than an hour ahead of the rest of the competition, on her Arab x Welsh 13.3hh pony Arabelle (Bella).

The Bahrain royal family sponsors the event, which is based in Thorseby estate in the area known as the Dukeries.

Kirstie continued: “Bella cantered out of the last vet gate without a care in the world. It was getting late and we were on the ‘dig deep’ stage – and she kept on digging deep. It was on this lap I allowed myself to acknowledge that if I finished the ride, I would win. Coming back to the finish, vets, crews and spectators had gathered to cheer us on. Bella surged forward, ears pricked and we floated home.”

Kirstie will be competing to retain her Scottish Champion title at the Scottish Endurance Championships, which will take place at Scone Palace on June 26-28.

As well as the longer distances, the event run by the Scottish Endurance Riding Club (SERC) will provide classes for everyone, including three different ‘Pleasure Rides’ of around 20km which are open to non-members of SERC.

Further details can be found at http://www.perthendurance.co.uk/

Italy: European Open at Assisi gets Meydan's support

Gulf News

Italian Ambassador to the UAE Paolo Dionisi, Meydan City communications director Mohammad Al Khayat, Dubai Equestrian Club general manager Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, Mayor of Assisi, Claudio Ricci, and the chairman of Assisi Endurance Lifestyle, Gianluca Laliscia, discuss the FEI European Open Endurance Championship to be held in Assisi on September 26.

---

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: May 26, 2009, 23:10

Dubai: Meydan City have announced their sponsorship of the FEI European Open Endurance Championship to be held in the Italian city of Assisi on September 26.

Addressing a press conference Mohammad Al Khayat, Meydan's communications director said, "The European Open championship is one of the most important endurance events this year. With over 100 riders from over 30 countries expecting to participate, this championship is truly a global event".

UAE are one of the favourites for the championship which is held once every two years. The event will include competitions in the individual and team categories.

Meydan City's Chairman Saeed Al Tayer said, "Endurance horse racing is part of the UAE's culture and heritage. This special collaboration will further enhance the UAE's participation in this sport and assist in increasing its exposure in the region and worldwide".

Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, who also addressed the press conference said: "Endurance already has a huge profile in the UAE where some of the world's top riders hail from. We look forward to what will be a long-standing partnership with Assisi".

Paolo Dionisi, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE said: "I have been here for over three years and have enjoyed the growing bilateral ties with the UAE. Apart from the great endurance championship, Assisi will also be staging a major economic conference and it is going to be a great success.

"The city of Assisi is all set to welcome the equestrian fraternity of the world. The natural scenario of Assisi has been chosen to stage the endurance championship. The Umbrian countryside will be the setting for the 160 kilometres event," said Claudio Ricci, Mayor of Assisi.

"Assisi is a World Unesco Heritage city and we are ready to stage a great championship with many other events on the sidelines," he added.

Gianluca Laliscia, Chairman of Assisi Endurance Lifestyle and a top Italian endurance rider said: "This year for the first time we will be using the GPS [Global Positioning System] which will help us to see the exact location of each of the competing riders and horses.

"Apart from that the terrain for the 160 kilometres event has a very diverse and challenging nature with very [few] tarmac roads."

"The international event will include a prestigious Workshop on Real Estate Investments in Umbria promoted by Sviluppumbria, an International Veterinary Symposium, an important round table on hippotherapy, an art exhibition & and finally an entire week-end dedicated to & children," Laliscia added.

USA: Hydesville horse and rider excel in Idaho competition

Humboldt Beacon
June 4, 2009

By Dennis Souza

On Sunday, May 24, Joyce Sousa of Hydesville rode Arabian horse LV Integrity and raced to a first place finish at the Owyhee Fandango International Endurance, 100 mile ride held in Oreana, Idaho.

Horse and rider did this in a time of 9 hours and 48 minutes. The event was an American Ride Conference ride, Arabian Horse Association Region 4 Championship ride and a selection trial for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Lexington, Ky. in 2010.

The pair raced against 29 competitors representing Canada,Washington,Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah,California, New Mexico,Texas and Colorado.

