Australia: Top lot goes to Dubai at Magic Millions Sporthorse Sale

Efanational.com

17 August 2009

The Magic Millions inaugural Sporthorse Sale was held on Saturday evening at their Gold Coast Sale Complex.

109 lots comprising of dressage, jumping, eventing, polo, endurance, showing, breeding stallions and youngstock were put through the sale ring.

Lot 9 topped the sale at $46,000, a 6-year-old endurance mare offered by Toft Endurance Pty Ltd sold to Dubai. In total 39 lots sold for an average price of $10,600.

International buyers from Korea purchased 11 horses, 3 horses were sold to Dubai and Chinese buyers also attended the sale.

The horses were viewed and trialled in the preceding two days at the Gold Coast Polo and Country Club about 40 minutes from the sales complex. Show jumps, dressage arenas and a free-schooling yard were set up on the polo fields to enable prospective buyers an opportunity to try the horses.

On Saturday the horses were moved into the sales complex where they were able to be inspected in-hand but not ridden. Vet checks were available at the expense of the purchaser.

The horses were presented in-hand for the auction as they would be at a thoroughbred sale. The auction started at 5pm and concluded around 9pm.

Attendance was good with most of the seating filled. The bidding was reasonable however the majority of horses were passed in as they did not reach their reserve price (the highest bid of the evening was $75,000 for the black jumping stallion Dutch Choice but it fell short of the reserve).

It appeared that many people were just there as spectators and not as buyers, which was not unusual for the first year of the sale.

Feedback from the vendors was largely positive. Most agreed that the first year was always going to be the most difficult but they were eager for Magic Millions to persevere.

"It is really important that we stick with this idea and support Magic Millions," said Peter Toft of Toft Endurance, "it is exactly what our industry needs."

"I think it is a good idea and with some fine tuning it could work very well," commented Olympic rider Vicki Roycroft who, along with Adam Mellers, acted as an advisor for Jumping .

"I sold the three horses that I brought," said event rider Kevin McNab, "next year I'll bring a lot more."

David Chester, Managing Director of Magic Millions, said that they were very excited about the development of the sale and the marketing of Australian Sporthorses around the world.

"To create international exposure for Australian performance horses, will be of great benefit to the development of the industry as a whole, and we envisage this concept will only grow from strength to strength," said David.

Industry professionals from each discipline formed a sale committee to advise Magic Millions and to assist with the selection of horses. Jumping – Adam Mellers and Vicki Roycroft, Dressage – Brett Parbery, Polo – Ian "Ginger" Hunt, Eventing – Tim Boland, Showhorse – Kim Durante and Endurance – Peter Toft.
Photos coming soon.

Bahrain: Royal team excel in Germany event

Gulf Daily News
Posted on » Sunday, August 16, 2009


BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team starred in an endurance horse race in Germany, where they took first place in several race categories.

Yousef Taher riding French horse Siyam won the 160km race, which featured riders from the UK, Belgium and Germany, and consisted of six stages.

Taher finished in a time of nine hours 31 minutes and 12 seconds, as he contested the event with an average riding speed of 16kph.

Second and third place also went to Bahrain. Jaffar Merza took the runner-up spot after completing the ride in just a second behind his victorious compatriot, while Abdulrahman Al Sa'ad was also not far behind, finishing two seconds behind Taher.

In the 120km event, Ahmed Abdulla on his horse Rashken took the winner's trophy in 6:38:25. He had an average speed of 18.72kph.

Shereen Fayez, also of the royal team, won the under-18 female event also over 120km. She clocked a winning mark of 6:39:16 and a speed of 18kph.

In the men's under-18 race over 80km, Bahrain's Ahmed Al Guood finished in second place with in 5:03:23, while countryman Ahmed Janahi was fifth in the same distance's under-20 age category.

Congratulated

Following their victorious campaign, Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated His Majesty King Hamad on the win and thanked His Majesty for the support to endurance riding and to all sports in the kingdom.

Shaikh Nasser pointed out that the Bahrainis' fine showing in Germany helped lift their spirits as they prepare to take part in several other European rides as well as the world championships.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed his appreciation of the royal team's efforts in victory, and encouraged them to continue their strong display in their remaining events in the summer.

