Aussie Breed Traces Its Roots

www.horseyard.com.au

Written by IRT, on 21-04-2010

Brumbies join the ranks of Dubai’s many horse imports.

A few years ago Ali Mohammed Al Mohairi - the racing manager for deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum - took a trip to the outback of Australia's Northern Territory. He was looking for a very particular breed of horse and before he knew it, they'd found him.

"There was a mare and a foal and they were galloping from behind and I yelled to go, I was screaming at the driver," he recalled. "Then they crossed in front of us and the sparks were coming off the road. When they came to a lake, they jumped straight in and swam across."

Mr Al Mohairi had finally seen first-hand and in their own environment the dash and daring of Australia's famous "brumbies" and they weren't done yet. After they crossed the lake "There was a rocky hill on the other side and I said: 'Impossible, they will not climb that.' And they did."

It may play like a deleted scene from Jurassic Park, but the brumby breed is not science fiction and like many Australians, their pedigree traces back to the other side of the world. In fact, they are said to come from Arab horses taken to Europe. Now it seems, some of them, are going home. IRT recently transported 14 brumbies to Dubai for the Sheikh, to be trained for the rigors of endurance racing.

More at http://www.horseyard.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167810&Itemid=145

2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Spectators Can Experience All Kentucky Has To Offer

April 13, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY - This fall, visitors from around the world will get a chance to experience all the sights, sounds and tastes that Kentucky has to offer during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, without ever leaving the Kentucky Horse Park.

"Our goal is to immerse visitors in all that is Kentucky so that before they return home, or the next time they travel, they won’t be able to resist seeing the real thing," said Mike Cooper, Kentucky's Commissioner of Travel & Tourism.

While the primary focus of the 2010 Games is eight world championships in equestrian sport, spectators from around the world will be able to enjoy The Kentucky Experience, which will present the multitude of Kentucky cultural, historical and artistic features that make the Bluegrass State such a unique and special place among the world's travel destinations.

Located at the Kentucky Horse Park and grounds of the Games from September 25 through October 10, The Kentucky Experience is a major exposition that will feature the nine tourism regions of the Commonwealth, from the lakes in the west, to the mountains in the east, and even to the caves and Corvettes in the south.

The Kentucky Experience will have three Pavilions to entice visitors. The first stop, though, is The Kentucky Experience Welcome Center. At the Welcome Center, visitors will get a dose of Kentucky hospitality as hosts will provide a list of daily events and provide information on each region represented.

Next, walk through the regions of Kentucky and experience the Bluegrass State in the Exhibit Pavilion. Images, artifacts and audio will combine to present a virtual tour of the Commonwealth. From Ali to Colonel Sanders, horses to houseboats, artists to aquariums, and so much more, the Exhibit Pavilion will present an unbridled Kentucky experience.

The Kentucky Product Pavilion is designed give visitors a taste of Kentucky, literally. Local bourbon distillers will be on hand to show (and let you sample!) the bourbon distilling process, in addition to local wineries and wine tastings. Kentucky ales will also be featured. Visitors will also be able to taste a selection of Kentucky Proud products, such as beer cheese and bourbon balls. Beautiful handmade Kentucky folk crafts and world-famous art will be on display and even available for purchase.

Follow the sounds to the Entertainment Pavilion, where performances will be occurring throughout the Games, all by Kentucky artists. Kentucky is well known for its Bluegrass and Country artists, and will be found at the entertainment pavilion, but so too will the full array and diversity of talent that resides in Kentucky.

The Welcome Center and pavilions will surround a beautiful Kentucky courtyard garden designed by nationally known master gardener and Rockastle County native, Jon Carloftis.

See it, experience it... The Kentucky Experience!

Access to the The Kentucky Experience will be available with a Grounds Pass or a competition ticket. Grounds Pass ticket sales begin April 16 at 10 a.m. at www.alltechfeigames.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, and at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will be on sale at a promotional rate of $20 until May 31. Grounds Pass tickets will be priced at $25 after that time. All children 12 years of age and under will be granted free entry with a paying adult.

For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com and www.thekentuckyexperience.com

Guatemala hosts International FEI Endurance Course for Judges and Vets

Guatemala.world-countries.net

Monday, 12 April 2010

Guatemala City.- Fernando Paiz, President of the Organizing Committee of the 4th Edition of the Magdalena Endurance Challenge on 24-25th of April 2010, is also in charge of the organization of the International FEI Endurance Course for Judges and Vet’s to be held in Guatemala on the 22 and 23rd of April 2010. He informs that this is an excellent opportunity for judges and veterinarians of the Central American region to assist and acquire credits as qualified judges and veterinarians according to FEI standards.

