Penn State student horseman headed for United Arab Emirates event

Live.psu.edu

Friday, November 11, 2011

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- During a time when most students are stressing over finals, Penn State junior Steven Hay will be heading to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

On Dec. 10, Hay will have the honor of competing in the Young Rider World Endurance Championship as part of the United States team. "I'm so excited," he said. "It's definitely nerve-wracking, but it's a big deal."

Riders, ages 14-21, were required to submit applications to compete. In choosing the team, a selection committee looked at the riders' records, their horses' records, how well and fast they've competed, and other criteria.

The 21-year-old Port Matilda native is ranked second in the country amongst those who applied for the event in the Middle East.

In addition to being a full-time student, the Environmental Resource Management major in the College of Agricultural Sciences has an impressive list of accomplishments, including two team gold medals as the 2010 and 2011 North American Champion and two individual bronze medals from the 2010 and 2011 North American Junior Young Riders Championships.

He also placed eighth out of 79 riders in the Biltmore 50-mile event in 2010, and fifth overall at the Biltmore 75-mile event in 2011.

With the competition approaching, Hay is looking for sponsors and donations to cover the expenses of the trip while making sure his horse is in tip-top shape. "I'm just working on fine tuning now, preparing for the sandy conditions of Abu Dhabi. The climate difference will be the hardest part, especially in comparison to the December weather here."

Having competed at local and national levels for years, Hay hopes to keep pushing his boundaries. "It's a cool way to step up into another level of competition," he said. "My goal is to move up to international riding."

His passion for horses started at a young age. By the age of six, Hay was riding and taking lessons. Over the next couple of years, he took part in local horse shows and events, but he became bored. When he was 12, Hay started to compete in trail riding and distance riding after hearing about it through a neighbor.

His interest in trail riding eventually led to endurance riding on courses that are 50 to 75 miles long. "It's pretty challenging, but I think it's worth it," he said. "Competing is my passion. To date, I have completed 2,850 miles of endurance riding."

Local horse a Pan Am Games hero

Wins silver medal against world-class competitors; ends U.S. slump
By TINA REED, Staff Writer
Published 11/16/11
HometownAnnapolis.com - Read Full Story

photo by Paul W. Gillespie — The Capital West River’s John Crandell III and his horse Heraldic won the silver medal in a nearly 75-mile endurance race this fall at the 2011 Pan Am Games. Man and horse were honored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture Tuesday.
Call it the marathon of horse racing.

Anne Arundel County Arabian gelding Heraldic and his trainer and rider John Crandell III were honored yesterday by state officials after winning an individual and a team silver medal in a nearly 75-mile endurance race at the Pan Am Games in Chile last month.

The Pan Am Games are one of the largest international sporting events outside the Olympics.

In 2006, Heraldic became the only horse to ever win the Triple Crown of endurance riding. Standing just more than 15 hands tall, the bay has a competitive personality, Crandell said.

He's aloof. Focused.

"He doesn't particularly care about being anyone's pet," Crandell said. "He wants to get down to business."

Back in 2008, Heraldic injured his stifle - the equivalent of the human knee - to the point that trainers weren't sure he'd even live, let alone compete again.

"It was a huge retraining," he said. "But we know he's a one-in-a-million superathlete. I've been around thousands of horses and never had one this athletically consistent."

The Crandell family is known for its marine construction firm, E.A. and J.O. Crandell Inc. in Annapolis, and operates the Long Run Farms Stable in West River. John Crandell Jr. grew up riding horses, but it wasn't until the 1970s that the family began to seriously breed and train them, his son said.

In a statement, Erin Pittman, vice chairwoman of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, called Heraldic "a world-class athlete who has (overcome) injuries that would have retired most other horse."

The Maryland Horse Industry Board presented its "Touch of Class" Award to Crandell and the Triple Crown Arabian. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a proclamation declaring yesterday "Heraldic and Crandell Family Day."

Crandell said the endurance races, which cover from 50 to 100 miles, are entirely different than much shorter events. The Pan Am Games race was across rough, mountainous terrain, he said.

"Even though it's a race, it's not the least bit reckless," he said. Since only the rider knows the course and how long the course is, he has to pace himself and his mount appropriately.

