New Zealand: North Island Endurance Champs

Equinetrader.co.nz
Monday, February 22, 2010

Sue Reid riding Makahiwi Achilles had a great win at the North Island Endurance Champs held at Waiuku earlier this month, winning the CEI3* 160k North Island Championship in a time of 9:04:04.

Endurance will once again make an appearance at New Zealand's premier annual event, the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in March.

This year sees some changes to the Endurance format the organisers are hoping will encourage greater number participation. The introduction of a shorter distance ride and Novice classes means that this year's HOY will cater for all levels of horse and rider.

It's less than a month before HOY gets under way in Hawke's Bay on March 16 and for many combinations it's the culmination of a season of hard work. For those who don't compete, it's a fantastic opportunity to see the best equestrian talent New Zealand (and some overseas competitors) has to offer. The show seems to get bigger and better every year and this year is sure to be no exception, so don’t miss out!

Malaysia: Fiaizzuddeen wins RTES Endurance Ride

NST.com.my

2010/02/23

By Zainuddin Muhammad
TMKN Equestrian rider Mohd Fiaizzuddeen Mohd Yusof, riding nine-year-old gelding Janor Addas, emerged champion in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride 2010 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu, on Sunday.

He clocked four hours, 19 minutes and 34 seconds in completing the 80km ride, ahead of RTES rider Pailin Sungkit, astride Tora August, who covered the three loops in 4:25:06s.

Third place went to another TMKN Equestrian participant, Rosdan Mohd Nor who crossed the finish line on gelding Nashaar in 4:43:59s.

Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud, who is the head of the Terengganu Regency Advisory Council, finished 12th.

A total of 42 riders from nine endurance clubs in the country took part in the tournament and all winners received their prizes from Terengganu State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said.

Bahrain: Al Hazza claims endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

February 21, 2010

ISA Abdulla Al Hazza won the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Cup yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Al Hazza, riding CR Prince Charming and representing Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, was one of just three competitors to complete the gruelling 100-kilometre four-stage race, which was sponsored by Batelco and held under the patronage of Bahrain Olympic Committee president and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Al Hazza completed the ride in four hours 12 minutes and three seconds - finishing over 20 minutes ahead of runner-up Ali Abdulla Al Tamimi.

Al Hazza ended the opening two 30km stages of the event in third place, before moving up to second after the third and penultimate leg, which was over 24 kms.

The Bahraini then did well over the final 16 kms to take the lead and cruise to the finish with a top average speed of 23.80kph. Along with the gleaming winner's trophy, Al Hazza also drove away with a brand new 4x4 jeep.

Al Tamimi was the runner-up in 4:35:03. Riding Khoto and representing Al Asayel Stable, he started strong and held first place after the first three stages. He could not keep up the pace, however, and dropped off significantly in the last leg.

Abdulla Nasser Fahad Al Zabi claimed the final spot on the podium. Riding Al Fahd, the Al Muhqeerat Stable entrant clocked 4:44:30.

Penultimate

After starting off in the top eight, Al Zabi made his way into the leading three by the end of the penultimate stage, and maintained his position from there on.

Forty riders representing stables from across the kingdom took part in the event but only 12 remained by the start of the concluding leg.

Following the race, the top three were presented their respective trophies by Shaikh Nasser, along with Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Batelco consumer division general manager Mona Al Hashemi.

See photos by Osama Mohammed here.

Spain: Additional rides part of V Raid Kaliber Al-Andalus

Within the V Kaliber Raid Al-Andalus Lands shall be the following additional tests:
Launching the 10th of April 2010.
Promotion on the 10th of April 2010.
O * CEN on 10 April 2010.
1 * CET on 10 April 2010.
CEN 1 * on 10 April 2010.
FEI 1 * on 10 April 2010.
CEN 2 * on 10 and 11 April 2010.
FEI 2 * on 10 and 11 April 2010.
CEN 3 * Day 10, 11 and 12 April 2010.
FEI 3 * Day 10, 11 and 12 April 2010.
More information at El Raid blog

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser endurance set

Gulf-daily-news.com

Saturday, February 20, 2010


SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad's Endurance Ride Championship takes place today at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The event, being sponsored by Batelco, will feature senior and junior events. Each ride will be over 100 kilometres. They will both be held over four stages. Leading entries from Bahrain and the GCC are set to compete.