At the awards ceremony, Souza was presented awards which included a Rubicon saddle.

The 3rd place finisher, Jennife Niehaus of Cloverdale, daughter of Joyce and Dennis Sousa, was presented the Best Condition Award to her and Gallantly, an Arabian owned by the Sousas. The top three finishers all finsihed within 50 seconds of eachother.

The local endurance ride club, Redwood Empire Endurance Riders first event of the year is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at the Chalk Mountain Ranch in Bridgeville. For information, call Ruth Hoke at 768-1748

Great Britain: A ride on the wild side

The Northern Echo
June 4, 2009

SCORES of horses are expected to take part in a new endurance riding event in a North- East forest later this month.

It has been 15 years since Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, has hosted a competitive endurance horse riding event.

Riders will take their horses around the forest before heading to Hamsterley Common.

The ride is called The Elephant Trees, taken from a collection of trees on a stage of the course which look like elephants.

The organisers of the event, on Sunday, June 28, hope the forest could host the Northern Championships when they come to County Durham in 2011.

There will be four distances riders can compete in – 18km, 25km, 40km and 65km.

Although the longer distances are only open to elite riders and members of riding clubs, the shorter distances are open to everyone, and organiser Karen David is hoping people who have never tried the sport will take part.

“It’s a wonderful way to ride,” said Ms David, a member of Durham and Teesside group of Endurance Great Britain.

“We go fast, but we are not hammering round the track and destroying it.

“This area is really pretty and it’s great way to ride.”

Ms David has organised the event with friend Sylvia Briggs.

“A lot of the other courses in the county are suburban, but this one really gets people out into the countryside,” she said.

Riders will be guided by biodegradable paint markings that will disappear days after the event has finished.

Competitors must register their horses before the event. For more details, go to durhamandteessideegb.org.uk
[More ...]

Australia: Gala Fundraiser for Tom Quilty Gold Cup

Melbourne, Victoria, 2 June 2009

A gala auction night packed with prizes, promotions and sporting personalities will raise funds for the 2009 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

The internationally renowned event is Australia’s biggest endurance ride and coming to Tonimbuk in September.

The fundraiser at the Cardinia Cultural Centre to be held on Saturday 11 July will set the scene for the main event with an evening of entertainment featuring live band Cover It.

"There will be lucky door prizes, a silent auction, sports memorabilia up for grabs and lots more," 2009 Tom Quilty Gold Cup event coordinator Lissy Verity said.

"It will be a great night out for everyone, not just for people with an interest in equestrian sports, so get a table together and join the fun."

Tickets cost $90 per person and include a two-course dinner and drinks with all proceeds going towards staging the Tom Quilty Gold Cup at Tonimbuk.

Council is a proud supporter of the event, a classic test of strength and skill as riders from around Australia and overseas compete to finish a 160km ride in 24 hours.

The ride committee together with the Cardinia Shire Council strongly encourages everyone to get behind this event. "It will not only help showcase the uniqueness of Cardinia to many people, this ride will also be great for the local economy as the influx of riders and their support crews utilise local goods and service providers," said Lissy.

Information/enquiries: Sue Cousin on 5629 2530, or call the Cardinia Cultural Centre direct on 1300 887 624. For more details about the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.tonimbukgoldcup.org.au

Media enquiries or further information contact Paul Dunlop on 5945 4388 or Liz Roberts on 5945 4258.

Bahrain: Al Hazza sixth in France event

Gulf Daily News
June 1 2009


BAHRAIN's Ahmed Abdulla Al Hazza came sixth overall while host country's Laurent Mosti finished on top in the senior race of the Compiegne Ride championship held yesterday at the Compiegne Endurance Village near Paris.

Riding Kheopsy Du Pilat, Al Hazza completed this six-stage 160-km race in sixth place with a total ride time of eight hours, four minutes and 48 seconds with a speed average of 19.508 kms per hour.

The Bahrain team were led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Other riders were Al Khaldiya Stables captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousef Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood Al Saad, Jaffar Mirza and Al Hazza.

The Bahrainis, who were represented by seven of its best riders, finished third overall behind champions France and runners-up Italy.

