Abu Dhabi: Stirring up love for horses at a young age

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Equestrian sport's future nurtured with care at Abu Dhabi riding school

* By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter, Gulf News
* Published: 00:00 June 8, 2011

Abu Dhabi: Some of the UAE's biggest sporting achievements have come in equestrian sport like endurance and show-jumping while in flat racing, UAE owners have dominated the globe with their race horses.

Most Emiratis are naturals when it comes to horse riding and their love for Purebred Arabian horses, which is part of the UAE's culture and heritage is well documented.

The UAE has produced world champions in endurance and show jumping while the exploits of Ahmad Al Ajtebi as a flat race jockey are well known. This success with the fledgling sport of dressage and Arabian horse shows gaining a lot of attention, the exciting world of horses has always been an attraction.

In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club's Riding School is one venue where children from the age of six upwards can get acquainted with horses and riding.

Daniella Schlatterer, a German who has had a fair amount of success in various equestrian competitions, is the resident Head Instructor of the Riding School which is under the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/other-sports/stirring-up-love-for-horses-at-a-young-age-1.818786

Australia: Future of endurance under discussion

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

June 9, 2011

Senior endurance veterinarian Dr Brian Sheahan is the principal moderator of the FEI Australasian Endurance Forum which began yesterday in Brisbane.

The three-day conference is the first endurance forum to take place outside Europe, and is hosting more than 150 delegates from nine countries. The last such forum was held in Paris in 2007.

Delegates from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the UAE and the USA are taking part in three days of lectures and discussion sessions across a wide range of topics relating to international endurance.

Guest speakers have travelled from Canada, America, the UAE, Malaysia and Switzerland, and from across Australia.

Dr Sheahan has also confirmed his availability to be the FEI Veterinarian Advisor in Mongolia for an intensive week of FEI-sponsored Endurance Education scheduled after the forum. He will be joined by Allan Renner, another senior FEI Endurance Official, who will be the Judge/TD Advisor.

The FEI is committed to supporting Endurance in Mongolia...

read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/06/072.shtml

Malaysia: The Ruler’s enduring passion for sports

Sporting spirit: The King (right) riding VV Coco during the Sultan’s Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge in Lembah Bidong last year. -ZABIDI TUSIN/The Star Thestar.com.my - Full Article

June 4 2011

By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my

ASIDE from being accustomed to royalty, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is famous for living a very active lifestyle and having lots of hobbies and vocations.

As a teenager, he was active in various sports and activities like football, golf, taekwondo, scuba diving and horseback riding. But his true love is endurance riding.

The ruler's love for horses and endurance riding is unparalleled that he even established the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable and the International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.

In January, Tuanku Mizan took part in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1 at the International Endurance Park Terengganu.

Tuanku Mizan, riding the horse VV Coco, led three other riders in the 80km ride.

Also taking part in the race were his son Tengku Muhammad Mua'az and two daughters Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah and Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra'.

He even participated at the Fifth International Equestrian Championship from March 3 to 5, organised by the Emirates Heritage Club.

The track, running through the desert with strong winds and tough weather was participated by more than 90 riders.

Tuanku Mizan and two other Malaysian riders successfully completed the three-day race covering 240km...

Read more here:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/4/nation/8817256&sec=nation

Jean Louis Leclerc to work as consultant for the Brazilian Squad

Endurance-belgium.com

It seems that Leclerc is accumulating the duties. After being fired (well, the official reason was that he was set in early retirement, but Leclerc now openly claims he has been sacked, and we can understand he is not very happy with that) by the French federation just before [the 2010WEG in] Lexington, the national trainer accepted a job as trainer from the German federation. When he was giving a lecture at the Belgian forum in February, Jan-Louis told us that his mandate with Germany wouldn't occupy him full time and that he was looking for other occupations. Brazil has since several years developed privileged contact with France, thanks to exchange programs between riders developed by Guilherme Ferrera. That's why many Brazilian riders could be seen in action on French events.

Leclerc will work for Brazil as technical advisor, helping the team to select and train a squad for the PanAm (in Chile) and the World Yound Riders Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Great Britain: Katy's Exmoor experience turns to gold

Farminguk.com

June 1 2011

Competing in the Exmoor Experience class of the internationally renowned Golden Horseshoe last month, Katy completed the two-day 50-mile course across the rugged landscape of Exmoor in Devon on her 13th birthday.

