2012 WEC: Ride and Venue Information

El Raid blog - Gabriel Gamiz

June 29, 2012
by Audee Uruguay

[google translation]

Beating the previous 2012 World Equestrian Endurance

Colleagues and members of the board of Audee, Sofia Fernandez Amaya Danvila and Pio Olascoaga share with us a comprehensive report, with interesting and useful data for our selection

We are told that the "venue" venue where the pits and the vet gate, is located in Euston Park, about 170-200 km approx. London, 30 minutes from Newmarket and Thetford 5 km (small town with all services).

The boxes, Equal to any international event, canvas roof and wooden walls, typical prefabricated boxes located in an enclosed park, very well defined and with good security.

As for the Vet Gate, The dimensions are similar to the UAE and the operation is similar, though less infrastructure and shelter canopies for teams. Trot lines of grass, is used for chip necklace times and making electronic pulse is displayed on screens at the end of the trot line, (the company which is Gmax).

The track is very technical, and locked, with many circles, curves and turns on turns. This well identified with arrows but requires a high concentration by the rider for not taking the wrong path. Importantly, the roads are mostly narrow, have a width that enables only two horses running in parallel, and in some only one.

The ground is mostly soft, divided it into grass, wet dirt roads that may form little or a lot of mud, roads with some loose stones, crosses and asphalt roads (with option to go through the grass), several creeks crossing with inlet and outlet mud and shallow, forest trails. By estimate would be a higher percentage of grass and dirt roads, very similar to the field of Uruguayan stays.

The weather is very changeable, there is a high chance of rain and cold, it's beyond summer. If it rains, the track becomes very slippery, and increases the mud. Riders are advised to bring a change of clothes to change in case. The support posts are very easy and accessible, often repeating the same and are very well marked.


On transport: An option (highly recommended) is to rent cars online in advance to be picked up at the airport of London Heathrow. The advantages are that there is a shuttle bus (shuttle service) that lead to store cars at the airport. In addition, the exit to the highway that will lead to Newmarket and Euston Park is quite simple. It gets there in 1hr 45 min. (Newmarket). It is recommended to the GPS service, whether renting or taking the landlady yourself with maps of Europe. For more information: Europcar.co.uk , alamo.co.uk , nationalcar.co.uk

Regarding transportation of horses, we have a truck for six horses which in turn has amenities for everyone on the team, as a living room off to the riders, bathroom and an awning that is installed outside. It will serve to transport the horses from the stables to the Vet Gate and race day will be available for the Uruguay team

Accommodation is a sensitive issue because of the limited supply of hotels and / or houses to rent and because the park around there are no large cities, but very small towns and villages. After several tours throughout the area reserved the last rooms of hotels Thetsford (the nearest town). Another option is to rent houses for 6 or 8 in a resort called "Center Park" which is 15 minutes drive from the park. Within the complex there are restaurants, Starbucks, various activities, pools, and is within a forest.

In terms of costs approx:

Hotels (B & B) - 100 pounds (double)

Homes Center Parc-60 pounds p / person.

For accommodation for grooms, can be considered a Bed & Breakfast in Thetford, (and reserved 3/4 in case: 2 doubles and 1 triple), where they have breakfast included, a living room, dining room and kitchen which is accessible at all times. The cost per person is 25 pounds per person.

Following the good news for the Uruguayan horses endurance, Mr. Pio Olascoaga Amaya got free accommodation in a stable of Sheik Hamdan, equipped with beds, green grass bales and free. As we can facilitate the ration procedures but they do not have in stock. The barn also provides us with an English blacksmith working in the barn and work with horses and horse racing enduro, which may also be available on race day. Other services to be used: training track and grass land, 2 km circuit. Training track by track road that runs Accommodation for 1 or 2 grooms.Cama, bales, grass paddocks Walker Other veterinary services and spa with free prior request for deposit Boxes

Note that this large study do not mean market cost, or for members or for Audee

We thank our colleagues contributed valuable data as well as also the services they have done it without cost to our selection

Canadian Endurance Riders Headed to NAJYRC

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Horse Sport - June 29, 2012

by: Equine Canada
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on google_plusone

Endurance Canada is pleased to announce the riders representing Canada at the 2012 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships will be held July 17-22 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Riders will compete for top honours in the NAJYRC-CH 4* FEI Championship.

The team will be comprised of Lee Hutten of Chesterville, ON, riding Parker AES, Dessia Miller’s 12-year-old Arabian gelding; Jessica Yavis of Winfield, AB, riding Jahlad, a 10-year-old Arabian gelding, or Kit, an 11-year-old Arabian-cross gelding, both owned by Jaye Yavis; and Emma Webb of Flesherton, ON, and Janice Worthington’s 12-year-old Arabian gelding.

