Gujarat to host first equestrian endurance championship

AHMEDABAD: Will home-bred Kathiawadi and Marwari horses be able to compete with the famed Arabian horses? This Sunday will test the endurance of 30 horses in the first edition of Gujarat's equestrian endurance competition on a 10 km track in Santej near Ahmedabad. The horses, from Gujarat and Rajasthan, belonging to industrialists, farmers and horse enthusiasts, will be tested for their strength, ability to negotiate hurdles and health.

Anish Gajjar, founder of Equestrian Club of Gujarat and organizer of the event, told TOI that the sport is conducted in 20, 40, 60, 80 and 120 kilometre races at national and international levels. "As this is the first initiative for the state, we are going for a 20 km race in two loops for the open category, while there is a shorter 10 km race for the junior category of horse riders. We also have a category for women," said Gajjar. The event will take place at Santej.

Why Ahmedabad? "The event has always been a bastion of Arabian breeds at national and international levels. However, we have an interesting mix of breeds including Marwari, Kathiawadi, thoroughbreds and mixed breeds in the state with quite a few enthusiasts. It will be an interesting competition and an exhibition of their strength," said Gajjar.

According to organizers, in an endurance race, the winning horse is the first to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal fit to continue. Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to participate in the race. The rider who reaches the destination first after passing all the periodic exams is declared the winner. The event is being organized according to the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and with support from the Marwari Horse Society of India (MHSI). British equestrian trainer Philippa Waterfield will co-ordinate the event.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gujarat-to-host-first-equestrian-endurance-championship/articleshow/7414598.cms

UAE: Top riders to showcase skills at Endurance City

Gulf News
Staff Report
February 3, 2011

Maktoum Bin Hamdan ride on Saturday

Dubai: International Endurance City is set to host two back-to-back races this weekend with the UAE's leading riders set to take part.

Tomorrow will see a CEI one-star Dubai International Endurance City-backed 80-km ride with two loops; a yellow category loop of 40-km once repeated. The pre-ride meet and inspection will be held from 9:30am-12 noon.

While a CEI two-star 120-km event, the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge, sponsored by Seeh Al Salam Stables, takes place on Saturday. The race consists of five loops and the pre-ride meet will be held on Friday from 2:30-5pm.

Mohammad Essa Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of the organisers Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), said: "We would like to extend our appreciation to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, for his continuous and generous contributions to our endurance events throughout the season. We are very honoured to host the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge.

"We are also very grateful to Seeh Al Salam Stables and are delighted that they have been rewarded with such a top-class line-up of riders."

French Endurance Coach Dropped!

Frenchhorseandcountry.com - Full Article

January 27, 2011 By fhc

The coach of the French Endurance team, Jean-Louis Leclerc, will be dropped from January 31st this year by the Federation. Why? Apparently he is too old and there will be a new directions from then on.

Veterinarian by training, Jean-Louis Leclerc was the head of the French team for endurance for 6 years and involved in the federation for 16 years. He earned respect and steered the teams to achieve results with 9 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze. Not bad, but not enough in the eyes of authorities.

The new federal plan for the Endurance no longer requires a full time coach and feels it is time for the application of new blood. Although only 62 and despite his undeniable results, Jean-Louis Leclerc will not be reappointed...

read more here:
http://www.frenchhorseandcountry.com/WP/2011/01/27/french-endurance-coach-dropped/

Endurance Added to 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships

February 01 2011
Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – For more than 30 years, the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North traditionally hosts championships for teams and individuals in the three Olympic Equestrian disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping. In 2008 reining was included, and in 2011 the sport of endurance will be introduced for the first time.

Included as a non-championship event since 2008 – participation and support for the program continues to grow. The 2011 championship will run from July 27-31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY and the endurance portion will use some of the same track that the World Endurance Championships ran over during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last September.

The ride will take place on Friday July 29. The stabling, start, veterinary inspections and finish as well as portions of the course will be on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds. The remainder of the course for the 120km race will make use of private property near the horse park.

For more information please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.

FEI Year End Rankings 2010

January 31 2011

Two French riders topped the Meydan Open Riders World Ranking for FEI year end results. Virginie Atger, who was ranked fifth in the world last year, topped the list in 2010 by just 14 points over fellow Frenchwoman Sarah Chakil.

