Jose Luis Ruiz Hidalgo and Al-gharbe win Spanish Championship

El Raid Blog

June 11 2011

José Luis Ruiz Hidalgo and Al-gharbe re the Gold medal winners of the XXX Spanish Championship at El Paular. They covered the 160 km in 9:49.15, at 16.5 km/h with a total recovery time in the vet gates of 9.50. Al-gharbe also won the Best Condition award.

Second across the finish line was Pedro Godinho riding Olimpico da Ameira in 10:03.20, at 16.13 km/h.

Third place, and Silver medal in the Spanish Championship went to Anna Maria Yebra Altamira and Calzadilla, with a time of 10:03.33, at 16.10 km/h.

Fourth place, and Bronze medal went to Oriol Casals and Zazha of Vilaformiu in 10:07.34, at 16 km/h.

Complete results can be seen here:
http://www.endurancetiming.com/1008e2/

More photos can be seen here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/

XXI Brazilian Championship

Enduroonline.com.br

Step 3 of the Championship of Endurance 2011
Free Speed ​​and Regularity

Interstate Cup Teams (Regulation at the end)

Regional directors and team leaders from each state.

As has been widely reported, starting this year we will have with the Brazilian Championship, Copa Interstate Teams and the regulation will be awarded as the best teams entered in the trials of 160 km and 120 km (Adults and Young Rider)

Teams from each state can be formed with up to 06 sets of these,
05 and 01 will participate in joint assembly is discarded after the initial inspection of the trot.

Will be required a minimum of 03 teams entered in each category (160km and 120km) to happen for the dispute.

The CBH will make a cash prize for the Champion Team and Vice-Champion of 160 km and 120 km-adult.
The Young Riders category will not receive prize money.

We ask interested parties to form their teams and forward to the director on behalf of CBH enduro, Olaf Maciel. The deadline for these entries is displayed up to 20 days prior to.

For more information see:
http://www.enduroonline.com.br/cbee2011.asp

KER Participates in Australian Endurance Festival

KER.com

Australia's endurance riding industry will be showcased at the inaugural Endurance Festival June 11-13 in Queensland. The event will include the Australian FEI*** 160km National Championship, as well as several shorter rides. It is being held in conjunction with the June 8-10 Australasian Endurance Forum.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) equine nutritionist Clarissa Brown-Douglas, Ph.D., will be presenting two seminars on feeding the endurance horse at the event, which was organized by the Toft family's Oz Endurance.

Peter Toft has been a member of several Australian endurance squads, and is a long-time supporter of KER and its goals. Penny Toft was among the Australian endurance riders who trained at KER's research facility in Kentucky prior to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
See a video featuring Penny Toft at KER.

Australiasian Endurance Forum Attracts Multi-National Attendance

Horsesport.org

8 Jun 2011

Over 150 delegates representing nine different nationalities are attending the Australasian FEI Endurance Conference and Forum, which began in Brisbane (AUS) today.

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.

This is the first time the world forum has been held outside Europe and guest speakers have travelled from Canada, America, the UAE, Malaysia and Switzerland, and from across Australia.

The members of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee who are in attendance will also meet during the Forum and attend the Australian Endurance Festival taking place this weekend featuring FEI competitions at 1*, 2* and 3* level.

The conference organisers state that the primary goal of the three-day meeting is to achieve the aspirations of the FEI Code of Conduct, which states “The FEI urges all involved with the sport to attain the highest levels of education in their areas of expertise.”

As well as a debate on the future of international competitions in Africa, Asia and Australia, the conference will also discuss:

• implementation of the new rules and implications of the new star rating for treatment veterinarians
• improving the understanding of the roles of officials
• changes to the Veterinary Regulations with regard to medication control
• examination of horses during competition especially metabolics and lameness
• issues relating to the treatment of horses at endurance rides
• improved nutrition and training methods for endurance horses and issues related to rider safety

“This conference and forum has given representatives from the regional nations a unique opportunity to meet together and exchange views with other nations from both within the region but also from much further afield”, FEI Director of Non-Olympic Sports Ian Williams said.

Further information on the conference, including a full list of speakers, plus details of the Al Reef Endurance Festival can be found here.

All the action from the Al Reef Endurance Festival can be viewed on a live feed from http://iequine.com/events/al-reef-endurance-festival. Footage begins on Saturday 11 June at 12.30pm with vetting and a pre-ride talk later that afternoon. Sunday morning is when the action unfolds - coverage starts at 5.00am and runs all day. On Monday 13 June there will be a live feed for a series of work-outs and presentations.

Italy: Mohammad Bin Rashid wins European Endurance race

Gulfnews.com

The 120 km-race was held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the UAE-Italian Joint Economic Committee

* WAM
* Published: 21:51 June 11, 2011


His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the first round of the European Endurance Championship, which was held on Saturday in Verona, Italy.

The 120-km race was held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the UAE-Italian Joint Economic Committee, also held in Verona.

Shaikh Mohammad came first with a timing of 6.19.02 hours followed by Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmook at 6.19.03 hours. Saif Al Katbi came third at 6.19.04.

Seventy horse riders from various European countries contested in the race. The win is another feather in the cap of Emirati riders in European championships. The Emirati riders began to make their mark in 1999 when they won the gold medal in Spain.

