Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser leads Royal Team to Bronze

Bahrain News Agency

31 05, 2009

PARIS, MAY 31 (BNA) THE BAHRAIN ROYAL ENDURANCE TEAM FACED TOUGH CONDITIONS IN ITS FIRST PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPIEGNE SENIOR RIDE CHAMPIONSHIP (160 KM) TODAY AT THE COMPIEGNE ENDURANCE VILLAGE NEAR PARIS.
THE CONTINGENT, LED BY ROYAL TEAM CAPTAIN AND BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA AND HIS DEPUTY SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, CONFIDENTLY SECURED THE THIRD POSITION DESPITE THE EVENT'S GRUELING 160-KILOMETRE RACE DISTANCE. THE BAHRAINI TEAM IS PREPARING FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP, ITALY, AND THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, USA, IN 2010. SHAIKH KHALID WAS INJURED WHEN THE HORSE FELL ON HIM, THE FACT THAT NECESSITATED HIS WITHDRAWAL FROM THE THIRD STAGE OF THE RACE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. ON HIS PART, SHAIKH NASSER WITHDREW FROM THE FOURTH STAGE OF THE RACE AFTER HIS HORSE HAD BEEN INJURED. THE RIDE FEATURED FIVE STAGES, BEGINNING WITH A DEMANDING 35KM OPENING LEG AND ENDING WITH A CLOSING STAGE OF FIFTH 20KM. SHAIKH NASSER'S ROYAL TEAM PARTNERS WERE BREEF FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT AND AL KHALDIYA STABLES CAPTAIN SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, YOUSEF TAHER, GHAZI AL DOSSARI, AHMED ABDULLA, RAED MAHMOOD AL SAAD AND JAFFAR MIRZA. DESPITE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SHAIKH KHALID FROM THE THIRD STAGE OF THE RACE AND SHAIKH NASSER FROM THE FOURTH, AHMED ABDULLAH STRUGGLED TO SECURE THE 6TH PLACE. TOUGH RIDERS SPAIN, BELGIUM AND HOSTS FRANCE WERE COMPETING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

France: Mosti wins Compiegne 160 km Seniors Nations Cup

31 May 2009

France swept the first five positions in the Compiegne 160-km Seniors Nations Cup with Larent Mosti and Khandela Des Vialette taking first place by less than two minutes over Guy Dumas and Mohac. Finishing time was 7:52:43.

France also won the Gold in Equipes. Switzerland took the Silver, and the Bahrain team won Bronze.

More results, information, and photos at

www.endurance.net/international/France/2009CompiegneMay

and

the Compiegne website.

France: Lafaure wins Compiegne J&YR Nations Cup

Saturday, May 30 2009

Riding Kaltsoum Cabirat, French Young Rider Roman Lafaure won the 130 km CEIO** Junior/Young Rider Nations Cup in a tight galloping finish over fellow French riders Justin Mourou on El Abiad Dejalima and Laetitia Goncalves on Jasmina Des Ayssade.

France swept the first 6 positions, with Eulalia Gonzalez Guardia finishing 7th on Kacel.

32 of 51 riders finished the race.

Today the CEIO*** - 160 km Senior Nations Cup will take place.

Further coverage on Endurance.net.

2010 WEG: Planning WEG endurance course an endurance event in itself

TMCNet.com - Full Article

The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Tom Eblen column

May 30, 2009 (The Lexington Herald-Leader - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Jamie Link may be the chief executive officer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but when it comes to riding horses, he's a novice.

So when he and other top Games officials recently saddled up to see part of the 100-mile endurance course being mapped out across farms surrounding the Kentucky Horse Park, Link was given a horse with two names.

One name was Rocket, which Link used frequently and emphatically as he maneuvered well alongside his more-experienced colleagues.

Others called his golden mount by a name indicating a more gentle nature, Buttercup.

This was a slow, four-mile ride over beautiful Mt. Brilliant Farm. But everyone was thinking about what it would be like for more than 80 competitors who will gallop over it in a day-long race against the clock on Sept. 26, 2010.

Endurance racing will be one of the most high-profile of the Games' eight disciplines, for a couple of reasons.

