Canadian Endurance Riders Excel in North American FEI Events

Horse-canada.com
June 30, 2010

Ottawa, ON— Following The Kentucky Cup — the pre-ride for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) — Canadian endurance horses and riders have travelled thousands of miles, in pursuit of their dream to qualify and compete for Canada, either in the World Equestrian Games this September or in future major international events. In FEI competitions from all over North America, Canadian riders and their amazing equine partners have excelled, building on their already-enviable ride records. In addition to the FEI events, these riders have actively participated in open rides as well with outstanding results.

• Elroy Karius & Jolly Holiday: FEI 2* 75 miles (Williston, FL) — sixth place
• Gail Jewell & A Salisbury Rose: FEI 3* 100 miles (Inyokern, CA) — fourth place
• Carol Steiner & Jumpin’ Jax: FEI 1* 100 miles (Ocala, FL) — third place; FEI 3* 100 (Decatar, TX) – seventh place
• Carol Steiner & Merlin FEI 3* (Moriston, FL) — seventh place
• Dessia Miller & Parker AES: FEI 2* 75 miles (Asheville, NC) — second place
• Monique Vincent on MJL Olivia: FEI 1* 50 miles (Decatur, TX)—First place
• Lee Hutten & Diamond Reo: FEI 1* 75 mile (Morrison, FL)
• Ruth Sturley & Futurystic: FEI 1* 50 miles (Asheville, NC) —first place
• Yvette Vinton & Jal Bas Kalid: FEI 1* 50 miles (Ocala, FL) — 10th place
• Yvette Vinton & Tesse FEI 3* 100 miles (Williston, FL) — 20th place
• Yvette Vinton & JS Sedona FEI 1* 50 miles (Williston, FL) — first place

Most recent successes for our elite riders have been at competitions at Horseshoe Lake, AB, held May 21, 2010, and Fort Howes, MT, held June 12, 2010. Those results include
• Terre O’Brennan & Koszaar: FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — first place
• Ariel MacLeod & Driftwoods Zorro : FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — third place and Best Condition award
• Kathy Irvine & Nightwind Savannah: FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — second place; FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — third place and Best Condition award
• Leanna Marchant & Samsons Fire: FEI 2* 75miles (Alberta) —first place and Best Condition award; FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — second place
• Christy Janzen & Sakic: FEI 2* 75 mile (Alberta) — second place
• Karen Badger & Pilgrim: FEI 2* 75 mile (Alberta) —third place
• Caroline Williams & Diamond Reo: FEI 2* (Alberta)— fourth place
• Tara MacLeod & Sea Biscuit: FEI 1* (Alberta)— first place
• Mary-Ann Dorchester & SH Special Edition: FEI1* (Alberta) — second place
• Amy Hoffman & Jr’s Last Chance: FEI 1* (Alberta) — third place
• Lee Hutton & KD Colonel: FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — third place and Best Condition award
• Gail Jewell, DVM & Jolly Holiday: FEI 3* 100 Miles (Alberta) — fourth place
• Monique Vincent on MJL Olivia: FEI 2* 50 miles (Montana) — fifth place

The next and final challenge for these riders hoping for a berth on the 2010 WEG Team will be the 2010 Canadian Distance Championship in New Lowell, ON, on July 1, 2010. Following the Championship, the 2010 WEG squad will be named.

“The Canadian Championship will be an opportunity to prove our horses’ capabilities and may well change the WEG rankings,” said Elroy Karius from Kelowna, BC, who is currently sitting number one in the WEG rankings. “There are some very excellent horse and rider teams coming on strong.”

The Endurance Championship will include FEI 1*, 2* and 3* events, with Young Riders’ divisions. The majority of the WEG-nominated riders from Eastern Canada, as well as a few from the West, will compete under the watchful eyes of several of the Team officials: Kay Melvin, Chef d’équipe; Maura Leahy, Assistant Chef; Stan Alkemade, Assistant Team Veterinarian; and Kim Woolley, Team Coach.

“Personally, I’m finding it exciting as we have so many riders and horses trying out for a spot on the team, which is something our Canadian team has lacked in the past due to cost of sending horses overseas,” said Melvin. “Having this WEG on our doorstep has definitely changed how our riders have planned their competitions in this past couple of years. It has opened up opportunities for some who might not have considered competing at this level before.”