In 2010 Atger won a number of rides, including the CEI*** 160-km Sommant and 160-km Rambouillet in France. She also finished 10th in the World Endurance Championship in Lexington, Kentucky.

Chakil won the 160km CEI*** Landivisiau and Florac in France. Chakil and Sakalia finished 8th in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky, boosting the pair to a year-end 4th place ranking in the FEI World’s Top Open Combination.

14-year-old SAS Alexis was the top ranked horse in the FEI Meydan Open Horse World Ranking. The horse had 5 starts in 2010, finishing first in a CEI** 120km in Bahrain, two 2nd places in CEI*** 160-km rides in England, and a third in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky.

2nd ranked horse in the FEI Meydan Open Horse World Ranking was 10-year-old Ciel Oriental. The horse had 5 starts in 2010, with 3 wins in England at 120 km, 130 km, and 160 km, and a 2nd place finish in the World Equestrian Games.

The very popular Double World Champion, and reigning European Champion, 15-year-old Nobby, ranked 32nd on the list. He had two starts on the year, a 4th place in 2010, a 160-km in Dubai in April, and first place in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky.

Meydan Open Riders World Ranking:
1 - Virginie Atger - France - 1149 points
2 - Sarah Chakil - France - 1135 points
3 - Maria Hagman-Eriksson - Sweden - 1106 points
3 - S.S Faleh Nasser Bughenaim - Qatar - 1106 points
5 - Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum - UAE - 1089 points

Meydan Open Combination World Ranking:
1 - Ann S. Hall and HCC Zara RR - USA - 404 points
2 - Alex Luque Moral and Koheilan Kincso - Spain - 372 points
3 - Joao Raposo and Titanic - Portugal - 357 points
4 - Sarah Chakil and Sakalia - France - 349 points
5 - Carlos Cunha and Quinza - Portugal - 339 points

Meydan Open Horse World Ranking:
1 - SAS ALEXIS - 504 points
2 - CIEL ORIENTAL - 475 points
3 - MAQUARIE PARK SEDITION - 443 points
4 - GROSO HLM - 411 points
5 - AMIR - 408 points

FEI Year End Ranking - U.S. Horse and Rider Are Tops

January 31 2011 - California, United States,

Ann S. Hall, with mare HCC Zara RR, World’s Top Open Combination World Ranking for FEI year end results

Ms. Hall, a veteran endurance rider from Auburn, California topped the FEI ranking of 4764 horse and rider teams world wide to garner the number one spot. Ms. Hall and her mare HCC Zara RR accumulated the highest amount of points as a team in FEI events for the year. Ms. Hall, who has 10,000 miles in competition has been riding FEI events since 2006 and has a 100% finishing lifetime record in FEI events.

“HCC Zara RR has only been under saddle for 2 years, we are very pleased with her progress. Zara is closely related to several other Hall horses that have done very well through KOSCIUSKO, AERC Hall of Fame Stallion and sire of Tevis Champions. We are looking forward to 2011.”

Winner of the individual rider to accumulate more points with various horses went to Virginie Atger of France. Ms. Atger had an impressive year with 15 finishes out of 15 races to top her fellow compatriot, Sarah Chakil, in closely contested race for the world champion title. Ms. Atger rode seven different horses to achieve the world title. Ms. Atger, silver medalist at Aachen, Germany in the World Equestrian Games (WEG), represented France in Kentucky at the WEG and finished in the 10th place spot riding Azim Du Floival.

SAS Alexis, FEI World Top Ranked Horse for the 2010 season, is a 15 year Arabian gelding. SAS Alexis, is owned by the Fazaa Endurance Team from the United Arab Emirates. SAS Alexis, born in Australia, bested a field of 4109 horses to claim the year- end title. His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Al Maktoum, Captain of the United Arab Emirate team, guided SAS Alexis to bronze individual medal and team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. SAS Alexis, was a mere 17 seconds behind the 2nd place horse.

In 2010, Endurance inspired 270 International Events, a far cry form the modest 16 events held in 1995. This dramatic increase places Endurance as one of the fastest growing discipline in Equestrian sport.

