Great Britain: Sainsbury competes in the most prestigious endurance ride in the world

Exmouthjournal.co.uk - Full Story

April 4 2013

Dace Sainsbury who hails from Lyme Regis travelled recently to the Middle East with her horse Lottie for the United Arab Emirates Cup – this is her story.

In November 2012 myself and my horse Ballota were invited to ride in the most prestigious endurance ride in the world, HH The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup that was held in Abu Dhabi. This invite included all costs to and from Abu Dhabi and all accommodation for both horse rider and crew. The invite came off the back of doing so well in Belgium in the European Championships. It was a moment to remember opening the letter with the invite! My beautiful little mare is always surprising me with what her and I could do and now we were going to both go on an aeroplane and fly to the desert!

The travelling to Abu Dhabi went very smoothly, an unexpected surprise I must say. We were taken to a handsome hotel near Maastricht where we stayed for one night before travelling to Dusseldorf for our own flight. The transport stables were okay, could have done with bigger boxes but the grooms and the transporters were very friendly and were very obliging when I repeated instructions for the care of Lottie both before the flight and in travel. I think by the end of my lecture on ‘How and when to feed a horse a carrot’ they referred to me in Dutch as the crazy English girl. Nevertheless they must have done a good job as Lottie arrived in Abu Dhabi very settled, stabled next to a Swedish horse.

So, we arrived at 6.30am on the morning of the 12th and were picked up and taken to the Eastern Mangroves hotel. First word that springs to mind. Wow! The hotel looked like an Arabic postcard, not only was it huge but it had a real traditional Arabic feel, Frankincense burning, Arabic coffee freely available and the most enormous dish of dates piled so precariously that I was pretty dubious about taking one at risk of sending the whole lot flying. That was just the lobby. The hotel rooms were absolutely gargantuan, with beds that could fit about ten of James in!

Lottie wasn’t due to arrive until 7pm that evening. The hours in-between napping and collecting Lottie were jam packed with collecting hire cars, driving to Dubai to visit my family and friends and eating at the hotel restaurant which did not disappoint all week! We had a call at about 4pm to tell us that the horses now wouldn’t be arriving until closer to midnight so we had a long wait at the quarantine stables!...

Read more here:
http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/sport/sainsbury_competes_in_the_most_prestigious_endurance_ride_in_the_world_1_2001619

Australia: Wilga endurance ride proves popular

Donnybrookmail.com.au - Full Article

By LYN WILLETT April 1, 2013

SEVENTY-four horses entered the Wilga endurance ride at the weekend.

With grey skies and cool wind, it was perfect weather for the first ride of the season.

Entrants came from GinGin, Albany, Denmark, Margaret River and everywhere in between.

The friendly, laid-back atmosphere at Wilga is always enjoyable and the beautiful wooden trophies created by Collie wood turners were well received by the riders.

Course markers Mario Martin and Jim Poole did a great job with no one getting lost...

Read more here:
http://www.donnybrookmail.com.au/story/1401806/wilga-endurance-ride-proves-popular/?cs=1193

Free With Every Horse - New Zealand Trek Part I

Easycare Blog - Full Story

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Alayna Wiley

One man, two horses, 3,000 km.

On November 1, 2012 Pete Langford embarked on a 3,000 km (1,800 mile) trek across the length of New Zealand. What inspired Pete to undertake such a challenging journey? His love of horses and nature were the main catalysts, along with a desire to raise money for Air Rescue Services in New Zealand. EasyCare and our New Zealand distributor, the Institute for Barefoot Equine Management (IBEM), are proud to sponsor Pete on this journey. Pete's horses, Two-Shoes and Cloud, are barefoot off the track standardbreds and they are traveling over the varied New Zealand terrain wearing Easyboot Gloves. The trip started at the bottom of the South Island in Bluff and will end at Cape Reinga on the North Island (you can follow their progress on this SPOT Adventure page). Pete and his horses are just finishing their route on the South Island and are currently near Picton.

How are the Easyboot Gloves holding up to such a demanding journey?

Read more here:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/hoofoholic/free-with-every-horse-new-zealand-trek-part-i

Great Britain: Local author gives illustrated talk

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

Monday 1 April 2013

Brechin author John Tytler Thomson took to the limelight on Saturday when he gave a presentation to around 40 people who attended an event, hosted by the Edzell Library Action Group (ELAG), at Inglis Memorial Hall.