France: 2010 Corlay

CORLAY 2010 - June 18-20, 2010


CEI*** 160 km
33 starters, 24 finishers

1. Gregoire Tilquin - Mario De Plouvorn - 17.223 km/h
2. Pierre Fleury - Miraj - 17.215 km/h
3. Andrea Pulicani - Spiga - 16.955 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/19_06_10_Corlay_160km--729--21-fr-f-p160-n1.html



CEI*** 130 km
22 starters, 20 finishers

1. Laetitia Goncalves - Nikel Kermorvan - 16.249 km/h
2. Emmanuelle Rionde - Naffa De Lap - 15.948 km/h
3. Cecile Miletto Mosti - Olympe De Crouz - 15.874 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/18_06_10_Corlay_130km--728--21-en-f.html



CEI* 110 km
30 starters, 26 finishers

1. Philippe Tomas - Pacha De Barancon - 18.067 km/h
2. Enora Boulenger - Skadur - 18.041 km/h
3. Klervi Lefevre - Tahira El Numizki - 17.944 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/20_06_10_Corlay_90___110km--730--21-en-f.html

Complete results here:
http://www.france-endurance.net/default.aspx

2010 WEG: Spectator Parking, Transportation Options Set for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

DATE: June 23, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY—93 Days to Go—Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games spectators will have a variety of parking and transportation options, including hotel shuttles and on-site parking, for the 16 days of the event.

With the recent availability of property adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park, parking for 10,000 vehicles each day is now possible on-site. Parking will be $20 per vehicle with cash only accepted upon entry. A limited number of premium parking spaces near the spectator entry, with pass-out parking privileges, are also available for $100 per day at www.alltechfeigames.com.

Nine hotel shuttle routes will be implemented for Games spectators, providing a door-to-door transportation service for selected hotels. Spectators who have arranged accommodations through the Games Housing Bureau for the selected hotels, located in Lexington, Georgetown and Frankfort, will be emailed a direct link on or before July 6 with the opportunity to pre-purchase hotel shuttle wristbands online for $5 before August 1. After August 1, the shuttle wristbands will be $10 for Housing Bureau guests. During the Games, wristbands can be purchased for $15, subject to availability. Wristbands are date specific and valid for one day’s round trip transport to the Kentucky Horse Park and are non-transferable. A list of hotels on the shuttle routes will be available on the Spectator Information page of the Games website by July 6.

Buses equipped with ADA seating will be operating on all hotel shuttle systems, and mobility shuttles will be stationed in the on-site parking lots for those who need assistance from designated ADA parking areas.

In addition, taxi cabs and Gold Shield Car Services will be available to transport spectators to the main entrance of the Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. LexTran, the City of Lexington’s public transportation system, will also have roundtrip bus service to the Kentucky Horse Park for $5 per passenger, with parking near Lextran’s Vine Street terminal in downtown Lexington.

“We feel these parking and transportation options provide maximum flexibility and value for our spectators,” said Games CEO Jamie Link. “We expect thousands of people will visit the park each day and our goal is that everyone arrives in a safe and efficient manner, ready to enjoy a great day at the Games.”

Detailed information on transportation services, including directions to on-site parking, hotel shuttle routes, and information for local commuters whose daily routes may be impacted by event traffic will be available soon at www.alltechfeigames.com.

67-year-old rides 160km to finish Quilty Cup

http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au
CHRIS WALKER
30 Jun, 2010 11:14 AM

ABOUT 300 riders, including four from Tenterfield, set off at midday on Friday to start the 2010 Tom Quilty 160km endurance ride.

Regarded as the Melbourne Cup of endurance rides, the Quilty was this year held in Manilla.

Tenterfield grandmother Jackie Parsons, aged 67, successfully completed the ride on Dunwingi Nova in her first attempt.

Mrs Parsons’ husband Dennis was there to offer support, as was her daughter who flew from Singapore for the prestigious event.

The ride completed a long-held dream for Mrs Parsons, but it wasn’t easy, she said.

“My horse seems a lot less tired than I am, and I’ll bet he doesn’t hurt in as many places as I do,” she said.

Tenterfield club members were also there to help out, as was the horse’s owner Hal Archer.

Rain before daylight meant dramatically changed conditions, making the track slippery and boggy in places. The track was broken up into five legs, with strict veterinary checks at each leg ruling out an increasing number of horses. Under endurance riding rules, no horse is allowed to continue if they are considered in any way unfit.

Mrs Parsons cut more than three hours off her qualifying time, but she wasn’t the only success in the race.

Hannah McQueen also managed to finish, in the process earning a coveted Quilty buckle.

