Belgium: Pre-Ride for FEI European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors

http://www.endurance-belgium.com/montlesoie-2012/

On the saturday 28th and sunday 29th of April, Mont Le Soie will organize a series of competitions for senior and young riders, all in FEI classes. This will be a unique opportunity for the national squads to discover the competition.
Everyone knows of course how important it is to prepare well in advance all details concerning their participation to a big event.
 
The competitions on the saturday will count at the same time for the Belgian Championship: the CEI***160 for seniors and the CEI**YR120 for young riders).

On the saturday 28th of April, 4 international competitions:
° CEI**YR120km and CEI*YR100km
° CEI***160km
° CEI**120km.
 
On the sunday 29th of April, 2 international competitions:
° CEI**120km
° CEI*100km.

Mont Le Soie is a hilly and tough ride. The venue is located on the top of a plateau (elevation 550 meters). There are several hills on each stage, some being easier than others. The elevation graphs gives a good idea of the route. There are easy stretches where horses will canter easily, there are tough descents and gruelling ascents.
The going is mostly hard, so it is highly advisable to shoe the horses accordingly. The trail comprises large forest pads (used by forestry equipment), narrower trails (mostly going up and down the hills), dirt roads in the open ranges, asphalt roads when crossing the villages.

Spain: VII Raid Al-Andalus Interhorse Program

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

Advance program VII Interhorse Raid Al-Andalus:
Fee:
180.00. - € registration + 60. - € box., horse and rider to participate in three days.
140.00. - € registration + 60. - € box., horse and rider involved two days .
70.00. - € registration + 60. - € box., horse and rider to participate one day.
30.00. - € dinner party end awards in Camping La Aldea. El Rocío.
Inscriptions previous: Until March 30, 2012.

Registration definitive:
The maximum registration period is April 4. As the April 4 step required by the secretariat of the competition to finish the term of numbers including delivery.
Licenses: All riders must have their licenses sports (LDN) and valid insurance.
All horses must have its sports licenses in force (LAC), FEI passport for non-Spanish horses and LIC for the Spanish, and meet the health conditions required (health card, vaccines, micriochip). MUST SEND A COPY OF THESE.

Stages:
5.4.2012 - The Mist - Matalascañas - The Dew Point: 71.080 kms.
6.4.2012 - The Mist - Fennel - The Dew Point: 74.260 kms.
7.4.2012 - The Mist - Four Vitas - The Dew Point: 77.840 kms.

AWARDS Section 828 of the RCR
only opt for the different awards those teams that qualify in every stage of the test.
prize The prize money is to be determined in advance of program.
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to award in its discretion other prizes.
All prizes will involve subsequent tax bill at the time of payment.

Final standings Awards in Euros (Teams) Trophies
1, 1500. - €, Trophy, certificate and Rosette.
2 º 1,000, - € Trophy, certificate and badge.
3 º 500. - € Trophy, certificate and badge.
Best condition: Trophy, certificate and badge.
Total value: 3,000. - €
Advancement Program and Regulation: Regulation VII Raid Al-Andalus Ironhorse.

Greetings from Gabriel.

Canada: Riders, horses to test their limits

Standard-freeholder.com - Full Article

By ERIKA GLASBERG, EGLASBERG@STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM

CORNWALL – Several passionate horseback riders from the area are getting ready for some serious riding as the Seaway Valley Arabian Horse Association hosts their International Endurance ride later this year in Finch.

The endurance race will be the third one held by the club but the only endurance race held in Ontario in 2012, one of three held in Canada and one of 11 races in North America.

“Usually in Ontario we try to have one international ride a year and nobody was stepping up to the plate,” said Dessia Miller, president of the club.

The races that are being held are in the one and two star levels.

In order for riders to qualify for the championship races (known as the four star level), they have to go through the star system.

The one star level requires the rider to complete an 80 km run at slower than 16 km an hour.

The two star level is a 120 km course with no speed restrictions.

The three star level is a 160 km course with no speed restrictions and finally, the four star level requires riders to complete a 160 km course in under 12 hours...

Read more here:
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3467014

New Zealand: Marlborough riders third in Canterbury

Stuff.co.nz

Last updated 09:20 10/02/2012

Marlborough Trail and Endurance club members performed well at last weekend's South Island Endurance championships at Harwarden in Canterbury.

