Uruguay: Diyo Bayo - Mourning in Uruguay

Endurancebrasil.com.br - More...

By Paula Nascimento

LUTO NO URUGUAI
Adeus ao imponente Diyo Bayo

"Durante a premiacao era impressionante a atmosfera que cercava o momento da entrega dos trofeus e medalhas. Quanto mais proximo o momento da premiacao de 120 Km - Seniors, mais a expectativa aumentava. Cantavam músicas com o nome de Diyo Bayo e quando foi anunciado o Best Condition e o cavalo se colocou a frente do podium, no meio do publico, houve uma explosao de emocoes, que mais parecia com um gol em final de Copa do Mundo. Diyo Bayo foi literalmente um idolo, nos bracos de seus fas" – Silvio Arroyo Filho.

"During the awards was amazing the atmosphere surrounding the delivery of the trophies and medals. The closer the time of award of 120 km - Seniors, more expectations increased. They sang songs with the name of diyo Bayo and when it was announced the Best Condition horse and stood in front of the podium, in the audience, there was an explosion of emotions, which more resembled a late goal in the World Cup. Diyo Bayo was literally an idol in the arms of his fans" - Silvio Arroyo Son.

Me lembro como se fosse hoje o dia em que eu conversava em "chat" com Julio Olascoaga sobre o Campeonato Panamericano que aconteceria no Uruguai. Falavamos de trilhas, favoritismo, equipes. Quando então Julio comentou sobre Diyo Bayo. Foi a primeira que ouvi falar sobre este cavalo e não mais esqueci.

I remember like it was today the day that I talked to "chat" with Julio Olascoaga on the Panamerican Championship would take place in Uruguay. We talked of trails, favoritism, teams. When Julio then commented on diyo Bayo. It was the first I heard about this horse and not forgotten.


Mais...

Malaysia: Agong Will Lead Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com

November 05, 2009

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will lead the Sultan Terengganu Cup Endurance Challenge at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu starting Friday.

State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said said it would be participated by 100 riders and teams from Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay and United States.

"The wet condition due to the rainy spell brought by the monsoon season makes it ideal for the horses," he said.

Tuanku Mizan will represent Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) together with 12 others.

The others are Wilayah Equestrian Team, State Terengganu Endurance Team (STET), PENN Endurance, Tengku Mahkota Kelantan (TMKN), Tanjung Keling Riding Club, Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, Langkawi Endurance Team, Masterscaff Endurance Team, D'Bali Stable, Kimi Stable and Iskandari Stable.

First prize winner will receive USD$10,000 (RM43,000) and cup, second USD$7,000 (RM25,000), third USD$5,000 (RM18,000), fourth USD$4,000 (RM13,500), fifth USD$2,000 (RM6,800) while riders who finished the 120 kilometre race in time will receive USD$1,000 (RM3,400).

New Zealand: The WAHO Trophy

Mary and Chris Tylden with Cyden Sun

WAHO.org

CYDEN SUN Chestnut Stallion, 1982. (Ngapa Joussif / Ngapa Ayda). Breeders and Owners: Mary and Chris Tylden. Strain: Dahman Um Amr of Ibn Hemsi (Dahma, 1876).
The New Zealand Arab Horse Breeders Society Inc. has awarded their 2009 WAHO Trophy to the veteran 27-year old stallion, Cyden Sun. He was bred Mary & Chris Tylden at their Cyden Arabian Stud in Morrinsville in 1982, and is still owned by Cyden Stud, being their senior Stud Sire. He is of ‘Ngapa Arabian Stud’ Colonial Crabbet bloodlines and is by the well known Endurance sire 'Ngapa Joussif' (born 1977, died aged 31 in 2008) who was himself awarded New Zealand’s WAHO Trophy in 2006.

Cyden Sun himself has earned a reputation for siring correct and very athletic, free moving determined progeny with an excellent work ethic and all-round ability for various equine disciplines and in particular Endurance competition, with a "Will to Win". He has definitely helped to lift the overall profile of purebred Arabians in Open competition in NZ with progeny competing in Pony Club events, In-hand at Arabian, A&P and All-breed Shows, under saddle at A&P shows, Open Pony and Hack Championships, Eventing, Dressage, Equine Sports days and especially Endurance competition.

