Ireland: Endurance Riding in Focus

Independent.ie - Full Article

Tuesday November 08 2011

The Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) organises numerous long-distance riding events throughout Ireland each year.

Most rides involve a Pleasure Ride for both members and non-members, normally of about eight miles.

Competitive Trail Rides are run over a number of distances, starting from 20 miles for members. Some events also feature Endurance Races, which start at 50 miles and are for experiences horses and riders only.

The Endurance Rides present the toughest challenges, where riders are competing against each other, rather than the clock. The highest level of competition is the 160km (100-mile) endurance ride, the International Senior championship distance.

Endurance riding is a uniquely competitive challenge and regarded as the supreme sport for learning about equine fitness. Veterinary checks before and after competitive rides -- and in the middle, too, for longer distances -- ensures the best possible care of your horse is taken and any problems can be picked up earlier rather than later.

As a rider, you learn more about the way your horse functions and how to regulate your riding to suit conditions that will affect the way your horse behaves and how it presents to the vet. Key factors for riders to assess are the terrain, the weather and the route.

Your job as an endurance rider is to assess your ride, read your map, decide on your tactics, plot your directions and work out where your back-up crew will meet you on long rides.

The sport is known for its camaraderie and the ILDRA is happy to put you in touch with a more experienced rider who can advise you. The organisation also stages talks, seminars and demonstrations across the regions.

Perhaps the best reason of all for taking up endurance riding is the partnership built up with your horse over many miles of new riding ground. You guide your horse and it carries you. It has to trust you to lead it back home, and you have to trust it to get you there, forging a relationship between rider and horse that is hard to equal in any other sport.

Originally published in
FARMER

Abu Dhabi: Taking on world's best in horse riding

Portstephensexaminer.com.au

BY DANIEL MILLS
09 Nov, 2011 01:00 AM

TWO Bobs Farm horse riders will make a journey to the Middle East in December to compete in a prestigious horse riding event.

Allix Jones, 18, and Brooke Warner, 20, will form one half of the Australian Young Riders Endurance squad to travel to Abu Dhabi to compete against the world's best in endurance horse riding.

More than 25 countries are expected to take part.

Only four riders will represent the Australian team at the championships, with most other nations nominating six.

Both Warner and Jones rode distances of more than 360 kilometres this year during three endurance riding events to qualify. A ride of 120 kilometres usually takes around seven hours, however, on the fast and flat terrains of Abu Dhabi, whichWarner said has some of the world's best riders, the journey is cut by a third.

"It would usually only take about four and a half, or five and a half hours," she said.

Both riders will take one horse each on their trip.

Riding before they learnt to walk, it's been a journey both have had the privilege to enjoy since beginning their riding career together as six and eight year olds.

Some $20,000 has been spent between both families to get to this stage, and they are making a call to help fund their travel and accommodation expenses.

Phone on 0488470049 or 0413067624 to help.

USEF Drugs and Medication Rule Changes Effective Dec. 1

November 08 2011

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is reminding members and competitors of the rule changes surrounding drugs and medications in competition horses.

The new competition year begins December 2011. With all of these important rule changes taking effect, the USEF encourages every exhibitor, trainer, coach, and owner to take the time, prior to competing, to carefully review the "Guidelines for How Long Drugs Remain Detectable" which can be accessed online or by calling 800/633-2472 to request a copy of the 2012 USEF Drugs & Medications Guidelines.

Administration of NSAIDs

Motivated by its commitment to the welfare of the horse, the USEF Board of Directors voted to amend its therapeutic drug rule and restrict use to a single non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) beginning Dec. 1, 2011. Both the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association supported the rule change, and USEF now joins other organizations including the American Quarter Horse Association and Equine Canada in implementing this rule change.

Beginning Dec. 1, 2011, only one of the seven approved NSAIDs listed in the USEF Rule GR 410.4 will be permitted to be present in the same plasma or urine sample. Revisions have been made regarding detection times of some of the therapeutic drugs used on competition horses.

