Florac

Persik - 1969-2001

Friday September 10 2010

One of the most famously hard rides in Europe will take place tomorrow in southern France for the 30th time: the 160-km Florac. It is also the pre-ride for next year's European Championship. This region of The Cevennes is known as "Persik's Land" - named after the famous endurance Arabian stallion and sire Persik, who was the only horse to win Florac twice, in 1975 and 1976.

The course is one big loop over 6 stages, beginning at Ispagnac at 500 meters (1600 ft), travelling through the Cevennes National Park, climbing to Mont Aigoual, at 1567 meters (5141 ft) and eventually returning back to Ispagnac for the finish.

Despite the 350 Euro entry fee, approximately 87 foreign riders have been entered, hailing from Bahrain, Qatar, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Slovakia, Spain, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Uruguay, Brazil, and Russia. 92 French riders are entered, for a total of 179 horses and riders.

The start is tomorrow morning at 4 AM.


Persik the day after winning Florac in 1976

- Merri Melde

Portugal: Heading for the WEG

September 10 2010

Portugal is sending 3 horse and rider teams to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to participate in the World Endurance Championship in Lexington, Kentucky, to be held September 26, 2010.

The riders are João Raposo with Titanic (the Portuguese champions 2010), Ana Margarida Costa with Gozlane du Somail, Paulo Branco with Ken du Moulin. The chef d´équipe is Vasco Lopes Avó, and the team veterinarian is Dr. Pedro Jorge.

The Portuguese team won the bronze medal in the last World Equestrian Games that were held in Aachen in 2006.

WEG Endurance - A Preview of the Major Teams

By Leonard Liesens, Endurance-belgium.com

It's on 18th September that most of European horses will embarq to Kentucky. They will all head from all over Europe to the Liège's Airport in Belgium. All endurance horses, but also all European horses representing all disciplines. A huge promotion for the Airport of Liège and for the region which has invested a lot in this new airport for boosting its economical activity.

Back to endurance... Lexington will not reach the record level of participation of Dubai in 2005. But nevertheless there will be a huge contingent participating at the endurance event. Actually, all nations represented in Lexington will have at least one couple competing in endurance.

What about Nobby

Maria Alvarez gave birth to a daughter, another little Maria. Just in case, Jaume Punti qualified himself with Nobby during a 160 km race ran in Dubai. But it will be Maria who will defend her title with her small bay Nobby. "Three weeks after the birth of our little Maria, her mother was already riding 40 km workout. Then after six weeks she rode Nobby on 80 km. Both were already ready for a 160 km" said Jaume.

The Spanish team won the team gold in Italy last year, thanks to the good time made by Nobby but also because France was out of the competition with just two horses. It is very unlikely that this could happen again. But who knows...

In the individual competition, it is another business. Nobby is capable of reaching a good speed (he demonstrated that at Dubai) and he has the temper of a champion. He will the one to beat...

Read more here:
http://endurance-belgium.com/team/weg2010_preview.htm

Stephen "the German explorer"

Sportendurance.it - Full Article

September 1 2010

The tireless and ever "explorer" Stephen Chidichimo never stops, always in search of experience to the limit, special flavor and charm.

After his experiences in raids in Morocco and Spain, it was the turn of Germany, writes the GPS Schwabish Alb - Weites Land Distanzritt of 360 km.

Stephen, just back in Italy, had just enough time to send sensations to hot, with a promise to put on paper a more detailed story that could fascinate so many Italian fans. It 's the first time an Italian raid in five-year history of the particular race.

More...


Stefano e ” l’esplorazione tedesca ”
Pubblicato il 01 settembre 2010 in Endurance, Racconti

L’instancabile ed eterno “esploratore” Stefano Chidichimo non si ferma mai, sempre alla ricerca di esperienze al limite, particolari, dal sapore e dal fascino antico.

Dopo le sue esperienze ai raid in Marocco ed in Spagna, è la volta della Germania, il GPS scrive Schwabish Alb – Weites Land Distanzritt di 360 km.

