Mongolia becomes 40th nation to join the Long Riders’ Guild

Longridersguild.com - Full Story
November 2009

Since its inception nearly ten years ago, the Long Riders’ Guild has assisted more than a hundred equestrian expeditions on every continent except Antarctica. During that time equestrian explorers and long distance travellers from every corner of the world have joined the Guild. With the completion of the journey made by Temuujin Zemuun and Batmonkh Muntuush, Mongolia becomes the 40th nation to join ranks of the Long Riders.

Canadian Long Rider Bonnie Folkins organized the journey in which she was joined by Temujiin and Batmonkh. Having just hung up her saddle, Bonnie reported on the difficulties, and unexpected emotional discoveries, of that ride.

"The dust and electrical storms are totally off the scale in Mongolia but the worst problems are the horse thieves who lurk around every corner. They are so bold that they rode through the centre of our camp in the daytime to check out our stock." Bonnie reported that horse thieves cut the hobbles off their horses and made several attempts to rustle the expedition horses. Yet despite the physical hardships, the new Canadian Long Rider reported the surprise she felt upon returning "home."

"I was looking out the window, day-dreaming and all I could think about was, I wish I had a horse to ride. But having a horse to ride is not the issue. It is the travelling and the day to day adventure on horseback. Having a horse and travelling by horse, especially if you are en route to an unknown destination, are absolutely separate. I knew at the end of the first week of our ride that because the adventure was on horseback it was completely different than anything I had ever done in my life..."


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Abu Dhabi: More than 70 riders to take part in challenge

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
November 13, 2009

Total prize money for those who finish at the top is Dh300,000 while winner gets a 4WD


Abu Dhabi: More than 70 riders are likely to start in tomorrow's Sorouh Challenge 120-km Endurance Ride, which kickstarts the season at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The annual ride, sponsored by Sorouh Real Estate in co-ordination with the Normandy-based Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will be held along with an 81km Sorouh Challenge Ride tomorrow.

Big hit

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), said: "Over 70 entries have been received so far for the 120km ride while the 81km event has attracted over 150 entries."

"The total prize money for those who finish at the top is Dh300,000 while the winner will drive away a 4WD car," Sultan said.

"This season we have also decided to award a Rider's and Trainer's overall championship award at the end of the season for their performance here at the Emirates International Endurance Village," the official, himself an endurance rider, said.

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Canada: Toronto to host 2015 Pan Am Games

CBC.ca - Full Article

November 8, 2009

By Justin Piercy, CBC Sports

It's mission accomplished for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Toronto Mayor David Miller and all other members of the delegation supporting Toronto's bid to host the 2015 Pan Am Games.

On the first ballot of Friday's vote in Guadalajara, Mexico, Toronto was tapped as the host city.

"Our commitment, our pledge, our undertaking, our promise is to provide you with the best Pan Am Games ever," McGuinty told delegates after the results were announced. "It's an exciting time for so many of us here."

Miller also took the podium to express his gratitude for the first-ballot win.

"I would like to say thanks for all of the confidence shown in Toronto," Miller said. "See you all in 2015."

Bid adviser Bob Richardson said before the vote that he was confident his team did all it could to sell the region to Pan American Sports Organization voters.

It seems they did just that, beating out the two other bidding cities — Lima, Peru, and Bogota, Colombia.

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USEF Announces Date and Location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Pending Final FEI Approval

Release: November 12 2009
Author: By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2010 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has received preliminary approval and is awaiting final allocation from the FEI Bureau.

Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 28-August 1, 2010. This is a unique opportunity to use a venue which has been completely redesigned. Less than two months later, the world will begin to arrive in Lexington, KY, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

As competitors begin to plan their 2010 competition seasons the USEF is providing this information so juniors, young riders and their chef d’equipes can plan accordingly. In 2009, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomed a record number of juniors and young riders for these championships in the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping and the Western discipline of reining.

Vaulting will again hold an exhibition during the championships and endurance will run a CEIY** concurrently in Louisville, KY.

For more information, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.

Spain: Triumphs of Asturias and Andalusia Interautonomias Cup

Ecuestreonline.com - Full Article

Diego Haces ("Esso Starlet") y Tadeo Iglesias ("Halar 50%") ganaron respectivamente las pruebas nacionales de dos y una estrellas disputadas el sabado 7 de noviembre en El Molar (Madrid), donde los equipos de Asturias, en una estrella y en la combinada, y Andalucia, en Promocion, se hicieron con la VII Copa Interautonomias.

Organizadas por la Federacion Hipica de Madrid, Hiponatura S.L., y Ayuntamiento de El Molar, tres pruebas se corrieron el sabado 7 de noviembre en la sierra madrilena: una de Promocion (40 kilometros en dos fases), un CEN* (82,2 kms. en tres fases) y un CEN2* (120,6 kms. en cuatro fases). Las dos primeras constituyeron la VII Copa Interautonomias.