Currently there are very few FEI qualified judges and Vets authorized to be directors of FEI Courses. Guatemala has the luck that for this course some of the most distinguished FEI Course Directors will be present. Ruth Carlson is the FEI Chair of the Endurance Technical Committee. Also in charge is Dr. Verocay, FEI Veterinarian from Uruguay, who speaks Spanish.

How to contact the course organizers:

Guatemalan National Equestrian Association: Telephon: (502) 2471 0825. E- mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

President of the Organizing Committee, Fernando Paiz: tel: (502) 59000 790.
Already 4 judes and one Veterinarian from Costa Rica have confirmed their asistance for the course.

Contents of the Course
FEI Course for Endurance Judges (Level I and Level II) and Veterinarians. Guatemala City, Guatemala.
April 22nd – 23rd 2010

April 22nd
AM- Registration
Opening and welcome
Introduction of participants
Introduction to FEI – Includes Level I, Level II and Veterinarians
Class splits – Level I and Level II remain, Veterinarians change rooms

PM
Review Endurance Rules
General
The Course
Timekeeping
Assistance/Forbidden Assistance
Dress Code, Saddlery, Weights
Classification
Categories of Competition
Eligibility/Qualification of horse and rider

Objectives and Challenges
Promotion of Officials

Officials required for CEI 1*, 2*, 3*, 4*
Code of Conduct / Philosophy of Judging
Duties – Ground Jury, Technical Delegate, Stewards, Appeals Committee
Judging Guidelines
Discussion and Questions

Day 2
Categories of Veterinarians
Promotion of Veterinarians
Responsibilities of Veterinarians
Veterinary Controls
Examinations and Inspections

Passport requirements
Vaccination requirements
Best Condition Judging

Organizing a CEI
Calendar deadlines, fees and organizing dues
The Draft Schedule

Discussion of case studies

Exam (Levels I and II)
Course Evaluation
Wrap-up

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser sets pace in endurance race

Gulf-daily-news.com

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa held the early lead last night in the Endurance Horse Ride Championship for the Crown Prince Cup. Shaikh Nasser, who is also the Bahrain Olympic Committee president, completed the 30-kilometre first stage in first place. He clocked a time of one hour 20 minutes nine seconds in the leg, finishing just one second ahead of fellow-Bahraini Ali Abdulla Al Timimi of Al Asayel Stable.

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team rider and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa completed the stage in third place. He had a mark of 1:20:37.

The top three were well ahead of the rest of the field, with their closest challengers close to a minute behind Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad.

Yesterday's start was flagged off by Breef vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at 5pm. All the competitors continued their rides late yesterday and are expected to have completed the 120km event in the early hours of today morning.

The second stage also covers 30km, while the third stretches over 24km, the fourth 20km and the fifth 16km.

The event, sponsored by Batelco, is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president.

Photos by Osama Mohammed here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ridecamp/BahrainHRHTheCrownPrinceEnduranceRideChampionship41010?pli=1&gsessionid=hc98NMndSbzyl0SpAotxdQ#

Malaysia: Terengganu Riders Dominate 80km MGIER

Bernama.com http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=489723

MELAKA, April 11 (Bernama) -- Terengganu dominated the 80km race at the Melaka Grand Invitational Endurance Ride (MGIER) 2010 which came to a close Sunday by taking the top four positions.

Riding "Kerbalanen Amor", Shahruddin Abdullah emerged as the winner by clocking 4 hours 46 minutes 11 seconds followed by Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who mounted "Jq Tuan Junior", a distant second in 5:55:47.

Muhammad Alif Sabidi, who mounted "Jq Tuan Junior" came a close third by a mere one second behind Abdul Rahman.

The trio were from the State of Terengganu Endurance Team (STET).

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's son, Tengku Muhammad Ismail, who represented the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) finished fourth.

Only 10 of 44 riders completed the race which started at the Hang Jebat Stadium and passed through rubber and oil palm plantations and nearby villages.



In the 120km race, TMKN Endurance Team's Mohd Azizie Ismail, who mounted "Texas", rode into victory in 7:34:01 with STET's Wan Mohd Kamaluddin Wan Yusuff, who was on "M Malon" horseback, in the second spot with 8:39:12.