Cyden Sun has a delightful gentle honest personality. He has been a very important part of the Tylden family since his birth and his bloodline is greatly valued at Cyden Arabians. He has always been a very active horse who enjoys keeping himself fit ~ he is very free moving and agile and is still in very good health with no signs of arthritis at all and still fertile at 27 years, with two mares due to foal to him in August 2009. He always enjoys following his owners along the fenceline to check out what they are doing and is interested in anything new happening on the farm, in any visitors to the stud and is always keen to see if there are any "treats" being offered. Sun is a very quiet gentlemanly stallion and always easy to handle, very well mannered and kind with his mares and visiting mares, he runs with his own mares all year round. His herd mares foal with him and he is very protective of them, very kind and good with foals ~ he also enjoys playing with the foals.

He was broken in at 3 years old, then ridden on the 560 acre drystock farm as a working stock horse, a role he really enjoyed and he was a smooth and energetic ride with a very willing "go anywhere" attitude to work. He has always had a natural ability and aptitude for working stock and in particular cattle. Unfortunately his own riding career was limited due to no fault of his own as there were always other youngsters needing to be ridden and exercised and he was usually assigned to Stud duties.

New Zealand: Parade of Horses at Holly Farm

November 4, 2009

The inaugural Spring Sale with a Parade of Horses will be held on the afternoon of 8th November 2009 at David Marshall and Sandie MacLean's Holly Farm, in Leeston, Christchurch, New Zealand. "22 Quality Arabian Horses of proven bloodlines suitable for breeding, halter showing, performance,
showing, endurance, trail, and your best friend will be for sale," says MacLean.

"On parade will be a true selection of Arabian horses from Straight Egyptians to up and coming Endurance Horses."

The sale coincides with Shaaltarah's 30th birthday celebration.

"This brilliant mare is the dam of 19 foals spread around the world - New Zealand, Australia, the UAE, Qatar and Germany."

A preview of the horses can be seen at Arabianhorsesale.webs.com.

Chile: the Fourth Annual International Enduro Equestre

En la V Regioon se corrioo una etapa mas del circuito nacional e internacional de Enduro Ecuestre, en un terreno muy rapido que obligo a los 127 binomios participantes a preparar estrategicamente la carrera.

In Region V the national and international circuit of Endurance Riding was a very strategic race over a very fast course for the 127 entries.

Complete article here.

Complete results here.

Enduroecuestre.cl

Bahrain: Royal Team dominate Breef events

Gulf-daily-news.com

November 01, 2009

ABDULLA Johar, Jaffer Mirza and Isa Abdulrasool won their respective events in the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) endurance horse ride qualifying races held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

A total of 73 riders saw action in last Friday's qualifiers which featured three races of different distances.

The Royal Endurance Team dominated the show as Johar finished on top in the three-stage 80km race in three hours, 55 minutes and eight seconds with a 20.41 kms per hour speed average.

He was followed by teammate Ahmed Abdulsamad (3:44:03) in second place with Ahmed Jaffer (3:55:38), also of the Royal Endurance Team, came third.

Fourth and fifth places were respectively won by Royal Endurance Team members Abdulhaq Qadori (4:08:05) and Raed Mahmood (4:11:43) while Jaffer Salman (4:22:16) of Awal Riding Stable was sixth.

In the 60-km race, which was divided into two stages of 30kms each, Royal Endurance Team rider Mirza led both stages right from the start to complete the race with a total ride time of two hours, 40 minutes and 17 seconds.

Behind him was Abdulrahman Al Zayed, also of the Royal Endurance Team, who came second in 3:10:12 and Al Asayel Stable rider Salman Al Thawadi (3:17:23) was third.

Fourth place was won by Khalifa Sharida (3:27:43), followed by Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa (3:28:46) of Al Fateh Stable, while sixth position went to Hussain Aref (3:28:42) of Al Fateh Stable.

Abu Youns Stable rider Abdulrasool took victory in the 40-km race which was divided into two stages of 20kms each.

Crossing the finish line in two hours, 34 minutes and 31 seconds, Abdulrasool was closely followed by Singh Song (2:34:59) of Al Talia Stable who came second while Harry Singh (2:35:31), also of Al Talia Stable, followed in third place.

Finishers

Fourth place was won by Hareth Mohammed (2:37:40) of Ahmed Janahi Stable and ahead of Lydia Martin (2:45:36) of Wadi Ali Stable in fifth place while Najat Singh (2:52:31) of Al Muntaser Stable came sixth.