Mongolia: Inner Mongolian International Endurance Event

TheLongHorseRide.blogspot.com
photo: the leading horse being vetted

The Long Horseride website

The Long Horse Ride is a journey on horseback from Beijing to London. It is scheduled to start out shortly after the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and to arrive in London in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

The ride will bring a message of goodwill from Beijing in the Beijing Olympic year to London in the London Olympic year. It also aims to raise money for disadvantaged children through its chosen charity Schoolchildren For Children.

Starting from the China Children Charity Monument on the Great Wall at Badaling, it will cross the steppes, deserts and mountains of China and Central Asia, following the Great Wall and the ancient Silk Routes. In the path of the Mongols and Huns, it will skirt the northern shores of the Caspian and Black Seas, before the final leg through the fields and forests of Europe.

[More Mongolia images...]

Capistrano Horses, Rider Finish 100-Mile Race

The Capistrano Dispatch

Vol.7, Issue 20, August 14-27, 2009
The Capistrano Dispatch

photo:Allan Horn is among the 87 riders who finished, after 169 start

Two San Juan Capistrano horses finished the grueling Tevis Cup 100-mile race in Auburn, Calif. on August 1. Capistrano residents Allan and Lauren Horn brought their two Arabian mares to Lake Tahoe to start the 100-mile race, which ends in Auburn.

The Western States Trail Foundation hosts the annual Tevis Cup race since 1955. It is world famous and is known as the toughest endurance ride in the world that covers 100 miles of treacherous trail with 22,000 feet of elevation descent and 17,000 feet of elevation climbs through narrow, steep canyons, mountains and river crossings. Horses and riders have 24 hours to complete the ride. The completion rate has historically hovered around 50 percent. Just to finish the ride is an accomplishment in itself and reflects the endurance motto, “To Finish Is To Win.”

Allan Horn rode his 13-year-old grey mare, Royal Sassha HP and Vista resident, Lynn Rigney rode Lauren’s 8-year-old mare, Red Hot Rosa to the finish line in just under 24 hours. They passed all the checkpoints and completed the ride. There are 13 checkpoints throughout the ride where veterinarians assess the condition of each horse before proceeding. Riders can be “pulled” at any point along the trail and most disappointing is to be pulled after crossing the finish line at the final vet check.
This years’ ride had 169 participants from six countries and 22 states. Only 87 riders completed the ride to earn a silver belt buckle. Allan said he did it for the meaning behind the buckle.

“It is a very prestigious ride and a very tough one for horse and rider. It says a lot about you as a rider and your horse. You need to come prepared and having done your homework. There is no margin for error on the trail.”

Because of the difficult trail, tragedy has beset the ride at various times in it’s history. This year a Maryland horse stumbled and slipped and went off the trail to his death. The rider, who was off at the time and leading his horse, was not hurt. Lauren said, “Personally, I don’t know if I ever want to attempt this ride. It’s too scary and too difficult for me. I knew my horse could do it and a friend wanted to ride, so I let her ride my horse. I crewed for Allan and Lynn and had a great time being part of the team and the fact that my horses completed the trail on their first attempt is reward enough for me.”

Lauren has a friend who has attempted Tevis seven previous times before and has not finished the ride. “This year was his year and he did it on his eighth try,” Lauren said. “Allan and I have been riding endurance for 12 years now, training on our local trails. Tevis has always been the ‘mother of all endurance rides’ and a goal of Allan’s. When you are gathering at the start a couple days ahead of time, there is a strong feeling of support and camaraderie. You truly wish everyone could experience a completion but you know in your head, only 50 percent will make it and be able to proudly wear the buckle. I’m so proud of my husband and our two horses. It really is an accomplishment.”

full article

Australia: Local riders dominate endurance

Gympie Times

photo:GOING THE DISTANCE: Widgee horse endurance competitors Gayle Holmes and her husband Achmed Pshunov are back on their property after blitzing the field at the Queensland horse endurance state championships in Mackay at the weekend.
Gympie Times/Renee Pilcher

Matthew Lee | 14th August 2009

GYMPIE competitors dominated the Queensland horse endurance state championships held near Mackay at the weekend.

GYMPIE competitors dominated the Queensland horse endurance state championships held near Mackay at the weekend.