The first and second stages will each cover 30km, while the third will be 24km and the fourth and final stage will be 16km. Racing gets underway at 6am.

The veterinary examination for the horses and the weigh-in of riders were held yesterday at the event premises.

The winner of today's ride will take home a brand new four-wheel-drive along with a glittering new trophy.

The event has been organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, and is being patronised by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Olympic Committee president and Royal Endurance Team captain.

2010 President's Cup - by Paula Nascimento

THE BEST RACE EVER

"The last loop was the cherry on the cake of this historical evidence, what we saw was an unprecedented fight with several changes of position and animals running as if on a great flat race track without fences. The exchanges were constant and less than 14 kilometers to arrive, it was impossible to say who would cross the finish line in front"

by Paula Nascimento - www.endurancebrasil.com.br

The title may sound exaggerated, but for those who are endurance enthusiasts, witness what happened last February 13, 2010 at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, has been elusive, and it is a privilege.

Again, it was sure that what happens in the Middle East is a different sport from the rest of the world. The world record was broken again this shows how hard and fought are the competitions in the UAE and this was evident with the top two broke the old record. The record continues with the horse of South African origin, Charlandre el Sharif, 13, from Al Reef Stables.

For the two Brazilian riders the race was short and lasted only one loop, both were eliminated by lameness. But it is inevitable to say that the experience was very worthwhile, since dropping to 106 sets at full speed is something that only happens in big races.

The disappointment of the Brazilians soon became an indescribable feeling. Andre Vidiz and Rafael Salvador, the breeder's Steinbruch Leo and Paul Saliba, and veterinarian Dr. Silvio Arroyo Filho were amazed at the competition as a whole and with the show they were watching. "We must see to believe" talked the whole time Leo Steinbruch, who besides breeder, is one of the most experienced riders in Brazil.

On Friday, the Brazilian squad is to follow the initial inspection. Andre Vidiz needed to change the mount because its not approved in the initial examination. After this time against the two representatives of Brazil were to know the horses they would ride. Rafael Salvador formed together with Amia, a mare of 13 years and Andrew Vidiz mounted Atlas of 12 years.

It was five o'clock in the morning when I, along with the two riders, Leo and Silvinho, we arrive at the competition venue. It was dark and cold, after talking about how it would support the riders with the Al Reefs Stables team, we see the start. 106 horss began to race at full speed and the poor visibility did not stop the riders speed on the track. We follow the Brazilians riders on the track. The number of cars that follow the horses is amazing and the difficulty of driving in soft sand, with low visibility, high speed and with cars and horses through all sides, makes it even more exciting.

In the first stage who arrived in leadership was Tayef Atiq Al Falah, the Wrsan Stables, riding the mare Uruguayan 11 years, Silvina. The group had a mean of 25.52 kilometers per hour, traversing the 34 km in only 1h17min and only 1min57s was already in the vet-check. The Brazilians arrived half an hour ago and were eliminated.

For the second step, unfortunately we received the two as companions in the car. The pace was breakneck speed was maintained and in some places the horses were faster than the cars. Who led this time was the representative of Estonia, Kaja tuisk, who rode the horse Kheops Lozelle, owned by Seeh Al Salam Endurance Stables, averaging 25.47 km / h and recovery time of 1 min27s. The following 33 sets were less than 4 minutes apart in the first place.