Most notably, the detection time for the seven NSAIDs currently approved for use with quantitative restrictions, has been reduced from seven days to three days, when administered according to the dose and time recommendations found on pages 12-14 of the 2012 Guidelines for Drugs & Medications.

Emergency Use of Flunixin

Following the move to allow only one NSAID to be present in the same plasma or urine sample of a horse in competition, and acting on the USEF Veterinary Committee's recommendation, the USEF Board of Directors approved a rule provision allowing for the emergency administration of flunixin by a veterinarian to treat colic or an ophthalmic emergency. Filing a USEF Medication Report Form is required if an NSAID listed in GR410 (a) through (g), other than flunixin, has been administered to the horse within the three days prior.

It will additionally require that the Medication Report Form be signed by the veterinarian who administered the flunixin and the same medication report should document a 24-hour withdrawal from competition following administration. It is important to note that compliance with this rule is dependent upon the flunixin being administered by a licensed veterinarian following a physical exam.

Anabolic Steroids Re-Classified as Forbidden Substance

Also effective Dec. 1, 2011, anabolic steroids will be considered a forbidden substance under the USEF therapeutic drug rule. No anabolic steroid is to be administered to a horse or pony in the time before competition such that it, or any metabolite of it, might be present in the animal, or might be detectable in its blood or urine sample at the time of competition. This means that, if anabolic steroids are administered and/or any surgical implants are removed, the administration and/or procedure occurs sufficiently in advance of competing to ensure these substances are not present in the blood or urine at the time of competition.

To comply with this new change, it is important to review "How Long Drugs Remain Detectable" on page 15 and 16 of the 2012 USEF Drugs & Medications Guidelines.

FEI Banned Substances

Understanding Equine Medications is your A-Z guide to learning more about generic and brand-name pharmaceuticals, possible side effects and precautions, and proper dosage.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Clean Sport initiative inspired changes to USEF GR 409, which affect the rules governing FEI discipline competition at USEF licensed competitions. It is important to carefully review the FEI rules at this link and the FEI Forbidden Substance list.

Please pay special attention to the FEI listing of banned substances. While alleged violations of USEF GR 409 will still be heard by the USEF, sanctions potentially imposed for violation could result in assessment of a $15,000 fine and a two-year suspension (consistent with FEI Sanctions).

Be particularly cautious with respect to the use of medicinal preparations, tonics, pastes, and products of any kind (even those labeled "natural," "herbal," or "holistic," as the ingredients and their quantitative analysis are not specifically known. Many contain one or more banned substances under the FEI rules. There are therapeutic exceptions, however, which allow for the use of anti-infectious substances and the anti-ulcer medications ranitidine and omeprazole. It is important to note that these anti-ulcer medications are forbidden in endurance rides governed by American Endurance Ride Conference.

Great Britain: Abbi Tennant amongst 10 starters in the 160km race in South Africa

Wayne Webb Photo

Endurancegb.co.uk

4th November 2011

We had 6 loops to ride and I finished at 4 in the afternoon, riding through the main heat of the day.

22nd October I rode in my first ever 160km FEI *** on Perseverance Liberty (the horse I had previously done well on at the 200km race in Fauresmith coming 10th in July) at Schanskraal. It was also Liberty's first 160km.
It was a very early start of 2am due to the temperatures getting so hot here and even though it was dark it was already warm. There were 12 starters in the 160km with 3 of those being from Perseverance stud; Laura Seegers riding PSV Jedi, Franscois Seegers riding PSV Mauser and myself on PSV Liberty. We had 6 loops to ride and I finished at 4 in the afternoon, riding through the main heat of the day. Although I have been in Africa for 5 months now riding in the heat is very tough for both horse and rider and was a great experience to have. I even joined Liberty in drinking out of a trough on route as to avoid dehydration, now thats a new experience!...

Read more here:
http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=2548

Bahrain: Mirza lifts 80-km endurance title

Posted on » Sunday, November 06, 2011



BAHRAIN Royal Endurance Team rider Jaffar Mirza yesterday won the 80-kilometre qualifying ride that kick-started the kingdom's endurance racing season at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Mirza led the race from start to the finish, and won with a new Bahraini record time for such an event of two hours 57 minutes and five seconds. Riding Razorback, Mirza registered an average speed of 26kph.

