Australian Endurance horses settle into their Suffolk training base ahead of World Championships

the horses are hand walked on the grounds of the Riddlesworth Equestrian Centre
WA.Equestrian.org.au

Thursday, 16 August 2012

The team of horses which have travelled to the UK for the World Endurance Championships are settling into their temporary accommodation at the Riddlesworth Equestrian Centre in Suffolk.

The four horses arrived in the UK last Thursday ahead of the World Endurance Championships which take place on 25 August.

“All four horses have recovered from the long trip and have been exercised with light rides and hand walks. They are doing good work and in the next few days they will do longer and faster sessions,” said Chef d’Equipe Peter Toft.

“The horses have great stables and paddocks and the training trails are excellent – we have a nice marked 20 kilometre loop,” he added.

“The grass here is lush and green so although the horses have enjoyed it, we are limiting the grazing,” Toft said.

Riders Penny Toft, Talea Haskow-Stewart and Norbert Radney have arrived at camp with Alexandra Toft due to arrive later this week.

Great Britain: An update from Endurance rider Chris Yeoman

NSBits.com

15 Aug 2012 05:41:02

Chris Yeoman has a very busy few weeks ahead of her. Not only has she been picked to represent GB in the World Endurance Championships at Euston Park, Thetford, with her horse LM Crazy Girl; her other horse LM Greyson has been picked as the fourth reserve horse.

This is a fantastic achievement and we are looking forward to seeing how she does! The Neue Schule advice team is travelling down to the Endurance Championships on the 25th August to support Neue Schule stockist Saddle Exchange. If you are going to the Endurance Championships and would like advice on any aspect of bitting please don’t hesitate to come and visit the stand.

We asked Chris which Neue Schule bits she finds best for her horses:

“My endurance horses have to be light and manoeuvrable at speed and controllable on a start line of anything up to 100 horses so the bit I use is a very important tool that I have and Neue Schule are excellent for a variety of horses with individual issues.

Greyson was always strong in the hand and would lean heavily on me on the first loop. I now have him in a Neue Schule Swales bit which has taken the pressure off the poll leaving him lighter in the hand and more responsive to my aids.

Crazy Girl my championship horse is from Argentina and very sensitive to her bit so she is in the Universal which gives me stopping power without a fight and she mouths the bit well giving a softer feel to my hands.”

Posted in News Sponsored Riders By Rhiannon Lister

Impressive U.S World Endurance Squad

Arabianhorseworld.com - Full Article

August 8 2012

by Genie Stewart-Spears

Six horse and rider combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship on August 25 at Euston Park, in Great Britain. The selection process has been tedious and difficult, but the final choice by Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross is impressive:

John Crandell III - Virginia - Heraldic (*Statistic x Mi Hearts Desire) - 14 - John Jr. and Linda Crandell

Becky Hart - California - No Repeat (*Wiking x Justonetime) - 10 - Becky Hart

Valerie Kanavy - Virginia - Reach For The Gold (Tashkent x CJ Halynova) - 9 - Larry and Valerie Kanavy

Nicki Meuten, DVM - North Carolina - Not Tonight (MC Zoulou x FF Carrera) - 10 - Don and Nicki Meuten

Heather Reynolds - California - Riverwatch (Baywatch V x Dana Cheyenne) - 8 - Reynolds and Skip Lightfoot

Jeremy Reynolds - California - A Kutt Above (Patriot Missle x Sahibrs Diamond) - 11 - Reynolds and Skip Lightfoot

The six riders have a combined mileage of 81,470 miles or 131,113 kilometers in competition (this does not include international competitions). Between five of the six riders, they have five World championship and five National championship titles, eight Western States Tevis Cup wins, along with several Old Dominion wins...

Read more here:
http://www.arabianhorseworld.com/live/breaking_news/2012/08/us-endurance-squad/

Pagosa veterinarian serves with U.S. endurance riding team

Pagosasun.com - Full Article

By Sophie Kennedy
SUN Intern
Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pagosa veterinarian Dr. Dwight Hooton of Elk Park Animal Hospital flew to the United Kingdom Wednesday, Aug. 15, where he will serve as team vet for the USA team at the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships at Euston Park, near Newmarket, Suffolk, UK, beginning today.

