Release: July 16 2009
Beginning Wednesday, July 22, with a kick-off celebration and opening ceremonies, the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North will welcome junior and young riders from across the expanse of the continent to a much-anticipated and highly-regarded series of championships.
The NAJYRC is the premiere equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Canada and Mexico to vie for championship titles in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing, plus the Western-style discipline of reining. The competition is run under rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.
The 2009 series of championships will be one of the biggest in the history of the event with an increase in the number of entries, as well as the number of demonstration events having grown substantially. In addition to the higher number of competitors seeking a victory, there are two non-Olympic equestrian disciplines participating with riders taking to the endurance trail and the vaulting arena in non-championship events.
Many of North America's best equestrians got their start at the NAJYRC including Olympic medalists Greg Best, Karen O'Connor, Chris Kappler and McLain Ward.
The NAJYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A dressage championship was added in 1981, and show jumping was added in 1982. The first complete Young Riders championship was held in British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The Championships were expanded to officially include a championship division for juniors in 2006. The discipline of reining was added to the official schedule in 2008.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, and admission is free of charge (there is a nominal parking fee for the Kentucky Horse Park). For more information, visit www.youngriders.org.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Italy: Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2009
Release: July 14 2009
The FEI Meydan City European Endurance Championship Open 2009 is the most important world endurance event of the year with all national official teams from five continents participating. Held during the event known as the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2009, the endurance championship will join other activities and topics such as economics, medicine, real estate, culture, fashion and entertainment across September 17-27 in the Italian city of Assisi.
The program also includes a prestigious international veterinary symposium, a round table conference on hippotherapy, a master art exhibition on horses and a weekend of activities dedicated to children and ponies. Assisi Endurance lifestyle 2009 is sponsored by RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, the event’s main media partner.
The opening ceremony of the FEI Meydan City European Endurance Championship Open 2009 on Thursday, September 24, will be glamorous and unique. Taking place in Assisi’s municipal square instead of in the stadium, each nation will pass by in procession with its own flag in a medieval atmosphere and setting, supervised by the Ente del Calendimaggio di Assisi.
The Great Endurance Ball will take place on September 25 in a location which is still top secret. There will be a special event during the ball supervised by the famous fashion firm Luisa Spagnoli.
The highlight of the event will be on the September 26 when the best world riders will compete against one another, among them the official national teams of the countries of the Persian Gulf, which are the event’s favoured teams: The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
In addition to the endurance race, the children in attendance won’t be forgotten. After the success of the Pony Village 2007 and of the Italian Pony Endurance Championship 2008, the program includes an independent event called “Ponies & Kids.” The event is totally dedicated to children and horse riding, horse riding intended not only as game and sport, but also as formative and educational.
From the September 17-20, there will be competitions in endurance, vaulting, obstacles, gymkhana, dressage and various pony games. There will be three competition fields and children will have the opportunity to experience horse riding with competitive spirit.
For more information, visit www.assisilifestyle.it or contact Sergio Cerini at sergio.cerini@effeciassociati.net.
The FEI Meydan City European Endurance Championship Open 2009 is the most important world endurance event of the year with all national official teams from five continents participating. Held during the event known as the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2009, the endurance championship will join other activities and topics such as economics, medicine, real estate, culture, fashion and entertainment across September 17-27 in the Italian city of Assisi.
The program also includes a prestigious international veterinary symposium, a round table conference on hippotherapy, a master art exhibition on horses and a weekend of activities dedicated to children and ponies. Assisi Endurance lifestyle 2009 is sponsored by RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, the event’s main media partner.
The opening ceremony of the FEI Meydan City European Endurance Championship Open 2009 on Thursday, September 24, will be glamorous and unique. Taking place in Assisi’s municipal square instead of in the stadium, each nation will pass by in procession with its own flag in a medieval atmosphere and setting, supervised by the Ente del Calendimaggio di Assisi.
The Great Endurance Ball will take place on September 25 in a location which is still top secret. There will be a special event during the ball supervised by the famous fashion firm Luisa Spagnoli.
The highlight of the event will be on the September 26 when the best world riders will compete against one another, among them the official national teams of the countries of the Persian Gulf, which are the event’s favoured teams: The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
In addition to the endurance race, the children in attendance won’t be forgotten. After the success of the Pony Village 2007 and of the Italian Pony Endurance Championship 2008, the program includes an independent event called “Ponies & Kids.” The event is totally dedicated to children and horse riding, horse riding intended not only as game and sport, but also as formative and educational.
From the September 17-20, there will be competitions in endurance, vaulting, obstacles, gymkhana, dressage and various pony games. There will be three competition fields and children will have the opportunity to experience horse riding with competitive spirit.
For more information, visit www.assisilifestyle.it or contact Sergio Cerini at sergio.cerini@effeciassociati.net.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thailand: Hua Hin – Cha-am Horse Festival 2009
Etravelblackboardasia.com Monday, 13 July 2009 As part of the official 100th Hua Hin Centenary celebrations, the inaugural Cha-am – Hua Hin Horse Festival “Endurance Classics” has been organised, with over 100 riders and horses participating in an endurance marathon along and against the breathtakingly spectacular beach and mountain backdrops for which the twin resort towns of Cha-am and Hua Hin are world famous. You are invited to join your fellow horse lovers for a riding extravaganza and social gathering, with a plethora of equine activities and games for your enjoyment along the stunning scenic beach route between Hua Hin Airport and the starters’ line and winning post at Dusit Thani, Hua Hin. Equestrian enthusiasts participating in the 40 and 80-kilometre endurance events over beach and mountainous terrain between Cha-am and Hua Hin fall into three categories, with local Thai and expatriate riders pitting their skills against regional riders from neighbouring South-east Asian countries and International entrants from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). In addition, there is a 10-kilometre contest for locals, featuring horses from within the boundaries of Cha-am and Hua Hin and a special event for VIPs which is bound to attract some notable celebrities and socialites. Special celebration rates to mark this unique and momentous event are available from Dusit Thani Hua Hin, who will also host the not-to-be-missed VIP party. Don’t miss your chance to come join the fun, simply by admiring the horses or by saddling up and testing your endurance. Whichever is your cup of tea, make sure you are part of the beach spectacle of Hua Hin’s first century! |    |
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Malaysia: Tuanku Mizan Leads Charge In Fun Ride Endurance Race
SETIU, July 11 (Bernama) -- Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin led the charge among 51 riders in the Fun Ride 2009 endurance race which started off at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong here on Saturday.
Tuanku Mizan, who is riding B.H. Magna Thor, is representing the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) in the 80km race.
The overnight race is expected to finish at 5.10am tomorrow.
Tuanku Mizan's son Tengku Muhammad Ismail is taking part in the 40km race together with 33 other riders.
Tengku Muhammad, who is also representing RTES, is riding Harmere Cairo in the race, which is organised by RTES and the Terengganu government.
-- BERNAMA
Tuanku Mizan, who is riding B.H. Magna Thor, is representing the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) in the 80km race.
The overnight race is expected to finish at 5.10am tomorrow.
Tuanku Mizan's son Tengku Muhammad Ismail is taking part in the 40km race together with 33 other riders.
Tengku Muhammad, who is also representing RTES, is riding Harmere Cairo in the race, which is organised by RTES and the Terengganu government.
-- BERNAMA
Great Britain: A weekend of endurance at Perth
Perthshire Advertiser
Jul 10 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday
PERTH Racecourse was the venue recently for the two-day Scottish Endurance Riding Championships, with the flagship event, the two-day 160km endurance, going to Irish rider Helen McFarland on J St Jake with a speed of just over 14kph.
Endurance rides are run as race rides, with a mass start, timed vet gates and first past the post and passing the stringent vetting the winner.
As well as the longer endurance ride classes, it was a weekend festival of endurance, with supporting classes including pleasure rides and timed competitive rides, where gradings are awarded on the basis of heart rate and speed.
Around 150 horses and their riders, of all shapes, sizes and breeds, enjoyed the weekend, with an opportunity to enjoy a historic and varied route as well as watch some of the top endurance horses in Scotland in action and pick up some tips.
Belfast-based lawyer Helen and Jake finished comfortably ahead of the field in the two-day 160km while, in contrast, there was a flat out race to the line in the 80km endurance ride.
All riders in the 80km class made an error on course, so the pressure was on to make up time and speed. Four combinations battled it out to the line with Dumfries rider Nikki Todhunter snatching victory on her 17-year-old part bred Arab mare Fayre Savanna.[More ...]
Jul 10 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday
PERTH Racecourse was the venue recently for the two-day Scottish Endurance Riding Championships, with the flagship event, the two-day 160km endurance, going to Irish rider Helen McFarland on J St Jake with a speed of just over 14kph.
Endurance rides are run as race rides, with a mass start, timed vet gates and first past the post and passing the stringent vetting the winner.
As well as the longer endurance ride classes, it was a weekend festival of endurance, with supporting classes including pleasure rides and timed competitive rides, where gradings are awarded on the basis of heart rate and speed.
Around 150 horses and their riders, of all shapes, sizes and breeds, enjoyed the weekend, with an opportunity to enjoy a historic and varied route as well as watch some of the top endurance horses in Scotland in action and pick up some tips.
