FEI: Proposed Qualifications for Malaysia WEC 2008

24/04/2007 FEI News:

Endurance World Championship 2008 - Qualification Criteria

Following upon the recent FEI Endurance Committee Meeting, The Endurance Technical Committee has proposed additional qualification criteria in respect of the CH-M-E - Malaysia 2008. These additional criteria have now been circulated to all National Federations for comment. The document (http://www.horsesport.org/e/PDFS/2008QualificationCriteria.pdf) states:


MALAYSIA 2008 WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS – SENIORS
Articles which will apply following the decision of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee to require qualification to be undertaken only as a combination:

Minimum Qualification Criteria Art 825:
825.3
3.1
To be qualified to participate in any Championship or any other CEI 4* ride, a rider/horse as a combination has to have successfully completed a CEI 3* (or above) ride, the combination, in doing so, meeting the parameters and conditions as defined in art.825.4. This minimum qualification must be achieved within 24 months prior to the closing date of nominated entry.
825.4
The rider/horse must:
1. Successfully complete the ride equal to, or greater than, the published Championship or CEI 4* distance (5kms tolerance allowed).
2. Successfully complete the ride (as defined in art.825.3) in a ride time equal to, or less than, 13 hours 20 mins. per 160 kms distance.
3. Successfully complete the ride in the same time frame as the published Championship or CEI 4*.
Time Frame:
• One Day: A ride which has no single hold time in excess of 120 minutes and has a total of all hold times not exceeding 300 minutes.
• Multiple Day: A ride which has one or more single hold times in excess of 480 minutes.

SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION AS DETAILED HEREUNDER
Additional Qualification Criteria applicable only to Malaysia 2008.

To be qualified to participate in WEC Malaysia 2008 a rider/horse as a combination has to have successfully completed an additional FEI CEI 3* (or above) ride, the combination, in doing so, meeting the parameters and conditions as defined below. This additional qualification must be achieved within 12 months prior to the closing date of nominated entry.
825.4
The rider/horse must:
4. Successfully complete such additional ride equal to, or greater than, the published Championship or CEI 4* distance (5kms tolerance allowed).
5. Successfully complete such additional ride in a ride time equal to, or less than, 10 hours 40 mins. per 160 kms distance.
6. Successfully complete the ride in the same time frame as the published Championship or CEI 4*.
Time Frame:
• One Day: A ride which has no single hold time in excess of 120 minutes and has a total of all hold times not exceeding 300 minutes.
• Multiple Day: A ride which has one or more single hold times in excess of 480 minutes.

Any horse qualified as per the articles above that, within 6 months of the closing date for nominated entries, is eliminated from any FEI or National competition for Metabolic reasons requiring immediate invasive treatment, will forfeit such qualification.
Any Rider qualified as per the articles above who, within 12 months of the closing date for nominated entries, is eliminated from any two consecutive events (FEI or National) for Metabolic reasons will forfeit such qualification.

Tuanku Mizan A King Who Loves Sports, Has People At Heart

By Haslinda Zainal
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama)
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who will be installed as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday, is a ruler who has the people at heart and is highly active in sports, especially equine events, and has emerged as the best polo player of Terengganu.

His dedication to equine sports is reflected in his getting the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2008 to be held in Malaysia, the first tropical country to host the championship since it was introduced in 1983.

Tuanku Mizan himself will participate in the WEC qualifying race -- the Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM)-PENN Endurance Challenge -- at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong from May 4 to 6.

The competition will see participation by top riders from 10 countries, including New Zealand, Holland, Britain, several West Asian countries, Brunei and Indonesia.


[More ...]

ITALY-DUBAI: VISITING MINISTER LAUNCHES ASSISI ENDURANCE EVENT

AKI

Rome, 19 April (AKI) - Italy's undersecretary for international trade Mauro Agostini was visiting Dubai on Thursday for a meeting with the deputy economy minister Abdallah Saleh, and a president of the Chamber of Commerce Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair. Agostini will take part in the presentation of the Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2007, a high profile equestrian event to be held in the UNESCO heritage site Assisi in central Italy in June.

