Malaysia: 2011 Sultan Mizan Cup Brings Together Sports and Entertainment All In One

The three-day event will kick off on 7 October 2011 at Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, bringing the public a fun-filling carnival and concert by local artistes

KUALA LUMPUR, October 4 - Sultan Mizan Cup formerly known as Terengganu Sultan Cup Endurance Challenge is a world-class event that has always been more than just a sport of endurance for horse lovers. It brings together sports and entertainment in a single venue catering to people from all walks of life.

This year, Sultan Mizan Cup is back again with more fun-filled activities and a series of entertaining events at the Carnival on 7 to 8 October 2011 that is meant for the whole family. Among the activities scheduled are model horse colouring competition by secondary students, Pony Club Mounted Games Challenge, colouring contests for kids, face painting, coral and marine life exhibition, carriage rides, food and game stalls, street soccer tournament and many others.

The public should be on the lookout at this event for the model horse colouring competition. The horse model made from fibre glass is as big as the real-life horse. The students will have to create a piece of art reflecting the theme of the event – the exquisite and beautiful corals of Terengganu.

The carnival is specially designed for the whole family, and kids will get to enjoy the fun offered by the many activities. Both children and adults will have their share of excitement as they watch Pony Clubbers from Terengganu face-off each other in teams to win the Pony Club Mounted Games Challenge which will be held over 7 and 8 October.

The street soccer tournament, also held over two days, will see footballers under 18 years old competing on Friday, 7 October, and the open category will be on Saturday, 8 October. Winners from both categories will be awarded with cash prizes. Advance registration is required for all those who are interested in joining this fun and healthy tournament.

Set to rock Lembah Bidong with performances by popular artistes such as Faizal Tahir, Hujan, Bunkface, Shiha Mentor5, Black Mentor3, Faizal AF4 and many more. the concert this year is from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm on 8 October.

The carnival which admission is FREE opens on 7 October from 3.00 pm to 10.00pm and 8 October 2011 from 9.00am to 10.00pm.

Sultan Mizan Cup with its new brand identity is set to cement itself as the most important event in Terengganu and the premier endurance event in the nation. It is being repositioned as a world-class premier endurance event that is important for the region.

The CEI 2* Sultan Mizan Cup run over a distance of 120 km with five phases over undulating terrain. The endurance race has a time limit of 12 hours including holding time totalling 210 minutes at the first four vet gates. The first phase is 30 km, second phase is 25 km, third phase is 20 km, fourth phase is 25 km and the fifth and final phase is 20 km.

His Majesty, Yang DiPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, an endurance aficionado, will be competing at the 2011 Sultan Mizan Cup.

More than 60 riders are expected to compete this year for a total prizemoney of USD68,000.00 which has been doubled since last year. The first prize is USD20,000, second is USD14.000, third is USD10,000, fourth is USD6,000 and the fifth prize is USD4,000. The winner of the Best Conditioned Horse will receive prizemoney of USD14,000. Malaysia is fielding the biggest contingent and the other riders are from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.


For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Ms. Wai-Fai Lo
Head of PR, Asia Promote Ventures
M: 012-209 0068
E: waifailo@asiapromote.net

Noor Nazatul Janah Bt Mahmood
PR & Event Manager, Asia Promote Ventures
M: 012-940 5848
E: nazatul@asiapromote.net

Australia: Kalgoorlie or Bust Endurance Ride - Raising Funds For Cancer Victims

Horsezone.com.au - Full article

Published on Friday, September 30, 2011 in General

Kids who have horses and ponies are usually a little tougher than your average teenager!

The thought of spending more time with their beloved mate, camping out under the stars and bonding with their “best- horse-friend” is irresistible. So when the idea came about for a ride to Kalgoorlie along the Golden Pipeline these four friends jumped at the chance.

Holly Bongers, Larissa Cooney, Bessie Traylen & Maddy King are all members of the Wooroloo Horse and Pony Club, a small club, in the Perth Hills. All the kids have been close to cancer at some stage in their 14 years and it was decided to make something that they love to do, into a fundraiser for the WA Cancer Council.

The girls asked Kylie Martin, a good friend and mentor, to come on board. Kylie is an endurance rider and also has a business in horse massage, Kyanna Equestrian – Healing Hands for Healing Horses.