Belfast-based lawyer Helen and Jake finished comfortably ahead of the field in the two-day 160km while, in contrast, there was a flat out race to the line in the 80km endurance ride.
All riders in the 80km class made an error on course, so the pressure was on to make up time and speed. Four combinations battled it out to the line with Dumfries rider Nikki Todhunter snatching victory on her 17-year-old part bred Arab mare Fayre Savanna.[More ...]
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
New Zealand: Mandy and Copper grab national title
Stratfordpress.co.nz
9th July 2009
MANDY Walton of Toko was delighted last month to pick up the title of Endurance New Zealand Junior Distance Rider of the Year.
The 17-year-old won the North Island Junior Endurance championships at Easter and now with her horse Copper she has picked up the national title.
Endurance riding involves riding up to nine hours a day following markers cross-country without overtaxing your horse. At the end of each event the horses are vetted, and if their heartbeat is over 64 beats per minute you're out.
"You've got to take your time and really know your horse," said Mandy.
Mandy has been riding since she was six but only started endurance riding last year.
Her grandfather Trevor Walton, who competes in endurance riding on a senior level, taught Mandy to ride. They were into horse trekking but Mandy said they found that a bit slow so took up endurance riding.
Mandy rides at a trot or canter. Her longest ride so far was 83km at Auckland and she carries a heart monitor to check the horse's heart rate.
She said Copper is a great horse for the shorter rides and she has ridden 24 competitive rides on the eight-year-old mare.
Next year she moves into the senior division where rides are up to 160km long.
To do those she has a new horse, a seven-year–old gelding called Charlie. Both horses are Arabs, the best horse for endurance riding as their heart rate is slower than most horses.
Mandy has her eye on competing in the South Island Champs in January and if all goes well, then the 100 km Nationals in April next year.
She practices by riding most days for two hours and if she does OK at the national champs she will have a chance at world events. Kiwi riders do well on the international endurance-riding scene.
South Africa: Bad luck for Mark Tylee and Jenny Champion at Fauresmith
NZEquestrian.org.nz
8/07/2009
The Endurance New Zealand team of Mark Tylee, Jenny Champion, Helen Graham, Maxine Leary, Debby Worsfold and Kylie Avery headed off to South Africa on Monday 29th June for the National Champs in Fauresmith.
After the first day of competition at the South African National Endurance Champs, Fauresmith, Mark Tylee and Jenny Champion are both out of the competition.
The story through today is that Mark's horse was difficult to manage, the horse did not settle into the competition, biting both himself and one of the attending veterinarians, subsequently the horse was vetted out on heart rate.
Jenny Champion's horse unfortunately went lame.
On a positive note the other four riders, Kylie Avery, Debby Worsfold, Maxine Leary and Helen Graham are still in the competition where they will be going into their second day of competition very soon.
Helen Bray reports on the ride:
For some, the beginning of the trip was a challenge.
The group that left from Wellington Mark,Jenny,Tina had no problems through Sydney and on to South Africa. For those leaving through Christchurh it was not so easy.
The Christchurch flight was cancelled 5min before departure. We were rebooked through Singapore, giving Debby Worsfold ,Kylie Avery ,Helen Graham ,Helen Bray,and Philip Graham, an extra 5 hours in CHCH a 11hr flight to Singapore 8hrs in Singapore waiting for their 11hr flight to South Africa.We made it in the end. We met up with the rest of the party Tuesday morning, Travelling 2hrs to where the Australian team were staying, for lunch and a game park tour. We then travelled 500km north west to our host families. The team is being hosted by members of the North Western area Endurance club.
The host families also are supplying our horses. The family I was with, farm 5000hect of flat, Kalahari sand country in a semi-arid area, getting 16inch rainfall. Their farm is stocked with 400 beef cows and 75 horses. Stock are run in 100 hectare paddocks, horses and cattle run together. All stock work is done on young endurance horses.The country is covered by little grass and low scrub.
The next afternoon, we took in a visit to a game park with a variety of wildlife. It had a large number of fenced 2hect pen's for lions,and leopards. Some great photos were taken.
We left for Fauresmitm the next day, travelling Southeast 600kms in convoy with the horse truck, caravan and support vehicles. We passed through the Kimberley diamond mining area and saw some amazing African vistas.
The ride base is at Fauresmith, a town of 1000 people. It is about 1500m above sea level, sandy, stoney country. The ride has been at the same venue for 35 years. It is the S.A. National Champs, 200kms over 3 days. There are 3 loops each day, with 2 out post vet checks. 411 entries so far. The ride has been won in the past with speeds of around 25km.
Today we have travelled 120km North to Bloemfontain for some sightseeing and retail therapy. It is warmer, clear sunny days, almost tee-shirt weather, but the nights are cold.
Training rides and horse preparation take up the next 2 days. A parade is held on Monday morning prior to pre ride vetting. The ride begins at 7am Tuesday, 7 July, local time.
The team is being hosted in local homes, 5mins from base. Their hospitality and that of our horse hosts is incredible.
Namibia: Victory in 60 km Endurance Ride
Thisisplymouth.co.uk
Tuesday, July 07, 2009, 11:00
Not content with just going on a Safari Riding Holiday in Africa, veteran endurance rider Sue Speed competes in a 60 km Endurance Ride and wins
On Arrival at Windhoek, Namibia, I was met by Ingeborg Hernes, my host at Okapuka Horse Safaris. My destination was Okapuka Ranch, which is set in countryside ranging from flat savannah to sandy valleys, mountains, rugged cliffs and dry river beds.
The ranch was established as a private game reserve in the mid '80s, by Fritz and Monika Flachberger. It covers an area of more than 35,000 hectares, which has become the home to a wide variety of game that continue to breed well.
Okapuka has a herd of mainly purebred Arabian horses. They live in sandy paddocks and are stabled during winter nights. There is very little grass in the dry season so they are fed hay and lucerne. For hard feed, there are oats, barley, maize and lucerne, all ground to a meal with added minerals and electrolytes. The safari horses do a week on and a week off and after six months' work are turned out in the bush.
On the first afternoon we met at the stables for an afternoon ride to Baboon Post. The saddles were South African, made by Leon Liversage. They are based on stock saddles and are some of the most comfortable I have ever ridden on. We rode with longer stirrups and a more upright position than I am used to (like a cowboy!).
My safari horse was a mare called "Desperanza El Nabilah". She was gorgeous, very forward going and liked to lead. When she settles, I am sure she will make a fantastic endurance horse. During the ride, we saw a huge herd of eland at the water hole, which was a fantastic sight. We also came across black wildebeest and giraffe.
The next morning, we had an early start to The Windmill, following the flat sandy tracks along the ridge of the mountains. We rode through fields of Namibian lavender to see blue wildebeest, giraffe and a whole family of bat-eared foxes. We also saw two resident crocodiles sunbathing.
On my second day we began Endurance Training, consisting of 13 kms of trot in just under an hour. It was lovely in the cool of the morning. My endurance horse was Farrasha, a black nine-year-old Arab mare. She was very like my own Yakamin in personality and a joy to ride.
After breakfast, we set off for another safari ride with nice long canters along sandy tracks. We saw a herd of rare sable antelopes, springbok, oryx and wildebeest hiding in the thick acacia bushes. It was a shorter ride today as we went shopping in Windhoek, in preparation for Saturday's endurance ride.
On the third morning we went on a Picnic Ride to a beautiful valley, full of exotic birds such as the Lilac Breasted Roller and Crimson Breasted Shike.
We rode Farrasha and Ameer and met the pick-up for lunch, drinking wine in the shade of an umbrella acacia.
On Thursday's safari ride, Ingeborg rode Jacosa, her best endurance mare. She is in foal so is not competing this year. There was a moment of drama when she nearly stepped on a Puff Adder. Ingeborg lost two horses in the velde last year from snake bites.
On Friday morning, we loaded the landrover and trailer with enough gear to last the two horses, Ingeborg, myself and the groom Pontiamus, for three days. We set off to Katjapia; a farm north of Okapuka, travelling across difficult terrain through the mountains.
We were both competing in 60 km classes, I in a "No Weight" division, and Ingeborg in a Standard Weight Novice class.
The following morning, we changed into our riding gear and, after an unexpected delayed set-off, took the horses for a quick spin.
At the ride briefing, Rudolph, the route master, went through everything in Afrikaans. No one carries maps on these rides, you just ride from arrow to arrow!
Saturday morning brought with it cold temperatures. We were up at 3.45 am, ready for our start time of 5:30am.
The massed start in the dark was very exciting. Farrasha was calm but Ameer was hyper. We had planned to start last but it didn't work out like that, we caught the others up much too quickly.
There were water bowsers every 10 km or so but the horses didn't drink much on the first loop. I was pleased to be on Farrasha, who just pulled a few faces at Ameer to tell him to behave but kept going steadily.
The first leg just flew by. We covered the 28.2 km at 14.5 kph. We vetted after 41/5 minutes, followed by a 40 minute hold and then we were off again on the second 32.5 km loop.
Ingeborg overheard that the leaders were only 21/2 minutes in front. We decided to go for it! Ameer was behaving perfectly now and Ingeborg took photos as we rode. We overtook five riders and increased our tempo to 22 kph. Smiles all round.