All three riders will also compete together in the team competition. Accompanying the team will be Maura Leahy as chef d’équipe, Dr. Glenn Sinclair as the team veterinarian, and Dr. Roxy Bell as the assistant veterinarian...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/canadian-endurance-riders-headed-to-najyrc/

Sweden: WEC 2012 Team Chosen

FOTO: Kristina Gregori Eriksson
ridsport.se

012-06-28

Team management of endurance have been selected by the Swedish rider who can ride World Endurance, which is determined August 25 in Euston Park, UK.

Selected riders for the World Endurance 2012

Annelie Eriksson, Bjursås - Dahle, spare King Peak provided he fulfills the FEI requirement for definite.
Cecilia Hellesen-Hansen, Flen - Bomb Jack
Frida Ekstrom, Oskarshamn - Zinner
Maria Hagman-Eriksson, Järlåsa - Power
Yvonne Ekelund, Vaxjo - Baron Grey Star
Reserve: Ella Lindblom, Flen - Pioro Ganze

Great Britain: Endurance GB Elite Squad Stepping up the Pace

Endurancegb.co.uk

18th June 2012

Endurance GB Elite squad members Christine Yeoman and Nikki Malcolm have both recently been out to strengthen their chances of team selection for the Endurance GB team for the 2012 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships at Euston Park near Thetford on the 25th August.

The 2011 National Endurance Champion, Nikki Malcolm (28) from Whitcombe in Dorset has qualified a second horse to be eligible to take part World Championships. Nikki took 4th place in the 160km FEI 3* Endurance Ride at Euston Park near Thetford recently with L R Bold Greyson.

Owned by Christine Yeoman, L R Bold Greyson is proving to be a solid performer. Greyson was bought from America at the end of 2011 and has so far completed two 160km rides with success this season. Christine also finished in 6th place in the FEI 3* Haywood Oaks ride in Nottinghamshire in April with him.

Nikki said “Christine had already qualified for the World Championships with Greyson earlier in the year, our plan was for us to both qualify on him as well as our other horses to create more options and a stronger team for the Championships”. Nikki’s other ride is the consistent Anglo Arab Khartoum With A K, with whom she holds a 100% ride completion record.

All three horses, Khartoum With A K, L M Crazy Girl and L R Bold Greyson will now go to the final team trial for the 2012 World Championships at Kings Forest, Bury St Edmunds on the 29th June. Nikki is set to take Khartoum With A K, Christine will partner Crazy Girl and New Zealander, Lisa Davenport will ride Greyson. The team for the World Championships will be announced shortly after this final trial.

Endurance GB Elite squad member Kirsty Wiscombe from Lyme Regis took 7th place in the 160km Endurance ride at Euston Park on the 27th May with her stallion, Yawlhill Billy.

Article by Holdsworth PR

South Africa: How to ride FAURESMITH…

Perseveranceendurancehorses - Full Article

Posted by Perseverance ⋅ 26 June 2012

How to Ride Fauresmith… for the First-timer

Next week a horde of horse and riders will be setting off on a three-day ride totalling 201km… This is the notorious Fauresmith National ride – the highlight of the South African endurance calendar! Not too onerous as endurance rides go, and yet, so difficult to complete for many people. Is Fauresmith an elusive goal for you? Is this your first time attempting it?

As old hands in our Province we offer advice to the newbies on our teams every year. Tips on what to do and what not to do. Sometimes they take our advice and sometimes they ignore it, but all the riders end up wiser on Thursday afternoon than they were on Tuesday morning. There’s no replacement for experience!

Fauresmith is a unique event in endurance. It has challenges different from the ultra-distance rides; one-day 100 milers such as the fabled Hofmeyr. It has different challenges from the speedy outright races between elite Namibian and South African teams over 120km. It is entirely different from the happy-go-lucky 80 km pre-rides done by the majority of endurance riders who just take part for the sheer enjoyment.

There are factors that make Fauresmith mad and bad compared to your local club ride.

Firstly, the sheer numbers. There will be about 400 horses concentrated at this venue. Unlike shows, most of them will not be stowed away in the stables, rather, all of them will be under saddle or on the field preparing to go. Add to that hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people. It can get a bit out of hand.

Secondly, the excitement. For many riders, arriving at Fauresmith is the realisation of a dream. There is a sparkle in their eyes and they communicate this excitement to their horses, who are already amazed to see so many colourfully attired horses around them. Adrenaline courses through their veins.