The race is scheduled for the second of the 16 days of competition and will be featured prominently, along with a recap of opening ceremonies, on NBC Sports' first hour-long telecast of the Games.

That show has the potential to be a spectacular video postcard for Central Kentucky's horse country -- not to mention the glamour of the Games.

But because the endurance race is so demanding, any televised deaths or serious injuries to horses have the potential to damage the reputation of equine sports in the eyes of a skeptical public.

More...

Bahrain: Bahraini riders gear up for French ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Thursday, May 28, 2009

BAHRAIN's leading endurance horse riders have left for France to compete in this year's Compiegne Senior and Junior Rides starting on Saturday at Compiegne Endurance Village near Paris.

The Bahraini team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The squad consist of prominent young riders, including Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who is also Al Khaldiya Stables leader.

This year's event began yesterday with the opening of the stables. Tomorrow a restaurant and the secretary's office will be inaugurated.

Rules

The first veterinary inspection for horses will also be held.

The Bahraini members will attend the riders weighing and will also be briefed on the rules and regulations.

On Saturday, the 130km junior ride will begin at 8.30am (Bahrain time) and is set to conclude by 5.30pm at the Equestrian Stadium while the awarding ceremony will take place at 6.30pm.

The senior race, which is over 160km, will be held the following day with a 8am start. It's expected to conclude at 5.30pm and will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony at 9pm.

Australia: Endurance ride a 160km test

Photo: Craig Warhurst

Gympietimes.com.au

Matthew Lee | 27th May 2009



THE trails snaking their way through the scenic Imbil Forestry will barely have settled down from the Rally Queensland event earlier this month when the Australian Endurance Championship is held in Imbil over the Queen's Birthday long weekend next month.

The event, officially recognised internationally by the World Equestrian Body FEI, will see riders and their horses from regions across Australia gather in Imbil for a weekend of endurance horse riding.

And while the speeds will be far more leisurely than the rally cars tearing up the dirt in the Rally Queensland event, spectators who turn out to witness the event can be certain to see some brilliant competition and rivalries.

Three rides will take place over the course of the weekend, the feature event being a testing 160 kilometre ride - known as the Brookleigh Stud 160km FEI Australian Championship event.

This major endurance race is being organised by the Far A Way Riders Club.

The club is credited as being one of the most active organisers of endurance rides across Australia.

Meanwhile, some of Australia's most decorated endurance riders will be competing in the Imbil event, all with the hope of qualifying for selection in the Australian team to compete next year in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky, USA.

Prominent Queensland competitors aiming for a shot at Australian selection include brothers Brook and Matthew Sample, Penny Toft and Derek Armitage.

All riders represented Australia last year at the World Championships in Malaysia, adding depth to the starting line-up.

Gympie regional horse enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the event as spectators to witness the event.

UAE: European Open at Assisi gets Meydan's support

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: May 26, 2009

Dubai: Meydan City have announced their sponsorship of the FEI European Open Endurance Championship to be held in the Italian city of Assisi on September 26.

Addressing a press conference Mohammad Al Khayat, Meydan's communications director said, "The European Open championship is one of the most important endurance events this year. With over 100 riders from over 30 countries expecting to participate, this championship is truly a global event".

UAE are one of the favourites for the championship which is held once every two years. The event will include competitions in the individual and team categories.

Meydan City's Chairman Saeed Al Tayer said, "Endurance horse racing is part of the UAE's culture and heritage. This special collaboration will further enhance the UAE's participation in this sport and assist in increasing its exposure in the region and worldwide".

Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, who also addressed the press conference said: "Endurance already has a huge profile in the UAE where some of the world's top riders hail from. We look forward to what will be a long-standing partnership with Assisi".

Paolo Dionisi, the Italian Ambassador to the UAE said: "I have been here for over three years and have enjoyed the growing bilateral ties with the UAE. Apart from the great endurance championship, Assisi will also be staging a major economic conference and it is going to be a great success.

"The city of Assisi is all set to welcome the equestrian fraternity of the world. The natural scenario of Assisi has been chosen to stage the endurance championship. The Umbrian countryside will be the setting for the 160 kilometres event," said Claudio Ricci, Mayor of Assisi.