The headline event was staged at Denison Creek, 70km west of Mackay, attracting some of Queensland's best endurance horse riding talent.

Gympie entrants included the husband and wife duo of Achmed Pshunov and Gayle Holmes, as well as Craig Ellison, Bek Millard and Lane Zischke.

Gympie signalled its presence at the event when the first four placings were clinched by the local riders.

Zischke, meanwhile, collected first in the junior event.

Pshunov finished first with his wife trailing closely behind in second, while Ellison took out third and Millard fourth. Millard also returned home with first in the lightweight division.

The event itself was conducted over a gruelling 160km of varying terrain on a cattle station.

Five stages, or loops, rounded out a course many competitors regarded as the most testing they had encountered.

Two mountains broke up the landscape, with the largest of the pair dubbed Widow Mountain for its formidable presence.

After each loop, competitors were required to submit their horse for a thorough vet check to ensure the welfare of the animal was not at risk.

The procedure involved allowing the animal's heart rate to drop to 60 beats per minute before moving on to the compulsory vet check and a return to racing itself.

Gayle said she and her husband Achmed found the ride challenging.

“It was definitely a challenge, and a thinker's ride,” she said. “You had to pace yourself well to do well, and I think that really was the key to success.”

Gayle said the race was quick and the field contained exceptionally good horses.

“The standard was high, so Achmed and I are really pleased with how we performed,” Gayle said.

Gayle and Achmed rode together for the first three loops before being separated on the final two when Achmed's horse recovered faster at the end of a stage and moved through the vet check more quickly.

Initially, the pair found themselves trailing 40 minutes behind two frontrunners who set a lightning pace.

But Gayle said she was not concerned.

“Achmed was a little worried but I said to him that we had nothing to worry about,” she said.

“They went out too quickly and burned up a lot of energy, so it was always going to be a matter of time before we were able to catch them up.

“You have to leave something in the tank.”

And the pair certainly caught up to the two early leaders, converting a 40-minute deficit into a 20-minute lead as the race progressed.

Achmed maintained his lead over his wife to cross the finish line and collect the honours while Gayle came in second to greet her husband.

“You could not have asked for a better finish than that,” she said.

“We were very pleased with the outcome.”

Taking part in the Queensland championships is another event where Gayle has used her extensive bank of experience to strike spectacular success.

GAYLE first started endurance riding back in 1990, and in the time that has passed, has represented Australia twice in both America and Dubai.

Another of the Gympie competitors to leave her stamp in Mackay was Lane Zischke, who collected first place in the junior event.

Zischke was unable to be contacted for comment but put to shame many of her fellow rivals in the junior event to return home triumphant.

The talented young rider could have been forgiven for feeling a little sore after her win but would have already been casting her eyes on her next big event.

Meanwhile, Ellison was also keen to highlight the growing reputation of Gympie as a source of horse endurance talent.

“Gympie is definitely earning itself a place on the map in the sport,” he said.

“These latest results are incredible and to think the top four riders all came from Gympie.”

Ellison, who saddled up for his first ride in 1982, finished the race in third and clinched the top-three finish after some expert riding during the final stages.

The Gympie participant's final time was 11hrs18min and was achieved only after fighting back from eighth position with 70km of the race remaining.

“I started conservatively and my horse had enough to make up the ground on those other competitors,” he said.

Ellison said he was able to read the race well to finish as highly as he did.

“We started at midnight and by 5am it was two degrees, only to heat up to 30 degrees during the height of the day,” he said.

“That taxes the horse and you have to be aware of the conditions.”

Looking ahead, Ellison said he predicts Gympie would continue to post strong appearances at future horse endurance events in Australia and overseas.

“There is a lot of talent here, particularly in the young riders,” he said.
It was definitely a challenge, and a thinker's ride.

[More ...]

