Uproar at FEI proposal to allow horses to compete on bute

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news, in Denmark
18 November, 2009

Should riders be allowed to compete on horses that have been given a small amount of bute?

That has been the subject of heated discussion this afternoon at a meeting of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The liveliest debate during a meeting to unveil the FEI's completed work on "clean sport" centered on the proposal for a complete policy shift to allow horses to compete on low levels of painkillers.

A new list of banned substances and controlled medication is the lynchpin of plans unveiled this afternoon in advance of voting during tomorrow's general assembly.

But there are two lists. The first - "current list" - continues with the FEI's zero-tolerance policy. The second "progressive list" would allow low levels of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) within horse sport around the world.

"If the FEI accepts this, there will be uproar in many countries," warned Bo Helander of Sweden. "It's completely unacceptable for horse welfare, and changes the whole philosophy of the FEI."

Tomorrow the nearly 100 national federations assembled in Copenhagen will vote on whether phenylbutazone (bute), flunixin and salcyclic acid (aspirin) should be allowed.

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Hussein International Endurance Race WADI RUM - JORDAN

EnduroOnline.com - full story and results
World Champion Miguel Vila Ubach wins CEI* 90 km ride

photo: EnduroOnline.com

HRH Princess Alia, president of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation, attends the Hussein International Endurance Race in Wadi Rum on Saturday. Eighty-seven international, regional and local participants took part in the 80km race.

The desert of Wadi Rum has to be one of the most spectacular settings for an endurance ride, famous as a location for many films including Lawrence of Arabia. It is a beautiful area of sandy desert and semi-arid plains broken dramatically by steep limestone cliffs and rugged deep pink and red mountains. The course was over five different loops of 30, 30, and 20km. Although predominantly flat it was not easy with stony ground, an abundance of deep sand and billowing dust.
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DLF International Seeds to Provide Grass Seed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Pitchcare.com

By Press Release in Industry on 16th Nov 2009 14:00

Lexington, KY-The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that DLF International Seeds will become a supplier to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, 2010.

The World Equestrian Games are the world championships for eight equestrian sports recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The first World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990, and the 2010 Games in Lexington, Kentucky are the first to be held outside of Europe.

DLF International Seeds will provide the grass seed for the cross country course of the Kentucky Horse Park. The course will be used during the Games for the Endurance competition, the cross country phase of Eventing competition, and the marathon phase of the Driving competition.

The course is located north of the main stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park and covers more than four miles of rolling landscape. DLF will lay more than 9000 Kg of seed for the course from 2009 through 2011, assuring that the integrity of the landscape is maintained before, during and after the competitions.

"As an international company and proud member of the Bluegrass state, we are honored to become a supplier for the 2010 Games," said Steve Reid, DLF Chief Breeder for the United States. "We have every confidence that the mixture of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass varieties will stand up to the rigors of the competition and be aesthetically pleasing to spectators."

"DLF's commitment will make a lasting impact on not only our event, but also to the Kentucky Horse Park," said Terry Johnson, Vice President of Sales for the Foundation. "Their product and expertise will ensure that the Kentucky Horse Park is showcased as a beautiful backdrop to host and broadcast this prestigious event to the world."

DLF International Seeds is a member of the DLF Trifolium Group, which is the world's largest producer and marketer of grass and clover seed. The U.S. production, marketing and shipping services are located in the Pacific Northwest-the site of more than half the world's cool season grass seed production. DLF market the Masterline, Foragemax & Johnsons sports seed ranges in the UK and supply many of the leading equestrian venues.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world's most prestigious equestrian competition. In 2010 the Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which will mark 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.

For more information on this story or the DLF seed range contact:
Derek Smith Amenity Sales Manager
Tel:01386 791102 Email: dsmith @ dlf.co.uk Web: www.dlf.co.uk

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser wins 90km race

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

November 15, 2009

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was the overall winner in the 90km qualifying endurance horseride, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Riding Razor Back Indigo, the Royal Endurance Team put up a spirited show in the fourth and last stage of the race, crossing the finish line first in a total ride time of three hours, 43 minutes and 48 seconds with an average speed of 24.13km per hour.