In the intense morning heat, we stopped at every watering place. With no sponges to hand, we used our hats to pour water over the horses!
We were at the last watering hole when another rider appeared out of the blue. Ingeborg told me to get going but I was on the ground and there was no handy termite mound to mount from. Eventually, I clambered aboard and set off while Ingeborg kept him talking! Then I heard galloping hooves and it was Ameer catching up fast.
Seven hundred metres from the finish, three more riders were coming up from behind, so we urged the horses on and flew over the finishing line at full speed. We'd done it!
We only had to get through the vetting and both horses were fine, with Ameer's heart rate dropping to 61 bpm in seven minutes and Farrasha's in ten minutes. She had covered the 60.7 km in 3.48 hours at a speed of 15.97 kph despite the heat and the dust. Both horses won their classes!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009, 11:00
Not content with just going on a Safari Riding Holiday in Africa, veteran endurance rider Sue Speed competes in a 60 km Endurance Ride and wins
On Arrival at Windhoek, Namibia, I was met by Ingeborg Hernes, my host at Okapuka Horse Safaris. My destination was Okapuka Ranch, which is set in countryside ranging from flat savannah to sandy valleys, mountains, rugged cliffs and dry river beds.
The ranch was established as a private game reserve in the mid '80s, by Fritz and Monika Flachberger. It covers an area of more than 35,000 hectares, which has become the home to a wide variety of game that continue to breed well.
Okapuka has a herd of mainly purebred Arabian horses. They live in sandy paddocks and are stabled during winter nights. There is very little grass in the dry season so they are fed hay and lucerne. For hard feed, there are oats, barley, maize and lucerne, all ground to a meal with added minerals and electrolytes. The safari horses do a week on and a week off and after six months' work are turned out in the bush.
On the first afternoon we met at the stables for an afternoon ride to Baboon Post. The saddles were South African, made by Leon Liversage. They are based on stock saddles and are some of the most comfortable I have ever ridden on. We rode with longer stirrups and a more upright position than I am used to (like a cowboy!).
My safari horse was a mare called "Desperanza El Nabilah". She was gorgeous, very forward going and liked to lead. When she settles, I am sure she will make a fantastic endurance horse. During the ride, we saw a huge herd of eland at the water hole, which was a fantastic sight. We also came across black wildebeest and giraffe.
The next morning, we had an early start to The Windmill, following the flat sandy tracks along the ridge of the mountains. We rode through fields of Namibian lavender to see blue wildebeest, giraffe and a whole family of bat-eared foxes. We also saw two resident crocodiles sunbathing.
On my second day we began Endurance Training, consisting of 13 kms of trot in just under an hour. It was lovely in the cool of the morning. My endurance horse was Farrasha, a black nine-year-old Arab mare. She was very like my own Yakamin in personality and a joy to ride.
After breakfast, we set off for another safari ride with nice long canters along sandy tracks. We saw a herd of rare sable antelopes, springbok, oryx and wildebeest hiding in the thick acacia bushes. It was a shorter ride today as we went shopping in Windhoek, in preparation for Saturday's endurance ride.
On the third morning we went on a Picnic Ride to a beautiful valley, full of exotic birds such as the Lilac Breasted Roller and Crimson Breasted Shike.
We rode Farrasha and Ameer and met the pick-up for lunch, drinking wine in the shade of an umbrella acacia.
On Thursday's safari ride, Ingeborg rode Jacosa, her best endurance mare. She is in foal so is not competing this year. There was a moment of drama when she nearly stepped on a Puff Adder. Ingeborg lost two horses in the velde last year from snake bites.
On Friday morning, we loaded the landrover and trailer with enough gear to last the two horses, Ingeborg, myself and the groom Pontiamus, for three days. We set off to Katjapia; a farm north of Okapuka, travelling across difficult terrain through the mountains.
We were both competing in 60 km classes, I in a "No Weight" division, and Ingeborg in a Standard Weight Novice class.
The following morning, we changed into our riding gear and, after an unexpected delayed set-off, took the horses for a quick spin.
At the ride briefing, Rudolph, the route master, went through everything in Afrikaans. No one carries maps on these rides, you just ride from arrow to arrow!
Saturday morning brought with it cold temperatures. We were up at 3.45 am, ready for our start time of 5:30am.
The massed start in the dark was very exciting. Farrasha was calm but Ameer was hyper. We had planned to start last but it didn't work out like that, we caught the others up much too quickly.
There were water bowsers every 10 km or so but the horses didn't drink much on the first loop. I was pleased to be on Farrasha, who just pulled a few faces at Ameer to tell him to behave but kept going steadily.
The first leg just flew by. We covered the 28.2 km at 14.5 kph. We vetted after 41/5 minutes, followed by a 40 minute hold and then we were off again on the second 32.5 km loop.
Ingeborg overheard that the leaders were only 21/2 minutes in front. We decided to go for it! Ameer was behaving perfectly now and Ingeborg took photos as we rode. We overtook five riders and increased our tempo to 22 kph. Smiles all round.
In the intense morning heat, we stopped at every watering place. With no sponges to hand, we used our hats to pour water over the horses!
We were at the last watering hole when another rider appeared out of the blue. Ingeborg told me to get going but I was on the ground and there was no handy termite mound to mount from. Eventually, I clambered aboard and set off while Ingeborg kept him talking! Then I heard galloping hooves and it was Ameer catching up fast.
Seven hundred metres from the finish, three more riders were coming up from behind, so we urged the horses on and flew over the finishing line at full speed. We'd done it!
We only had to get through the vetting and both horses were fine, with Ameer's heart rate dropping to 61 bpm in seven minutes and Farrasha's in ten minutes. She had covered the 60.7 km in 3.48 hours at a speed of 15.97 kph despite the heat and the dust. Both horses won their classes!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Spain: Qatar's Premier Stud Provides Full Support to Spain’s Endurance Racing Season
El Paula 120km a successful race for participants and organizers
June 28, 2008, Puerto de El Paular, Spain: The results from the first ever FEI-sanctioned 120 km endurance race held in Spain's Penalara Nature Reserve brought forth a promising crop of young Spanish riders who were qualifying for Spain's National Team. Sponsored by Al Shahania Stud of Doha, Qatar, this event highlights the stud farm's firm support of endurance racing around the world and their dedication to the sport.
Held over June 27th and 28th, the 120 km race for adults and juniors challenged riders and horses with a stunning course through mountainous terrain and forest found in this natural preserve. Located only an hour from Madrid, the location was chosen both for its beautiful scenery as well as its cooler temperature.
"We are thrilled to have sponsored the first running of the International Endurance Valle de El Paular. We witnessed a high caliber of horses and riders, and are very pleased with the local support we received. We are confident this race will continue to foster young riders talent, and we look forward to our continued support of this race, as well as others," said a representative of Al Shahania Stud.
Located in an oasis outside Doha, the capital of the Arabian Gulf state of Qatar, Al Shahania is one of the most progressive and successful Arabian breeding and racing establishments in the world. The impressive facility boasts state-of-the-art equine breeding laboratory and barns, full quarantine facilities, and lush pastures ideal for young, growing horses. Currently producing an average of 20 foals per year, the farm is breeding consistent quality flat racers as well as endurance Arabians.
Keen to embrace the world's growing interest and participation in endurance, Al Shahania has ambitious plans for future event sponsorships as well as increased breeding efforts. The inaugural International Endurance Valle de El Paular is the stud farm’s first sponsored race in Spain.
The 120 km for Seniors had 30- starters with 17 finishers, and 26 starters for the Juniors category and 12 finishers. David Fernandez Vilar riding Enia won the Adults race with a total race time of 06:23, while Uma Mencia Uranga on Indian Tawfik won the Juniors category with a time of 06:33. Norte Team won the Adult team race with a winning average time of 06:29 and Team Equipo B won the Juniors team category with a time of 06:33.
"This is the biggest thing to happen in this village in a long time. The race was very well organized, and it is a great opportunity for our youth, as well non-riders to get a sense of what this sport is all about," commented a local resident.
Accomodated in the historic Sheraton Santa Maria de El Paular 15th century Monastery and Hotel, race participants and organizers enjoyed a lively cocktail party pre-race, and an enthusiastic prize giving ceremony wrapping up what was a fun filled weekend for all.
Al Shahania Stud, founded by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, is recognized as an international racing enterprise. In all, 157 horses reside at Al Shahania, predominantly of French lines, and the farm produces an average of 20 foals per year. In the 20 years since its inception, Al Shahania has earned a place among the world’s great Arabian race stables, helps define the standard for excellence in breeding of the Arabian horse. Al Shahania breeds both flat and endurance racers, and is consistently producing results-driven horses.
Complete results here.
Monday, July 06, 2009
UAE: Dubai daily suspends publication over story
Kuwaittimes.net
Published Date: July 07, 2009
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates' most popular newspaper suspended publication yesterday for 20 days in compliance with a court ruling after being sued for a story alleging some of the Abu Dhabi ruling family's horses were doped. The suspension against the Arabic-language Al Emarat Al Youm was issued last week by the Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court, which is the highest court of the Emirates. The court also imposed fines of 20,000 dirhams ($5,445) on the paper's editor and chief executive.