Third, the horses are fit and fed to run fast. They are not easy to control.

Fourth, there are a lot of newbies every year. Some are relatively new in endurance and lacking in the level-headed common sense that only develops with experience of dealing with difficult situations. They often have a hard time, but can also create situations that are awkward for the horses and riders around them. Falls by inexperienced riders, tack malfunctions or breakages, can add extra complications as they must be helped.

Fifth, the terrain is tricky in the sense that there are many rocks and loose stones, eroded gullies, holes, fence posts. Fauresmith is not a race track, but the horses want to race.

Lastly, there are three days to get through...

Bahrain: HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praises Royal Endurance Team preparations for World Endurance Championship

BNA.bh

25/06/2012

Berlin: June 25 -- (BNA) The Royal Endurance Team Leader HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasized that the Royal Endurance Team has accomplished the objectives for the sake of which the team participated in the Dellingin horse racing in Germany in terms of preparation for the World Endurance Championship due to be conducted in Britain next August.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa pointed out that the Royal Team has benefitted a lot from its participation under various favorable conditions in terms of training, performance, enthusiasm of riders to win prime positions.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa added that participation since the start of this season in Europe culminated in many positive results in France, Hamburg and Dellingin, and asserted that Royal Team riders reaped great benefits and learned from the preparations program, and he revealed that the program includes future training and participations.

On the other hand, the Royal Federation chief Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa reiterated that the team has accomplished its objectives from participating in the 160- kilometers distance endurance horse racing event in Dellingin in Germany and praised the Royal Team members for accomplishing remarkable results. Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa pointed out that the successful leadership of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has brought the Royal Team to remain at the forefront forever.

In compliance with directives from the Royal Endurance Team Leader HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a number of horse riders shall undergo further training for the team steads next Thursday in Montpellier, France in preparation for upcoming European competitions and international championships.

The Royal Endurance Team was accompanied by a media delegation comprising photographer Hamid Shehab, TV videographer Hamad Dawood, TV videographer Mohammed Al-Qallaf, production technician Hamad Ramadan, commentator Saddam Nasser and coordinator Khalifa Al-Shurooqi. (IY)

Canada: New event for endurance riders

Peacecountrysun.com - Full Article

By Louise Liebenberg Special

Last weekend a sanctioned Endurance Ride took place south of High Prairie. Meghan Payne organized the very first “Payne’s Pulse Down” endurance ride, with rides of 25miles (40 km) and 50 miles (80 km) for the more competitive riders.

For those wanting to participate on a fun ride or have an introduction to endurance riding, a fantastic 12-mile (19.2 km) trail was set out.

Those participating in the fun ride did go through the same process as the riders in the competitive event, so all vet checks, pulse measurements, departing times where adhered to, in order for new riders to get a feel for what this equine sport entails.

Endurance riding on the American continents has its history dating back to the early 1900s, where cavalry horses were tested on fitness, stamina and endurance. The test required the horse and rider to go on a five-day, 300-mile ride. In the 1950s it became a civilian sport.

In 1978 the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for World and Olympic equestrian events, recognized endurance riding as an international sport. Endurance riding and competitions are held in Europe, Asia, and the American continents incorporating over 49 countries worldwide.

Since the early days the distance and time has been reduced, with most competitions having a maximum distance of 100 miles (160 km) a day. The teams are regularly vet checked along the way to ensure that the horse is fitand has the stamina to continue on the way. Mandatory breaks and vet checks are part and parcel of the sport.

The trails in High Prairie led next to grain fields, through bush, had a number of river crossings, up some steeper banks, along open fields and through cattle pastures. The horses had to contend with a whole variety of trails which made the ride interesting to participate in...

read more here:
http://www.peacecountrysun.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3588794

Great Britain: Euston Park hosts final qualifiers for Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2012

24 June 2012

Sh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum and Kurajong Concorde from the UAE headed a strong field to win the penultimate qualifier for the Longines FEI  World Endurance Championships (25th August 2012) at Euston Park, near Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. 
The pair completed the FEI CEI 3* 160km competition over August’s World Championship course in a ride time of 7hr30min14sec at an average speed of 21.32km/hr.
They won by a nose after a tight finish with Mohd Ahmad Al Subose and Kedjari Des Serres (UAE) in second place. Compatriot Mohd Saeed Mohd Al Faresi and Ainhoa Tijmili crossed the line six minutes later.

A total of 28 combinations took part in Sunday’s 160km qualifier run over the Euston Park course in the build-up to the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships. 
Organised by Janah Management, Sunday’s programme featured a CEI 3* 160 km, CEI 2* 120km, a CEI 2* YR 120km and a CEI 1* 80km, with classes on Monday including a CEI 3* 160km and CEI 2* 120km.