Qatar: Al Shaqab makes successful French endurance debut

Gulf Times

Tarbes, France: The Al Shaqab Endurance Team launched their 2009 French riding campaign in the first week of August posting impressive results in the competition held in Tarbes in the south of France.
Represented in two events that marked Al Shaqab’s first European competition of 2009, the team signalled they are ready for their French campaign.
They dominated the CEI 90km race by sweeping the top three finishes and were equally impressive in the gruelling CEI 130km Qatar Challenge event with a hard-fought second place effort.
Hamad Rashid al-Marri led the team to the impressive silver-medal finish in the prominent 130km competition.
The 20-year-old, aboard Muse du Real, covered the course in 7:19.52. The competition featured riders from France, Spain and Switzerland. The hilly course was an obvious challenge as 48 riders began the event and only 22 completing the race.
Hamad used a strategy of a slow early pace to tactfully move up during the competition and secure second.
Seventh after the first loop, Hamad gradually moved up to fifth at the next loop and was second by the third a position he held to the finish.
The team was phenomenal sweeping the top finishes in the CEI 90km competition. Hassan Tahous al-Nuaimi, a 21-year-old led the charge to register his first win of the year.
Aboard Bahia Cathare, Hassan covered the distance in 4:53.21.
He was followed by the rising talent of 13-year-old Faleh al-Subaey, who guided his mount Alhoa Zelus to a finish in 5:05.59. Close behind was Faleh Nasser Abugnaim, who piloted his mount Koheilan Bonita to third in 5:06.04.
The 19-year-old Abughenaim has been extremely consistent this year with a string of second place finishes in competitions held in Qatar.
The event attracted 38 international riders with the majority 27, able to complete the entire race.
Coming off a highly successfully 2008 campaign, highlighted by a second-place, silver-medal finish in the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu, Malaysia, the team is preparing for the prestigious European Endurance Championships.
Viewed as the most important competition of the year, the event will be held in Assisi, Italy on September 26.
The event attracted top riders and teams from five continents and will serve as a major preparation for the 2010 World Endurance Championship to be held in Lexington, Kentucky in the United States.- Agencies

Australia: Young Riders leave for the World Championships Babolna Hungary 5/6 September

The four Australian horses to compete at this World Championships fly out from Sydney on Tuesday August 11. These horses will fly to Amsterdam via KL, Penang and Dubai before arriving in Amsterdam. They will rest for a couple of days before undertaking a 1400km road journey to Babolna. The riders and crew will be leaving at intervals between now and August 28 when The Chef d Equipe Dr Trish Annetts and Team Veterinarian Dr Robyn Mather will leave.

Team rider Allix Jones (NSW) together with her Mum Wendy, leave August 15 to meet up with Allix leased horse HS Saboteur who is based in Switzerland.

The Team is;
Allix Jones, NSW Angela Hawks, Qld. Alexandra Toft, Qld, Blake Freeman, NSW. Bridgette Nottle, Qld. Reserve rider, Tami Parnell, NSW.
Horses:
Dakila Pascalle, Bemervale Justice, Zalman, Browtin Advocate, HS Saboteur.
Grooms:
Peter and Penny Toft, Mark and Lesley Freeman, Wendy Jones and Anna Williams, Jill Hawks and Ben Caslick,

The Australian Endurance Squad and the Young Riders Team wish to gratefully acknowledge the generous sponsorship from our sponsors Kentucky Equine Research and the advice from Dr Peter Huntington, and Dixon Smith Equestrian who are our very loyal sponsors.

Also we wish to announce the generous sponsorship from Equestrian Australia for the amount of $9000.00 as well as AE blue cotton dress rugs, to the Arabian Horse Society for the wonderful kersey green and gold rugs, to Zilco and LAS helmets for continued support and Nanango Heritage Endurance Riders Assoc. Inc. for sponsoring the Riders Team Jackets. A special thank you to the Chef, Dr Trish Annetts who was responsible for obtaining the majority of this sponsorship.

Barb Timms
AES Manager

South Africa: Local equestrians excel at 200km endurance ride

Informant.co.za

August 12 2009

Despite the icy-cold weather and the extremely difficult terrain, nine horse riders from the Capricorn Endurance Club participated in the Fauresmith 200km Endurance Race held in the Free State recently.

The race of 210kms gets completed over three gruelling days and only three out of nine local riders could endure until the end. Out of the 429 entries to the ride, only 225 managed to complete the endurance ride successfully. With the ride’s motto being "To finish is to win" it became understandable how so many riders fell out before the end of the race.

The locals who finished the race were Christo Scheepers (18th place standard weight category) on his horse Bouwman Quimram and Johann Jordaan (27th place in the heavyweight division) on Skarbek Mas'ud. Last but certainly not least was Louise Jordaan who finished fourth overall and took a third place in the junior division. Her horse Al Mu'barak also received the floating trophy for purest Arab horse to complete the ride in the shortest time.