"Assisi is a World Unesco Heritage city and we are ready to stage a great championship with many other events on the sidelines," he added.

Gianluca Laliscia, Chairman of Assisi Endurance Lifestyle and a top Italian endurance rider said: "This year for the first time we will be using the GPS [Global Positioning System] which will help us to see the exact location of each of the competing riders and horses.

"Apart from that the terrain for the 160 kilometres event has a very diverse and challenging nature with very [few] tarmac roads."

"The international event will include a prestigious Workshop on Real Estate Investments in Umbria promoted by Sviluppumbria, an International Veterinary Symposium, an important round table on hippotherapy, an art exhibition & and finally an entire week-end dedicated to & children," Laliscia added.

Malaysia: Tuanku Mizan joins endurance race

Thestar.com.my

Sunday May 24, 2009

SETIU: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday joined 109 other horse riders in the Edaran Endurance Classic 2009, which started at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) here.

Tuanku Mizan, astride "Jakim Murphy", is representing the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) and is competing in the 120km category with 15 other riders.

The race is scheduled to end at 11am today.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and elder sister Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah are taking part in the 40km category.

The two-day championship, which is organised by Edaran Berhad and the Terengganu state government, involves 40km, 80km, 120km and 160km categories of endurance racing. - Bernama

Bahraini riders gear up for French ride

Gulf Daily News
Thursday, May 28, 2009

BAHRAIN's leading endurance horse riders have left for France to compete in this year's Compiegne Senior and Junior Rides starting on Saturday at Compiegne Endurance Village near Paris.

The Bahraini team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The squad consist of prominent young riders, including Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who is also Al Khaldiya Stables leader.

This year's event began yesterday with the opening of the stables. Tomorrow a restaurant and the secretary's office will be inaugurated.

The first veterinary inspection for horses will also be held.

The Bahraini members will attend the riders weighing and will also be briefed on the rules and regulations.

On Saturday, the 130km junior ride will begin at 8.30am (Bahrain time) and is set to conclude by 5.30pm at the Equestrian Stadium while the awarding ceremony will take place at 6.30pm.

The senior race, which is over 160km, will be held the following day with a 8am start. It's expected to conclude at 5.30pm and will be followed by the prize-giving ceremony at 9pm.

Australia: Meg Wade Recovering

Thursday May 21 2009

Australian endurance rider Meg Wade, who was injured in a ride on April 12, has regained consciousness in hospital in Canberra. She is able to eat, she is responding to questions, and she understands what is being said to her. She continues to show daily progress and will be in rehab hospital soon.

Great Britain: Wadebridge provides ideal setting for riders of all abilities

Thisiscornwall.co.uk

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

THE Wadebridge Ride started in the 1970s and is the first competitive endurance ride on the South West calendar.

Stevie Martin was ride organiser and received back up from a team of volunteer helpers.

Held at the Royal Cornwall Showground, the ride also benefited from generous core sponsorship from Sweet Meadow Horse Feeds.

"This ride takes in quiet lanes and forestry tracks and is perfect for a straightforward start to the season," said Jane Holden, of Endurance GB South West.

"Experienced members use it to bring on their young horses while novice riders make it their first competitive ride."
Click here for more

One rider enjoying her first experience was eight-year-old Saffron Bishop from Altarnun who partnered her pony Scarlet alongside her father Tristan.

At 18-years-old, this little Exmoor cross Arab pony taught Saffron's elder sister Rachael to ride and to compete successfully in endurance riding.

In 2002, they were among only four competitors to finish the 100-mile Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor and in the same year they secured the Junior National Championship.

Three years later they clinched the coveted U21s National Championship.

For the past two years, Scarlet has been on loan to the Chisholm family, from Lydford, and has taken sisters Tess and Abby up to advanced level endurance riding but this wonderful schoolmistress has now returned back to the Bishop family to start all over again with Saffron.

More than 90 competitors and pleasure riders took part at Wadebridge, completing with a high number of Grade Ones.

The Bodmin-based company Equus Health put up generous sponsorship enabling prizes to be awarded to the best turned-out horses and riders in the various categories.

These were won by Carolyn Thomas on Midnight Mischief, Ann Jobson on Samson, and Katie Came-Johnson on Pompei.