Katy, who lives on the Longmynd and is a pupil at Bishops Castle Community College, rode her 12.2hh Arab-cross pony Angelina Ginny at an average of 12km/hour over the two days, finishing each day within the optimum time and passing all veterinary inspections. She went one better than her record-breaking achievement in 2010, when she became the youngest rider to complete the course, attaining Silver Medal standard.

The Golden Horseshoe endurance ride takes place on Exmoor in Devon annually, attracting the UK’s top endurance riders and horses. This year’s event was boosted by the participation of Olympic three day event rider Mary King, who made her entry into the sport riding in the same Exmoor Experience class as Katy Mellor.

Qatar: Al Shaqab Endurance Team wins

Thepeninsulaqatar.com

May 31 2011

DOHA: Faleh Nasser Bughenaim secured victory for Al Shaqab’s Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, in the Nations Cup Young Riders race in Compiegne, France, recently.

This win qualifies Bughenaim for the World Cup Young Riders competition later this year. Riding the horse In Situ, Bughenaim finished the 120km race in 5:48:46 hours, only two seconds in front of the second place rider. His average speed for the first four loops ranged between 18-21 km/h, but on the final lap he captured the victory with his increased average speed to 28.54 km/hr.

Sarah Baudrit, a French native, also competed for Al Shaqab, securing a 9th place finish with a total time of 5:54:18 hours.

The team will remain in France for the coming summer months, competing in multiple races across the country.

The Al Shaqab team representing of Qatar is led by Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Director of Al Shaqab, manager and trainer Hadi Nasser Al Naimi, assistant trainer Jabr Nasser Al Naimi, and assistant trainer Abdul Aziz Saleh Al Jabir.

THE PENINSULA

Australia: Andrew Bowe goes barefoot

Weeklytimesnow.com.au - Full Article

June 1 2011

ANDREW Bowe's revolt against the farrier trade has ruffled some feathers, writes SARAH HUDSON

They call him the barefoot blacksmith and it's a phrase even Andrew Bowe admits is contradictory and, more pointedly, controversial.

"It's got me into all sorts of trouble," Andrew says.

When a respected farrier turns, in effect, against his trade and becomes a proponent of horses being unshod or barefoot, well, in the horse trade it's heresy, akin to changing football allegiances, or backing the wrong horse.

"Imagine something like the farrier industry, which is protective of its old ways. They see that I've gone over to the dark side and it has ruffled a few feathers," he says.

"I never thought it was not worth it. I'm a master farrier after all, and I should be as protective as them."

It is a testimony, then, that Andrew has persisted, and made such a success of his Alexandra businesses, The Barefoot Blacksmith.

The businesses are based on his 130ha property, which includes lecturing, workshops, consultancy, a newsletter and DVD arm, Australia's first barefoot rehabilitation centre, trimming service, and product sales which he runs with his wife, Nicky.

Andrew's success is also a testimony to his belief in the benefits of the barefoot concept.

His change of heart came about in a curious way...

Read more here:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2011/06/01/337801_country-living.html

UAE: Pink Caravan donates pink tack to 'Monyati Initiatives' Support for orphans and children with special needs

WAM.org.ae

May 29, 2011 - 02:11 -

WAM Sharjah, May 29th, 2011 (WAM) -- The Pink Caravan campaign has donated the candy-pink equine equipment used during its ten-day cross-country journey in April to raise awareness on breast cancer and actively screening UAE residents, focusing on the remote and outlying areas of the country.

The equipment will be used to the Monyati Initiatives Sudan project in support of the project's goal to build a stable and provide equipment for the rescued horses of the Miracles Sudan riding school for children with special needs.

The handover took place recently at the Fursan Al Warqa stables, which was Pink Caravan's key supplier for horses, grooms, staff as well as volunteering riders from their riding school and endurance team. Present for the handover were Fursan Al Waqa representative Mohammed Abdin, Founder of Monyati Initiatives Monja Wolf, and Pink Caravan Chairperson Cecile Guillemot and head of the equine committee Abdulwahid Al Jeaidi.