The ride was completed in tough conditions with strong winds and bursts of heavy rain affecting the going.

As the penultimate qualifying ride for the World Championships ahead of the deadline on 26th June, the event attracted riders from around the globe.

Having aimed to qualify ZT Richshakfy for a place on the British team, Susan Hawes sadly opted to withdraw on course on the fourth loop putting paid to her chances of qualifying for a place on the championship team in August.

"It’s a shame but he was not feeling quite right so it wasn't worth continuing - he's only 11 and there'll be another day. This course is really challenging and it will find out any niggles. I have huge respect for the horses that are out in front and still going strong - they are awesome," she said.

The other British contender Melanie Davison and CS Khan contesting their first 160km had aimed for a steady completion but also withdrew at the fourth vetgate. “This is definitely a championship course and very technical -  one minute you are in sand and the next mud and then harder tracks which means you really have to concentrate - it is tricky."

The UAE’s Saeed Ahmed Murad Al Khattal riding the Al Aasfa Stables-trained Glendaar Greystar captured the CEI 2* 120km class in fine style having led all the way from the first vetgate. The duo’s time of 5hr43min57sec was completed with a consistent performance across all five loops at an average speed of 21.28km/hr.

They were chased home by fellow UAE riders Saeed Saqr Mohd Qabir Al Ameri with Saxon of Bedain and Spain’s Nuria Serrabasa Fabre and Nasik Des Fabries.

Chris Wray, riding his first 120km with Takwenya was among four British contenders in this class finishing in 12th place behind fellow Briton Caroline Cowley with Summer Mistral.

His crew Georgina Bull said: “Takwenya only did her first 80km ride back in March and won it so we felt she was ready to do a 120km class.”

Georgina the British team riders’ osteopath said Chris, who bred the nine year old palomino, is aiming to get the horse onto the elite squad by 2014.

Georgina added: “The wet weather did not bother them. Chris found the going deep in places but just pushed on when he could and slowed down where necessary.  We used less water than we would on a hot day and mostly rugged up to keep her warm after the vet gate.”

Saeed Mod Khalifa Al Mehairi of the UAE and Gem El Gem took the top slot in the CEI 2** YR 120km at an average speed of 21.28km/hr

The 14th running of the FEI World Endurance Championships will see around 160 riders from up to 40 countries lining up for the contest around the deceptive Euston Park track.

Ian Williams, FEI Non-Olympic Sports Director, said:  “This was the third event held as part of the preparations for the Longines FEI World Endurance Championship.
 
“Despite the difficult weather conditions, the vetgate stood up to the test and ran incredibly well as did the course. The electronic timing system had its final live test and lived up to all expectations.
 
“Representatives from many nations had taken this opportunity to make their final recce of the course and venue and I can only believe that they found it to be a true championship test and will be returning home excited about beginning their countdown to the main event in August.”
 
Alongside title sponsor Longines, the Championships has the support of Dubai industry giants, Meydan and Emaar Properties as additional supporters.
With around 1000 participants, riders, crew and officials, the championship will have a significant economic impact on the area around Euston Park and the Newmarket area during the build-up and immediately post competition.

Hungary pulls out of WEG 2018 contention

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article
By Horsetalk.co.nz on Jun 23, 2012 in News

Hungary has withdrawn from the bidding process to stage the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018.

Its capital Budapest had been named as one of the five 2018 bid cities earlier this month, but in a letter to FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos this week, the President of the Hungarian National Federation Vilmos Lázár confirmed that the Hungarian bid has now been withdrawn.

In the letter Lázár stated that the Hungarian Federation’s Board had made the decision to withdraw the Budapest bid as there were two candidates from the same region. Hungary’s immediate neighbour, Austria, is also one of the official candidates to host the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018.

Lázár said that his Board hoped that the withdrawal of the Hungarian bid would enhance the chances of Austria staging the Games in 2018.

“Of course we are sad to lose the Hungarian bid for 2018,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said, “but we respect the National Federation’s decision and admire its generous support of the neighbouring bid from Austria. We still have four very strong candidates in the mix and it will be a very exciting bidding process. We very much look forward to welcoming them all to FEI Headquarters next month...”

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/06/23/hungary-pulls-weg-2018-contention/#.T-XPhI7G5yQ

FEI World Rankings

6/21/12

Kamila Kart of Poland tops the Endurance Meydan Open Riders World Ranking with 690 points through June 15, 2012.