The Sweet Meadow Horse Feeds awards for the best in class came under scrutiny by the team of vets.

These awards went to Lesley Dore on Firebird, Valerie Crocker on Prince Nadem and Vicky Mosey on Betty. The farrier's award went to Arthur Bell of Truro and Alex Prout's mare Tilly.

Non members are welcome to take part in any of the South West Group's rides. For more details visit www.endurancegbsouthwest.com

Great Britain: Celebration for Jill Thomas as she completes over 1000 Golden Horseshoe miles

Farmersguardian.com

Equestrian News - 19 May, 2009
By Angela Calvert

AT the recent Golden Horseshoe Ride, Jill Thomas, champion endurance rider achieved a Gold Award on her Akhal Teke horse, Pompeii in the Exmoor Experience (two-day 80K) Class.

Jill has competed at Golden Horseshoe for many years and last week’s success meant that she has clocked up 1025 Golden Horseshoe miles since her first competition in 1986.

Pompeii is relatively new to Jill, who has recently moved from riding Arabian horses to Russian-bred Akhal Tekes.

Jill now hopes that Pompeii is going to be her future international star.

Jill broke British and European speed records at the 1993 European Endurance Championships at Southwell.

Since then she has worked with equestrian companies to produce informative books and specific endurance products, helping to raise the profile of this fast growing equestrian sport.

Malaysia: 2009 Edaran Endurance Classic

Terengganu International Endurance Park, Lembah Bidong,
Terengganu

22 - 24 May 2009

The Edaran Endurance Classic is back with its 7th edition of the
Championship. EDARAN ENDURANCE CLASSIC 2009 will be held from 22 til
24 May at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in
Lembah Bidong, Setiu, Terengganu, the venue of the World Endurance
Championship 2008 (WEC 2008).

Ride Categories

FEI 3* 160 KM Sanctioned as Qualifying Ride for WEG 2010

This year's Classic will feature 4 competition categories namely the
FEI-CEI 3* 160 KM, the FEI-CEI 2* 120 KM, the 80 KM and the 40 KM
categories.

The main 160 KM ride will likely see the participation of riders
vying to compete in the forthcoming World Equestrian Games (WEG) in
Kentucky, USA, next yaer as the ride is sanctioned as a qualifying
ride for WEG 2010. Similarly the 120 KM ride will see those who are
attempting to qualify for the World Junior Endurance Championship to
be held later this year in Hungary.

The 6-phased 160 KM and 5-phased 120 KM rides will be flagged off on
23rd May at 4:00 PM followed by the 80 KM and 40 KM at 5:00
PM. Participants in both the 160 M and 120 KM rides are expected to
complete the rides by 11 am the following day.

The Event anticipates once again the participation of His Majesty
the Yang De-Pertuan Agong who has been a regular and committed rider
in the Edaran Endurance Classic series.

This year's Championship will also feature a novelty VIP Ride of 20
KM.

More Information...

2009 Edaran Classic on Endurance.net

Great Britain: Scottish Champs 26th - 28th June 2009

26th - 28th June 2009

For the first time, the SERC Scottish Championships are combined with the only FEI ride north of the border to create a 3 day festival of endurance riding based at historic Scone Palace Park.

Day 1 features a 90km FEI 1* and a 120km FEI 2* class, with days 2 and 3 featuring the full range of one and two day classes from Pleasure Ride up to the flagship 2 day 160km ER. In 2008 the 80km class had a 100% completion rate with an average speed of 12.8km/h

The event builds on the long term success of the SERC Scone ride, a popular part of the calendar for a decade.

The Course

The route is tried and tested, having hosted a 2 day 160km ER in 2008. It features a wide range of terrain, from estate tracks, river bank and field edges to forestry and open hill. Though on the face of it there are no major climbs, the route is deceptively challenging with very little flat ground apart from the Palace grounds at the very start and finish. Many parts of the course offer spectacular views north to the Highlands or south over the River Tay to Fife and the Lomond Hills.

Perth Racecourse, within the grounds of Scone Palace, provides the venue for the Festival. Excellent facilities are available, including hard standing for vehicle parking and space on site for camping and corralling.