Diego Haces ("Esso Starlet") and Thaddeus Church ( "Halar 50%") respectively won the national trials two and one stars played on Saturday November 7 in El Molar (Madrid), where teams of Asturias, a star and in combination, and Andalusia, Promotion, seized the Interautonomías Cup VII.

Organized by the Equestrian Federation of Madrid, Hiponatura SL, and City of El Molar, three tests were run on Saturday, November 7 in the mountains of Madrid: a Promotion (40 miles in two phases), a CEN * (82.2 kms . in three phases) and a CEN2 * (120.6 kms. in four phases).

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New Zealand: Endurance High Performance WEG Focus Squads

NZEquestrian.org.nz

9 November 2009

The Endurance selectors are pleased to announce the following WEG focus squad.


WEG Qualification attained:
Jennifer Chandler & Lace and Fineness
Jenny Champion & Freckles
Mark Tylee & Class Act
Teresa Hoult & SS Kaleb
Vanessa Tiffen & Astek Lauralea
Phillip Graham & Wolfgang Armadeus
Kevin James & Glendaar Iraklis


WEG Qualification to be completed:
Kylie Avery & Silands Mia Bella
Debby Wolsfold & Northwinds Bradley McGregor
Angela Doel & SS Shahrayar
Murray Smith & Glenmore Toyboy
Rupert Kurghan & Blackjack Davey
Kevin Prangley & WD Amir IBN Kaliph
Sarah Hamer & Diamid
Alison Higgins & Twyham El Omar
Shane Dougan & Taralea Sheer Illusion


The squad is not limited to this list and will be added to following all remaining FEI events and at the discretion or invitation of the selection panel.

Invitations are also sought from those not already associated with a rider, who may wish to be on the WEG Team as a groom or support person. All rider grooms/crew will be required to meet selection standards.

It is envisaged that a WEG long team will be announced following the National Championships in April and until then the opportunity for selection will not be closed to any potential combinations that achieve required criteria.

Final selection for the WEG team will be based on, but not limited to, the following principles:

· Meet all FEI entry requirements.
· A shown ability to ride at a controlled but consistent canter for an entire race.
· Display consistently fast vet gate times. Lag times over 4 minutes will not be considered appropriate for representation at WEG and considerable attention needs to be paid to this aspect of your racing performance.
· Proficient and well practiced grooms and vet gate crew must be integral to your presentation. If not already established, all riders are encouraged to create a WEG crew/groom partnership as soon as possible.
· A shown appreciation to be part of a team atmosphere and culture will be fundamental and you must demonstrate desire for success of the overall WEG focus program.
· You will be required to commit to individual targeted performances and show consistent improvement.
· Riders and crew will be required to participate in scheduled squad camps.


It is envisaged that a full team of six riders will be selected to represent NZ Endurance at WEG 2010, should enough individual combinations met the selection criteria.

All final team members will be required to contribute to the cost of participation. The WEG Endurance race day is September 26, 2010. If you are planning on attending – PLAN NOW.

Should you have any questions or queries please feel free to contact

Madonna Harris
Endurance High Performance Leader
mad@ihug.co.nz

Australia: Trans-Tasman Team Announced

Aera.asn.au

The Trans Tasman Team riders for 2009 that will be attending the CEIO/YJ 1* 90km, CEIO/YJ 2* 120km to be held in Ruahine on the 21-22 November are as follows:


Young Riders - Tarnia Kittel (Qld), Talea Haskow Stewart (NSW), Reserve - Lisa Stoffel (Qld).

Senior Riders - Ady McIntosh (WA), Sonya Ryan (Qld), Reserve - Linda Tanian (Vic).

Derek Armitage (Qld) is the Team Manager.

They will be starting their journey next week and we wish them all the best for the competition.

Cuba: San Vicente Ranch: a School of Excellence

Cadenagramonte.cubaweb.cu - Full Article

By Raysa Mestril Gutiérrez / Radio Cadena Agramonte

11 November 2009

Since the year 2000 when San Vicente Ranch, located in the Cuban province of Camagüey, became a unit of the National Company for the Conservation of the Flora and Fauna, its workers set some superior goals which are definitely a must for the raising, breeding and genetically improvement of the Arabian horse, a breed of excellence and recognized for its fine bearing and prestige.

The reputation of the Arabian horse relied on its intelligence, strong character and outstanding stamina. With a typical head and the tail always tilted up, is one of the most recognized breeds in the world.

These horses were also used to improve other breeds injecting speed, refinement, resistance and a good bony structure. Today, the Arabian features can be found in almost every modern breed of horses commonly used in endurance riding, Olympic horse sports and stunt horse riding.

Individuals of this species, renowned in Cuba and abroad as Rohara Renuir, Cabalier and Sabiel, are always in the minds of the ranchers at San Vicente; and there we can find Maharajah, son of Rohara. Specialists assure that Maharajah surpasses its father with better standards, and is appraised at over one million dollars.


