Qualification Criteria for the 2011 Pan American Endurance Championship/Pan American Young Rider Endurance Championship

Clubequestrian.com

Vonita Bowers
Tuesday, March 08, 2011

The Pan American Endurance Championship/Pan American Young Rider Endurance Championship will be held near Santo Domingo, Chile on October 22, 2011. Qualification criteria for the event has been released. The USEF intends to send a Team and/or Individuals to represent the U.S. in both the Senior and Young Rider Divisions.

The U.S. sent four horse/rider combinations to the most recent Pan American Championships held in Uruguay in April of 2009. The Team won Silver, with a combined time over the 120km course of less than five minutes off the Gold Medal pace. A Young Rider division was offered at the championship, however, no Young Riders from the U.S. competed.

For the first time, Endurance will be included in the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North ( July 27-31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY), providing Young Riders the opportunity to hone their skills in a championship competition featuring only Junior/Young Rider entries.

The qualification for both the Pan American Championship and the Pan American Junior/Young Rider Championship can be found HERE.

If you have questions concerning the Pan American Endurance Championships or the USEF Endurance program, please contact:

Vonita Bowers
Director, Endurance & Reining
(859) 825-6001
vbowers@usef.org

Portugal: Nations Cup 2011

Portugal Nations Cup 2011
March 31-April 3 2011

The Nations Cup is the third most important event in the international endurance calendar. Right after the World and the European Championships, the Nations Cup is part of the European circuit and is organized, this year in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, and Germany. Portugal Nations Cup is an open event and counts with the presence of the best horses and riders from the entire world, with a strong Arabian presence, represented by their Sheiks and Princes who practice the sport.

Regarding distance, the Nations Cup is institutionally categorized as a 3 Stars International Official ENdurance Contest (CEIO 3*), developed in 160 km/day, played by one set horse/rider.

The level assigned to the Nations Cup means that there is a very strong turnout of audience, participants and media, generalist and thematic, with the permanent presence of journalists from magazines, newspapers and sports TV's, foreign and domestic. For this year there is alread a 120 minutes contract with RTP2 and SPORT TV and 15 days of promotion on the Ardio M80 10 times a day, making this event not only a safe mean of visibility for the sponsors but also a way to establish strong business relations with those countries in the Middle East, that strongly bet in this sport as a strategic relationship with the West.

The program:
Thursday
* Press Preview
* Opening ceremony

Friday
*10h00 - 15h00 - Veterinary Inspections
*16h00 - Show Paradressage
*19h00 - Briefing CEIO 3* Portugal Championship
*20h30 - Presentation of Pure-bred Arabian from APCA

For more information, contact
Isabel Sampaio at isampaio@glevents-portugal.com, or
Antonio Saldanha at am.saldanha@hotmail.com

www.endurance.net/international/Portugal/PORTUGALNATIONSCUP2011.pdf

Great Britain: World Class Start and Potential Squad Update

Endurancegb.co.uk

7th March 2011

Squad Chefs Andrea Baker (WCSPS) and Helen Boston (YRs ) were very impressed with the facilities at Bury Farm, which allowed nearly all of the activities to be indoors.

The WCSPS met recently at Bury Farm, Bucks for the Spring Squad assessment and training weekend. Following on from the Joint squads training day last November, this was a joint weekend with the Young Riders Squad.

Squad Chefs Andrea Baker (WCSPS) and Helen Boston (YRs ) were very impressed with the facilities at Bury Farm, which allowed nearly all of the activities to be indoors. We had two adjacent indoor arenas where EGB Level 3 coaches - Sally Hall for the World class squad and Rachel Atkinson for the Young Riders - put the riders through a set of exercises and routines designed to improve the balance and rhythm of both Horses and Riders. During the Saturday afternoon - the World Class Squad riders took part in a dressage test - which had been much practised judging by the improvements and comments from Sally Hall - who kindly marked the test for us.