The FEI, founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Today, it is the sole controlling authority for 8 equestrian disciplines throughout the world. Of the equestrian disciplines that FEI oversees is the sport of endurance riding.

Bahrain: Top riders for King's Cup endurance championship

Gulf-daily-news.com

January 30, 2011


THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) has started its preparations to organise His Majesty King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

Some of the best riders from Bahrain and the GCC will be coming in the endurance season's most prestigious event, sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory (WGA).

The 120-kilometre event is set to take place at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship will be held under the directives of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport's first deputy chairman and Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation is holding the event as a grand sports festival in the kingdom.

Welcomed

He welcomed the riders from across the Gulf region taking part and expressed confidence of an exciting competition that is expected to be held this season.

Shaikh Khalid underlined the large number of entries to the tremendous success of the championship in previous years.

Shaikh Khalid praised the efforts of the organising committee and the federation with one week separating them from the championship.

Shaikh Khalid highlighted the endless support from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the preparation for His Majesty the King's ride.

The Breef's chief also expressed appreciation to WGA founder and president Ahsan Ali Syed for sponsoring the event, adding that he is looking forward to possibly building on their partnership in the future.

Shaikh Khalid stressed the importance of cooperation with the private sector in the development of sport, especially in equestrian, in Bahrain.

Malaysia: Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1

SETIU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday took part in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1 at the International Endurance Park Terengganu in Lembah Bidong, here.

Tuanku Mizan, riding the horse VV Coco, led three other riders in the 80km ride which was flagged off by Youth and Sports Executive Chairman Rozi Mamat.

Also taking part in the race were his princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah, 15, prince Tengku Muhammad Mua'az, 11 and princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra, 9.

The race was divided into three categories namely 120km, 80km and 40km.

Other teams taking part are the Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, State of Terengganu Endurance Team, Langkawi Endurance Team and Malaysian Army Endurance Team.

The results are expected to be obtained tomorrow morning.

-- BERNAMA

Great Britain: This is a sport which endures

by Karen Dent, The Journal
Jan 29 2011

RIDERS interested in endurance are being offered a free introduction to the sport in the North East.

The Intro to Endurance evening in Stannington, Northumberland, next month, will cover everything from pleasure rides to the low-distance competitive endurance, crewing and a look at competing abroad. The main speaker on the night will be Angela Hall, the founder of the Equine Massage Academy (North East).

The event is being organised by the Northumberland & Tyneside Endurance GB group, which has 39 members and organises eight rides in the region annually.

Viv Knight from the group has been involved in endurance for 16 years and now her whole family are part of the team.

She said: “It is the safest, healthiest – for the horse – most sociable, family-friendly, lowest cost competitive sport for those with horses.

“My daughter, Lee-Anne, started riding in endurance when she was 14 years old. When she went to university and qualified as a vet – she now works for ScottMitchell Associates, Hexham – I took over the reins. Apologies for the pun!

“The whole family has been involved as my husband Graham and son Darrell have crewed for us.”

Haltwhistle-based Mrs Knight has two Arabs, a gelding called Ashraaf, who is 22 and now retired, and a 10-year-old mare called Sun Diva GFA, who is known as Geri.

“I bought her when she was a rising two-year-old,” said Mrs Knight.

“My daughter started to ride her when Geri was four in pleasure rides, but then as work and family commitments took over, we approached a friend, who in fact first backed Geri – Andrew Richardson, a point to point jockey and trainer who lives in Hexham.

“He now trains and rides her in the competitive season. We now concentrate on the endurance rides (races) of 50 miles and above.

“Their greatest achievements together have been in 2010, where they came first at the Hexhamshire Trophy Ride in August and first at the Red Dragon, Builth Wells in October out of a very high standard of riders of 22.

“We also came away with the Best Condition award for our class in that event.

“I am hoping that this year we will do even better, as she has matured and her whole body has strengthened.”

Mrs Knight is heavily involved in Geri’s diet and training programme and crews at events with her husband.

But she says it’s a myth that you need an Arab to do well at endurance.

