Australia: 2011 Tom Quilty Gold Cup Update

AERA.ans.au

March 15 2011

South Australia, Barossa Ranges, 30 September to 1 October.

The SA Quilty is definitely on and with only 6 months to go the Committee is flat out. We have a number of members that were on the 2004 Quilty committee and their experience has been invaluable. We may be a small state but we are going to put on a Big Event! Thankyou to all the interstate people who have offered advice and manpower for the Event. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Ride Base
The Mt Pleasant Showgrounds (Talunga Park) is a flat grassed area. Sites will be 15m by 10m. Cost is $50 and you must purchase 1 site per horse. You may need more if you have a big gooseneck. Powered sites are an extra $30 (limited number) Water from mains taps is plentiful.

Dogs
Preferably none, but if you must bring one, it must be on a leash at all times. Loose dogs will be reported to the Council Dog Catcher.

Checkpoints
Only one ‘away from home’ checkpoint at the end of Leg 1.

Nominations
Forms will be on the website before the end of March, Please download and send completed form to our treasurer with a chq or money order payable to SAQuilty Committee Inc. Entries are $360 per horse.

Merchandise
Pictures will be on the website before end of March with order forms and sizing chart. There will be 2 order dates and a stall at the event.

Final Dinner
On Sunday night there will be a sit down 2 course dinner with Band and Bar. Tickets are $40 and can be prepaid. It will be held in the Town Hall about 600m from the Ride Base.
That’s all for now, Please keep an eye on the Website which is being updated frequently. Feel free to email any of the committee for more info or ring Jean Sims on 0429781004 at any time. We look forward to seeing a large number of you at the end of September.

Enquiries to Jean Sims. Mobile: 0429 781 004 or 08 8284 5601,
Email: director@satomquilty.com.au
Website: http://www.satomquilty.com.au/

Great Britain: Mary King to Ride in Golden Horseshoe

Goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

14 March 2011

Popular event rider Mary King, British champion a record four times and holder of an Olympic Silver medal, will take part in this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor.

Mary, one of the favourites for the British team at next year’s London Olympics, will ride the first 25 miles of the daunting, two-day 160 kilometre (100 miles) Golden Horseshoe class on May 16.

“I watched some of the Endurance competition at last year’s World Championships and was really impressed by the fitness of the horses and the courage of the riders,” she said.

“When I was invited to the Horseshoe I jumped at the chance of trying it myself.” And she adds: “It also gives me the opportunity of seeing something of Exmoor and experiencing the kind of challenge the competitors face.”

Mary will ride a proven endurance horse and be accompanied by an experienced competitor.

Organiser Barbara Wigley hopes that riders aiming for a team place at the European Endurance Championships - due to be held in Florac, France, later this year - will use the event as part of their preparation.

“We are really excited that Mary has accepted our invitation,” Barbara said. “We hope that her interest will highlight the sport to the equestrian world in general and to the general public.”

The Golden Horseshoe takes place on 15th, 16th and 17th May 2011.

For more information, see http://www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk/index.php

Great Britain: Ten Minutes in the Tack Room With... Beccy Broughton

Horseandcountry.tv - Full Article

12 March 2011

Endurance rider Beccy Broughton has been competing since she was six-years-old. She has represented Team GB at numerous events, including at WEG in 2010. Beccy also blogs for H&C where she shares her life with her horses and her training tips.

What would you do if you didn’t ride horses? Race cars or slalom racing! Both of which I did until I had to make the big decision and I chose horses.

Why did you decide to go into endurance riding? I competed because my mum did. I completed my first competition when I was 6 which was a 25mile CTR.

How often do you muck out? All the horses live out 24/7 and the fields are mucked out every day. However, Java who returned from WEG is stabled currently and the retired boy Murmansk is keeping her company.