More than 70 riders from Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, the UAE, France and Bahrain competed in this annual event which got underway at 7am (Bahrain time).

The event was part of the Bahraini team's preparations for the European Championship in Italy and World Championship in the US which will both be held next year.

The hosts dominated the race as Mosti was the eventual winner on Khandela Des Vialette. He was followed by compatriot Guy Dumas in second place and Jean Philip Frances, also of France, was third.

The Bahraini team encountered a series of unfortunate incidents by having several riders eliminated at different stages of the race.

Shaikh Khalid was out after the second stage after falling from his horse Waterlea Oliver. Shaikh Khalid, the Breef first vice-president, was taken to the hospital near the village for medial check-ups.

Pullout

Shaikh Nasser also had to pull out in the fourth stage after his horse Kango II was eliminated due to injury along with Taher and Al Dossary.

The other Bahrainis' placings were Mirza (8:11:55) in 13th place and Al Saad (8:26:47) 15th overall.

The championship also featured a race for junior riders held last Saturday and was over 130kms. It was won by Roman Lafaure of France with compatriots Justin Mourou and Laetitia Goncalves finishing second and third, respectively.

Yesterday's seniors race, which concluded at around 5.30pm, was followed by the prize-giving ceremony during which the top riders in both the race were honoured.

Shaikh Khalid started the race well and managed to complete the first stage in second place while Shaikh Nasser was ninth overall.

Caroline led the stage in 47:31 and with a speed average of 19.141 kms per hour. Third was Laurent Mosti (48:46), also of France, followed by compatriot Cecile Totain (48:51) in fourth place. Shaikh Nasser moved up to sixth while Shaikh Khalid went down to seventh.

Caroline maintained her strong performance in the second stage which also ended in her favour with a total ride time of 3:05:13. Mosti (3:06.05) jumped to second place and ahead of Frances (3:06.30) of France in third place. Shaikh Nasser made further progress by moving up to fifth.

No changes took place after the third stage where the same three riders held on to their positions with Carolin (4:44.08) keeping her lead as Mosti (3:44.49) and Frances (3:45.02) stayed second and third, respectively.

Totain (4:45.05) remained fourth and ahead of fifth-placer Shaikh Nasser (3:45.07).

In the fourth stage, Caroline (7:01.52) stayed on top. Mosti (7:02.23) was also second while Totain (4:45.05) leapfrogged Frances to clinch third spot.

The penultimate stage saw Caroline (8:42.22) extend her lead with Mosti (8:43.26) holding on top second while Dumas (8:03.53) steering Mohac to climb up to third while Totain (8:44.47) went down to fourth.

However, Mosti staged a superb comeback in the sixth and final stage where he took over the lead from Caroline.


[More ...]

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser leads Royal Team to Bronze

Bahrain News Agency

31 05, 2009

PARIS, MAY 31 (BNA) THE BAHRAIN ROYAL ENDURANCE TEAM FACED TOUGH CONDITIONS IN ITS FIRST PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPIEGNE SENIOR RIDE CHAMPIONSHIP (160 KM) TODAY AT THE COMPIEGNE ENDURANCE VILLAGE NEAR PARIS.
THE CONTINGENT, LED BY ROYAL TEAM CAPTAIN AND BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA AND HIS DEPUTY SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, CONFIDENTLY SECURED THE THIRD POSITION DESPITE THE EVENT'S GRUELING 160-KILOMETRE RACE DISTANCE. THE BAHRAINI TEAM IS PREPARING FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP, ITALY, AND THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, USA, IN 2010. SHAIKH KHALID WAS INJURED WHEN THE HORSE FELL ON HIM, THE FACT THAT NECESSITATED HIS WITHDRAWAL FROM THE THIRD STAGE OF THE RACE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. ON HIS PART, SHAIKH NASSER WITHDREW FROM THE FOURTH STAGE OF THE RACE AFTER HIS HORSE HAD BEEN INJURED. THE RIDE FEATURED FIVE STAGES, BEGINNING WITH A DEMANDING 35KM OPENING LEG AND ENDING WITH A CLOSING STAGE OF FIFTH 20KM. SHAIKH NASSER'S ROYAL TEAM PARTNERS WERE BREEF FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT AND AL KHALDIYA STABLES CAPTAIN SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, YOUSEF TAHER, GHAZI AL DOSSARI, AHMED ABDULLA, RAED MAHMOOD AL SAAD AND JAFFAR MIRZA. DESPITE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SHAIKH KHALID FROM THE THIRD STAGE OF THE RACE AND SHAIKH NASSER FROM THE FOURTH, AHMED ABDULLAH STRUGGLED TO SECURE THE 6TH PLACE. TOUGH RIDERS SPAIN, BELGIUM AND HOSTS FRANCE WERE COMPETING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