Speaking of the decision to donate the tack, which was originally provided to Pink Caravan by Bonjour Equestrian, Middle East distributor of stable equipment and equine accessories, Ms Ameera Binkaram, President of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), said, "We are delighted to be able to donate this tack to such a worthy cause as the Monyati Initiaves Sudan project. It has already been on a long journey with us since Bonjour Equestrian donated it to the Pink Caravan campaign in support of its journey across the UAE. This brightly coloured equipment helped the campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection, where its bright colour helped to draw attention to the caravan itself and to our aims. It is our hope that by passing it on to another worthy cause, this beautiful, candy-pink tack will continue to draw attention to the cause it supports, and will also brighten the hearts of those children who will be using it".

Nicolas Griot, General Manager of Bonjour Equestrian, which donated a number of items included in the welcome packs given to the riders, in addition to the candy-pink tack, said ""It has been an honour and a great privilege to assist Pink Caravan by outfitting the brave horses who trekked across the UAE, to raise awareness on breast cancer. Bonjour commends Cecile and the entire team, for deciding to send the equine equipment on another epic journey with Monyatai Initiates. This time it will be used brighten the lives of special needs children in Sudan, who receive hippotherapy. We look forward to many more opportunities to support Pink Caravan in the future, as a small gesture can really go a long way!" The Pink Caravan campaign is specifically designed to raise awareness of breast cancer and to encourage women to perform self-examinations and go for regular medical checkups. The campaign will run annually until 2014, focusing on all areas across the UAE, including remote and outlying areas, as well as city suburbs. The funds raised during this awareness campaign will ensure the availability of the latest technology in the early screening and detection of breast cancer, making it accessible to all women in the UAE.

Canadian endurance riders to race in China

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

ay 30, 2011

Four Canadian endurance riders have been invited on an 80km ride in China, as part of an initiative between the two countries.

The ride, in Zhaosu Xinjiang next month is part of the Path to China initiative led by Equine Canada's Export Market Development program (EC Export).

"Canada's participation in the Zhaosu endurance race is one of many opportunities that came as a result of the EC Export path finding mission to China that we conducted this past March," said Susan Stewart, a consultant to EC Export.

Four individuals have been selected not only on their competitive abilities, but on the personal attributes that make them best suited to be ambassadors of Canada's equine industry as a whole. The riders include 2010 World Equestrian Games Canadian Equestrian Team members, Elroy Karius, Gail Jewel and Robert Gielen, and 2008 FEI World Endurance Championships CET member, Wendy MacCoubrey...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/05/228.shtml

Shaikh Khalid Hails the Eradication of Glanders in Bahrain

BNA.bh

Manama - May 28 (BNA) --An equine hospital specialized in horse medicine could be established in Bahrain.
Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) first deputy chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa directed Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr. Jumaa bin Ahmed Al-Kaabi to conduct a feasibility study into the equine project
. Shaikh Khalid paid tribute to Government authorities for their efforts to eradicate the Glanders, the infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Burkholderia mallei), which broke out in Bahrain recently infecting horses. Endurance Races Committee Chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al-Khalifa and Breef Deputy chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa attended the meeting. Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa described Bahrain as a model to emulate in combating and promoting preventive measures against equine diseases. He credited particularly the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs for drawing up viable plans and following up their implementation, which playing a crucial role in containing and eradicating the infectious Glanders disease in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Shaikh Khalid also paid tribute to SCYS Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for instructing concerned authorities timely to study the causes of the Glanders outbreak in Bahrain and contain its ramifications, hiring foreign expertise acknowledged in combating equine diseases. He also lauded the owners of stables and horses for their cooperation with the official efforts, stressing the crucial importance of mobilizing all efforts towards taking precautionary measures to avert any potential outbreak of the glanders disease anew. Present were Muharraq Municipality director-general and head of National Anti-Glanders Committee chairman Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al-Khalifa, animal health experts Nicholas Antoine and Nassem Al-Jazairi, Breef board member Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al-Khalifa, Breef secretary general Ghalib Al-Alawi, Media Committee chairman Tawfeeq Salhi and Shaikh Khalid’s bureau chief Rashid Al-Shaikh.

FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship 2011

Horsesinthesouth.com Blog

Bissemaganbetov Captures Gold as Kazakhstan Scoops All the Medals, by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 24 May 2011 – The host nation of Kazakhstan captured all the medals at the 2011 FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship staged in Talgar earlier this month. Altyngali Bissemaganbetov claimed gold, while Amangeldy Munaitbayev took silver and Kairzhan Andybay clinched the bronze. Just six of the 16 starters completed the 80kms course, and the only non-Kazakh in the final line-up was the sole competitor from Turkmenistan, sixth-placed Oleg Karabayev.