Bad luck and the slippery conditions prevented Tenterfield’s other two riders, Philippa Lillyman and Dylan Keys, from finishing, as they joined many others in being ‘vetted out’.

Only 120 of the 300 riders that set off at midnight managed to finish the demanding ride.

The ride was won for the second year straight by Queensland rider Brook Sample, who finished in just eight and a half hours.

[Full article ... at http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/news/local/sport/general/67yearold-rides-160km-to-finish-quilty-cup/1871622.aspx]

Costa Rica: Zamora and Salazar to Represent Country in Endurance in WEG 2010

June 28 2010

Diego Zamora and Martin Salazar classified June 19 to represent Costa Rica in the WEG 2010, Kentucky USA

Martin ran, in Uruguay with Hasan 160 km and Diego in Guatemala 120 km. To classify, both have met with the races required by the FEI and the Organizing Committee of WEG 2010 (4 120 km/h events and 1 160 km event at 13 km/h or more and with the same horse that will then compete in the WEG 2010.)

The competition in Uruguay was developed with a very cold temperature of 8 to 12 ºc and a fairly high humidity of 80% on a very flat terrain as usual in Uruguay. Martin competed at 17.1 km/h against 11 riders and came 4th to goal after 160 km since the others were eliminated by the judges and Uruguayan veterinarians.

Diego Zamora competed in Tecpán Guatemala at a very favorable temperature and managed to reach the target smoothly at 14.2 km/hour.

The WEG in Kentucky will be the day 26 September and it is expecting the participation of 150 horses and 32 countries. Costa Rica, in 2008, also participated with two riders in Malaysia.

The Equestrian Federation International (FEI) requires riders: 4 120 km competitions at 10 Km/h average minimum and one 160 km competition at 13 km/hr with the same horse.
 
How classified Martín and Diego:...
Diego Zamora with 5 events.
1-Guatemala 160 km... 2008
2-Chapernal C.Rica 160 km.... 2008
3 Chomes CR 120 km... 2010
4-Chomes CR 160 km... 2010 with the Samurai horse ran 14, 2 km/h average
5-Guatemala 120 km... 2010
 
Martín Salazar 5 events
 
1-Guatemala 120 km... 2010
2-Chomes C.Rica 120 km.... 2010
3-Uruguay 120 km... 2010
4-Guatemala 120 km... 2010
5-Uruguay 160 km... 2010 with Hasan horse ran 17.1 km/h average.
 
Photos of Costa Rican endurance can be seen here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ridecamp/CostaRicaEndurance62910#

Mongol Derby: The World's Greatest Horse Race

hcnonline.com
By Tana Ross
Updated: 06.24.10

Billed as the “Greatest Horse Race in the World” and the “Longest Horse Race in the world,” the Mongol Derby is not a challenge just any horse rider is willing to take on.

Indeed, the 1,000 kilometer (more than 630 miles) endurance race over the Mongolian steppe — a diverse, often unforgiving terrain that includes forest, mountains and desert — is so challenging that organizers of the race provide three days of training for the small group of international competitors who qualified to be in the race.

A true adventurist, 33-year-old Justin Nelzen, a-Pinehurst-farrier- turned-endurance athlete, is one of 16 representing five counties who qualified for the second annual derby to start Aug. 7. In fact he is one of the first three Americans ever selected for the 10-day equestrian event. And, while several might be happy just to finish the race, Nelzen’s standard is set a bit higher.

“My goal is not just to complete the race, but to win it,” he said.

With only three years of endurance horse racing under his belt, some might think Nelzen is a risky bet, but his record says otherwise. Not only has the 5-foot, 8-inch, 158-pound, athlete competed and won in a variety of competitions since college, including martial arts, triathlons and marathon running, but his list of wins with his own Arabians in endurance horse racing has garnered the attention of experts in the sport.

“Justin is very accomplished,” Rhita McNair of McNair Internationale, who has trained horses for more than 40 years, said. “I am very impressed with his skills as a rider and as a trainer. He took a mare he bought from me all the way to a world champion.”

Last year, Nelzen also swept first, second and third places in the Hog Scramble, a 30-mile endurance race in Huntsville, on horses he owns and trained. His 7-year-old daughter, Trinity, placed first.

“I didn’t know anything other than to train my horses like I trained myself,” he said. “Someone asked me before my first race what I expected. I told them I expected to win, and I did. I didn’t know any better at the time.”