A series of lectures and workshops took place during the weekend - and thanks go to Sally Hall, Rachael Claridge and Claire Bruce for their individual talks. Squad vets Anna Maria Nagy (orthopedic issues in the Endurance horse) Charlie Briggs ( metabolic problems, how to spot, deal with and avoid) and Georgina Hirst - Preparing and riding a 120k ride, along with Practical demonstrations by Squad Physio Lee Clark - Stretching your horse, and Jamie Goddard - Yrs’ Farrier on the Importance of foot balance, were all well attended and well received by all. We also welcomed Emma from Baileys Horse feeds who ran a series of lectures on Saturday to cover all aspects of feeding the Endurance Horse. Many thanks to all.

Following on from the weekend - riders all went away with a clearer idea of what is expected of them this season, projects to work on and how to get there!

The short listed riders for the World Class Start Squad will be in action at Kings Forest ride - which will be the selection ride for Mont le Soie. The selectors and Team management will select the team of 6 combinations immediately following the ride.

They are:-

Fiona Griffiths - Dear Kate
Lindsay Comben - Radhwan
Annie Ings - Alpha
Gill Brown - Nougat du Villard
Alex Freaks - Maresha
Lesley Dore - Firebird
Sue Higgins - Aberllwyds Another Rose
Penny Pearce - Oakthwaite Suddara
Andrea Champ - Druimghigha Luxor


Some of the Potential Squad riders are also considering joining the trip to Mont le Soie to use the ride as part of their qualification progression to the Elite Squad. Those also in attendance at Kings Forest will be

Sue Rich - Czako
Claire Bruce - Ah Diba
Rachael Claridge - Prince Melodias
Rachel Atkinson - Vanaash
Louise Rich - Cziko (Young riders squad )

We wish all of them well at Kings Forest.

Andrea Baker
Chef déquipe - World class Start and Potential Squad

Scotland: Protesters promise summer of action on highway to Highlands

Heraldscotland.com - Full Article

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Edwards Environment Editor

6 Mar 2011

Countryside campaigners angry at being barred from a historic route across the A9 in the Cairngorms are planning a series of protests that will blockade the road and delay motorists.

Unless the government’s Transport Scotland digs a tunnel or builds a bridge at Crubenmore, just south of Newtonmore, it will have “blood on its hands” because people will be killed attempting to cross a new dual carriageway, they claim.

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are demanding politicians commit to constructing a crossing in the next few weeks. Otherwise, on April 20 they will launch a summer of protest walks along the A9 that will delay traffic.

“If our protests are unsuccessful, I am quite prepared to drive up and down the A9 roadworks all summer with my horse and carriage to show my contempt,” said Ruaridh Ormiston, who runs Newtonmore Riding Centre.

He is furious that dualling the A9 will prevent him from taking pony trekkers along one of the old military roads built by General Wade to control the Jacobites in the early 1700s. The route is also popular with walkers, cyclists and local people...

Read more here:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/protesters-promise-summer-of-action-on-highway-to-highlands-1.1088823

UAE: Patient Al Faresi stays strong but woe for leader Khan

The National
Amith Passela
Mar 6, 2011

ABU DHABI // Patience was the key for Ahmed Saeed al Faresi who won the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Cup after the overnight leader Iqbal Khan's 11-year-old gelding Brookleigh Junior was vetted out for lameness in the final loop of the CEI Three-Star 240km race.

It was a close call for al Faresi, though. He had to overcome late challenges from Omair Hussain al Baloushi on Oh-Jay and teammate Thani Mohammed al Muhairi riding Akasha Sansation to win the feature prize of three-day Endurance Festival at the Bouthdib Endurance Village yesterday.

"Anyone in the top eight positions overnight could have won this race," said al Faresi, who covered the final day's 80km of the race in over three-and-a-half hours to complete the gruelling distance in 9hrs 57mins 42secs.