On a new and challenging track, Anna Hynes, who lives in Westport but belongs to the Marlborough club, and Millenium Sensation were third in the 36km Intermediate CTR. Hynes finished on the best heart rates in the class but had misjudged the final 10km and rode slightly too fast, incurring 28 time faults.

Charlotte Wadsworth, 14, rode in the CEI 1* 100km Young Rider event and was also part of the Trans-Tasman New Zealand team. Charlotte had a very exciting gallop finish with the other Kiwi junior and finished in an impressive time of 5hrs 44min 04sec.

Charlotte's horse, Avaasha NZL, then went on to win the Best Conditioned Horse award for this Young Rider class. The Australians just won the Trans-Tasman Challenge, their three top scores beating New Zealand's by 1min 47sec.

Heidi Bulfin on Stonelea Sparkling Rose and Robyn Hill on Silands Rhaffety, competed in the CEI 2* 120km ride. Hill won the class with Bulfin runner-up, the first competition for both at that level and the duo rode most of the four-loop ride together.

It started at 5am on Sunday and travelled over fairly testing terrain. Hill's time was 8.27.07 seconds and Bulfin clocked 8.27.41.

The Marlborough riders beat some more experienced horses in their class even though everyone rode fairly conservatively in this one, mainly aiming for completions.

The vetting standards are very tough in endurance with just the slightest niggle being enough to put a horse out. Hill's horse was also awarded best conditioned.

Out of 56 total entries there was a completion rate of 69 per cent which is good as riders tend to push their mounts a bit more than usual.

- The Marlborough Express

Spain: Raid Al-Andalus Ironhorse News

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Raid Al-Andalus The Ironhorse starts to move, says that soon will have prepared the application form and need volunteers to lend a hand in the test and the Organization of the Competition.
Here's the contact to communicate with them: raidironhorse@gmail.com

Together we must help Jose Manuel Soto, a man who is completely devoted to the organization of this event Equestrian Endurance, high-level sports event, all riders want to participate and compete in this competition, but this year is shorter than normal, hopefully next year, return to their usual characteristics, walking for half Andalusian geography, to show the beauty of our landscapes, our food and contact with our people.

This year test daisy with departures and arrivals in the village of Rocio at the foot of the White Dove, three days together in the Great Week.

Greetings from Gabriel.

British endurance rider Catriona Moon heads to Abu Dhabi

Horseandhound.co.uk

Charlotte White, deputy news editor

7 February, 2012

Dorset vet Catriona Moon will be the only British rider at the 160km President’s Cup three-star endurance ride in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (11 February). Catriona, who has twice before represented Britain, expects conditions to be harsh as she and the 13-year-old Leila cross steep desert sand dunes in temperatures in the high 20s.

The duo fly to Abu Dhabi today (Tuesday 7 February).

Follow Catriona's progress with updates on Twitter via: @EnduranceGB

Bahrain: Al Hammadi claims King's Cup

Gulf-daily-news.com

February 05, 2012

THE Royal Team rider Yacoob Yousif Al Hammadi, riding Hondo, claimed the coveted title in the King's Cup Endurance Race yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

The pair completed the 120-km race in a time of five hours, eight minutes and two seconds, just 21 seconds ahead of fellow Royal Team member Ahmed Janahi on Oeops.

Having led for the majority of the race, Jaffar Mirza came in third in a time of five hours, nine minutes and 34 seconds.

Al Hammadi's victory was based on a well thought-out strategy worked out under the guidance of Royal Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and coach Khalid Bu Lami and saw him overtake Janahi in the final stage of the race.

Praised

Speaking after the race, Shaikh Nasser praised the support of His Majesty for the event, which he described as one of the most important of the season.

He went on to highlight the continued success of the event and said this success was the result of great work done by the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Races Association and the King's Cup organising committee.

Shaikh Nasser admitted his delight in seeing the Royal Team members do so well.

He then expressed his appreciation to event sponsors Durrat Al Bahrain and Al Hawaj for their significant contributions.

Meanwhile, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first vice-president and Royal Equestrian and Endurance Races Association president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised all participants in the race.

He also joined in praising King Hamad for his support to endurance sport and said the presence of His Majesty at the race provided a huge boost to all the participants.

Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid were alongside Royal Equestrian and Endurance Races Association vice-president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Endurance Committee chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa. They were also part of the presentation party for the closing ceremony of the race.

As well as presenting the prizes to participants in the King's Cup race, they also rewarded those from the race for riders with special needs.


Photos by Osama Mohammed:

New Zealand: Endurance horse deaths prompt review

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

05/02/12
IMOGEN NEALE

The deaths of two horses involved in a national endurance riding competition have sparked a review by the country's governing body for equestrian sports.

One horse died during the Endurance National Championships near Turangi last year and another shortly after.

Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) said the 13-year-old bay gelding Twynham El Omar was euthanased towards the end of the championship's 160km race, having failed the second-to-last veterinary inspection.

The horse had represented New Zealand at the 2010 world equestrian games in Kentucky.

Another horse, 8-year-old gelding Miro Astair, failed the last horse inspection and was taken to a nearby equine vet before being taken home.

He died from complications several days later.

Auckland-based endurance rider Keith McLeod said the sport was very well-managed and last year's event was an anomaly.

"Horses take years of conditioning to get to that distance, with lots of graduate steps along the way.

"You can't just jump in and do 160km. And even then they do it in five to six loops with a 40 to 60 minute hold in between.

"[In that time] they're thoroughly vet-checked for gut sounds, lameness, heart-rate, anything.

"If anything is not right they're vetted out...

Read more here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/6367954/Endurance-horse-deaths-prompt-review

Bahrain: Riders ready for endurance race

Gulf-daily-news.com

Saturday, February 04, 2012

THE much-awaited and the most prestigious races of the season - His Majesty the King's Endurance Race - will kick off this morning at the Bahrain International Endurance Village at 6am.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports President, Bahrain Olympic Committee Chairman and Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will be one of the favourites to win this event.

Shaikh Nasser described the race as the most important and strongest races in the endurance calendar. He stressed the readiness of the Royal Team to put up a good show.

Meanwhile, the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Races Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed all participants and asserted that the race is one of the most important races in the region.

The medical inspection committee have completed the veterinary examination process of the participating horses under the supervision of the Veterinary Committee headed by Dr Yaseen Al Motamiry of Tunisia and other foreign doctors.

The Route Committee has also completed the race stages and other formalities. The race is divided into five stages with the first stage, to be marked by red flags, covering a distance of 30km. The second stage will also be over 30km but marked with blue flags.

The third stage will be over 20km and marked with green flags while the fourth stage of another 20km will be highlighted by yellow flags.

White flags will line the fifth and final stage which will also be over 20km.

A race for riders with special needs will also be held on the sidelines of the main event. It will be a first of its kind in Bahrain and the region.

This race will be over 15km divided into three stages of five kms each. The race will be held as per endurance laws and the horses will be subjected to veterinary examination after each stage of the race. A total of six riders are participating in this race.

Another highlight of His Majesty the King's race is that a number of European riders will be taking part individually and as teams along with a couple of Saudi riders belonging to the Shawamekh stable.

Bahrain's Sports Channel will broadcast the race live with the help of an integrated crew.

Mongolian trek the next adventure for West grad

Tracypress - Full Article

by Bob Brownne/Tracy Press Feb 03, 2012

If her life as a shipping lawyer in London and Athens isn’t challenging enough, Erin Shanson can always turn to her lifelong passion of horseback riding.

Countryside treks close to home are fine, but this summer Shanson has something much bigger on her schedule.

Shanson, originally from Tracy, and about 30 other horse enthusiasts will dash across 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) of the Mongolian steppe from August 7 to 20. It’s the fourth Mongol Derby put on by The Adventurists, a United Kingdom-based outfit that organizes multiple-day races around the globe. The group’s goal is to take people as far as possible from hotels and guided tours.

In an e-mail from Greece, Shanson stated that her search for a new equestrian adventure led to the Mongol Derby, and it was just the opportunity she was looking for.

“I have also always wanted to go riding in Mongolia, and The Adventurists provide a way of doing so that has the back up of a normal endurance race in the states- veterinary checks on each horse at every stop, before and after, as well as medical back up and experienced hands all along the route,” she wrote...