Excited at just the thought of Nelzen winning the derby, McNair said Justin is very good at reading horses, a skill that is sure to pay off when he selects his Mongolian mounts for the derby.

Longest race is on


Averaging 10 horse endurance races a year Nelzen most recently rode for the Al Kamda royal family in the desert of Dubai, UAE, where he placed fourth in a 100-mile race on an Arabian he had never ridden. But the Mongol Derby is more than 630 miles, tracing one of the 13th century routes Genghis Khan’s supply and communications carriers used — an ancient pony express. Will Nelzen’s experience be enough to carry him over the finish line? Will it be enough to give him the win? He definitely thinks so.

“Last year’s winner finished the race in eight days, I am hoping to do the same or better,” Nelzen said. “But my concerns are not really about my abilities — the Marine Corps trained me well — as much as they are about what I don’t know.”

On the “don’t know” list are sleep, environment and the 25 horses Nelzen will be given to ride. The tradition of Khan’s massive network of horse stations, called the Morin Urtuus, will be implemented for the race. Hosting Mongolian families offering a fresh mount along with a meal of mutton and mare’s milk will be identified every 30 miles or so along the yet-to-be-announced derby route. Because contestants may ride from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. there is no guarantee Nelzen will be at a host family’s yurt at the end of each day.

“If I sleep out, the major concern is wolves and feral dogs and I understand there are horse thieves who would like to steel our mounts,” he said. “The temperature is also a factor. While it gets to upper 80s and 90s during the day, it falls into the 40s at night.”

If the countryside and route don’t offer enough challenge and history then the horses supplied for the derby certainly do. Decedents of the horses that gave Khan and his warriors superior advantage over their enemies and helped establish the Mongol Empire, make up the pool of more than 200 horses the derby supplies.

“This is a land where horses outnumber people seven to one,” Nelzen said. “They are practically worshiped by the people there.”

Riders will get a fresh mount at each station choosing from a collection of the Mongolian horses on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I hope I’ll get there first, have a good selection and be able to choose a good horse,” Nelzen said.

Imagine sizing up a 13-hand, almost pony-sized horse in minutes considering size, confirmation, overall health and disposition — all this without a test drive. Described as being tougher than Rambo on steroids, the small native mounts are a far different ride than the floating Arabians. The Mongolian horses are tightly coupled with eight speeds rather than the familiar four gaits of most horses. While Nelzen is confident of his riding skills, he prays the steeds he rides will be as fast as the Arabians he raises.

Nelzen has collected more than $2,500 for his place in the Mongol Derby. His total expenses top $15,200 including a required charity donation of $1,500. He is accepting donations on his website through PayPal at, www.teamequipro.com.

To learn more about the Mongol Derby and to read updates during the race visit, http://mongolderby.theadventurist.com.

More at ...http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/06/25/greater_houston_weekly/top_of_the_week/0623_mongolian_derby.txt

Australia: Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2011 – STOP PRESS!

Monday June 21 2010

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the SA Tom Quilty committee announces a change of venue and date for the 2011 Tom Quilty Gold Cup. The event, now known as the Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty Gold Cup will provide a challenging event for participants on a new course. There will be an away check point and riders will experience changing terrain as the course traverses Mt Crawford State forest, vineyards and pastures. The second and potentially most challenging leg will be through pine forests, then onto private land owned by the Ross family (by kind permission).

The ride base will be at Mt Pleasant which hosts annually a large agricultural show in addition to many livestock and horse events. One of the best scenic routes in our State runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands, forestry and the wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley close to Mt. Pleasant.

Land was first purchased for forestry at Mount Crawford in 1909. Plantings commenced in 1914; two species of eucalypts (Narrow-leaved Ironbark and South Australian Blue gum) and two species of pine (Radiata and Maritime pine) which creates a fantastic horse riding environment. The current reserve area is in the region of 12,000 hectares.

Please note that the event will now start at midnight on Friday September 30th 2011 and continue through Saturday October 1st.

Changes to our website are being made and further announcements will follow as plans are finalised for the test event, the South Australian State Championships and FEI 1* featuring the Trans Tasman and Young Horse Qualifier (sponsored by Castlebar) which takes place later this year on October 8th – 10th. Please refer to the website www.satomquilty.com.au for the most up-to-date information as it becomes available.


Sarah Adams
Event Director
sadams@lindsaypark.com.au

Germany: Royal team riders dominate Championship

Gulf-daily-news.com

Sunday, June 27, 2010


BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team claimed an impressive one-two yesterday in the 120-kilometre race in the CERA Endurance Challenge in Dillingen Town, Germany.

