India: Manipuri ponies gallop out of comfort zone

Telegraphindia.com
January 14 , 2010

Regulars in races & polo matches, this indigenous breed will debut at Dibrugarh equestrian meet

Dibrugarh, Jan. 13: It will be more than a test of endurance for the debutantes.

Five Manipuri ponies have been introduced to compete with other established breeds at the daylong one-star Conquer Endurance Internationale meet, organised by the Equestrian Federation of Assam with assistance from the Equestrian Federation of India in Dibrugarh on January 22.

Though Dibrugarh had been holding equestrian events regularly for riders from home and abroad, never before have Manipuri ponies taken part in any of the events in this Upper Assam tea town. The organisers have named the meet Eastern Himalayan Ride, 2010.

"The event, which will cover a total distance of 60km, is expected to have participation from all the top endurance riders of the six countries which have been invited. We are fielding indigenous ponies in the endurance event and hope that it will be exciting," said Siddhartha Sharma, the secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Assam.

Apart from top riders from host nation India, the invited countries are Switzerland, the US, South Africa, the UK, Argentina and Australia. "We wanted to give the event a global look so that we can have at least riders from one nation from each continent, we do hope that all of them will turn up, most of them had confirmed too. It will be really exciting to watch the Manipuri ponies in action for the first time in this part of the country. So far we have seen them in polo matches and races. We hope followers of equestrian will love this addition of new breed of horses," Manoj Jalan, the chief adviser of the Equestrian Federation of Assam, added.

Unlike other sport, organising an equestrian event takes months and even years of proper planning and correspondence within the state federation, national as well as the international body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Organising the one-star Conquer Endurance Internationale - French for International Endurance Championship - in Dibrugarh had taken months of planning and preparation by the Equestrian Federation of Assam.

"The riders will have to criss-cross sandy banks of the Brahmaputra and trek through tea gardens with the Himalayas in the background. This is why we thought to christen the event the Eastern Himalayan ride," Jalan said. This is the second time Dibrugarh is hosting an international endurance event, the first being held in 2003. Riders from various nations largely appreciated the track.

Ian William, the head of the endurance department of the FEI, is expected to arrive in Dibrugarh shortly and will act as the president of the ground jury and oversee the technical conduct of the event.

Rod Fisher, an eminent equine sport veterinarian, will be a foreign veterinary delegate and act as the president of the Veterinary Commission, said Brig. (retd) K.S. Rao, the technical director of the event.

Rao had been associated with the Equestrian Federation of Assam for a long period and was also the former director of the Meerut-based Army Equitation School - now upgraded into a college - while in service. Equestrian was held in 2001 for the first time in Assam and most of the events had been held in Dibrugarh.

Australia: Avery rides away with endurance challenge

Stuff.co.nz: The Marlborough Express - Full Article

13/01/2010

Former Waihopai Valley rider Kylie Avery showed her skills at last weekend's Annandale Feeds South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships in Chestnut Valley, taking out the Radich Law CE1 1* 100-kilometre title.

On a challenging course in the Wairau Valley, Avery, on her horse Silands Mia Bella, headed off Jessica King riding Wishum, with Tessa Deuss, from Wellington, third on Samson 11.

Avery backed that effort up on Silands Jasark with a second placing in the Mitavite CE1 2* 120km event and later won the Best Conditioned 100km award with Silands Mia Bella.

The event included a wide range of courses, from 160km in the top endurance event to 32km trail rides. The 160km event started in darkness at 1am, the first two loops completed with the aid of headlamps and glow markers.

More...

Australia: New horse yarding rules at Australian events

Horsetalk.co.nz

January 11, 2010

Stables and yards at events run under Equestrian Australia rules now have to be of solid construction.

As of January 1, electrified tape, strings, ropes or chains, are no longer be permitted at EA events. The new rule falls under Article 109.3 of the EA General Regulations.

At New Zealand endurance events those yarding horses can no longer use single hotwire tape yards, but instead must construct an area that is double taped and electrified and cornered with waratahs.