Among the activities scheduled as part of ‘Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2007’ is the traditional Endurance competition - Bab Al Shams Endurance Cup 2007 - in which each rider (by invitation only) acts as the ambassador of his own country to Assisi. The 120 kilometre endurance race attracts some of the world's leading riders from 40 nations.

Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2007 is not a purely sporting event, however, but boasts a rich four-day programme of other events related to the ties between Italy and Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates.

Italy's foreign trade minister Emma Bonino will host a convention "Voices of Arab Women" and there will be a related economic forum.

"This will bring together the best enterpreneurs and business figures of the two nations, with a specific session dedicated to business-to-business encounters" added Agostini.

In the past decade trade between Italy and the UAE has passed from 1.3 billion euros to 3.5 billion euros in 2006. The main Italian exports to the Emirates are gold, jewellery and machinery, while the main imports from there are base metals, oil products and electronic and radio devices.

FEI General Assembly adopts new statutes

Gulf News, Dubai
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) adopted some new statutes at the General Assembly held in Estoril, Portugal, under the presidency of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Statutes adopted at Sunday's FEI Extraordinary General Assembly highlight the FEI's purposes and objectives and reflect its core values and fundamental principles, according to an FEI press release.
These statutes comprise the FEI's constitution and put forward the organisation's attribution of powers, rights and responsibilities among its bodies and stakeholders - including the national federations, athletes, organising committees and the International Olympic Committee.
"Through the passing of the new Statutes and Internal Regulations, you have a framework for transparency and a road on which to move forward. You have approved the shedding of some of the archaic phraseology that limited our ability to be proactive ... and you have heralded a new era of better working practices that will make us more cost effective and more efficient," Princess Haya told the General Assembly on Monday.
More than 350 participants took part in the 2007 FEI General Assembly, hosted by the Portuguese Equestrian Federation with representation from 97 National Federations (NF). Three new NFs were affiliated - Albania (Group I), Cambodia (Group VIII) and Yemen (Group VII).
The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation delegation was headed by Hussain Mohammad Hussain, Secretary General. The UAE belongs to Group VII in the FEI. Bahrain's Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa was named the Group VII representative.
Agrentine rider Mercedes Tapia was named representative for Endurance in the newly-formed FEI Athletes Committee.
Swelling numbers
"Over the last nine years, the number of our member NF's has swelled to an impressive 140, compared to the number of National Olympic Committee's under the IOC - 203. Our events have grown from 446 in 1994 to 2,000 in 2006," Princess Haya said.
"We have begun addressing and answering the IOC's call for universality in all our disciplines. But more importantly, we are now able to respond to the National Federations who wish to become more active through the initiation of our Development Department. Our commercial department came to life in 2003 and has taken great strides towards making the FEI a self sufficient body in its own right," she said.

FEI Athletes Committee Formed

The 2007 FEI General Assembly marked a new era for athletes and their representation at the FEI. The first FEI Athletes Committee, nominated by the FEI President and elected at the General Assembly, is composed of eight members, all active athletes, each representing one of the FEI disciplines. The Athletes Committee will act as a consultative body and as a link between the active Athletes and the FEI. It ensures that the Athletes’ points of view are taken into account in FEI decisions and furthermore that the rights of the athletes are respected.

The first FEI Athletes is composed of:

PARA EQUESTRIAN – LEE PEARSON (GBR) – CHAIRMAN
Six-times Paralympic Games Equestrian gold medallist Lee Pearson was also the first Paralympian to be inducted to the British Horse Society’s Hall of Fame. Pearson won three gold medals at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and repeated the achievement with another hat-trick of golds in Athens in 2006. Lee Pearson was also the first ever recipient of the FEI Fair Play Certificate. Lee Pearson was elected the first chairman of the FEI Athletes Committee.

DRESSAGE – ISABEL WERTH (GER)
Isabel Werth is a well known figure in the world of Dressage and, as most international athletes, has experienced the glory and the hardships which characterise a sporting career. 2006 was a remarkable year for Isabel Werth having been crowned Dressage Grand Prix World Champion at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, she is also currently placed at the top of the leader board for the FEI World Cup™ Western European League and is more than ready for the final to be held in Las Vegas in April.