Races were witnessed by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Both Shaikh Nasser, the Royal Endurance Team captain, and Shaikh Khalid congratulated the winners in each race and wished others success in future competitions.

Shaikh Nasser extended appreciation for the efforts being exerted by the federation in making this event a great success.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid expressed delight for the wonderful turnout of the riders in the first qualifying event of the season, which were regarded warm-up races for the upcoming competitions.

Bahrain: Breef Qualifiers

40-60-80 km qualifiers on October 30 2009

Photos by Osama

Australia: Local riders make up strong representation at Woodstock ride

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

30/10/2009

For many horse riders, endurance riding conjures up the idea of tolerating long distances in the saddle.

However, as members of the Gooloogong Trail Riders Association and Canowindra Pony Club found out last weekend at Woodstock, it means a great deal of fun and achievement, enjoying the privilege of riding their horses through beautiful countryside on a marked course, without having to open a gate!

Of the 57 riders who started the 40km and 20km rides on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, 26 were local riders.

The local competitors came from Woodstock, Cowra, Canowindra, Blayney, Mandurama and Forbes.

Some of these riders included Ann-Maree Watson, Vicki Doyle, Jenny Birch, Karen Gerdes and Garry Birrell from the Gooloogong Trail Riders.

From Canowindra there was Anna Ross, Phil Tucker, Kylie and Penny Whatman.

Naomi Seaford-England came from Forbes and Tim Stevens was very local from Woodstock.

Travelling a little further was Duane Blandford and Megan Blunt from Mandurama as well as Julie Dixon, James Ryan, Karyl and Stephen Bennett from Blayney.

Riding along with the training and social riders were experienced endurance riders, all locals as well, including Chris Bailey, Annette Bailey, Donna Tidswell, Nikki Tucker, Barry Blinman and Erica Allan.

Other local riders to feature in the 80km event were Mary Symons riding Ralvon Vim (12th middleweight), Andrew Jonkers Giriliambone Comet (equal fourth heavyweight), Robin Gossip (equal second lightweight) riding A’landell Sarlee and Dannielle Beard riding Botusa Park Spirit (fifth lightweight).

More...

Arabian National Endurance and Competitive Trail Rides Underway

Horsechannel.com
Endurance and show Arabians compete simultaneously in Oklahoma this week.
October 28, 2009

For the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has combined the Arabian National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition, October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both National Endurance rides are American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Sanctioned. An open AERC ride will follow the championships.

Competition began Tuesday with the 100-mile and 50-mile endurance races. The National Competitive Trail Ride runs Wednesday and Thursday. Winners will be given a special awards presentation during the final evening of U.S. Arabian Nationals in nearby Tulsa on Saturday, October 31.

To qualify for the AHA Championship Competitive Trail Ride, horses must have completed 100 miles of AHA recognized CTR, placed in the top five at a recognized regional CTR, or placed in the top ten at a national CTR.

The National Championship Endurance Ride includes a 50-mile and 100-mile ride. To qualify for the 50 mile, horses must have completed 200 lifetime miles of 50 mile or longer recognized endurance races. Qualifiers for the 100 mile must have completed 300 lifetime miles. In endurance competition, completion of a race means that not only must the horse and rider complete the entire route, but the horse must be pronounced fit to continue by an attending veterinarian.

The dates of the National Endurance rides coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to see. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the Distance Nationals and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100 mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of Country English Pleasure.
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Australia: Quilty looks positive

Ground Jury Ieva Roberts who travelled from Western Australia
and South Australian Endurance Riders Association president
Sarah Adams at the ride that was based at Bungaree Station.

Northernargus.com.au - Full Article

CHELSEA ASHMEADE
28/10/2009

About 40 endurance riders from South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria made their way to the Bungaree Station last Saturday and Sunday (October 24, 25).

The South Australian Endurance Riders Association held the first Clare Cup throughout the valley over the weekend.

"It has been the most beautiful setting and we must thank the land owners Tom and Sal Hawker they have been fantastic.

"Riders have said it is a challenging and beautiful course," president of the SAERA Sarah Adams said.

Endurance riders had the choice of three different legs, the 'Black leg' that headed north from Bungaree at a distance of 37.5 kilometres, 'Red Leg' that headed east through Emu Rock and was 35.5 kilometres and the third leg was the 'blue leg' that went through Bungaree and headed out 20 kilometres toward Blyth.