The main event, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 25, is a 100-mile race that must be completed within 18 hours. It is the closest competition to the Olympics in endurance horse riding. If and, as Hooton says, when, endurance riding becomes an Olympic sport, the World Endurance Championships would be the qualifying race.

Hooton, who has been practicing in Pagosa Springs for the last four years, will be responsible for the medical care of the U.S. team’s seven horses, six of which will compete among 160 horses from all seven continents.

Hooton, who is also the team’s acupuncturist, will begin daily evaluations of the team’s horses as soon as he arrives and will continue to do so up to the day of the race. Seven and one-half to eight hours later, when the top horse/rider teams begin to cross the finish line, Hooton will resume evaluations and apply recovery treatment to the horses before they return to the United States.

This year, Hooton’s role is especially important as this is the first time in 14 years that the United States team is in a position to bring home a team medal...

Read more here:
http://www.pagosasun.com/archives/2012/08August/081612/odhooton.html

Hungary: FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Horses 2012, Babolna

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

HORSE SPORT AUGUST 16, 2012 | 0 COMMENTS

Double gold for Bahrain, while France takes all silver and bronze

by Louise Parkes

Bahrain claimed gold in both the seven and eight year old categories at the FEI World Championships for Young Endurance Horses 2012 at Babolna in Hungary at the weekend. HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa topped the seven year old section with Dhab, while Jaffer Mirza brought Uszko D’Hotelhoge home to claim the eight year old title. And French riders scooped all the remaining medals, with Vincent Dupont (Khandjar du Boulve) and Laurent Mosti (Assiha de Fignols) taking silver and bronze in the younger horse division while Arthur Desprez (Glycin de Suleiman) and Melissa Bisoffi (Nadia El Fee de Boz) did likewise with their older horses.

This year’s FEI World Championships for Young Endurance Horses attracted competitors from 15 countries – Bahrain, France, Poland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Norway, Estonia, Austria, Argentina, Spain and Belgium.

State Stud Farm
The event was staged at the famous Babolna State Stud Farm which, lying halfway between Vienna (AUT) and Budapest (HUN), is one of the oldest breeding stations in Europe.

Established in 1789 as a Royal Imperial Stud of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with the mission of supplying horses to the army and the Royal Guard, it was originally a branch of the largest military breeding operation in Europe at Meszohegyes, near the Romanian border. However Babolna quickly became the source of the Empire’s elite horses, specialising in the production of top-quality Arabian pure-breds and larger part-breds, the latter developing into the Shagya Arabians that are so popular and successful today.

Despite suffering severe losses, the Stud survived both World Wars and eventually came under the control of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture. In 2001 the State-owned company, Babolna Memzeti Menesbirtok Kft, was established to preserve the historic complex, and the Stud continues to promote breeding, training, exhibitions and competition organisation in the region...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/fei-world-endurance-championships-for-young-horses-2012-babolna-hun/

Endurance World Championship route a 'deceptive challenge'

PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 16 August 2012
EMBARGO:
Immediate release

Route for Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2012 a true championship test say organisers

Organisers of the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships at Euston Park, near Newmarket, Suffolk, UK have released final details of the 160km track that will test up to 150 riders from around 40 countries on 25th August 2012.
The route comprises six loops of between 20km and 38km five of which take riders on different routes around the Suffolk countryside covering heathland, forest tracks, river meadows and open farmland all with the support of local landowners, farmers and the Forestry Commission. Appropriately, the field will be following in ancient footsteps as the route crosses the start of the historic 120mile Icknield Way, Britain’s oldest long-distance path. As a boost to horse and rider, at the end of the ride the final stretch takes the field back out over familiar territory with a repeat of the fourth 20km loop. However, course designers Steve Hulse and Gary Honeywill, say the main aim throughout the ride has been to provide interesting and varied terrain that will provide a true championship test.

Steve Hulse, a former jockey said: “The route may be flat, but it is deceptively difficult and requires real riding to get it right all the way to the finish.
“We have created a route over the best going possible, it’s a track that riders will enjoy but it will need care in places particularly around some of the wooded sections. The three river crossings are a real feature.”

Reflecting the degree of difficulty presented, at the Championship test event in July 2011, there were 21 finishers from 71 starters. Riding Aghaab, which is among his nominated rides for the championship, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the FEI CEI*** 160km event in 7hr40min06sec, averaging 20.86km/hr.