JUMPING – CAYETANO MARTINEZ DE IRUJO (ESP)
President of the International Jumping Riders Club, Cayetano Martinez de Irujo is no stranger to representing his fellow athletes and their interests. He has been riding since he was 16 and competing internationally for at least 25 years with an appearance at the 1992 Olympic Games and a fourth place for Spain. His interests in the political and administrative aspects of the sport have always been forthcoming and his motivation to represent his fellow athletes always very prominent.

EVENTING – ANDREW HOY (AUS)
A six-time Olympic veteran having competed at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, Andrew Hoy won his first Olympic gold in 1992 in Barcelona. In Atlanta in 1996, after carrying the Australian flag in the Opening Ceremony, Hoy was a member of the team that won the back-to-back gold followed by another victory on home turf at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The more recent past has also been rather glorious as far as sporting achievements, ranked first in the 2006 FEI World Eventing Riders Ranking List and a member of the bronze medal Australian Team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen. A natural choice for the athletes committee, Andrew Hoy is also married to fellow Eventing athlete, Bettina Hoy from Germany.

DRIVING – BARRY CAPSTICK (IRL)
Born in Great Britain, Barry Capstick changed his nationality to Irish in 2003. He began Driving in 1989, and started competing in Horse Pairs in 1990. He was National Champion Horse Pairs in 1993 and 1994 and reserve in 1995. He switched to Four-in-Hand Driving in 1996. More recently, he was part of the Irish team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen.

VAULTING: MEGAN BENJAMIN (USA)
At the height of her 18 years, Megan Benjamin took the world by storm in 2006 at the FEI World Equestrian Games, becoming the first female American vaulter ever to take a world championship. She is the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF)/American Vaulting Association (AVA) three-time Women's Gold National Champion, three times a member of the USEF/AVA National Championship "A" Team, and the AVA National Gold High Point Women's Champion for the last three years. An incoming freshman at Santa Clara University (SCU) in Santa Clara, California, Benjamin says she will continue to vault throughout college in preparation for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010.

ENDURANCE – MERCEDES TAPIA (ARG)
Mercedes Tapia is one of Argentina's top Endurance Riders, having represented Argentina in two World Championships and recently earning the silver medal in the 2005 Pan American Championship. Mercedes Tapia is closely tied to many of the top breeders and competitors in Argentina as she is also an equine veterinarian.

REINING – JEANNATTE KRÄHENBÜHL (SUI)
Placed first in the FEI World Reining Riders Rankings for 2006, Jeanette Krähenbühl is one of the big profiles in the world of Reining and one of very few European riders that in the early days earned her respect in the US, where Reining finds its roots. She lives in Switzerland and has made a name for herself after her big wins the FEI World Reining Masters, a contest considered as one of the biggest around the globe in Reining. She was present at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, helping Switzerland place fifth.

Bahrain: Royal squad duo lift titles

Bahrain Gulf Daily News
ROYAL Endurance Team riders Mohammed Abdulaziz and Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa took the senior and junior titles respectively in the 120-km Endurance Horseride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
The championaship was the sixth event of the season and the first to be held at night with more than 60 riders representing various Bahraini stables in the fray.
The races were divided into five stages with 30 kms for the first two, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth and final stage.
The event was dominated by the Royal Endurance Team, captained by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid did not take part in the event to give other riders a chance to test their skills.
In the senior race, the Royal Endurance Team clinched the first three positions with Abdulaziz steering Hirouste Outlaw to victory in five hours and 46.19 minutes with an average speed of 21.19 kmph.
Riding
Abdulaziz was followed by teammate Ghazi Al Dossary (5:54.51) in second place and Yousif Taher (6:02.15) in third.
Shaikh Saqer won the junior race in 6:10.53 riding Torry Burn Rashid with an average speed of 21.16 kmph.
Behind him was Al Asayel Stable rider Abdulziz Khalifa (6:31.55) in second place and Abdulla Al Zo'bi (6:57:22) was third.
Shaikh Nasser congratulated the members of the Royal Endurance Team and praised their performance in the championship.
The End of Season Championship, the final event of the season, will be held on May 4 at the same venue under the patronage of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Results:
Seniors: 1 Mohammed Abdulaziz (Hirouste Outlaw, 5:46:19), 2 Ghazi Al Dossary (Mexico, 5:54:51), 3 Yousif Taher (Moolanshoe K Pula, 6:02:15), 4 Jabur Al Dossary (Shalum, 6:02:29), 5 Abdulla Al Moudhe (Samurai, 6:1:06), 6 Abdulla Al Dossary (Tabriz El Marrakesj, 6:12:40), 7 Ahmed Al Ruwaiei (Presco, 6:24:14), 8 Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa (Sumara, 6:30:42), 9 Ahmed Abdulla (Maraka, 6:48:23), 10 Said Saeed (Aaz Al Shaqab, 6:53:53), 11 Ibruahim Bubshait (Jalabi Yasser, 7:23:45).
Juniors: 1 Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa (Torry Burn Rashid, 6:10:53), 2 Abdulaziz Khalifa (Kayasand Karimore, 6:31:55), 3 Abdulla Al Zoubi (Bahrain, 6:57:22), 4 Tawfiq Jabur (Aqaba St. Nicholas, 7:06:20), 5 Ahmed Al Gaoud (Lilonda Aquda, 7:06:27).