Astriding ""Ropadi Baltazar", Muhammad Zaini Saad of RTES came in third in 8:56:34.

Only six of 12 riders made it to the finishing line.

TMKN Endurance Team was adjudged the winner of the 120km team race by clocking 17:19:33 while SET took the 80km team title with a combined time of 16:37:46.

Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam gave away the prizes.

-- BERNAMA

New Zealand: Bulfin shows class at trail-riding nationals

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

9 April 2010

A small contingent of Marlborough riders made a successful foray to Culverden for the New Zealand Endurance and Trail Riding Nationals at Easter, winning two competitive trail riding titles.

Heidi Bulfin, riding Stonelea Sparkling Rose, followed on from the South Island Championship success to win the 61-kilometre open ride on Sunday. Riding over two loops with an optimum time of five hours 30 minutes, they accrued 136 faults, taken from three heart rates and time faults.

Runner-up, 13 points back, was fellow Marlborough rider Missy Green, with Xavier Cheerokee, while Lorraine Stratford, on Jay, rounded out a good weekend in third place.

Tessa Wells and Masada Park Maestro were too good for the 32km junior class, winning with 94 faults, accumulated from over-the-line heart rate, final heart rate and time faults. Wells finished just four seconds over the optimum time of 3hrs 15mins.

Marlborough riders Kevin Prangley, riding WD Amir Ibn Kaliph, and Penelope Valk, with BTR Overture, both had successful completions in the three-star, 160km pinnacle endurance ride on Good Friday.

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/3565054/Bulfin-shows-class-at-trail-riding-nationals

Bahrain: Top riders for Crown Prince endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com
Monday, April 05, 2010


THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising the Crown Prince Endurance Horse Ride Championship, to be sponsored by Batelco, on Friday.

Taking place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, the event will be the season's first ride to be held in the evening and features two rides.

The main ride will be over 120 kms for senior and junior riders while an additional 80 kms qualifying ride is also set on the day.

Friday's rides will be held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed delight in organising this prestigious championship, which consists of five stages.

The first two stages will be over 30 kms, the third will be over 24 kms, the fourth over 20 kms and the fifth and last stage over 16 kms.

The 80-km qualifying ride will be over three stages- 30 kms each for the first and second while the third will be over 20 kms.

Shaikh Khalid thanked the Crown Prince for supporting this event, adding that without his continued backing it would be impossible to organise a championship of this scale.

The Breef's chief also stressed on the significant role of Batelco as official partners.

Malaysia: More Than 100 Riders Confirm Participation For MGIER

Bernama.com

April 07, 2010

MELAKA, April 7 (Bernama) -- More than 100 local and international endurance horse riders have confirmed their participation for the Melaka Grand Invitational Endurance Ride (MGIER) 2010 which starts on Friday.

Melaka Stadium Board executive director Mohd Saufi Jaafar said the list comprises 88 local riders from 24 equestrian clubs in the country and 12 riders from the United States, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

"The number of riders may increase by Friday," he told Bernama here on Wednesday.

Mohd Saufi said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, an avid endurance horse rider, would be in Melaka for the MGIER but not as a participant because he had recently undergone an operation.

The MGIER, awarded a two star rating by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), would enable participants to earn qualifying points for the FEI World Endurance Championship, he said.

He added that MGIER, organised for the third time since 2008, would feature three categories, 120km, 80km and 40km.

Spain: Presentacion Oficial del V Kaliber-Andalucia.

El Raid Blog

Esta manana en la sede central de la Cruz del Campo en Sevilla, se ha presentado oficialmente el V Kaliber-Andalucia con la presencia de D. Manuel Jimenez Barrios, Secretario General para el Deporte Consejeria de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucia; D. Diego Antonanzas de Toledo, Director de Sponsoring y Eventos de Imagen de Heineken España y de D. Jose Manuel Soto Alarcon como alma mater del Kaliber-Andalucia.


Empezo el acto con la presentacion oficial del Cartel anunciador del V Kaliber-Andalucia.


Posteriormente tomo la palabra Jose Manuel Soto el cual presento el video del Raid confeccionado con bellas imagenes de Kaliber anteriores. Tambien informo del recorrido por los bellos parajes andaluces y de las dificultades generales que estos ultimos tiempos estamos pasando, pero que a pesar de todo, sigue adelante este bello evento ecuestre.