The presentation focused on his book “Drinking the Wind - At The Limits of Endurance” with audience members coming from Edzell, Brechin, Fettercairn and Menmuir.

Following his illustrated talk Mr Thomson signed copies of his book.

Drinking the Wind- At the Limits of Endurance is an inspirational true story of John’s miraculous journey from paralysis to recovery thanks to the powerful spiritual bond between man and horse.

John Tytler Thomson reveals his awe-inspiring struggle to recover from a debilitating stroke, revealing the radical benefits that horse-riding brought him as a potent form of rehabilitation...

Read more here:
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/community/local-businesses/local-author-gives-illustrated-talk-1-2858377

Abu Dhabi: Shaikha Najla claims Ladies endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

March 30, 2013

BAHRAIN'S Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa yesterday raced to victory in the 100-km Ladies Endurance Ride in Abu Dhabi.

The Ahmed Al Fateh Stable rider extended her impressive form to finish the race on top amidst a significant turn up of more than 80 riders from the UAE and other GCC countries.

Shaikha Najla was dominant in the race recording an average speed of 29-km per hour.

She was followed by Dana Mattar of Seeh Al Sallam of the UAE, while Ammar Stables rider Layla Josi rounded off the top three.

The event was divided into four stages of 33kms, 27kms, 24kms and 16kms each.

The Bahraini winner was congratulated after the race by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.

Performance

Shaikh Faisal lauded the performance of Shaikha Najla and wished her further progress...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=350478

India: Dope alert: Hold your horse, stables being cleaned

Newindianexpress.com - Full Article

By Pratul Sharma - NEW DELHI
Published: 31st Mar 2013 11:27:27 AM

The government has decided to clean the Augean stables. Well, quite literally. To bring more accountability into equestrian sports, it has decided to acquire dope testing facility in the country for horses. The Delhi-based National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited lab to check human samples, would soon start testing urine and blood samples of horses participating in various competitions to check for the possible use of banned drugs.

The NDTL will soon join the league of select labs across the world which will test horse doping samples. The sports ministry sources said NDTL in its last board meeting in January had decided that the method that uses liquid chromatography–a mass spectrometry analysis method—would be obtained. A `2.5-crore machine will be acquired for this purpose. “We intend to start testing in the next few months,” officials told The Sunday Standard.

To make the facility pass the stringent rules, NDTL has acquired accreditation from the Association of Official Racing Chemists, a US-based body. The new testing facility in India will be able to provide services for various horse sporting events that otherwise have to send samples to Dubai, England or Hong Kong-based labs.

Equine sports are not a common man’s game. Patronised by Maharajas, business tycoons and the army, the sport—be it equestrian or racing—raises its celebrity quotient several notches higher than other sporting events.

But the sport has its share of taint too...

Read more here:
http://newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/article1523566.ece

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team riders clinch podium finishes in the Fontainebleu CEI

BNA.bh

31/03/2013

Manama, March 31 (BNA) -- Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team riders Abdulrahman Al Zayed and Raed Mahmood clinched podium finishes in the CEI de Fontainebleau 2013 Endurance Horse Ride in Fontainebleau, in France.

Al Zayed completed the 130km ride on top amidst participation of more than 80 riders from France and other European countries, finishing ahead of teammate Mahmood who came third.

They came from France, Qatar, Oman, Portugal, Malaysia, Spain, Germany and Thailand. The race, the first event for the Bahraini riders in Europe this year, was divided into four stages.

It started with 36km for the first, followed by a similar 36km distance for the second. The third and fourth stages featured 29km routes each.
The Bahraini due trip to France was in line with the directives of Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who congratulated both riders on their results after the race.

Shaikh Nasser said the achievement is a significant step towards building on the victories accomplished by the team in the past years.

He noted that these achievements would not be possible without the continued support and backing of His Majesty King Hamad to all Bahraini riders.

EM

New Zealand: Leads Change in FEI Endurance Series

NZEquestrian.org.nz

19/03/2013 12:28:21 p.m.
With four of the five events now completed, the ESNZ Endurance FEI Series 2012-13 has been a see-saw affair. Events have alternated this year between the North and South Islands, with few combinations willing to travel to score points in consecutive events.