Kylie is a huge influence on the girls and is extremely supportive of each and every one of them. She is teaching them about caring for an endurance horse, not a pony club horse, and how to rise to the challenge of so many days in the saddle...

read more here:
http://horsezone.com.au/news/kalgoorlie-or-bust-endurance-ride-raising-funds-for-cancer-victims-1685/

Spain: Shortlisted for the 2011 World Junior Championship Ride in Abu Dhabi

El Raid Blog

25 September 2011

From the Spanish Equestrian Federation and on behalf of the National coach Raid, gives a statement with horses shortlisted for the Young Riders World in Abu Dhabi in December. This is the note of the National Coach of Raid:

SCREENING OF YOUTH RIDERS RAID - ABU DHABI WORLD 2011.
RELATED PROVISIONAL OF HORSES COMPETING TO GO TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF YOUNG RIDERS OF ABU DHABI 2011.
PRIZE USHAMIR BEN
LUCERO MIKI
HUMBUG YEP
VODKA O AMAL
XENA ROSE TRA
TRA CLICK
Of the 6 horses the 4 shortlisted will be chosen to represent the Spanish Raid after completing the tests that will convene promptly.

Yebra Quico
National Coach
Madrid September 23, 2011.

Kristie Taprell and Kurrajong Concorde win Tom Quilty

October 3 2011

In a riding time of 10:10.42, Kristie Taprell and Kurrajong Concorde won the S.A> Tom Quilty Gold Cup Barossa Ranges 2011. They were also the Middleweight division winners.

Second place went to Deb Grull riding Lauralyn Notorious. Tied for third place were Akhmed Pshunov riding Tarrangower Crecendo, and Matthew Sample riding Brookleigh Ricardo.

Heavyweight winner was Tony Purton on Beer Street Dimity; Lightweight winner was Erin Lee Krahnen on Kalkadoon Zorro; Junior division winner was James Green on Hirstglen Maybe.

193 riders started.
Complete results will be available here.

Hundreds ready for 24-hour endurance ride

Updated September 30, 2011 13:40:49

Hundreds of the world's best endurance horse riders will compete this weekend for the title of Australia's top endurance competitor.

From midnight on Friday, they will race for 24 hours for 160 kilometres through the Barossa Ranges and Mount Crawford state forest near Adelaide.

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup began when bushman RM Williams and pastoralist Tom Quilty wanted to see if current-day riders were as tough as those of past eras.

Event director Jean Sims says all the competitors will find it tough this year because heavy rain in recent days has made the ground heavy.

"It is a challenging course. The riders start in the darkness but they wear headlamps on their helmets and they follow luminous arrows which mark a track through the forest," she said.

"It's quite wet and muddy so they'll have to slow down and just look after their horse to make sure that they get around."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-30/tom-quilty-horse-endurance-riders/3193796

France: National Finals for Young Endurance Horses at Uzes

Horsereporter Blog - Full Article

Posted on September 20, 2011 by worldreporter

Finales Nationales Des Jeunes Chevaux D’endurance Equestre a Uzes

September 19, Uzes, France ~More than 600 endurance horses aged 4-6 are expected to compete October 7,8,& 9 at Uzes in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, known as the cradle of endurance in France. The National Stud at Uzes has developed the discipline of endurance for the past 19 years and has confirmed hundreds of young French horses to the sport.

Each year, another nation is invited to discover these French finals. Last year the riders of Brazil were invited and rode horses that were prepared by the breeders of the region. This year an official delegation has been chosen from China to further their emerging interest onto the endurance scene. In past years, riders and trainers from Italy, Germany and Great Britain, Belgium and Sweden have been successful in this ride...

Read more here:
http://blog.horsereporter.com/2011/09/20/national-finals-for-young-endurance-horses-at-uzes/

New body created for Irish endurance riders

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Ben Scott H&H news desk

20 September, 2011

A new body to oversee endurance riding in Ireland has been created following a meeting (Friday 9 September) of Ireland’s top endurance riders.

Endurance Ireland will work to promote the sport and develop a calendar of events for both competitive riding and training in 2012.

The body has written to Horse Sport Ireland with a view to becoming a section of the organisation.

Ireland has not competed at a World or European championship in endurance riding since 2006.