This morning at the headquarters of the Cruz del Campo in Seville, has officially launched the V-Kaliber Andalucia with the presence of D. Manuel Jimenez Barrios, Secretary General for Sport Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Sports of the Junta de Andalucia, D. Antonanzas Diego de Toledo, Director of Sponsoring & Events Image Heineken Spain and D. Jose Manuel Soto Alarcon alma mater as the Kaliber-Andalucia.

Empezo the event with the official launch of the V Poster Kaliber-Andalucia. Later, speaking Jose Manuel Soto who presented the video of the raid made with beautiful images of previous Kaliber. Also reported the tour of the beautiful places in Andalusia and the general difficulties in recent times we are passing, but nevertheless, keep going this beautiful equestrian event.

Then responsible for Kaliber spoke in Andalucia, as one of the leading proponents of this Raid and meaning the magnificent views of the event.
Cerro the act the Secretary General for Sport of the Junta de Andalucia, reminding the union that unites him with Jose Manuel in the Raid, because since the first Al-Andalus, is supporting the sport, which provides information to Andalucia by worldwide.

At the close of this presentation, they gave us all the wizard with glasses of beer, accompanied by rich viands prepared by Gambrinus school students with a good ham from our friend Maximilian.

Australia: Endurance horse riding test

Matthew Lee | 6th April 2010
photo: Karen Trundell with horse Zac during a break in competition at Imbil

THE Easter long weekend is used by many Australians as a chance to kick back and unwind.

THE Easter long weekend is used by many Australians as a chance to kick back and unwind.

This wasn’t the case, however, for the many members of the Far-A-Way Endurance Riders Club at the weekend.

With a strong membership base drawn from throughout the Sunshine Coast, the club hosted its first ride of the season in Imbil – the 2010 Easter Endurance Carnival.

The competitive line-up included an 84km ride in addition to a 120km challenge and an epic marathon traversing 320km.

The three events were highlights of a schedule involving nine events in total spread across five action-packed days.

Eager spectators gathered in Imbil yesterday as the marathon ride was expected to come to a close at the Imbil Showgrounds.

The course negotiated by riders was largely similar to that of previous years, with hills and undulating countryside.

During these events, horse safety is of paramount importance and all endurance rides were carried out subject to current specifications for the sport in Australia.

Horses were monitored for their condition at various checkpoints, including physical inspections involving the measuring of heart rate.

The event was only possible due to the army of volunteers that donated their Easter long weekend to take part in a sport that captures their hearts.

A highlight of the Easter Endurance Carnival was the social atmosphere, where young and older riders alike were able to assemble together after a day’s riding at the camp grounds and share their experiences.

Organisers thanked competitors for nominating and the many volunteers for their participation.

[More ...] http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/04/06/endurance-horse-riding-test/

Mongol Derby: Riders from 7 countries and an innovative veterinary programme for Year Two

With riders from 7 Countries - UK, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Venezuela - the 2010 Mongol Derby is set to be the most hotly contested yet.

Riders include a Martial Arts expert from Texas, an Olympian 'Madonna' from New Zealand, two siblings from South Africa and a brave Brit who previously broke her back riding a horse.

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


The Mongol Derby team have 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.

Please also see this link for a full veterinary report on the inaugural 2009 Mongolian Derby.

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”.

Applications are open now for 2010 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: 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


Rider Biographies


The 2010 riders come from the following countries:

UK
USA
South Africa
New Zealand
Australia
Venezuela
Belgium


USA

Hilary Ponti, USA, 47.
US born, Gloucestershire housewife and mother. Hilary ran the 2009 London Marathon and is a member of Cotswold and Heythrop Hunt. She is also an accomplished event rider.

Kat Swigart, USA, late 30s
Seriously tough Californian boasting a number of professions: horse trainer, graphic designer, business consultant, freelance writer and photographer, computer systems engineer and financial analyst. 
Kat lived in Russia after the collapse of Soviet Union building computer systems for the Russian stockmarket. A hugely experienced endurance rider she has completed 5000 miles of sanctioned endurance riding in the USA.

Justin Nelzen, 33, US
Professional endurance rider. Justin has ridden competitively all over the world and runs a professional equine facility in Texas where he breaks and trains horses.
He has raced in Dubai, the Tevis Cup and the Pan American Championships to name a few. Amazingly, he only took up riding a few years ago and previously served in the US Navy and Marine Corps including tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Justin also took part in the World Games for Martial Arts in 1997, where he won one silver and two bronze medals.