Bahrain: Stage set for night endurance race

Bahrain Gulf Daily News

BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) completed their preparations for the 120-km Endurance Championship to be held on Friday starting at 5pm at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, which is open to senior and junior riders, will be the sixth event of the season and the first to be held night following directives from Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa due to the rising temperature at this time of the year.

Registration is open until the day of the event while the veterinary tests will start on Friday at 2pm.

Shaikh Nasser approved the working committees of the race with Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi chairing the judges committee.

The stewards committee includes Mahmood Abdulsaheb, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Mohammed Dadulla.

Dr Ibrahim Yousef was named head of the veterinary committee while Surender Babu of India was confirmed as commissioner for this committee.

The final event of the season will follow this race in the first week of May. The season kicked off with the Season Opening Championship in January, followed by the Kingdom Holding Championship in the same month, the Bahrain International Open Championship and the Prime Minister's Campionship, both held last month and His Majesty King Hamad's Cup earlier this month.

FEI World Endurance Forum identifies areas for further action

FEI Website

The proceedings of the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris (FRA) continued today in an exemplary spirit of cooperation and constructive work.
The chairmen of the three working groups –

Fred Barrelet (SUI), Veterinary;
Maurizio Stecco (ITA),
Judges; and John Robertson (GBR), Technical Delegates –

presented summaries of the workshops which took place in the afternoon on the first day of the Forum. Thanks to these summaries, the following specific areas, where change and improvement were necessary, were identified:
1. qualification system; 2. equitation training;
3. public perception of the sport in terms of the dress and terminology used;
4. horse log book; rest periods;
5. suspension of riders and horses; 6. protocol for abandonment;
6. ride finish system;
7. hold/presentation times; course design;
8. star system for ride distances;
9. availability of qualified officials;
10. monitoring of the officials’ performances;
11. re-evaluation of the low-level distances and the potential dangers linked to them;
12. number of vetgates and their link to the going; weights;
13. progressive closing of vetgates;
14. establishment of regional championships and CEIOs;
15. development of a comprehensive database;
16. adequate technology;
17. examination of a handicap system;
18. progression through star-rating of rides on national and international level; 19. education of officials;
20. re-examination of the best condition award rules.

Almost half of these areas where reassessment was required were identified in all three presentations.

On the basis of these recommendations and with the further contribution of the National Federations, a task force will be created, the goal of which will be to assist the FEI in producing new Rules of Endurance better suited to the changing circumstances and the massive growth the sport is experiencing.

It is important to emphasise that there is a great sense of unity and agreement in the discipline of Endurance and a strong feeling of belonging to the world equestrian family.

It's Official, Malaysia To Host FEI-WEC 2008

Bernama.com

April 02, 2007 00:10 AM

From Rozaini Ahmad

PARIS, April 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year, the first tropical country to do so.

The right to organise the 2008 edition of the championship was awarded to Malaysia here today with the signing of a tripartite agreement between FEI, the Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and the Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM).