Championship technical advisor John Robertson said: “The aim in staging a competition of this kind is to provide a track that is both inviting to all but from which the real champions emerge. The Euston Park course flows well but will also present a tough technical challenge.”

Championship host the Duke of Grafton said: “At the first endurance ride held here in 24 July 2005 it was my late father’s vision that one day, we would host a World Championship. It is very sad for myself and family, that he is not here to see that dream realized, but I know that he would be very proud of all that has been achieved.”

Championship organiser James MacEwan said: “We have been running endurance rides here at Euston Park for nearly 10 years and we hope that what we have here will become a benchmark for future championships.”

Reigning world champions, Spain’s Maria Alvarez and Nobby hold the record as the only combination to have claimed two world titles in succession and Spain will be hoping that Ms Alvarez is again among their line-up. The UAE currently holds the team world title. Alvarez’s winning time of 7hr:35min.44sec at the Alltech Kentucky World Equestrian Games in 2010 will be a target for the winning rider at this summer’s World Endurance Championships.

The full list of nominated entries for the competition will be published on 14th August 2012.

Alongside title sponsor Longines, two Dubai industry giants, Meydan and Emaar Properties are additional supporters of the championships.

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.

Spain: World Championship 2012 Raid News

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

[google translation]


TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

News Raid World Championship 2012.


We report on the next Raid World Championship 2012, the news, come from the official website of the Spanish Equestrian Federation, where we describe, as much data, full details of the test, and the history of Binomials participants.

It note on a new course, the news of the Resistance Equestrian Team this new Federated, head of the world's Raid, we want to be well informed and we have samples of interest in the discipline "No Olympic" but more medals achieved for our country.

This is the rating of the FEI:

"CTO. RAID WORLD: EUSTON PARK (GBR)

Next week, specifically on Saturday 25, vie for the 160 miles from the Raid World Championship 2012 in the well known British Euston Park facilities.

The discipline of Raid, Continental Championships held in odd years, and unlike others, the World Championships in even years (some, at the premises of the World Equestrian Games, and others in specific sites, coinciding with the years Olympic).

This is the case in this year's World Championship '12: Olympic even year and therefore in specific venue. Not surprisingly, the venue that is hosting this Championship is set in the British Isles.

The Raid is the equestrian discipline that produces most successful in Spain, so hopes are high, even taking into account the unstoppable drive of the computers in the Arab world.

In any case, when a team has been Champion and Champion sub continental, where a team line Champions World Champions and Continental, the expectations are more than justified.

Noteworthy among the six components of our delegation, the proper name of Maria Alvarez Ponton and Nobby, current World Champion Single (2008 and 2010) and Single European Champions (2009 and 2011). It so happens that Mary, who in 2010 ran the Championships. World of Kentucky, who won with Nobby, just weeks after giving birth, has recently become a mother. If 2010 was her husband, Jaume Punti, who ran a test preparation with Nobby Nobby this time, at 17, comes not in competition since last year.

Alex Luque was World Champion individually in the WEG Aachen 2006. This time again the team with Ikland, a Shagya 8 years with which he won last year in Bratislava and Lluçanes. It's unusual origin, may be worth clarifying that the Shagya is named after a stallion born in Syria in 1810, originally tremendously discussed (apparently Arabic, but not 100%). In any case Shagya was developed in the Austro-Hungarian empire in the nineteenth century, and its origins lead us to the Stud Books of Babolna and Tropolcianky.

Jaume Punti, individual runner Lezirias Europe '07 run, finally, Quram Ulm, an Arab of 8 years he ran this year in the 160 kilometers from Dubai, where they were fifth against all Arab armies.

Maria Uriarte, fifth this year in the 160 miles of Castelsagrat, will compete in this competition mate, Arabic Oliver TB 11 years.

Monica Comas, participant and in several World Championships for young horses, will be released "with the greatest" in Esuton Park, riding Gaeia, an Arabian mare 9 years, with which this year was 7 th in the 160 miles of Casarrubios.

Finally, Oriol Casals repeated, with the Arab Zarha de Vilaformiu 10 years, with the same partner as last year remain sub European Team Championship and fifth individually.

All of them, on Saturday 25, take the exit to 06.30 am to meet the 160 kilometer run, for those who are granted a maximum of 11 hours and 26 minutes.