Netherlands: Yvonne van der Velde and Joy Escobar win Dutch National Championships

June 4 2011

Yvonne van der Velde rode her thirteen-year-old Arabian gelding Joy Escobar to the 2011 national title endurance on the Fasna Trail. She won both the NK and hence the open competition (CEI3 *) over this distance of 160 km. The silver was for Suzanne Pen (Epe) with Depozit, the bronze went to Angela Jonkman (Scharmer) with Bayan Bin Bora.

[google translation]
Ten combinations stood on the start list of the Dutch championship. After 100 km, this number had halved after 125 km, there were three Dutch in the field. Angela Jonkman had Bayan Bin Bora drove head long, but delayed in the second half of the race the pace down in order to properly match the finish line. This paved the way for Yvonne van der Velde, who after a total driving time of 10 hours finished with 15.93 mph average. Suzanne Pen Depozit rode a fairly constant ride. She came to 14.86 km / h less than three minutes after Van der Velde crossed the finish line. Angela Jonkman was 12.81 mph by the end of the third Dutchman completed 160 km. In the championship match of the open ended their fifth and sixth of a total of eighteen participants. The places 2, 3 and 4 were two Danish combinations and a Belgian. The Best Condition horse went to the Portal of the Danish Inger Pitter Bertelsen.

'Coincidence'
Yvonne van der Velde won the National Championships once before in 2007 with Touch of Joy Cherain. Joy Escobar (v. Kais ox) in 2009, she was very close to the national title, but by then it was a coincidence wrong on the finish. But this year the race went smoothly and without the preparation was not ideal. "Esco a while back strain sustained a motion by problems with his herd hoof. Thus we include the race in Mont-le-Soie to let go. Our team farrier Onno Grund Esco has been running well again, "says Yvonne van der Velde. "I hesitated until the last day or I would take Esco to Ermelo and another horse, but there was conditional Esco seen the best for. The only goal we had, was spreading to 15 km / h to our FEI qualifications to secure. A very different approach than two years ago when we really fought for the title. That we now have and it also won the 160 km is therefore really a coincidence. I should also like to act on me. "

CEI Open
During the Fasna Trail were also some shorter distances traveled. On the 141 km (CEI3 *) were not Dutch participants at the start. The best Dutch on the 120 km (CEI2 *) were Yannick Rademaker (winches) with Fortuna in the seniors and Joyce van den Berg (Leiden) in the Bas Cardonne for juniors. They finished second and third respectively in their category. The 90 km (CEI1 *) was won by a combination of Netherlands, Caro de Boer (Winterswijk) with Raiyah.

Saddle man rides to pick up national accolade

Ross-shirejournal.co.uk

Published: 10/06/2011

A ROSS-SHIRE man has battled his way to a major endurance riding accolade.

Joe Newlands and his horse Bluefire Midnight Shadow, also known as Spirit, made the long trip to Nottinghamshire to successfully complete and win a 160km ride at The Dukeries, an international ride held at the stunning venue of Thorsby Hall.

Joe, a facilities manager with Isleburn, only started riding 10 years ago on a Highland pony. Some eight years ago, he purchased Spirit, a part-bred Arab, and has not looked back.

After been picked to ride for the Scottish team three years in a row, Joe and Spirit have travelled to Ireland, Wales and now England to compete in long distance riding.

The dynamic duo, crewed by Karen Graham, Lorna Templeton and George and Diane Michie, started at 6.15am, riding five loops of different lengths.

Spirit was vetted within five minutes of completing the course with low heart rates and won the race with a total riding time of 11 hours and 32 minutes.

In 2010, Joe and Spirit successfully obtained their Gold Thistle Award and later that year, riding for the Scottish team at Burgie, completed and won their two-day 120km ride class.

The pair have now obtained their Diamond award and are having a long rest before deciding what's next!

Australia: World riders contest endurance

Sunshinecoastdaily.com.au - Full Story

Cath Fouracre | 7th June 2011

ENDURANCE riders from all over the globe will descend on Christine and Lance Blatchford’s farm in Caboolture this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the inaugural Endurance Festival 2011 ride in the Beerburrum forest.

This is a first for Australia and international and Australian top riders will make their mark.

Oz Endurance organiser/secretary Penny Toft said those wishing to enter could go online for nominations to Oz Endurance website ozenduranceqinc.com or ring her on 0417 626 188.

"This inaugural event is quite a big thing for Australia,’’ she said.

It is held in conjunction with the Australasian Endurance forum which started today (June 8) and continues Thursday and Friday.

There will be an introductory ride and endurance rides of various distances – 40km, 80km, 120km and the big one - the national FEI over 160km.

She said they already had about 220 entries and riders from 13 countries were coming including Abu Dhabi, England, New Zealand, Malaysia and throughout Australia.

"This is open to all riders and those wishing to rise to higher levels in equestrian events and it is also a world endurance championship qualifier,’’ she said.

"Endurance rides are a great opportunity to gain more experience for riders.

"It is an opportunity too to showcase the athleticism of the Arabian horse as well as the endurance riding.’’

She said some events would be held on Friday, but the main events were on Saturday morning.

This event has been sponsored by Al Reef Stables and Toft Endurance.

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...

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