Royal Endurance Team captain, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday honoured the top three finishers.

Rahman Zayed claimed second place with a finishing time of 3:21:00, while Mohan Singh was third overall just a second behind Zayed.

Shaikh Nasser said that Mirza's dominant victory, which came with more-than-20-minute gap, proved that Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team members continue to develop their skills, which helped in his achievement yesterday.

Happiness

Speaking of his win, Mirza expressed his happiness with his high-level performance and for setting the new record in the event. He added that it gave him a strong start to the new season, which officially got underway with yesterday's ride.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal and Equestrian Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed his delight with Mirza's victory.

Shaikh Khalid also praised the role of Shaikh Nasser for his guidance towards the team's other riders, and also thanked him for the continued support of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and the BOC.

Fifty riders turned up for the qualifying race, which was divided into three stages of 30km, 30km and 20km.

The new endurance riding season will be full of unique rides, highlighted by His Majesty King Hamad's Ride on February 4 of next year and the 120km HRH Prince Salman Senior and Junior Championships on April 6.

Other top events will be the 100km Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Championship on December 3, the 120km National Day Senior Ride on December 24, the 120km Breef Championship on January 7 of next year, the 100km Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Senior Championship on February 18 and the 120km Season-Ending Night Ride on May 4.

Gulf Daily News

Bahrain: Participants set for opening ride

Posted on » Friday, November 04, 2011

THE equestrian and endurance season is all set to commence today with an 80km qualifying endurance horse ride.

Riders representing different stables from across the kingdom will line up for today's inaugural event, to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir from 4pm.

It will be patronised by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Among the favourite stables taking part is the Royal Endurance Team, captained by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, the President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, said his team is fully prepared for the new season.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Breef first vice-president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa said that they are looking forward to another successful season of endurance horseracing here in Bahrain.

Shaikh Khalid, the organising committee chairman, was present at the endurance village to inspect the facilities and follow-up on the latest preparations for the opening event of the season.

Today's ride consists of three stages, the first two legs will be held over 30kms each while the concluding stage will be over 20kms.

The organisers have finalised their preparations for today's qualifier, which acts as a warm-up event to help new and young riders gear up for major events to be held in the future.

Riders

Abdulghani Al Boosta is the president of the Ground Jury, which also includes members Ghalib Al Alawi, Ali Ghuloom, Mahdi Al Kalaiti and Fahad Al Romaihi.

Al Boosta said all riders and horses participating in today's event must be registered with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and therefore have an FEI rider ID.

He said all horses and riders must have successfully completed in similar Novice qualifying rides in order to be eligible for CEI star qualifying ride.

"Successfully complete two rides of distances between 40-79kms and two rides between 80-90kms at speeds of 16km per hour or under with in a 24-month period to qualify to take part in FEI competitions," he said.

"At the first inspection please ensure that your horse is sufficiently warmed up before you bring it inside the veterinary gate.

"Any horse which will not permit examination or which is dangerous to the examiners shall be eliminated," added Al Boosta.

Horses aged six years and above and riders with a minimum age of 14 years are allowed to take part in today's ride.

The Foreign Technical Delegate is Mohammed Dadulla, Haider Al Zubi is the chief steward and Abdulla Al Rumeihi the steward for the stewards.

Dr Abbas Al Haiki is the Veterinary Commission president, Dr Mohammed Al Hammad the foreign veterinary, and members Dr Fareeda Abdulrazak, Dr Ebrahim Yousif, Dr Sabah Al Kabie, Dr Abu Obaidah Yaqoob and Dr Abdulrahman Abu Shook. Dr Caonabo Melo of the Dominican Republic will be the treating veterinarian while Sudip Sankar is the showground secretary.