Bissemaganbetov made history as he secured his success riding the Adai horse Oyly. The Adai, a breed native to Kazakhstan, was only recently awarded an official pedigree following tests conducted by a State Commission in the Mangistau Steppes earlier this year. These horses are cherished for their hardiness, and Oyly proved just how tough they can be.

GROWING
The sport of Endurance is growing in the region, and Kyrgyzstan was also represented as the competition got underway on 15 May. Talgar, which lies close to the city of Almaty, is at the foothills of the Zailiisky Mountains where the Asian winter-sports championships regularly take place. The town is also on the Silk Road – the network of trade routes that stretches across Asia, linking East to West – and close to the Caspian Sea. Demonstrating the spread of the sport, some of the competitors travelled over 500 kilometres to compete in the championship.

Parts of the course traversed the ski slopes and there were some mild undulations, but the track for this 1-Star event was not intended to be over-taxing on either horses or riders, many of whom were relative novices at this level of the sport. The finish proved a tight one however when Bissemaganbetov crossed the line just fractions of a second ahead of Munaitbayev riding Akkanat. The winning partnership, who crossed the line after 04:50:40 hours, covered the course at a rate of 16.56 kms per hour while Munaitbayev was only fractionally slower in 04:50:42.

Third-placed Andybay and Kertobel took five hours and four seconds to complete the track, competing at a rate of 15.78 kms per hour.

DELIGHTED
President of the Ground Jury, Mr Hallvard Sommerseth, said he was delighted with the way the Championship evolved. “This was a big event for the competitors in this region – it takes time to develop the required skills, but the riders did very well indeed,” he said. He was most impressed with the winning horse, Oyly. “The Adai is bred in Kazakhstan and I had never seen one before. They are very hardy, they never wear shoes and they have a surprisingly quick recovery-rate. They can also drink the salt-water from the Caspian Sea – I thought only camels could do that!” he added.

The 2011 FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship was organised by the Kazakhstan National Federation under the watchful eyes of President, Mr Alexandr Machkevitch and Secretary General, Mr. Sergey Buikevich.

Result: FEI Central Asian Endurance Championships 2011
Gold – Oyly (Altyngali Bissemaganbetov) KAZ; Silver – Akkanat (Amangeldy Munaitbayev) KAZ; Bronze – Kertobel (Kairzhan Andybay) KAZ; 4, Batiy (Dina Turganbayeva) KAZ; 5, Albatros (Asset Zhakupov) KAZ; 6, Albatros-Zakat (Oleg Karabayev) TKM.

Philippines: Bohol sports set for kingly spectacle in nat’l horse race

Theboholstandard.com - Full Article

Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

May 22 2011

National and local horse racers will compete late this week in the first-ever Governor’s Cup for the equestrian class, elevating Bohol sports to a spectacle staged just for the amazement and joy of only the kings and nobility in ancient time.

Although modern racing exists notably because it is a major venue for legalized gambling generating in 2008 alone a worldwide market worth $115 billion, the horse match here likewise intends to make the sport motivate livestock breeding for livelihood.

The event dubbed the “Governor’s Cup: Survive Bohol 2 – A Horse Competition and Endurance Race” is set for thrill on the Bohol Island State University (BISU) grounds in Bilar starting Friday, May 27, until Sunday.

Skillful jockeys with their prized horses, known trainers, breeders and even just mere lovers of the swift animal from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro are coming for the event that is truly rare in this part of the country.

Gov. Edgar Chatto will lead in gracing the opening of the three-day horse derby initiated by the Bohol Horse Riding Club, Inc. (BHRCI) in cooperation with the provincial government, Department of Agriculture – Ubay Stock Farm, BISU, and the LGUs of Bilar, Dimiao and Calape.

The competition kicks off in a 12-hour 80-kilometer endurance race from BISU in barangay Zamora in Bilar to Dimao and vice versa, making as a fit horse track the rugged road that cuts across hills.

Endurance race is much like a marathon, often with multi-day rides which fastest time claims the crown.

Endurance racing began in California in 1955, and the first race marked the start of the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile one-day-long ride.

The world’s longest endurance ride is Australia’s Shahzada 400 Km Memorial Test done in five days. In all endurance events there are rigorous veterinary checks before, during and after the competition...