"The first two days was about working up to a good position. It was very close and exciting finish for a long distance race worked off over three days. The first four horses battled all the way to the finishing line, but it was my horse that stayed the strongest to win.

"That was not surprising because Ohio is a top-class horse and has won some top-class races in Europe when ridden by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. I must thank Sheikh Hamdan for providing me the opportunity to ride this horse."

Ohio, an 11-year-old bay gelding, finished second in the 160km World Championship qualifier and was sixth behind Oh-Jay in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, a 160km CEI Three-Star race in January.

"He has run consistently well in all his races and we are all happy he ended the season on a high," said al Faresi, avenging his defeat to Oh-Jay in January.

Khan, the overnight leader, held a lead of more than 20 minutes but his horse was vetted out in the second last loop. And while the Indian work rider for the Dubai Endurance Stables held a sound lead, less than a minute separated the next seven riders.

"It was always going to be a close contest on the final day and certainly turned out to be closer than anyone would have guessed," al Faresi said.

Al Baloushi from the Al Reef Stables prevented a clean sweep for the Seih Al Salam Stables of Dubai by finishing ahead of the al Muhairi brothers Thani and Ali Mohammed who were third and fourth. Only 14 of the 60 starters completing the race.

The last rider to finish was Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the King of the Malaysian State of Terengganu, who completed the race in 12.28.40 on Chalileo PDP.

UAE: Al Faresi wins Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Cup

photo: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2nd right) and King of Malaysia HM Al Wathiqu Bilah Tuanku Mizan (2nd left) pose with the winners
Sunday, 06 March 2011

Ahmed Saeed Mohammad Al Faresi dominated the last phase of the final day of the 240-kilometre endurance race to emerge winner of the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Cup.

Al Faresi, who was lying 13th at the end of the first day, bettered his standings on Friday to start the final day in the third place.

Riding on 11-year-old Ohio, Al Faresi began the gruelling final day to move into the second place in the first 30km first stage.

But he lost pace and slipped to third place in the second 30km stage to Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi on Akasha Sensation.

Al Faresi, however, gathered pace in the final stage of 20km riding at an average speed of 24kmph to overtake the top two to ride away with the title

Al Faresi covered the total distance in nine hours, 57 minutes and 42 seconds.

Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, his trainer-cum-rider, said: “This was Al Faresi’s second win and Ohio’s first. The long distance race is different and one must utilise good tactics to achieve good results.”

Omair Hussain Al Belsoushi, astride Oh-Jay, finished in nine hours, 58 minutes and 42 seconds for the second spot while Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, riding Gazyl Al Sundari, sealed the third place with a total time of 10 hours, one minute and two seconds.

Iqbal Khan Allauddin Khan, leader on the first two days, failed to qualify in the eighth phase.

In the 120km Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nayhan Endurance Festival for Junior and Young Riders, Rashed Ahmed Al Bloushi emerged the winner after covering the distance on Silversprings Kabir Arwa in a time of four hours, 47 minutes and 48 seconds.

Abdullah Rashid Mohammed Al Naqbi finished second in a time of four hours, 48 minutes and 26 seconds atop Braka Sidi-Ifni, while Mohammed Hassan Al Hammadi riding Coolaroo Jubal was third.

The CEI 1-star 80km ride was won by Rachel Harriet Harvey on Caramelo in a time of three hours, 27 minutes and 24 seconds. Shamsad Alam Mohammed Zaid took second place on Tres Jolie Endurance (3:47.42) and Michelle du Plessis on Pindarem finished third (3:53.14).

The three-day festival was organised by the Emirates Heritabe Club, in co-operation with the Emirates Equestrain Federation and held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the President and Chairman of Emirates Heritage Club.