An elected committee of Yvonne Croke, (chairperson) Anne Kinsella, (treasurer and health and safety officer) Patrick Miller (assistant treasurer) and Karen Kiely, (secretary and press officer) has been formed.

Spokesperson for Endurance Ireland Karen Kiely said: “The positive response to our formation from endurance riders in Ireland and abroad since the launch on Saturday 17 September, has confirmed to us the need for the new group...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/309709.html

Australia: 12 Days till the 2011 Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty

SATomQuilty.com.au

16 September 2011

The event, known as the Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty Gold Cup will provide a challenging event for participants on a new course. There will be an away check point and riders will experience changing terrain as the course traverses Mt Crawford State forest, vineyards and pastures. The second and potentially most challenging leg will be through pine forests, then onto private land owned by the Ross family (by kind permission).

The ride base will be at Mt Pleasant which hosts annually a large agricultural show in addition to many livestock and horse events. One of the best scenic routes in our State runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands, forestry and the wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley close to Mt. Pleasant.

Land was first purchased for forestry at Mount Crawford in 1909. Plantings commenced in 1914; two species of eucalypts (Narrow-leaved Ironbark and South Australian Blue gum) and two species of pine (Radiata and Maritime pine) which creates a fantastic horse riding environment. The current reserve area is in the region of 12,000 hectares.

Please note that the event will start at midnight on Friday September 30th 2011 and continue through Saturday October 1st.

For more information, see

Florac Championnat d'Europe 2011

Endurance-belgium.com

by Leonard Liesens

Of course Nobby and Maria Alvarez were the biggest favorites of this European Championship. Beside them, the two couples that Benedicte Emond (the new French Chef d'equipe) had chosen as individuals were also considered as very serious contenders. They were Pierre Fleury and Gregoire Tilquin. At the first vetgate, the battle for the first place had already begun. Nobby and Maria, Tilquin and Fleury were in the front. There was also another favorite who is always riding excellent horses. Last year she did well in Lexington with the German team; with the same horse she unfortunately crashed a bit during the last loop in Assisi two years ago, but now the horse has gotten more experience and was very strong. She is Sabrina Arnold; she lives in the south of France so the horse Beau was perfectly acclimatized to the grueling conditions. Another female rider did also come to play a role in forefront, Diana Origi, who lead the preride last year before that her horse pulled at the last vetgate. Unfortunately for the italian lady, her horse could hardly keep up in terms of recovery time and took everytime a few minutes more to enter the vetgate. In the front, alone, and opening the trail all the time, the extraordinary Kalifa from Abu Dhabi, ridden by his trainer Ali Khalfan. Amazing horse.

Even if we had a hard time following the race by car - actually it was harder for the people following the middle of the pack riders than for the one going along with the leaders- there were very few grumpy guys to critisise the principles of the in-line race. Florac is an in-line race and has always be and must remain as it is! Otherwise how could the riders -and the crew and spectators- enjoy the scenery and the various going and trails. There were a lot of discussions about the way that the course has been adapted to get a faster average speed, about the manicuring of some very rocky trails (rock crushing), but everybody has to salute the work of Jean-Paul Boudon and his team. Let's all hope that his team will continue the good work and offer us next year similar conditions. For sure there will be a lot of riders coming for the next edition.

The winning horse Kalifa is something like an extraterrestrial! Everybody - e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y - was betting at every stage on his future crash. We heard many times: "If he completes and win, I should better stop doing endurance riding and convert to golf or something else". By seeing Ali and Kalifa eating up all hills at the canter when others were taking them at the trot, of course, observers could only bet on the crash. Knowing also that this horse was bought in Uruguay where there are no hills. The horse was bought by Al Wahtba and went to Abu Dhabi. He finished second last year at the President's Cup and at the Maktoum Cup. In Uruguay he did decently, including a top ten at the PanAm in Costa Azul. It is obvious that this horse never saw the hills and  mountains he had to cope with in Florac. So we had to stop pretending that we can still beat the Arabian riders in our technical races... Another lost illusion... And not to mentioon that Kalifa lost a shoe during the last loop. The rider had to put his easyboot, but this one was not fitting well so he had to stop several time to re-put it on. Alio Kalfan should come to the States learning the new easyglove technique!!!