YDSM was represented by its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, FEI by its vice president, Sven Holmberg, and EAM by its secretary-general Lau Choo Seng. The event was witnessed by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is also EAM president.

As a symbolic gesture of the award, a flag handing-over ceremony was held soon after the signing.

Speaking to Bernama after the ceremony, Salleh said YDSM was very proud to have been given the responsibility to spearhead Malaysia's effort in organising the championship.

"We are very proud to organise the championship and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin himself, as the patron of this championship, will ensure that the event will be organised successfully," he said.

He said that prior to the championship, which is to be held in November 2008, a trial championship would be held in November this year, at which riders would get the chance to collect points to qualify for the FEI-WEC 2008.

Jamaluddin said the federal government would give its full support to YDSM in its effort to organise the championship.

"The event, which will be treated as a major event, is expected to draw a number of world class endurance riders to the country. The federal government will support this event and we will help the state government of Terengganu and YDSM to organise it," he said.

The FEI-WEC is to be held from Nov 8 to 10 next year at Terengganu's International Equestrian Park in Lembah Bidong, Merang, Setiu. The championship is held once in four years, the last one having been held in Germany.

-- BERNAMA

FEI World Endurance Forum identifies areas for further action

FEI World Endurance Forum Summary

Malaysia: YDSM Positive On M'sia Hosting FEI World Endurance Race

Bernama.com

From Rozaini Ahmad

PARIS, March 31 (Bernama) -- The Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) is confident of securing the right to organise the World Endurance Race Championship 2008 (WEC) based on the direct involvement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in bringing the prestigious meet to Malaysia.

YDSM Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said the involvement of Sultan Mizan, who is the Sultan of Terengganu and Chairman of YDSM, has convinced the Federation Equestre International (FEI) that Malaysia is committed to organising the championship which also has the backing of the federal and Terengganu governments.

"His Royal Highness Sultan Mizan has taken on the responsibility of bringing the organisation of the WEC, held once in four years, to Malaysia in 2008. He was given that mandate while attending the Annual General Meeting of FEI in Compein, France in 2005.

"His Royal Highness is also an avid endurance rider. His involvement in the sport has instilled confidence in all parties, including FEI, that Malaysia is ready to host the WEC," he told Bernama here.

Salleh is in Paris on behalf of Sultan Mizan and YDSM for a flag handing over ceremony where Malaysia will officially be given the right to organise WEC 2008. The ceremony takes place at the end of FEI's two-day World Forum which begins today.

According to Salleh, on the second and last day of the forum tomorrow, Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) President Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, will outline Malaysia's preparation for WEC 2008 which will be held in Lembah Bidong, Merang, Setiu in Terengganu from Nov 8 to 10 next year.

"This is the first time that the championship will be held in a tropical country and FEI wants to ensure that the organiser will do its utmost best for the horses, the riders and the whole aspect of the championship.

"It is a challenge to us due to the fact that FEI still has certain reservations towards our capability in organising the world event. We will use the forum as a platform to convince them," he said.

Salleh said several official trial runs would be organised at the newly opened Terengganu International Equestrian Park (TIEP) to ensure that the infrastructure is fully tested and ready for the WEC next year.

Sultan Mizan will participate in the YDSM-Penn Endurance Challenge 2007 which will be held over two days from May 4 at the TIEP. The event will offer qualification points for the WEC 2008.

Salleh said the WEC 2008 would be held during Visit Terengganu Year 2008 and he expected the championship to draw tourists to the state, which is known for its diverse natural treasures and tourist spots.

-- BERNAMA

FEI Endurance Forum: Day 1

FEI World Endurance Forum opens in Paris




Some 70 delegates representing 31 National Federations have gathered in Paris for the FEI World Endurance Forum from 31 March to 1 April 2007. Placed under the motto “Consolidation, Cooperation, Creation”, this event is the starting point of an in-depth review of this FEI discipline.

The basis of the current FEI Rules for Endurance came into being over 20 years ago; indeed, Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982. In the last five years, the sport has undergone dramatic growth: in 2006 the total number of Endurance events was 393 which is an increase of 480% compared to 2000. In terms of numbers, the Endurance is now the third FEI discipline after Jumping and Eventing. From a leisure activity enjoyed by amateurs on weekends, it has turned into highly competitive sport where breeders, owners, trainers and riders earn their living. Countries from new regions of the world presenting unusual climatic conditions have joined. There is a significant difference between the amateur and professional levels of the sport which is all the more apparent when facing challenging conditions.