In the third step the lead back to the Wrsan Stables, but with another rider: Abdul Rahman Mohd Karam Shirouh, with the animal Nadja Lotoise. The speed was 25.27 kilometers / h and recovery was 1min41s seconds and there were 22 horses that were less than 4 minutes from the leader.

The fourth loop had the feared Tora Bora mountains with a lot of ups and downs, a total of 32. From inside the car, we saw the horses were crossing the Tora Bora with much more ease than the cars themselves, which often came down in reverse, they could not reach the top of the mountain.

The leadership was once again Tayef with teammate Abdul second. Tayef made 23.46 kilometers / h in the loop more difficult. The Tora Bora select who is able to get the victory, so that after this step we can see Ali Khalfan and Sultan Ahmed already in sixth and seventh place respectively, and 12 horses with less than 4 minutes for the first place.

In the fifth step, the leadership was assumed by Majed Mohd Salman Al Sabri, with Armin Zulu, 9 years, representing Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His speed was of 24.55 km / h and took 1 minute and 29 seconds to enter the vet-check. Nine sets were at 2 minutes apart.

The last loop was the cherry on the cake of this historical evidence, what we saw was an unprecedented fight with several changes of position and animals running as if on a great flat race track without fences. The exchanges were constant and less than 14 kilometers to arrive, it was impossible to say who would cross the finish line in front. After much fighting and less than 10 km to arrive, we saw that the fight would be restricted to the Sultan Ahmed Al Baloushi riding Charlandre El Sharif, who held the world record and Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri riding Kalifa, aged 12. The speed was very high and when they reached the final stretch of 2 kilometers, speeds increased from 50 km / h when the two side by side.But at the end, the experience of small South African horse of only 1, 48m high worth more and this crossed the line ahead of his opponent, breaking his own record.

Now, the Al Reef Stables has the two speed world records, in 160 km and 120 km.

The average speed of the champion in the last step was of 33.22 km / h and the second in 33.06 kilometers per hour, totaling an average speed of 25.18 kilometers per hour Both have completed the 160 km in just 6 hours and 21 minutes.

Describe and express all the emotions of this last Saturday in Presidents Cup 2010 is difficult, but maybe say it was fantastic, is the closest to what you mean. It must see to believe and by luck and a lot of fighting, some Brazilians have been able to witness this spectacle.

Photos by Paula Nascimento here

Guatemala: First International Endurance Competition 2010

Guatemala Times
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 16:54 Barbara Schieber

The event was organized by HARAS El Pino Endurance Guatemala on February 13, 2010. One of the organizers of the event, Sandra de Gonzalez, explained that the first 2010 International Endurance competition was held in Tecpan, Finca Pasajinak in the department of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The event started at 3 in the morning and ended 10:22 at night when the last riders of the 160 km category passed the finish line.

[More ...]

Qatar: Al Shaqab Endurance team race to victory

The Al Shaqab Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, had an impressive showing at the HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup on Saturday in Mesaieed, Qatar. The team took the top six placings in the Junior race and five of the top six in the Senior race.
In the 100km Junior race, Al Shaqab team member Khalid Faleh Fadgoush alSubaey captured the win with a total time of 4:32:29 aboard In Situ.

Khalid Sanad Ali al- Nuaimi came in second, riding Lasan to a total time of 4:32:57. Clocking the exact same overall average speed for the race, Salmeen Sultan Ahmed al-Suaidi came in only three seconds behind his fellow team member to secure third place.

Racing hard to the finish, Saeed Nasser al-Qadhi, Abdulla Khalid Ali al-Khelaifi and Saad Senan Saad al-Kaabi finished fourth through sixth place respectively, separated by only three seconds in between each placing.

The 120km Senior race had Al Shaqab team members successfully take second through tenth place. Mohammed Tahous Saif al- Nuaimi rode Hidalgo as the first Al Shaqb team member to cross the finish line with a time of 4:58:50.
Aboard First Star, Mohammed Sanad al-Nuaimi completed the race in 5:16:42 in third place. Atta Mohammed Beer came from 10th place after the first stage to finish in fourth place on the horse Leonardo.