Gulf Daily News

New Zealand: Five Minutes With... Mark Tylee

Mark and Class Act after winning the 2007 New Zealand 160km*** Championship and Best Conditioned
Horsezone.com.au - Full Article

Published on Friday, November 4, 2011 in Five Minutes With Horsezone

Successful New Zealand endurance rider, Mark Tylee, is based near picturesque Taumarunui on the central North Island. When he's not busy dedicating the hours needed to train his team of endurance horses to peak condition, Mark can be found working on the 900 acre sheep and beef property owned by his family.

Horsezone managed to catch up with Mark and find out more about this talented and dedicated horseman.


Mark, when did you first become involved in horses?

I became involved with horses through my father Ray when starting to ride on the farm then started competing in Endurance in 1993 at nine years old.


What do you love most about endurance?

The partnership you form with your horses while training and competing long distances, also the country you see that you otherwise wouldn't.


What makes a great endurance horse?

There is always exceptions but an athletic type with economical movement and a great heart and the will to win...

Read more here:
http://horsezone.com.au/news/five-minutes-with-mark-tylee-1822/

Australia: Endurance ride raises funds for Moyston CFA

Araratadvertiser.com.au

04 Nov, 2011 01:00 AM
MOYSTON - More than 100 people descended on Moyston for the inaugural Moyston CFA Endurance Ride.

The two day event consisted of four different length races over distances of five, 20, 44 and 88-kilometres.

A total of 79 riders took part, made up of members from around the region and across the state, as well as competitors from New South Wales and South Australia.

It was the first time an endurance ride has been held in the area, and all participants enjoyed the picturesque surroundings of the Grampians.

AME was the major sponsor of the highly successful event, which was also well supported by local Ararat businesses.

Close to $3,000 was raised, which will go towards a new fire truck for the Moyston CFA. The Moyston Primary School also benefited from the influx in visitors, raising $800 over the weekend.

Organisers are now looking at making the Endurance Ride an annual event, with support coming from the Ararat Rural City.

Endurance Ride Winnners

88km Heavyweight: Ken Bradley; 88km Middleweight: Linda Tanian, Kristie Taprell; 88km Lightweight: Michelle Munro; 88km Junior: Samantha Noble; 44km Training Ride: Dianne Leehane; 20km Introductory Ride: Rohan Stanes; 5km Introductory Ride: Clare Clarke.

FEI's Princess Haya opens World equine vet conference

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 4, 2011

FEI President HRH Princess Haya gave the opening address at the 2011 World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) Conference in India on Wednesday, noting the 250th anniversary of the first veterinary school in Lyons, France, and the birth of the modern veterinary profession.

She addressed 600 delegates, including key members of the world's equine industry, breeders and leading equine veterinarians, at the conference in the historic city of Hyderabad.

"The events organised around the world to mark World Veterinary Year have demonstrated the crucial role veterinarians play in improving animal health, pushing the boundaries of biomedical research and protecting the environment," Princess Haya said.

"The challenge is to better serve the wider equestrian community by leading and taking courageous and sometimes difficult decisions while ensuring that our horses, our industry, our sport, our food supplies and the future scientific breakthroughs needed the world over are protected in all ways..."

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/11/026.shtml

France: Endurance Junior & Young rider squad announced

Frenchhorseandcountry.com

01/11/2011 By fhc

The Endurance World Championship Junior and Young Rider will be held in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on December 10. The French Equestrian Federation has announced the list of selected pairs.

Achille DONNAIS / Spour , owner Mr Lilian Donnais
Julien LAFAURE / Petra Cabirat , owner Mr Jean-Noël Lafaure
Lisa RIOU / Favela , owner Mr Jean-Yves Le Roy
Léa VOGLER / Al Abjar , Liste rouge

Réserviste : Nina LISSARRAGUE / Al Jaimie de Bozouls , owner l’EARL Mezagri

Spain: More news on the Spanish national team for the YR/J World Championship Raid

El Raid Blog

by Gabriel Gamiz

“Lucero Miki” (Gil Berenguer), “Tra Clica” (Mariona Naranjo), “Ushamir ben Priz” (María Ledesma) y “Yep Embaucadora” (Marc Oliva) the four pairs have been elected to the Spanish team in the Championship World Junior and Young Riders Raid, which takes place on December 10 in Abu Dhabi (UAE). “Tra Xena de Rose” (Berta Pujadas) has been as a reserve.