According to official documents, the newspaper was suspended for "intentionally publishing inaccurate and untrue information" about horses owned by two sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a prominent member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family and the Emirates' former deputy prime minister. The newspaper in a 2006 article alleged that their horses at Warsan Stables were drugged to enhance performance. The stable owners sued the newspaper, editor Sami Al-Reyami and chief executive Abdullatif Al-Sayegh for libel and defamation.
A lower court ordered the suspension, but the newspaper appealed to the high court. Al-Reyami and Al-Sayegh could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday. The Dubai-based Arab Media Group (AMG), the newspaper's owner, said in a brief statement the group was "committed to the laws and regulations of the UAE and will fully adhere to the court's decision with immediate effect.
As has been declared by the Federal Court of Appeal (the highest federal court) the Arabic daily publication Emarat Al-Youm has been temporary suspended for a period of 20 days from 6 July 2009," said in a statement. The group is a division of Dubai Holding, run by the Dubai's ruling Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The 59-year-old sheikh owns several stables, hosts the world's most lucrative horse race in Dubai every year and rides endurance races.
Several newspapers in the Emirates reported the horse Mohammed rode in 120-km endurance races at Bahrain in January and Dubai in February failed doping tests. But local media typically avoid stories that could upset Emirati officials, rarely questioning rulers' decisions in print and on the air. The practice has recently been strengthened by the country's pending media law that includes a staggering fine of $1.35 million for "insulting" members of the ruling elite and up to $136,000 for "carrying misleading news that harms the national economy.
Human Rights Watch condemned the court's decision on July 1 to suspend the paper as a "serious attack" on press freedom. "Even if the article was not accurate, shutting down the newspaper for three weeks is totally disproportionate and a serious attack on press freedom," said the New York-based watchdog's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson.
Racing is a massive sport in the UAE. The six million dollar Dubai World Cup is the world's richest horse race, while Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stables in England and the UAE are among the best known in the world. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two largest emirates in the seven member UAE. - Agencies
Published Date: July 07, 2009
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates' most popular newspaper suspended publication yesterday for 20 days in compliance with a court ruling after being sued for a story alleging some of the Abu Dhabi ruling family's horses were doped. The suspension against the Arabic-language Al Emarat Al Youm was issued last week by the Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court, which is the highest court of the Emirates. The court also imposed fines of 20,000 dirhams ($5,445) on the paper's editor and chief executive.
According to official documents, the newspaper was suspended for "intentionally publishing inaccurate and untrue information" about horses owned by two sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a prominent member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family and the Emirates' former deputy prime minister. The newspaper in a 2006 article alleged that their horses at Warsan Stables were drugged to enhance performance. The stable owners sued the newspaper, editor Sami Al-Reyami and chief executive Abdullatif Al-Sayegh for libel and defamation.
A lower court ordered the suspension, but the newspaper appealed to the high court. Al-Reyami and Al-Sayegh could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday. The Dubai-based Arab Media Group (AMG), the newspaper's owner, said in a brief statement the group was "committed to the laws and regulations of the UAE and will fully adhere to the court's decision with immediate effect.
As has been declared by the Federal Court of Appeal (the highest federal court) the Arabic daily publication Emarat Al-Youm has been temporary suspended for a period of 20 days from 6 July 2009," said in a statement. The group is a division of Dubai Holding, run by the Dubai's ruling Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The 59-year-old sheikh owns several stables, hosts the world's most lucrative horse race in Dubai every year and rides endurance races.
Several newspapers in the Emirates reported the horse Mohammed rode in 120-km endurance races at Bahrain in January and Dubai in February failed doping tests. But local media typically avoid stories that could upset Emirati officials, rarely questioning rulers' decisions in print and on the air. The practice has recently been strengthened by the country's pending media law that includes a staggering fine of $1.35 million for "insulting" members of the ruling elite and up to $136,000 for "carrying misleading news that harms the national economy.
Human Rights Watch condemned the court's decision on July 1 to suspend the paper as a "serious attack" on press freedom. "Even if the article was not accurate, shutting down the newspaper for three weeks is totally disproportionate and a serious attack on press freedom," said the New York-based watchdog's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson.
Racing is a massive sport in the UAE. The six million dollar Dubai World Cup is the world's richest horse race, while Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stables in England and the UAE are among the best known in the world. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two largest emirates in the seven member UAE. - Agencies
Italy: 2009 Gubbio CEIO Nations Cup
4 July 2009
On 4 July 2009 in the countryside surrounding Gubbio, Italy, an ancient town whose roots date back to pre-Roman times, the CEIO*** 160 km Italian Nations Endurance Cup and Campionati Italiani Endurance was held.
Italian Giuseppe Neri, riding Gemir, was first across the finish line, claiming the title of Italian Champion. Italian Danilo De Angelis on Present Jey was second, followed by young rider Sarah Chakil of France riding Lady Armor.
In the CEI** 120-km Roman Theatre Race, Italians swept the first 11 positions, as Erika Vagnetti, riding Ghimly, won over Antonio Vaccarecci, riding Eldor. Silvia Scapin, riding Hermes di Pegaso, was third and won Best Condition.
Elena Mariotti riding Naiade du Croate won the CEIO** Young Rider/Junior 120 km race, followed by Emma Berti on Czar de Fressanges, and Carolina Asli Tavassoli on Abisy'Nczyk.
Additionally, a CEI* 93-km ride was won by Marco Melograni on Shamir.
Riders from Italy, France, Slovenia, Jordan, Belgium, Switzerland, Argentina, Austria, Greece, Malaysia, and Japan participated.
For more information, see Faulaarabs.com
The podium:
Left, Danilo De Angelis, Giuseppe Neri, Sarah Chakil
160 km Best Condition: Drazan / Kristel Van Den Abeele
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Australia: Bareback ride a warm-up for Tom Quilty
Weekly Times Now
July 2, 2009
ENDURANCE riders think nothing of trotting and cantering their horses 160km as a warm-up for a major event.
But it's another thing when you ride that distance bareback, as Nikita Verspaardonk did on her horse Wally at the Upper Murray endurance riders challenge on June 21.
Nikita was one of several riders preparing for the world-famous Tom Quilty endurance ride, which starts at midnight on September 18 through the Tonimbuk State Forest.
The Upper Murray event was for riders in open classes and weight divisions.
In the two-star level event, Kristie McGaffin won the class and also took the important best-conditioned prize with Kurrajong Concorde. There were nine starters and seven completed.
In the one star class, leading Australian rider Penny Toft of Queensland finished ahead of 19 others to take honours on Don.
In the weight division, the heavyweight section was won by Leah Leishman on the Morgan-bred horse Mt Tawonga Wishing. The middleweight winner and best conditioned horse went to Merv Fisher's Wenway Eternity.
Kim Noble's lightweight winner was Mytkina, and Nicola Robinson's Shuja Bint Melika was best conditioned.
Samantha Noble took out the junior class.
July 2, 2009
ENDURANCE riders think nothing of trotting and cantering their horses 160km as a warm-up for a major event.
But it's another thing when you ride that distance bareback, as Nikita Verspaardonk did on her horse Wally at the Upper Murray endurance riders challenge on June 21.
Nikita was one of several riders preparing for the world-famous Tom Quilty endurance ride, which starts at midnight on September 18 through the Tonimbuk State Forest.
The Upper Murray event was for riders in open classes and weight divisions.
In the two-star level event, Kristie McGaffin won the class and also took the important best-conditioned prize with Kurrajong Concorde. There were nine starters and seven completed.
In the one star class, leading Australian rider Penny Toft of Queensland finished ahead of 19 others to take honours on Don.
In the weight division, the heavyweight section was won by Leah Leishman on the Morgan-bred horse Mt Tawonga Wishing. The middleweight winner and best conditioned horse went to Merv Fisher's Wenway Eternity.
Kim Noble's lightweight winner was Mytkina, and Nicola Robinson's Shuja Bint Melika was best conditioned.
Samantha Noble took out the junior class.
Friday, July 03, 2009
USA: Western States Trail Documentary Film
Now Available on DVD
The Western States Trail Foundation, sponsors of the world-renowned 100-Mile Tevis Cup Ride, is proud to announce the DVD release of They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail. The 52-minute documentary covers the usage and history of the famous Western States Trail by Native Americans to Gold Rush miners, and by horseback endurance riders and runners — a history spanning thousands of years. This poignant film portrays a wide scope of history, from John Fremont’s discovery of Lake Tahoe to firsthand stories about Indian relatives who traveled this path. Tales of brave pioneers, both historic and contemporary, punctuate the film. Twelve historians were interviewed, giving the documentary a richness and depth about the trail route that traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Carson City, Nevada, via Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley to Auburn, California.
A portion of the documentary includes excerpts from a 1931 black-and-white silent film that features a group of Auburn men who traveled the trail on horseback, carrying the American flag along the route to the Sierra crest, marking it along the way so that this original Emigrant Trail did not fade into the wilderness. The documentary also highlights a background of how the Tevis Cup 100 Mile Ride and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run evolved and became such integral parts of the trail’s history.