Read more here:
http://www.theboholstandard.com/psection.php?issue=214&s1=3660&s2=3662&s3=3666&s4=1099&s5=3675&s6=&s7=1098&s8=1097&s9=&s10=&s11=&s12=1100&s13=&s14=&s15=3672

Horse Welfare on the Mongol Derby

Horsehero.com - Full Story

20 May 2011

Jenny Weston, head vet on the 2011 Mongol Derby, is interviewed by Derby organiser Katie Willings exclusively for Horse Hero. Her answers provide an extraordinary insight into horse culture in Mongolia and the organisation of horse welfare on the 1000 km race.

Question: You are a 4* accredited FEI vet and have a great deal of experience vetting at high profile endurance rides. How does the Mongol Derby compare to an FEI endurance event?

"To complete is to win!"

Answer: The Mongol Derby is similar to endurance riding in general with the motto "to complete is to win" pretty much upper most in the minds of most of the competitors. As always there are those few who truly do want to win but for most it is about seeing the countryside, spending time with the horse and testing yourself. In endurance there isn’t supposed to be outside assistance and there is a marked track – that is very different in Mongolia! Vets and race organisers will come to your aid if called upon, the riders constantly assist each other, and the locals will give up their bed for you (literally) if you turn up at their ger in the evening. There is no marked track – it is all navigated by GPS. The vetting criteria for pre-ride selection and post-ride evaluation, however, are very close to those used in FEI endurance rides. Heart rate recovery parameters are the same – 64 bpm within 30 minutes, and this is for horses whose resting HR is usually considerably higher than a fully fit endurance horse. We also assess hydration of the horse and gait, to check that the horse is fine to be returned to its owner after having been ridden.

The difficulty for the rider lies with the fact that they are riding unfamiliar horses – how do you assess whether the horse is tired or just lazy, when you don’t know how it normally behaves?...

Read more here:
http://www.horsehero.com/editorial/?feat=66100

UAE: Legendary Emirati jockey gallops down memory lane

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Aziz Al Redha recalls his best memories as a pioneering amateur jockey in the UAE

* By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer
* Published: 00:01 May 22, 2011

Dubai: It's not everyday that you get to sit down and have a lively and enlightening conversation with a pioneering jockey turned avid racehorse trainer — especially when you've been a fan of the sport for as far as you can remember.

So, when I got the chance to meet Aziz Al Redha, one of the greats of horse racing in the UAE, the encounter gave me an understanding of just how important a role he has played given the context and prominent position that the sport now enjoys.

It did not take me long to realise that even after 30 odd years in the business, Al Redha is just as obsessed with horses, and on winning, as he ever was. After we talked shop about the "good old times" and the growth that the sport has benefited from, he answered some burning questions with anecdotes and witty comebacks.

Comfort levels

We began to share a bond and it helped strengthen my comfort levels at the risk of being spontaneous. This provoked me to explore his love for the sport of endurance, which seems an unusual destination for somebody who was passionately involved in racehorses.

"This is entirely different to what I did for 20 years in racing. Now I'm running my own small yard mainly for endurance," he said. "I got into endurance out of coincidence, by just playing around with some retired race horses. As the sport was becoming popular in the UAE I thought I'll have a go and learn something. I had a trial and error attitude to it all. But alhamdulilla [All praise is due to Allah] we've been pretty successful.

"I train mainly for my daughter Laila who is a good rider and a serious [competitor]. We — my wife and I — taught her since she was three. She's done dressage and jumping before she got into endurance, so she has the right balance, the handling and the feel," Al Redha explains. "Endurance doesn't teach you that, nor does a riding school. To be a good endurance rider you have got to be relaxed and you can only be relaxed if you are confident..."

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/legendary-emirati-jockey-gallops-down-memory-lane-1.811043

Great Britain: Mary King completes endurance ride

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

May 17, 2011

The punch in the air from Mary King as she crossed the finishing line was familiar. But this time she was completing her first taste of endurance riding, choosing the tough terrain of Exmoor for her debut.

King, who jumped from the saddle and minutes later was dashing away for a journey to France for a three-star horse trial at Saumur, had accepted an invitation from the famous Golden Horseshoe Ride to negotiate the first 40km (25 miles) of an 80km (50 mile) competition.

And she completed at 12.8kph, fast enough to be listed among the possibles for a Gold award had she completed the second day at a similar speed with her horse clear of veterinary penalties.