Of the early series point scorers in the Canterbury FEI ride in early December, only Lisa Wright and Masada Park Metallica travelled to the North Islands Championships. Their total of 31 points from the two events saw them share second place for a short while with Emma Armstrong and Blue Thunder Shimar, one point behind North Island 160km*** Champions, Andrea Smith and Glenmore Tariq.

That is, until a recent trip south to the South Island Championships proved worthwhile for three Wairarapa Endurance Club members. Cherry Brown riding Samurai and I took the series lead with 39 points, followed by Frank Aldridge on Merimindi Finale and Lynda Kessell on KD Kazada (both 37 points). This upset saw North Island 160km*** Champions Smith and Glenmore Tariq slide back to share fourth place and 32 points with South Island 160km*** Champions Alison Higgins and Northwinds Apollo.

However, things didn’t stay still for long. Back in the North Island, a second place in the 80km* at the Waikato ride gave Smith 15 more points, for a total of 47 points, and the series lead by one point over last season’s winners – Mark Tylee and Jacob. In another upset, Amanda McConachy and Makahiwi Geneca placed second in the 120km ** at the Waikato event, and in doing so, leapfrogged from the middle of the series field to third place with 41 points.

The final event of the series is the Fiber Fresh ESNZ Endurance Nationals 2013 at Taupo at Easter, and it is very hard to predict who will finally wear the series buckle sponsored by Makahiwi Arabians.

The ESNZ Endurance FEI Junior Series 2012-13 currently has three combinations tied at first place and 24 points. Georgia Smith and Glenmore Vixen posted the first points on the board with a win in the 120km** JY at North Island Championship, followed by Bridgett James on Glendaar Crystal Fire winning the same event at the South Island Championships. Brigitte Smith borrowed her sister’s mount Aurora Australis at the Waikato event to take the win in her first 120km** JY. Close behind are Leanne Ireland and Alshar Blue Levi on 23 points; and Emma Mason with Tararua Mistalight have 20 points. As with the senior series, it will be very hard to pick a winner until the last horse crosses the line at Taupo.

By Hilary Webb

Portugal Endurance Championships

The Portuguese Endurance Championships will be held at Fronteira on 12-14 April. Races include a CEI*** 160km, CEI**120 km, CEI*80 km, CEP 80 km, CEP 40 km, CEI 20 km

France: Fontainebleau Results

March 30 2013

This CEI***, CEIY**, IEC**, IEC*edition of Grand Parquet at Fontainebleur was a round selective Seniors Team France in the upcoming European Championships to be held at Most in the Czech Republic, as well as handle selective for Youth Team of France in the upcoming World Championships, to be held in Tarbes.

Results of the 130 km***:
1. Abdulrahman Mohammed Alzayed - Arkiyo - Bahrain - 5:27.12
2. Raed Mahmood - Quenzo - Bahrain - 5:29.35
3. Geraldine Brault - Pomoska du Barthas - France - 5:34.11
4. Ruth Comas-Molist - Enia - Spain - 5:38.57
5. Robin Cornely - Rusty James - France - 5:39.57

For further results see:
http://www.atrm-systems.fr/documents_passes_endurauto.php?Lien=Fontainebleau+%28FRA%29+29-03-2013

Abu Dhabi: Al Jahouri emerges best

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

(KT Report) / 29 March 2013

School boy Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, astride Baraka Farid, won the CEI three-star 140 Km endurance ride for Al Wathbaon on Thursday at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, as part of the two-day Abu Dhabi Endurance Festival.

The Festival is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and chairman of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC).

The race was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Mansour, Shaikh Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, director general of ADEC and Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of Ladies Racing in IFAHR.

The ride was run in five stages of 35 kms, 34 kms, 31 kms, 24 kms and 16 km and it drew 67 riders. Al Jahouri finished the first loop in third place and finished second in the following two loops but slowed down in the fourth and went behind to finish fourth. But he regained the required speed to emerge victorious with an average speed of 26.925 kmph...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/nationsports/2013/March/nationsports_March366.xml§ion=nationsports

Abu Dhabi Endurance Festival begins

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

28 March 2013

ABU DHABI — Three endurance rides will be held as part of the inaugural two-day Abu Dhabi Endurance Festival starting from Thursday at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi with some of the top riders participating.
Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) told a Press conference at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel on Tuesday evening, “This is the first time such a festival of rides is being held in Abu Dhabi. We start off with a 140-km Three-star Open endurance ride on Thursday which will be the feature event.”