The time has therefore come to undertake a comprehensive review of the sport in order to provide it with a solid basis upon which it can continue to grow and expand.

Following the morning the morning session where regional groups presented a picture of Endurance within the various countries, the Forum separated into working groups during the afternoon to consider in detail the proposals from the regions.

The three main groups of FEI officials – judges, technical delegates and veterinarians – taking part in the Forum will provide the FEI with their informed opinion on key issues such as qualification standards, competition format and the welfare of the horse, which will serve as a basis for the new structure. An interim report will be issued in October 2007 by the task force which is to be appointed post-forum.

The key element of the opening day was the genuine sprit of cooperation and the willingness to consider change. Day two will see all of the working groups coming together in general forum to establish the task force’s main areas for review.

[More ...]

FEI World Endurance Forum

New Zealand to South Africa: Ride of her life

Timaru woman Linda Pullar is set to sightsee around South Africa on horseback.


The endurance horse rider has been selected in the New Zealand team to compete there in June.

The four riders were named at the recent Horse of the Year competition in Hastings.

As this year was the first time endurance riding had been included in the event it was also a first-time competition for Mrs Pullar.

"It was a childhood dream to go up and look at it let alone ride in it."

But the biggest thrill will be the upcoming trip when she wears the silver fern for the first time.

"I didn't get any foreword warning, it was all just a big surprise."

Mrs Pullar travelled to Hastings to compete as an individual in the 120km endurance event.

Upon arrival, however, she found herself named as reserve for the New Zealand team.

Mrs Pullar said as a team of riders from South Africa and an international team made up of riders from various countries including Spain and Belgium, had come to compete, officials decided New Zealand should also field a team.

Nearly 50 people were entered into the 120km endurance event but Mrs Pullar said only 33 started. Of those only 16 horse and rider combinations completed the tough course.

Mrs Pullar said many of the horses were "vetted-out" as their heart rates were too high.

"I think it was the extremes of very flat then very steep."

Mrs Pullar and her horse Kishon Fashamatazz passed each of their vet checks and were the third kiwi combination home, finishing in seventh place in just under seven hours.

As one of the New Zealand team riders failed their checks Mrs Pullar, as reserve, was slotted into the team.

And next weekend she will be back in the saddle, competing in the 100km event at the national endurance riding champs in Feilding on her second horse Kishon Abigail.

[More ...]

FEI press; World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders Update

FEI Press

photo: Manuela Antonaccio (URU) with Metiche

And the winner is... Manuela Antonaccio from Uruguay riding Metiche

57 Riders, from 11 Nations competed for the FEI Individual and Team Junior/Young Rider World Championship Medals at Camp de Mayo last week.

Teams from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Southern Africa attended as did teams the Middle East and from across South America.

After an opening ceremony which concentrated on the link between the Horse and Argentine culture the competition began with the first inspection of the horses on the Thursday afternoon.

Friday morning, 6.30 am. Ride day. The weather was perfect – cool and with a slight breeze. The pace of the horses was steady throughout the day with the competitors showing horsemanship skills beyond their years.

A close result followed with Uruguay taking the Gold Medal in both the individual and team placings.

Uruguay also took the Individual Silver closely followed by the UAE taking Individual Bronze.

Team Silver medal went to the UAE, finishing with a combined time just 48 seconds less than Brazil who were awarded Team Bronze.

The Best Condition Award went to KALKADOON KAMPALA (UAE – 3rd Place, Individual)

INDIVIDUAL GOLD

Manuela Antonaccio URU riding METICHE at 22.50kph in 5h20


INDIVIDUAL SILVER

Ignacio Ospitaleche URU riding EO DUBUT at 21.50kph in 5h35


INDIVIDUAL BRONZE

Sh Abdullah bin Faisal al Qasimi UAE riding KALKADOON KAMPALA at 21.20kph in 5h40

Of the 11 teams that began the event, 8 teams finished the complete course.