“Many people have to wrong idea about needing an Arab horse, indeed one of our top horses in the North East is a trotter cross,” said Mrs Knight.

“Any type of horse can do endurance. They all become fit with time and the limitations are often due to the amount of time the owner can provide, as with most sports.”

In addition to the eight events put on the Northumberland & Tyneside group, there are also active endurance groups in Durham, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders that organised events of up to 65km.

The Intro to Endurance event takes place from 7pm on February 24 at Stannington Village Hall near Morpeth.

ENDURANCE GB NORTHUMBERLAND & TYNESIDE GROUP 2010 AWARDS

PLEASURE DISTANCE TROPHY

JUNIOR HIGHEST MILEAGE TROPHY

NEWCOMERS TROPHY

HAPPY TRAILS TROPHY

GRADED RIDE TROPHY

HIGH POINT TROPHY

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/2011/01/29/this-is-a-sport-which-endures-61634-28075476/#ixzz1CRyCevWp

France: New International Endurance Event at Fontainebleau

Grandparquetendurance.fr

Welcome to Fontainebleau !

The Grand Parquet Endurance association is happy to present you with a new event happening in France: an International Endurance Ride Competition taking place in Fontainebleau on Saturday, April the 2nd 2011.

The event is hosted on the Grand Parquet spot, one of the most beautiful equestrian sites in France, very comfortable, as well for the horses as for the rider:

*Very easy to access : located 60 km south of Paris on the A6 Motorway, Exit No 14
*Many hotels situated around Fontainebleau
*230 permanent structure horse boxes
*Many horse shower areas
*Concrete grooming area
*Large consolidated parking area
*Exhibitors and caterer on the premises

On the programme:
*CEI** - 121 km in 4 loops (33km, 36,5km, 30km and 21,5km) – 1450 meters difference in height
*CEI* - 91 km in 3 loops (33km, 36,5km, and 21,5km) – 1100 meters difference in height

The courses are displayed in daisy shape around the site, in the magnificent Fontainebleau Forest, on excellent quality grounds (almost no asphalt).

Electronic timing will be applied to the riders.

Agenda
Monday, March 21st

closing date for final entries (through your federations)

Wednesday, March 30th (2 :00 pm) to Friday, April 1st (12 :00 pm) : Riders and Horses arrival

Friday, April 1st, 2 :30 pm : initial veterinary control

Saturday, April 2nd : 7 :00 am : CEI** start – 8 :00 am : CEI* start

Saturday, April 2nd : 8 :30 pm : Gala Dinner.

And thanks to our partners we will have a very nice award ceremony !

We are awaiting you all for this first edition !

To contact us
cg.cabardos@club-internet.fr

Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2011

SATomQuilty.com.au

 

 
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the SA Tom Quilty committee announces a change of venue and date for the 2011 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.  The event, now known as the Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty Gold Cup will provide a challenging event for participants on a new course.  There will be an away check point and riders will experience changing terrain as the course traverses Mt Crawford State forest, vineyards and pastures.  The second and potentially most challenging leg will be through pine forests, then onto private land owned by the Ross family (by kind permission).
 
The ride base will be at Mt Pleasant which hosts annually a large agricultural show in addition to many livestock and horse events.  One of the best scenic routes in our State runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands, forestry and the wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley close to Mt. Pleasant. 

Land was first purchased for forestry at Mount Crawford in 1909. Plantings commenced in 1914; two species of eucalypts (Narrow-leaved Ironbark and South Australian Blue gum) and two species of pine (Radiata and Maritime pine) which creates a fantastic horse riding environment.  The current reserve area is in the region of 12,000 hectares. 
 
Please note that the event will now start at midnight on Friday September 30th 2011 and continue through Saturday October 1st.
 