Ghazi Al Dosseri led compatriot Yousef Al Taher to the finish. They were separated by just a mere second as the hugely competitive ride came to a dramatic conclusion.

Al Dosseri, riding his horse Ganda Koy, registered a total ride time of six hours 55 minutes 18 seconds for first place. He was trailing Al Taher, riding Kango II, as they neared the end, but then managed to make a strong late push to pass his countryman before crossing the finish.

Both Al Dosseri and Al Taher were also the leaders heading into the fifth and final stage of the event.

Taking third place was Bettina von Ballmoos from Switzerland. Riding Swwann, von Ballmoos took the final podium place alongside the Bahraini victors after completing the event in 7:12:38. Fellow-Swiss Ralph Durler, on Ainhoa Tordidja, came fourth in 7:18:57.

The CERA Endurance Challenge is set to conclude today with the final events followed by the official awards presentation for the winners.

Al Dosseri's victory and Al Taher's runner-up finish added to the joy of another second-placed classification, won by Royal Endurance Team rider Jaffer Mirza in the 160-kim ride held on Friday.

Photos by Osama Mohammed here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ridecamp/2010GermanChampionship62610?pli=1#

Great Britain: Abby claims Young Rider National Champion title

Thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk

Friday, June 25, 2010, 10:00

Fourteen-year-old endurance rider Abby Chisholm, from Lydford, is the new Young Rider National Champion. She successfully completed the 80km (50-mile) class at Cirencester Park last Saturday. Abby was riding her 13.2 hh Arab cross Thoroughbred mare CFS Diana of Court. The new British National Champion is David Yeoman, from North Brewham in Somerset. He was riding 12-year-old Hazar, the Arab gelding which won three Endurance Rides in the South West last year. David has entered for the Boconnoc Ride on July 4 but this year will be riding Banko de Pibou.

Australia: Saddle sore riders brave the rain for Tom Quilty Cup

Northerndailyleder.com.au - Full Article

28 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
ALMOST 300 riders turned out in Manilla at the weekend to push themselves and their horses to the limit.

It was the Tom Quilty Gold Cup weekend, and organisers said it went off almost without a hitch.

“Apart from the rain, but we couldn’t do much about that,” secretary treasurer Jessica Taylor said.

Queensland’s Brook Sample took out his second cup.

Sample finished in a time of 8hrs 35min after his joint victory last year with brother Matthew.

The first rider across the line in Manilla yesterday was 12-year-old David Anderson in 8hrs 30min.

Juniors, however, are ineligible to win the cup.

The event was truly an international one, with riders coming from the US, Namibia, France, New Zealand and Japan for the cup.

Mrs Taylor said the town provided “wonderful” support for the event, and was repaid in kind.

“There is nothing left on the supermarket shelves. The shops have all sold out,” Mrs Taylor said.

“So the town did benefit from it.”

Riders were expected to cover 160km over five legs in 24 hours during the event.

n See tomorrow’s issue of The Leader for more pictures and results.

Spain: Pre-selection of horses for 2010 World Championship

El Raid blog

miércoles 23 de junio de 2010

Preselección de caballos para Kentucky 2010.

Este es el comunicado que da la Federación Hípica Española referente a los caballo preseleccionados para los Juegos Ecuestres Mundiales de Kentucky 2010.
Suerte a todos los seleccionados y a los posibles que están en la lista de pre-seleccionados:
"COMUNICADO DE RAID
Preselección de caballos para Campeonato del Mundo KENTUCKY 2010 Caballos clasificados
NOBBY
SANCKOC
CHEVERET
DUNA
VOLVO
OLIBER T B
Caballos pre-seleccionables en función de los resultados de las próximas competiciones:
OTELLO
NIEBLA
ENIA
RHOF
GOBI
La Seleccin definitiva se realizará en base a los resultados de las pruebas de control médico, veterinarias y físicas ordenadas por el Seleccionador, cuyas fechas serán acordadas con los responsables de cada caballo y publicadas en esta WEB. Con independencia de las citadas pruebas, y con el fin de avanzar en la realización de las específicas que exige el Comité Organizador y la Administración Norteamericana para importación de los caballos en USA, los responsables de cada uno de los caballos que se incluyen en el presente comunicado deberán contactar con el Veterinario del Equipo, Josep Ayats a través del correo electrónico de Clínica Móvil Equina clinicamobilequina@clinicamobilequina.com. Cualquier otra información sobre el Campeonato del Mundo relativa a Raid puede solicitarse enviando un correo a raid.consultas@rfhe.com".