Friday, March 29 we will be staging two rides, one a 120-km national ride for private owners and the second a national ride for ladies over a distance of 100 kms,” he said.

“Around 140 riders are expected to be starting in Thursday’s 140 km-ride which will be held in five stages of 35 kms, 34 kms, 31 kms, 24 kms and 16 kms,” said Al Nuaimi.

In the ladies ride on Friday the participants are required to cover the 100 kms divided into four stages of 33 kms , 27 kms, 24 kms and 16 kms,” he said.

The rides are being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/horseracing/2013/March/horseracing_March7.xml§ion=horseracing

Qatar: Big show: Aiming high

ThePeninsularaQatar.com - Full Article

28 March 2013
By Isabel Ovalle

Qatar is currently hosting the first international equestrian competition to be held in the Middle East and Asia. The venue is Al Shaqab, which boasts 980,000 square metres of world-class facilities inside Qatar Foundation’s Education City.
The organisers expect 10,000 spectators to attend over the four days of the event, with special attendance by members of the ruling family and other guests of honour from the GCC states.

CHI (Concours Hippique International — International Equestrian Competition) is the official title given by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) to international equestrian competitions with three or more equine disciplines, like the one taking place in Doha.

“Many prestigious equestrian events have taken place in the Gulf countries; however, this combination of disciplines hasn’t been done before,” said Dr Andras Tatar, Venue Director at Al Shaqab.

The event, which began yesterday, will conclude on March 30 with participation by the best riders in the FEI ranking.
The city will host at least three more events like this, which will serve as tests for Doha and Al Shaqab, which ultimately aims to host the World Equestrian Games in 2022.

Al Shaqab wants to use the opportunity to the full.

“We are about to develop the facility to be multifunctional. We have control rooms to run three different disciplines at the same time, with the outdoor area destined for showjumping and the indoor area for dressage,” said Dr Tatar, who has been working at Al Shaqab for over five years.

Al Shaqab has three major areas, and a fourth one will be the arena and events area. The others are a zone dedicated to breeding and one for endurance, both focusing on Arabian horses, and the riding academy. The institution is developing programmes to build dressage teams and at present has competing teams only in endurance. The academy has 1,156 members — half of them expatriates of various nationalities and the rest Qataris, said the venue director...

Read more here:
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/cover-plus/230894-big-show-aiming-high.html

Belgium: Mont Le Soie National and International Races Cancelled

Endurance-belgium.com

27 March 2013

[google translate]

The association PROMO ENDURANCE HORSE, organizing competitions endurance Mont-le-Soie (Vielsalm) cancels national and international competitions that were to take place this Saturday 04 and Sunday, May 5th next.

In September 2012, Mont-le-Soie had served as the Junior European Championships and the World Veterans and this year was the 13th edition of the appointment of high level. There will unfortunately probably nothing.

Involved, due to weather extremely rough this winter that many horses are stationed in Belgium and neighboring regions will not be ready for early May.

In addition, another international contest of endurance in Rambouillet (France, 300 kms from Mont-le-Soie) came intercalate into the schedule the same dates so that no rider will not run into hexagonal Ardennes .

Knowing that to balance the budget of Mont-le-Soie, it takes 100 horses minimum international events, Special Equestrian Endurance has always worked far more by passion than by reason prefer this time reverse priorities and think accounting terms.

Still another date is being considered for Mont-le-Soie but at the end of the season.

International Endurance Competition to take place in Windsor Great Park, May 2013

Endurancegb.co.uk

19th March 2013

On Friday 10th May up to 60 riders will participate in the newly introduced Royal Windsor Endurance CEI 2* taking place in Windsor Great Park. This new competition is in association with and presented by Royal Windsor Horse Show (8 – 12 May 2013).

Countries throughout the world have been invited to put forward competitors and initial indications are that Great Britain, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and France will compete. Its route will be over 120km in Windsor Great Park consisting of 4 loops of differing distances.

Continuing a tradition of association with international endurance competition, this event is generously supported by The Kingdom of Bahrain, who recently sponsored the FEI 2011 European Open Endurance Horseride Championship in Florac, France.

Technical Delegate, John Robertson, a member of the FEI Endurance Committee, a 4* endurance judge, and Technical Delegate and the Technical Advisor for the 2012 World Championships, has confirmed that the course offers some excellent riding in a beautiful landscape with a good, varied terrain.

Visitors may watch the event free of charge as they follow its route through the Great Park.