Jordaan is currently in matric at Hoerskool Pietersburg and says it is a great honour to represent her school in competitions, especially with such a dedicated horse and support team at her side. - Keshia Jansens van Rensburg

UAE: Mohammed wins endurance ride

Gulf News




Euston Park, Norfolk: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, clinched the top spot in the 120-km Euston Park Endurance ride on Monday.

Shaikh Mohammad won the gruelling "Ride with the Stars" event in a time of five hours, seven minutes and 47 seconds. Finishing second, a split second behind in 5 hours 07.48 seconds, was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

A strong field of 118 riders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Luxemborg, the United States of America, Australia, Ireland and England participated in the ride.

Shaikh Mohammad was riding Acadini, while Shaikh Hamdan partnered Jazyk.

Fauiz Al Turkmani finished in third place aboard Ridasa in a time of 5 hours 08.09seconds while Hussain Ali Al Mazroui was fourth. His time was 5 hours 08.10 seconds.

Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, also participated in the ride.

Present at the event was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

Experienced Spanish rider Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton finished fifth in a time of 5 hours 08.09seconds while her compatriot Jomi Ponti took sixth place.

A trio of French riders occupied the next three places. Cecile Totain was seventh in 5:16.15, O'Riley Campi eighth in 5:19.15 and Cecil Melito ninth in 5:26.39.

Karen Belanger from Belgium occupied tenth place.

UAE: Shaikh Mohammed made to wait

The National
Zoë Griffiths
August 04. 2009

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will not be allowed to compete in International Equestrian Federation (FEI) endurance horse races until October 3 after an inquiry – the results of which were made public yesterday – confirmed one of his horses had been given banned substances.

He removed himself from events in April after his lawyers said horses at the Emaar Stables in Dubai had revealed traces of banned substances.

The investigation focused on Tahhan, a horse he rode at the CEI 120 kilometre endurance event in Sakhir, Bahrain on January 10 and the CEI 120 kilometre event in Dubai on February 28. The horse was found to have traces of two banned drugs in its system.

They were Guanabenz, a drug used to manage hypertension in humans, with a calming and pain relieving effect on animals, and, the anabolic steroid 16-b Hydroxy-Stanozolol, used by Ben Johnson at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

The FEI’s tribunal panel yesterday banned Sheikh Mohammed for six months, backdated to April, and fined him 4,000 Swiss Francs (Dh13,840). His trainer, Abdullah bin Huzaim, received a ban of 12 months and a fine of 4,000 Swiss Francs. Bin Huzaim admitted giving the horse drugs without Sheikh Mohammed’s knowledge.

Under the governing body’s strict liability approach to anti-doping rules, the FEI found Sheikh Mohammed the principle person responsible and his trainer as the secondary individual responsible

Bin Huzaim defended his actions, saying he believed the horse was in need of the medication. In a letter to the tribunal panel, Sheikh Mohammed said that with an ownership stake in 700 endurance horses he could not be expected to be aware of each horse’s medication. He is one of the world’s leading owners and breeders of thoroughbred racehorses.

Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, is the president of the FEI and has been campaigning to clean up its doping problems. He is allowed to compete in non-FEI events.

South Africa: Local Lanel ranked nr 3 in the world

Limpopo Informant - full article
Grade 11 Stanford Lake College learner, Lanel van Nieuwenhuizen, has been chosen to represent South Africa in endurance riding at the Young Rider World Championships on 5 September in Babolna, Hungary. She and the rest of the team will be competing over a 120km distance. She is currently the number one Fei endurance young rider (14-21 years) in South Africa and is ranked third in the world.

Grade 11 Stanford Lake College learner, Lanel van Nieuwenhuizen (17), was recently chosen to represent South Africa in endurance riding at the Young Rider World Championships that will take place on 5 September in Babolna, Hungary.

She and the rest of the team will be competing over a 120km distance on horses especially hired for the team from France. The horses will be sent from France to Hungary for the championships.