Australia: Lindsay rides to SOTY win for January

Cowra Guardian - Australia

Photo: Erika Lindsay receives her Sportsperson of the Month Award for January from Leanne Mikoda of the Central West Credit Union.

Hours of riding in the saddle has finally paid off for endurance rider Erika Lindsay after being named Sportsperson of the Month for January.

Lindsay received the accolade on the back of being named both New South Wales and National Junior Rider of the Year for the Australian Endurance Riders Association.

The 15-year-old took out the award with a total of 123.5 points from the 2006 season - only 3.5 points ahead of her nearest rival and friend Allix Jones.

Jones did manage to pip Lindsay in the National Junior Distance Rider covering 2000 kilometres during the season compared to Lindsay's 1835 kilometres.

Lindsay and her horse, Kintimani Silver Motif, took out the One Horse One Rider combination covering 1270 kilometres together and collecting 86 points on the way.

She has finally reaped the rewards from the sport for all her effort being the sole trainer and rider of the horse.

While performing fantastically in the overall 2006 season, Lindsay's goal was to compete in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup National Championships in Queensland. It is considered the ultimate ride on the Australian calendar involving 100 miles in one day.

The ride was conducted in very wet and slippery conditions meaning it was a long slow haul for Erika and Kintimani Silver Motif but they eventually completed the gruelling race in seventh place in the junior section.

Lindsay also completed the ride with Cowra's Mary Symons.

Lindsay continued her string of gruelling rides in 2006 when she competed in the 400 kilometres Shahzda Memorial Marathon Ride where 80 kilometres is completed every day for five days.

She rode with father Alan and Kintimani Charisma to place as the second junior overall.

Lindsay's excellent results over the past year have been the culmination of five years of hard work as she started riding as a 10-year-old.

She completed training rides on homebred Kintimani Fosta (now retired) before joining the Cowra Pony Club and learning all the disciplines associated with various horse sports.

She only came back to endurance riding when another homebred horse Kintimani Silver Motif came of age to compete.

Turning 16 in November, Lindsay has been forced to leave the junior ranks and compete in the lightweight section amongst adults in 2007.

She has already gained a 4th and a 3rd place at Oberon and Bungendore respectively handling the step up in class admirably.

Lindsay would like to thank both her reliable farrier Gary Bryant and Rob Watt who has been so helpful with blood results and management to keep her on the road.

UAE: Al Shamsi rides Chetato to glory

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Saif Hamoud Saif Al Shamsi riding Chetato came up with a fine display in the final 12 kms to overtake Oman's Ahmad Salim Al Beloushi on Bahia and win the 100km Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge ride yesterday.

Saif started three minutes behind Ahmad but the two riders, both riding horses owned by Mattar Al Yabhouni, finished almost together with just a second separating the two.

Mattar became the proud owner of a Nissan Patrol. It is the second time he has won this award as his horses had also finished 1-2 in the earlier ride which was also earmarked for riders from small stables and those horses belonging to small owners.

The ride, organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, was held at the Dubai International Endurance City

Fifty riders started in this second round of the Challenge in which total prize money of Dh515,000 was on offer.

The UAE rider completed the CEN 100km ride - which gave the private-owned stables and individuals the chance to compete for Dh515,000 in prize-money - in 4hr.37m.27s.

Average speed

"I have finished second twice and this is my first win.

"It was a tough ride but during the breaks, Mattar Al Yabhouni kept advising on the tactics and I just followed it," said the winner.

Saif completed the 100-km distance in a timing of 4 hrs 37 mins and 27 seconds at an average speed of 21.63 kmph. Ahmad in second place won Dh50,000 while Saif Sultan Abdullah Dahi Al Buamim on Faras Ayhla finished third and carried home Dh35,000.

"Under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan, today's ride was exclusively for UAE and GCC riders. This initiative has been well received by riders from small stables and gives them a chance to compete against themselves and win attractive prizes," said Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, Head of Endurance at DEC.

Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum and Ali Moosa distributed the trophies and the keys to the Nissan Patrol to Mattar Al Yabhouni.