Endurance racing of horses really allows humans to learn better ways to manage horses and keep them healthy, Crandell said. "It's a bonus for me that it happens to be fun and exciting as well," he said.

Crandell said he'd paced Heraldic to hang back with other horses on the U.S. team. But in the final 7 miles, the horse and rider picked up the pace against a team from Uruguay.

The teams were neck and neck.

With only a mile to go, Heraldic tripped while running about 35 miles per hour. "All of a sudden, there's no horse beneath me," Crandell said. "I landed on my feet running."

It knocked the wind out of the horse and skinned Crandell's knee. But both horse and rider were otherwise uninjured, Crandell said. Crandell climbed back on Heraldic's back and the two finished the race.

Coming in just about four minutes behind the first-place finisher, they took the silver medal. That's an incredibly close finish for a 75-mile race, Crandell said.

The U.S. team took the silver medal as well. Heraldic will compete next for the U.S. team in the World Endurance Championship in England in 2012, which will be held simultaneously with the Olympics.

"It's a tremendously big deal. The United States is in a decade-long slump after being at the top for years," Crandell said. "It was exciting to see America back in the game and in a big way."

Canada: Bromont bids to host 2018 World Equestrian Games

Sherbrookerecord.com

November 16, 2011
By
Jesse Feith

Bromont has achieved the first step in a long process as their bid to host the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) has officially been approved. Administered by the International Equestrianism Federation (IEF), the WEG are the major international championships for equestrianism that could bring a great amount of tourism to the small Quebec town.

Similar to the Olympics, they are held every four years, on alternate years than the Summer Olympic Games, and are considered a major tourism attraction for whichever town or city gets to hold them as they bring in fans from all over the world.
The event began in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden as a way to bring together all ten of the individual disciplines that held separate championships at different times, in different locations around the world while all being governed by the IEF.
With the WEG system in place, all of these events now occur at one place and time, similar to the Olympics, and the riders and horses must go through a rigorous selection process to partake in the games as each country sends their best teams that have distinguished themselves the most through competitions during the time between each WEG.

Since 1990, the WEG has gradually expanded the number of competitions and disciplines that are a part of the event and as of 2010, eight disciplines are now showcased: combined driving, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, para-equestrianism, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, with 57 countries being represented by 800 people and their horses.

Bromont will have a lot of work to do over the next few years if they are to host the event.

Horse honored for winning the triple crown you probably have never heard of

ABC News - Go here for Video and article, Heraldic and John Crandel

For many endurance athletes, the marathon or the Ironman in Hawaii rank as the pinnacle achievement; the ultimate sacrifice and accomplishment in endurance.

Now, imagine running four marathons (104.8 miles) or running nearly the entire length of an Ironman. That is exactly what one horse has done, several in one day times, to claim the top prizes in horse endurance races around the world.

Heraldic and his rider John Crandell are pretty friends since they spend 10 hours or so and a hundred miles together. They do endurance racing; a marathon for man and horse over long distance. So long, in fact, the horse is checked several times during a race to make sure he can continue. And surprisingly, this isn't something foreign to a horse.

"Their niche in the world is for this," explain John Crandell. "They can cover long distances in a short amount of time to migrate for survival."

And Heraldic may be the best in the world at endurance racing. Heraldic was the only horse to win the triple crown for endurance racing in 2006.

"In the 50 years of endurance racing, no one has had the same horse win the triple crown and we did it together," says Crandell. "Nobody has ever don that."

No only does the horse have to be share, but the rider does as well. The jockey has to be in the saddle for 100 or more miles.

However, in 2008 Heraldic suffered a life threatening injury to his back leg. What could equate to a professional football player blowing his knee out. And injury like that could end any horse's chances at the U.S. Triple Crown, which features The Preakness. However, Heraldic recovered and came back strong. He and John just took the silver medal in an endurance race in China.

To imagine how far that race was, imagine climbing on board a horse in Annapolis and racing all the way to the beach in just over 6 hours.

"It's all about doing these series of marathons and getting a perfect 'A' from the veterinarian to continue," says Crandell.