King was riding Mellow Jazz, a 15hh Arabian gelding who in 2004 competed on a British team in France and is owned by Karen Jones from Culmstock, Devon. "He was wonderful out on the moor, very tough and so nimble," King said afterwards...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/05/131.shtml

IV Raid du Luxembourge

The 4th edition of the Raid du Luxembourg will be held 25 June, 2011, near Schweich.

Distances:
20 km, 30 km, 40 km (2 loops of 20 km)

60 km (2 loops of 30 km)

80 km (3 loops of 30 km - 30 km - 20 km)

CEI * 100 km
(Sunday) with 4 loops of 30 km - 30 km - 20 km - 20 km

CEI** 120 km (Saturday)
with 4 loops of 35 km - 35 km - 30 km - 20 km

President of the ground jury: Paule Pietroni
President of the veterinary commission: Dr. Jean-Marc Lamolle
Foreign Veterinary: Dr. Marcello Conte

Organisateur: Valy Schmartz

Contact par téléphone:
+ 352 621 621 739

Contact par email:
enduranceluxembourg@yahoo.fr

More information at:
http://www.wix.com/enduranceluxembourg/2011#!

Great Britain: European hopefuls aim to catch eye of selectors

Thisiscornwall.co.uk - Full Article

Friday, May 13, 2011, 09:59

Fresh from her historic one-two in Kentucky, eventing champion Mary King will join riders from all over the country when she makes her endurance debut in a ride over Exmoor on May 16. She will be escorted by endurance Young Rider champion Abby Chisholm when she rides the first 25 miles of the famous Golden Horseshoe 160k (100 miles) course, which has attracted riders such as six times Welsh national team member Mary Korn and 20-year-old Carri Ann Dark, who has competed in the Young Rider World championships.

The Golden Horseshoe Ride, held over three days and starting on May 15, is held over the very demanding terrain of Exmoor, and with the European Endurance Championships scheduled for later in the year over similar country in France, it is likely that riders hoping to catch the eye of selectors could include it in their work-up programme.

Experienced international endurance riders include Karen Jones and Tricia Hirst together with World Equestrian Games British team members Christine Yeoman and her brother-in-law David. Christine, David and Karen will all start in the Exmoor Stag class, to ride 120k (75 miles) over two days. Tricia will compete in the Exmoor Experience, which is 80k (50 miles) over two days. Twelve riders will start in the 160k (100 miles) class, among them three who already hold Bronze and Silver awards from previous years – Gillian Talbot from Chepstow, Alison House, based in Glastonbury, and Anthony Sargent, who lives in Dorchester.

More:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/sport/European-hopefuls-aim-catch-eye-selectors/article-3553565-detail/article.html

Australia: Remarkable horse, remarkable rider have staying power

manly-daily.whereilive.com.au - Full Article

13 May 11 @ 09:27pm by Brenton Cherry

MOST people approaching 70 could be forgiven for wanting to take it easy. Not Denis White.

Instead of putting his feet up, the Ingleside resident trained like a marathon runner to compete in the Cedar Ridge 80km Endurance race at Oberon over the Easter long weekend.

And he wasn’t just there for a scenic ride. On Jasali Shataan he beat a field of 86 other riders in a time of 4 hours, 51 min 22 sec - more than 40 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor.

It was his first endurance event in six years...

Read more here:
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/remarkable-horse-remarkable-rider-have-staying-power/

Belgium: Mont Le Soie to organize the Young Riders Championship

Endurance-belgium.com

May 11 2011

It is a news for Belgium, but also for the neighbouring countries. The FEI has disclosed to information that Mont Le Soie finally got the right to organize the next European Championship for Young Riders. The event will take place on 8th of September. "The route is already well-known, but we will try too make it even better" commented Pierre Arnould, the organizer and also Belgian Chef d'Equipe. "We have the venue and the good infrastructures; we will rely on all Belgian forces willing to work for the sake ofg endurance" said the Belgian Coach.

2012 World Endurance Championships allocation

May 10, 1011

The FEI Bureau has allocated the 2012 World Endurance Championship for Seniors to Euston Park (GBR), August. (exact dates TBC).

In addition, the FEI Bureau allocated the 2012 FEI European Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, to Mont-le-Soie (BEL), 8 September

FEI Press Release: http://www.fei.org/media/press-releases/elections-and-allocation-fei-championships-and-finals