The Spanish Equestrian Federation announced on October 28 list selected to represent our country in the Junior World Championships and Young Riders Raid 2011, "after the completion of follow-up and physical evidence and veterinary scheduled."

"The Spanish team will consist of four pairs, which is however also a summons rather than remain as a reserve initially (until November 25)," the statement said.

The elect will leave for the UAE on December 1 from Liege (Belgium) and return our country on the 12th. In the test, a CEIJY-CH4 * 120 km, it is expected the participation of riders from 33 countries on five continents. "

Australia: Young Endurance Rider Honored at 2011 Womensport Awards

KER.com

October 27, 2011

Young endurance rider Alexandra Toft is one of two equestrians to win the Rising Star Award at the 2011 Womensport Awards held in Brisbane on Saturday the 15th October.

"Alexandra is the epitome of professional sportswomen, and we are proud of her extraordinary achievements and commitment to her chosen sport," states Barbara Timms, manager of the Australian Endurance Squad.

The Tofts are successful endurance riders, with Penny competing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games on her horse Don and staying at the KER farm during the lead-up to the competition (read more). All the Toft's horses are fed Barastoc and KER products.

Great Britain: Dornoch riders compete well in Wales

Northern-times.co.uk - Full Article

28/10/11

TWO Dornoch horse riders successfully completed an International Endurance Ride in Wales recently, two of five Highlanders representing a 12-strong Scotland team at the event.

Bragha Hayes, a 13 year old, second year pupil at Dornoch Academy, with her horse Sam, completed the two day 80km event, The Dragon's Egg, as a Scottish Junior, and Lois Canham (31) from Rearquhar with her horse Coral's Dream finished the 50km Novice Horse Event.

Tough riding conditions across the steep Welsh hills, and soaring heatwave temperatures, resulted in only five of the 12 Scottish riders completing their events, resulting in a disappointing fourth place in The Home International and Celtic Challenge competitions.

The home team, Wales, won the Home International, while Ireland won the Celtic challenge, with Wales winning the best team award overall.

Having won both events in 2010, this was a disappointing result for Scotland.

The Highland team members were Bragha Hayes, Lois Canham, Lorna Benson, Tilly Hepburn Wright and Candy Cameron...

Read more here:
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Sport/Other-Sport/Dornoch-riders-compete-well-in-Wales-7326772.htm

Spain: Nominated Teams for YR/J World Endurance Championship

El Raid Blog

Friday October 28 2011

Following the completion of the track and the physical evidence and veterinary scheduled to be made this call for pairs to form part of our team who will represent the Spanish in the next Raid World Championship for Young Riders (to be played in Abu Dhabi the next day December 10).

As can be seen, the Spanish team will consist of four pairs, which is however also a summons rather than be a reserve initially (until November 25).
Teams:

Lucero Miki wuth Gil Berenguer.
Tra- Clica with Mariona Naranja.
Ushamir with María Ledesma.
Jep Embaucadora with Marc Oliva

Team Reserve:
Tra-Xena with Berta Pujadas.

Junior World Championship will bring together the best teams, including the UAE, who are used to compete in the harsh desert conditions.

Our team comes to this event with the baggage of its past successes, defending his condition, for example, Bronze medal in European Championship Kreuth 2010.

USA: Nominated Teams for YR/J World Endurance Championship

Friday October 28 2011

Nominated entries from the USA for the December 10, 2011, FEI Young Riders & Juniors World Endurance Championship CEI****120 km are:

Mary Kathryn Clark - DA Al Capone, Master Mahogony (owner Cheryl Van Deusen)
Kyle Gibbon - Misu Koran (owner Steve Rojek)
Forest Green - LR Amana Tabi - (owner Lisa Green)
Steven Hay - Khalil Asam (owner Natalie Muzzio)
Kelsey Kimbler - Cody Canuk (owner Kirsten Kimbler)
McCamey Kimbler - PL Nino (owner Lisa Green)
Kelsey Russell - Gold Raven, My Wild Irish Gold (owner Valerie Kanavy)
Jennifer Stevens - Syrocco Cadence (owner Meg Sleeper)

4 horses/riders and one reserve will be chosen.