John and Heraldic will lead the U.S. team in the World Endurance Championships in England next summer. The championships will be held simultaneously with the 2012 Olympics in London.

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/anne_arundel_county_/horse-honored-for-winning-the-triple-crown-you-probably-have-never-heard-of#ixzz1dtwTk8qQ

New Zealand: Breeding to Kahuna Tiki Donated for Junior/Young Rider World Championship Fundraiser

November 8 2011

Ian and Tanya Stevenson of Pin Oaks Farm in North Canterbury, NZ, has donated a breeding to Kahuna Tiki (Juan De Shawn out of Bint Karita Ku, by Kontiki) to raise money for the Junior/Young Rider Team that will represent New Zealand competing in the Abu Dhabi World Junior Endurance Championships to be held on December 10 2011 in the UAE. For more information, contact Tanya at iantanya @ xtra.co.nz

Belgium: Junior & Young Rider Squad Announced for Championship in Abu Dhabi

Endurance-belgium.com

November 15 2011
[google translation]

A beautiful trip in perspective and a unique experience for our young riders who will represent Belgium in the World Championship endurance in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The world championships in the deserts of the Gulf are not new.

It all started in 1998 by Dubai and the senior championship. No one had previously made his endurance horse travel by plane. The six Belgian remember the terrible cold that prevailed in Belgium the day before departure to Frankfurt and stress that prevailed in the Belgian delegation.

Dubai organized a second world championship in 2005.

Then, still in 2005, the Bahrain which hosted the young riders. All this interspersed with various interests of the Belgian riders President's Cup (Abu Dhabi) or other events in Dubai.

After the last training gallop on the green axis, Peter Arnold has communicated its selection.

A great team, so the heads stay cool, can boldly defend his chances. It will have much to do in the event that, although the Committee pleaded endurance and worked-it is hoped that the specifications have been respected in the field, to make the course more technical, should run full blast.

Our representatives:

- Isabeau Anciaux et Maeva
- Elisabeth Hardy et Khersicot
- Morgane Boulanger et Luxor
- Raphael Van Cauter et Kadiloah

West River Horse and Trainer Take Silver Medal in Pan Am Games in Chile

http://edgewater.patch.com/articles/west-river-horse-and-trainer-take-silver-medal-in-pan-am-games-in-chile
By Mitchelle Stephenson

While humans and horses have worked together for a couple of thousand years, and competitions involving humans and horses have been around for several hundred years, a sport called "endurance racing" is relatively new. It is basically a single-day ride of anywhere between 50 and 100 miles.

In the U.S., the "Tevis Cup" is one of the best known endurance rides. It follows the Western States Trail and was organized in 1955 by riders on the west coast. It is the premiere event in endurance racing in the United States.

For now though, an East Coast horse stands at the top of the field. Heraldic, an Arabian horse from West River's Long Run Farms stable just took home the silver medal at the Pan Am games. The endurance race was a 75-mile trek along the craggy shore of Chile in South America.

See Patch video: The horse and his trainer, John Crandell III were honored on Tuesday with a citation from Gov. Martin O'Malley and the "Touch of Class" award from the Maryland Horse Industry Board.

Heraldic and Crandell were at the top of their game in 2006, when they won the "triple crown" of endurance racing—the Tevis Cup, the Old Dominion 100 and the AERC Championship.

Then Heraldic was injured in a non-training incident. He was sidelined for two years. During part of that time, the horse could have no weight-bearing on his hind leg because of the injury to his stifle (the joint comparable to a human knee). For some horses, it might have been a career-ending, or even life-ending injury.

This year's Pan Am games ride for Heraldic was an astonishing comeback for the 13-year-old gelding.

"This is a magnificent horse and a magnificent family that has made great achievements on the international stage," Maryland Horse Industry Board vice chair Erin Pittman said at the awards ceremony in Annapolis."Heraldic is a world-class athlete who has overcome injuries that would have retired most other horses, and the Crandells are a family that have dedicated themselves to excellence in the equine industry."

The Pan Am games were held in October, but the horse was quarantined for seven days upon returning to the U.S.

