Abu Dhabi: Stage set for 90 riders to undergo gruelling 160km Endurance Cup

Sport360.com

Friday, 11 February 2011

Ninety riders from over 10 countries are set to lock horns in the His Highness The President of United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup on Saturday.

Fifteen riders from the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Slovakia will line up alongside their counterparts from the UAE and the GCC in the 160km endurance horse race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, as they bid to become the first-ever non-Emirati winners of the event.

Starting at 6am and running until 10.30pm, the race is split into six phases of between 16km and 34km, with two recovery inspection periods after the fourth and fifth loop. Last year’s race was won by Sultan Ahmed Al Bloushi, on Charlandre El Sharif, in a time of 06:21:12.

And the rider has again been in good form this season, winning the National Day Cup in December.

The top-three riders will each get their hands on a set of keys for a shiny new car, as will the winners of the team event.

The race is run under the directives of His Highness The President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, under the supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs.

The event is also held in conjunction with the Al Wathba Stud Farm, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage, Invest AD, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Areej Al Ameerat and HSBC Bank.

Declan Hegarty, HSBC’s Managing Director and Head of Business, Abu Dhabi said: “HSBC is proud to support Abu Dhabi and ADIHEX in celebrating Emirati culture and pastimes as the UAE continues to set the model of economic development for the Middle East.”

On a positive day for purebred Arabian horses, it was also announced by the Global Arabian Horse flat Racing Festival that the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference would be back for a second year, to be held in The Hague.

The conference will be held from June 16-18 and follows from the successful 2010 event that took place in Abu Dhabi.

By Martyn Thomas

Spain: 16th annual Cron Raid

February 7 2011

The 16th Raid Cron, a CEI*** 120 km test, will be held on 12 March 2011 near St Pere de Torello, outside of Vic, in Catalonia, Spain.

On 13 March, the 20 km, 40 km, and 60 km Cron Promotion ride will also be held at the same venue.

The route of the 120 km will be the same as last year's and can be found at http://raidcron.blogspot.com/ as well as additional information.

Australia's Top Ranked 2010 Riders

AERA.ans.au

Australia’s top rider Ceinwen Morgan, who placed 170 world-wide, rode a perfect season finishing 6 events entered on 6 different horses. All Ceinwen’s events in were off-continent in the United Arab Emirates and Great Britain. Mathew Sample, who represented Australia at the World Championship in Kentucky, was Australia’s second place rider in FEI standings with an overall placing of 215. Mr. Sample finished four rides out of four starts in Australia winning two events with Tarrangower Crecendo.

The Australian Meydan FEI Open Combination Horse and Rider team was Mathew Sample and his mount from the World Equestrian Championship, Tarrangower Crecendo. The pair finish 276 place overall in the FEI World Ranking. Crecendo and Matthew had the winning time at the Kalbar CEI3* 160 – 15.7 km per hour.

Top Young Rider Alexandra Toft Wins Dual Honors. Alexandra rode 5 competitions on 4 different horses to secure Australia’s top FEI Medyan Ranked rider. Alexandra placed 13th in the overall ranking winning the CEIYJ2* 120 Imbil QLD, riding Magum owned by Toft Endurance. It was the Alexandra and Magum team that also captured Australia’s top spot in the Young Riders Combination World Ranking. The pair were ranked 31st in the FEI World Wide Ranking.

Australasian Endurance Conference & Forum

NZEquestrian.org.nz

2/02/2011

Goal of the Conference:

The primary role of the conference is to achieve the aspirations of the FEI Code of Conduct as written below:

Code of Conduct FEI

The FEI urges all involved with the sport to attain the highest levels of education in their areas of expertise.

The secondary goals are:

* Discuss the implementation of the new rules and the implications of the new star rating for treatment veterinarians;

* Improve the understanding of the roles of officials in particular: Ground Jury, Technical Delegate, Foreign Veterinary Delegate and members of the Veterinary Commission;

* Discuss the changes to the Veterinary Regulations with regard to medication control;

* Discuss the examination of horses during competition especially metabolics and lameness;

* Discuss the issues relating to the treatment of horses at endurance rides;

* Forum on the future of international competition: Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan & Thailand;

* Discuss improved nutrition and training methods for endurance horses;

* Discuss issues related to rider safety.

Date: 8th, 9th & 10th of June 2011

Venue: Centr@l Bardon Conference Venue, 390 Simpsons Road, Bardon, Queensland, Australia.