Results

100-km Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge ride:

1. Saif Hamoud Saif Al Shamsi (Chetato) 4hrs 37 mins 27 secs.;

2. Ahmad Salim Al Beloushi-Oman-(Bahia) 4:37.28;

3. Saif Sultan Abdullah Dahi Al Buamim (Faras Ayhla) 5:09.06;

4. Saeed Al Mur Saeed Bin Helweh (Vonk) 5:14.18;

5. Mohammad Darwish Al Bashri (Karabil Wyoonah) 5:27.03.

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Scotland: Horse riders get in the saddle for Buchan trek

HORSE riders will be taking part in an organised trek around parts of Buchan this weekend.
The Forest of Deer Endurance Ride is being organised by the Grampian branch of the Scottish Endurance Riding Club and will take place on Sunday.
Ride organiser Jane Hollstein explained: "The rides have been split into five distances.
"The pleasure ride is about 12 miles long starting from Aden Country Park travelling north to the Forest of Deer, along the railway line and back through Old Deer to Aden Park.
"The 20k, 30k, 50k and 60k rides are a bit more competitive. Each rider sets a time in which they think they can complete the ride in. They aren't competing against fellow participants just themselves and putting their horses fitness levels to the test. The horses are vetted after they have completed the circuit and their heartbeat monitored. It is all down to the horse's fitness."
The longer rides will also start at Aden heading to areas south of Maud during the morning between 9am and 12noon.
Ms Hollstein added: "Preparations for the Forest of Deer Ride are looking good. I rode the 30km route recently with the ride organiser and had a lovely time.
"It is a very mixed, mostly flat ride, incorporating country park, woodland, forestry, old railway line, farm tracks, grass tracks, small villages and road.
"There are a few road sections but these lead to very nice riding and join tracks up. The route offers ample canter opportunities and some fantastic views.
"We have tried to stay off the roads as much as possible. Horses will normally pass individually or in groups of two or three."
There are currently 12 riders signed up for the event however organisers hope more will come forward before the closing date for entries.
Ms Hollstein told the Buchanie: "We did do a similar event in the area two years ago but it just involved the shorter distance.
"This is the first time we have been able to offer a long distance ride. We have contacted land owners and anyone who might be affected by the ride and had a fantastic response from everyone."
For more information about the endurance ride contact Jane Hollstein on 0777334576.

Kiwis sixth at World Junior Endurance Champs

March 21, 2007
Kiwis sixth at World Junior Endurance Champs


Five young New Zealand endurance riders headed for Argentina earlier this month for the World Junior Endurance Championships, with the team finishing sixth overall.

The team was accompanied by their strappers and the support team from Endurance New Zealand (Kevin James High Performance Manager, Tony Parsons, Vet, John Stevenson and Dell Bissell Chef d'Equipe).

Dressed in their familiar black uniform with the embossed silver ferm horse the team made a splendid appeal at the Opening Ceremony and this was commented on by many spectators.

The New Zealand team was awarded the Vet Commission award for the best presented team and horses, and Ian Williams (head of the Endurance department at the FEI) congratulated the team on their presentation and professional conduct.

The Kiwis were among 57 starters and the five rode leased horses from Chile and Argentina.

Tessa Deuss was the first of the New Zealanders home, but at 18km/hour was not fast enough to be in the medals. The pace was fast - even a rater of 20km/hour didn't cut it in the flat terrain.

Uruguay won individual and team gold, with the UAE taking team silver and Brazil winning bronze. South Africa were 4th, Guatemala 5th, New Zealand 6th, Namibia 7th, and Australia 8th. There were 11 teams.

Riders reported that while the ride was flat, the footing was variable, with lots of metal and boggy parts. Flat rides favour tall, fast horses with the most familiar examples being in the Middle East where horses do phenomenal speeds compared to New Zealand. This kind of terrain is unfamiliar to New Zealand riders who are used to riding strategically in hill country, relying on their horses to be strong, sure footed and clever.

Team members had lots of invitations to ride in the Americas after the competition, and enjoyed the camaraderie that arises between competitors throughout and after the event.

For Kiwi riders the chance to get experience in world-class competition was invaluable, and should benefit the sport of endurance in New Zealand in the future.

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