UK

Georgina Budge, UK, 28
Incredible determination brings Georgina to the Mongol Derby. In September 2008 she broke her back in a riding accident but has recovered to take part in the 1000km horse race across Mongolia.
Georgina is a martial arts specialist and has trained in North East China for 3 months. A self employed chef, she has also worked in a point-to-point yard and is an experienced rider.

Anna Bradbury, UK
Diplomat
Biography TBC

Richard Dyer, UK
Biography TBC

Susi Saddler, UK
Biography TBC

Rhiannon Thomas, UK
Biography TBC

Tom Welsh, UK
Biography TBC

Camilla Speck
Biography TBC

Camilla Swift, UK
Biography TBC

Anya Campbell, UK
Photographer
Biography TBC

NEW ZEALAND

Madonna Harris, New Zealand, 53
A serious athlete, double Olympian and entrepreneur, Madonna runs her own company manufacturing herbal products.
Since taking up endurance riding she has competed at the World, Pan American and European Championships. Incredibly she has also represented New Zealand at Olympic level in cycling and cross-country skiing.

Netta Burnside, New Zealand
Biography TBC


SOUTH AFRICA

Saskia van Heeren, South Africa
Saskia took part in the inaugural Mongol Derby in 2009 and enjoyed it so much she's back for the 2010 edition, and has also signed up her sister Alexandra to make up the Derby's first family team.
An international art dealer by trade and life-long horse lover, Saskia grew up in New Zealand where she rode for days at a time across wild terrain on the South Island.

Alexandra van Heeren, South Africa,
Alexandra's adventurous sibling took part in the inaugural Mongol Derby in 2009 and now both sisters are taking part in the 2010 edition to make up the Derby's first family team.
She has climbed numerous mountains in the alps; is a keen sailor having spent six months sailing around Fiji; enjoys kite-surfing and like her sister grew up riding horses.

Gina Abbott, South Africa
Biography TBC

Elsa Post, South Africa
Biography TBC


OTHER COUNTRIES

Alisa Vermay, Australia
Biography TBC

Moises Birnbaum, Venezuela, 61
An engineer and professional endurance 3* FEI accredited rider who competes internationally. He has taken part in the Tevis Cup among other high profile events.

Sophie de Selliers, Belgium
Biography TBC

Grounds Pass Ticket Sales Set for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

DATE: March 31, 2010

Offering will Include Free Child’s Ticket; Host of Venue Activities

LEXINGTON, KY - Grounds Pass tickets for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will go on sale Friday, April 16 at 10 a.m.

Grounds Pass tickets will be priced at $25 each, but from April 16 through May 31, as a special promotion, tickets will be available for $20. Each Grounds Pass will allow entry to the 2010 Games venue for the selected date of purchase.

To provide for an affordable, family-friendly event, admission for children 12 years of age and under will be free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.

A limited quantity of Flex Grounds Pass tickets will be available for $30. The Flex Grounds Pass can be used for entry on any one day of choice, without selecting a specific date of attendance at the time of purchase.

Tickets will be available for purchase through www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, on www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet and via the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000.

Grounds Pass tickets allow entry to the 2010 Games for the selected day of purchase and will give spectators access to a wide range of activities at the Kentucky Horse Park venue. Activities include shopping at more than 250 Trade Show booths; exciting exhibits and entertainment at the Kentucky Experience tourism pavilion and the Alltech Experience pavilions; and the Kentucky Horse Park’s world-renowned exhibits and museums.

In addition, spectators will be entertained and educated in the Equine Village, which will present more than 40 exhibitors and some of the world's top equine entertainment acts and clinicians, including Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson and the kid-friendly Equimania.

Grounds Pass tickets are available for 13 days during the Games, excluding the competition days of Endurance, Eventing Cross Country and Driving Marathon. Spectators who wish to purchase admission for these competitions should visit www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets.

About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. Current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

Media Contact:
Amy Walker
Public Relations
awalker@feigames2010.org

Princess Haya to run for 2nd term as president of world equestrian body

Winnipegfreepress.com - Full Article

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
31/03/2010

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Princess Haya of Jordan will stand for a second and final four-year term as president of the International Equestrian Federation.

The 35-year-old princess, who competed in jumping at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said Wednesday she wanted to continue giving something back to her sport.

"It's been an honour to serve our sport and our federation over the last four years. I have loved the job," Princess Haya said in a statement. "We have built a fantastic team that it would be a privilege to continue to work with."