France: Mosti wins Compiegne 160 km Seniors Nations Cup

31 May 2009

France swept the first five positions in the Compiegne 160-km Seniors Nations Cup with Larent Mosti and Khandela Des Vialette taking first place by less than two minutes over Guy Dumas and Mohac. Finishing time was 7:52:43.

France also won the Gold in Equipes. Switzerland took the Silver, and the Bahrain team won Bronze.

More results, information, and photos at

www.endurance.net/international/France/2009CompiegneMay

and

the Compiegne website.

France: Lafaure wins Compiegne J&YR Nations Cup

Saturday, May 30 2009

Riding Kaltsoum Cabirat, French Young Rider Roman Lafaure won the 130 km CEIO** Junior/Young Rider Nations Cup in a tight galloping finish over fellow French riders Justin Mourou on El Abiad Dejalima and Laetitia Goncalves on Jasmina Des Ayssade.

France swept the first 6 positions, with Eulalia Gonzalez Guardia finishing 7th on Kacel.

32 of 51 riders finished the race.

Today the CEIO*** - 160 km Senior Nations Cup will take place.

Further coverage on Endurance.net.

2010 WEG: Planning WEG endurance course an endurance event in itself

TMCNet.com - Full Article

The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Tom Eblen column

May 30, 2009 (The Lexington Herald-Leader - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Jamie Link may be the chief executive officer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but when it comes to riding horses, he's a novice.

So when he and other top Games officials recently saddled up to see part of the 100-mile endurance course being mapped out across farms surrounding the Kentucky Horse Park, Link was given a horse with two names.

One name was Rocket, which Link used frequently and emphatically as he maneuvered well alongside his more-experienced colleagues.

Others called his golden mount by a name indicating a more gentle nature, Buttercup.

This was a slow, four-mile ride over beautiful Mt. Brilliant Farm. But everyone was thinking about what it would be like for more than 80 competitors who will gallop over it in a day-long race against the clock on Sept. 26, 2010.

Endurance racing will be one of the most high-profile of the Games' eight disciplines, for a couple of reasons.

The race is scheduled for the second of the 16 days of competition and will be featured prominently, along with a recap of opening ceremonies, on NBC Sports' first hour-long telecast of the Games.

That show has the potential to be a spectacular video postcard for Central Kentucky's horse country -- not to mention the glamour of the Games.

But because the endurance race is so demanding, any televised deaths or serious injuries to horses have the potential to damage the reputation of equine sports in the eyes of a skeptical public.

More...

Bahrain: Bahraini riders gear up for French ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Thursday, May 28, 2009

BAHRAIN's leading endurance horse riders have left for France to compete in this year's Compiegne Senior and Junior Rides starting on Saturday at Compiegne Endurance Village near Paris.

The Bahraini team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The squad consist of prominent young riders, including Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who is also Al Khaldiya Stables leader.

This year's event began yesterday with the opening of the stables. Tomorrow a restaurant and the secretary's office will be inaugurated.

Rules

The first veterinary inspection for horses will also be held.

The Bahraini members will attend the riders weighing and will also be briefed on the rules and regulations.

On Saturday, the 130km junior ride will begin at 8.30am (Bahrain time) and is set to conclude by 5.30pm at the Equestrian Stadium while the awarding ceremony will take place at 6.30pm.

The senior race, which is over 160km, will be held the following day with a 8am start. It's expected to conclude at 5.30pm and will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony at 9pm.