History

This part of the world is steeped in history. Scone is the historic crowning place of Scottish Kings, and the home of the Stone of Destiny - some say the real Stone is hidden near here still. Scone was capital of the Pictish kingdom from around 500AD, and Kenneth MacAlpin, first King of Scots, was crowned here within sight of our start line in 847, as was every subsequent Scottish King until James I in 1406. The last King to be crowned here was Charles II in 1651.

A key part of the ride route is the Coronation Road, one of the oldest documented bridleways in Britain. For over 800 years this path has been in recorded use by Kings and their retinues; it was the original road from Falkland Palace to Scone. Falkland was seat of the Earls of Fife and home of the MacDuff clan. Since 1095 the hereditary right to crown the King of Scots has belonged to the Earls of Fife, making a horseback procession along the Coronation Road a precursor to every Monarch’s crowning. The Road is thought to follow a much earlier path and to have been in use for at least 1500 years.

A little further on the route passes under Dunsinane Hill, as a hill fort a strategic location since the Iron Age, but a major seat of power in the early history of Scotland, not least as the stronghold of MacBeth. The decisive battle in 654 AD between MacBeth and the forces of the Earl of Northumberland was fought within sight of Dunsinane, and Shakespeare subsequently immortalised the location in his Scottish Play. Birnam Wood at that time may well have extended south to encompass some of our route, and the Witches Stane, a standing stone of Megalithic origin at St Martins, is reputed to have been the setting for Shakespeare's Witches scene.

More information at www.perthendurance.co.uk

Great Britain: Record completions at Britain's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride

Horsetalk.co.nz

May 15, 2009

Strong winds, sunshine and moderate temperatures gave almost perfect conditions for this year's Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor - and it resulted in a record Gold tally of 20 over the four classes.

But in spite of some superb riding and on-course judgement, biggest cheer of the final day went to the diminutive Kingsby Nutmeg, the first Exmoor pony to take part in one of the competitive classes in the ride.

Owned and ridden by vet's receptionist Mary Hannah, from Brompton Regis, the pony finished the first day and 25 miles of the 50-mile Exmoor Experience class in Silver position and then completed the second day with a Bronze award, losing the one place on time only.

The 65 riders competing in the four classes - the 100-mile Golden Horseshoe, the 75-mile Exmoor Stag, 50-mile Exmoor Experience and one-day, 50-mile Exmoor 80 - netted a total of 20 Gold awards, 20 Silver and 10 Bronze.

Barbara Wigley, who heads the organising committee, said: "It really was one of the best rides yet. Exmoor is very tough and can be hard on both horses and riders, but each year we see an improvement and this time everyone was impressed with the way the horses responded to the demands made on them and their fitness and condition at the end."

In the 100-mile class, David Yeoman and Haszar were particular impressive, pressing ahead of the field for most of the day, closely followed by Lorna Hogg on De Marco and Carol Jones with Ptolemaeus.

Full Results

UAE: Sheikh Mohammed demands answers from FEI over dope case

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

H&H news desk

14 May, 2009

Sheikh Mohammed has demanded to know why the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) — an organisation headed by his wife, Princess Haya — delayed notifying him of a positive dope test on his horse, Tahhan.

On 6 April, Sheikh Mohammed suspended himself from competition and began an internal investigation after his own team discovered traces of two potentially performance-enhancing drugs in Tahhan. He competed the horse in CEI2* 120km endurance races in Bahrain and Dubai in January and February this year.

But has emerged that Tahhan was also tested by the FEI during the rides. The horse's positive results were passed to the FEI legal team on 19 March — nearly three weeks before Sheikh Mohammed's well-publicised statement that it was he who had volunteered the results.

A spokesman for the Sheikh said: "HH Sheikh Mohammed notified the FEI on 3 April 2009.

"The FEI notification to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation was on 6 April, 2009. HH Sheikh Mohammed received no communication from the FEI or from any other party, prior to 6 April.

More...

Riding Around The World

The World Ride

CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly are setting off on the first continuous, around-the-world equestrian expedition. The journey will cover 12,000 miles, cross eleven countries, last two years and be the most highly developed diplomatic and scientific equestrian mission ever undertaken.