Next up for the duo are training runs in the mountains and possibly a run for the U.S. Team in the World Endurance Championship in England in 2012. This event is held simultaneous to the 2012 Olympic games.

Azerbaijan fights to protect national animal from extinction

Edition.cnn.com - Full Article

From Emily Wither, for CNN
November 15, 2011

Editor's note: All this week CNN International is bringing you in-depth coverage of the country on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Read and watch reports online and watch the half-hour show from Saturday, November 19.

(CNN) -- Tough, strong and noble; these are the sorts of qualities one would expect from a national symbol.

The fabled Karabakh horse is a rare and beautiful animal that is of great importance to Azerbaijanis.

But the country's national animal that can be found everywhere from its stories to its postage stamps is faced with extinction.

In the thickly forested foothills of Sheki, a small city 300km (187 miles) from the capital Baku, is one of world's largest and purest Karabakh herds.

Their owner, Yashar Guluzade, has been restoring the breed for over a decade in this unspoilt mountainous region.

He says that conflict and a difficult economic situation have led to their decline.

"At the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict the horses were continually transferred from one place to another and this was one of the reasons for the sharp reduction of stock as the movement of pregnant mares led to miscarriages," he explained.

Guluzade says that the places the horses were taken did not have the correct conditions and pastures to support them and it was as if the country had forgotten about them.

The government has now stepped in to try and protect the breed...

Read more and see photos here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/10/world/asia/azerbaijan-karabakh-horse/?hpt=hp_mid

All-Female Line-Up of Winners for FEI Awards

Horse Sport Canada| November 15, 2011

Five women were rewarded for their outstanding contribution to equestrianism at the FEI Awards ceremony on Monday, November 14th in the superb setting of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Palace Hotel.

The FEI is proud to announce that the winners of the FEI Awards 2011 are:

Development Award – Soraya Ourrais (FRA/MAR)
Soraya won this awards for her enormous contribution to the revival of equestrian sport in Cambodia, where it disappeared in the 1970s in the tragedy of the Khmer Rouge regime.

A Level 1 FEI coach, Soraya trained more than 350 beginners, as well as grooms and Cambodia’s first instructor and judge. In the absence of any equine veterinarians, she travelled to neighbouring countries for advice and technical solutions to recurrent problems and established a network for the provision of medicine and vaccines. She also organised school trips, youth camps and courses to promote equestrianism and was the brain behind Horse Future, a programme that benefits underprivileged children and has provided Cambodia with its national equestrian team.

Best Groom Award – Alice Gaillard (FRA)
Alice’s equestrian adventures began more than 50 years ago at Etrier de Bourgogne, a riding club in Dijon, where, she still grooms nearly every day at the age of 75.

For decades, Alice juggled her job at a mustard manufacturer with grooming at the club and for top Eventing riders Marie-Christine Duroy, Bruno Bouvier and Jean Teulere. Her work with Duroy and Teulere took her to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ and the Olympic Games.

Alice continues to groom for young athletes such as Astier Nicolas, whom she accompanied to Badminton this year. The riders consider it an honour to work with this emblematic figure of French Eventing.

Against All Odds Award – Meg Wade (AUS)
Until Meg’s fall from her horse at an Australian Endurance race in 2009, she was one of the discipline’s leading international riders. She had competed in 65 160km events and won 25 of them.

Meg’s accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. She remembers nothing of the accident or the six weeks she spent in Canberra hospital. Out of a coma but in Post Traumatic Amnesia, she was airlifted to another hospital for rehab. She spent 255 days there.

In November 2010, Meg rode a horse for the first time since her accident with Riding for the Disabled. A few weeks later, she was riding in her home arena.

Meg’s driving licence was reinstated in January, meaning she can drive to events and ride a quad bike onto courses to monitor the horses that she continues to train and enter into competitions with other riders. In October, she completed a 5km celebrity ride at the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, the Australian National Endurance Championship.

HSBC Rising Star Award – Nina Lamsam Ligon (THA/USA)

Based in the USA, dual national Nina Lamsam Ligon rides for the Kingdom of Thailand.