Stefano, appena rientrato in Italia, ha avuto giusto il tempo di inviarci sensazioni a caldo, con la promessa di mettere su carta un racconto più dettagliato che potrebbe affascinare tanti appassionati italiani. E’ la prima volta di un italiano al raid nella storia quinquennale della particolare gara...

di più:
http://www.sportendurance.it/2717-stefano-e-lesplorazione-tedesca/

Horse farms will open doors to visitors during WEG

Kentucky.com - Full Article

September 9 2010

By Alicia Wincze - awincze@herald-leader.com

One of the things Lexington is best known for is its accessibility to the Thoroughbred stars that reside on the horse farms that dot its landscape.

With the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games set to begin its run on Sept. 25 and the influx of equine enthusiasts expected to visit Central Kentucky, some top farms are expanding the opportunities for visitors to get an up-close view of the signature industry.

That glance behind the scenes may also give the Thoroughbred racing world a chance to attract new fans.

As the owner and breeder of this year's Derby winner Super Saver, WinStar Farm has been inundated with requests to see its sprawling facilities and has responded by offering as many as four tours a day of its stallion barn free from Sept. 18 through Oct. 17.

Read more here:
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/09/09/1427574/horse-farms-will-open-doors-to.html

South Africa: Top three for Jenna at Hofmeyr Endurance

Stfrancisvillagenews.com - Full Article

The 32nd Hofmeyr 100 Miler Endurance Ride was held on August 28 with only 26 horses taking part. The Hofmeyr is known to be an extremely challenging course for both horse and rider and only three horses entered the full 100 Miler.

The competition among the junior riders all doing the 80 Miler was strong. Jenna Lucas won this division on Lormar Ceasar in a time of 8h49 followed by Ninine Erasmus on Fidel in 8h50 and St Francis Bay’s Jenna Masterson on Xantium Zulu in 9h13. Only 3 horses did not complete the ride.

The Hofmeyr 100 Miler is a ride that one has to attend to understand what endurance riding is all about. The winner and only rider to complete the full 160km, Barrie Badenhorst on Christal Razib, finished in a time of 12h40. Barrie said “if you haven’t done the Hofmeyr, you haven’t done Endurance. It is a must.”

The Hofmeyer 100 Miler is the second oldest Endurance Ride in South Africa...

Read more here:
http://www.stfrancisvillagenews.com/blog/2010/09/top-three-for-jenna-at-hofmeyr-endurance/

King To Lead Local Charge In Sultan Of Terengganu Endurance Race

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=526106
KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is expected to spearhead the local charge at the Sultan of Terengganu Endurance Race in Lembah Bidong, Setiu from Nov 5-7.

State Youth and Sports Committee Chairman Rozi Mamat said 100 riders from 12 countries, including Malaysia, are expected to take part in the 120km category endurance race.

"So far, seven countries have confirmed their participation," he told reporters here Friday.

According to Rozi, United States, Chile, Uruguay, France, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore had confirmed while the organisers were still waiting for confirmation from UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and India.

He said local clubs competing in the race are Wilayah Equestrian Team, Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES), Penn Endurance Club, Kelab Tanjung Keling Riding Centre, Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, Langkawi Endurance Stable, Masterscaff Endurance Team and Perlis TSAB Stable.

The event, previously known as the Terengganu Endurance Race offers RM30,000 for the winner, RM20,000 for runner-up, RM15,000 for third placing, RM10,000 for fourth and RM8,000 for the fifth, he said.

Rozi said the annual event was sanctioned by the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) and Federation Equestrian International (FEI).

-- BERNAMA

All about the 2010 World Equestrian Games

Kentucky.com - Full Article

By Janet Patton Herald-Leader Staff Writer

Horse fans from around the globe will be heading to Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park this fall for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The international competition, held every four years since 1990, will feature the best riders and drivers in eight disciplines — dressage, show jumping, eventing, vaulting, reining, combined driving, endurance, and paraequestrian, which involves disabled riders — over 16 days.

This is the first time the event has been held outside Europe. The championships are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors and volunteers to the Bluegrass, although some of them may be staying in hotels more than an hour away.