Royal Windsor Horse Show, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th May. It is host to the Land Rover International Carriage Driving Competition as well as over 120 showing classes and a great variety of jumping and dressage classes. With over 3000 entries for the Show the event is one of the highlights of the English equestrian calendar.

Royal Windsor Horse Show box office is now open and tickets can be purchased online at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephone from 0844 581 4960. For further information please contact Tanya Bicknell or Jo Peck on tanyab@hpower.co.uk or Jo.peck@hpower.co.uk 01753 847900

Great Britain: ew Endurance Rider Plans Epic Fundraiser From the Bay to Hay

Endurancegb.co.uk - Full Article

20 March 2013

Vika Engel plans to celebrate her 15th birthday on May 26 by setting out with her pony Sparkle on an epic ride. She aims to travel 100 miles over six days, from the sandy beach at Borth on the Welsh coast, right across the mountains, forests and moorlands to the English border at Hay-on-Wye, where she will be greeted by film producer, Revel Guest, during the Hay Festival.

Vika will be raising funds in memory of her brother, Laurie, whose 21st birthday should have been May 28. Laurie died of cancer at the age of 13, and the fund set up by his family after Laurie’s death, has already raised more than £1 million to build a new teenage cancer unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he was treated.

Now the hospital is appealing for £4 million to refurbish the rest of the cancer department and this is the inspiration for Vika’s ride.

Vika will be accompanied during the 100 mile ride by at least one adult member of the Offa’s Dyke branch of Endurance GB on each day of her ride, as well as by her friends from the Golden Valley Pony Club.

To ensure that she is properly prepared for the ride, Vika Engel has become a full member of Offa’s Dyke branch of Endurance GB, the governing body of the sport of endurance riding in the UK. She and her friends then plan to use the Forest of Dean pleasure ride as a training ride for their planned 100 mile epic ride to raise funds for the Laurie Engel Fund...

Read more here:
http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=3047

Nutrition Service Co. Seals Commits as Alltech Official Partner of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy

March 13, 2013
 
Press Contacts:  Elizabeth Adams, Alltech PR
eadams@alltech.com; (859) 401-2964
 
Wayne Nighorn, President of Nutrition Service
(920) 822-8881
 
[PULASKI, Wis.] –Nutrition Service Co., a Wisconsin-based developer of equine and livestock nutrition, has joined as an Alltech Official Partner of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. Officials with the company announced the partnership March 9 during an open house at Nutrition Service Co.’s headquarters in Pulaski, Wis.
 
This partnership provides a wide range of benefits including exclusive marketing rights. Nutrition Service Co. will activate a number of marketing and promotional campaigns through its line of Equi-Rich Horse Feeds, which are developed through the Alltech Equine Advantage Program. As an Alltech Official Partner, the company will involve their customers throughout Wisconsin in the excitement of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.
 
“Nutrition Service Co. is proud to sign on as an Alltech Official Partner of Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy,” said Wayne Nighorn, president of Nutrition Service Co. “This is a priceless opportunity for our company to reinforce its support of the equine community and link our new Equi-Rich Horse Feeds to the most celebrated event in the world of equestrian sport.”

“Alltech and Nutrition Service Co. have a long-standing history of service to the agricultural community of America,” said Jennifer Rittenhouse, regional marketing manager for Alltech. “Sharing Alltech’s commitment to health and performance of horses, Nutrition Service Co. will help spread the news of the Games to farming communities in America’s Midwest region.”

The Alltech Official Partner Program is a strategic sales and marketing partnership with leading horse feed and animal health companies throughout the world. It enables these global partners to differentiate their feed with the Alltech Equine Advantage and also provides them with the right to use Alltech Official Partner brand marks linked to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. This exclusive program allows partners and their customers to share in the excitement of the world’s most celebrated equestrian championships.

Dubai: Al Beloushi brothers score 1-2 in Crown Prince Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Young Rashid blazes away on Davlyn Park Picasso

By M. Satya Narayan, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
Published: 18:24 March 23, 2013

Dubai: Rashid Ahmad Al Beloushi and his elder brother and trainer Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi made it a 1-2 for their family as well as Al Reef Stables to drive away with a Range Rover each after the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, 120-km Two Star ride on Saturday.