Morocco: Princess Lalla Amina chairs kick-off of 1st equestrian endurance riding competition

Morocco.co.ma

01.10.10 | By Maghreb Arab Press
Princess Lalla Amina

Princess Lalla Amina, Chairwoman of the Moroccan equestrian federation (FRMSE), chaired on Saturday the kick-off of the first official competition of equestrian endurance riding.

This competition, part of efforts undertaken by the FRMSE to promote equestrian practice across Morocco, brought together 60 horse riders who raced distances of 20, 40 and 60 km.

The winners received symbolic awards, following this race which lasted over 8hours.

Bahrain: Royal Victory!

Gulf Daily News
Sunday, January 10, 2010


BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President, and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday shared the top place in the second round of the Giants Endurance Challenge at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

With His Majesty King Hamad watching from the sidelines, Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Mohammed rode side by side - with the Bahrain and UAE flags held high - in the gruelling 120-kilometre, five-stage race which was sponsored by Unicorn Investment Bank.

The joint-winners were a class apart to the rest of the field. They clocked identical times of four hours 57 minutes and 40 seconds, completing the event nearly 10 minutes ahead of their closest challengers.

Shaikh Nasser, riding Fabio, rallied from ninth place at the end of the first stage to take the lead by the conclusion of the fourth. At the same point, Shaikh Mohammed was behind him, just seven seconds adrift.

Riding SAS Alexis, Shaikh Mohammed powered ahead and managed to close the gap. Shaikh Mohammed and Shaikh Nasser eventually crossed the finish line together.

Shaikh Nasser had a top average speed of 24.74kph while Shaikh Mohammed, who was consistently among the leading three from the very start, had a best average speed of 24.88kph.

Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, another leading participant from the UAE, finished third. Riding Star Dancer of Glendu, Shaikh Majid finished in 5:09:50.

Horacio Ferjancic Diaz and Ali Salman Al Sabri, both representing the UAE, came in fourth and fifth respectively.

Diaz, riding Eliska du Vialaret, had a total ride time of 5:25:00, while Al Sabri, on Madji du Coroux, finished in 5:33:08.

Royal Endurance Team rider Jean Philippe Frances on Liqourice came in sixth in 5:37:14. He was followed by Jaume Punti Dachs, one of several Spanish riders competing in the event, in 5:37:18.

Abdulhak Kaddouri was the second-best Bahraini taking eighth place overall. Riding Currowan and representing the Royal Endurance Team, Kaddouri finished in 5:49:25.

Rashed Mohammed Ali Abbar of the UAE came ninth in 5:50:11, and Bahrain's Yousef Taher rounded out the top 10 in 5:57:41.

Only four more among 60 riders who took part finished the race. Mohammed Abdullatif Al Omair of Saudi Arabia was 11th overall, Abdulla Hassan Al Doseri of Bahrain 12th, and Hashim Moosa Al Baloushi and Fuad Abdulla, both of the UAE, 13th and 14th.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa also took part yesterday but did not feature among the top finishers.

Following the event, His Majesty King Hamad presented the winners their with respective awards. Among others who were present yesterday at the race venue was Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who flagged off the race at 7am, and Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The third and final round of the Giants Endurance Challenge will be held in Dubai in the last week of this month. The points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the series' overall champion.

Click HERE for Photos by Osama Mohammed

UAE: Al Jahouri wins Emirates title

Gulf News
January 10, 2010
photo: * Second and third-place winners of the 120km Emirates Championship endurance ride, Musab Saleh Al Marzouqi (right) and Mag Singh Chain Singh at Al Wathba Endurance Village yesterday.

Abu Dhabi : Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri came up with fine exhibition of skilful endurance riding to win the Emirates Championship at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Riding the 12-year-old gelding Berlioz De Piboul, owned by the Al Wathba Stables, Al Jahouri completed the gruelling 120-km ride in a time of 4 hours and 41.44 minutes.