The French team was composed of Atger, Demedy, Santisteva et Goachet. Until the final trotting, that was Spain who hold the team gold; but the Spanish horse Arizona de Lafont was eliminated at the final trotting. Big dissapointement and big anger from the Spanish team, but it seems that the decision was correct. Anyway, they have got the silver.

Belgium play his role in this game on the perfect way. There was no reason to fight in the front, but the 3rd place was perfectly within reach. Pietro Di Geronimo was chosen as individual when everybody was betting on him for the team, but only the trainer sees the horse during the pre-race clinics and at the trotting, so it's difficult to have an opinion. Anyway Di Geronimo demonstrated that his horse Mengali was perfectly prepared, taking the 9th place at the european level, his best placing up-to-now. Belgium was shocked when Taborah, a difficult mare, was eliminated for lameness at the first vetgate. With only 3 horses in the team, no mistake was allowed. The three did very well, always together, cruising at a good speed, entering into the vetgate very fast. They finally completed the race in a tied finish, something that we -still- like to see. Team bronze for Belgium.

The other nations did sometimes well, sometimes bad. Italy was just 10 minutes behind Belgium on the total of the three riders' times. Netherlands completed the team ranking at the 5th place whichis probably their best result. 
Germany was dissapointing taking into account the team bronze they clinched in Lexington last year. Of course Sabrina Arnold take the individual silver, but it is clear that jl Leclerc has still a lot of work. Slovakia didn't suffer any elimination and completed its full team, at the average speed of 13 km/h. Not too bad.
Finally, the time has gone when the European riders could dominate the Arabian ones on their technical courses. Aue, Qatar and Bahrain has proven that they are the biggest challengers on any type of course. Qatar took 3rd and 5th place; UAE won; Bahrain did 12, 15 and 22.
 
 Photos by Caroll Gatelier here:
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/photos/florac2011c/index.html

Photos by Leonard Liesens here:
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/photos/florac2011/index.html

Endurance Europeans – France take team Gold

Frenchhorseandcountry.com

13/09/2011 By fhc

Virginie Atger, Sunny Demédy, Julien Goachet and Bénédicte Santisteva took to the podium to receive the team Gold medal for the French at Florac this weekend.

In the Individual In the individual race multi-medalist for Spain, Maria Alvarez Ponton,riding his exceptional horse Nobby. The silver medal went to Germany’s Sabrina Arnold on Beautiful Ox and the bronze medal for French Pierre Fleury who ran as an individual with Kergof owned by Stéphane Fleury.

The winning team consisted of:-

Virginie Atger on Antall de Jalima ,

Sunny Demedy on Nerval de Beders , owned by Delphine Johnson and Marc Labrunie

Julien Goachet riding Lubiana de Coat Frity , owned by Jean-Pierre Le Hegarat

Bénédicte Santisteva on Djour de Bozouls , owned by Marcel Mezy

Virginie Atger also was awarded the prize for the best condition...

Read more here:
http://www.frenchhorseandcountry.com/WP/2011/09/13/endurance-europeans-france-take-team-gold/

France: Two Al Shaqab Endurance Riders Finish in Top 5 of European Championships

AlShaqab.com

* Publication Date: 11/09/11 8:00 AM


Al Shaqab Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, came away from the Open FEI European Endurance Championships with a Bronze medal and a 5th place finish this past Saturday in Florac, France.

(September 11, 2011) Al Shaqab Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, came away from the Open FEI European Endurance Championships with a Bronze medal and a 5th place finish this past Saturday in Florac, France.
Jasim Mohammed Al Maadhadi captured the Bronze medal, riding Mazayha, coming in only 47 seconds behind the reining World Champion. With a total time of 8:45:52 for the 160 km race, Al Maadhadi clocked an average speed of 18.21 km/hr.

Scoring a 5th place finish, Faleh Nasser Bughenaim crossed the finish at 8:50:26 aboard Leonardo with an average pace of 18.05 km/hr.

This was the biggest race of the year in the Endurance world, for which all teams and riders have been competing all year long to qualify. In total, 65 individuals entered the race, but only 36 finished all six loops of the race.

Al Shaqab Endurance Team manager Hadi Nasser Al Naimi coaches the Al Shaqab team under the guidance of Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Director of Al Shaqab. The team will next compete Sept. 30-Oct. 1, in Pinamar, Emerald Coast, Argentina.

