Owen Paterson on the Mongol Derby

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson and his wife are saddling up for the Mongol Derby.

By Cassandra Jardine

7:00AM BST 05 Aug 2011

Owen Paterson is on a diet. Carrying a few extra pounds doesn’t matter at Cabinet meetings, but the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland won’t be able to start the longest, most extreme horse race in the world unless his weight, including boots and clothes, is less than 85kg (just over 13st).

So he says no to a slice of bread with lunch at his home in Shropshire. But that, ominously, is all he has done to prepare for the Mongol Derby, a gruelling ordeal which competitors say “takes you through the pain barrier”.

Today he and his wife Rose, along with two dozen other competitors, will be dumped somewhere in the middle of the Mongolian steppe near UB, as the cognoscenti call the capital, Ulan Bator. They then have 10 days in which to travel 1,000 miles, equipped with only a pony, GPS and an 11lb bag of equipment. By the time they reach the finishing line, they will have encountered rivers, hills, thunderstorms, vicious dogs, dehydration, sunburn and, most likely, fallen off their semi-wild steeds...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/8681505/Owen-Paterson-on-the-Mongol-Derby.html

Al Shaqab team shine in France

Gulf-times.com

4 August 2011
By Sports Reporter/Doha

Al Shaqab Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, experienced another double victory in France at the Al Shaqab Challenge Tarbes-Ibos Endurance Rides, on July 30-31. The team pulled in victories in the 160km and the 125km races and the silver medal in the 125km event.
Abdulrahman Al Sulaitin was the gold medalist in the 125km races with a total time of 6:22:57.
In addition, Al Sulaitin set a new record for the 125km race for the history of the Tarbes-Ibos event at 19.58 km/hr, greatly surpassing the previous record of 19.21. The silver medal for the 125km race went to Al Shaqab team member Hassan Tahous Al Nuami at 6:30:14 with an average speed of 19.22 km/hr.
Capturing another 2011 victory, Faleh Nasser Bhugnaim collected gold in the 160km race in a total time of 9:05:01 and average speed of 17.61 km/hr, riding Amir.
The races were held in the Tarbes forest in Ibos, France. Just last week in France, the team had also achieved gold and silver medals in the junior and senior races.

Endurance Bayinbuluke, Xinjiang, China

Endurance-belgium.com

August 4 2011
by Leonard Liesens

China is developing at an incredible rate. There exists now a new class of wealthy, very wealthy entrepreneurs. They are interested in various things to occupy their life and spent their money. Equestrian sports are one of their occupations. China has a huge amount of horses, mainly in the Northern provinces, along the Mongolian and Kazakhstan borders, where nomadic people use the horse in their daily life. These horse are hardy ones, used to extreme climates, able to survive in harsh conditions, in the winter, digging into the snow to find some grey grass. Their horses are small, but with a correct conformation most of the time. The back are strong and able to carry a heavy riders on long distances. Traveling across the grasslands and the mountains has been their life since the era of Genghis Khan. Now, they are probably not the same anymore. They are taller, they have been mated with foreign blood, from Russia (Don and Orlofv). These horses are gentle, courageous and willing to work. Of course they are not treated the way we use to treat ours and they have a harder life. But they look good, the ridden ones (mostly the geldings are ridden) look a bit skinny for my taste (even if we were in a favorable period with plenty of grass). The breeding stock looked good (see photos of the herd of horses brought to the racetrack for the Mongol rodeo).

About the endurance race. They try hard. Mr Wu(manager of the Chinese Equestrians website) is working hard to organize all (or most of) competitions across China, trying to get everywhere the same model. Riders need probably a better education for riding long distance and coping with the art of pacing. I saw that also in other parts of the globe. They are willing to learn. Like us thirty years ago, they also learn from their mistakes. The horse from Xingjian (and also probably from Inner Mongolia) can do well with appropriate conditioning and pacing. Probably this kind of horse is limited in speed and will not be able to reach the speed of our Arabians, but 16..18 km/h doesn't seem to be a problem for well-trained subjects. That would be very interesting to condition and train them our way and see the results on tests. Introducing Arabian blood could be a plus of course, but China will have to wait for one generation to see how it goes. Will the part-bred survive in the same conditions? Will they not loose their rusticity? Will the owner accept to change a bit the training and maintenance regimen? Obviously, importing horses from abroad could be a quicker solution. But in the same time, the 'know-how' must be imported as well.