Enquiries: Veterinary. Dr Brian Sheahan, email: Brian@samfordvets.com.au
Officials: Barbara Macdonald Timms email: barbt78@bigpond.com

For more information see:
http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=727&ESID=4711

New Zealand: North Island Champs - Kurutau

North Island Champs - Kurutau - 22-23rd January 2011

It was a mother-daughter victory at Taupo’s IRT North Island Endurance Champs last month with Susan Reid on Makahiwi Achilles recording a back to back win in the IRT CEI 3* 160km ride (following up from last year’s win in the same class) and daughter Sian Reid, riding AA Oscar, taking out the IRT CEI 2* 120km ride the next day.

Taupo hosted the event at Kuratau in very wet conditions on January 22 and 23 with some describing the event as “aquatic endurance”, the rain was so persistent, especially on day two. However most rode well and completion rates were very high, proving that this track will be more than up to scratch for the Nationals being run here at Easter this year, under hopefully much better conditions.

For Susan Reid it was an emphatic win on the 15 year old “Chilli”, owned by Pip Mutch, the combinations’ third win from three starts within 12 months at 3* level, which must be something of an NZ record for sure.

The ever consistent Jenny Champion and Freckles finished second in the 3* 160km ride (and was later awarded Best Conditioned Horse), 40 odd minutes behind Reid and just ahead of third placed Mark Tylee and Jacob, and Michael Wakeling riding Iti, their first start at this level to finish a very credible fourth. Eight out of the 11 starters qualified in this top class, a great tribute to event organizers and track markers.

Sian Reid and AA Oscar won the 2* 120km class of 30 combinations by over 20 minutes and also claimed Best Conditioned, rounding out a great weekend for the Reid’s with their third horse, AA Sabatage, ridden by Rosemary Revell, placing third in the IRT CEI 1* 90km ride.

23 combinations excelled in the IRT 2* 120km with the top three finishing in under eight hours. Behind Sian Reid was Raewyn Carter and Maioro Fire, followed by Sean Trafford and Sayfwood Rolling Stone.

Five out of six Juniors/Young Riders completed their 2* 120km with Emma Armstrong and Craig Royston O’Ryan winning by over an hour from Georgia Smith (Glenmore Astroid), and sole CEN 120km Open competitor Natasha Guest on Cyden Manana completed their first ride at this level.

The IRT CEI 1* 90km ride also was big – 30 combinations again, and five in the Junior/Young Rider class. Riding at and winning his first 1* was Frank Aldridge riding Merimindi Finali, finishing in 5:49:04 and just over a minute ahead of second-placed Maxi Mueller on Mauku Mistique, who was followed closely by Revell. The Young Riders were only slightly slower, Amanda Walton and Lotus Blue Moon finishing strongly to take out the championship class at this level.

The 60km Championship classes were contested by 16 Opens and 3 Juniors with a total of 15 qualifiers.

Hopefully this event will be remembered for the champions that excelled, the OC, vets and officials who made it what it was and the tracks for what they were, despite the rain.

First US CEI of 2011

USEF.org

Release: February 03 2011
Author: From the USEF Communications Department

The first American CEI of 2011 took place at the Dupuis Equestrian Center near Indiantown, FL, January 28-29. The event featured two days of Endurance competition.

In the CEIJY 1* (80km), Forest Green and PL Nino took top honors in a time of 3:55:30 beating Kelsey Russell and Tryssta by 30 seconds to the wire. In the CEI 1* (80km) Amy Atkins crossed the finish line in 5:03:40 on SA Zacks Comet, one second ahead of Daryl Downs and Blaze Star. In another desperately close race, Kathy Brunjes won the CEI 2* (120 km) on Theatric in a time of 7:19:58, one second clear of Melody Blittersdorf on Tektonic.

In the CEI 3* (160km), veteran Valerie Kanavy took top honors on Gold Raven by a wide margin. Her winning time of 8:42:44 was more than 50 minutes clear of Margaret Sleeper, who finished in 9:54:49 with Syrocco Reveille, one second ahead of Nicki Meuten and Not tonight. After a third place finish in the CEIJY 1* on Friday, Kyle Gibbon won the CEIY3* the following day in a time of 13:12:51 on Julio.

India: Thorough breds win first equestrian endurance meet

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Thorough-breds-win-first-equestrian-endurance-meet/articleshow/7439325.cms
Parth Shastri, TNN, Feb 7, 2011, 12.39am IST

AHMEDABAD: Thoroughbreds outshone Marwari and Kathiawadi horses on their home turf. However, the organizers of the first edition of Gujarat's 20 km equestrian endurance competition at Santej near Ahmedabad were happy to make a mark on the national circuit. A 61-year old rider from Ahmedabad won first prize at the event.