Changes to our website are being made and further announcements will follow as plans are finalised for the test event, the South Australian State Championships and FEI 1* featuring the Trans Tasman and Young Horse Qualifier (sponsored by Castlebar) which takes place later this year on October 8th - 10th
 
For more information, see http://www.satomquilty.com.au/about

Qatar: HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (centre) is seen with the winners of the HH The Heir Appraent Endurance Cup at the indoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. Al Shaqab Endurance Team took the top five places while dominating in the Seniors 120 kms HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup held at the Sealine on Saturday. Abdulrahman Saad al-Sulaiteen riding Parlour Mountain came in first while his team mate Faleh Nasser Saleh Bughenaim astride Amir took the second place ahead of Hassan Tahous Saif al-Nuami. The Juniors event over 100 kms also saw the Al Shaqab Team in pristine form as their riders and champion horses took the first three places. Saad Senan Saad al-Kaabi riding Idaho Champ checked in ahead of Salem Ali Salem Feteas (Kalgan De Lafon) to take the top honours.

Gulf-times.com

Qatar: Al Shaqab Endurance is the Second Best in the FEI World Ranking

Al Shaqab.com

With all essential support and endorsement of Al Shaqab, represented by endurance manager Hadi Al Ramzan and the team, the dedicated, applied and professional endurance rider Faleh Nasser Bughenaim is the 2nd best endurance rider of the year 2010 in the ranking of the FEI, more once a source of pride for Qatar.

Winner of eight international endurance races in France, Uruguay, Brazil and Portugal, besides the honorable 5th place in Kentucky, he also exhibits in his ranking of results important victories in Uruguay, where he began ride together with the stallion Amir and was championin a race of 160 Km in July in Costa Azul, with an average speed of 20.82 km / h, doing the last loop with an of 28.03 km/h.

He was also 7th place in the difficult and demanding race of Florac, France, one of the toughest race of endurance world with more than 180 riders. In Florac, Faleh was riding Leonardo and the average speed was 16.84 km/h. The last loop was 21.83 Km/h, leaving all the connoisseurs impressed with the speed,the same that the champion Sarah Chakil did.

In September, the way home it was Kentucky, the Endurance World Championship, in the World Equestrian Games, where Faleh with the Qatar Team fought bravely for a big title. Riding Amir, the stallion from Uruguay, Faleh was once again among the best endurance riders, as Virginie Atger, Sarah Chakil, Maria Alvarez Ponton and did well for his country. At an average speed of 20.37 mph, he was 12°, 7°, 6°, 7° finishing in 5th place in a competition that unfortunately relied on dubious trials and controversies.

In October, Faleh and Urubu were gold medal of the Nations Cup in Tróia, Portugal, the average speed at 160 km was 18.89 km/h.He did race in 8h25min28s and the average speed in the last race was 23.129 km/h.The next day he did the race 120 km and with Opaline Cabirat he won with an average speed of 20.07 km/h, and the last loop was 24.69 km / h.

Along with these results, it also highlights the dedication of Hadi Al Naimi, who is responsible for all this success around the endurance in Al Shaqab Team, relying with a nice team.

Together with the Al Shaqab Team, Faleh spent months away from home by starting international season just before the half-year and only returned to Qatar in November 2010, in which he has already secured a 2nd place in a international race, riding the Portuguese horse Urubu an the average speed was 21.63 km / h.
So he ended the year 2010 in international endurance competitions and became with much merit with the 2nd best endurance rider in the world, proudly brought to the Al Shaqab this important title.

Abu Dhabi: Bin Ali clinches endurance ride

Gulfnews.com

* Staff Report
* Published: 00:00 January 23, 2011

Al Baloushi finishes 120-km in second place while Al Shafar third

Abu Dhabi: It was Hassan Bin Ali's day at the Emirates Championship — a CEI 120km endurance ride — when he rode IFO Rashin to victory at the Emirates International Endurance Village, in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The ride was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, owner of the winning horse.

The 120km ride started with India's Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan taking the lead in the first stage, which was over 32km, in 01.14.54 seconds. He was followed by his compatriot Chandra Singh Ladu Singh (1:15.07) in second place and the UAE's Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (01.18.11).

Khan maintained his lead in the 28km second stage, crossing the finish line in 02.19.22, followed by Singh (02.19.37) and Bin Ali (02.22.02) in third.

Bin Ali made a strong comeback in the third stage and climbed on top in 03.15.14 while his countryman Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (03.15.31) improved to second place with Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (03.17.42) third.

Bin Ali completed the ride in 04:41.38 to emerge the winner. Al Baloushi, riding Jayhal Shazal from Al Reef Stables, finished at second place (04:44.48) — followed by Shafar on Dalyn Man from Al Reeh Endurance Stables (04:45.08).