The election is scheduled for November at the federation's annual assembly in Taiwan.

Princess Haya was elected FEI president in 2006, and the next year was voted on to the International Olympic Committee.

Read more here.

Kuwait: The first Arabian long distance horse race begins

Q8nri.com

March 29th, 2010

Kuwait: The first horse race on endurance and capacity begun in Kuwait on Saturday. The race was organized by the Kuwaiti Association for Horses, and took place in the Kebad area. Many of the jockeys participating in the race rode authentic horses, riding for four stages.

The first and second stage was 30 km in length, while the third and fourth stage involved 20 km, including a qualifying and classification stage.

Vice?President of the Association, Ahmad Apul said that the endurance and capacity race is "the first of its kind in Kuwait" and the total is 100 km in length. He clarified that the race began at 5pm at the Heritage Village.

Apul added that a list of important instructions and guidelines were set for those who wished to participate in the race, stressing the need to adhere to these rules.

He said that the Association was honored to organize this race, calling for a promotion of the sport, as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) urged his followers to teach their children archery, swimming and horse riding.

He said that Kuwait has a good reputation in the field of horse riding in the Gulf and the Arab world. He added that the race involves a large number of jockeys from neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Arab and foreign countries as well.

It is noteworthy to mention that despite the bad weather, a large number of fans witnessed the start of the race. The dusty weather that occurred at 10 in the evening was a significant impediment to the Jockeys as they attempted to reach the end as soon as possible.
Nayef Al-Humaidan

The miracle that is Amigo

www.horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

March 28, 2010
by Neil Clarkson

The owner of endurance horse Amigo has praised the outpouring of support from an ever-growing fanbase as the Arabian continues his remarkable recovery from a shocking injury.

The Tennessee horse now has more than 8000 fans following his recovery on Facebook, and owner Gary Sanderson describes them all as wonderful people.

Amigo's fans have rallied to raise $US20,000 toward Amigo's vet care, including an anonymous donation of $US11,600 from out of state.

Gary has put $US10,000 on a special animal-care credit card, meaning the $US30,000 in veterinary bills so far accrued have been covered.

Amigo has been in the care of the large animal clinic at the Univesity of Tennessee since his January 17 accident, in which he was impaled on a branch in his pasture in Luttrell.

Read more here.

New Zealand: Update for Nationals

March 26 2010

Important last minute update for all.

All things are sorted and being bought together for a brilliant NZ Championship.

Traveling competitors will be pleased to know we have secured the use of the Balmoral Pony Club Grounds at Culverden for off base accommodation for horses and people. Minimum facilities (toilets showers) are supplied with room to yard your horses. (Yarding standards to be observed). Please contact David Marshall to make arrangements (small cost will apply). 03 3243 727, 027 446 5593 or email info@hollyfarmnz.com

Bookings for Prize giving dinner will be available until Friday. Please do not miss out to relax and enjoy prize giving/auction and dinner. Great chance to enjoy catching up after the business of the weekend.

With a huge concerted effort, prizes have been secured to a substantial value (think it has past $20,000). This equates to around a third of our budget.

On Sunday evening an Auction has been organized to sell some specific items. If you wish to donate items for fun or pleasure please contact David. At this time we have a household pump and pressure system and a submersible pump from Norlings, a stallion service from Holly Farm Equestrian Services and other items. This is just a start! off site bids will be accepted, contact Ken McGrath (ken.mcgrath@harcourts.co.nz) or David Marshall (as above).

When you arrive at base: please adhere to site allocations. We have set out sites according to entries and if everyone remains considerate we have room for everyone. Layout and basic principles will be posted on arrival.

We are very happy to do everything we can to make your Championship as successful and enjoyable as we can. Any questions please ask. In the meantime, travel safe and looking forward to huge fun weekend.

Kind regards,

From the Culverden 2010 NZ National Endurance and Trail Riders Championship

For more information, see NZEquestrian.org.nz">NZEquestrian.org.nz

Canada: Declared Riders & Horses for 2010 WEG

March 19, 2010

The Endurance Canada International Committee is pleased to announce the Declared riders and horses for the World Equestrian Games 2010 to be held in Lexington KY September 2010.

The qualification period for final selection continues to July 15, 2010 after which the Squad and Alternate list will be announced.

A current ranking list will be released shortly, and will be based on competition results to March 12, 2010. Thereafter an updated ranking list will be posted monthly based on the results submitted to that time.