Australia: Young Riders Named for Abu Dhabi World Championship

25 October 2011

The Australian Team for the Young Riders World Championships to be held in Abu Dhabi December 10 was announced by the Chair of the Selection Committee Dr Anne Barnes at the pre ride briefing at the Quilty.

Alexander Toft - Queensland - High Society te
Allix Jones - New South Wales - Castlebar Moonlight
Brooke Warner - New South Wales - Kumira Safira
Georgia Toft - Queensland - Bremervale Arrogance

Reserve Rider is Talea Haskow Stewart - New South Wales

The riders were presented with handsome saddle pads sponsored by the Squad Management.

The AERA Board of Management offers its congratulations to all these young riders and acknowledges the time and effort of themselves and their parents and not forgetting the horse owners in submitting themselves to the rigorous demands of the Selection Committee.

Great Britain: Team Omar strikes gold

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk

27 October 2011

Published on Thursday 27 October 2011 01:47

Brechin based endurance rider John Thomson and his pure bred Arabian gelding Prince Omar comfortably won their last competitive ride of the season in the 80-kilometre Highland Fling endurance ride.

The Endurance Great Britain Silver Medallist combination completed the demanding course in just over six hours and firmly moved themselves past the EGB Advanced Class to gold medallists.

John and Omar now qualify as Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) One Star horse and rider for the 2012 season.

The 80-kilometre Highland Fling is a demanding and at times very tough course that takes the riders through some spectacular Easter Ross countryside.

The first vet hold was at a short 24K into the course where John and Omar, ably supported by their crew former Inverbervie policeman Douglas Munro, cleared the vetting in 12 minutes.

The riders were then faced with a long pull of 36K along the side of Loch Morie and the Kildermorie estate back to the second vet hold at 60K.

Omar was again quickly vetted but a veterinary general recall for all horses resulted in one elimination on the re-check and a subsequent departure delay.

This meant that Team Omar went over hold time but a crew protest ensured that the time allowance was regained.

Although leaving last out of the vet hold John caught the lead rider five kilometres out and then went in front for the final 17 kilometres.

It has been a remarkable year for Team Omar, starting 300 miles south of home in the Cumbrian hills in April for the first EGB National Ride and concluding 200 miles north of home in Easter Ross.

Team Omar has worked extremely hard and, despite an injury during the time with the Red Rock Relay Team, finished the season on a high point.

Apart from the final competitive success of the weekend the entire week has proved a remarkable period for John, whose baby granddaughter Lucy was born in Edinburgh just as Team Omar was preparing to head north.

Further excitement came with the news that his book Drinking the Wind : At the limits of endurance had climbed into number three position of equestrian books on Amazon.

“We owe a great deal of thanks to a huge amount of people and especially to our nutritionist Jane Van Lennep of Simple Systems horse feeds,” he commented.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the farmers and residents around the Lochty and Balhall area for their support and patience during the last few months of training.

“A special thank you is also due to Valerie McLeod and Lindsay MacCabe at Cowford who provided us with the excellent facilities for Omar and have devoted so much of their time in “babysitting” a very special Arabian horse,” concluded John.

Chile: U.S. Endurance Team Takes Home Three Medals at 2011 Pan American Endurance Championships

USEF.org

Release: October 24 2011
Author: The USEF Endurance Department

The U.S. Endurance Team collected a historic number of medals at the 2011 Pan American Endurance Championships in Santo Domingo, Chile. Taking the Team Silver medal in a combined time of 19:05:19 was John Crandall III with Heraldic, Valerie Kanavy and Spectacular Gold and Deborah Reich and Pandor. Meg Sleeper and Syrocco Cadence were eliminated at the mandatory recheck at vet gate three. The team finished just one minute and 47 seconds behind the Gold medal team from Uruguay. The home team of Chile took the Team Bronze.