Rounding out the Spanish delegation Ignasi Casas (Team Leader), Fabrizio Pochesci (veterinarian), Marco Villamor (farrier), Daniel Fenaux (Assistant Team Manager) and Anna Maxenchs (assistant). "
Source: FEI.
Greetings from Gabriel.

Oman: Sultanate’s riders advance

Omanobserver.com

Tue, 14 August 2012

PARIS — Horse riders of the Royal Cavalry qualified for the World Endurance Cup 2012 to be held on August 25 in Britain with participation of 143 riders from forty countries around the world. The Royal Court Affairs (RCA) honoured the endurance team at the training camp in the French city of Fontainebleau to enable them to achieve better results in the World Cup.

During the training camp, the riders participated in many international races organised by the International Federation for Equestrian in France and achieved good results. The training programme is continuing in accordance with the plan by the technical team for riders and horses which will participate in the finals.

The Royal Cavalry will participate with a team of four riders in the World Cup and will also take part with two riders in individual competitions in the World Endurance Cup Finals 2012 in London. — ONA

World Endurance Championships - Opening Ceremony

Endurancegb.co.uk

11th August 2012

Chair of Endurance GB, Jo Claridge has received more information regarding the Opening Ceremony. Provision will be made for the general public in a "Henman Hill" type area........

There will be large screens and loos for anyone who wants to see the ceremony and get involved in the atmosphere.

Jo says.......

Unfortunately there is physically not enough room to accommodate everyone round the area and those ticketed seats are reserved for competitors and official guests.

The logistics of accommodating an unknown number of visitors are proving very difficult for the organisers and I do hope that you can all understand the problems. Until the final declarations of entry are made it is impossible to estimate the number of competitors and all their entourages!

Janah Management Ltd is determined that no-one should feel left out and that provision is being made to allow everyone to enjoy the occasion as far as possible.

As Chairman I do urge you all to support this fantastic event - we have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics - now we have our own version just for Endurance! There will be hiccups and disappointments - but please do come with a positive attitude!

Everyone is working really hard to make this a really enjoyable event - we have a fantastic Team representing Endurance GB - we just need your support!

Any suggestions for a more suitable name will be welcomed - "enclave" means an area or territory surrounded by another territory - seemed appropriate!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing lots of you soon! Cheers, Jo

Spanish Team Announced for WEC 2012

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

August 13 2012

I just arrived news of the Binomials Selected for World Raid in Euston Park in Britain.
Raid our National Coach, I do get this working with Binomials Selected to the test.
This is the note from our coach:

"Hi Gabriel, I pass the list of those selected for the World Cup.

Jaume Punti - QURAN THE ULM

Maria Alvarez - NOBBY

Alex Luque - IKLAND

Monica Comas - GAEIA

Oriol Casals - ZARHA de Vilaformiu

Maria Uriarte - OLIVER TB

will leave on Saturday 18 with the truck to arrive on Monday 20 to Euston Park.

I can not say anything more because I have barely time for anything.

Once you know what the junior and I'll pass.
Greetings; "

Thank you very much to our coach Ignasi Casas, by the courtesy to send me news of our selected pairs.
Greetings from Gabriel.

Nikki gets Great Britain Call

Dorsetecho.co.uk - Full Article

13 August 2012

DORSET’S Nikki Malcolm will represent Great Britain at this year’s Longines World Endurance Championships in Suffolk.

The Whitcombe rider booked her place in the squad following a final performance trial at Wolverhampton racecourse.

Riding Khartoum With A K, Malcolm will be joined at the Aug-ust 25 event by Alice Beet, Tricia Hirst, Annette Masterson, Lesley-Ann Parker and Christine Yeoman.

Chairman of selectors Di Latham said: “We are confident that we have a strong team, with a vast amount of experience at International and Championship level, capable of competing against the best in the world and securing a result to make Great Britain proud of our athletes.

“We are all excited about having the championships on home soil, giving endurance enthusiasts the opportunity to support their team from the front line.”

Chairman of EGB’s International Committee, Emma Miller, added: “The performance day was made up of horse assessments and work on the race course...

Read more here:
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/9870047.Nikki_gets_GB_call/?ref=nt

Mirza claims tough win in Hungary

Gulf-daily-news.com


August 12, 2012

BAHRAIN's Jaffar Mirza yesterday clinched the World Endurance Horse Ride Championship for eight-year-old horse category in Babolna, Hungary.