Australia: Endurance ride a 160km test

Photo: Craig Warhurst

Gympietimes.com.au

Matthew Lee | 27th May 2009



THE trails snaking their way through the scenic Imbil Forestry will barely have settled down from the Rally Queensland event earlier this month when the Australian Endurance Championship is held in Imbil over the Queen's Birthday long weekend next month.

The event, officially recognised internationally by the World Equestrian Body FEI, will see riders and their horses from regions across Australia gather in Imbil for a weekend of endurance horse riding.

And while the speeds will be far more leisurely than the rally cars tearing up the dirt in the Rally Queensland event, spectators who turn out to witness the event can be certain to see some brilliant competition and rivalries.

Three rides will take place over the course of the weekend, the feature event being a testing 160 kilometre ride - known as the Brookleigh Stud 160km FEI Australian Championship event.

This major endurance race is being organised by the Far A Way Riders Club.

The club is credited as being one of the most active organisers of endurance rides across Australia.

Meanwhile, some of Australia's most decorated endurance riders will be competing in the Imbil event, all with the hope of qualifying for selection in the Australian team to compete next year in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky, USA.

Prominent Queensland competitors aiming for a shot at Australian selection include brothers Brook and Matthew Sample, Penny Toft and Derek Armitage.

All riders represented Australia last year at the World Championships in Malaysia, adding depth to the starting line-up.

Gympie regional horse enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the event as spectators to witness the event.

UAE: European Open at Assisi gets Meydan's support

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: May 26, 2009

Dubai: Meydan City have announced their sponsorship of the FEI European Open Endurance Championship to be held in the Italian city of Assisi on September 26.

Addressing a press conference Mohammad Al Khayat, Meydan's communications director said, "The European Open championship is one of the most important endurance events this year. With over 100 riders from over 30 countries expecting to participate, this championship is truly a global event".

UAE are one of the favourites for the championship which is held once every two years. The event will include competitions in the individual and team categories.

Meydan City's Chairman Saeed Al Tayer said, "Endurance horse racing is part of the UAE's culture and heritage. This special collaboration will further enhance the UAE's participation in this sport and assist in increasing its exposure in the region and worldwide".

Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, who also addressed the press conference said: "Endurance already has a huge profile in the UAE where some of the world's top riders hail from. We look forward to what will be a long-standing partnership with Assisi".

Paolo Dionisi, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE said: "I have been here for over three years and have enjoyed the growing bilateral ties with the UAE. Apart from the great endurance championship, Assisi will also be staging a major economic conference and it is going to be a great success.

"The city of Assisi is all set to welcome the equestrian fraternity of the world. The natural scenario of Assisi has been chosen to stage the endurance championship. The Umbrian countryside will be the setting for the 160 kilometres event," said Claudio Ricci, Mayor of Assisi.

"Assisi is a World Unesco Heritage city and we are ready to stage a great championship with many other events on the sidelines," he added.

Gianluca Laliscia, Chairman of Assisi Endurance Lifestyle and a top Italian endurance rider said: "This year for the first time we will be using the GPS [Global Positioning System] which will help us to see the exact location of each of the competing riders and horses.

"Apart from that the terrain for the 160 kilometres event has a very diverse and challenging nature with very [few] tarmac roads."

"The international event will include a prestigious Workshop on Real Estate Investments in Umbria promoted by Sviluppumbria, an International Veterinary Symposium, an important round table on hippotherapy, an art exhibition & and finally an entire week-end dedicated to & children," Laliscia added.

Malaysia: Tuanku Mizan joins endurance race

Thestar.com.my

Sunday May 24, 2009

SETIU: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday joined 109 other horse riders in the Edaran Endurance Classic 2009, which started at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) here.

Tuanku Mizan, astride "Jakim Murphy", is representing the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) and is competing in the 120km category with 15 other riders.

The race is scheduled to end at 11am today.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and elder sister Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah are taking part in the 40km category.

The two-day championship, which is organised by Edaran Berhad and the Terengganu state government, involves 40km, 80km, 120km and 160km categories of endurance racing. - Bernama