Fifth place was awarded to Nawab Ali who impressively led the first two stages. Al Shaqab team members Abdulrahman Saad A al-Sulaiteen, Abdulla Towaim Ali al-Marri, Abdulla Mohammed Abdulla al-Amri, Sajid Khan and Hanut Singh Pabu Singh all finished in sixth through tenth place respectively.

Finishing in the top 13, Omaier Saleh N R al-Naimi crossed the finish line for al-Shaqab.

Australia: 2010 Tom Quilty in Manilla, NSW

Manillatomquilty.org.au

The 2010 Tom Quilty will be held 24-27 June in Manilla, New South Wales. The ride base will be the Manilla Showground which is on the banks of the Namoi River, the venue of the NSW 2005 and 2008 State Championship Rides. It will be hosted by the Tamworth and District Endurance Club Inc, and supported by NSWERA and the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

The showground will provide camping for approximately 300 horses and crew which will be all very close to the administrative facilities being used including the vetting area and communal strapping area.

WHY MANILLA?

The Tamworth & District Endurance Endurance Club was formed in 1993 and has run 80km endurance rides at Bendemeer and Manilla since that time. In 2005 and 2008 the club hosted the 160km NSW State Championships in Manilla. With the course and organization being so highly praised by the riders, it seemed the only challenge for the club was to run The Quilty in 2009.

With the outbreak of Equine Influenza in late 2007, this was then deferred to June 2010.

For more information, see
Manillatomquilty.org.au

Bahrain: Arab riders for 100km event

Gulf-daily-news.com

Monday, February 15, 2010

A BRAND new four-wheel-drive vehicle will be awarded to the overall winner of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Ride Championship on Saturday, Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced yesterday.

The decision is part of Shaikh Nasser's approach to add more competitiveness to the upcoming championship, which is one of the major events of endurance season.

The prestigious event, to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and sponsored by telecommunications company Batelco, will be over 100km and features four stages with top riders from Bahrain and the GCC taking part.

The first and second stages will each cover 30km, 24km for the third and 16 for the fourth and final stage. The veterinary examination is set for Friday between 3pm and 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave his directives to the organising committees' members to step up their preparations.

Shaikh Khalid, who was recently crowned winner of the King's Cup ride which headlined a glittering equestrian festival, said the event is featuring men's and women's rides.

"Endurance activities in Bahrain enjoys the whole hearted support of His Majesty King Hamad," said Shaikh Khalid.

The Breef's chef said by visiting the championships regularly and extending full support to the riders, His Majesty inspired them to achieve higher goals.

"Without the extensive support and encouragement of His Majesty, this sport in Bahrain would never have reached to this level of professionalism and worldwide recognition."

Shaikh Khalid added that the present weather conditions will assist the participants in completing their respective categories' races.

He said the championship will be organised at halfway stage of the season as riders and horses should be at peak form. Shaikh Khalid extended his appreciation to Batelco for supporting the season events and urged other companies follow suit through sponsoring the federation's activities.

"Endurance riding is rationally known to be the ultimate challenge in this sport-supreme test of horsemanship for the knowledgeable rider, to bring his horse through a hard day of riding over long distance and variable types of terrain," added Shaikh Khalid.

"Endurance riders not only test the stamina of the horse but also the skills of the rider and the support crew."

Shaikh Khalid highlighted the point that endurance riding is a test of discipline, stamina, fitness, strength and patience.

One of the fastest growing sport in the world is the endurance riding.

Bahrain saw the real birth of this sport in its soil on April 7, 2000.

Inspired by the success of the first international championship, the Kingdom began to organise various types of championships from October to May every year.