By Jai Prasad

full article at http://www.sport360.com/uae/news/54681-al-faresi-wins-sheikh-sultan-bin-zayed-cup http://www.sport360.com/images/stories/MARCH2011/6marimages/JJC-Endurance-Winner-9-crop.jpg

Qatar: Ladie's Endurance

Gulf Times
The winners of the Ladies Endurance Championship pose with their trophies after the presentation ceremony on Friday. About 40 Qatari and expatriate riders took part in the 80km race which was held for ladies for the first time in Qatar. Amany Hosam Saber atop Sior Mabrouk was first, while Haya Mohamed al-Kuwari riding Mansor finished second. Victoria Louis on Debawy took third prize.

Netherlands: the Dutch Championship returns to the Fasna Trail

1 March 2011

The Dutch Championships have returned to the Fasna Trail on 3-5 June 2011. Multiple rides will take place on 4 June: a CEI3* 160km, a 141km CEI3*, a CEI*2 120 km, a CEI2* Young Rider 120km, a 90km CEI, and a CEI* 90 km Young Rider.

"In 2010 there was no Dutch Champion in the 160km Endurance, due to a lack of endurance sport in the Netherlands," says Eric Lamsma, Ride Organizer. "However, the organization has worked hard to be the only Dutch CEI to get back on the map. And successfully. Many new sponsors are supporting us, as well as Havens and Nissan.

"Havens and Nissan also had the confidence in us last year which laid the foundation for 2011."

There are still opportunities to support the event. The Fasna Trail organization intends to also link a CEI-O to the event.

The first International participants have already reported. Harald Grinschgl has also committed to the 2011 Fasna Trail to record the timing information.

The board of the Fasna trail is extended:

* Eric-Lamsma
* Geke Verhoog
* Arjen Jansen-Kieneker
* Wier Peter Inge (adv)

For more information, contact Eric Lamsma at info@fasnatrail.nl

Stay updated with news at
http://www.fasnatrail.nl/default.asp
and
http://www.endurance.net/international/Netherlands/2011Ermelo/

Spain: Urban tour of Seville, Andalucia Kaliber VI

1 March 2011

Since the organization of Kaliber-Andalucía Raid invite all fans to the sport of horse racing in any discipline, to join us in the city tour we will do in Seville next April 3 (Sunday), as an display, with which we intend to give this test and all the more striking equestrian world and category. The tour will depart from the Parque del Alamillo, at 11 am and will run approximately 3 hours. It is our intention that, in addition to the riders of Kaliber Raid-Andalusia, may be present the many riding schools in our community, associations and clubs and fans in general, whenever they are ready to show at all times the necessary discipline and good behavior for the better development of the march. We have also extended invitations to the Local Police, Guardia Civil, couplers and club music Banda del Sol to join us riding on our tour of Seville.

At the end of the course will be offered a drink and a bowl of stew to participants in the Cortijo del Parque del Alamillo.

Andalusian horsemen and fans should be proud of this test, which happens to be the longest and the hardest of all those held in the world and is attracting considerable international interest. That's why we thought it would be nice to organize a large caravan riding in Seville that might serve to show the world the great love of the horse that exists in this land since time immemorial. It will also be a nice way to share a good time with people from all over the world with which unites our great love of horses and nature.

It will not be necessary to formalize any registration, but the horses participating must be properly federated and insured, and must keep abreast of relevant vaccinations.

Raid organization shall not be liable for any claims for damages or any other eventuality.

http://www.raidkaliber.com/

Bahrain: Riders set for fifth race of the season

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

February 28, 2011


PREPA-RATIONS are underway for the 100-km Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

The ride, scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, will be the fifth endurance event of the season.

It's for the rolling trophy of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, have begun prepartions to host this prestigious event.

Shaikh Nasser's ride follows the season's top endurance event - the 120-km His Majesty King Hamad Championship held earlier this month.

It was sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory and Isa Al Hazza emerged senior champion while Ali Baqer notched the junior trophy.

Speaking on this occasion, Shaikh Khalid said the Shaikh Nasser Endurance Championship is regarded one of the most important competitions of the season, with prominent riders from across the kingdom taking part in it.