The young Rashed on Davlyn Park Picasso unleashed one of the fastest final loop speeds when his average speed of 37.97 kmph for the final 20-km stage took him from 10th place to first leaving behind a handful of fancied riders including Yousef, who trained the winning horse. Even more remarkable was the winning time of 4 hours 04 mins 32 secs which was better than last year’s 4:21.46 - also set by a horse trained by Yousef when Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi won this prestigious ride on Cronus.

While Rashid rode Davlyn Park Picasso at 10th after 100 kms, Yousef was fourth on Elyphyn Silverlight while it was Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi on La Crysada who was in the lead. Even as leads were being exchanged at the top, young Rashid who had kept his horse’s speed to just over 24km/h in the penultimate stage of 20 kms, went for it and finally made it by almost breaking the four-hour barrier for a 120-km event...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-beloushi-brothers-score-1-2-in-crown-prince-cup-1.1161915

Endurance Canada Recognize Award Recipients at Equine Canada Annual Gala

March 2013

At the 2013 Equine Canada Awards Gala held during the Annual Convention in February, the Endurance Canada Committee announced its most prestigious annual awards -Endurance Canada Hall Of Fame, Ron Janzen Memorial, Young at Heart and Youth Appreciation.

Endurance Canada takes great pride in recognizing Terre O'Brennan of Delta, BC, for all she has contributed to the sport of Endurance in Canada. For her dedication, O'Brennan was named as the 2012 recipient of the Endurance Canada Hall Of Fame Award.

O'Brennan began Endurance riding in the early 80s, and she quickly fell in love with the sport. Since that time she has completed over 7000 miles in competition and ridden many thousands of miles in training.

After competing up to the international level, O'Brennan felt she wanted to give back to her sport, and began volunteering, organizing rides, and mentoring new riders.

During these years she has remained a staunch supporter of the local, provincial, and regional endurance organizations, sitting on the Boards and providing them with numerous teaching articles for their newsletters. She co-organized and managed the 'Over the Rainbow Ride' in Merritt, BC for twenty years, and this summer she is hosting her first FEI event at this site.

O'Brennan has been active on the Endurance Canada Committee since its inception, being one of the British Columbia representatives, and serving as vice-chair. She is now in her second term as the Chair of the Endurance Canada Committee.

"The Hall of Fame is surely the greatest honour Endurance Canada can bestow," said O'Brennan. "I am honoured and humbled to have received this award."

"When I look at the inductees into the Endurance Canada Hall of Fame, I see not just highly successful competitors, although that is certainly apparent, I see a list of people who, in addition to excelling at their sport, have contributed greatly to it through volunteerism, education and, above all, a vision and a dedication to developing the sport of Endurance in Canada. I am honoured beyond words to be included in this group," continued O'Brennan.

Unique Columbian Horse Breed Makes Middle East Debut at Dubai International Horse Fair

BNA.bh - Full Article

22/03/13

Dubai, Mar. 22. (BNA) -- As the finest Arabian horse specimens take centre stage at the Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF), a unique “Paso Fino” Colombian horse breed makes its debut in the Middle East. Colombian exhibitor AlphaOmega, which exports Paso Fino horses, have introduced prospective buyers, breeders and trade visitors to the breed and have reported keen interest shown by the regional equestrian industry.

AlphaOmega manager Ricardo Avila Pineda said: “With a slightly convex profile of the head, an arched and muscular neck, slender and straight legs as well as small hooves, the Paso Fino is a widely sought after breed for smooth riding, endurance riding, horse shows, equestrian competitions and parade mounts. We have seen many interested buyers at the show who are eager to purchase this breed, which can sell from AED150,000 up to AED7 million for champion horses.” Pineda explained that the Paso Fino, meaning “Fine Step” in English, refers to the smoothness, elegance, and well-coordinated movement of the horse’s four hooves, which makes it so unique. With Paso Fino horses, each hoof moves independently from the other three hooves in a perfect succession, which translates into a rhythm of four by four...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/552753

A long and grinding road ahead for riders and horses in Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Ali Khaled
Mar 18, 2013

The suits, the dresses and, of course, the hats already are being prepared, more than a week in advance. On Saturday, March 30, the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse will be the epicentre for thoroughbred racing. And for good reason: the world's richest race will be run, part of the richest night of racing, and fans from around the world will be there to see and be seen.

For some racing enthusiasts, however, this weekend brings a different, more extreme but equally compelling brand of racing.
Welcome to the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup.