The documentary’s producer and director, Ginger Kathrens of Taurus Productions Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an Emmy award-winning producer, filmmaker, cinematographer, writer, and editor. Recently aired on PBS are her latest documentaries: “Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies” and “Cloud’s Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns.” She has written two award-winning books about Cloud. Kathrens was also the co-producer and cinematographer of a two-hour special, “Spirits of the Rainforest,” for The Discovery Channel, for which she earned an Emmy Award for Best Informational and Cultural Documentary. Other projects for Discovery include “The Ultimate Guide: Horses” and “The Ultimate Guide: Dogs,” as well as producing segments for "Wild America" and filming for National Geographic and the BBC.
They Crossed the Mountains film documentary was produced by the Western States Trail Foundation and was underwritten by the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, the Josephine Stedem Scripps Foundation, the Placer County Historical Foundation, and the Western States Endurance Run Foundation. DVD copies of the They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail may be purchased from the Western States Trail Foundation by calling 530.823.7282 or by visiting http://www.teviscup.org. The website will also indicate when and where future showings of the documentary will occur.
Contact: Kate Riordan 530.333.2002 / irishkate@prodigy.net
The Western States Trail Foundation, sponsors of the world-renowned 100-Mile Tevis Cup Ride, is proud to announce the DVD release of They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail. The 52-minute documentary covers the usage and history of the famous Western States Trail by Native Americans to Gold Rush miners, and by horseback endurance riders and runners — a history spanning thousands of years. This poignant film portrays a wide scope of history, from John Fremont’s discovery of Lake Tahoe to firsthand stories about Indian relatives who traveled this path. Tales of brave pioneers, both historic and contemporary, punctuate the film. Twelve historians were interviewed, giving the documentary a richness and depth about the trail route that traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Carson City, Nevada, via Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley to Auburn, California.
A portion of the documentary includes excerpts from a 1931 black-and-white silent film that features a group of Auburn men who traveled the trail on horseback, carrying the American flag along the route to the Sierra crest, marking it along the way so that this original Emigrant Trail did not fade into the wilderness. The documentary also highlights a background of how the Tevis Cup 100 Mile Ride and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run evolved and became such integral parts of the trail’s history.
The documentary’s producer and director, Ginger Kathrens of Taurus Productions Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an Emmy award-winning producer, filmmaker, cinematographer, writer, and editor. Recently aired on PBS are her latest documentaries: “Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies” and “Cloud’s Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns.” She has written two award-winning books about Cloud. Kathrens was also the co-producer and cinematographer of a two-hour special, “Spirits of the Rainforest,” for The Discovery Channel, for which she earned an Emmy Award for Best Informational and Cultural Documentary. Other projects for Discovery include “The Ultimate Guide: Horses” and “The Ultimate Guide: Dogs,” as well as producing segments for "Wild America" and filming for National Geographic and the BBC.
They Crossed the Mountains film documentary was produced by the Western States Trail Foundation and was underwritten by the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, the Josephine Stedem Scripps Foundation, the Placer County Historical Foundation, and the Western States Endurance Run Foundation. DVD copies of the They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail may be purchased from the Western States Trail Foundation by calling 530.823.7282 or by visiting http://www.teviscup.org. The website will also indicate when and where future showings of the documentary will occur.
Contact: Kate Riordan 530.333.2002 / irishkate@prodigy.net
USA: 2009 Old Dominion Endurance Ride
Teamwork Key for the 2009 Old Dominion Endurance Rides
USEF Release: July 02 2009
By Beth Liechti Johnson
Teamwork proved key to the successful running of the 35th Old Dominion Endurance Rides, held this June in the Appalachian Mountains along the Virginia/West Virginia state line. Throughout the ride, teamwork made the difference: between horses, riders and crew, between ride management, veterinarians and farriers, and between radio operators, drag riders and emergency rescue personnel.
By June 12, 158 horse-and-rider teams had arrived at base camp outside Orkney Springs, a quaint little town located at the foot of Great North Mountain, part of the George Washington National Forest. Of the 33 100-mile teams who started on the humid morning of June 13, 24 completed. Of 69 55-mile teams who started, 56 completed. And the 25-mile limited distance ride had 43 starters and 40 finishers, a 93% completion rate.
Since its evolution from the U.S. Calvary Mounted Service Cup, the Old Dominion (OD) endurance ride stands out as a true test of teamwork between horse and rider on a spectacular, but undeniably difficult, trail. In addition to the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association (ECTRA) sanctioning, the 55- and 100-mile distances of this year’s event also served as the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 Championship.
By June, the spring rains had pelted the Virginia landscape for several weeks, so trails were muddy and footing was slippery. The rain held off most of ride day, and ominous clouds rolled across the sky, bringing cool breezes and keeping temperatures in the low 80s. The air was thick with humidity that made pulsing down tough.
Trailmaster Gus Politis, assisted by several OD members, marked this year’s trail. Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc., board member John Marsh said the 100-milers faced three major climbs: a 1500’ climb to the top of Great North Mountain at mile 6, a 1600’ climb to the top of Devil's Hole 40 miles into the ride, and a 1000’ climb up Little Sluice Mountain 70 miles into the ride.
Marsh noted that the majority of trail consisted of rolling, forested terrain over a combination of trail and Forest Service roads with frequent elevation changes of 300 to 400 feet. Riders enjoyed the display of mountain laurel in full bloom, along with ample streams for drinking and plenty of grass on the trail for horses.
Veterinary checks at five locations revealed scene after scene of the incredible synchronization between riders and crews, as well as ride management, station heads, timers, volunteers, vets, farriers, and traffic control.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., OD member Claire Godwin, DVM, on her 10-year-old Arabian gelding EH Ahmose was first to finish the 100 miler in 12 hours and 17 minutes. “Ahmose is a cantering horse, which held him in good stead on this ride,” said Dr. Godwin, who was thrilled with her first 100-mile win on a horse who had never before done a 100.
Dr. Godwin added, “The trail was challenging, but doable—a blast. The miles melted away since the scenery was so gorgeous.” The Godwin family epitomized teamwork: daughter Katie crewed for her mom and husband Pete assisted with trail marking and filling water tanks at key points along the trail.
Stagg Newman and Ruth Anne Everett rode with Godwin most of the day, with teamwork and sportsmanship going hand-in-hoof. All three watched each others’ horses for problems, and Newman even lent Dr. Godwin a hoof boot when Ahmose lost a shoe.
Everett’s Anglo-Arab Razz crossed the finish second and earned the best condition award. Katherine Shank on WindDancer-Bey was top finisher in the 100-mile Calvary Division, which precludes receiving any outside assistance. Shank also received the Old Dominion Trophy for the team that demonstrates optimum performance based on the horse’s post-ride recovery and condition.
In the 55-miler, Bonni Hannah finished first on Rezus Respite. Kara Lee Thomas finished second on AF Big Bucks. And junior Hunter Green was third on Gotcha Covered PW. Veterinarian Meg Sleeper's horse Syrocco Gabriel received best condition.
As with most endurance rides, not everything went as planned. Two situations demonstrated the sound leadership, solid teamwork, and invincible spirit of OD ride management, who handled each situation with urgency, care and professionalism.
Around 5:00 p.m., one 55-mile team was unaccounted for—an unwelcome discovery considering that night was approaching and the mountainous terrain had intermittent cell phone coverage.
OD ride management initiated a search and rescue operation with the Shenandoah County Emergency Response Team, Orkney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer radio operators and drag riders. For six hours, drag riders, motorcycle riders and ATVs combed the marked trails and side trails.
Just before midnight, drag rider Lynn Golemon located the missing horse and rider unharmed, at the Bucktail vet check in West Virginia. Golemon was driving her rig back from the Big 92 vet check when she heard the rider whistling to attract her attention.
The rider had missed the sign indicating a left turn for the 55-milers leaving the second vet check, instead continuing straight on the 100-mile trail and eventually arriving at Bucktail. Since all of the 100-milers had long since passed through, the check was closed, but fortunately the rider remained in place until help arrived.
In another incident, one of the 100-mile riders elected to withdraw from competition between the checks and was proceeding more slowly then expected between the 82-mile gate-and-go and the 94-mile veterinary check. Drag riders Karen McMullen and Jamie Bladen discovered the horse and rider about 3:30 a.m. The horse was exhibiting dehydration symptoms, so they administered field first aid using a squirt bottle to get water into the horse, and offered moral support to the rider.
McMullen used her multi-use radio service (MURS) radio to contact base camp, guide emergency vehicles to the site, and confer with the treatment vet. Extraction maps developed by John Marsh proved invaluable in pinpointing the rider's probable location and head drag rider Zoe Sollenberger hiked in to assist.
As daylight approached, OD members cleared the narrow trail with chainsaws so a rig could reach the horse. Treatment vet Lynne Johnson, DVM, checked the horse before releasing it for the ride back to base camp around 7:00 a.m.
Co-ride manager Nancy Smart said, “The safe extraction of this horse showed how important drag riders are, how critical radio operations are, and how lucky we were that John Marsh developed extraction maps of the entire course.”
AERC Vice President Laura Hayes, who rode the OD 100 in 2008 and volunteered this year remarked, “The magnitude of coordination to put on a continuous 100-mile ride is incredible, and the Old Dominion club does it with class. Kudos to a great group of dedicated endurance riders.”