President's Cup: PRESIDENT'S CUP - USA, A SUCCESS ONCE MORE - Heather Reynolds

Reynolds Racing - Full Story

Well, the USA did another great trip to the President's Cup 160 km race. Sir Smith was the first overseas completion in a ride time of 8:50 (36 place! so fast here), and SA Belshazzar did great as well completing his first 160 km ride in a time of 9:16. It was a great performance from both horses!

The leaders set yet another world record. I do not know the exact time but it was something like 6:20!!!

At the start Ellen and Zar went ahead of Smitty and disappeared into the heavy fog. Smitty had a slow start to settle him into a calm mind set for the day. Jeremy had to actually run a bit on foot to accomplish this. During the first loop we were last for a long while and the police escort and the ambulance trailer were following us. It felt a bit like buzzards circling. The slow pace worked though. After the first loop the pair was moving well and kept it up nicely.

More...

UAE: Al Beloushi in scintillating win

Photo by ABDUL RAHMAN/Gulf News

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
February 14, 2010

Beats Al Jahouri of Al Wathba in a nailbiting finish to lift the President's Cup



Abu Dhabi : Twenty-three-year-old Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi of Al Reef Stables rode Charlandre El Sharif to a scintillating victory in the Dh1.5 million HH The President's Cup, the 13-year-old gelding breaking his own world record for a 160km ride by more than seven minutes.

Al Beloushi denied Al Wathba's Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, on Kalifa, in a finish that would have done a 1,000-metre sprint proud as there was hardly anything to separate the two horses after 160km of battling at the Emirates International Endurance Village at Al Wathba desert area.

Al Beloushi and Charlandre El Sharif completed the ride in a record time of 6 hours, 21 minutes and 12 seconds, bettering the earlier best of 6:28.28 by the same horse under Omar Hussain Al Beloushi in January 2008 in the HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup at the Dubai International Endurance Village.

The Al Reef youngster, riding the horse trained by his elder brother Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, was fourth going out into the final loop of 16km with less than a minute separating the top six riders.

However, Al Beloushi's horse, one of the most consistent performers, managed to get the better of 160km specialist Al Jahouri and shatter his ambition of winning his first President's Cup.

"This is without doubt the greatest win of my career. Charlandre El Sharif is a star and today he proved it," said Al Beloushi.

He, Al Jahouri and the third-placed Majid Salman Al Sabri received a car each for their efforts.

"My elder brother Yousuf just told me to pace my speed to under 25kmph for the first five stages (144km) and then go all out in the final loop, and I did just that," said Al Beloushi, whose average speed on the final 16km loop was 33.22kmph in comparison to his ride average speed of 25.18kmph.

Heart-break

For Al Jahouri, it was a heart-breaking experience as the President's Cup is the only silverware missing in the Al Wathba star's showcase.

"I think it just boils down to bad luck. I have won the National Day Cup thrice, the 160km HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup twice. But my best in this ride [before this race] was a third-place finish in 2007," said Al Jahouri.

Earlier, 106 riders started in the event, which was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, among others.

RESULTS

Results of yesterday's 160km endurance ride:

1. Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi (Charlandre El Sharif), 6:21.12

2. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Kalifa) 6:21.13

3. Majid Salman Al Sabri (Armin's Zulu) 6:27.33.

Canada: Maura Leahy Named 2009 Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year

Horse-canada.com
February 11, 2010

Ottawa, ON - Equine Canada has named Maura Leahy of Dugald, Manitoba, as the 2009 Volunteer of the Year.

Leahy became involved in the sport of endurance in 1997 and rides at the local level. She organizes and manages two to three endurance rides per year in her home province of Manitoba. Leahy has been involved with the establishment of Endurance Canada since its inception, serving on the board, the Fundraising/Sponsorship Committee, the International Committee, and as the Chair of the Rules Committee. She has also represented Endurance Canada on the Equine Canada Sport Council Rules Committee.