The veteran pair of Crandall and Heraldic completed the 120km course in 6:03:38 to win the Individual Silver medal. Finishing in 6:05:47, Kanavy and Spectacular Gold took the Individual Bronze. Riding for Uruguay, Bernardo Algorta won the Individual Gold in 5:59:27. Reich and Pandor finished in 6:55:54 to place tenth. Riding as an individual Cheryl Van Deusen and Moro Amado finished fifteenth.

The U.S. team led by Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross, set a blazing pace in the first three loops and were the team to catch most of the day. With Sleeper’s elimination at vet gate three the riders implemented a different strategy for the fourth and fifth loops. This is the most medals the U.S. has collected at an international Endurance competition.

“We are very happy with the two Silver medals and one Bronze,” said Ross. “Our riders had a fabulous go at it, we are proud of what we did and more importantly how we did it.”

PAN-AMERICAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - Santo Domingo, Chile

FEI Press Release
PAN-AMERICAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - Santo Domingo, Chile
24 Oct 2011

DOUBLE-GOLD FOR URUGUAY AND CHILE AT PAN-AMERICAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS by Louise Parkes

Endurance riders from Uruguay claimed Team and Individual gold in the Senior division, while the host nation of Chile dominated the Young Riders classes at the 2011 Pan-American Endurance Championships staged in Santo Domingo (CHI) last weekend. Bernardo Algorta registered an impressive average speed of 20 kilometres an hour with his horse, Cacique, to take the Senior title for Uruguay, while Chile's Sebastian Taverne and Eclipse covered the challenging course at an average of 19.73 kmh to secure the Young Rider honours.

Attention to detail in the preparation of the venue and facilities in Santo Domingo drew high praise for the Organising Committee from competitors, officials, supporters and spectators alike. But the highest accolade of all was heaped on by Chile's President, Sebastian Pinera, who attended the event and said that it provided "a great boost to Chile and to South America in general".

ENTHUSIASTS
The history of Endurance in Chile dates back to a visit by a group of enthusiasts to the FEI World Championships at Fort Riley in Kansas, USA back in 1996. On returning home they introduced the discipline to their native country, and began to organise races over distances of between 40 and 80 kilometres. Chilean competitors who rose to prominence during the early years included Marcial Taverne, Antonio Llompart, Alejandro Donoso, Marcelo Cortes and Ignacio Urenda.

With its wide variety of weather and topography stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the imposing Andes mountains which is home to the Condor - the massive and majestic bird that is the national symbol of Chile - this country provides an extraordinary environment for this ever-expanding sport. Every month, over 200 riders assemble at a new venue not only to compete, but also to appreciate the beauty of the natural world that surrounds them, and to share that experience with their horses.

The 2011 Pan-American Endurance Championships, organised by the Chilean Association of Equestrian Endurance, took place at the 9,000 hectare resort of Brisas de Santo Domingo, located in the centre of the country and on the shores of the Pacific. The circuit crossed both flat terrain and some mountainous areas, beginning by the sea and then climbing to a plateau filled with lakes and a great variety of flora and fauna including black-necked swans, foxes and hares and exotic trees like the Quillay and Peumo. The course, covering a distance of 120kms, was divided into five loops - the first 30kms long, the second 25km, the third 30km, the fourth 20km and then a fifth and final loop of 15km, and it demanded great skill on the part of the riders in their efforts to ensure their horses finished in good shape.

COMPLETION RATES
They showed exactly that when there was a 63% completion rate in the Senior competition and 58% in the Young Rider section in which, however, the team from Chile were the only finishers when taking gold. Sebastian Taverne (Eclipse), Benjamin Boetsch (Khadijah) and Pablo Llompart (Ankar Samuray) recorded a combined riding time of 7:09:38, and Taverne's average speed of 19.73 khm confirmed him as Individual Young Rider Champion ahead of Colombia's Cristina Mutis (Tiawa) whose average speed was 19.41 kmh. Boetsch (Khadijah) took Individual bronze with an average speed of 18.87 khm, and a total of 14 horse-and-rider partnerships from five nations - Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay - competed.