OD Vice President and co-Ride Manager Joe Selden said, “The tremendous success of this year’s OD was due to the terrific team effort from all involved.” That teamwork started with the ride management and involved a variety of participants, including the Shenandoah County Emergency Response team, members of the Northern Virginia Trail Riders motorcycle club, who checked all of the trails ahead of the riders to ensure markers remained in place, the volunteer fire department, who prepared several excellent meals as well as assisting with the search for the lost 55-mile rider, head vet Nick Kohut, DVM, who led a top-notch team of 13 veterinarians, and 10 amateur radio operators, who ensured ride management had radio communications with station heads, vets, and drag riders, and finally Henry Mulbauer, who timed the finishers until the wee hours of the morning as he has every year since the inception of the OD ride.
Zoe Sollenberger led an indomitable team of 18 Old Dominion Drag (ODD) Riders, many who are wilderness first aid trained and amateur radio licensed, and three who are search-and-rescue trained. The ODD Riders proved, once again, that drag riders are the unsung heroes of endurance. OD board members Mary Howell and Bonnie Snodgrass coordinated more than 30 volunteers serving as timers, vet scribes and pulse and respiration (P&R) takers.
Finally, all OD participants owe a big thanks to OD board member Gus Politis, who single-handedly built the quarter-mile gravel road, now called Politis Boulevard, that runs the length of base camp, greatly reducing the chance of trucks and trailers getting stuck. Politis coordinated the movement of several hundred dump truck loads to the site, spreading the gravel between loads—a gargantuan effort by a dedicated man that greatly improved this critical aspect of the Old Dominion.
Beth Liechti Johnson (eljohnson707@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and wannabe endurance rider currently located in Virginia.
Old Dominion Endurance Rides Inc. (www.olddominionrides.org), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1973 to promote and support the sport of endurance riding through competition, training, education and trails preservation. The club is located in Virginia, but membership comes from all over the country. The OD currently hosts three endurance rides annually—No Frills, Old Dominion, and Ft. Valley—as well as Ride and Tie competitions in conjunction with the endurance rides.
The American Endurance Ride Conference is the national sanctioning body for endurance riding in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net, or visit www.aerc.org.
USEF Release: July 02 2009
By Beth Liechti Johnson
Teamwork proved key to the successful running of the 35th Old Dominion Endurance Rides, held this June in the Appalachian Mountains along the Virginia/West Virginia state line. Throughout the ride, teamwork made the difference: between horses, riders and crew, between ride management, veterinarians and farriers, and between radio operators, drag riders and emergency rescue personnel.
By June 12, 158 horse-and-rider teams had arrived at base camp outside Orkney Springs, a quaint little town located at the foot of Great North Mountain, part of the George Washington National Forest. Of the 33 100-mile teams who started on the humid morning of June 13, 24 completed. Of 69 55-mile teams who started, 56 completed. And the 25-mile limited distance ride had 43 starters and 40 finishers, a 93% completion rate.
Since its evolution from the U.S. Calvary Mounted Service Cup, the Old Dominion (OD) endurance ride stands out as a true test of teamwork between horse and rider on a spectacular, but undeniably difficult, trail. In addition to the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association (ECTRA) sanctioning, the 55- and 100-mile distances of this year’s event also served as the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 Championship.
By June, the spring rains had pelted the Virginia landscape for several weeks, so trails were muddy and footing was slippery. The rain held off most of ride day, and ominous clouds rolled across the sky, bringing cool breezes and keeping temperatures in the low 80s. The air was thick with humidity that made pulsing down tough.
Trailmaster Gus Politis, assisted by several OD members, marked this year’s trail. Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc., board member John Marsh said the 100-milers faced three major climbs: a 1500’ climb to the top of Great North Mountain at mile 6, a 1600’ climb to the top of Devil's Hole 40 miles into the ride, and a 1000’ climb up Little Sluice Mountain 70 miles into the ride.
Marsh noted that the majority of trail consisted of rolling, forested terrain over a combination of trail and Forest Service roads with frequent elevation changes of 300 to 400 feet. Riders enjoyed the display of mountain laurel in full bloom, along with ample streams for drinking and plenty of grass on the trail for horses.
Veterinary checks at five locations revealed scene after scene of the incredible synchronization between riders and crews, as well as ride management, station heads, timers, volunteers, vets, farriers, and traffic control.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., OD member Claire Godwin, DVM, on her 10-year-old Arabian gelding EH Ahmose was first to finish the 100 miler in 12 hours and 17 minutes. “Ahmose is a cantering horse, which held him in good stead on this ride,” said Dr. Godwin, who was thrilled with her first 100-mile win on a horse who had never before done a 100.
Dr. Godwin added, “The trail was challenging, but doable—a blast. The miles melted away since the scenery was so gorgeous.” The Godwin family epitomized teamwork: daughter Katie crewed for her mom and husband Pete assisted with trail marking and filling water tanks at key points along the trail.
Stagg Newman and Ruth Anne Everett rode with Godwin most of the day, with teamwork and sportsmanship going hand-in-hoof. All three watched each others’ horses for problems, and Newman even lent Dr. Godwin a hoof boot when Ahmose lost a shoe.
Everett’s Anglo-Arab Razz crossed the finish second and earned the best condition award. Katherine Shank on WindDancer-Bey was top finisher in the 100-mile Calvary Division, which precludes receiving any outside assistance. Shank also received the Old Dominion Trophy for the team that demonstrates optimum performance based on the horse’s post-ride recovery and condition.
In the 55-miler, Bonni Hannah finished first on Rezus Respite. Kara Lee Thomas finished second on AF Big Bucks. And junior Hunter Green was third on Gotcha Covered PW. Veterinarian Meg Sleeper's horse Syrocco Gabriel received best condition.
As with most endurance rides, not everything went as planned. Two situations demonstrated the sound leadership, solid teamwork, and invincible spirit of OD ride management, who handled each situation with urgency, care and professionalism.
Around 5:00 p.m., one 55-mile team was unaccounted for—an unwelcome discovery considering that night was approaching and the mountainous terrain had intermittent cell phone coverage.
OD ride management initiated a search and rescue operation with the Shenandoah County Emergency Response Team, Orkney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer radio operators and drag riders. For six hours, drag riders, motorcycle riders and ATVs combed the marked trails and side trails.
Just before midnight, drag rider Lynn Golemon located the missing horse and rider unharmed, at the Bucktail vet check in West Virginia. Golemon was driving her rig back from the Big 92 vet check when she heard the rider whistling to attract her attention.
The rider had missed the sign indicating a left turn for the 55-milers leaving the second vet check, instead continuing straight on the 100-mile trail and eventually arriving at Bucktail. Since all of the 100-milers had long since passed through, the check was closed, but fortunately the rider remained in place until help arrived.
In another incident, one of the 100-mile riders elected to withdraw from competition between the checks and was proceeding more slowly then expected between the 82-mile gate-and-go and the 94-mile veterinary check. Drag riders Karen McMullen and Jamie Bladen discovered the horse and rider about 3:30 a.m. The horse was exhibiting dehydration symptoms, so they administered field first aid using a squirt bottle to get water into the horse, and offered moral support to the rider.
McMullen used her multi-use radio service (MURS) radio to contact base camp, guide emergency vehicles to the site, and confer with the treatment vet. Extraction maps developed by John Marsh proved invaluable in pinpointing the rider's probable location and head drag rider Zoe Sollenberger hiked in to assist.
As daylight approached, OD members cleared the narrow trail with chainsaws so a rig could reach the horse. Treatment vet Lynne Johnson, DVM, checked the horse before releasing it for the ride back to base camp around 7:00 a.m.
Co-ride manager Nancy Smart said, “The safe extraction of this horse showed how important drag riders are, how critical radio operations are, and how lucky we were that John Marsh developed extraction maps of the entire course.”
AERC Vice President Laura Hayes, who rode the OD 100 in 2008 and volunteered this year remarked, “The magnitude of coordination to put on a continuous 100-mile ride is incredible, and the Old Dominion club does it with class. Kudos to a great group of dedicated endurance riders.”
OD Vice President and co-Ride Manager Joe Selden said, “The tremendous success of this year’s OD was due to the terrific team effort from all involved.” That teamwork started with the ride management and involved a variety of participants, including the Shenandoah County Emergency Response team, members of the Northern Virginia Trail Riders motorcycle club, who checked all of the trails ahead of the riders to ensure markers remained in place, the volunteer fire department, who prepared several excellent meals as well as assisting with the search for the lost 55-mile rider, head vet Nick Kohut, DVM, who led a top-notch team of 13 veterinarians, and 10 amateur radio operators, who ensured ride management had radio communications with station heads, vets, and drag riders, and finally Henry Mulbauer, who timed the finishers until the wee hours of the morning as he has every year since the inception of the OD ride.
Zoe Sollenberger led an indomitable team of 18 Old Dominion Drag (ODD) Riders, many who are wilderness first aid trained and amateur radio licensed, and three who are search-and-rescue trained. The ODD Riders proved, once again, that drag riders are the unsung heroes of endurance. OD board members Mary Howell and Bonnie Snodgrass coordinated more than 30 volunteers serving as timers, vet scribes and pulse and respiration (P&R) takers.