The Royal Endurance Team member steered Yosko to victory in this challenging 120km ride on the second day of the event, which saw participants from Slovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary.

It was sweet victory for the Bahraini team and their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khallifa, who clinched the seven-year-old horse category ride held at the same venue on Friday.

The Royal Team are in the final phase of preparations for the FIA World Championship that will take place on August 25 at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK.

Yesterday's event was the last event for the Bahraini team, who have been camping in Europe for the last two months, during which they participated in several rides.

The ride comprised four stages, with the first stage featuring 34kms. The second stage was over 31km, the third 34km while the fourth and final stage was over 21km.

Mirza completed the ride with a total time of five hours, 44 minutes and 15 seconds, and with 21km per hour speed average.

Injury

The remaining team members in the fray were Raed Mahmood, who finished eighth overall, besides Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who was forced to withdraw in the third stage after his horse suffered an injury.

Mirza was congratulated after the ride by Shaikh Nasser and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, said the Bahrain team have already achieved the aspired goal by competing with a group of prominent riders in this two-day championship.

He noted that Bahrain riders have improved on their skills and overall performance by taking part in a number of endurance rides over the past two months in Europe.

Shaikh Nasser added that his team's continued achievements came as a result of the riders' efforts along with members of the administrative team, who all worked as one family to accomplish these gains for the Kingdom of Bahrain, in general, and to endurance in specific.

Shaikh Nasser added that the team was keen to take advantage of yesterday's ride ahead of the world championships, which will be over 160km.

In the world championships, featuring a total of six stages, riders from 44 countries from all around the globe are due to take part.

European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors

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

August 6th is the deadline for nominated entries for the European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors to take place on 8-9 September at Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.

while definite entries have to be forwarded on the August 29th. We expect 80 riders from 20 different European countries. The Championship is not open to non-European riders.
On the days after -sunday 9th September- it will be the Veterans' Worldcup. We expect a good number of riders. This CEI** competition is OPEN to non-veterans. There will be a ranking for Veterans and an Open ranking.

Individual medalists of the Junior European Championship medalists and of the Mundial for Veterans will receive a helmet UVEX FP3 ACTIVE PLUS (value € 400) painted in the colors of their medals (gold - silver - bronze).

The winner of the junior championship (09/08/2012) will also receive a saddle WINTEC / BATES worth € 1,000 while the winner of the World Veterans (09/09/2012) will receive, in addition to cash prizes, a pallet of wood pellets HORSE COVER to cover the needs of a horse litter for one year (value € 1,000).
UVEX helmets and saddle WINTEC / BATES are offered by the Belgian importer of these products, the company AKTIS. Wood pellets HORSE COVER are offered by the Belgian manufacturer of this revolutionary product, the company RECYBOIS.

The various winners of these races (and CEI2* and 1*, 09/09) and championships will also receive the stirups REFLEX and PREMIUM PERFORMANCE PROFILE of the Belgian firm COMPOSITI (value € 30).

Note that the riders of the Belgian national teams, both junior and senior, are themselves equipped with helmets UVEX FP3 ACTIVE PLUS, REFLEX COMPOSITI stir ups while their horses sleep on HORSE COVER.

All participants will be met on arrival, as the tradition is at the Mont le Soie, with a gift package of Belgian local beer LA CHOUFFE (4 bottles + 1 glass ).

Great Britain: Championship call for Shepton rider

Thisissomerset.co.uk - Full Article

August 9 2012

Shepton Mallet rider Christine Yeoman has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Longines World Endurance Championships.

Yeoman and her horse LM Crazy Girl earned their place after finishing second at the recent final team selection trial and will now compete in the 160k race at Euston Park on August 25.

​
She is one of the most experienced riders in the country, having competed several times at the World Championships during the 14 years she has been competing in endurance riding.

"We are delighted to be selected for the team and are all ready to go out and do a good job," said Yeoman, who will be assisted on the day by her crew of husband John Yeoman, Nigel Perrott, Zoe Horton and Lisa Davenport...