This is the statement given by the Spanish Equestrian Federation concerning the horse shortlisted for the World Equestrian Games Kentucky 2010.
Good luck to all selected as possible that are in the pre-selected list:
"RAID PRESS
Pre-selection of horses for 2010 World Championship Horse classified KENTUCKY
Nobby
SANCKOC
Chevereto
DUNA
VOLVO
T B OLIB
Horses pre-selected on the basis of the results of upcoming competitions:
OTELLO
FOG
ENIA
RHOF
GOBI
The final selection will be based on the results of tests of medical, veterinary and physical ordered by the coach, with dates to be agreed with the heads of each horse and published on this website. Regardless of those trials, and in order to advance the implementation of specific demands Organizing Committee and the U.S. administration for import of horses in the USA, responsible for each of the horses that are included in this statement should contact the Veterinary Team, Josep Ayats via email clinicamobilequina@clinicamobilequina.com Equine Mobile Clinic. Any other information about the World Championship on Raid can be obtained by sending an email to raid.consultas @ rfhe.com. "

2010 WEG: 16 Days - 60 Nations – 8 World Championships – 99 Days To Go

LEXINGTON, KY - June 18, 2010 - The 100 Days to Go Celebration for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games was a hit June 17, and the Fifth Third Pavilion in downtown Lexington drew in hundreds of fans, residents and passersby to help celebrate the occasion.

“It was excellent,” said Diana Simpson, a resident of Lexington, about the celebration. “The speakers were great and there is a lot of enthusiasm. They are making it exciting.”

Those, like Simpson, who came downtown to celebrate, were able to preview some of the festivities that will be a part of the 2010 Games. Walking through the pavilion, visitors were able to grab themselves some Kentucky Ale; see pottery being made; view a Corvette inside and out; taste food from France, the host of the 2014 Games; eat free Dippin’ Dots ice cream and even pet a penguin.

In addition to booths, the celebration featured a fashion show showcasing 2010 Games Ariat apparel, a book signing by Jon Carloftis, world-renowned gardener, for his book “Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky,” and Alltech’s announcement of the line-up for the Alltech Fortnight Festival, a 16-day concert series to take place in venues around the state during the Games. (http://www.alltechfortnightfestival.com/en/pages/default.aspx)

WLEX-18 anchor Nancy Cox emceed the festivities and both she and First Lady Jane Beshear sported 2010 Games apparel on stage during the fashion show. Mrs. Beshear spoke to the crowd about how excited she is to have the Games come to Kentucky, and how Kentucky will benefit from the Games.

“It makes it a little more real that it (the Games) is impending,” said Lauren Howard, of Lexington, about the celebration. “I’ve been watching the (countdown) signs but this is a little more exciting.”

Howard, who brought her two children Tag and Noah, said she is sure she will be buying tickets and added that the celebration was a nice environment for the little ones.

The celebration featured many of the Games partners and sponsors including Alltech’s Kentucky Ale, Alltech Angus, The Kentucky Experience, Newport Aquarium, the Kentucky Horse Park, Ariat, Dippin’ Dots, Corvette and more. In addition, posters listing 100 reasons to attend the Games, brochures and ticketing information were provided.

As the festivities came to a close, so did one more day in the countdown to the Games. And with the 100 Days to Go celebration serving as just a taste of what the actual Games will be like, don’t be left without a ticket, click here to buy yours now.

State lawmakers updated on last 100 days until WEG

KYPost.com - Full Article

World Equestrian Games will welcome 62 countries

Posted: 06/18/2010

FRANKFORT, Ky. – In 100 days, the Kentucky Horse Park will become the first non-European location in 20 years to host major international equine championships known as the FEI World Equestrian Games.

And this week, state lawmakers on the Kentucky General Assembly’s Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development and Tourism learned from event organizers how over 2,000 volunteers, over 300 temporary and permanent facilities, affordable $25 per person general admission tickets and competitors from as many 62 countries can make this Kentucky-based 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) a worldwide success.

Only 59 countries submitted competition entries for the 2006 WEG held in Aachen, Germany, said WEG 2010 Foundation CEO Jamie Link.