Behind him was runner-up Ahmed Al Gaoud, also of the Royal Endurance Team, in 4:05:27 riding TBO Heredero, followed by teammate Ahmed Samad on Drumlin Cruiser in 4:05:47.

Another race over 60km took place which was dominated by Al Khaldiya Stable who took all three places on the podium.

Hari Singh steered Blythswood Akabar to finish the race on top with a total ride time of three hours, 10 minutes and 21 seconds, and with an average speed of 18.91km per hour.


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Abu Dhabi: Al Reef off to a winning start

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
November 15, 2009

Mohammad, Mansour attend season opener at Al Wathba

Abu Dhabi: The all-conquering Al Reef Stables got off to a winning start with Ahmad Salem Al Beloushi on Silversprings Kabir Arwa winning the 120-kilometre Sorouh Challenge, the season's first ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

It was in fact a repeat of last year's winning start to the season here by the 11-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by one of the UAE's top trainer-cum-rider — Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi.

It was a dominating win for the young Ahmad Salem, who led in three of the five stages to complete the 120-kilometre ride in four hours 45 minutes and 13 seconds at an average speed of 25.24 kilometres per hour with veteran Hassan Bin Ali on Kalkadoon Vagabond finishing second.

"It is always great to ride a champion horse and right from the beginning I knew Silversprings Kabir Arwa was in top shape," said the winning rider, while trainer Yousuf said the horse will now aim for the President's Cup.

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Abu Dhabi: Al Baloushi expects much from Jayhal Ghost

Thenational.ae

Amith Passela
November 13. 2009

ABU DHABI - The Al Reef Stables leading rider and trainer Yousef Ahmed al Baloushi spearheads a three-pronged attack in tomorrow’s 120km Sorouh Cup, the opening race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Al Baloushi, in charge of the Al Ain wing of the endurance stables, rides the 10-year-old Jayhal Ghost on whom he won an 80km race in Dubai a fortnight ago.

"This horse was returning from injury after a year," said al Baloushi. "He ran a good first race for me on his return and I am pretty happy to jump on board him again. I would like to think he will run another good race and stay over the longer distance."

But al Baloushi felt the two entries from the stables Abu Dhabi wing, Silverspring Kabir Arwa and Kipp, would be the ones to watch.

Silverspring Kabir Arwa is the defending champion of the race and was second in the 160km President’s Cup. The two-times President’s Cup winner Abdulla Khamis Ali Saeed rides the 10-year-old Australian mare Kitt, who was third in a 120km race in her first run in the UAE last season. And al Baloushi added: "I won on Kitt in Australia and she's got loads of ability to win first time out in the season. These three are the fancied entries for the stables but then it's now always the fancied runner who wins.

"There are more than 100 entries and it's always tough."

Bahrain: Top riders for endurance season opener

Gulf-daily-news.com

Friday, November 13, 2009


PROMINENT riders will vie for supremacy today when they battle it out in the opening races of the 2009/10 endurance horse ride season at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Among top entrants are veteran Royal Endurance Team members Yousef Taher and Ghazi Al Dossary who will lead a group of young and experienced riders in the 90km ride which gets underway at 4pm.

Jaffer Mirza, Abdulla Khalifa, Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Ahmed Al Moawda and Abdulrahman Al Saad are the other favourites expected to claim a place on the podium.

Three additional qualifying rides are also set on the same day.

They are over 50kms, 65kms and 90kms.

In the 90-km event, riders will compete over three stages of 35kms for the first stage, 40kms for the second and 25kms for the third.

The 90-km qualifying ride was also divided into three similar stages, the 65-km ride consists of 35km and 30km phases while the two-stage 50-km ride features 25km for both phases.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has finalised preparations or today's championship.

Backing

Shaikh Khalid said the federation extended his backing to endurance competitions this season after the remarkable turn up of local stables and riders in taking part.

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.

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.