The World Ride represents the merging of the Bronze Age activity of equestrian travel with cutting-edge twenty-first century technology. This will result in a “Genghis Khan meets the Matrix” combination wherein state-of-the-art electronics will allow reader/riders to participate from afar, thereby creating humanity’s first inter-active equestrian epic.

This is a journey with a difference. Even if they succeed in riding around the world, that will not be the primary goal. En route Basha will be working with scientists and horse owners to collect hair samples from every known horse breed, thus creating the first complete equine DNA chain. CuChullaine will be using GPS technology to create a unique Long Rider map of the entire route, a project designed to highlight geography to school children around the world and encourage others to undertake their own World Ride.

Ultimately, the World Ride is designed to link humans and horses via the saddle and the internet, with the goal being to demonstrate that all humans share a common mother-tongue, “horse.” This is a journey about courage, not records, and you are invited to explore this website, to follow the World Riders and participate in this unprecedented equestrian event.

[More ...]

Australia: Margaret Wade still in coma after fall

Gulfnews.com

By Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
May 08, 2009



Abu Dhabi: One of the world's top endurance riders and a well-known faces in the UAE's domestic circuit, Margaret (Meg) Wade is still in coma since a fall during a ride in Tumbarumba, Australia on April 12.

Wade, a champion rider and a breeder and trainer of endurance horses, was riding Castlebar Dell when the horse shied away from a puddle unseating her.

"I was not there at the scene but since it happened close to a checkpoint she was attended by a doctor and ambulance staff," said her husband Chris Gates, speaking to Gulf News yesterday.

"Wade was airlifted by Snowy Hydro Southcare Rescue Helicopter to Royal Canberra Hospital where she has been in coma since then," said Gates.

"Her medical condition has improved and clinically it is not life threatening. But the doctors are waiting for her to come out of the coma. There seems to be a slight, very slight response," said Gates.

Wade, who had finished second in a 90-kilometre Ladies Ride in Al Wathba after a 19th place finish in the 160-kilometre HH The President's Cup during the recently-concluded UAE endurance season, has had many horses bred and trained at her Castlebar facility in Australia.

Wade has won three bronze medals at the World Endurance Championships, finished 4th individually in 2002 when Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the gold medal, has been Australian Rider of the Year nine times and won the world-famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup four times.

"We are devastated. Meg was a champion athlete and has never been in hospital. Very fit and athletic. I am confident that she will fight her way out of this," said Gates.

Meg has been a regular participant in rides in the UAE since the 1998 World Championship and her husband said, "We received many calls from the endurance fraternity in the UAE and the world. The Royal families of Dubai and Bahrain have been enquiring about her progress," he said.

Soon after the accident Gates had in an interview to ABC Radio said, "This is an injury that every horse rider fears. It happens, it's unfortunate. The riders all wear helmets but it's the fear behind everyone to have an accident that's so devastating,"

Gates said the fall was a freak accident, and other than her head injury, "Meg never sustained another injury. There's not a mark on her body."

UAE: Running, but not wild: Dubai warms to brumbies

smh.com.au

Andrew Stevenson in Dubai
May 9, 2009

THEIR names are Luca, Marran and Paraku. Born in the Kimberley and captured in Western Australia last year, the three brumbies are starting a new life in the stables of the deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

They and 11 other brumbies including a young colt have left life as wild bush horses far behind. In the sheik's stables they are training for the demanding sport of endurance racing.

Their arrival in Dubai completes a circle of sorts. Born wild, their pedigree traces back to the Arab horses taken to Europe over many centuries, the stock from which the modern thoroughbred was made.

The horse, once the most important animal in Australia, still stands at the heart of Bedouin culture - and when Ali Mohammed Al Mohairi, Sheik Hamdan's racing manager, heard tales of the brumbies in Australia, he wanted to know more.

Two years ago he went bush in the Northern Territory to see brumbies up close. But wild horses stop for no man.

"There was a mare and foal and they were galloping from behind and I yelled to go, I was screaming at the driver," he recalled. "It was something amazing. Then they crossed in front of us and the sparks were coming off the road. When they came to a lake, they jumped straight in and swam across.

"There was a rocky hill on the other side and I said: 'Impossible, they will not climb that'. And they did.