At the age of 15, Nina rode on the USA junior team at the FEI North American Juniors and Young Riders Championships. Her successes prompted the Thai National Team to invite her to compete with them at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Pattaya. As the Thai Eventing team’s youngest and first female rider, she won Individual Gold and contributed to Thailand’s Team Gold win.

Nina’s fourth place at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou led the Thai team to a Silver medal. She has become an inspiration for young riders in Thailand and her success and hard work are significantly contributing to the Thai Equestrian Federation’s leadership efforts to develop Eventing, nationally and throughout Asia.

Reem Acra Best Athlete – Adelinde Cornelissen (NED)
The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2010/2011 series proved to be a spectacular season for Adelinde and her powerful chestnut gelding Jerich Parzival. The Dutch duo won all five qualifiers they competed in before dancing to victory to the sound of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite at the Final in Leipzig (GER).

Success has continued to smile on the talented young Dutchwoman. At the FEI European Dressage Championships in August, she carried off the Individual Freestyle and the Individual Grand Prix Special titles in front of the elated crowd in Rotterdam.

Commenting on the winners, FEI President Princess Haya said:

“Equestrianism is one of the only sports in which men and women compete as equals and we are proud of that. But the accomplishments, dedication, determination and courage of our winners really stood out among the many nominations – male and female – that we received. Adelinde, Alice, Nina, Meg and Soraya are an example and an inspiration to the entire equestrian community.”

Zuma ask review of UAE livestock ban

14 November, 2011 18:36

President Jacob Zuma has asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to review its ban on the import of South African horses and meat produce, the presidency said.

During a meeting with UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Hahayn Zuma raised concerns that the export restrictions had not been resolved, the department said in a statement.

Zuma is in the Gulf States on State visits in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Muscat in Oman.

The department said the Middle East was South Africa's biggest trading partner for horse exports -- the majority being endurance horses -- and on average exports 100 horses a year to the Middle East.

"The UAE suspended direct imports of horses from South Africa following the outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2004 and since then all exports had to be routed via the EU or Mauritius, which increased costs by about 150 percent and made South African horses less competitive."

The UAE has also banned the importation of South African livestock and meat (fresh and frozen meat products) due to the prevalence of Foot-and-Mouth disease and Rift Valley Fever.

"President Zuma said the two governments should intensify discussions to resolve the matter," said the presidency.

It said South Africa and the UAE maintained a good defence relationship characterised by the exchange of high-level visits and joint training.

Zuma requested the UAE government to send a delegation to South Africa to conduct an inspection visit and to investigate the country's control systems.

"In June 2011, a protocol was submitted to the UAE government to propose direct export of horses following a 40-day quarantine period at the Kenilworth Quarantine Station in Cape Town."

South Africa: Zuma ask review of UAE livestock ban

Citizen.co.za - Full Article

President Jacob Zuma has asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to review its ban on the import of South African horses and meat produce, the presidency said on Monday.

14 November 2011 | Sapa

JOHANNESBURG - President Jacob Zuma has asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to review its ban on the import of South African horses and meat produce, the presidency said on Monday.

During a meeting with UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Hahayn Zuma raised concerns that the export restrictions had not been resolved, the department said in a statement.

Zuma is in the Gulf States on State visits in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Muscat in Oman.

The department said the Middle East was South Africa's biggest trading partner for horse exports -- the majority being endurance horses -- and on average exports 100 horses a year to the Middle East.

"The UAE suspended direct imports of horses from South Africa following the outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2004 and since then all exports had to be routed via the EU or Mauritius, which increased costs by about 150 percent and made South African horses less competitive."

The UAE has also banned the importation of South African livestock and meat (fresh and frozen meat products) due to the prevalence of Foot-and-Mouth disease and Rift Valley Fever.

"President Zuma said the two governments should intensify discussions to resolve the matter," said the presidency.

It said South Africa and the UAE maintained a good defence relationship characterised by the exchange of high-level visits and joint training.

Zuma requested the UAE government to send a delegation to South Africa to conduct an inspection visit and to investigate the country's control systems.

"In June 2011, a protocol was submitted to the UAE government to propose direct export of horses following a 40-day quarantine period at the Kenilworth Quarantine Station in Cape Town."

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