The Declared riders and horses in alphabetical order are:

Rider - Horse
Wendy Benns - Supreme Justice
Patricia Dowling - ZF Mocha
Robert Gielen - FC Galaxy
Lee Hutten - Apache Eclipse
Lee Hutten - Phantom
Kathy Irvine - Nightwinds Savanah
Gail Jewell - A Salisbury Rose
Gail Jewell - Diamond Reo
Gail Jewell - Jolly Holiday
Gail Jewell - Apache Eclipse
Gail Jewell - NL Temptation
Elroy Karius - Apache Eclipse
Elroy Karius - NL Temptation
Elroy Karius - A Salisbury Rose
Elroy Karius - Diamond Reo
Elroy Karius - Jolly Holiday
Carol Lewin - Queen's Legacy
Tara MacLeod - Driftwoods Bellanca
Tara MacLeod - Driftwoods Zorro
Tara MacLeod - Cairos Summer Romance
Leanna Marchant - Samsons Fire
Jan Marsh - Morning Line
Terre O'Brennan - Koszaar
Carol Steiner - Jumpin Jax
Ruth Sturley - RBF Super Sport
Yvette Vinton - Teese
Caroline Williams - Perpetual Bliss

More information at Endurancecanada.ca

American Endurance Ride Conference Names Hall of Fame, Pard'Ners Winners

Les Carr
photo by Steve Bradley


USEF Press Release: March 25 2010
Author: By Troy Smith

Dr. Les Carr accepts the equine Hall of Fame trophy for his endurance half-Arabian gelding, Tulip.
Amid the hoopla of its annual convention last month in Reno, NV, the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) Dave Rabe was inducted into the nonprofit organization’s Hall of Fame, along with Tulip, the ultra-long distance half-Arabian gelding owned by Dr. Les Carr.

Also winning one of endurance’s top prizes, the Pard’ners Award, was Robert Ribley and his endurance horse, Tari.

Hall of Fame Person: Dave Rabe
Dave Rabe, a retired postmaster from Carson City, NV, is currently third on the list of high-mileage riders in the organization’s 38-year history, with 46,512 miles through 2009. Those numbers include 862 ride finishes—200 of them in the top 10, with 55 completions of 100-mile, one-day rides.

“I guess I like to ride more than most of you,” said Rabe to the hundreds of endurance riders assembled at the national awards banquet, held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.

Rabe is as well known for his typical riding outfit—a tank top and cut-off jean shorts—as he is for the miles and miles of trails which he marks before most rides. “Dave is the only person I know that will get to a ride early to mark trail for the ride managers, ride the ride, then go around helping people and filling water troughs in camp, then go out and mark more trail for the next day of the ride,” said Stephanie Palmer-DuRoss of Queen Creek, AZ, one of the many people who nominated Rabe for the Hall of Fame award.

An exemplary rider, Rabe is often trusted to ride other people’s horses. As the award presenter, Ride Manager Dave Nicholson, DVM, said, “He’ll ride anything.” Rabe answered back, “I like a horse to buck and run away once in a while.”

“Dave is one of the few people I will trust with one of my own horses,” said rider Karen Chaton of Gardnerville, NV. “I know that Dave will always have the horse’s best interest at heart. He can take horses that nobody else can even stay on and turn them into incredible athletes.”

He is also known for helping out riders along the trail, even risking his own placing to do so. “On the trail during a ride he slows to help any lost, beginning, wayward or worried riders and horses,” said Kevin Waters of Rimrock, AZ.

Hall of Fame Equine: Tulip
The invincible Tulip, Dr. Les Carr’s half-Arabian gelding, finished the 2009 endurance ride season with 21,155 miles. As the first endurance horse to surpass 20,000 miles, the 21-year old equine athlete’s Hall of Fame induction was well deserved.

Since Tulip’s first endurance ride in 1993, he has averaged more than 1,200 miles of sanctioned endurance rides every year, an incredible average considering the minimum length of these rides is 50 miles. More than 25 different riders have contributed to Tulip’s mileage, although Dr. Carr, of Somerset, CA, has taken over exclusively since 2001 (except one ride where Dr. Carr’s wife, Jill, rode Tulip).

“Tulip shows no sign of aging when I see him on the trail and looks like he will go on forever,” said John Parke, who nominated Tulip for the year-end award. “Tulip is amazingly tolerant of quirky people and ponies, and is a true character in his own right. We have ridden so much together that I always relax a little riding next to him out of some inner recognition that I am really out on the endurance trail where I belong.”