UAE riders fill the next 4 spots: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in 2nd, Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri in 3rd, Fatma Jassem Saeed Al Marri in 4th, and Mubarak Awad Al Khatiri in 5th.

USA's Jeremy Reynolds ranks 6th.

In the Meydan Open Combination World Ranking, UAE's Sultan Ahmed Al Bloushi and Cronus hold 1st place with 308 points, and UAE's Fatma Jassem Saeed Al Marri and Ohio hold 2nd place with 289 point.

USA's Cody Boysen and Viktory Banner rank 3rd with 261 points.

In the Meydan Open Horse World Ranking, in 1st is Shardell Aladdin, 2nd is Tonki Dee Boo Kokoda, 3rd is Cronus, 4th is Madji du Pont, 5th is Ohio.

Ranking in 6th is USA's Riverwatch, the 2011 Tevis Cup and Haggin Cup winner, part owned by Heather and Jeremy Reynolds.

Maria Santina of Argentina tops the Meydan Young Riders World Ranking with 327 points, with USA's Kelsey Russell in second with 312 points.

Full list of rankings are here:
https://data.fei.org/Ranking/Default.aspx

Mohammed wins European Endurance Race in Italy

Khaleejtimes.com

(WAM) / 20 June 2012

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice -President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was crowned, for second running year, champion of the 160-km European Endurance Race 2012 at Ancona race track in Italy. By this wonderful victory, Shaikh Mohammed will lead UAE riders to the World Endurance Championship 2012 in England next August.
Last year, Shaikh Mohammed won the first round of the European Endurance Championship, staged in Verona, Italy.

Shaikh Mohammed clocked in at 8:51:10 beating an elite of the world’s rival riders.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, came second and third respectively.

Australia: Teenager and $200 horse headed to World Endurance Championship

Pozible.com

June 20 2012

WHO ARE TALEA & BLAKE'S HEAVEN BOMBORA?

In January 2002 Fia Hasko-Stewart purchased an unwanted Arabian yearling for $200 from a friend. All other buyers had ignored him. Ten years later the horse, Blake’s Heaven Bombora, is one of Australia’s top endurance horses.

It has been a long journey. Endurance is a grueling sport where each competitor rides one horse over long distances (minimum 80kms, up to 160kms in one day). The fastest horse home is the winner, but riders must balance speed with the need to manage their horses’ welfare, as strict vet checks are completed at the start, middle and end of the ride. If the horse fails any vet check, the rider is eliminated.

Talea Haskow-Stewart and Bombora have come up through the ranks of endurance through thousands of hours in the saddle and many thousands of kilometres in training and competition in all conditions - in the pre-dawn dark; the wind, the rain and cold; or blazing heat. They have galloped along forest trails and picked their way down treacherous cliffs, and together they have become a top team.



THE WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Now, after performing outstandingly in qualifying events, Talea and Bombora have been chosen to represent Australia at the highest level– the World Endurance Championships to be held in the UK in August. See http://www.eustonparkendurance.co.uk/ for more information on the event.


WHY TALEA & BH BOMBORA NEED YOUR HELP.

Although in negotiation, endurance riding is not yet in the Olympics and this means there is no government funding for the Australian team. Return airfares for Bombora are $35,000, and estimated total costs for the trip are around $50,000.

Talea isn’t part of a professional endurance business. She’s just a young lady with a lot of passion. Talea has repeatedly declined offers to sell Bombora to Arab sheiks (for whom endurance is as important as thoroughbred racing), although his worth is in six figures.

To allow Talea to bring her best friend home from the UK, she needs help.  Fia and Talea are currently seeking corporate sponsorship, but donations from family, friends, Endurance Riders, and people who are passionate about seeing others realise their dreams, will help make this trip a reality and bring Bombora home.

A Sydney filmmaker, Adeline Gibson, is also traveling with Talea to the WEC and filming a documentary about Talea, BH Bombora & the Aussie Team. Donations of $60 or more will receive a copy of the final film, so you can go on the journey with them. 

For more information, or to donate, see:
http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/6594/description/0/0

Australia: 2012 Tom Quilty

Endurancenews.com.au

An exciting weekend of dedicated endurance riders and their horses was to be found at St Helens, Tasmania for the 47th running of Australia’s national endurance event, the 160km Tom Quilty.

Founded by the legendary Australian RM Williams, the first Tom Quilty event was held in 1966 in NSW. The event was named after Tom Quilty, the man who donated $1000 to make the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, which would be presented to the winner of the event. The event has run each year since then, and continues to be Australia’s national event, with riders flocking from across Australia (and at times internationally) to attend.