Uruguay's Bernardo Algorta enjoyed an even bigger celebration when his horse, Cacique, was presented with the Best Condition Award - no mean feat having completed his race with a sensational riding time of just 5 hours, 59 minutes and 27 seconds and that 20 kmh average speed for the Senior Individual title. But Senior silver medallist, John Crandell (Heraldic) from the USA was close behind when clocking 6:03:38 with an average speed of 19.8 kmh, and his team-mate, the veteran Valerie Kanavy (Spectacular Gold) took the bronze when only fractionally further behind with an average speed of 19.7 kmh.

It was a close-fought battle for the Senior Team title, with the American side of Crandell, Kanavy and Debora Reich (Pandor) having to settle for silver when Uruguay's Sofia Castells (Canuto Molles), Paula Fort (Campanina) and Jorge Martinez (Nagfour) finished almost two minutes faster. Chile's Lukas Buckel (Konsterrus), Alejandro Kil (Al Hatal El Shammaat) and Ana Maria Novoa (Pistrat) took bronze.

Results:
Senior Teams: GOLD - Uruguay 7:03:32: Canuto Molles (Sofia Castells), Campanina (Paula Fort), Nagfour (Jorge Martinez); SILVER - USA 7:05:19 - Heraldic (John Crandell), Spectacular Gold (Valerie Kanavy), Pandor (Debora Reich) ; BRONZE - Chile 9:42:49 - Konsterrus (Lukas Buckel), Al Hatal El Shamaat (Alejandro Kiss), Pistrat (Ana Maria Novoa) .

Senior Individuals: GOLD - Cacique (Bernardo Algorta) Uruguay 20 kmh; SILVER - Heraldic (John Crandell) USA 19.8 kmh; BRONZE - Spectacular Road (Valerie Kanavy) 19.7 kmh.

Young Rider Teams: GOLD - Chile 7:09:38 - Eclipse (Sebastian Taverne), Khadijah (Benjamin Boetsch), Ankar Samuray (Pablo Llompart).

Young Rider Individuals: GOLD - Eclipse (Sebastian Taverne) CHI 19.73 kmh; SILVER - Tiawa (Cristina Mutis) COL 19.41; BRONZE - Khadijah (Benjamin Boetsch) 18.87.

For further information on the 2011 Pan-American Endurance Championships in Santo Domingo, Chile visit website www.panamendurance2011.cl

2011 Pan American Results

24 October 2011

Uruguay's Bernardo Algorta riding Cacique won the 2011 Pan American Championship for the Gold Medal on Friday 21 October 2011 in a riding time of 5:59.27 for the 120 km. USA's John Crandell, riding Heraldic, won Silver, finishing 4 minutes behind Algorta. Heraldic was in the lead when he fell 1 mile from the finish line - "it winded me for a bit, but when I got up I was able to shake it off" in Heraldic's own words - and went on to finish in 6:03.38. Valerie Kanavy and Spectacular Gold finished third for the Bronze medal, 2 minutes behind Crandell.

Uruguay won Team Gold (Sofia Castells on Canuto Molles, Paula Fort on Campanina, Jorge Martinez on Nagfour), USA won Team Silver (John Crandell on Heraldic, Valerie Kanavy on Spectacular Gold, Deborah Reich on Pandor), and Chile on Team Bronze (Lukas Buckel on Konsterrus, Alejandro Kiss on Al Hatal El Shamaat, Ana Maria Novoa on Pistrat).

In the Young Rider division, Chile's Sebastian Taverne on Eclipse won Gold in a riding time of 6:04.58 for the 120 km. Colombia's Cristina Mutis riding Tiawa finished 2nd for the Silver medal 6 minutes later, and CHile's Benjamin Boetsch riding Khadijah finished in 6:21.34 for the Bronze. Chile won Team Gold (Sebastian Taverne on Eclipse, Benjamin Boetsch on Khadijah, Pablo Llompart on Ankar Samuray) and was the only Young Rider team to finish.

For complete results see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Chile/2011PanAm/