Pard’ners Award: Robert Ribley and Tari
A coveted AERC award, the Pard’ners award, named in honor of the late Mae Schlegel and her horse Pard, honors the horse-and-rider team that exemplifies friendship, enthusiasm and sportsmanship. While Tari is now deceased, he and Robert Ribley, a longtime endurance rider from Grass Valley, CA, had a long and storied career together that made them deserving of the award.

Tari, a ¾-Arabian, ¼-Standardbred gelding, started 116 rides with Robert between 1985 and 1994, and finished 116 times, an amazingly difficult feat. Of those, 25 rides were 100-mile, one-day rides.

Tari’s last ride was the 20 Mule Team 100, when Tari was 27 years old. “To get a 27-year-old horse through a tough 100-mile takes teamwork. That’s why Robert and Tari are Pard’ners,” said nominator Mike Tracy of Hollister, CA. “However competitive they were, they always had good sportsmanship. As a rookie myself, back in 1989, I was always asking Robert questions during a ride. Even though we were competing against one another, he never failed to give me good advice.

“Tari was much more than an endurance horse,” said Tracy. “Robert used him for bow and arrow hunting. On one such trip in the mountains they got lost. They kept going around in circles until about midnight. Robert decided to drop the reins, and Tari found their way back to camp.”

The AERC convention focused on a theme of “Preserve Our Trails” which emphasized the importance of trails to distance riding. Along with speakers who spoke on horse health and anatomy subjects were trails specialists Mary Hanson and Rick Potts, representing the National Park Service. “Preserve our trails was a great theme to help bring our trail issues to the forefront," said AERC member Connie Creech, of Carson City, NV. “The talks highlighted the importance of preserving our trails for endurance riding, which we all must appreciate and work with.”

Endurance riders are currently midway through the 2010 ride year, and look forward to the 2010 convention, which will be held next March, again at the Grand Sierra in Reno, NV.

To join AERC, or for more information about endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net, or visit www.aerc.org.

Portugal: Alentejo Nations Cup

www.endurance.net/international/Portugal/2010AlentejoNationsCup

Starting on the 15th of June 2010, the Alentejo Nations Cup in equestrian endurance is a Raid competition with a maximum distance of 160 km and a CEI*** category. Its Prize Money is a total of 75,000 Euros.

The Nations Cup Concept:
By having a high and demanding technical level the endurance Nations Cup guarantees a significant increase on the attractiveness to all participants if compared to other events in the same sport. This will contribute to the high prestige and media attention given to the event.

Mainly organized in Europe, every country is given the right to stage one cup per year. For this the event needs to follow the rules and demands staged by the Federation Equestre Internationale - FEI.

Under the Federation Equestre Internationale - FEI supervision, this trophy will be part of the Nations Cup circuit a prestigious competitiion that is the most important event in this kind of sport right after the World and European cups. However the Nations Cup has a difficulty level that doesn't stand behind these two major competitions.

For more information Contact:
portugalnationscup@yahoo.com

Guatemala: The Magdalena Endurance Challenge, 4th Edition

Guatemala-times.com - Full Article

Tuesday, 23 March 2010 12:22 Barbara Schieber

Guatemala will host the 4th Edition of the Magdalena Endurance Challenge on 24th of April 2010. Magdalena is a giant sugar mill in La Gomera, Escuintla. This event is the most challenging endurance event in Guatemala. According to Fernando Paiz, President of Jinetes de Aventura Endurance (Endurance Adventure Riders) and President of the Organizing Committee of this international competition, the race will be very exciting and very tough.

The race will demand a lot of technical expertise from the riders and horses because it will be held at night, to reduce the effect of the extreme heat of the coast area where Magdalena is located. The route of the competition will go through roads and paths of tropical forest, sugar plantation, rivers and irrigation channels.

The President of the Organizing Committee expressed his excitement and satisfaction that Sugar Mill Magdalena is opening their doors for the fourth year in a row to provide their adventurous terrain for one of the most important competitions of the year. Family Leal, the owners of the Sugar mill have been of tremendous help to support the logistics for such a complex event. The event is called: Magdalena Endurance Challenge, in their honour.This event will is a classifying event for the FEI World Endurance Championship held in Kentucky USA, this year.

Read more here:
http://www.guatemala-times.com/sport/guatemala/1472-guatemala-the-magdalena-endurance-challenge-4th-edition.html