His Highness, The Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani founded Al Shaqab in 1992 to preserve and further develop the Arabian horse in Qatar. Al Shaqab is led by H E Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and encompasses an Endurance Team, Breeding & Show division, Riding Academy. In 2004, Al Shaqab proudly became a member of Qatar Foundation. Al Shaqab’s mission is to be global leaders in preserving, improving and promoting the Arabian horse breed through setting the highest standard in breeding, show, equestrian arts and equine welfare, and encouraging community participation.

2011 Florac European Championship - Video

September 14 2011

A video look at Florac - the 2011 European Championship.



Youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8sQXA3ghjE&feature=share

France: FEI Open European Endurance Championships 2011 - Florac

FEI.org

11 Sep 2011

PHENOMENAL PONTON TAKES INDIVIDUAL TITLE WHILE FRANCE TOPS THE TEAMS by Louise Parkes

Spain's record-breaking partnership of Maria Alvarez Ponton and Nobby took their fourth Championship title in a row when putting in another phenomenal performance at the FEI European Endurance Championships 2011 in Florac, France yesterday. And the host nation had plenty to celebrate too, as Virginie Atger, Julien Goachet, Sunny Demedy and Benedicte Santisteva claimed the team honours for France.

Concerns about the intense heat in the days leading up to the event dissipated when a cooling mist shrouded the mountainous course as the riders set off with a racing start at 4.30am. And it was an extraordinary sight as their headlamps guided the 76 competitors from 17 countries through the darkness over the early stages of their 160 kms challenge. Florac is recognised as one of the toughest Endurance tracks in the world, with a climb to 1,665 metres at its highest point, and a completion, let alone a victory here, is a coveted achievement in this most demanding of equestrian sports.

The track did not follow the modern "clover-leaf" formula often used in the sport today, in which the loops return to a central base during the course of the race. In contrast, the six loops on the Florac track stretched out over fresh ground and, while helping maintain the interest of the horses throughout, this presented a significant logistical challenge to the hard-working support crews and officials.

THE STUFF OF LEGEND
Ponton and Nobby are already the stuff of legend however. The Spanish rider and her little 148cms super-champ broke all previous records with their hat-trick that included the 2008 World title, 2009 European title and then their gold medal winning performance at last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky, USA. And, a year later, they have now raised the bar even higher with their fourth extraordinary success.

Crossing the finish line in 08:45:05, they had an average speed of 18.237 kmh while silver medallist Sabrina Arnold from Germany broke the beam just under a minute later with an average speed of 18.208 kmh. Individual bronze went to Pierre Fleury and Kergof from France who cleared the line in 08:53:14 after recording an average speed of 17.958. A total of 43 horses and riders qualified through all phases to finish.

The European team title came down to a two-way battle between the Spanish and French, and it was the late elimination of Spain's Francisco Caselles Calm and Arizone de Lafon that decided the result. All four members of the French team completed and their total time of 27:24:55 gave them an advantage of almost 23 minutes over the the Spanish trio of Ponton, Oriol Casals Fores (Zarha de Vilaformiu) and Laia Crusellas (Flying Tornado). Bronze went to another team reduced to just three team-members, the Belgian side of Celine Just (Jahman), Michel Lequarre (Sahid des Fontaines) and Maritza Pereira (Lima du Barthas) whose total time of 30.06.12 was just 10 minutes faster than that of the Italians who missed out on the medal podium when slotting into fourth place.

A total of 11 teams lined out, with the fifth-place Dutch and sixth-placed Slovakian team performing beyond expectations. The fact that all four members of the Slovakian team completed is clear testament to the progressive and professional development of the sport in the region.

GLORIOUS MOMENT
Yesterday's success was yet another glorious moment for Ponton, who specialises in producing Nobby only rarely but to spectacular effect. This partnership first burst onto the international Endurance scene in December 2006 when finishing third in the 120 km race in Dubai (UAE) and they have been a force to be reckoned with every since. Ponton's husband, Jaume Punti-Dachs who is one of the leading Endurance trainers for the UAE's Sheikh Mohammed, is also a highly competitive Endurance athlete and helps Maria to keep Nobby in great shape. "I'm delighted with this win for myself and my great little horse - he really is unique", Ponton said, "to win four Championships together is something very special!".