A strong field took part in the CEI 2* ride which divided into five stages of 32 kms, 28 kms, 24 kms, 20 kms and 16 kms each.

The ride was sponsored by SAS Investments.

Al Jahouri, a vastly experienced endurance rider averaged a speed of 25.56 kmph.

Musab Saleh Al Marzouqi, riding the nine-year-old gelding Tidjaso finished second in a time of 4.43.57. Tidjaso is owned by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.

India's Mag Singh Chain Singh, riding Yentl Raban, finished third in 4:44.00. Yentl Raban is owned by Al Wathba Stables.

Uruguay's Carlos Enrique Lopez Morales on CAL Caushah took fourth place with a time of 4.49.26 while Emirati Omar Rashid Obaid Al Jarwan clocked 4:49.28 to place fifth aboard Hamaasy.

"This was my third ride of the season. In the previous two rides I finished 10th and 5th respectively. Now I was third time lucky," said a delighted Al Jahouri,

[...more]

Bahrain: Riders set for endurance showdown

Gulf-daily-news.com

Saturday, January 09, 2010


THE second of three rounds in the 2010 Giants Endurance Horseride Challenge takes place today at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The race, which is being sponsored by Unicorn Investment Bank, gets underway at 7am. It will flag off in the presence of Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The 120-kilometre event has been divided into five stages. The first and second stage will be 30km each, while the final three will be 20km apiece.

Many of Bahrain's top endurance riders will be taking part in the round, including Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Also saddling up for the hosts will be Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Abdulhaq Qadoori and Yousef Taher.

The Bahrainis will be looking to make an impact in today's ride following a disappointing performance in the first round in Abu Dhabi last month, when they all were forced to pull out in the middle of the race.

Meanwhile, leading riders from the UAE, Spain, Uruguay, India, Oman and Jordan will also be taking part.

Spearheading the Emirati contingent will be UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

All the participants yesterday made their final preparations for the event, including the final medical checks with the championship's official veterinarians on their horses.

The race will be televised live on Bahrain and Dubai sports channels, while updated results will be available on alfurrsan.com.

Following today's activities, the third and final round will be held in Dubai in the final week of this month. The points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the Challenge's overall champion.

Round one was won by Majed Al Jahouri of the UAE. He was followed by Federico Zubiaurre of Uruguay in second, while Ahmed bin Harmash of the UAE finished third.

India: Marwari Horses Succeed in Endurance

Photos by Michael Huggan

Marwari horses succeed in Endurance at the 2nd International Invitational 81km Endurance Championships, in Dundlod, Rajasthan, India

7th—13th December 2009

Marwari horses, loaned by Rawal Devendra Singh of Nawalgarh, succeeded in taking the Bronze medal with an all ladies Team representing Great Britain & the UK Chapter.

This was an 81km endurance race with 10 teams invited, plus some individuals, and consisted of 4 laps of 20.25km per lap, in one day, against the clock . All competitors were 'vetted' in between laps to check the horses heart rate, hydration, soundness and general well being, to ensure the horse was 'fit to continue' and not in distress. The Indian Army entered 2 teams and took gold and silver followed by the British invitational group in Bronze position. Team members were from Endurance GB: Lesley-Ann Parker, Pip Westwood & Bryony Dickins and were joined by Caroline Moorey who is the Chair of Friends of Marwari/Kathiawari Horse UK and also the UK / India link for the event.

The British were the only ones to get all their horses home, and Lesley-Ann, Caroline and Pip achieved the ultimate of riding all 4 loops together, vetting within 2 minutes each time and crossing the line together shouting 'MARWARI'.

Other countries present were, France and Italy (with Assissi squad members riding), Russia, America, Sri Lanka and Indian civilian teams. Team GB rode the Indigenous Marwari breed of horse, who have unique lyre shaped ears, provided by Rawal Devendra Singh who was delighted that the horses were so successful in such an international arena, he said that "the British team’s success could only help to raise the breed profile, especially for this discipline, in which they seem to excel."