The race was very well organized. Almost like the European model, except the veterinary inspection. More metabolic parameters should be assessed and the gait's checking should be more strictly enforced.

Race time: 140 horses took the start. They went fast, too fast on the first stage. The three stages were drawn according to the model "Go to one point and head back". That's OK with cautious and experienced riders, but here many were letting the horse pick the speed(too high) -or even pushed them- at the return and were stuck at the vetgate (many not able to recover on time to 64BPM) for a very long time. And of course on the 2nd stage, many had to push to leave the venue, up to the return point where the horse understood that we was heading back. Same scenario as during the first loop. Only 38 completed. As far as I'm concerned: I took a conservative start, being the last all the way during the first stage. This allowed me the pass several dozens horse at the vetgate. During the second stage, at half way, my horse gaits were not the best. I dismounted and noticed the reason : "Actually, I arrived at the venue just one hour before the start. I was presented with one horse but he had some swelling along one suspensory and I asked to see another one. This one looked ok, but by lack of time, I could not check the hind feet. My mistake, always the rider's mistake!". His hind feet were very very asymmetric, probably 1.5cm difference between left and right part, forcing the horse to put his feet to the inside when walking or trotting. Of course, after 50km of this, he was sore. So I gently walked him back to camp and pulled.

The next days, we could attend the Mongol rodeo and the various activities and have a walk across the town. Very nice people, curious of our European look, everyone willing to be photographed with us. Very nice children, many saying the only English words they retained from school "Hello, how are you". Funny.

Also every noon and evening, eating and drinking and socializing. Amazing. Tasting the Mongolian food and the Chinese one. Accepting toasts from everyone during the whole dinner (numerous courses all served together on the Chinese round table). Of course, as special guests, we were the target of all toasts:-) A kind of Chinese vodka, 40degrees, during four days in a row, that's another kind of endurance...

I want to thank our guests for this incredible welcome and all the good time.

Photo gallery here:
http://endurance-belgium.com/photos/bayinbuluke11/index.html

Great Britain: Endurance horse wins top futurity spot

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

August 4, 2011

The top four scores at The 2011 Baileys Horse Feeds/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity Evaluations at The Grange, Devon all came from different disciplines and attained Higher First Premiums.


The popular event on July 14 attracted a wide range of entries and an endurance horse went home with the highest score of the day.

The top score of the day 8.82, was awarded to three-year-old Yawl Hill Maverick, by successful international in-hand Arab show stallion, H Tobago. Endurance rider and breeder Kirsty Wiscombe has owned Yawl Hill Maverick's dam, the exceptional Burrowshot Lass, since she was a three year old, she was on the endurance intermediate squad in 200 and has also evented. She has had five foals altogether including the FEI 3* stallion Yawl Hill Billy...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/08/029.shtml

Australia: Riders enjoy Kazan Challenge

Photo by Chris Ros Waginargus.com.au - Full Article

JULIE MANGALAVITE
04 Aug, 2011 04:00 AM

WAGIN hosted this year’s Kazan Challenge on the weekend which saw 90 riders from across the world compete in seven different endurance events.

Sponsored by the Kazan Stables Malaysia, the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) event was selected by the National Endurance governing body to be a World Championship Qualifier – one of only three being held in Australia this year.

Australians Seeking Performance in Ridden Endurance (ASPIRE) event secretary and local rider Anita Lunt said the weekend was a huge success.

“We've had very positive feedback from everybody involved which is fantastic because this was a big event that was great for the town,” Anita said.

“We (ASPIRE) applied to host the event in Wagin to help WA riders with their international aspirations and help them to achieve their goals, rather than having to travel over east.”

Anita said that they would now like to host more events and especially carry on with this particular event in future years.

“The whole weekend wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic support of all of the sponsors, the community and especially the Shire of Wagin,” she said.