Who has the best yard you’ve visited? Show jumper, Andy Saywell’s. It’s all contained under one roof, including the indoor school, feed and tack rooms, storage barn, wash and solar stalls, staff accommodation with access to Southwell racecourse just half a mile ride away. Wow!...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/ask-the-expert/ten-minutes-tack-room-beccy-broughton

Great Britain: Prizes awarded to endurance riders at Helmsley

Gazetteherald.co.uk - Full Article

Thursday 10th March 2011

Endurance riding is becoming a popular sport and through local groups is encouraging more riders to try long-distance riding. As well as the enjoyment of taking part, members compete for trophies, awards and rosettes. Kilometres and points towards these awards are gained at rides throughout the season.

The North & East Yorkshire Group of Endurance GB held its awards ceremony at the Feathers Inn, Helmsley, recently.

Winner of the High Point Advanced Granat Amber Award was the newly-appointed group chairman, Tracey Thompson, with her pony Chrystal Joobar. This pairing also won the accolade of being the combination with most points and distance gained in endurance race rides in the group this season. Robert Blane and his gelding Ricco Esta Artisan were awarded the Hot Rod Trophy for gaining the most points in his first season of taking part in endurance rides...

Read more here:
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/equestrian/8902526.Prizes_awarded_to_endurance_riders_at_Helmsley/?ref=rss

Spain: Parade Seville, Andalucia Kaliber VI

El Raid Blog

Thursday March 10 2011
[google translation]

From the Organizing Committee Kaliber-Andalucia VI regulations refer us to participate in the Parade Riding in Seville on the 3rd of April, the sixth day Kaliber-Sevilla Andalucia passes on its way from Andalucia.

"Dear Friends;

We get in touch with you to inform you that the next day April 3 and on the occasion of the arrival in Seville, Andalucia Kaliber Raid VI, will be a parade through the streets of Seville (with character display) starting from the Park Alamillo and landmarks through the historic center of Seville.

We believe it is an event that any horse enthusiast should not miss, having the opportunity to stroll through parts of Seville that he never believed he could do on horseback. It is therefore our intention that in addition to the riders of Kaliber Raid-Andalusia, may be present the many riding schools in our community, associations, clubs and fans in general. We have also extended invitations to local police, Guardia Civil, Real Club de Andalucía Hooks and Banda del Sol
Riders must be properly dressed according to the discipline of English Dressage, Doma Vaquera short suit, etc.

At the end of the parade will enjoy a wonderful appetizer during which an exchange of views, experiences, etc.. the horse world, our great hobby.

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 this parade we can show the world the great love of the horse that exists in this land since time immemorial.
Below you will find a registration form (not mandatory but recommended) you must complete to participate, which you must send to the following address: rortiz@sotoancho.com or by fax No.: 954-491601 "

UAE riders dominate GCC women’s endurance

FROM OUR ABU DHABI BUREAU March 10, 2011

UAE’s Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi from Al Reef Stables won the CEN 90-km endurance ride held as part of the second GCC Women’s Games at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The ride was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The six-day Games are being held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the UAE General of Women’s Union and Family Development Foundation.

The ride drew 53 riders from the GCC countries and participants were required to cover the distance divided into four phases of 30 kms, 24 kms, 20 kms and 16 kms.

The UAE also won team gold medal with Kuwait and Qatar taking the silver and bronze medal respectively.

Suwaidi, a student at the Higher College of Technology in Al Ain, riding 11-year-old gelding Webbs Creek Firefly, completed the ride with a time of three hours, five minutes and 5 1 seconds. Her average speed was 29.06 kmph.

Her compatriot Haya Mohammed Al Shanqiti on Lucien De Loube from Fazaa Endurance Team secured the second place having completed the ride in three hours five minutes and 57 seconds.

Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed also finished a creditable third with a time of 03.12.38.

The prize giving ceremony was attended by Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, secretary general of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, head of the Higher Organising Committee of the Games Committee, Abdullah Al Qubaisi, director of communication at Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Stephen Bowey of Invest AD, Lara Sawaya, director of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and managing director of Tasweeq.

“I have won races before but this is my first win of the season and it was a competent event as it drew a number of prominent riders from all over the GCC countries,” she said.

“My strategy was a slow start and reserves the energy for the final loop and I succeeded in it with a consistent ride. I am happy with Webbs Creek Firefly’ as the horse responded well,” said Suwaidi.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said it was the first time endurance ride has been included in the GCC Women’s Games.

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...

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