“I think that says a lot about what we are attempting to do here,” said Link, adding that nearly 1,000 athletes currently intend to participate in the 16-day event to be held Sept. 25-Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park...

http://www.kypost.com/dpp/sports/horse_racing/state-lawmakers-updated-on-last-100-days-until-weg

Sign up for Tevis before June 25th and Save $100!

Attention Endurance riders!

Here's your opportunity to ride the world's oldest and most prestigious 100 mile endurance ride: the Tevis Cup! To sign up please click on the following link to download a copy of the application:

http://www.teviscup.org/forms/2010TevisRideApplication7d.pdf.

We look forward to having you and your mount join us for the 55th annual Western States 100-Mile One-Day Ride on July 24th, 2010. You will be entering what is most likely the world's most intense challenge of skill and physical endurance of both horse and rider.

Please go to our website at: www.TevisCup.org to see pictures of past rides, detailed maps, and other information on the ride and the trail.

The ride application is available on the website and by contacting our office at:
1216 High Street, Suite C, Auburn, CA 95603. Phone: 530-823-7282.
Fax 530-823-7901. Email wstf@foothill.net

See you at the Tevis Cup Ride!

Mike Pickett, Ride Director

New Zealand: Kiwi endurance team for World Equestrian Games named

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

June 17, 2010

New Zealand has named its first team of riders to take part in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky later this year.

The endurance team for New Zealand will comprise Alison Higgins (Nelson) on Twynham El Omar, Sue Reid (Pokeno) and Makahiwi Achilles, Jenny Champion (Masterton) and Freckles, Debbie Worsfold (Rangiora) on Northwinds Bradley McGregor, and Jenny Chandler (Te Awamutu) on Lace and Fineness.

Endurance is one of four disciplines New Zealand is likely to send to the 16-day event in the United States in September.

The five strong team will compete in the 160-kilometre endurance competition, the equestrian equivalent to the marathon where it can take up to 13 hours to complete. While it is a team that has relatively little international experience, those behind them are vastly experienced and very successful on the world stage...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/06/096.shtml

Australia: Village hosts international endurance event

Gleninneseaminer.com.au - Full Article

15 June 2010

The Federation Equestrian International Endurance ride that was held at the Red Range Sports Grounds last month attracted 60 horses from Australia and New Zealand to compete in two international events.

The rides were a 120km two star event and a 90km one star event.

Five local riders Jenny Annetts, Tami Parnell, Jasmine Shields, Judy Burton and Rebecca Miller all qualified to compete in the event.

The weekend started off full of drama as Parnell fell from her horse after her bridle broke at approximately 4:30am. A local search crew led by Col Crosby and Tracy Hutchinson eventually found the horse unharmed twelve hours later.

Parnell escaped relatively unscathed with cuts and bruises.

The main event was the 120km two star ride. This event was won by Brook Sample riding his 14-year-old gelding Brookleigh Excalibur. Sample completed the ride in seven hours and 22 minutes with an average speed of 16.3 kilometres an hour...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/news/local/sport/equestrian/village-hosts-international-endurance-event/1858247.aspx

Two legs good, four legs better: horse beats man … again

Heraldscotland.com

Grant Collinson

13 Jun 2010

While football was in the spotlight in South Africa yesterday, in some quieter corners of Britain some very peculiar sports were the order of the day.

Yesterday saw the start of three strange and most extreme endurance races: the Man v Horse contest (which features people on foot racing against horses across Wales), a 1000-mile bike ride from John O’Groats to Lands End and a 24-hour double marathon along the West Highland Way.

The Tennents Caledonian Challenge 2010 – a 54-mile, one-day trek across some of Scotland’s most beautiful and difficult terrain – got under way in Gairlochy near Fort William yesterday.

Now in its 14th year, the endurance challenge is organised by the Scottish Communities Foundation (SCF), a organisation which distributes funds to worthwhile causes across Scotland.

The course runs from Gairlochy to Strathfillan across the undulating hills of the Great Glen and West Highland Way footpaths.

Alistair Reid, 39, is taking the challenge this year. Speaking before the start, he said: “My daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago so since then we’ve been raising quite a lot of money for charity.”

The SCF hopes to raise £1 million from the 900 competitors taking part.

However, that challenge, gruelling though it is, pales in comparison to the annual Man v Horse Marathon in Llanwrtyd Wells in Central Wales.

The brainchild of a local hotelier, hatched over a drink 31 years ago, the race sets out to prove who would win over a long distance, a man or a horse.