Shaikh Khalid said he is confident of a successfully weekend ride at the endurance village, adding that the organising committee is working hard to prepare the venue and its facilities.

The Breef's chief stressed on the fact that this weekend's ride, which comes at half-way stage of the season, promises to feature stiff competition among participants.

Shaikh Khalid hailed the tremendous success of the previous ride for His Majesty King Hamad's Cup and the exciting competition which took place at the endurance village.

Shaikh Khalid added that the present weather conditions is ideal for endurance rides and is expected to contribute to lift the overall standard of the ride.

Australia: Endurance riders fear long-term prospects

Canberratimes.com.au - Full Article

BY BEN HOUSTON
28 Feb, 2011 04:00 AM
Canberra's residential development is posing a threat to the future of endurance horse riding in the city.

The view was expressed by ACT Endurance Riders Association president Fia Hasko-Stewart yesterday as about 60 riders took part in a training and social ride day organised by the association.

''We used to ride all through the pine forests,'' Hasko-Stewart said.

''We held some really great rides through there and now they're developing housing through there.

''There still will be an access corridor between the equestrian park and the Stromlo Forest Park, but it's not the same. Like one little area to ride on, it's just not the same..."

Read more here:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/endurance-riders-fear-longterm-prospects/2088576.aspx

New Zealand: South Island Endurance Championships 2011

NZEquestrian.org.nz - Full Article

24/02/2011 11:26:09 a.m.

The Mt Nimrod Endurance Club put on a brilliant weekend for the South Island Endurance Champs, 18-20 February, based at Cannington, Cave in South Canterbury, but the glory well and truly belonged to father and daughter, Philip and Helen Graham.
The CEI 3* 160km ride started at 3am with the 40km loop. The first rider into the vet ring (in 2.41.10) was Philip Graham with Wolf Gang Amadeus, followed closely by several other riders including the five starters from the North Island who had made the long trip down.

The 160km riders rode all four loops with loops 2 and 4 being repeated before the final loop of 20km. Graham had fellow Canterbury rider, Kylie Avery and Silands Mia Bella, hot on his heels all day so it was no surprise that the two decided to fight out the title with a gallop through the last paddock – around 500m in length. Some said the finish was too close to call with Graham and Avery riding neck in neck over the line, but sadly for Avery, who vetted out lame, the final line honours were made in the vet ring, Graham’s horse going through to take the trophy in a time of 9.33.43. North Islander Sean Trafford, on Sayfwood Rolling Stone, crossed the line over an hour after Graham to take second place and was followed sometime later by wife Alexandra Rogers, riding Supre Nickel; seven out of 12 starters completing this track that had a good mixture of rolling hills, flat farm land and tracks, metal and tar seal road verges and plenty of challenges along the way.

Best Conditioned horse for the 3* was judged the following day with “Wolfie” uncontested and looking fit and sound, to claim this prize also...

Read more here:
http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=727&ESID=4779

New Zealand: Solid results for endurance riders

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

24/2/2011

Just three Marlborough riders made the long trip down to Cannington, Cave, last weekend to compete in the South Island Endurance Championships.

Rides were contested on Saturday (160km and 90km) and Sunday (120km and 80km) in perfect conditions.

The CEI 3* 160km ride started at 3am on Saturday and the last riders home finished around 7pm, their ride times around 12 1/2 hours.

The winner was former Marlborough rider Phillip Graham (now Cheviot-based), on seasoned campaigner Wolf Gang Amadeus, his time 9hr 33min.

Also starting in the dark, at 5am, was the CEI 1* 90km Senior and Junior rides.

The winners of these classes finished in exactly six hours, with six horses (four senior and two junior) all galloping for the finish line together...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/4698587/Solid-results-for-endurance-riders

Great Britain: BEF Futurity Evaluations seeking world champions

Letstalkhorses.co.uk - Full Article

The BEF Futurity Evaluation series aims to identify British bred young potential sport horses and ponies destined for careers in endurance, dressage, eventing, or show-jumping, with the intention of finding the world champions of the future.