“We are also very grateful and thankful to all the people that were involved in the actual running and organising of the event.”

Competitions like the one held on the weekend are how WA riders qualify and compete on the international stage...

Read more here:
http://www.waginargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/riders-enjoy-kazan-challenge/2247431.aspx

Australia: Young Riders Qualified for Abu Dhabi 2011

AERA.asn.au

Horse and Rider combinations in alphabetical order. These following combinations have fulfilled the qualifications as required by the FEI Endurance Rules (Art. 816.3.1 – 816.3.11) and have attained AES Level 4 (Young Riders):

Alexandra Toft, Qld - High Society te, Emily Jones te, Zalman, Travina -

Allix Jones, NSW - Castlebar Moonlight, Castlebar Topaz

Brook Warner, NSW - Kunama Safira, Quinta Essentia

Georgia Toft, Qld - Bremervale Arrogance, Zalman

Talea Haskow Stewart, NSW - Blakes Heaven Bombora, Blakes Heaven Venus

The Selection Panel congratulates these young riders and their horses in achieving the qualifications necessary to represent Australia at the forthcoming World Championships. This is an exciting and very experienced group of young riders and magnificent horses, who certainly have the ability to bring home medals.

The short list of 4 riders and 5 horses will be announced on September 30 (at the SA Quilty ).
The Team will leave for Abu Dhabi mid November.

Anne Barnes, Chair of Selection Panel

US Riders top FEI World Ranking List

Meydan Open Riders World Ranking

As of June 30, 2011

1. Valerie Kanavy - USA - 515 points
2. Margaret Sleeper - USA - 496 points
3. Nathalie Michel - France - 494 points
4. Alex Luque Moral - Spain - 490 points
5. Romain Laporte - France - 454 points
6. Lisa Riou - France - 446 points
7. Enora Boulenger - France - 442 points
8. Darolyn Butler - USA - 440 points
9. Virginie Atger - France - 436 points
10. Deborah Reich - USA - 425 points
11. Kristie Taprell - Australia - 422 points
12. Thani Mohammed Al Muhairi - UAE - 413 points
13. Sabrina Arnold - Germany - 395 points
14. Stephen Rojek - USA - 391 points
15. Sean Trafford - New Zealand - 382 points
16. Penny Toft - Australia - 364 points
16. Mercedes Tapia - Argentina - 364 points
16. Hernan Barbosa - Colombia - 364 points
19 . Jack Begaud - France - 358 points
20. Petr Jadlovsky - Czechoslovakia - 352 points

New Zealand: Young rider set for worlds

Stuff.co.nz - Full article

26/07/2011

Horse endurance rider Emma Mason is going on a long journey.

A year 12 pupil at Upper Hutt College, Emma has been selected in the New Zealand Young Rider team for the World Champs in Abu Dhabi in December.

Her path to selection has been a long one already, both in her competitive miles on her horse and in the many places she's been to on the way to earning her recognition.

Making the worlds has meant a two-year commitment of travelling to Federation Equestrian International qualifying events throughout New Zealand, and, in the last phase, Australia.

The 16-year-old's "long list" selection was made last month but it came with a catch ... meaning a trip to Australia and another endurance event.

In April, Emma won the 160km New Zealand junior champs in Taupo, riding the 160km course on Tarelea Sheer Illusion in 11 hours 25 minutes at her first attempt at this distance, more than an hour ahead of the second finisher.

Emma won the North Island competitive trail riding champs earlier in the year and the national endurance champs at Easter...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/upper-hutt-leader/sport/5342365/Young-rider-set-for-worlds

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser hails UAE win in UK endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Posted on » Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BAHRAIN Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the victory of UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Rule of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the Euston Park 160-kilometre endurance ride, held Sunday near Newmarket in the UK.

Shaikh Nasser said that it is no surprise that Shaikh Mohammed was able to clinch the win in the gruelling six-stage event, given his vast experience in top-level international endurance races and the class of the UAE endurance team.

Shaikh Nasser was prevented from competing in the race due to an injury with his horse, while other Royal Team members, including Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and Al Khalidiyah Stables leader Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were forced to make early exits also due to horse injuries.