At the international level, Leahy became involved in Federation Equestre International (FEI) in 1999 by volunteering at the Pan Am Championship Ride at Spruce Woods Park in Manitoba, and from there her involvement has progressed from a groom to member of an organizing committee and now to an FEI Steward/Judge (Level 2).

She has also attended the 2006 World Equestrian Games as team manager and groom, and served as chef d'equipe for Canada West at the 2005 CEIO 3* North American Championships and the 2009 Kentucky Cup, and was the Canadian Team chef d'equipe for the 2008 World Endurance Championship in Malaysia, where Canada finished in seventh place out of 21 starting teams. Her attendance at these events is often self-funded and on her own time for the love of the sport of endurance.

"I was so honored to be nominated for this award, everybody in our equestrian organization is a volunteer in one capacity or another, finding out that I was selected was both overwhelming and humbling," said Leahy.

The 'Volunteer of the Year' award, sponsored by BFL Canada, is presented every year to an exceptional volunteer who has contributed to equestrian sport and to Equine Canada. It is presented to someone who has dedicated himself or herself to Equine Canada and it's ideals, who have worked tirelessly for the improvement of the organization, and who has had a noticeable impact on the sport.

At the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala on Saturday, February 6, in Montreal, QC, Leahy was presented with the 2009 Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year by Sara Runnalls of BFL Canada, and Terre O’Brennan of Endurance Canada.

Pamela Burton’s WEG Endurance Predictions

Discoverhorses.com - Full Article

The U.S. will feel the pressure to stand on the podium as endurance championships return to American soil. The U.S. won an individual gold medal at every World Endurance Championship (WEC) from 1986 until 1998--Cassandra Schuler (1986), Becky Hart (1988,1990,1992), Valarie Kanavy (1994 & 1998) and Danielle Kanavy (1996). But in recent years the team has bowed to competitors from France, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

Selection of US Horse/Rider Combos for the 2010 WEG is a multi step qualification and selection process. Each country is allowed five horse/riders, four Team and one Individual. The horse/rider combination must meet FEI Qualification for the 2010 WEG, formerly called a Certificate of Capability (COC) . Riders who have applied for WEG and attended one of the June Regional Selection Trials will be able to attend the final Observation Trial in August where 12 horses/riders will be chosen. The 12 horse/riders will travel to the Lexington area and remain in training while the final determination of the Five member Squad and the traveling reserve is made.

The top contender for a gold medal at WEG will be Spain’s Maria Alvarez Ponton, the first rider to hold both world and European titles at the same time on her 13-year-old French-bred gelding Nobby.

More...

Abu Dhabi: Team event introduced in Dh1.5m President's Cup

Gulfnews.com
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
February 12, 2010

Twenty top riders from around the globe to take part in event



Abu Dhabi : Four cars and a prize fund of Dh1.5 million will be up for grabs in tomorrow's His Highness The President's Cup 160km endurance ride, which also sees the introduction of a team competition at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said, "We have invited riders to form teams of four members each and the riding time of the three top finishers in each team will count for the competition.

"Twenty riders, invited from the US, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium and Poland will be taking part in the event which will be run in six stages," Al Nuaimi said.

"The Al Wathba Stud Farm, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage [ADACH], Bonyan International Investment Group LLC, Invest AD and Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2010 are supporting the event and we are thankful to them," he said.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Communications Director of ADACH, said, "Endurance riding is part of our heritage and culture and we are glad to be involved in this sport."

Lara Sawaya, Director of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Flat Racing said, "The Al Wathba Stud Farm is supporting this event which is one of the biggest endurance rides in the world. The introduction of the team competition will make it more interesting and lay the emphasis on team work."

2010 WEG: WEG ticket sales grow as international interest increases

Kentucky.com - Full Article

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010

By Linda B. Blackford - lblackford@herald-leader.com

After a slow start to ticket sales to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, organizers say they're seeing an uptick, particularly from overseas.