More...

Namibian horse riders in Argentina

The Southern Times

The country will showcase five young riders at the world event and expectations are quite high for Namibia to perform well.

Namibia Endurance Horse Riding secretary-general Annette Hanekom said on Monday that three of the five-member delegation, Wanette Hanekom, Izolde von Schauroth and Marlene Janse van Rensburg, competed in the 2005 junior world championships held in Bahrain.

Hanekom is confident that Namibia will do very well taking into account the experience the trio picked up at the last junior world championships. "I have very high expectations for the Namibian team," said Hanekom.

She said the young riders would depart on 11 March for the South American country to get to know the Argentinean horses they would be riding. The Namibian team will be leasing horses from that country, said Hanekom.

The two other riders making the team are Pierre de Wet and Ellaine Rudman, who are also determined to excel at the global event.

Kentucky Cup 2009 Videos

A video blog from Trisha Dowling with Canada West at the Kentucky Cup Endurance test event. Includes still photo of Terre O'Brennan on Koszaar. October 12




The Kentucky Cup Mudfest October 14
Video and Photos from the Vet Check... The photos say it all about the mud. Congrats to Elroy, Gail and Terre for finishing in a true test of endurance!



Tuesday still photos from Kentucky Cup


Kentucky Cup Vet Check Video & Photos - Walk through video and photos from the vet check at the Kentucky Cup on Tuesday, Oct 13.

Belgium: World Cup for Veterans

www.endurance-belgium.com - Full story

by Leonard Liesens
Photos by Leonard Liesens and Caroll Gatelier

A partir d'octobre il est malaise d'organiser une course d'endurance dans les forets belges. Le lobby des chasseurs est l pour veiller au grain et faire entendre raison a n'importe quel gentil organisateur. Une gageure donc cette Coupe du Monde des Veterans a Mirwart. Heureusement qu'il y a le domaine provincial et ses 1500 hectares de forets ou la chasse est regulee.

Un contingent de 24 chevaux a donc pris le depart par un froid de canard, dans l'obscurite pour affronter les 130km d'un parcours que l'on savait technique mais rouant. Pour eviter les desagrements causes par la pluie toujours possible, les organisateurs ont opte pour un parcours "tous temps" alternant des chemins empierres (avec le plus souvent une piste centrale avec de la terre, donc plus souple). Donc une alternance de pistes galopantes et de chemins durs dont personne ne s'est plaint. La vitesse moyenne est d'ailleurs la pour attester de la qualite du parcours. Mais il y avait des passages techniques ou il fallait relancer le cheval, des cotes et des faux plats, et la descente sur l'asphalte au retour vers le vetgate central.

Plus...

From October, it is a hard job to organize en endurance race across the Belgian forests. The hunting lobby is strong enough to dissuade any try. So it was necessary to look for other options. The Provincial Domain of Mirwart was the answer. A public managed forest of 1,500 hectares with good trails to choose from. To avoid muddy going, the choice was made to use dirt and rocky roads with nevertheless a central bank with a bit of grass. So all in all, a technical route made for good skilled horses and riders.

Poespass (with Karin Boulanger onboard) one of the best belgian horse which suffered an elimination at the EC in Assisi was looking for a victory and was al the way in the lead. During the last loop, the couple launched several attacks trying to get rid of the German Petra Hattab and her good gelding. Finally, during the descent on the asphalt, Boulanger wasn't afraid to take the canter for finishing detached. 28 minutes later, a pack of three horses launched a sprint. Third place for the French rider Valerie Parisot.

More...

Mayed takes Kentucky Cup

Gulf News

M. Satya Narayan
Published: 00:00 October 16, 2009



The rides, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, are the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games, according to a press release from the organisers.

Shaikh Mayed crossed the wire first in the CEI** 75 mile event in a ride time of 6:05:30. McGunigal finished the CEI*** in a ride time in 6:30:41. The CEI*** was originally an FEI qualifying event at a distance of 100 miles (160km), but lost its status when it was shortened to 120km after the footing became questionable in inclement weather. Shaikh Mayed was thrilled with his win.

"It was amazing. This is the sport that we most love. It's our history," said Shaikh Mayed. "Given the weather today, the course was amazing. But the weather made it very difficult. There wasn't any hard part, other than the ground being a bit slippery. Other than that, it was excellent. There wasn't anything wrong or bad."