Shaikh Nasser said that despite the disappointing results, the Royal Team must learn from their experience and apply the lessons in future endurance rides.

Shaikh Nasser added that the Royal Team is now more determined to do well in upcoming events, as they gear up to compete in the European Championships later this summer and then the World Endurance Championships next year.

The events at Euston Park on Sunday acted as a rehearsal for the worlds, which will be held at the same UK venue.

At the end of Sunday's 160km ride and upon the invitation of Shaikh Mohammed, Shaikh Nasser took part in the awarding ceremony where the top three were presented their respective trophies. Shaikh Mohammed led another two UAE riders onto the podium. Saeed Al Ameeri was the runner-up while Shaikha Maryam Al Qassimi came third.

Charity World Horse Welfare fund raiser

My name is Loes knopper and I am hoping you are willing to join us or help me promote a world wide fund raiser I am organising for World Horse Welfare.

The event I am organizing is on a big, nae HUGE, scale.

I am asking riders around the world to ride x amount of miles they are comfortable with and find sponsorship.

The idea is to ride a combined 24906 miles (the circumference of the Earth) and raise as much money as possible for the Charity World Horse welfare.

The date is set for September 25th this year.

So far I have 41 rides confirmed in 10 countries with several in the pipeline but we need even more to make this work.

To be successful we need to reach as many people as possible and I hope you are willing to help spread the word.

All information is to be found on my website www.onhorsesforhorses.org but attached link will take you to a video I made explaining the idea.

It will only take just over 2.34 minutes of your life to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9HABOXzGc

Hoping for a response,

with kindest regards

Loes Knopper
On Horses for Horses

Great Britain: Mohammad wins 160km ride

Gulfnews.com

Receives trophy from Hamdan after qualifying for Endurance World Cup 2012

* WAM
* Published: July 26, 2011

London: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the 160km endurance race at London's Austin Park yesterday. The victory helped him qualify for the Endurance World Cup 2012, which will take place in August.

Shaikh Mohammad received the award from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, who also participated in the race and was deputed by the organising committee to present the award to the winners.

Avid fans

Shaikh Mohammad was crowned champion riding his horse, Pony Express, with a timing of 7:40.6 hours at an average of 20.86km/h. Altogether 65 riders, including Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad, the King of Malaysia, and some prominent riders from Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and those from UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Morocco, took part in the race. Shaikha Mariam Omar Al Qasimi came second in the race at 7:40.7 hours.

Article continues below

Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum came third at 7:40.8 hours. The race had six rounds of 38km, 29km, 30km, 20km, 23 km and 20km respectively.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and a number of senior officials and avid equestrian fans were also present.

Important destination

Mohammad Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club, praised Shaikh Mohammad's victory and achievement that qualifies him for the World Cup race.

All Adhab added that the race is an important destination, and represents one of the prominent rounds that Shaikh Mohammad has participated in during the summer.

"UAE riders proved their competence in the race, which is a small version of the World Endurance Cup, a fact that enabled them to occupy top places and gives a positive sign for their future participation," he added.

Great Britain: WEC Pre-ride Held

Monday July 25 2011

On July 24, Euston Park held the pre-rides for the 2012 World Endurance CHampionship, which we be held in 2012, exact date to be announced.

USA's Heather Reynolds finished first on Opium Lord in the FEI CEI** 120 km Endurance Ride at Euston Park on 24 July 2011. The pair crossed the finish line in 5:26.03, averaging 22.45 km/h, 8 seconds ahead of second place Khalifa Ghanem Al Marri of the UAE, riding Taita. Fatma Jaseem Saeed Al Marri of the UAE, riding Menvise Quatre Vents was 3rd, some 29 minutes later.