Finally, all OD participants owe a big thanks to OD board member Gus Politis, who single-handedly built the quarter-mile gravel road, now called Politis Boulevard, that runs the length of base camp, greatly reducing the chance of trucks and trailers getting stuck. Politis coordinated the movement of several hundred dump truck loads to the site, spreading the gravel between loads—a gargantuan effort by a dedicated man that greatly improved this critical aspect of the Old Dominion.
Beth Liechti Johnson (eljohnson707@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and wannabe endurance rider currently located in Virginia.
Old Dominion Endurance Rides Inc. (www.olddominionrides.org), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1973 to promote and support the sport of endurance riding through competition, training, education and trails preservation. The club is located in Virginia, but membership comes from all over the country. The OD currently hosts three endurance rides annually—No Frills, Old Dominion, and Ft. Valley—as well as Ride and Tie competitions in conjunction with the endurance rides.
The American Endurance Ride Conference is the national sanctioning body for endurance riding in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net, or visit www.aerc.org.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Australia: WEG proves 'hugely expensive'
Weeklytimesnow.com.au
Jenny Sheppard
July 3, 2009
THE high cost of transporting horses and riders to next year's International Equestrian Federation World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, has created international uproar.
National federations throughout the world have expressed concern over the costs of flying horses to America for the WEG, which will run from September 25 to October 10 next year, and the inflated prices that "official" hotels near the horse park are charging for accommodation.
Eight equestrian disciplines - driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, para-equestrian, reining, show jumping and vaulting - will decide their world champions during the competition.
England team manager Will Connell said: "It will cost between 1.25 million BP ($Aus2.57 million) and 1.5 million BP ($Aus3.08 million) to take eight full teams to WEG."
A full English team would comprise 51 horses.
For Australia, travel costs are always an issue, and high-performance manager Brett Mace said any shortfall was normally met by competitors.
"Getting the horses to Kentucky will be hugely expensive, but we accept the location for WEG will not always be geographically convenient," he said.
"But it is WEG and it does provide Olympic qualification opportunities."
2010 WEG chief executive Jamie Link said accommodation had been discussed at a recent meeting between national federations and organisers.
Jenny Sheppard
July 3, 2009
THE high cost of transporting horses and riders to next year's International Equestrian Federation World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, has created international uproar.
National federations throughout the world have expressed concern over the costs of flying horses to America for the WEG, which will run from September 25 to October 10 next year, and the inflated prices that "official" hotels near the horse park are charging for accommodation.
Eight equestrian disciplines - driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, para-equestrian, reining, show jumping and vaulting - will decide their world champions during the competition.
England team manager Will Connell said: "It will cost between 1.25 million BP ($Aus2.57 million) and 1.5 million BP ($Aus3.08 million) to take eight full teams to WEG."
A full English team would comprise 51 horses.
For Australia, travel costs are always an issue, and high-performance manager Brett Mace said any shortfall was normally met by competitors.
"Getting the horses to Kentucky will be hugely expensive, but we accept the location for WEG will not always be geographically convenient," he said.
"But it is WEG and it does provide Olympic qualification opportunities."
2010 WEG chief executive Jamie Link said accommodation had been discussed at a recent meeting between national federations and organisers.
WEG 2010: 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announces Ticket Prices
JUNE 30, 2009
Ticket Sales Set to Begin on September 25, 2009
LEXINGTON, KY - Ticket prices and detailed competition schedules for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are now available as the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition prepares to visit the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010.
Ticket prices and event start times have been finalized for the eight world championships, which are being held outside of Europe for the first time in their history. Tickets will go on sale September 25, 2009, exactly one year before the Games arrive in Kentucky. Approximately 600,000 tickets will be available with prices starting as low as $25.
For a complete list of ticket prices, click here.
"We are pleased to have created a ticket program that will be accessible and affordable," said Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation. "We have a wide range of prices that offer something for everyone, from equestrian enthusiasts to visitors who want to enjoy the 2010 Games, the Kentucky Horse Park and the many other activities and offerings we have available."
Ticket sales will be facilitated by the 2010 Games Ticketing Provider, Ticketmaster, Inc. All ticket sales will be completed online at the Games Web site, www.alltechfeigames.com, beginning on September 25, 2009. Event start times are subject to change.
By registering at www.alltechfeigames.com, interested buyers will be able to receive important news and information about ticket sales as it becomes available. Subscribers will also receive:
· A 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games competition schedule
· Housing and accommodation information
· Press releases on the latest news updates
· Information on hospitality packages
· The latest release of official 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Game merchandise
· Information on events and activities in Kentucky during the 2010 Games
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
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 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.alltechfeigames.com
Monday, June 29, 2009
Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser leading in 160-kilometer British race
Gulf-daily-news.com
Sunday, June 28, 2009
SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa bagged the 160km trophy while Mohammed Al Sabosi of the UAE came on top in the 120km event in the 2009 Thetford Endurance Rides which took place yesterday at Norfolk in the UK.
The Royal Endurance Team riders dominated the main ride of this year's championship which was held at Euston Park with top riders from the UAE, Qatar, the UK, France, India and Saudi Arabia.
In the 160km ride, which consisted of six stages, featured an all-Bahraini podium as Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser finished on top in eight hours, 36 minutes and 42 seconds.
Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (8:36:42) was a close second and compatriot Abdulrahman Al Saad (8:36:43) third.
UAE's Majid Mohammed led the pack in the first stage, finishing in two hours, nine minutes and 10 seconds and with an average speed of 18 kms per hour. Behind him was Shaikh Nasser (2:09:47) in second place and Al Saad (2:10:33) third.
The UAE rider maintained his solid lead in the second stage which he finished in 3:39:43, six minutes ahead of Shaikh Nasser and Al Saad (3:44:14) who remained second and third, respectively.
In the third stage, Mohammed stayed on top with Shaikh Nasser also keeping the pressure on the leader while Bahraini Jaffer Mirza moved up to third.
Shaikh Nasser staged a remarkable comeback and took the lead in the fourth stage with a 6:08:56 ride time. Al Saad (6:09:02) followed in second place and Shaikh Khalid (6:10:51) improved on his placing by moving up to third.
There was no stopping Shaikh Nasser who kept his lead alive in the fifth and sixth stages while Shaikh Khalid leapfrogged Al Saad for a second-place finish.
In the five-stage 120-km event, Al Sabosi emerged overall winner in five hours, 31 minutes and 41 seconds and ahead of runner up Fayez Al Turkomani of Saudi Arabia (5:46:14) while Shaikh Abdulla Al Qassmi (5:46:17), also of the UAE, took third place award.
Al Sabosi led the first stage in 1:14:55 and with a 23 kms per hour speed average. He was followed by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa (1:31:00) in second place and Bahrain's Yousef Taher (1:32:10) third.
Taher showed great control and stamina to finish the second stage in second place in 2:53:28, ahead of Shaikh Daij (2:53:52) who dropped to third and behind leader Al Sabosi (2:26:50).
Nothing changed after the third stage where Al Sabosi remained in the lead in 3:20:29 and was also followed by Taher (4:00:15) and Shaikh Daij (4:01:20) who were respectively second and third.
In the penultimate fourth stage, Al Sabosi showed consistency to remain first in 4:42:52. However, he was just three minutes clear of Shaikh Daij who regained second position while Taher (5:40:30) went back to third. The event was witnessed by Dubai Racing Club director general Ali Mousa who honoured the winners in each race.
France: Endurance rider completes 140km course in average of 15.31km/hr
Alpedhueznet.com - Full Article
by Vickie Allen | Les Deux Alpes Snow Reporter | published 29-Jun-2009
On its opening weekend, Alpe d'Huez was hosted the fifth annual Equestrian Raid; a weekend of endurance races in which riders from across the continent take part in one of two routes, either 90km or 140km.
This is the only endurance trial of its type in France, with riders taking part at an average altitude of 1800m. The season for horse endurance trials runs from February to November across France, and is a growing sport that test the stamina of both horses and riders alike.
The first event to be completed at the weekend was the 90km trial, which was won by Fabienne Dusserre on Saturday. The main event, however, was the 140km trial, which took place over two days. Riders and horses set-off from Rif Nel early on Saturday morning and completed 35km before horses were checked by the official vet. Teams then completed a further 35km in the afternoon, before returning to their accommodation at Ski Plan's Beau Soleil hotel, next to the DMC lift. The health of the horses is paramount in these competitions and 10% of horses were not deemed fit enough to continue into Day Two. The disqualifications were disappointing but are considered by all as a necessary part of these types of contest, designed to protect the horses.
At 10am on Sunday, the second stage of the trial started. The start was staggered according to the finishing positions of the previous day. It was clear that Ludovic Saroul and Michel Denayer were the only real contenders for the podium, as the majority of competitors left the pen an hour after the two leaders. On Day Two temperatures in resort soared to 25*C, making the combination of altitude and heat very challenging for both riders and horses alike.
Seven hours later, the apparent winner was Saroul, who rode the course at an average of 15.31km per hour. However, horses must pass a further inspection by the official vet and then have 40 minutes to warm-down, in which time their hearts must return to a safe resting rate of 64 beats/minute. Saroul was confirmed as the winner of the E1500 prize money later that night, once all 32 riders had completed the course and the horses were signed-off.