The Van Nieuwenhuizen family lives in Louis Trichardt and when she is not at school, Van Niewenhuizen is riding one of her horses. Endurance riding is definitely a family activity. Her mother, Leonie, developed her love for all things horsy at an early age and bought her her first horse when she was just 7 years old. She.started endurance riding when she was 10 years old on her horse Studvet Sam. She still has Studvet Sam and he is her favourite out of the eight horses she currently has, although he is no longer her main competition horse. Her main competition horse is now Jozami Foxin. She has competed in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Chili and Hungary – all on horses that she had never ridden before and, even more remarkably, finished in the top three riders every time.

Up until the age of 14 years, Van Nieuwenhuizen was not allowed to participate riding alone (as per this sport’s rules) but this was no problem as her mother is also a keen endurance rider and a Springbok.

Van Nieuwenhuizen’s father, Johan, is her groom. In endurance riding, the horse has to return to a certain spot every 30km for grooming and a check done by a veterinarian.

To date, Van Nieuwenhuizen has done over 8 000km in competition on 17 different horses. The basics of endurance riding is dressage and she has done numerous training and jumping courses.

Van Nieuwenhuizen is the number one Fei Endurance Young Rider (14 -21 years old) in South Africa. She is also currently the number three Fei Endurance Young Rider on the Fei world ranking list.

She represented South Africa for the first time when she was 14 years old and received her permanent Springbok number when she was 15 years of age. She also has her Protea colours. She has competed against senior riders over distances of 120km and 160km in Italy and South Africa. This means her saddle had to be loaded with weights for her to be able to pass the minimum weight requirement of 75kg. Van Nieuwenhuizen does well academically and when she is not on a horse, she plays hockey and netball. She plans to become a veterinarian or an equine physiotherapist and wants to continue endurance riding after school. Endurance is the fastest growing horsesport in the world and at an average ride in South Africa, one would find over 200 horses competing.

"Lanel loves her horses and loves riding and is very hard working," says her mom of her. - Karen Venter

USA: Individual Gold Determined by One Second at the North American Young Riders Endurance Ride

USEF Release: July 30 2009
By Leah Oliveto

The North American Young Riders Endurance ride took place on Friday, July 24. It was run concurrently with the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and for the first time all three North American countries were represented.

Held in the rolling hills of Henryville, IN, riders competed against the clock for team and individual medals. Heavy rains left the ride’s 75-mile course a bit more treacherous, requiring riders to be extra cautious.

The Individual Gold and Silver medals were determined by a mere second. Kelsey Kimbler and Junior CAHR finished with a winning time of 8:19:11, Jennifer Stevens and Sha Strike Two took Silver with a time of 8:19:12. Finishing 12 minutes later to capture the Bronze was Alexandria Kirkland and Latteefah.

Team medals are determined by combining the times of the fastest three completers from each team. Team Gold went to USA Mountain/Pacific with a combined time of 28:10:46, Team Silver went to International, comprised of two Mexican and three Canadian riders, which were one of the only teams to have all five riders complete the course. USA Central, led by Kimbler and Kirkland, took home Team Bronze.

The coveted Best Condition Award was given to Junior CAHR, ridden by Kimbler and owned by Kirsten Kimbler. This award is given to the horse judged to be in the best condition, using a scoring system that takes into account veterinary score, time to complete the course and weight carried.

The winning teams traveled back to the Kentucky Horse Park and were recognized during the NAJYRC closing ceremonies held on Sunday.

Tevis 2009: We're Going Home, K-Zar! Southern Horse Wins

thehorse.com

photo:Sarah Engsberg and K-Zar take their victory lap celebrating their 2009 Tevis win.

K-Zar Emanuel, 15-year-old gray Arabian gelding won the 2009 Tevis Cup, crossing the finishing line at 10:20 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 1). Four miles from the finish, after crossing No Hands Bridge in the California moonlight, rider Sarah Engsberg urged her mount on with the words, "We're Going Home, K-Zar."

Engsberg, from Fairburn, Ga., arrived in California early to ride K-Zar three times over the final miles in the days preceding the event to assure he knew where "home" lay. He responded by cantering most of the final four miles to win by 11 minutes. Melissa Ribley, DVM, finished second, followed one minute later by Marcia Smith, DVM.

It was the first Tevis attempt for both Engsberg and K-Zar, although they did finish 6th in The Biltmore 100 in June 2009. The Tevis ride celebrated its 54th running this year, and many endurance riders consider Tevis to be the most demanding 100-mile horse event in the world.