The USA's Cheryl Van Deusen finished 20th on Dacora

38 started, 21 finished, and 17 were eliminated.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the FEI CEI*** 160 km Endurance ride at Euston Park on 24 July 2011 in 7:40.06, averaging 20.86 km/h

In fact the first 8 finishers, all from the UAE, finished 1 second behind the next, all averaging 20.86 km/h for the finish. Spain's Alex Luque, riding Ikland, finished 9th, averaging 20.17 km/h, with Great Britain's Alice Beet riding Nediem, rounding out the Top Ten, in 8:17.56, averaging 19.28 km/h. The USA's Becky Hart finished 13th on Oued El Kebir Larzac (from the barn of Juma Ponti Dachs), in 8:43.47.

The reigning European and World Champion, Maria Alvarez Ponton from Spain, was eliminated on Bajzar on Loop 3; HM Tuanku Mizan Z Abidin Mahmud, the King of Malaysia, was eliminated at Vet Gate 4 on Parbella De Galonne.

72 started and 21 finished, with 51 eliminations.

USA's Devan Horn won the FEI CEI** 120 km YR on the same day, riding Tawmarsh Muharram, in 6:59.25, averaging 17.45 km/h. The pair finished 41 minutes ahead of Great Britain's Louise Rich, riding Oakleaze Farm Cziko.

7 started, 2 finished, with 5 eliminated.

Great Britain's Nicola Malcolm won the FEI CEI* 80 km on Khartoum With a K, in 3:55.47, averaging 20.36 km/h. The pair finished 12 seconds ahead of India's Jaswant Singh Tkn Singh on Baikorada, with Norway's Ellen Gutubakken riding Her Ofir in third. Great Britain's Richard Allen followed in fourth riding Quizz De Loperhet.

11 started, 6 finished, 5 were eliminated.

Great Britain's Chelsea Bristow was the only finisher from 3 starters in the FEI CEI* 80 km YR. She rode Sawson Bint Siwah, finishing in 5:04.53, averaging 15.74 km/h.

For more results and information, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/GreatBritain/2012WECPreRide/

Great Britain: Horse trainer takes on toughest race in the world

Thecomet.net - Full Article

Monday, July 25, 2011

A HORSE trainer is taking on the toughest horse race in the world – a 1,000km route across the wilderness of the Mongolian plain – to raise money for charity.

Richard Allen, of Barley Mow Lane in Clothall, is taking part in the Mongol Derby to raise money for Mercy Corps – a charity which works to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people to build secure, productive and just communities.

Each year about 1,000 semi-wild Mongolian horses are selected and trained for just 20 or so riders who take part in the Mongol Derby, with riders changing steeds every 40kms.

The race starts on August 6, with participants only permitted to ride between 6am and 8pm, and is expected to last eight to 10 days.

Richard, 51, said: “We won’t know the route until the last minute.

“We have to take a handheld GPS and they download the coordinates and then you are on your own.

“There is a 10km-wide corridor and you have to stay within that.

“I’m worried about getting lost because I’m not very good with technology. I can just see myself as a bumbling idiot trying to read a GPS.

“I’m also slightly more worried about falling off than I would normally be..."

Read more here:
http://www.thecomet.net/news/horse_trainer_takes_on_toughest_race_in_the_world_1_972354

Australia: High Performance Positions

AERA.asn.au
22 July 2011

Equestrian Australia wishes to confirm the appointment of the following High Performance Endurance positions for the period including WEG 2014.

Team Veterinarian: Narelle Cribb

National Selectors: Barbars Timms, Anne Barnes and Patricia MacKay

Chef d’Equipe: Mark Freeman

Congratulations to the new appointees, Equestrian Australia looks forward to working with these people to increase the success of Endurance in Australia and overseas.

Kind Regards

Mandy Stephens

Sport Consultant (Jumping and Non Olympic)

Equestrian Australia Limited 
Phone: (+61) 02 8762 7723 

Fax: (+61) 02 9763 2466 

email: mandy.stephens@equestrian.org.au

web:  www.equestrian.org.au

New Zealand: Junior/Young Rider Team for FEI World Championships

NZEquestrian.org.nz

18 July 2011

ESNZ Endurance has named a strong team of four horses and riders to compete in the Junior/Young Rider Endurance World Championship in Abu Dhabi on December 10 this year.

This will be the first time for the New Zealand Junior/Young Rider team to send kiwi combinations; in the past the riders have travelled over and ridden lease horses.