In second place, was Michel Denayer who walked the last 30km of the course after his horse lost two shoes. Rules state that riders must cross the finish line on horseback, so Denayer mounted for the last few metres after leading his horse up to the finish line at Poutran (2000m).
The event was a success and provided a healthy start to Alpe d'Huez's 2009 summer season. In the coming weeks the resort will be host to further events, such as cycle races La Marmotte, 21 Bends and Megavalanche and its very own Triathlon. We'll keep you up to date with the events and results every week.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Equestrian Exploration and Endurance Leaders condemn world's largest unethical horse race
Thelongridersguild.com
What is being labelled as the world's longest horse race, has been denounced by an unprecedented alliance of equestrian, endurance and exploration leaders.
At a thousand kilometers, the Mongol Derby would be the largest non-sanctioned endurance race ever attempted. Set to be run this summer in Mongolia, nearly a thousand semi-wild under-sized native horses have been drafted into an effort which deliberately flaunts international endurance racing rules.
"There's no carefully marked course, no catering tent and no support; this is horse racing on a whole new scale. You will change steeds every 40 km so the horses will be fresh. Bleeding kidneys, broken limbs, open sores, moon stroke and a list of dangers longer than your arm stand between you and victory," warns the official race website.
The horse race is being promoted by Tom Morgan, a native of Great Britain whose company, The Adventurists, previously specialized in enticing adventure-hungry tourists into signing up to race junk cars to distant national capitals.
"We don't make any safety arrangements. Our adventures are designed to be just that, so organising a support crew would rather take the edge off things. People are made painfully aware that what they're entering into can be extremely dangerous," Morgan's website cautioned.
Connie Caudill, President of the American Endurance Ride Conference, is one of the many equestrian leaders who have warned that Morgan's Mongol Derby will severely damage the sport and may well lead to horses being ridden to death.
"This will set endurance racing back 50 years," Caudill said, then added, "This isn't an endurance race, it's entertainment that will undermine endurance racing all over the world."
Morgan's company sought advice from The Long Riders' Guild, the world's first international association of equestrian explorers. The Guild warned the tour company against encouraging the twenty-five foreign competitors, all of whom had paid nearly $5,000 for a chance to ride, to attempt the journey, as the Guild's mounted explorers had recently encountered wolf attacks, bubonic plague, rabies, flash floods, foul water, poisoned food, horse theft and personal assault.
"The Adventurists is preparing to embark on an ill-advised equestrian misadventure, one in which your company does not appreciate the many equestrian hardships and dangers being presented to the horses and riders," The Guild informed the tour company.
Regardless of the danger, Morgan is busy promoting what he calls "biggest, baddest equine affair on the planet." He is being assisted by Richard Dunwoody, a former British champion jockey turned equestrian tour guide. Originally hired to present a lecture on racing to the amateur riders, Dunwoody has announced that he will be riding as a contestant in the event.
Because he plans on drafting nearly one thousand native horses into his non-sanctioned race, Morgan sought tactical and equestrian assistance from an unlikely source, the international charity, Mercy Corps.
Operating in more than a hundred countries, with offices in Scotland and Mongolia, the wealthy charity agreed to accept a guaranteed 25,000 British pounds in donations from Morgan's riders in exchange for providing the tour operator with access to twenty-five Mongolian herder families and their horses.
"Mercy Corps are delighted to be a part of the first ever Mongol Derby," said Jennifer Adams, the Event Development Coordinator at Mercy Corps, European Headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. When asked if this partnership of participation meant that Mercy Corps was in the horse racing business, Adams answered, "I guess you could say that."
During an eight month investigation into the race, Long Riders in New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain, Mongolia and the United States confirmed that neither the Mongolian government, nor the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international body assigned to protect endurance racing from exploitation, was involved in organizing the race.
"This is going to be all about the endurance of the rider, as opposed to the horse," said a spokesperson for Morgan's company.
Contestants are riding straight into danger.
"They're providing us with these yellow brick trackers, so we can activate the emergency beacon if our horse is injured and we can't walk it in," one rider said. "The only other time you're supposed to activate the beacon is if you feel your life is in immediate danger. There's only one emergency medical helicopter in all of Mongolia."
Food and water will also be an obstacle during the so-called Mongol Derby.
"We're still looking into the food options," the naive young contestant told the press. "They're going to give us GPS locations to the wells, where we'll be able to get water, and they don't guarantee that the wells will have water. They want us to be careful because there are packs of wild dogs that surround those wells."
When it was learned that Morgan's race appears to violate the three primary principles of endurance racing, namely no commercial exploitation of the horse, a marked route and confirmed sources of water, the world's largest coalition of riders, explorers and editors launched an international petition asking the Mongolian president to halt the race and urging Princess Haya, President of the FEI, to ban the competitors for life.
Additionally, Britain's Minister for the Horse, Jim Fitzpatrick, has been urged to scrutinize Morgan's non-sanctioned race, and the Charity Commissions in England and Scotland received a complaint asking them to investigate the possibility that Mercy Corps participated in unacceptable behaviour.
Regardless of what happens out on the steppe in August, it is already plain to see that thousands of horse riders, equestrian explorers and endurance riders have banded together in an unprecedented act of solidarity designed to halt Morgan's spectacle.
For more information about the race, and to sign the petition, please visit the Long Riders' Guild Mongol Investigation & Petition
www.thelongridersguild.com/mongolia.htm
All Woman Team Sweeps 39th Ride & Tie World Championship
Photo by Peter Ramsing
Andreotti Sisters Make History and Take Overall Champs Title
June 25 2009 - Humboldt County, California - Michelle Andreotti of Granite Bay, California, and her sister Susanne Rowland of Rocklin, California, put the family name on a new chapter of Andreotti history in the sport of Ride & Tie and at the same time finally realized the prediction of Bud Johns, inventor of the sport: that a woman/woman team would out-race the men and snatch the World Championship title. Adding glitter to their crowns, their race horse, Over Amile, was deemed Best of Condition.
"There have been so many remarkable women who have been competitive in the sport since the start that it was inevitable that the right two would team up to win the whole shebang," says Johns. "Women can be excellent runners at distances, can be superb horse (wo)men and often are lighter on the horse which helps the equine member of the team," he continues.
Most recently competing at the World Championship level in the mid-1990s, the sisters had drifted away from the sport. Then, last year, the family was asked to attend the 2008 World Championship Event to witness the induction of their father Dave Andreotti's horse Scooter into the Ride & Tie Hall of Fame. They were re-bitten by the bug: by July they bought "Over Amile" and were training for this year’s race. The sisters live about ten minutes apart, and the horse is stabled between the two.
Rowland says she's pretty competitive and it was her idea to try the Championship race this year. They hoped to finish in the top five. "The course worked to our advantage; I like to run the uphills". Simultaneously, Andreotti would ride up the hill catching Rowland at or near the top, where they would switch. Converse to her sister, Andreotti likes to run the downhills. They let the horse pick its own pace, which on this course was usually a canter.
Defending Champions Jim and daughter Sara Howard of Applegate, California, finished in second place, first man/woman team, three minutes behind the winning team. The highest placement by a man/man team, and youngest competitor on the Championship course, was the seventh place team, with junior Lucas King, age 15, of Trout Lake, Washington.
Returning to the location of the 2007 Ride & Tie World Championship, the 39th annual event took place June 20th 2009 at Cuneo Creek, in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, adjacent to the Avenue of the Giants. At approximately thirty-four miles in length the winning time was three hours, fifty seven minutes.
The Ride and Tie Association will be celebrating forty years of riding and tying throughout the week of June 12-20, 2010 at Mount Adams, WA. The 40th Annual World Championship Ride & Tie, open to all comers, will be raced on location Saturday June 19, 2010.
About the Sport of Ride & Tie
The sport of Ride & Tie combines trail running, endurance riding, and strategy. The goal is to get all three team members, two humans and one horse, across a 20 to 100 mile cross-country course by alternating riding and running. Everyone starts out together. The rider, being faster, rides ahead and ties the horse to a tree, and then continues down the trail on foot. The team member who started out on foot gets to the horse, unties, mounts up and rides past the runner, ties the horse … and this leapfrog continues the entire course. When, where, and how a team exchanges riding for running is almost entirely up to each team to develop their own strategy.
About The Ride and Tie Association
The Ride and Tie Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the sport of Ride & Tie and safe endurance horse management. Over 150 years old, Ride & Tie originated in the old West, where frontiersmen discovered two men could travel great distances at a fast pace without wearing down the horse if they traded off. Ride & Tie was invented as a sport and gained national attention in 1971 when Levi Strauss sponsored the first Levi's Ride & Tie. The Association offers a mentor program, partner matching, training videos, hosts practice Ride & Ties, and sanctions regional and national events. For more information about Ride & Tie, visit the web site at www.rideandtie.org.
Contacts:
Carol Ruprecht
Ride and Tie Association, publicity
media@rideandtie.org
(949) 263-1772
Don Betts
Ride and Tie Association, president
rideandtiedon@aol.com
(360) 681-5218
Chris Amaral
2009 Ride & Tie World Championship race director
Trots4long@yahoo.com
(707) 839-5624
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