This years Quilty saw 115 riders entered attempting to gain their Quilty Buckle. This is a smaller number then usual for the national event, but many mainland riders were hesitant to travel their horses to Tasmania and chose to skip this event and aim for attending the 2013 Tom Quilty which will be run from Queensland.

The riders that did attend the event were rewarded with absolutely gorgeous riding weather, the sun shone gaily throughout the weekend with many lovely photo opportunities being offered! The Quilty is renown for being a ‘wet’ ride and riders often joke that the number of dry Quilty’s can be counted on one hand. Being winter, and being Tasmania it was still a very chilly weekend, but the sun was most welcome and made the event a pleasurable experience.

The race was won by well known endurance rider Brook Sample riding the very experienced endurance gelding Brookleigh Excalibur. They cantered across the finish line to win the race in spectacular style in a time of 9 hours and 14 mins. Both Brook and his horse have competed previously in the Quilty with Brook now holding 12 buckles and having an impressive 6 wins. A momentous effort from an exceptional horse person, this achievement can be most appreciated when you look at the full results with only 54% of people entered in the event successfully completing .

Brook Sample and Brookleigh Excalibur with the Tom Quilty 2012 winners cup
Sunday saw the top 5 riders in each division presenting for the Best Conditioned awards, as well as 10 riders presenting for the Pat Slater Cup.

Top 5 Juniors:
Alice Mitchell / Beer Street Takone (Best Conditioned)
Sarah Parker / King Park Aberdeen Pelion
David Anderson / Karrana Crackerjack
Amelia Napier / Bellawongah Holly
Ellie Maddick / Armidale Flash Jack

Top 5 Lightweights:
Jacopo Di Matteo / Lockleigh Park Wildfire (Best Conditioned)
Wendy Dower / Castlebar Tempest
Jennifer Annetts / Churinga Goldfire
Antonia Gilbertson / Kurrajong Shadad
Linda Blanchard / Galoubet

Top 5 Middleweights:
Brook Sample / Brookleigh Exalibur (Best Conditioned)
Bradley Hill / Lockleigh Park Sparks Afire
Akhmed Pshunov / Tarrangower Crecendo
Matthew Sample / Brookleigh Ricardo
Debbie Grull / Lauralyn Notorious

Top 5 Heavyweights:
Dennis Foley Jr / Jack
Robbie Walsh / Free Spirit Czar (Best Conditioned)
Mark Johnson / Sharah Lateefah
Elizabeth Laurie / Kholonial Farrington
Gerald Nicklason / Wongawal Digger
Jeremy Ford / Ruby Running Bare

The Tom Quilty is now over for another year, with many riders leaving ride base smiles from ear to ear for their success, and other riders leaving with the sigh of anticlimax, thinking ahead to next year when they can have another shot at that elusive Tom Quilty Buckle.

Just Chaps sponsors the Endurance Young Riders GB Team and international endurance rider Abbi Tennant

Horseandrideruk.com - Full Article

Just Chaps, manufacturers of the widest range of Half and Full Chaps, are proud to sponsor the Endurance Young Riders GB team and international endurance rider Abbi Tennant.


The Young Riders Squad have been out competing in Mont Le Sole, Belgium this season under chef d’equipe Helen Boston. The riders competed in endurance rides of up to 160km! That is definitely a feat of endurance, and takes an awful amount of training. To help them on their way Just Chaps provided the team with this season’s GB Chaps.

Just Chaps is also proud to sponsor international endurance rider Abbi Tennant. Abbi, at only 22 years old, represents Britain as an Advanced FEI** Endurance rider...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandrideruk.com/article.php?id=2237

USA: Wellington Confirmed as Bidder for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games

Dressagedaily.com

06/14/2012 to World Equestrian Games 2018

Wellington, FL - Wellington, along with four other cities, has been confirmed as a bidder for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG). The world championships of international equestrian disciplines is held once every four years as one of the world's major sporting events. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirmed Wellington along with Rabat, Morocco; Bromont, Canada; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria. "We are honored and delighted to be selected as a bidder," said Michael Stone, President of Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the management company of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). "We will seek meetings with the Village of Wellington and other local entities to discuss the candidacy, along with the United States Equestrian Federation."

As the facility organizers, ESP submitted Wellington as the host city for the 2018 FEI WEG. Wellington is home to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, already one of the world's largest equestrian facilities and site of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.

Stone noted, "The FEI put a lot of effort into ensuring the viability of the bid before moving it on to the candidacy status. This is very gratifying for ESP as the organizers."