Read more here:
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Championship-Shepton-rider/story-16682153-detail/story.html

Youngest Malaysian Rider Chosen For World Endurance

Bernama.com.my

August 9 2012

LANGKAWI, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Junior rider Muhammad Ziyad Muhammad Hamzah has been chosen to represent Malaysia at the World Endurance Championship 2012 in Euston Park, Thetford, England on Aug 25.

At 16, Muhammad Ziyad will be the youngest rider to represent the country along with six senior riders in the championship.

He had been training hard for the championship for the past two years.

"I believe I could complete the 190 km ride, but I can't predict the position," he told reporters here Thursday.

Ranked 13th among juniors, Muhammad Ziyad of Sekolah Menengah Tunku Putra had performed well within and outside the county.

-- BERNAMA

New Zealand: Endurance riding a family activity

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

JOCELYN FANNIN
07/08/12

Endurance rides of up to 160 kilometres are a family sport for the Smith Family.

Murray and Andrea Smith and their daughters Georgia, 15, and Brigitte, 12, are from the upper Kawhatau Valley towards the Ruahine Ranges from Mangaweka.

There they farm 566 hectares of hill country running beef and sheep.

"Our riding must fit in around the stock and farm work but we certainly endeavour to make it work if we can," said Mr Smith. Regular farm work also keeps the Arab horses fit for their long 160km rides.

Both girls have ridden from tiny with both longing to start endurance rides long before their parents felt they were ready.

"We have never made them ride; in fact it was hard for them to wait when we felt they were not ready," said Andrea. Murray was keen to ride while Andrea was a little more hesitant with two young daughters.

However, after time with a pony club, Georgia had her first ride at age seven while Brigitte was just five. Both girls are also keen show jumpers, but this has to fit around the endurance riding. The season runs from August to Easter.

The sport is very disciplined with a strong emphasis on the health and welfare of both horse and rider. Riders cannot start till age five and although there is a novice system, the speed restriction does not allow the horse or rider to go too fast.

"No one can just buy a horse and start," said Mrs Smith. "Both the horse and rider need conditioning..."

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/rural/central-districts-farmer/7429211/Endurance-riding-a-family-activity

Another Australian Withdraws from the WEC

July 29, 2012

The Australian Endurance Team has had another blow to its preparation today, when Ondy (Andrea Laws King) on medical advice has withdrawn from the Australian Endurance Team.
Ondy had a nasty fall from her Horse last weekend.

We thank her for conducting herself in a professional manner and wish her a speedy recovery.

Regards
Peter Toft.
Chef d Equippe
Australian Endurance Team

******

The horses leave Australia with Chef Peter Toft from Melbourne on August 8th.

Penny and grooms will leave several days before together with Norbert and Jane, Talea and family.

This is a reduced team and certainly not what was planned, however, what we may miss in numbers we will make up with experience, with Penny the veteran of many WC’s , not having missed one since Compeigne in 2000, Alexandra having been a team member in 2009 at Babolna and a groom at WC’s since before she could walk almost, Norbert and Jane experienced the highs and lows at Kentucky 2 years ago and have well and truly got the bug! Talea and family will have to experience all before them.

We wish the Team every success, and will try and keep everyone posted.

Barbara Macdonald
Manager
Australian Endurance Squad

*******

On Behalf of the Australian Endurance Team to contest the 2012 World Endurance Championships, I would like to sincerely thank the Arabian Horse Society of Australia, it’s Board and members for providing each of the five horses with a AHSA team rug.

I would like to acknowledge the AHSA’s support to all our teams at World Equestrian Games and World Endurance Championships over the past two decades.

Our 2012 team, like most other teams, consists of Australian Arabian Horses and this team will go as teams before representing all that is good about Australian Arabians with their amazing athleticism. Our representative team is a credit to the many Australian breeders who, whilst acknowledging the type and beauty of the Arabian horse, also know Arabians are bred to be ridden.

Currently the International component of Endurance in Australia is undergoing considerable reform and the 2012 team is excited to have the honour to represent Australia on the world stage.

Profiles of Horses and Riders will be on the Equestrian Australian website shortly.

Team:

TRAVINA ridden and bred by Penny Toft. Sire Ralvon Amigo S-17258 ( s Milex ) Dam. Traveller.