Last year three of the team (Lesley-Ann, Caroline and Bryony) took the gold medal for 50km riding Marwari horses loaned by members of the IHSI (read full report in our first newsletter which is on the website www.friendsofmarwari.org.uk). This year Caroline went out early to choose and prepare the horses many weeks before, and was pleased that, as the picture shows, the horses crossed the line looking as though they could have gone around again. The team had many comments from the vets and officials as to how well they rode the race. A professional equestrian photographer from Britain was invited by Caroline to record the event for the team this year, and he can be contacted via his website: www.michaelhuggan.com .

Team motto was 'to finish is to win' - to gain a medal was a bonus!

More photos HERE

Volunteers Still Needed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

HEROES WANTED!
Volunteers Still Needed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

DATE: January 6, 2010

Lexington, KY—The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games needs Heroes! Thousands of volunteers are stilled needed to work hundreds of different jobs during the 16 days of the Games, which will be held for the first time in American from September 25-October 10, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

"We need volunteers who can lend their expertise to help make these Games a success, no matter their professional skill level," said Melissa Gamble, Volunteer Manager for the World Games 2010 Foundation. "You might work as a ticket-taker, an usher, work at a visitor information desk, or help with transportation or event services, but each is a very important part of how these Games work every day."

Volunteer positions for competition-specific duties are currently being selected, but thousands of General Volunteers are still needed. Volunteers can still register their interest at www.alltechfeigames.com/volunteer.

In addition, there is still time to reconfirm your interest as a volunteer if you signed up within the past two years. To reconfirm interest or adjust current contact information e-mail volunteers@feigames2010.org.

All volunteers will receive an official Ariat uniform and a volunteer credential, which will provide General Admission entry to the grounds of the park for all 16 days of the Games. In addition, meal vouchers will be provided for each volunteer during their shift.

According to current volunteers, the benefits of volunteering extend far beyond the uniform.

"The opportunity to assist with an international sporting event is something that many of us will never again experience," said Carolyn Greene, who volunteered during each of the 2009 Test Event competitions for the Games and is now volunteering full-time at the World Games 2010 Foundation office. "Volunteering is part of who I am and what I do, and I am having a blast here."

Martin Klotz volunteers his time as part of the Games' Speakers Bureau. After participating in a training program with staff members, Klotz carries the story of the Games to community groups throughout the Louisville area.

"After each presentation, I have come away with the feeling that I had created an awareness of the Games in those who had not thought much about them and enhanced the interest in those who had," said Klotz, who has also worked as an usher at the 2009 Test Events. "Of course, I hope I will continue to have the opportunity to help 'spread the word' about this monumental event."

It is not too late to experience the Games as a volunteer. For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com/volunteer or call 859-244-2996.

2010 Tevis Cup Ride Application Available

The 2010 Tevis Cup Ride Application for the 55th Annual Tevis Cup, to be held on July 24, 2010, is now available for download from the WSTF website and is featured at the top of the home page: http://www.teviscup.org/home.

There will be a Tevis Cup Ride booth and cocktail party at the AERC Convention in Reno. The Western States Trail Foundation Board and the many volunteers hope to see you there and at the ride in July. It will be the best year yet!

New Zealand: Everything on track for championships

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

By DAVID DAWKINS - The Marlborough Express - 08/01/2010

Linda Harmon will have no excuses for getting lost at this weekend's South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships in the Chestnut Valley.

It's not just because she is an experienced rider, or that the champs are in her home province, but because she has spent the past week marking out the tracks.

The South Island champs will see riders tackle courses ranging from 160 kilometres in the top endurance event to 32km trail rides.

For Harmon, the task has been finding tracks, which consist of large loops ranging from 20km to 40km, then marking them with whatever she can get her hands on – including a host of old roadside markers sourced from Works Infrastructure.

The reflective surfaces on the road markers will be particularly welcome to riders in the 160km event, which starts at 1am tomorrow. The first two loops will be completed in the dark with the aid of headlamps and glow markers.

The courses will take riders through the hills of the Chestnut Valley, in the Wairau Valley, weaving in and out of forestry along the way.