Following the Bidding Process

ESP has followed the steps outlined by the FEI, including an expression of interest and then an application in April to become an official candidate. The bid includes explaining how Wellington can host the seven international disciplines of the WEG as well as para-dressage. Details of the five bid cities were formally presented to the FEI Bureau at its meeting in Lausanne (SUI) last week.

An FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 presentation will be made to the five Candidates at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne on July 11 to explain the FEI's expectations and procedures concerning the Games. Legal Documentation will also be given to Candidates during that meeting. Completed Legal Documentation, including a signed Host Agreement, must be submitted to the FEI by December 15, 2012.

"It is fantastic to have five really strong bids for hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018 and there could be no better endorsement of the FEI's flagship event," said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. "The new bidding process that we put in place last year for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ has generated a huge amount of interest and we now look forward to welcoming the 2018 bidders to FEI Headquarters next month."

As the final stage in the bidding process, the Candidates will formally present their bids to the FEI Bureau at its Spring 2013 meeting, after which the official announcement of the host organisers of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 will be made.

How South Florida Benefits

ESP has estimated WEG visitors would spend 260,000 bed nights in South Florida, 25,000 of them in Palm Beach County for the event in October, a bonus for Florida's tourist industry that peaks over the winter months. Wellington is close to major tourist attractions including Miami and the Everglades, as well as Disney World, Universal Studios, and other major attractions in Orlando, about a 2.5-hour drive.

A study by Deloitte, commissioned by the FEI, found that the WEG in Aachen, Germany, in 2006 had an economic impact of $291 million, $41 million more than Super Bowl XLIV in Miami in 2010. The economic impact of the 2010 Kentucky WEG was put at $233 million. At the Kentucky WEG, spectator spending was almost $100 million, plus $11 million in team expenditures and $45 million for event management, sponsors, trade stands and the media, according to the Deloitte study.

No outside financing-including taxpayer money-would be needed to stage the WEG at Wellington. Operations and additional capital improvements would be funded from ongoing operations and sponsorship. While $80 million was spent building new outdoor and indoor arenas and other upgrades at the state-owned Kentucky Horse Park for the 2010 WEG, most of the capital improvements required at a WEG in Wellington have already been made and were self-funded on an ongoing basis.

With the completion of the new dressage facility that includes one of the world's largest covered arenas, ESP would only have to determine the land used for eventing's cross-country and driving's marathon courses, along with endurance. For the cross-country and driving marathon courses, local golf courses can be used, while endurance could leverage Wellington's extensive bridle trail system.

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ By the Numbers

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The seven FEI disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining - are all included on the competition schedule.
 
The inaugural FEI World Equestrian Games™ were hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990. Since then the Games have been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be staged outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 will be held in Caen (FRA).

The World Equestrian Games bring about a half-million spectators and 5,500 volunteers to watch about 650 athletes and 750 horses competing for world championships in dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, vaulting and para-dressage. Approximately 1,600 media representatives from around the world cover the event.

Canada’s Bid to Host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™

Horse-canada.com

HORSE SPORT JUNE 15, 2012 | 0 COMMENTS
BY: EQUINE CANADA

Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on google_plusone
Equine Canada, together with the Bromont Bid Committee for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) has received word that Canada is one step closer to hosting this prestigious international equestrian event. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) reports that five countries have been confirmed as bidders and move to Official Candidate status: Rabat (MAR); Bromont (CAN); Budapest (HUN); Vienna (AUT) and Wellington (USA).

“This is great news for Canada and the entire equestrian community,” stated Paul Côté, chair of the Bromont Bid Committee. Mike Gallagher, president of Equine Canada, and a member of the committee added, “If successful, this event will create a lasting legacy for our equestrian nation, not to mention world-class facilities for our athletes to train and compete.”

The Bromont Equestrian Park, located in south-east of Montreal in the eastern townships, together with the City of Montreal were host to the 1976 summer games. Bromont regularly welcomes prestigious competitions including the FEI International Bromont in Jumping and the VOLVO CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event held this past weekend, the last North American qualifying competition leading up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The eight FEI disciplines – Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining – are all included on the competition schedule...

read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/canadas-bid-to-host-the-2018-fei-world-equestrian-games%E2%84%A2/

Bahrain: Booklet on world military endurance wins praise

Gulf-daily-news.com

June 15, 2012

A SPECIAL booklet on the First World Military Endurance Horse Ride Championship, to be held in Bahrain on December 15, was met with great interest.

Endurance riders, officials and fans in Europe showed admiration for the recently-printed booklet, which was distributed in France at the Compiegne Ride as well as in Germany for the International German Ride.

The Participants commended the outstanding campaign of Bahrain in promoting the World Military Championship that will take place for the first time in the Middle East.