Anish Gajjar, founder of Equestrian Club of Gujarat and organizer of the event, told TOI that the event saw participation of 18 riders in the main category, 10 juniors and two women participants. "The event had Kathiawadi and Marwari horses in addition to thoroughbreds and Sindhi breeds. Thoroughbreds are traditionally known for their discipline and will to stick to the end. Homegrown Kathiawadis are sturdy but more mercurial. However, with more and more such events and more training by the riders, we believe that they will make the mark on the national scene," said Gajjar.

RB Pande, an equestrian trainer at a school in Ahmedabad, stood first in the open category riding a thoroughbred. Purvi Shah was first in the women's category also on a thoroughbred while Vijay Patel stood won the junior category in the saddle of a Marwari horse. Marwaris came a close second to the thoroughbreds in winning prizes, said organizers.

Bahrain: IT'S AL HAZZA!

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=298780
Posted on » Sunday, February 06, 2011

BAHRAIN Royal Endurance Team rider Isa Abdulla Al Hazza raced to a dominant victory yesterday in His Majesty The King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship, held at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir with His Majesty the King in attendance.

Riding his horse Duke Ya'aahad, Al Hazza was among the event's leaders from start to finish. He eventually completed the gruelling 120-kilometre event with a winning time of four hours 58 minutes 26 seconds and an average pace of 24.126km/h.

His Majesty King Hamad later presented Al Hazza with a royal sword as part of his prizes as the winner.

Yesterday's race was sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), and sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory.

Al Hazza led three other members of the Royal Endurance Team to finishes within the top four.

Abdulrahman Al Saad was the runner-up and Abdulrahman Al Zaed third, while Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was a strong fourth.

Al Saad, riding Kintamani Ragindi, completed the event quite a distance behind Al Hazza in a time of 5:13:58. He registered an average pace of 22.932km/h in claiming second place.

Al Zaed, mounted on Cedar Ridge Original, did well to battle back from behind to take the final podium position in 5:27:56. He raced with an average speed of 21.956km/h.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Breef president Shaikh Khalid was riding his horse Tarabic Carl to claim an impressive fourth position. Shaikh Khalid finished in 5:44:46, and averaged a solid pace of 20.884km/h.

FEI member Abdulla Al Asfour, riding Rushcreek Ovid, came fifth overall just two seconds behind Shaikh Khalid; while Shawamek Stable rider Khalil Abdulsamad Abdullatif on Chesterfield came sixth in 6:00:02.

Rounding out the finishing order amongst the leaders was Jaffar Mohammed Ali representing Al Ajiyal Stable. On Zidan, he completed the race in 6:06:48.

Also competing in His Majesty's event was Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president. Shaikh Nasser, however, was forced to withdraw from the competition during the first stage, following an injury to his horse The Statesman of Cheveaux.

Meanwhile, Royal Endurance Team's Ali Yousif Baqer won the junior category of the race. Riding Derrom Sabre, Ali had a finishing time of 5:24:00 while going for an average speed of 22.222km/h.

Hussain Al Nayef of Asayel Stable was second. Riding his horse Jassem, he finished just two seconds behind the victor.

Claiming third place was Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al khalifa riding Cal Kafee. Shaikha Najla, representing Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, completed the event in 5:32:12.

After the race, all three top junior riders were presented their respective trophies by Shaikh Khalid.

USA: Three US horses head for Abu Dhabi for endurance invitational

http://horsereporter.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/three-us-horses-head-for-abu-dhabi-for-endurance-invitational/

Miami- Three US horses will ship tonight to compete in the President’s Cup Endurance ride slated for February 12th at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Valerie Kanavy will represent the US riding Spectacular Gold, Deborah Reich will ride DJB Juniper and Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will ride DJB Cytron Tron. Butler-Stasiuk had the option to ride Katie Shah’s Ace’s Commett but feels Cytron Tron is good to go. Butler-Stasiuk will leave from Florida and travel with the horses by February 5th, the other riders to follow. The ride field usually supports 50 National riders and 20 invited competitors from Europe and North America who will compete for monetary prizes as well as the grand prize of an automobile. Entry numbers and prizes will be announced by February 11th. The prestigious 160-km ride started in 2000 with 14 national and 22 International riders.

©Pamela Burton

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