Harmon said riders could expect some challenges.

More...

Bahrain: Royal team set for Giant endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

Posted on » Sunday, January 03, 2010


BAHRAIN Royal Endurance team members Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Yousef Taher and Abdulhaq Qadoori confirmed their participation in the 2010 Giant Endurance Horseride Challenge on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The trio veterans will lead a group of team riders in this ride which is one of three events in the 2010 series being jointly organised by Bahrain and the UAE.

Top riders from other Gulf, Arab and international countries are expected to take part, including UAE's vice president, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead the Bahraini riders in Saturday's ride. He will be accompanied by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, who came second in last year's Bahrain round, hailed the international gatherings hosted by the Endurance Village in Bahrain as a chance for the elite of champions to compete and exchange skill.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee president expressed gratitude to Unicorn Investment Bank for sponsoring the prestigious event, especially its chief executive Majid Al Refai, and expressed his wish that the support would continue in future competitions.

He commended the directives and positive ideas of Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, mainly in what pertains to prizes which were allocated in a gradually encouraging manner to add more thrills to the competition.

Shaikh Khalid gave his directives to allot a valuable cash prize for the best rider at each of the five stages and to honour the top three riders at the end of the championship.

Saturday's ride will be open to everyone and all participating riders must weigh at least 75 kilogrammes without riding equipment.

The third and final leg will be held in Dubai on the last week of this month and points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the overall champion.

In the first round of the series, which took place at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi last month, featured a disappointing finish for all the four Bahraini riders.

Bahrain were spearheaded by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa and Ahmed Janahi who pulled out at different stages of the ride.


Photos of the upcoming ride on January 9, by the Bahrain Media Group, can be seen HERE

Colombia: CEI 3* scheduled for February

Colombia will host it's first 160km FEI event on February 5 and 6th. 40km, 80km, 120km and 16km distances will be offered.

Sun City Ride in New Mexico in February is FEI sanctioned

The Sun City ride in New Mexico on February 27 and 28, 2010, is an FEI sanctioned ride (CEI 1*/2*). It was left off the previously published calendar.

The USEF website lists the competitions of 2010 at http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/competitions/compSearches/compSearchResults.aspx.

USA: 2010 FEI Endurance Ride Calendar with Selection Trials

2010 Ride Calendar

December 19, 2009 Goethe, FL CEI 1 2 3*

January 16, 2010 Inyokern, CA CEI 2 3*

January 28,29 30 Ocala, FL CEI 1, 2, CEI 1, 2 and CEI 1 2 3*

February 27-28 Santa Teresa, NM CEI 1 2*, CEI 1, 2*

March 4-6 Williston, FL CEI & CEIJY 1,2 : 1,2 and 1,2 3*

April 10 Inyokern, CA CEI and CEIJY 1 2 3*

April 24 Decatur, TX CEI and CEIJY 1* 2* 3*

May 1 Asheville, NC CEI and CEIJY 1 2 3*

May 15 San Jose, CA CEI and CEIJY 1* 2*

June 12-13 Ashland, MT CEI and CEIJY 1 2, 1 3

June 20-26 Selection Trials for WEG
Dates to be approved by the HP Committee

July 1-3 New Lowell, Ontario, Canada CEI 1, 2, 3*

July 27-Aug 1 NAYRER CEIJY 2* (or 4*)

August 7-10 TBD Week of final Selection Trial
dates to be approved by the HP Committee

September 26 World Equestrian Games Endurance World
Championship

The Young Rider European Championships 2010

It has been announced that the Young Rider European Championships in 2010 will be held at Kreuth, Germany, on the 2nd to the 8th August.

Ian Williams
Director,
Non-Olympic Sports
Fédération Equestre Internationale
Lausanne, Switzerland

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser Welcomes 2010 Giant Horse Riders

Bahrain News Agency

posted: January 03, 2010

MANAMA, JAN. 3 (BNA) CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL ENDURANCE TEAM SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA EXPRESSED PRIDE THAT THE KINGDOM WAS GETTING PREPARED TO HOST THE SECOND ROUND OF THE 2010 GIANT ENDURANCE HORSERIDE COMPETITION ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010.