The global economic downturn has taken a toll on travel. Ticket sales for the events, once predicted to top 600,000, now look more like half that. With spectators expected to buy tickets to multiple days, the daily attendance may be similar to that of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Still, an economic study, commissioned by the WEG Foundation, has predicted an economic impact of $167 million for the state...

Read more here:
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/09/08/1426351/all-about-the-2010-world-equestrian.html

Namibia: Can’t wait for the next ride

Newera.com.na - Full Article

8 September 2010

WALVIS BAY - After a very successful event in 2009, FNB Namibia again supported the 2-day Endurance Ride, which took place on the 2nd of this month at the harbour town, to the tune of N$50,000.00.

In response to FNB’s ongoing support, Namibia Endurance decided to officially call the competition the FNB Africa Endurance Championship.

Hosts Nambia entered three teams in various categories, South Africa also entered three and a senior team came all the way from Germany, while a significant number of individual riders also took part, bringing the total number of entries to 186 of which 156 finished the ride.

The competition is undoubtedly the biggest horse endurance ride in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

The various competition divisions were won by: Senior Heavyweight Riders – George Wessels on Aracos Armak; Senior Standard Weight Riders – Collen Tjandja on El Sham Khemo; Senior No Weight Riders – Martell Dormehl on Romeo; TYOung Riders – Alice Krenz on Hidalgo; 120km Child Ride – Chane Viljoen on Zabubega Hakim. ..

Read more here:
http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=12925

South Africa: Lani & Legato go to Kentucky

Vangerve.com - Full Story

Lani van Gerve and her horse Arkab Legato are on their way to compete in the 160 kilometre event at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky on 26 September 2010.

The road to Kentucky was long and required great commitment. In June 2009 Lani and Legato qualified to compete in the Games by winning the South African National Championship over 160 kilometres. Legato went into quarantine at Kenilworth in Cape Town in January 2010. Lani moved from Pretoria to Cape Town to exercise Legato daily for the two months of quarantine.

On 22 March 2010 Lani flew with Legato and 23 other horses in a DC10 cargo plane to Europe. In-flight photographs and a short description of the process can be accessed via the link "Legato flies to Europe" at right.

In Europe, Lani and Legato participated in Endurance rides in Belgium and the Netherlands. ..

Read more here:
http://www.vangerve.com/home

FEI Proposes Prohibited Substances List Modification

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
September 07 2010, Article # 16922

Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at low therapeutic levels might be helpful for horses with inflammation between competitions, so clearer and more current information is needed about detection times for anti-doping testing, according to a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) committee. This committee--the FEI List Group--maintains the official list of controlled and prohibited substances for the organization.

The FEI List Group publicly announced over the weekend its recommendation that more research be carried out to determine the exact amount of time low doses of phenylbutazone(Bute) and flunixin are detectable in a horse's blood. With this knowledge competitors can feel confident about treating their horses therapeutically after and between competitions, without fearing disqualification from an upcoming event, said the group's chair, John McEwen, BVMS, MRCVS, who is also the FEI Veterinary Committee chair and the team veterinarian for the British Equestrian Federation.

However, the recommendation does not change the status of phenylbutazone and flunixin as "Controlled Medications" on the official FEI Prohibited Substances List, adopted April 5 in conjunction with the new Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations. McEwen said all NSAID drugs should continue to be prohibited during competitions, and drug testing for these substances should go on as before. The FEI does not currently prohibit the use of NSAIDs between competitions, provided they are no longer detectable at competition testing, and the new recommendation does not change this.

"What we're recommending is practical guidance and support, with clear, accurate, modern levels available," he said. "This will empower those who have the horses' care in their hands to access information that is reliable, to allow them to treat with NSAIDs between competitions...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16922

Grazing in horse country: Lexington lets the Games and the feast begin

Macon.com - Full Article

September 8 2010

By PHIL VETTEL - Chicago Tribune

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Forget Louisville, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. This state's real hooved hot spot is Lexington, which immodestly bills itself as the "Horse Capital of the World."

I don't doubt it. Some friends who moved to Lexington live in a subdivision whose streets - all of them - are named for champion thoroughbreds. One of the town's main roads is Man O' War Boulevard, and they're not talking about jellyfish. Venture beyond the compact downtown, and the outlying areas seem to consist of horse farms and developments that used to be horse farms. (As in: "That shopping center used to be the Peterson Farm.")