"With the arrival of 2010, we are seeing a steady increase in sales each day as people around the world make their plans and purchase their tickets to the Games," said Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games Foundation, which is putting on the event at the Kentucky Horse Park from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10.

Ticket sales are at the 160,000 mark. That's still a long way from the available 600,000, but organizers say they believe tickets will continue to move as the event gets closer.

Currently, only competition tickets to the eight events are on sale. General admission tickets will go on sale in the spring. Despite the global recession, there is more interest from abroad, particularly Europe, where all previous World Equestrian Games have been held.

"We've really seen sales pick up from countries like Great Britain, France and Germany," said Terry Johnson, the vice-president of marketing. "We've also had a strong push from South Africa." There have also been ticket sales from Canada, Australia and Mexico, 50 countries in all.

Johnson said he wasn't sure exactly why South Africa was well-represented, except they will have athletes at the Games.

Interest in some events is intense. Games spokeswoman Amy Walker said two events — the final rounds of reining and dressage — are almost sold out. There are preliminary rounds for each event.

More...

Mongolia: Mongol Derby seeks jockeys

Eclipsemagazine.co.uk

11 February 2010

The Mongol Derby, the longest horse race in the world still has a few places left for its August 2010 race and is seeking jockeys or ex jockeys who might like to take part.

The Mongol Derby team have also just announced an innovative Veterinary Training Programme that aims to leave a lasting equine legacy in Mongolia.

More than 20 local vets will be trained to become part of the international team of equine experts that will ensure the welfare of the 1000 semi-wild horses taking part in the race across the Mongolian steppe.

Led by four star accredited FEI vet Jenny Weston, the specialist training will also leave a legacy that will benefit other events and races in a country renowned for its love of horses.

"The training will cover exercise physiology and the types of conditions that you see in horses involved in endurance riding and the long-distance horse racing that is a part of Mongolian culture," explains Jenny. "This will benefit not only the horses involved in the Mongol Derby but also the many thousands involved in the annual Nadaam festival."

The training is part of a comprehensive horse welfare program including pre-race training for the riders led by Maggie Pattinson, Chef d'Equipe of the British Home International Endurance Team.

The race format is based on Chinngis Khaan's legendary postal system which could relay messages thousands of miles in a matter of days. Horse stations manned by nomadic families are established at intervals of 40km or less along the course and riders change horses and undergo veterinary inspections at each one.

The Mongol Derby is a joint venture led by British company The Adventurists with Mongolia based Tengri Group and backed by the Mongolian government's Ministry of Agriculture who acclaim the Mongolian Derby as "having great potential to develop our country".

Dr. Orgil, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Unit and the Chief Equine Vet in Mongolia said the 2009 Mongol Derby was a "huge success...a brand new sport tourism variety".

Applications are open now to adventurous riders from around the world. More information about the world's longest and toughest horse and how to apply can be found on the official website: http://www.mongolderby.com

Fast Facts about the Mongol Derby

* 25 riders started the 2009 race, 23 finished and they raised £71,000 for official charity Mercy Corps' projects in Mongolia
* Aged from 21 to 65, the 2009 riders came from 8 different countries including Argentina, Sweden and South Africa. 12 of the riders were female
* Less than 2% of the 700 horses that took part in 2009 required treatment which was all minor first aid
* The riders averaged 100 km per day at about 10 km/hr in 2009
* On cooler days some riders managed about 140 km in a day on the better days, at an average speed of 14 km/hr
* Horses outnumber the population of Mongolia by 7 to 1!
* Marco Polo wrote that in the 13th century 300,000 horses were posted at horse stations across the great Khaan's empire

The Netherlands: Van Wijk en Romer aan start in Abu Dhabi

Horses.nl

11/02/2010 09:23

Endurance amazones Jannet van Wijk met Zaira Star en Carmen Romer met Eddie trainen op dit moment in de woestijn in Abu Dhabi. Zaterdag 13 februari komen de amazones aan start bij de Presidentcup in de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

De 160 kilometer lange wedstrijd begint zaterdag om 6.00 uur lokale tijd (Nederlandse tijd 3.00 uur ’s nachts) bij het 'Emirates International Endurance Village' in Al Wathba. In de wedstrijd is Phase 4 het interessantst omdat de route over zandduinen gaat, het overige parcours gaat over vrij vlakke gedeelten in de woestijn.