"I have mixed feelings about shortening the race," said McGunigal. "The footing was only getting worse. Some of the parts of the trail that we had to go over were already slippery and deep and if the race was kept at the original distance, we would have had to go over it again, so in that sense, I am glad they shortened it. But I was hoping to use this race to qualify my horse [Gold Raven] for next year, and now we have to do it at another event, so that is very disappointing."

Focus

Rain was a recurring focus of the day, with a downpour shortly before the start of the rides. It continued throughout the day for all mandatory veterinary exams, creating a messy vet gate and slippery footing. Two-time Endurance World Champion Valerie Kanavy and mother of McGunigal, was affected by the weather and footing. Kanavy was eliminated after her horse LM Parys fell on the second loop.

"We were crossing the road on the blacktop and she just slipped," said Kanavy. "She went down and I went right after. She has recovered and is doing fine now."

The endurance levels of the athletes from the 23 countries participating were truly tested. However, according to Mubarak Khalifa of the UAE, the weather was no big deal. "Endurance riders are used to riding in all kinds of weather, so this is normal."

Riding Kangoo d'Aurabelle le, an 11-year-old pure-bred Arabian grey gelding, Shaikh Mayed completed the ride distance in 06:05:30.

Second and third places in the event went to UAE riders Ahmad Salem Ali Sultan Al Sabousi, who partnered 13-year-old Bess Ess-Ob in 06:05:31, maintaining an average speed of 19.70kmph, and Yaha Sughayer Kanoon Al Aljtabi, who was astride nine-year-old Medjedra. He finished the ride in 06:20:30 with an average speed of 18.90 kmph.

Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya finished in fifth place whereas Sultan Ahmad Bin Sultan Bin Sulayem finished in the seventh place. Fourth place went to Spanish rider Jordi Arboix.

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Shaikh Majid Emerges Victorious in Kentucky Cup Endurance Championship

Khaleej Times
16 October 2009
DUBAI — Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the cynosure of all eyes at the Kentucky Cup Endurance event when he won the first place in the 120-km FEI CEI 2-Star ride in Lexington on Wednesday, a press release said.

Riding Kangoo d’Aurabelle le, 11-year-old Pure-bred Arabian grey gelding, Shaikh Majid, son of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, completed the ride distance in 06:05.30 riding an average speed of 19.70 kmph. The day featured two rides of 120 km and 160 km and five UAE riders took part in the 120-km ride. Both the rides, sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation, are the official trial rides for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games which are scheduled to be held in Lexington, Kentucky from September 25 to October 10. It was a fabulous display of horsemanship and endurance combined together for Shaikh Majid as the weather played truant and made the ride route difficult. But Shaikh Majid finished first in all the four loops to emerge victorious. The rain was a recurring focus of the day, with a downpour shortly before the start of the rides. It continued throughout the day for all mandatory veterinary exams, creating a messy vet gate and 
slippery footing.

Reacting to his victory, Shaikh Majid said: “It was amazing. This is the sport that we most love. It’s our history. Given the weather today, the course was amazing. But the weather made it very difficult. There wasn’t any hard part, other than the ground being a bit slippery. Other than that, it was excellent. There wasn’t anything wrong or bad.”

Second and third places in the 120-km event respectively went to UAE riders Ahmed Salem Ali Sultan Al Sabousi who partnered 13-year-old Bess Ess-Ob in 06:05.31 maintaining an average speed of 19.70 kmph and Yaha Sughayer Kanoon Al Aljtabi who was astride nine-year-old Medjedra. He finished the ride in 06:20.30 with an average speed of 18.90 kmph. Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya finished in the fifth place whereas Sultan Ahmed bin Sultan bin Sulayem finished in the seventh place. (Fourth place went to Spanish rider Jordi Arboix). As many as 35 riders from 25 countries were represented in the ride which saw 14 finishers.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognised by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Shaikh Mohammed.

THE USA SWEEPS MEDALS AT THE KENTUCKY CUP ENDURANCE FEI CEI***

HunterJumperNews.com
October 15, 2009

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY-October 15, 2009- The United States dominated the Kentucky Cup Endurance FEI CEI***, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, and the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games, garnering all three team and individual medals on Wednesday. The winners were officially declared at an awards ceremony held at the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday morning.