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Neigh-Lox contamination claims are "unsubstantiated" says maker

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news

11 November, 2009

The health of horses who have been fed a possibly contaminated consignment of the equine antacid Neigh-Lox should not have been compromised, says US American manufacturer Kentucky Performance Products (KPP).

A batch of Neigh-Lox was recalled last week by UK distributors Saracen Horse Feeds. The supplement had been implicated as the possible cause of a positive dope test on a British endurance horse.

"We take such allegations very seriously, and our main concern is for the health and wellbeing of horses that depend on this product," said KPP president Karen Isberg. "We have been working to investigate the claims, and at this time, the allegations are unsubstantiated."

Traces of ractopamine — a feed supplement given to pigs to promote muscle growth — were found by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in a random sample taken from Forest, a horse ridden by British rider Christine Yeoman at Euston Park on 9 August.

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New Zealand: Horror horse injury sparks call for fireworks ban

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 11, 2009

by Neil Clarkson

A woman whose Arab stallion suffered a terrible side wound on Guy Fawkes night says it is time to ban fireworks.

Jackie Chamberlain wants to start a nationwide petition to bring an end to the fireworks that terrify horses, other farm animals and pets around the country.

Her stallion, Prestige, suffered a massive wound to his side when he smashed his way through a post-and-rail fence to escape fireworks last Thursday on Guy Fawkes night, probably just after nightfall.

Jackie told Horsetalk that Prestige, 17, is her quietest horse.

"He ended up out on the busy Morrinsville/Hamilton Highway.

"He found his way into someone's paddock 1 kilometre down the road and was discovered there early the next morning. Luckily, these people had the good sense to call a vet and go searching for the owner."

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Bahrain: Endurance season opener set for off

Gulf-daily-news.com

Monday, November 09, 2009


PREPARATIONS are underway for the first endurance horseride of the 2009/10 season, to be held on Friday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir.

The season opener will be over 90kms while three additional qualifying races are also set to take place on the same day. Distances for the three races are over 50kms, 65kms and 90kms.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, had already started receiving applications from riders representing different stables from across the kingdom.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation is keen to continue its support to endurance competitions this season after the remarkable number of local stables and riders taking part in past events.

The Breef's chief indicated the outstanding success of the qualifying rides held last month at the village which saw more than 70 riders in the fray.

He also stressed on the noticeable preparations from all stables for the new season and their eagerness to win a place on the podium in each race they take part.

Shaikh Khalid admired the amazing participation of many young riders in last month's qualifying rides, adding that this initiative will certainly contribute to expand this sport in the kingdom.

Agong Heads Classy Field In Gruelling Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com

KUALA TERENGGANU, 7 Nov (Bernama) -- Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was among 100 riders who started their campaign at the Sultan Terengganu Cup Endurance Challenge held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu here on Saturday.

Tuanku Mizan, representing Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) together with 12 others, started the endurance challenge astride Jakim Murphy in the 120km race which started at 5pm.

The race which is expected to end tomorrow morning, saw riders from Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay and the United States participating.

The race which started under ideal weather conditions is expected to remain competitive as the wet conditions due to the rainy spell brought by the monsoon season, would provide an ideal condition for the horses.

The other teams in the race 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.

Winner of the race 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 finish the 120km race in the allotted time would receive USD$1,000 (RM3,400).

-- BERNAMA

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Qatar Horse Endurance Racing Season Opens Friday

Al Shaqab Focused on Preparation for 2010 World Championships
(Doha, Qatar – Nov. 5, 2009) Al Shaqab’s Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, returns to action on Friday, Nov. 6, as the Qatar season gets underway with two events scheduled. This marks the team’s first race since returning from a successful European campaign in France this past summer.

The team will compete in both the 80km and 60km races at the Qatar Endurance Village in Mesaieed, Qatar. The pre-ride vet check will start at 1 p.m, and the ride starts at 4 p.m.

This summer, the Al Shaqab Endurance Team experienced great success in Europe, winning five of the ten races in which they competed. Faleh Nasser Al Naimi captured the team’s most outstanding victory this summer, winning the individual World Championship 130km title for 7-year-old horses in Compeigne, France.

The Al Shaqab Chairman is H.E Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Director is Claudia Starr. Al Shaqab’s Endurance Department is headed by General Supervisor Owaida Al Hajeri, Manager and Trainer Hadi Nasser Al Naimi and Assistant Trainer Jabr Nasser Al Ramzani.

The team will compete in Qatar throughout the season in preparation for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Lexington, Ky., USA, in Sept. 2010.

Al Shaqab was founded in 1992 by The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to preserve and further develop the Arabian horse in Qatar; the Endurance Team was added in 1997. In 2004, Al Shaqab became a member of Qatar Foundation. Al Shaqab’s mission, to promote the highest standards in the breeding and showing of Arabian horses and provide innovative, educational and competitive opportunities in all of the equestrian arts.

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