HE WELCOMED THE GULF, ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS, NAMING IN PARTICULAR THE UAE EQUESTRIANS, LED BY UAE VICE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND DUBAI RULER SHAIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM. HE HAILED THE INTERNATIONAL GATHERINGS HOSTED BY THE ENDURANCE VILLAGE IN BAHRAIN AS A CHANCE FOR AN ELITE OF CHAMPIONS AND GIANT EQUESTRIANS TO COMPETE AND EXCHANGE SKILL. BESIDES, SHAIKH NASSER COMMENDED THE DIRECTIVES AND POSITIVE IDEAS OF THE BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, MAINLY IN WHAT PERTAINS TO PRIZES WHICH WERE ALLOCATED IN A GRADUALLY ENCOURAGING MANNER TO FUEL COMPETITION. SHAIKH KHALID GAVE HIS DIRECTIVES TO ALLOT A VALUABLE CASH PRIZE FOR THE BEST RIDER AT EACH OF THE FIVE STAGES AND TO HONOUR THE TOP THREE RIDERS AT THE END OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP. IT IS WORTH TO NOTE THAT THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE HELD AT THE BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE VILLAGE IN SAKHIR AND COVER A TOTAL DISTANCE OF 120 KMS.

Bahrain: Bahrain set to host Giant race

Gulf Daily News
January 03, 2010

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is gearing up to host the second round of the 2010 Giant Endurance Horseride Challenge on Saturday.

The event, one of three rounds this year, will be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and covers a total distance of 120 kms.

In last year's Bahrain round of the series, the UAE's Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum raced to victory after a fierce battle with prominent riders from across the GCC.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has already issued directives for the successful conduct of this prestigious event to be organised by the Kingdom for the second consecutive year.

Shaikh Khalid has also directed the organisers to announce valuable cash prizes to each rider who successfully completes one of the five stages. The top three riders at the end of the championship will also be honoured.

The Breef's chief thanked Unicorn Investment Bank for sponsoring this event, especially its chief executive Majid Al Refai and wished for this support to continue in future competitions.

He said Saturday's ride will be open to everyone, adding that all participating riders must weigh at least 75 kgs without riding equipment.

The third and final leg will be held in Dubai in the last week of this month and points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the overall champion.

In the first round of the series, which took place at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, last month, four Bahraini riders failed to impress.

The Bahrain team were spearheaded by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa and Ahmed Janahi. All four pulled out at different stages of the ride.

The overall winner in the first round was Majed Al Jahouri of the UAE. He was followed by Federico Zubiaurre of Uruguay in second place while Ahmed bin Harmash of the UAE was third.

Bahrain set to host Giant race

Gulf-daily-news.com

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is gearing up to host the second round of the 2010 Giant Endurance Horseride Challenge on Saturday.

The event, one of three rounds this year, will be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and covers a total distance of 120 kms.

In last year's Bahrain round of the series, the UAE's Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum raced to victory after a fierce battle with prominent riders from across the GCC.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has already issued directives for the successful conduct of this prestigious event to be organised by the Kingdom for the second consecutive year.

Shaikh Khalid has also directed the organisers to announce valuable cash prizes to each rider who successfully completes one of the five stages. The top three riders at the end of the championship will also be honoured.

The Breef's chief thanked Unicorn Investment Bank for sponsoring this event, especially its chief executive Majid Al Refai and wished for this support to continue in future competitions.

He said Saturday's ride will be open to everyone, adding that all participating riders must weigh at least 75 kgs without riding equipment.

The third and final leg will be held in Dubai in the last week of this month and points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the overall champion.

In the first round of the series, which took place at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, last month, four Bahraini riders failed to impress.

The Bahrain team were spearheaded by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa and Ahmed Janahi. All four pulled out at different stages of the ride.