"My imagination cannot go as far as this. I was amazed. And [then] they were gone and we never saw them again."

But the story, worthy of an Arab Paterson in Mr Al Mohairi's retelling, took root. Sheik Hamdan, a leading racehorse owner and winner of two Melbourne Cups, was intrigued by the animals' capability in the wild but also concerned the brumbies - there are an estimated 400,000 in Australia - were being culled.

"I felt I wanted to do something to help this animal. I told him people shoot them, five or six hundred at a time, and I said we [can] get some to try," Mr Al Mohairi said.

The next step was to send a team into Lake Gregory, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, and to catch a dozen or so brumbies which were then trucked to Glen Innes, NSW, where they were broken in before being flown to Dubai.

One mare, Marran, dropped a skewbald colt after capture. Marjii might have grown up in Arabia but he can't hide his past.

"He's happy, friendly and playing but you can tell he's a brumby, with his face, big and ugly," Mr Mohairi said.

The horses arrived last year and since then several have been prepared for endurance racing, which is conducted under the enthusiastic patronage of Dubai's royal family, notably Sheik Hamdan's brother, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the country's ruler, who also competes in the events.

On the track the brumbies' results have not been a complete success. The horses have speed, and can rapidly recover after running one stage of the race, but they don't want to run again.

"They're not tired but they take care of themselves," said Mr Al Mohairi, who believes their wild instincts lead them to to preserve their energy for whenever it might be needed in the future.

But the experiment at Seeh Al Salam stables will be given at least another year. "People here are waiting to see what this stable will do. If we do well with them, they will go there and do the same as we did," Mr Al Mohairi said.

"To be honest, we spent money on them and I hope it will work. It will help me to look good in front of my boss because I asked him to do it, plus it will help the horses."

Australia: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc

Melbourne, Victoria, 8/5/2009

Australia's premier endurance ride gains pace.

The countdown is on, planning is in full swing and the excitement is starting to build as the 2009 Tom Quilty Endurance Ride draws closer.

With only five months to go until Australia's premier endurance horse ride, organisers are working feverishly preparing for this major event scheduled for 18 September at Tonimbuk, Victoria.

The Tom Quilty Endurance ride is an internationally acclaimed endurance event attracting riders and horses from around the world. The event tests the skill and fitness of horse and rider as they compete to finish 160km within 24 hours.

"This year's Tom Quilty course is sensational," says Event Director, Lissy Verity. "Based at the world-class Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre, the course includes the beautiful surrounds of the Bunyip State Park, whilst also traversing private land, bush tracks and all weather roads. It is a highlight on the international endurance calendar without a doubt," she says.

Despite part of the track being affected by the February bushfires, organisers guarantee the course will be ready for the September ride. Visitors and spectators won't be disappointed either as this picturesque area is also home to many wonderful wineries, restaurants and interesting tourist destinations.

An experienced endurance ride organizer, Lissy knows better than anyone what is involved in running an event like this. "It's expensive, requires many volunteers and consumes enormous man hours to prepare for and to host," she says. "We are totally reliant on fundraising and sponsorship and given the current economic climate we are having to work even harder to raise the necessary funds to ensure a successful ride."

Organisers are busy preparing for a major fundraising dinner in July to be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham in the hope they can raise $25,000. One organisation that has already shown its support is Cardinia Shire Council. Council has committed significant funds and in-kind support, without which organisers would have faced an even harder financial challenge.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Bill Pearson says he is looking forward to the event, adding the Tom Quilty Gold Cup will put Tonimbuk - and Cardinia Shire - on a global stage.

"It will be a fantastic spectacle and we expect thousands of people to be here for what will be one of the biggest events ever staged in Cardinia Shire," Cr Pearson says.

"Council is proud to be supporting the Tom Quilty Gold Cup and we hope the local community and businesses really get behind what will be a fabulous showcase of equestrian skill and stamina."


For more information about the fundraising dinner or to book tickets please contact Sue Cousins on 03 56292530 or visit the website at www.tonimbukgoldcup.org.au


Contact Person: Helen Ward
Company Name: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc
Telephone: 0438 59 4285
Email: hiward@bigpond.com