EMILY JONES te ( A.F.3773 ) ridden by Alexandra Toft, bred by P&P Toft. Sire WN Dasjmir Dam Tallaroon Creo Royarle

WEST COAST ACHARON ( S-21005) ridden by Dr Norbert Radny, bred by J&N Radny. Sire Aquanitor Dam Noran Parmelia

BLAKE’S HEAVEN BOMBORA ( G-25056 ) ridden by Talea Hasko Stewart, bred by H.Riek Sire Shahir ibn Rashan Dam Steveie Nix

Regards
Peter Toft
Australian Endurance Chef 2012

Great Britain: Supergran prepares for gruelling 100-mile horse marathon

Walesonline.co.uk - Full Article

by Abbie Wightwick, WalesOnlineAug 5 2012

At a time when most Welsh grans are beginning to look forward to a relaxing retirement, Tricia Hirst is instead preparing for a gruelling 100-mile horse marathon – at the age of 54.

The supergran will represent Britain when the Longines World Endurance Riding Championships, one of the toughest for horses and riders, takes place in Suffolk later this month.

Cantering at 20km an hour for 100 miles on her horse Madjin des Pins Tricia will be part of the Great Britain team competing against 160 riders from 40 teams across the globe.

It’s the latest challenge for an athlete who recently completed a 56-mile ultra marathon on foot.

“I’ve been training all year for this one goal. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life,” says Tricia, who started endurance riding at the age of 38.

“It’s a wonderful sport and I’m looking forward to the race.”

The mum of three, who became a grandmother earlier this year, lives in Meifod, near Welshpool, where she keeps eight horses and rides every day...

Read More Here:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/08/05/supergran-prepares-for-gruelling-100-mile-horse-marathon-91466-31547063/#ixzz22sAb7vlB

USA's Mallory Capps 2nd in FEI Young Riders World Ranking

August 2 2012

The USA has 4 Young Riders in the top ten of the FEI Young Riders World Ranking as of July 22, 2012. The top spot is occupied by Manuela Basombrio of Argentina, followed by Mallory Capps. Cassandra Roberts ranks 5th, with Katherine Gardener tied for 8th and Kelsey Russell in 10th.

The USA does even better on the Young Riders Combination World Ranking, clinching the top 3 spots. Cassandra Roberts and CA Classy Marina are in first, Mallory Capps and Noslo's Lightning Strikes are in second, and Katherine Gardener and AF Big Bucks are in third. Sydney Sumrall and DCL Mooi Koedoe are in 7th, and Christina Kimeray and DC Macproof are in 8th place.

Bahrain: Quarantine 'puts animals at risk...'

Gulf-daily-news.com

By Ahmed Al Omari , Posted on » Wednesday, August 01, 2012

BAHRAIN'S quarantine facilities could be putting the lives of animals at risk, it has been claimed.

The complex, at the Endurance Village in Sakhir, is poorly equipped and has no air conditioning, which could prove fatal for the animals in summer, warned race horse owner Jalil Al Mallah.

He is due to import six European bred horses, worth a combined total of more than BD45,000, from the UK today and claims he will have to risk their lives just to clear customs.

Mr Al Mallah has already secured the paperwork to take them to the Endurance Village, but plans to stand at the gates of the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir, where he already owns stables, until they agree to take in his horses.

"I will not take my horses to that crummy quarantine just to have them die," the Bahraini told the GDN.

"When my horses come in I will sign them out and I will drive straight to the race club and offload them there until the club lets me in or arrests me.

"One of these horses, called Cheylesmore, sported the Bahraini flag when the team won a race in England against British horses and now I am just trying to bring them home and this is how they are treated.

"These horses win for Bahrain and they should be treated like winners when they come back home."

Officials from the Municipality and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry could not be reached for comment, but sources admitted the facilities could be better.

"The owner is justified in not wanting to send his animals to the quarantine facility in Endurance Village," they said.

"There is no AC in the facility which is dangerous for all animals, but especially horses that come from the UK.

"Horses coming from a cold country will not be able to survive in this heat at that facility."

The source advised the horse owner to seek permission to keep his horses at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club.

But Mr Al Mallah already says he has been denied use of the facility, which has its own quarantine.

"This is not the first case of animals from overseas coming into the club stables, so I don't understand why I can't this time," he said.

"I got everything approved, I got all the certificates and the tests done. Not only that, the horses are already in the process of being shipped. "If I cancel the shipping, then I will have to pay a 70 per cent penalty and so I can't just wait."

ahmed@gdn.com.bh