Jannet van Wijk heeft de afgelopen maanden getraind op snelheid en haar doel is om deze wedstrijd met een goed gemiddelde te finishen. Het is voor Zaira Star pas haar tweede 160-km-wedstrijd, maar de merrie is in goede conditie. De paarden zijn ondergebracht in koele en luchtige stallen. Er starten slechts dertien ruiters van buiten het Midden-Oosten.


Jannet van Wijk riding Zaira Star, and Carmen Romer riding Eddie R, is currently training in the desert in Abu Dhabi. On Saturday, February 13, the ladies will participate in the Presidents Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The 160 kilometer long race starts Saturday at 6:00 pm local time (3.00 hours Dutch time at night) at the "Emirates International Endurance Village" in Al Wathba. In Phase 4 the game is interesting because the route goes over sand dunes, the trail takes other relatively flat areas in the desert.

Jannet van Wijk has recently trained in speed and its purpose is to match this with a good average to finish. It was only Zaira Star's second 160-km-race, but the mare is in good condition. The horses were housed in cool and airy stables. It started only thirteen riders from outside the Middle East.

USA: Rapp and Reynolds to Ride for US at Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup

USEF.org
Release: February 11 2010
Author: Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be represented by two endurance riders at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This prestigious 160 km race is one of the premier events on the international endurance circuit and takes place on February 13, 2010. Riding for the US will be: Ellyn Rapp on Belshazzar and Jeremy Reynolds on Sir Smith.

Rapp was recently second in deluge conditions at the 2009 Kentucky Cup – which served as the test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. She can expect totally different circumstances in Abu Dhabi where the forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s and dry conditions on race day.

Reynolds will ride Sir Smith, an experienced endurance veteran in the United Arab Emirates. Reynolds is also a farrier and is married to fellow endurance rider Heather Reynolds – who has also represented the United States in international competition. Sir Smith has two FEI wins on his record already and looks to add to this tally in Abu Dhabi.

Complete horse and rider information:

Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner

Ellyn Rapp/27/Lamotte, IA/SA Belshazzar/13/Shagya-Arabian/G/Jeremy Olson
Jeremy Reynolds/30/Los Gatos, CA/Sir Smith/11/Arabian/G/Heather and Jeremy Reynolds

For complete information please visit: http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2010PresidentsCup/

To follow along with the adventure via the Reynolds’ blog, please visit: http://www.reynoldsracing.us/home.

55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Begins Today

www.Scottsdaleshow.com

The 55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show begins today at Westworld, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The first show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel which was a beautiful setting for a horse show. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was a first class show from the very first day.

After the show's beginnings at the Arizona Biltmore, Ann McCormick bought 150 acres in Scottsdale and made it into the horse facility known as Paradise Park which served the needs of the show for many years.

Since then, the show has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns.

The sponsoring organization, the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, was incorporated in 1955. There were about twelve members when it began and it has grown to over 450 members. As our association has grown so has our annual show. Even though our show is our focal point, our members are active in other ways, representing us on boards and committees at national levels. Many of our members have become judges and stewards and have encouraged our youth to become involved with the horse show as well as other activities. This competition permits them to win Educational Scholarships.

We are very proud of our members and their accomplishments. Through them, as well as other participants and sponsors, our show will continue to grow and offer enjoyment to visitors as well as our own Arizona residents.

The show will run from February 11-21, 2010.

For more information see www.Scottsdaleshow.com