Alison Bailey, K-Zar's owner, waited with a tense crowd at the finish line above the fairgrounds in Auburn, Calif. Frontrunner Jeanette Mero, DVM, Mariposa, Calif., was "pulled" only six miles from the finish line. Using cell phones and internet connections, the crowd attempted to learn the positions of their favorites.

When Engsberg and K-Zar emerged from the dark, tree-covered trail to canter across the finish line, cheers and a few shouts of surprise rippled through the crowd. With owner and crew pulling his saddle, KZar drank from the well near the trail's end. They sponged him with cool water and within minutes his pulse rate had dropped and he walked across a small wooden bridge to the official veterinary check. As Engsberg ran alongside the gelding for his presentation to judge his soundness, cheers again rose from the spectators. His obvious soundness confirmed his status as the first-place finisher.

[More ...]

Poland: The Kuźnia endurance contest – good organization and attendance

Polskiearaby.com

The Kuźnia endurance contest – good organization and attendance. Kamilia Tobiasz became Polish Champion

Author: Maciej Kacprzyk | 2009-07-28

Mistrzyni Polski Kamilia Tobiasz, fot. Mateusz Jaworski

During the last weekend (24th - 26th of July) in Kuźnia Nowowiejska Equestrian Center (Poland) the International Endurance Contest, as well as the Polish Contest and the Polish Championship, was held. During three days, nine contests attracted as many (as for an endurance competition) as sixty five pairs from eight countries that participated: Czech Republic, Finland, Holland, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, United Arab Emirates and Poland, of course.

Yara de Boer z Holandii na Riki's Macho Man, fot. Mateusz Jaworski


On Friday the CEI/CEIJY2* 120 km contests as well as a domestic L-class 30 km contest were held. In all 9 pairs – 6 seniors (a CEI2* contest) and 3 juniors and junior riders (a CEIJY2* contest) – started in the 120 km contest. In the CEIJ2* contest the Young Riders and Juniors Polish Championship was about to hold. Unfortunately it didn’t come off because only one Polish pair took part in the contest and therefore the condition of the minimum of 4 pairs taking part necessary to the Polish Championship to occur, wasn’t fulfilled.

full article at polskiearaby.com

Mongolia: Elite endurance vets assist Mongol Derby organisers

HorseandHound.com
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
31 July, 2009

Top international endurance vets are to assist organisers of the Mongol Derby in ensuring the welfare of horses involved in what is being dubbed the "longest, toughest horse race in the world".

Last week, H&H reported on the international row that had broken out over concerns that the welfare of 700 horses taking part in the 1,000km race would be compromised (news, 23 July).

But since then, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stepped in to offer elite veterinary assistance to organisers, via the Mongolian government.

On Friday, 24 July, Ian Williams, head of non-Olympic sports for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) met with Mongol Derby organisers on a "fact-finding" mission for the UAE.

"The UAE expressed a wish to provide high-level veterinary care, so we wanted a full briefing on provisions for the horses," he told H&H.

"It hasn't been finalised, but the UAE would like to provide a mobile equine hospital, along with international endurance vets to assess the horses before they race, and as they arrive at the urtuus [stations]."

[More ...]

Great Britain: ‘Private’ endurance ride sparks unrest among UK riders

(post dated)

Horseandhound.com
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
2 August, 2009

A 120km 'private' endurance ride with an "unprecedented" prize-pot of £175,000 being organised and run by Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC) is causing consternation among UK riders.

The 120km event, called Ride with the Stars, will be held at Euston Park, Norfolk, on Saturday (2 August). It was announced on 14 July and will not be run under International Equestrian Federation (FEI) or Endurance GB (EGB) rules.

The ride is expected to attract a large field because every completing combination will receive prize-money.

Discussion about the last-minute addition to the endurance calendar is rife on the EGB members' forum.

One rider states: "Our ride organisers have put many hours of unpaid time into producing rides for this year and the future and, if we are not careful, they will not be there."

Others are concerned over welfare of horses ridden by inexperienced competitors keen to complete and win money.

"I would urge anyone who does not have extensive experience of competing at this level to think long and hard before entering," said another rider.