The team is:

· Tessa Deuss and Aspen-Hills Santa Ana, Wellington
· Emma Mason and Taralea Sheer Illusion, Wellington
· Sian Reid and AA Sabatage, Pokeno
· Georgia Smith and Aurora Australis, Taihape

The four girls bring together a mix of experience and strong ability with all competing at CEI 3* 160km level.

ESNZ Endurance has also selected Kevin James as the Chef d’Equipe and Susan Reid as the Coach for this team and event.

Australia: The Enduros are Coming

Horseyard.com.au

July 22 2011

EXCITEMENT levels are building in Kilmore as, for the first time ever, endurance horse riders are set to have a home town event.
The Kilmore Endurance Ride will take place this weekend and will involve competitorsracing in 15km, 24km, 41km and an 80km ride.

The event has been well supported in the local community and by racing enthusiastsfrom around Victoria with encouraging numbers committed to attending, according toride organiser Emma Holland.

“We were hoping to have between about 80 and 100 people involved and it looks like wewill have 100 which is great” Ms Holland said.

“A lot of endurance riders are very excited about it. This is the first time we haveheld this in Kilmore.

“It's a big event and it takes a lot of work.

“We have had a lot of support from local businesses which is great. The Scouts andthe local shire have been great with all their help.”

First over the finish line in each division won't get all the glory for the weekendwith a number of other awards up for grabs.

Best presented horse or pony and best presented rider awards will keep entrants busyand a “compete is to win award,” which acknowledges the last competitor over the lineare just some of the other titles...

Read more here:
http://www.horseyard.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=232577:the-enduros-are-coming&catid=247:horse-news&Itemid=145

Australia: Endurance ride in Bago Forest

Wauchopegazette.com

20 Jul, 2011 11:59 PM
AN 80 kilometre endurance horse ride will be held in the Bago Forest later this month.

The ride - called the Bago Bush Ride - is organised by a local committee under the auspices of the NSW Endurance Riders Association, with all proceeds going to support the Riding for the Disabled Wauchope/Port Macquarie Centre.

The ride will be held on July 23 and 24.

The event comprises an 80 km endurance ride, a 40 km training (with a 60 km elevator option) and a 20km social ride. Entrants in the 80km ride must be members of NSWERA and qualified, however the other events are open to any rider.

Endurance riding is a family sport attracting riders of all ages. Riders under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

All rides are run under strict veterinary parameters. Again, the ride base will be the Wauchope Saleyards /Pony Club grounds following forest trails with a section through Bago Winery. Ride organizers would like to express their gratitude to both John O'Brien and Jim Mobbs for the use of their properties.

This year we have a celebrity rider, well known ABC radio personality (and horse lover) Fiona Wyllie.

Pre-ride vetting will commence at 1pm on Saturday. 20km entrants, however, may choose to vet from 7am on Sunday with an 8:30am start.

Recently two of the ride committee members tasted great success at the NSW State Championships. This 160km event was held on the June long weekend over challenging terrain at St Albans in the Hawkesbury Valley. Phil Coleman, riding Alnotarj Statistic and Ros Ryan riding Rainbows Reach Scout placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in their divisions. Competitors had to successfully pass the six stringent veterinary checks held throughout the duration of the ride. This was an outstanding achievement considering incessant rain resulted in treacherous conditions. Gary Thomas was another local rider to successfully complete.

Meanwhile members of the RDA Wauchope/Port Macquarie centre competed in the Regional Mounted Games Day hosted by the Manning Great Lakes RDA Centre earlier this month.

Robyn Coombes, RDA Coach for Wauchope/Port Macquarie Centre and Ride Secretary for the Bago ride, took two horses down to be ridden by some of our riders, who travelled down with their families.

It was a great day and our riders and horses won lots of ribbons on the day competing in the Flag Race, Barrel Race, Keyhole and Bending Poles.

For further details of the RDA fundraiser, Bago Bush Ride, contact Robyn Coombes on 6585-6761 or Ros Ryan on 0418 848 019.