The race was sponsored by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS), Wathba Stud Farm, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) SAS Investment Co, Invest AD and Areej Al Ameerat.

RESULTS

Provisional (top five):

1. Hassan Bin Ali | (IFO Rashin) 04:41.38, 2. Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi (Jayhal Shazal) 04:44.48, 3. Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (Dalyn Man) 04:45.08, 4. Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri (Fazza Endurance Team) 04:47.52, 5. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Palhavi Des Pins) 04: 53.48.

Abu Dhabi: Second success for Spanish rider Uranga

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

* Staff Report
* Published: January 22, 2011


Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge

Abu Dhabi: Spanish rider Uma Mencia Uranga partnered HH Gabbar to win the CEN 90km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for ladies at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

It was her second triumph for 21-year-old Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge on January 7.

Forty-six riders of different nationalities had to deal with tough conditions affected by rain in the SAS Investment Co-sponsored event. In second place with a time of 3:18.18 was Saudi Arabia's Maha Hashem Al Jefri on Aloha Kamahl while Maha Khalid clocked 3:19.20 on Princess Diana to finish third.

Results (top five): 1.Uma Mencia Uranga (HH Gabbar) Fazza Endurance Team (3:15.27), 2. Maha Hashem Al Jefri (Aloha Kamahl) Al Reef Stables 3:18.18, 3. Maha Khalid (Princess Diana) Dubai Endurance Stable 3:19.20, 4. Chantelle du Plessis (Israk Grey) Al Reeh Endurance Stables 3:20.28, 5. Gerda Petronella Burger (Oska) Dubai Endurance Stables 3.22.56.

Australia: Lost horse register under way as owners begin searching

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 15, 2011
By Neil Clarkson

Five horses are listed as missing but the number is certain to grow as horse owners in flood-torn Queensland work to discover the fate of their animals.

he Queensland Horse Council is co-ordinating the lost horse register, which aims to re-unite lost horses with their owners, and hopefully bring closure to owners whose animals were washed away in the flash floods.

The toll of horses is unknown, as the cleanup across the state gets under way.

To date, 80 standardbreds are known to have perished at Cold Mountain Stud, but the equine death toll is certain to go much higher.

Sixteen people are confirmed dead in the flood, with the death toll predicted to double in the next couple of days. About 50 people are still missing...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/01/092.shtml

Bahrain: Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Abu Dhabi: US Riders to Ride in President's Cup

January 20 2011

3 American riders have been invited to participate in the 160-km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi. Former multiple World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy will ride Spectacular Gold, Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will ride DJB Cytron Kon JMF, and Deborah Reich will ride DJB Juniper in the event.

New Dutch Chef d’Equipe Endurance

Horsus.nl

19-01-2011

The Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has appointed Marjolijn de Rooy as the new chef d'équipe endurance. The 53-year-old entrepreneur have signed a contract until 2012.

Marjolijn de Rooy has more than 25 years experience in managing horses. She coached for many years endurance riders and horses where she not only paid attention to the preparation of training plans and management of the horse, but also the veterinary matters had high priority.

In 2003 Marjolijn was a member of the Dutch endurance team that won bronze at the European Championships in Punchestown.

HorsUs

Australia: Floods claim stud horses

Weeklytimesnow.com.au

Fran Cleland | January 19, 2011

FIFTY horses at Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer's stud were drowned when floods swept through the Lockyer Valley last week.

Mr Palmer said staff had herded the horses into the barns but the barns then began filling with water, forcing staff members to climb on to the roof.

"The horses were drowning beneath them," Mr Palmer was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, fears are held for 80 Arabian endurance horses belonging to Australian endurance champion Penny Toft, at Marburg.

The horses are missing, but Penny said she was hopeful they would be found alive.

The farm produces some of the world's best endurance competition horses.

"Horses are smart, and we are hoping they have moved uphill," Penny said.

"We are still better off than others in the area. More than 40 Thoroughbreds and 29 Standardbreds have been drowned."

Penny said the biggest problem for horse owners would be the lack of feed and hay, with roads to the area impassable