Read more here:
http://www.tracypress.com/view/full_story/17388285/article-Mongolian-trek-the-next-adventure-for-West-grad-?instance=sports_lead_story_left_column

Great Britain: Edgware-based rider's horse accepted on to top programme

Times-series.co.uk

Friday 3rd February 2012

After countless hours, thousands of miles and unwavering dedication Rebecca Kinnarney has seen her horse Seren Capella accepted onto the World Class Start and Potential Squad (WCSPS) of Endurance GB.

The WCSPS is the national body which governs the sport of endurance and from it you can work up to the elite squad from which the Great British team is selected.

The decision is reward from Kinnarney, who suffered a stroke in 1995. After recovering, she decided to purchase the horse, nicknamed Ellie, five years ago.

The 11-year-old chestnut Arab mare, which was bred on a mountainside in Cumbria, is now kept in Edgware and currently competes in rides of up to 80km.

Monk and Nash Headed to President's Cup

January 31 2012

Chris Martin's Monk, with rider Lindsay Graham, and Doug Swingley, owner and rider of National Security (Nash), are the two US riders who have been invited to participate in the 160-km President's Cup Endurance ride in Abu Dhabi on February 11. Monk has been preparing in California with Martin and Graham, and Nash has been training in Utah at the Global Endurance Training Center with Christoph Schork.

The horses will fly out of Los Angeles on February 6th.

UAE: Foreign riders create history in President's Cup endurance races

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Donnais, Kart and Singh outpace UAE challengers to win titles

By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
Published:January 30, 2012


Abu Dhabi: For the first time in the UAE's domestic endurance history, three foreign riders finished on top in the President's Cup for Junior Riders, the President's Cup for Ladies and the President's Cup for horses privately owned.

The Bouthieb Endurance Village in Al Khatem saw over six endurance races over the last three days including Qualifier rides.

Achille Donnais of France on Queops des Aubepines finished ahead of the UAE's Khalifa Ganem Al Merri on Ridasa Brinda with just 26 seconds separating the two riders in the President's Cup for Juniors and Young Riders which was a Two-Star ride over 120 km.

Donnais and Queops des Aubepines completed the five stage race over 120 km in a ride time of 4hrs 32 mins and 44 seconds with the UAE rider in second place and Fatima Jasem Al Merri, the National Day Cup winner in third place on Razoeback Wildfire in 4:39.20. A total of 47 riders took part in this ride And five UAE riders finished behind the French rider...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/other-sports/foreign-riders-create-history-in-president-s-cup-endurance-races-1.973053

UAE: Junior riders to prove their mettle in a strong field

Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News Gulfnews.com - Full Article

President's Cup to begin with mass start run in five stages

By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports ReporterPublished: 00:00 January 28, 2012

Abu Dhabi: A strong field of junior and young riders will take part in today's President's Cup 120km Two Star Ride for Juniors and Young Riders at the Boutheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem.
The 120km ride will be run in five stages of 30km, 30km, 24kms, 20kms and 16 kms, with the junior riders getting off to a mass start early this morning.

Ahmad Ali Al Sabri won the President's Cup Two Star Ride for Juniors and Young Riders last year on Pony Express Hipolyte.

Meanwhile, the Boutheib Endurance Village also staged a couple of qualifier rides and an 80km One Star ride yesterday...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/junior-riders-to-prove-their-mettle-in-a-strong-field-1.972229

British rider to race in President's Cup

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 24, 2012

A sole British endurance rider has been invited to start in the FEI three-star 160km President's Cup ride across the Abu Dhabi desert next month.

Dorset veterinarian Catriona Moon, who has twice been part of the senior British Endurance team, will start in the race on February 11 on her 13-year-old mare Leila.

The President's Cup is one of the toughest endurance rides worldwide. The 160km course is across the desert and will include crossing steep sand dunes. The combination, which finished strongly in the 2011 FEI European Endurance Championships in Florac, France, have been training hard for the competition.

"It is likely the temperature in Abu Dhabi will be in the high 20s," Moon said. "Leila has been wearing lots of rugs and is training with two exercise sheets to try and get her used to being warm which isn't easy in the British winter."

The pair will fly out to Abu Dhabi on February 7 with their crew, Catriona's mother, Jackie Moon, and Zofia Lisowski.