Danielle McGunigal of Ft. Valley, Virginia, was the individual gold medal winner of the modified CEI*** in a ride time of 6:30:41 with an average speed of 18.43 kph. The race was originally an FEI qualifying event at a distance of 100 miles (160 km), but was shortened to 75-miles (120 km) after the footing became questionable due to the inclement weather that began shortly before the race began and continued throughout the day making the trail slippery and muddy.

“I was disappointed by the race being shortened but happy to be finished,” lamented the 1996 Endurance World Champion. “This was the toughest ride I have ever done. It was like swimming up hill with a hole in your paddle.”

The race was shortened—from six loops down to four—and McGunigal led almost the whole way riding Gold Raven, her 8-year-old Arabian mare. McGunigal’s mother, two-time Endurance World Champion, Valerie Kanavy, came to the mandatory vet check ahead of her daughter, but was later eliminated after her mare slipped on the second loop.

Ellyn Rapp of Dubuque, Iowa, won the silver medal in a ride time of 6:52:16 (17.46 kph) on her 14-year-old Arabian gelding, Berjo Smokey. “Smokey is amazing, said Rapp. He never quits. I have had all my best rides on him.”

Jan Worthington, of Scales Mound, Illinois, won the bronze medal in a ride time of 7:01:33 (17.08 kph) riding Golden Lightning. The 9-year-old Arabian gelding was awarded the prestigious Best Condition award, given to the horse that is judged to be the most fit to continue. Worthington was thrilled with his accomplishment.

“It really took me by surprise,” said the 69-year-old rider of winning Best Condition. “I am blessed with a great horse. I think he did so well in the mud because he has small feet like a mule.”

The individual medals were awarded first and the ceremony turned out to be very moving, thanks to a technical difficulty. The music for the U.S. National Anthem could not be played, so the audience volunteered to sing it instead.

Despite the weather, the event was considered a success and a good test for next year. Competition Manager Emmett Ross said Wednesday provided some excellent learning opportunities, and was pleased with his feedback about the trail.

“We were committed to make the trail wonderful. You never got to see the trail in its full glory because of the weather,” said Ross. “I’m saving some surprises for next year. We are looking forward to making this a very enjoyable trail next year – and it’s not going to rain!”

TEAM RESULTS FOR THE MODIFIED CEI***

Team USA East – Gold Medal

Danielle McGunigal
Dr. Margaret Mary (Meg) Sleeper
Stephen Rojek
Farzad Faryadi

Team Central USA – Silver Medal

Ellyn Rapp
Janice Ann Worthington
Darolyn Butler
Julie Jackson - Biegert

Team Mountain USA – Bronze Medal

Christoph Josef Schork
Suzanne Hayes
Douglas Swingley
Tennessee Mahoney

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan 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.

Article by Lauren Greathouse

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Triple-Medal Win for U.S. Riders at the 2009 Kentucky Cup Endurance Race

USEF Release: October 15 2009

Lexington, KY - After a day that tested the will and stamina of some of the world’s best endurance athletes, it proved to be a clean sweep of the medals podium in both the two-star and three-star endurance competitions in the 2009 Kentucky Cup Endurance race. The event, held at the Kentucky Horse Park and neighboring farms, served as the test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In the 100-mile ride (that was shortened to 75 miles due to inclement weather and deteriorating conditions), it was an all-American medals haul. The riders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were dominant in the original 75-mile effort, taking the Gold, Silver and Bronze home.

Former World Champion and longtime endurance athlete Danielle McGunigal, 38, led the pack aboard Gold Raven in a final ride time of 06:30:41 to handily claim the Gold. Some 20 minutes behind her in final ride time was Iowa’s Ellyn Rapp, 27, and Berjo Smoky to pick up the Silver medal. And the competitions’ senior rider, 69-year-old Jan Worthington and her Golden Lightning, crossed the finish line nine minutes later to win the Bronze medal. In addition, her mount won the coveted Best Condition Award.

McGunigal’s mount, an eight-year-old grey Arabian mare, was tough and defiant against the very challenging atmosphere presented to her. The rider was quick to comment on just how strong and promising the horse is and how equally strong is the mare’s will.

“Raven is unique, and I’ve competed two of her sisters. They are very tough and really put their teeth into the work they are doing and get it done," she said. "Sometimes she can be such a bully. She will push you around the [vet] check, and she knows what she wants and can be difficult. But, at the same time, that is what is great about her is that she is difficult."