Over a course of varying terrain, designed to keep the competition fair, yesterday 253 runners raced 44 horses over 22 miles. This year victory went to equine challenger Sly Dai, with Llinos Jones, 24, a primary school teacher, riding, in a time of 2.07.04.

Marathon runner Huw Lobb became the first man to win the event in 2004.

For those preferring two wheels, yesterday also saw around 500 cyclists start the 1000-mile journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain.

The new event will see the riders travel across Britain over nine days, covering an average 114 miles a day through stunning scenery including Loch Ness and Lake Windermere.

Canadian Distance Riding Championship

Come and join us for a Festival of Endurance, Competitive Trail & Ride and Tie competitions in New Lowell, Ontario located in Simcoe County. Your trails will be varied and consisting of fields, sandy pine forestry, some hilly sections and roads.
We promise something for everyone with a 100 Mile FEI CEI***, 75 Mile FEI CEI**, and a 50 mile FEI CEI*. As well, there will be Young Riders Divisions in both the 75 and 50 Mile FEI events. Open Divisions will be offered for all endurance events in addition to the Championship challenges for Ride and Tie and CTR, as well as a 25 mile/40km Novice and 25 mile/40km mileage.

Download pdf flyer

Great Britain: Endurance riders canter to team win

Isle of Wight - County Press online

Friday, June 11, 2010
photo: Some of the winning team and their helpers, from left, Mandy Steen, Carla Maskell, Caroline Cooper, Anna Lek, Emma Broadhurst, Trudi Gatrell and Jessica Gatrell.

A TEAM of six Island riders produced a stunning performance at the Berkshire Downs Endurance Riding Event last weekend.
The team, from Vectis Equestrian Club, were representing the club for the first time in this discipline but despite their lack of experience at this event, still romped to victory.
The 30km route was mainly along the famous Ridgeway and comprised rolling hills with good through hard going.
With no gates to slow them down, the squad — Caroline Cooper (Peronne Pazazz), Emma Broadhurst (Lilly), Mandy Steen (Dynamite Daisy), Fliss Crouch (Tarran), Trudi Gatrell (Decadence) and Carla Maskell (Be Fine) — completed the route in good time, with final heart rates and average speeds deciding the result.
After everyone completed the route, they found they had all achieved the highest grade and had won the Riding Club team event.
This win qualifies the team for the national finals at Southwell Racecourse, Nottinghamshire in September.
The team was assisted on the day by Pauline Wade, Tina Murrant, David and Jessica Gatrell, Dave Dana and Anna Lek, who crewed the team at specified crew points and at the start and finish.
Meanwhile, members of Vectis Equestrian Club travelled to Sparsholt College to compete at the Riding Clubs Area Dressage to Music competition.
Wendy Warren with Truly Scrumptious rode an excellent test and qualified for The Riding Clubs National Championships in Aintree in October.
Kelly Blow and Sally McIntosh, with their horses Mirabella and Sibena were equal first in the pairs’ event while Marty Davison, riding her impressive Friesian horse, Geart, came fourth in their music class.
The IW Riding Club had two of its members placed at the competition.
Pam Gardener, riding Island Lad, came second in the novice restricted section, while Fiona King and Wilma F. Vejgard won the elementary 44 test and came third in the elementary section.

[More ...http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/sport/endurance-riders-canter-to-team-win-33198.aspx]

Australia: Horse Sports - Singleton Endurance riders

singletonargus.com
11 Jun, 2010 11:04 AM

photo: CHAMPIONSHIPS: Margret Boland with Alandell Karlinta and Darryl King with Shanadarr Khaleel.

The 160km ride will see King and Boland head off at midnight on Friday, June 24 and are required to complete the five legs within 24 hours.

Attracting international riders, the event is treated by King and Boland as a relaxing way to destress from life.

Facing cold temperatures and rough terrain, training is vital to the level of success endurance riders reach.

“It is just you and your horse in the elements,” Boland said.

Competing in the middle weight division, Boland and King have been preparing their animals with training and special care.

“They are athletes in the horse world and require all the vitamins, care and physical work of any athlete,” Boland explained.

King is entering the championship with only his 160km qualifying ride behind him.

Boland however has met the criteria to be a part of the New South Wales squad at the event.

Animals are vet checked at all five legs and there is a one hour break at legs one, two and three with a shorter one at legs four and five.

If an animal does not pass the final check they are disqualified from the event.

[More ...http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/sport/general/horse-sports-singleton-endurance-riders/1856110.aspx]