Endurance GB's Emma Miller said: "We are delighted Catriona has been invited to take part in the Presidents Cup, she really deserves this chance and we wish her and Leila the best of luck."

Endurance GB will be following Catriona and Leila's progress on its Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/EnduranceGB.

UAE: Al Beloushi, Al Hammadi win

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Harsh conditions fail to deter duo from coming ahead of pack to victory
By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports ReporterPublished: 00:00 January 22, 2012


Abu Dhabi: Munder Ahmad Al Beloushi of Al Reef Stables and Hassan Abdullah Yousuf Al Hammadi of Al Wathba Stables won the Emirates Challenge and the Giants Endurance Challenge (Round 1) 120-km rides, respectively, at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended the ride.

It was a great win for Al Beloushi on the 16-year-old gelding Sharahd Talik in extremely challenging conditions while for elder brother Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, it was another success as trainer. Sharahd Talik last won under Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi in December 2008 in Dubai and repeated that feat again yesterday here at the Al Wathba venue with strong winds and dusty conditions making it very difficult for the riders...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-beloushi-al-hammadi-win-1.969092

UAE: Dubai schoolgirl proves her mettle in the end

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Fatima wards off two foreign riders in a neck-and-neck battle

By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports ReporterPublished: 00:00 January 21, 2012


Abu Dhabi: Dubai schoolgirl Fatima Jasem Al Merri once again displayed her skills as she managed to finish ahead of two foreign riders to win the Shaikha Fatima Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

Al Merri, who won the National Day Cup at the same venue earlier in the season, won a close battle riding her eight-year-old gelding Hurst Radnor, with just 36 seconds separating the top three riders after the 90km race.

Al Merri, who also made the UAE proud by becoming one of the first two woman jockeys to take part in a flat race in the Netherlands last year, took the lead in the second stage of the four-stage race but was given a close fight in the final loop by New Zealand's Lauren Michelle Hiscock on Tora Conrad and French rider Geraldine Jacquet on Kaysand Farrazah.

Before going on to the final loop, Al Merri was ahead of Jacquet, while Hiscock moved up from her fourth place to finish just behind the winner...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/dubai-schoolgirl-proves-her-mettle-in-the-end-1.968780

UAE: Fatima Bint Mansour Endurance Challenge for Women riders to kick off tomorrow

WAM.ae

2012-01-19 16:07:06
WAM Abu Dhabi,Jan 19th, 2012 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Presidential Affairs HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Challenge for Women riders will kick off tomorrow at the UAE World Endurance tracks in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 70 riders from various stables in the country as well as from GCC, Arab and other countries from around the world will participate in the 90-km race to be held under the guidance of Sheikh Mansour, who is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

The event sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage(ADACH), the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Emirates Airlines is supported by a number of companies and national institutions in the UAE.

Half a million Dirhams has been announced in prizes for the winners.

WAM/AB

Malaysia: Sultan Terengganu to Participate in Endurance Horse Race

My.news.yahoo.com

January 18 2012


KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Sultan Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin will be among participants in an Endurance Horse Race competition organised by the Al-Kathiri Equestrian Club in Lembah Bidong, Setiu on Saturday.

Club chairman Shaikh Abdul Halim Al-Kathiri said the race was the first of its kind organised in Terengganu by an equestrian club.

According to a statement from the Terengganu Menteri Besar''s office, the race that will feature a 50km and 80km race will start at 6.15am. Sheikh Abdul Halim said about 50 local riders would take part in the competition.

Great Britain: Chesham horse rider wins national award

Chesham.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article


by Camilla Goodman on Jan 18, 2012

A HORSE rider from Chesham has won a prestigious national award.

Lorna Kidson, 29, of Chartridge Lane, Chesham, was announced as the winner of the runner-up prize for the South Essex Insurance Brokers and Retraining of Racehorses' Elite Performance Award for Endurance, at the Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Grange Hotel, London, last week.

Kidson, who is an insurance underwriter at Royal and Sun Alliance, in High Street, Chesham, scooped £500 for winning the accolade.

She won the award with ex-racehorse Jack Dawson, owned by Paul Wright and Margaret Donnolly...

Read more here:
http://chesham.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk/2012/01/chesham-horse-rider-wins-natio.html