In the Open classification, the United Arab Emirates' Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and Kafia came out on top when registering the quickest average speed of the competition - 18.481 kmh - while Qatar's Jasim Mohammed Al Maadhadi and Mazayha finished third and fellow-countryman Faleh Nasser Bughenaim and Leonardo finished fifth.

Results:
European Team Championship: GOLD - France 17.4714 - Antall de Jalima (Virginie Atger), Lubiana de Coat Frity (Julien Goachet), Nerval de Beders (Sunnsy Demedy), Djour de Bozouls (Benedicte Santisteva); SILVER - Spain 17.2872 - Nobby (Maria Alvarez Ponton), Zarha de Vilamormiu (Oriol Casals Fores), Fying Tornade (Laia Muixi Crusellas); BRONZE - Belgium 15.9052 - Jahman (Celine Just), Sahid des Fontaines (Michel Lequarre), Lima de Varthas (Maritza Pereira).

European Individual Championship: GOLD - Nobby (Maria Alvarez Ponton) ESP 18.237 kmh; SILVER - Beau (Sabrina Arnold) GER 18.209 kmh; BRONZE - Kergof (Pierre Fleury) FRA 17.958 kmh.

France: Nobby and Ponton win European Endurance gold

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

September 12, 2011

Spain's record-breaking partnership of Maria Alvarez Ponton and Nobby took their fourth championship title in a row when putting in another phenomenal performance at the FEI European Endurance Championships 2011 in Florac, France yesterday.

And the host nation had plenty to celebrate too, as Virginie Atger, Julien Goachet, Sunny Demedy and Benedicte Santisteva claimed the team honours for France.

Concerns about the intense heat in the days leading up to the event dissipated when a cooling mist shrouded the mountainous course as the riders set off with a racing start at 4.30am. And it was an extraordinary sight as their headlamps guided the 76 competitors from 17 countries through the darkness over the early stages of their 160 kms challenge. Florac is recognised as one of the toughest endurance tracks in the world, with a climb to 1665 metres at its highest point, and a completion, let alone a victory here, is a coveted achievement in this most demanding of equestrian sports.

The track did not follow the modern "clover-leaf" formula often used in the sport today, in which the loops return to a central base during the course of the race. In contrast, the six loops on the Florac track stretched out over fresh ground and, while helping maintain the interest of the horses throughout, this presented a significant logistical challenge to the hard-working support crews and officials.

But Ponton and Nobby are already the stuff of legend...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/09/089.shtml

France: Ponton wins European Endurance Championship on Nobby

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

September 10, 20011, Florac, France ~ Spain’s, Maria Alvarez Ponton, reining World and European Champion, rode her half Arabian, Nobby, to another victory Saturday, as she again topped the best of European Endurance riders in the 2011 European Endurance Championship at Florac. Riding Nobby, the horse on which that she has won every major world endurance title for the past four years (World Championship, Kentucky, USA 2010, European Championship, Italy 2009, World Championship, Malaysia, 2008), Alvarez completed the course with an average speed of 17:68. She arrived in second place, as UAE rider, Abu Dhabi’s Ali Al Jahouri arrived first, finishing with an average speed of 18.55, setting a new record for the course and gaining the Gold for the Open division. Riding in 2nd position as the loops progressed and into the finish, Ponton was secure knowing she would be first for the European title. She arrived seven minutes behind Al Jahouri. Qatar’s Jasim Mohammed Al Maadhadi, riding Mazayha finished third, a minute later. Sabrina Arnold, riding Beau ox for the German team, arrived fourth by another minute and Beaux ox won the Best Condition prize at the Sunday awards.

Ponton said she trains Nobby in the desert and he has done well in his flat rides in Malaysia and Kentucky. ”This was his first mountain race,” she said. ”I arrived with a bit of fear of the mountain ride, as it has a certain reputation, and also I knew that the French riders are great competition. I can now see that Nobby is good at both desert and mountain rides.” Asked if he will race again, she said, “It was his choice to come. We didn’t push him.” Maria, 13 month old daughter, Maria, and husband, Jauma Punti Dachs live in Spain and Dubai, where the two train endurance horses.

Team prizes were: Gold -France, Silver- Spain, Bronze- Belgium...