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Kentucky Cup: Cold, wet conditions test endurance riders

Kentucky.com
By Ryan Alessi - ralessi@herald-leader.com

The easy gallop at which contenders started Wednesday's endurance race at the Kentucky Horse Park belied the grueling conditions that riders and steeds would face over the 75-mile course of soupy mud and some slick pavement.

This isn't a sport for the faint of heart on a clear day, let alone Wednesday's rainy, sub-50-degree conditions.

"I don't know. Is it crazy or stupid?" said Danielle McGunigal, 38, of Fort Valley, Va., after the second of four loops of 13.3 to 24.7 miles.

By that point another competitor, Matthew Sample of Australia, already had been whisked to the nearest portable heater to counter hypothermia-like symptoms upon arriving at the first checkpoint. (He wouldn't finish the race).

And McGunigal's mother, two-time world champion endurance rider Valerie Kanavy, was forced out after her horse slipped and fell.

All that was just in the first half of the race for those rain-chilled riders and horses that finished Wednesday's test run of the endurance event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Horse Park.

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Kentucky Cup: Weather shortens endurance ride

Courier-Journal.com
McGunigal wins in cold and mud

By Jennie Rees • jrees@courier-journal.com • October 14, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Danielle McGunigal, a former world champion in endurance riding, has competed in conditions as challenging as the cold, daylong rain and mud that defined Wednesday's Kentucky Cup Endurance competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Advertisement

But having that experience doesn't mean slogging 75 miles — shortened from the scheduled 100 because of safety concerns — on horseback in 40-degree weather wearing thin riding pants and not much more than lightweight rain gear is just another day at the office.

“No,” said McGunigal, from Fort Valley, Va., who won the world championship in 1996. “It still sucks.”

This from a competitor who was, at the time, second halfway through the competition, which served as a test event for next year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“I'm thinking this is more fun than I can stand,” she joked while eating Ramen noodles and getting a neck message before going out on the third of the four loops that wound up constituting the race. “I'm thinking those dressage people have it good. They're a lot smarter than me.”

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UAE, USA Riders Dominate Kentucky Cup Endurance

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY-October 14, 2009- HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates and 1996 Endurance World Champion Danielle Mc Gunigal of the United States won the Kentucky Cup Endurance events, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, and the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum son of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, crossed the wire first in the CEI** 75 mile event in a ride time of 6:05:30. Danielle Mc Gunigal finished the CEI*** in a ride time in 6:30:41. The CEI*** was originally an FEI qualifying event at a distance of 100 miles (160 km), but lost its status when it was shortened to 120 km after the footing became questionable in the inclement weather.

“I have mixed feelings about shortening the race,” said Mc Gunigal. “The footing was only getting worse. Some of the parts of the trail that we have to go over were already slippery and deep and if the race was kept at the original distance, we would have had to go over it again, so in that sense, I am glad they shortened it. But I was hoping to use this race to qualify my horse (Gold Raven) for next year, and now we have to do it at another event, so that is very disappointing.”

HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum was thrilled with his win despite the conditions.

“It was amazing. This is the sport that we most love. It’s our history,” said Sheikh Majid. “Given the weather today, the course was amazing. But the weather made it very difficult. There wasn’t any hard part, other than the ground being a bit slippery. Other than that, it was excellent. There wasn’t anything wrong or bad.”

The rain was a recurring focus of the day, with a downpour shortly before the start of the rides. It continued throughout the day for all mandatory veterinary exams, creating a messy vet gate and slippery footing.

Two-time Endurance World Champion Valerie Kanavy and mother of Danielle McGunigal, was affected by the weather and footing. Kanavy was eliminated after her horse LM Parys fell on the second loop.

“We were crossing the road on the blacktop and she just slipped,” said Kanavy. “She went down and I went right after. She has recovered and is doing fine now.”

The event was aptly named as an endurance test. The endurance levels of the athletes from the 23 countries participating were truly tested. However, according to Mubarak Khalifa of the UAE the weather was no big deal. “Endurance riders are used to riding in all kinds of weather, so this is normal.”

One noticeable absentee was HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was expected to compete but never made the trip to Kentucky due to commitments in Dubai.

About the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan 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., Meydan, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and AQHA. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.