In late September Lexington hosts the World Equestrian Games, a quadrennial 16-day event that will decide world championships in such events as driving, endurance, vaulting, dressage (that's the sport in which full-grown horses have to hop around like preteens in their first pair of high heels), reining and so on. Yes, there are world champions in these things.

The Games are a huge deal, the four-legged equivalent of the Olympics, and will draw horse fans from every corner of the globe. Perfectly ordinary hotel rooms have gone stratospheric for those dates (Sept. 25 through Oct. 1), and the whole town will go bonkers. Which, from what little I've experienced of the inordinately polite Lexingtonians, will probably be the most genteel, restrained sort of bonkers you will ever see. Think raised eyebrows; think traffic jams, with no honking...

http://www.macon.com/2010/09/07/1256336/grazing-in-horse-country-lexington.html

Namibia tops African endurance

Namibian.com.na - Full Article

07.09.2010

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

NAMIBIANS topped all the team events at the annual FNB Namibia Endurance African Championship held at Walvis Bay, last week.

The event is run under the auspices of the Federation Equestrian International (FEI), the ‘mother’ body of equestrian sport worldwide, and was Namibia Endurance’s (NE) flagship event which boasted a record 186 entries, including teams from South Africa and Germany.

The grueling contest consisted of three sections, namely, heavy weight, senior standard weight, and young rider teams, over distances of 30km, 60km, 80km, 95km and 120km.

The second loop of the 120km was over the notorious Dune 7, a tough challenge for both the horse and rider, with the the third leg a picturesque loop along the coastline which allowed horses and riders to enjoy the welcome sea breeze...

Read more here:
http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2010/september/article/namibia-tops-african-endurance/

After Kentucky - The 2014 World Equestrian Games

Equisearch.com - Full Article

The region around Caen, Normandy, France, site of the 2014 World Equestrian Games, offers many places and events to delight the equestrian. It's not too early to start planning your trip!

By Susan Harding

September 2, 2010--In 2014, the FEI World Equestrian Games will be held in Caen in Normandy, France, during the anniversary of the Normandy invasion of World War II. And it’s not too early to begin planning your trip.

Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) is an equestrian’s delight with historic stables and spectator events from harness and flat racing to polo, show jumping and more. And, of course, there are also are the things that make France, and particularly Normandy, a wonderful place to visit--local cheeses, French bread, delicious wine, charming 17th- and 18th-century country cottages, miles of white sandy beaches and historic villages around every corner.

On a recent trip to preview the venues for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, I was introduced to just a few of the very special equestrian sites in Basse-Normandie. Here’s a quick preview of why a trip to Normandy either before or during the Games is a must:

Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/equiwire_news/weg2010/after_kentucky-2014_world_equestrian_games_090210/

Scotland: Pony Club endurance championships taking place

Scottishhorse.co.uk

Scottish Horse
2 September 2010

Following the launch of endurance riding as an official Pony Club discipline in 2009, and with Dengie Horse Feeds as a sponsor for 2010, Pony Club endurance is going from strength to strength and will be enjoying its second championship on September 19 at The College EC, Bedfordshire.

The championships are the culmination of Pony Club endurance rides all over the country throughout the year, and entry numbers have again been pleasing with over 50 Pony Club competitors anticipated at the championships. Competitors will be split across junior (eight to 12 years) and senior (over 13 years) levels, both individually and in teams. As with the other Pony Club disciplines classes will be set at novice (32km at 10km per hour), intermediate (40km at 11km per hour) and open (40km at 12km per hour).

“Pony club endurance has continued to steadily grow throughout 2010,” comments Robert Blane, chairman of Pony Club endurance. “It’s really pleasing for us to see both members having a go at Endurance for the first time, but also the progression of those already taking part; such as April Ngei who won last year’s intermediate and will be competing at open level in the championships this year.”

Spectators are welcome at the event, with no charge for entry.

Bahrain: Sulaiman improving skills abroad

Gulf-daily-news.com

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

BAHRAIN's Fahad Sulaiman extended his excellent form during his participation in a number of endurance horseride championships in Australia.