Read more here:
http://blog.horsereporter.com/2011/09/11/ponton-wins-european-endurance-championship-on-nobby/

Individual gold and team silver for Spain at European Raid

Ecuestreonline.com

[google translation]

September 10 2011

Maria Alvarez ("Nobby") and the Spanish team have returned to the podium in the European Championship Absolute Raid. The Cantabrian rider has renewed Florac (France) won the individual gold two years ago with its Arab Thoroughbred, while the national team has been unable to re-edit the first post and had to settle for silver after the controversial removal of Francesc Xavier Casellas ("Lafon Arizona"). The other three pairs have achieved national qualification.

France: Fine finish for Shaikh Nasser

Gulf-daily-news.com

September 11 2011

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa finished a strong 12th yesterday in leading Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team in the 160-kilometre FEI Open European Championship, held in Florac, France. Riding Nikel Kermorvan, Shaikh Nasser completed the gruelling six-stage ride in nine hours 32 minutes and 57 seconds.

He was well positioned for a spot in the top three at the end of the race's fourth leg, but then dropped back to 13th heading into the final stage before managing to move up another spot for his final classification.

Shaikh Nasser, who is the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, was the top Bahraini entrant to finish the race.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and Al Khalidiyah Stables leader Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also enjoying a fine performance until he was forced to withdraw after stage five due to an injury to his horse R P Sebastopol.

Shaikh Khalid was in the competition for close to nine hours, and he was doing well to maintain a place in the top eight. He was within striking distance of a podium finish before needing to pull out.

Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri from the UAE emerged as the champion. Riding Kalifa, he put on an unbeatable ride, leading from the start to the finish and then completing the event with a total time of 8:38:10.

Spaniard Maria Alvarez Ponton on Nobby followed Al Jahouri's every move. Alvarez was in second place throughout, and she finished as the runner-up in 8:45:05.

Jassim Mohammed Al Maadhadi of Qatar, riding Mazayha, came third overall in 8:45:52. His fine showing made it two GCC riders on the podium in Florac.

Sabrina Arnold of Germany, riding Beau Ox, claimed fourth place overall in 8:45:53, Qatar's Faleh Nasser Bughenaim on Leonardo was fifth in 8:50:26 and Pierre Fleury of France, on Kergof, rounded out the top six in 8:53:14.

Amongst Bahrain's other riders in the race, Ahmed Abdulla Al Hazza, on Basic Instinct, came 15th after finishing the race in 9:54:43. He was the second-best of the Royal Team after only Shaikh Nasser.

Ahmed Jaffar Abdulrahim, on Ryhorn Marachaco, claimed 22nd, registering a total ride time of 10:28:04.

Like Shaikh Khalid, Bahrain's Abdulrahman Al Saad on Marduk had to withdraw from the race after five stages.

He was already in action for nearly 11 hours before being forced to pull out.

Yesterday's ride, which flagged off at 5.30am Bahrain time, featured 84 of the world's best riders hailing from a record 18 nations. The event was sponsored by Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team.

The race ran through the mountainous region of the CŽzannes National Park in Central Southern France.

Al Jahouri wins gold in European Open Endurance Championship

By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
Published: 23:27 September 10, 2011

Al Jahouri completed the 160-km championship ride in 8 hrs, 38 mins, 10 secs
photo: Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri winning the European Open 160-km endurance championship in Florac, France on Saturday.
Abu Dhabi: Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, one of Abu Dhabi’s top endurance riders won the 160-km European Open Endurance Championship held in Florac, France on Saturday.

Al Jahouri, a veteran rider and trainer of endurance horses at the Al Wathba Endurance Stables owned by Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, finished ahead of two-time world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain.

Al Jahouri completed the 160-km ride in 8 hrs 38 mins 10 secs on his horse Khalifa while Maria once again partnered Nobby to finish about seven minutes behind the UAE ace.

A total of 77 riders from 17 countries took part in the ride.

Qatar’s Jasim Mohammad and Faleh Nasser finished 3rd and 5th respectively as Al Jahouri led from start to finish.

Thaleb Daher Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Emirates Equestrian Federation said, “This is another great victory and comes after the UAE won the gold medal at the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky last year.”
The results (Top five) of the 160-km European Open Endurance Championship:

* 1. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE) on Kalifa in 8 hrs 38 mins 10 secs;
* 2. Maria Alvarez Ponton (Spain) on Nobby in 8:45.05;
* 3. Jasim Mohammad Al Maadhadi (Qatar) on Mazayha in 8:45.52;
* 4. Sabrina Arnold (Germany) on Beau Ox in 8:45.53;
* 5. Faleh Nasser Bughenaim (Qatar) on Leonardo in 8:50.26.