Endurance has been a popular category with breeders in the Futurity since its introduction in 2009. Entries in this section are on the up as endurance breeders increasingly value the chance to gain an informed opinion on the performance potential of their youngstock.

Entries for the Futurity are categorised by discipline with age groups for foals, yearlings, two and three-year-olds. Each horse is evaluated in hand and loose in an indoor school as well as undergoing a vet’s assessment. It is equally as valuable to amateur as professional breeders because the evaluators are purely assessing the horse and not the ‘name’ of the person accompanying it!

The BEF Futurity Evaluations highlight the importance of a planned breeding programme in order to attain youngsters which will be able to successfully compete on the world stage. If the aim of the breeder is to breed a top class endurance horse, looking at the results of the Futurity (both the stallions and the offspring) is increasingly important. One strong advocate of this approach is Dominick Atkinson, the breeder of Seren Procynon (pictured), last year’s highest scoring endurance entry. He believes there is great importance of looking both at individual stallions and at successful lines.

“Seren Procyon is just one of Hanson’s sons. We also have two colts/future stallions by him here. They also follow the consistent stamp that Hanson put on his offspring with our type of mare, in both male and female progeny.” Sadly Hanson died in 2009...

Read more here:
http://www.letstalkhorses.co.uk/latest-news/bef-futurity-evaluations-seeking-world-champions.html

Chile: It is the Endurance Grand Prix Lago Escondido

Anbariloche.com.ar

February 13 2011

The weekend of 26 and 27 next February is a new edition of Endurance Lake Escondido, a classic event that traverses the geography of a magnificent area of Patagonia on horseback, as competition will be missed.

The slogan of this sport is to prioritize the health and welfare of the horse, which was withdrawn by the Veterinary Service of the race before any health problem.

There are already people registered from different parts of the country. Is that this traditional competition is gaining momentum year after year.

For those who wish to participate, include the receipt of horses will be from Wednesday 23 until 16 pm on Saturday, February 26, as from the 17 on Saturday will be the Veterinary Review. On Sunday morning will be the technical talk and then the race.

A date Federal Championship, and also run Novice distances are: 25, 40 and 80 kilometers. Among the activities to be undertaken within the framework of the event, meaning that on Saturday during the day there will be a veterinary clinic and a Herrado and the next day there will be a demonstration of Amanse.

There will also be available, as every year, a camping area for those who wish to do so. The night before the competition will be held a barbecue at the basket among the campers. There will be musical numbers to generate a fun time and where all present participate.

A Test of Endurance is a competition against time to evaluate not only the strength of the horse over large distances to travel, but also the strategic pose the race for the rider.

The horse's performance on various types of terrain and natural obstacles is significant to determine the knowledge equestrian rider and horse training and status. Both horse and rider must possess excellent physical condition, there is nothing worse for a tired horse a rider tired.

Endurance competition is organized in a number of phases. At the end of each phase (in principle every 40 kiloómetros) is a veterinary veterinary organized as a door with a retention time (retention pulse begins when the horse is in the 64 or so, until now the time race continues).

The importance of this discipline is the environment that occurs in each test, where participants not only gather but also their relatives, friends, horse owners, buyers and the general public.

There is no age limit for jockeys, horse races or limitation for this sport, any horse in normal health and with proper training can practice Endurance.

The slogan of this sport is to prioritize the health and welfare of the horse, which was withdrawn by the Veterinary Service of the race before any health problem.