They lauded the content of the booklet, which features useful information about Bahrain and its sporting, social and promotional programmes and activities throughout the year.

They also praised the excellent level of performance of the Bahraini riders and what they have achieved in both rides in France and Germany.

Bahrain was given the right to organise the World Military Championship, which is in line with the directives of First Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The first edition will be organised in co-operation with the International Military Council, with large number of riders from around the world expected to take part. The organising committee is yet to announce further details regarding the upcoming championship.

The working committees, meanwhile, have stepped up preparations for the upcoming event.

Bahrain Military Sports Association president Col. Dawood Hussain Al Manea, along with other committee officials, are sparing no effort to ensure the event is an all-round success.

Australia: Inspiring endurance rider battles back from injury

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Jun 15, 2012 in News

“The road to recovery from an Acquired Brain Injury is a lifetime of small steps. I am luckier than most as I have a horse to carry me on this journey.”

So wrote Meg Wade in her acceptance speech for the FEI Against All Odds Award 2011, which she was unable to accept in person due to a last-minute flight cancellation.

Until her fall at an endurance ride in early 2009, Meg Wade was one of Australia’s leading international riders in the discipline.

Her accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. She was in a coma for six weeks and spent nine months in hospital.

“It was when I rode a horse for the first time in November 2010, a fat Appaloosa called Chippie, with Riding for the Disabled in Melbourne, that I felt I was really on the road to recovery,” Wade said.

A few weeks after that first moment back in the saddle, Wade rode in her home arena. In January 2011, her driving licence was reinstated, meaning she could drive to events in an automatic car and ride a quad bike onto courses to monitor the horses she has continued to train and enter into competitions with other riders. For a woman who had been fiercely independent and even made solo helicopter flights across Australia, being able to drive again was empowering...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/06/15/inspiring-endurance-rider-battles-back-from-head-injury/#.T98sQStYtVM

Spain: Interview with National Coach of Raid. Ignasi Casas

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

13 June 2012
[google translation]

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, as he was developing the Absolute Spain Championships Casarrubios Raid on the Mount in Toledo, and while we waited for news of the various phases of testing, I got the idea to do an interview with our coach D. Ignasi Casas.
In the course of the morning news while I was, I was putting together the interview, that last hour of Saturday I referred, not to interfere with his duties of a busy day of championship.

Almost by return mail, I forwarded the responses to this interview and thank you on behalf of all readers.

This is the interview:

1 st. - Blog The Raid: How about has been the Championship of Spain of Raid and the level achieved?

coach: The Championship of Spain 2012 has been very interesting, with several pairs in front of the race until the last phase, and a level of competition and quality very attractive.

2 nd. - Blog: Can be selected horses for the World in Euston Park, horses that are running this Championship of Spain?

coach: In principle all pairs that meet the minimum requirements EIF and screening criteria published in his day on the website of the FEI, are selectable. Therefore, horses have not run the Championship of Spain 2012 are not excluded. We aim to be as flexible as possible to always selecting those pairs that we believe will best represent our sport.

Read more here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2012/06/entrevista-con-el-seleccionador.html

Australia: Brook Sample Repeats Tom Quilty Win

9 June 2012

Brook Sample won the Tom Quilty Gold Cup for a record sixth time.
It was a repeat win for Brook and Brookleigh Excalibur, who also won the Tom Quilty in New South Wales in 2012. Time for this year's ride was 9:14.16.

Best Conditioned horses for the Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2012 are:

Junior Division - Beer Street Takone/Alice Mitchell
Lightweight Division - Lockleigh Park Wildfire/Jacopo Di Matteo
Middleweight Division - Brookleigh Excalibur/Brook Sample
Heavyweight Division - Free Spirit Czar/Robbie Walsh

Winner of the Shareym Award was Brookleigh Ricardo and Tarrangower Crescendo (ridden by Akhmed Pshunov) owned by Matthew Sample.

Winner of the Pat Slater Cup was Kristie Taprell & Castlebar Gulfstream.

Winner of the NEWBRIDGE TROPHY was Lockleigh Park Wildfire ridden by Jacopo Di Matteo.

Statistics from the ride:
Ride Completion statistics are

JUNIOR / 17 entries / 8 completions = 47.06% (8 Vet out, 1 Withdrawn)

LW / 25 entries / 15 completions = 60% (9 Vet out, 1 Withdrawn)

MW / 54 entries / 28 completions = 51.85% (23 Vet out, 3 Withdrawn)

HW / 19 entries / 11 completions = 57.89% (7 Vet out, 1 Withdrawn)

Total entries = 115

Total Completion = 53.91%