For general information on endurance riding (including getting started), visit www.nswera.asn.au

Endurance Great Britain Squad Selection for European Championship

Horsemart.co.uk - Full Article

Thursday 21 July 2011
Endurance squad announced for the FEI European Endurance Championships 2011

Endurance GB has today announced their selection of the squad of six horses and riders to represent Britain at the Senior European Endurance Championships in Florac, France (10th September 2011).

The selected squad comprises:

• Alice Beet riding her own recently acquired Adara Sauveterre
• Tricia Hirst riding her own and Philip Hirst’s Madjin des Pins
• Karen Jones riding her own Macadamia
• Catriona Moon riding her own Leila
• Christine Yeoman riding her own Richshakfy
• David Yeoman riding his own Haszar

The non-travelling reserves, in alphabetical order, are Rachel Atkinson (Vanash), Sally Hall (Barn Owl), Annie Joppe (Dilmun) and Nicky Sherry (Shimmering Blue Jasmine).

Annabelle Scofield, Chef d’Equipe for the Endurance squad commented on the selection: “We have a top class team of riders who all have competed successfully in international rides. Their horses have all proved that they are capable of the challenging terrain they will meet at Florac and the team will have every chance of delivering a very competitive performance. They have all worked really hard over a number of years as members of the British team squad, to produce well trained and very fit horses.”

At 24, Alice is the youngest member of the team, she commented on her selection; “I am really pleased. I know it is going to be mountainous but Adara is a small and compact horse and I know she is ideal for that type of terrain..."

Read more here:
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/news/endurance_squad_announced_for_the_fei_european_endurance_championships_2011/2639

Mexico: Riders in FEI JYR Championships in Kentucky Next Week

18 July 2011

[google translation]
The Mexican Association of Equestrian Endurance Championship to send a representative to Junior Equestrian of North America in Lexington, Kentucky. The next will be held July 27 Equestrian Youth Championship in North America, supported by International Equestrian Federation, where participating countries of Canada, USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.

Mexican Equestrian Federation, the delegation sent to represent Mexico in this
championship, which will be composed of young promises to participate in various disciplines, as Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, Reining and Endurance. The Mexican representative Endurance Riders will be composed of Meixueiro Mariana Guzman (Puebla), Christopher Ugarte (Puebla) and Gerard Gabriel Gagnier Mendoza (Oaxaca), who will compete in the test by Team and Individual.

Endurance test will consist of covering the distance of 120 km FEI 2 * a Time limit, and count as a test for the World Youth Cup in Abu Dhabi. Endurance team will be led by Ricardo Galan Arias (Chef d'Equipe) and Mercedes Acuna Tradits (Head Veterinarian FEI). Note that in these qualifying stages, our riders are putting the Endurance of Mexico at the top, as Mariana Meixueiro, apart from winning first place in 80 km in the USA won the "Best Condition".

Christopher Ugarte in Chile is in 3rd place in 80 miles and also won the "Best Condition" and Gabriel Mendoza Mexican Gagnier is the rider with more racing 120 km 2 * FEI and the and his entire career to the global classification. We also have Jesus Lobato, who has competed in Chile and Argentina for the World Cup qualifiers, one second achieved in Chile place at 80 km are not only classified, but are also carrying the "Best Condition ", which is without doubt one of the most prized awards in the Endurance.

In the history of this discipline in our country is of great relevance to send for a second time representative, and in 2009 the riders Magali de la Rosa and Gabriel Mendoza Selim Gagnier participated in this test, earning a team silver medal.

Mexican Endurance Association congratulates these brave riders who are confident
they manage to land in the Middle East and put the Endurance of Mexico in the levels
world.

Great Britain: 2012 World Endurance CHampionship Pre Ride this Weekend

20 July 2011

The 2012 World Endurance Championship Pre Ride will be held on 24th July 2011 at Euston Park, Great Britain.

FEI classes will be: 160 km, 120 km, 120 km Young Rider, 80 km, and 80 km Young Rider.

Riders from Spain, UAE, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, France, Slovakia, German, Oman, Brazil, Netherlands, USA, and Russia have pre-entered the 160 km ride.

For more information, see:
http://eustonparkendurance.co.uk/