Sulaiman, a member of the Royal Endurance Team, is finishing his studies in Sydney. He took part in two recent rides during his stay which were over 124km and 160km.

The young Bahraini completed the four-stage 124km ride with a total ride time of eight hours, 28 minutes and 44 seconds.

This ride started with 36km in the first stage, 30km for the second, 30km for the third while the fourth and last stage is over 25km.

He earlier took part in five different rides with his best result winning top spot in the challenging 120-km Australian Open last May riding Nicholas. Sulaiman extended his gratitude to Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his support to him.

He also expressed appreciation to Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who is continuously backing his rides in Australia.

Endurance NZ World FEI Qualifying Series

NZEquestrian.org

2/09/2010 11:42:06 a.m.

Endurance NZ World FEI Qualifying Series 2010-2011


Qualifying Events

· National Champs April 2011

· North Island Champs January 2011

· South Island Champs February 2011

· Ruahine November 2010

· HOY March 2011

· Canterbury November 2010

· Marlborough December 2010



Qualifying Rides

· All Senior CEI 1*, 2* and 3* rides that are held at the Qualifying Events



Series Rules

· Points are earned as a combination.

· Combination with the most points wins the Series.

· In the event of a tie on points the winning combination will the combination with the most qualified kilometres in the Series.

If still tied there will be a count back on placings star to decide the winner.


Series Points

· Qualifier Points - each combination that qualifies earns qualifier points based on starter numbers. For example, when there are 20 starters the winner earns 20 points, 2nd place earns 19 points, 3rd pace earns 18 points etc.

· Distance Points - each combination that qualifies gets 1 point for every 10km. e.g. 8 points for an 80km ride, 12 points for a 120km ride.

· For each ride the Qualifier Points and Distance Points are added together to get a total points score for each combination for that ride.

Security will be Tight for WEG

Kentucky.com - Full Article

Sunday, Sep. 05, 2010

For the 16 days of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Horse Park should be the safest place in the state outside of Fort Knox.

Lexington and Kentucky State police will work with Kentucky National Guard troops and 1,000 paid and volunteer security guards to patrol the Horse Park, guide traffic, screen visitors and protect the yet-to-be-named Very Important Persons in the audience, some of whom are bringing their own security details.

"People will notice us. We want them to notice us and be comfortable, knowing that we've put real effort into the operation here," said Kevin Tyo, president of Event Security Consulting and Operations Inc., a Georgetown firm that won the primary security contract for WEG...

Read more here:
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/09/05/1421637/security-will-be-tight-for-weg.html

Sweden sends two individual endurance riders to WEG

Horseandhound.co.uk

23 August, 2010

Maria Hagman Eriksson and Cecilia Stråhle Engquist will be representing Sweden as individuals in the endurance competition, which is the first championship to take place at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky.

Maria Hagman Eriksson and Power currently hold the Swedish record over 160 kilometres, which is the same distance as the ride at WEG, and is reigning national champion.

Cecilia Stråhle Engquist is based in Houston, Texas, USA and has a choice of her two rides: Aces Comett or Latteefah.

Lithuania: Alisija Zabavska-Granger rides the dream

Horsebytes Blog by Monica Bretherton - Full Story

Imagine that you have secured a qualification to represent your country in endurance at the World Equestrian Games, a goal you have been working on for many years.

You even have the luxury of two horses who are qualified, a gelding and a lovely bay mare, but finances dictate that you focus on preparing only one for the 2010 Games. The gelding is strong and powerful, and he moves up to 75 miles without a hitch. The signs are looking pretty positive.

One evening you go out to dinner with the future mapped out, only to find on returning that the gelding is not in his paddock.

This is what happened to Alisija Zabavska-Granger, who will be representing Lithuania in endurance at the Alltech World Equestrian Games on September 26th.

After she told me a little bit of her life history, I was not so surprised to hear she had overcome this setback.

Beginnings

Alisija left her native country of Lithuania because, she said, "Men were dominating and I would have been a slave in the horse world..."

Read more here:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/horsebytes/archives/220140.asp?from=blog_last3