For more information, contact email is: endurance@lago-escondido.com

Qatar: Pact signed for use of ICT in equine sports

Gulf-times.com - Full Article

20 February 2011

agreement
Qatar Science and Technology Park and Al Shaqab have signed a memorandum of understanding for the launch of an ICT solution platform called Rasad monitors that can be used in equine sports.
QSTP chairman, who is also the Science and Technology adviser Dr Tidu Maini and Al Shaqab director Fahad Saad al-Qahtani signed the agreement.
Rasad uses a variety of sensors to collect data and transmit over wireless or wired networks to a central server that processes the data, providing real time customised graphical interfaces and services.
It can be used in several industries, but when used in the equine sports, it provides several benefits such as: the optimisation and personalisation of horse training sessions, a more effective management of performance during endurance competitions...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=417190&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Abu Dhabi: Ali Al Muhairi wins Rashid Festival ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Completes 120-km event in 4:27:36

* By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
* Published: 00:00 February 20, 2011

Abu Dhabi: The two horses that Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi prepared for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year have obliged the endurance rider with two successive wins this season.

Yesterday, Al Muhairi, a member of the UAE team which won a team gold and an individual silver at the WEG, rode 13-year-old Fenwick Cadenza to victory in the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival 2011 120-km Endurance Ride.

He won in a time of 4hrs 27min and 36secs.

It followed Al Muahiri's win on Karabil Kalya Hai in the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge last month...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/ali-al-muhairi-wins-rashid-festival-ride-1.764530

From World Games to World Stage: Equestrian-Friendly Royal Families and Turmoil in the Middle East

Equisearch - Fran Jurga Blog
February 18 2011

Maybe you’re not a newshound like me. All this Middle Eastern political news might leave you cold. You don’t know these people, you think. And you never will. Does it matter?

I think it does matter. It matters in the big picture of the world, of course. The unrest is disturbing, and violence distressing.

But on a much more personal level, there’s a lot to be said for some high stakes in horse sports riding in the balance, as political unrest in the region spills into the Gulf states with the violence in Bahrain. The high stakes cover four areas that I can think of immediately: the breeding of Arabian horses, the breeding and racing of Thoroughbreds, the sport of endurance and the executive office of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Take the current crisis in Bahrain, for instance; for the past year or so, I have been following an outbreak of the disease called glanders in that island nation. That research led me to learn about the horse breeding program there, and the endurance team. As this political crisis took over the news, veterinary authorities were set to inspect every horse in the kingdom in order to declare the country free of glanders. No horses have been allowed off the islands during a long quarantine...

Read more here:
http://blogs.equisearch.com/horsehealth/2011/02/18/endurance-equestrian-bahrain-royal-nasser/

Junior/Young Riders World Championship Ride to Abu Dhabi

FEI.org

14 Feb 2011

The FEI Endurance Young Riders/Juniors Championships™ 2011 has been allocated to Abu Dhabi (UAE), following the resignation of Brazil as host country. The championships will be held in December this year, but an exact date has not yet been finalised.

Chris Yeoman's President's Cup Adventure - Part I

EnduranceGB.co.uk - Full Story

8th February 2011

Chris is riding in the President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi this weekend on ZT Richshakfy otherwise known as “Ricky”, her talented grey Argentinian gelding who completed his first FEI 160km last year. After months of preparation, Chris, Ricky and the crewing team, headed up by husband John, have now arrived in Abu Dhabi and Chris has sent us this report back.

“We started our journey well. The flights were ok except I was sat opposite a guy that was ill and sick for a lot of the time - yuk yuk yuk!!! That kept me from eating too much on the flight I can tell you! Anyway John and I met up at the airport as planned and made our way to the hotel. We were supposed to be picked up by the hotel but they never turned up so we got a taxi.

We arrived at the hotel at 2am UAE time on Sunday morning the 6th and they were expecting us (that was a relief… bearing in mind their failure to collect us from the airport!)

However, the hotel is undergoing a major makeover and they are building a whole new wing so peaceful it is not! Drills and hammers are going all day every day.
Day one for 3 hours during the afternoon they even turn the water off - great!!

On the evening of the 6th Nikki (Malcolm) and Philip (Hirst) arrived, having been held up in London due to bad winds in Germany!...

Read more here:
http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=2282