The overall winner in the first round was Majed Al Jahouri of the UAE. He was followed by Federico Zubiaurre of Uruguay in second place while Ahmed bin Harmash of the UAE was third.

UAE: Teenager Al Naqbi steals show

Gulf News

January 3, 2010

Abu Dhabi: Teenager Abdullah Rashid Mohammad Saeed Al Naqbi, representing Abu Dhabi's W'rsan Stables, won the CEI*** 240-kilometre Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup in a close three-horse finish on Saturday.

The ride was part of the Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan fourth International Festival which began on December 31. The participants were required to cover 80 km per day.

Seventeen-year-old Al Naqbi, a pupil at the Abu Dhabi School, completed the race with a time of 10 hours 16 minutes and 12 seconds, just two seconds ahead of Dubai Endurance Stables rider Saif Salem Mohammad Al Faresi.

He was once again astride the 11-year-old Anglo Arab gelding CAL Puelche.

In third place with a time of 10:16:33 seconds was Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi from Al Reef Stables.

"It was a fantastic ride and from the penultimate day onwards I was confident that I would win," said Al Naqbi.

"It was not tiring and it was my best performance in my career. I have been riding horses since the age of 10 and I have won many prizes."

Uruguay's Eduardo Saravia Herrara, riding for the Al Ain Endurance Stables, topped the 120-kilometre event which also finished yesterday. Herrara completed the course in a time of 5:14.00 seconds, two minutes and eight second ahead of Rashid Saeed Al Kamda from the Al Kamada Stables.

Al Ain Endurance Stables rider Nawaz Zafar Nawaz Shah took third place in a time of 5:16.30 seconds.

The Junior & Young Riders CEI certified ride over 120-kilometres was won by Ahmad Saeed Mohammad Al Faresi astride the 12-year-old Anglo Arab chestnut Fenwick Cadenza. Al Faresi clocked 4:41.01 seconds for the distance.

Guest of honour American Ambassador Richard G. Olson, Jr distributed the prizes in the presence of Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The event was hosted by the EHC in association with Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF). It was also attended by Talib Dhaher Al Muhairi, president of EEF.

Results

Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup (240km):

1. Abdullah Rashid Mohammad Saeed Al Naqbi (CAL Puelche) 10:16.12 (W'rsan Stables)

2. Saif Salem Mohammad Al Faresi (Raaward Kasmin) 10:16.14(Dubai Endurance Stables)

3. Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi (Jibbah Enog) 10:16.33 ( Al Reef Stables)

4. Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (Hurst Ibn Hamed ) 10:32.34 (Al Reef Stables)

5. Saleem Rashed Bin Ghadayer (Little Joe Fox) 10:32.42 (Fazza Endurance Stables team)

Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Private Horses (120km):

1. Eduardo Saravia Herrara (Ylmood) 5:14.00 (Al Ain Endurance Stables)

2. Rashed Saeed Al Kamda (RS Najid) 5:16.08 (Al Kamada Stables)

3. Nawaz Zafar Nawaz Shah (Bicho) 5:16.30 (Al Ain Endurance Stables)

4. Beata Dzikowska (Humo Rojo) 5:33.19 (Al Kamda Stables)

5. Khan Mohammed Kafeel Mohammed (Wattle Vale Sovreign) 5:54.52 (Al Rakna Endurance Stables)

Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Junior and Young riders (120km):

1. Ahmad Saeed Mohammed Al Faresi (Fenwick Cadenza) 4:41.01 (Seeh Al Salaam Stables)

2. Rashed Ahmad Al Bloushi (Trojano) 4:44.03 (Al Reef Stables),

3. Ali Sakman Al Sabri (Twaf) 5:05.20 (Emaar Endurance Stables)

4. Ali Hassan Mohammed Al Marzouqi (Tim Bertop Adoins) 05:5.58 (Fazaa Endurance Team Stables)

5. Aliya Ali AL Marzouqi (Castlebar Pilot) 5.8.18 (Fazaa Endurance Team Stables.