[full article at Gulfnews]

Bahrain: Royal Team duo gear up for ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Friday, September 09, 2011

ROYAL Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Al Khaldiya Stables captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa will arrive today in France for the FEI 2011 European Open Endurance Horseride Championship, to be held tomorrow in Florac.

The pair will lead the Bahrain national endurance horseride team in the prestigious event, which features a challenging 16km ride.

Commencing at 5.30am (Bahrain time), the ride is organised by Lozre Endurance Equestre and will see some of the world's best riders competing for glory.

Leading contenders at the event are Spanish champion Maria Alvarez Ponton, who is set to defend her title on Nobby.

Among other riders taking part are some of the regional teams, including teams from the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The UAE, who have been dominating recent endurance rides, will be represented in tomorrow's event by only two riders. Qatar is scheduled to field six riders while Saudi Arabia will have two jockeys.

Out of 230 participation, only 171 representing 18 nations could be honoured by Lozre Endurance Equestre.

The Bahrain Royal Endurance Team, who are among major sponsors of the ride, will undergo veterinary examination today.

Participants from across the globe will escort their horses to the village for the veterinary tests that will take place at the National Park of the CŽzannes.

Approved

The weigh-in of all riders is also scheduled for today when the six-member Royal Endurance Team will also be approved by Shaikh Nasser.

The Florac 160km Championship will run through the mountainous region of the CŽzannes National Park in Central Southern France.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid said they are excited to compete with the world's finest riders.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and chief of the Bahrain _Olympic Committee, said the Royal Endurance Team is keen to accomplish another outstanding achievement during their long camp in Europe.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid confirmed that the team's morale is high leading up to the championship, stressing on his teammates' intentions to claim a place on the podium and lift the Bahrain flag high.

The organising committee had a number of meetings, during which latest preparations were reviewed prior to the start of the championship.

Following the ride tomorrow, the prize-giving ceremony will take place on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Media and Information Centre of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalfia issued a booklet that highlights the achievements of Bahrain endurance riders in recent years.

The booklet, entitled 'New Horizons', is sponsored by Mena Telecom and aims to promote Bahrain during endurance rides organised in Europe.

Great Britain: The Pony Club Endurance Championships 2011

Horsedeals.co.uk

08/09/2011

Pony Club Endurance, generously sponsored by Dengie Horse Feeds, is going from strength to strength and will soon be enjoying its third Championship on September 18th at The College EC, Bedfordshire.

Pony Club Members, from all over the country, have been taking part in qualification rides throughout the year to gain their ticket to The Pony Club Dengie Endurance Championships. Entry numbers are set to be in excess of 50, with competitors split across Junior (eight to 12 years) and Senior (over 13 years) levels, both individually and in teams. As with the other Pony Club disciplines classes will be set at levels for Novice (32km at 10km per hour), Intermediate (40km at 11km per hour) and Open (40km at 12km per hour).

“Pony Club Endurance continues to grow steadily in popularity as a discipline” comments Sally Lawton, Secretary of Pony Club Endurance. “It has been really pleasing to receive entries for the Championships from new Pony Club Branches to the sport, and we hope they really enjoy their Championship experience”.

Introduced in 2009 Endurance has proved a great addition to The Pony Club’s disciplines, as no specific type of horse or pony is needed to take part, and the emphasis on sound knowledge of how to correctly get fit and feed your horse sits well with The Pony Club’s training ethos. Pony Club Endurance is supported by long standing Pony Club sponsor Dengie Horse Feeds, who took on Endurance in addition to their Pony Club Winter League sponsorship at the beginning of 2010.

Ian Hassard, Managing Director, Dengie Horse Feeds says, “We are very proud to be supporting The Pony Club Endurance Championships. Endurance is a growing sport with a strong emphasis on diet and fitness which sits perfectly with Dengie’s nutritional values. I wish all those competing at the Championships the best of luck.”

The Pony Club Dengie Endurance Championship will be running alongside the Endurance Great Britain (EGB) Cromwell Group’s annual ‘The College Ride’. Spectators are welcome at the event, with no charge for entry, and food is available to purchase.