There have also been suggestions that the ride has been put on to allow Sheikh Mohammed to continue to compete. He is currently suspended from competition by the FEI while a doping enquiry is investigated (news, 16 April).

EGB chairman John Yeoman has warned members to remember the "very hard work" put in by ride organisers who are "understandably disappointed that this unscheduled ride is going to take place".

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UAE: Mohammed 'Rides with the Stars' to win the 120-km endurance in UK

WAM - Emirates News Agency
Aug 3, 2009 - 08:44 -

WAM Euston Park, Norfolk, Aug 03rd, 2009 (WAM): Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum rode his horse in Euston Park to win the 120-km endurance clocking in at 5:07:47 beating 118 riders who took part in the 'Ride with the Stars' event held here on Sunday.

The Arabian knight won the event with his unparallel perseverance and practice.

With the difference of a second, Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum finished second in the event, in which riders, both men and women, from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, France, Italy, Luxemburg, USA, Australia, Ireland and Britain participated with much fervor and enthusiasm.

Chairman of the Dubai Authority for Culture and Arts HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum also participated in the endurance ride.

The event was attended by Dubai Deputy Ruler and UAE Finance Minister HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Australia: Toft to head up first Magic Millions sale

03 Aug 09 - by Brent O'Neill


TWENTY years as a trainer, 25 years as a competitor and a lifetime spent breeding horses.

Added up, Marburg’s Peter Toft knows what to look for in a horse.

Such is Mr Toft’s wealth of knowledge, he was handed the responsibility of selecting 14 endurance horses for next month’s inaugural Magic Millions Australian Sporthorse Sale, an auction of more than 100 equines from the six major equestrian disciplines.

As an experienced breeder and trainer of Arabian endurance horses, and a World Championship silver medallist, there are few better people to have on board for Australia’s first-ever sale.

“The concept of auctioning is not common here so this is a whole new adventure and it’s got enormous scope,” Mr Toft, 50, said.

“Magic Millions came to us, recognising us as the leading breeder in endurance horses.

“(Endurance equestrian) is a fascinating sport and it’s very fortunate we can incorporate something we enjoy in our business."The Sporthorse Sale will be held on August 15. Visit http://www.magicmillions.com.au.

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Sheik Mohammed Gets 6-Month Ban for Horse Doping

ABC News - full story
Equestrian federation bans its president's husband, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed, for 6 months
By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer
GENEVA August 3, 2009 (AP)

The International Equestrian Federation banned its president's husband — Dubai's Sheik Mohammed — from riding in endurance races for six months after his horse twice failed doping tests.

Sheik Mohammed accepted the suspension based on his horse Tahhan's positive tests for a hypertension drug and the steroid stanozolol, equestrian's governing body said Monday.

"Consistent with the FEI's strict liability approach to anti-doping rule violations, the panel has found Sheik Mohammed responsible for the doping of his horse," a tribunal panel said in a ruling published on the FEI's Web site.

His ban runs through Oct. 3, and he was assessed $4,200 in fines and legal costs.

The sheik's horse trainer, Abdullah bin Huzaim, admitted giving the horse drugs without the sheik's knowledge before the 74.5-mile desert races at Bahrain and Dubai.

Bin Huzaim was banned for a year and fined.

Sheik Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, is president of the FEI and has campaigned to clean up equestrian's doping and medication problems. She took no part in the disciplinary process.

The three-man panel said bin Huzaim, manager of the sheik's Emaar Stables in Dubai, "clearly wanted His Highness to do well with the horse. This behavior is not acceptable and needs to be sanctioned severely."

Full story

Sheik Mohammed gets 6-month ban for horse doping

Sheik Mohammed gets 6-month ban for horse doping

Associated Press - August 3

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Equestrian Federation has banned its president's husband from riding in endurance races for six months after his horse twice failed doping tests.

Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed accepted that his horse Tahhan tested positive for a hypertension drug and the steroid stanozolol, the governing body said Monday.

His ban runs through Oct. 3, and was assessed $4,200 in fines and legal costs.

The sheik's horse trainer, Abdullah bin Huzaim, admitted giving the horse drugs before the 74.5-mile desert races at Bahrain and Dubai. He was banned for a year.

Sheik Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, is president of the FEI but took no part in the process.