Over the coming weekend, Dubai International Endurance City will witness two races that may not carry the glamour of the Dubai World Cup but more than make up for it as tradition-steeped tests of horse and rider.

On Friday, the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Ride, which is restricted to privately owned stables and individual jockeys, takes place over a gruelling 100 kilometres. On Saturday, the 120km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup is open to all government-funded stables, as well.

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/sport-comment/a-long-and-grinding-road-ahead-for-riders-and-horses-in-dubai-crown-prince-endurance-cup

Lameness primary cause of endurance horse vet-outs

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Mar 19, 2013 in Focus

Lameness is the most common reason for the vetting out of horses on endurance rides around the world, a study has revealed.

Researchers A Nagy, JK Murray and SJ Dyson compared the frequency of occurrence of elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons from FEI endurance rides of greater than 100km from 2008 to 2011 in all countries.

They aimed to assess risk factors for elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons. Data for the study was collected from the website of the FEI, the world governing body for horse sport.

Between 2008 and 2011, there were 30,741 horse starts at FEI endurance rides of 100-160 km distance in 47 countries. Of all started horses, 30% were eliminated for lameness...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/03/19/lameness-primary-cause-endurance-vet-outs/#.UUh4GFtAT_o

India: Rajasthan's horse heaven

Pushkar, the Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan. Photo / Thinkstock NZHerald.co.nz - Full Article

March 18 2013

Marwari horses steal Suzanne Middleton’s heart at the start of a three-month journey through Rajasthan in Northern India.

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a glorious melee of camels, farmers and tourists both Indian and foreign. Reminiscent of a New Zealand A&P show back in the 1960s, it's a farmers' big day out spread over nine days of competitions, displays, horse trading and religious observance.

To the urban tourist it's a spectacle of colour and fast-moving beasts. But for the horse lover it's a paradise of voluptuous horseflesh. In a sea of beige camels and cattle the vibrant Marwari horses, white, grey, black, bay and skewbald, snatch my attention from day one. Brought here to be sold, they're presented at their best, proud and noble animals bred by tough desert men.

These fiery and feisty horses are dynamite and they seem to know the place they hold in the hearts of Rajasthanis. They're a 2000-year-old breed, used as cavalry horses and ridden by the maharajahs of old, known for their courage, strength and endurance.

Striking in appearance, they're lean with clean lines, between 14.2 and 15.2 hands high, and any colour except chestnut. Their numbers were reduced to a few hundred 20 years ago, but now the Rajasthani government is encouraging excellence in the breed.

The men put the horses through their paces in the arena, leaning back with their feet forward, travelling at a thundering trot or a blistering semi pace, as smooth as the sand at their feet...

Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10871969

Great Britain: Local author to give illustrated talk

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk

18 March 2013 05:14

Local author John Tytler Thomson will be giving an illustrated talk about his book ‘Drinking the Wind’ at the Inglis Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 23.

This is an extraordinary and inspiring version of his recovery from a sudden and debilitating illness and his progression to become a successful endurance rider.

The book is about courage, determination and the tough, intense, often unforgiving conditioning required to prepare a horse and rider for the extremes of endurance.

It is a remarkable account of the formidable bond forged between the rider and his pure bred Arabian horse and their combined battle for the first Trans Scotland 200-mile endurance ride from Scurdie Ness Lighthouse to Ardnamurchan Point.

This talk will appeal to everybody - book lovers; horse lovers; those who have battled against illness; lovers of the Scottish countryside.

Admission is free and tea, coffee, soft drinks and home baking will be available.

The event is being hosted by the Edzell Library Action Group.

Qatar: Top riders get set for Doha

Thepeninsulqatar.com

17 March 2013

DOHA: Several top riders and horses from all over the world will participate in show jumping, dressage and endurance competitions at first CHI Al Shaqab to be held later this month.

The four-day gala will be organised by Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, from March 27 to 30.
Undoubtedly, the jumping competition receives great attention at CHI Al Shaqab 2013, with the high number of world’s top ranking riders participating in it, and with the CSI 5* Grand Prix considered as a qualifier for the FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014 to be held in Normandy, France.

One of the notable riders participating in the competition is Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, who considers CHI Al Shaqab 2013 as an important stop for preparing for the FEI World Cup Jumping finals that will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, next month.

This is the second consecutive time that Sheikh Ali has qualified for the FEI World Cup Jumping, after he claimed one of the direct qualifier cards of the FEI Arab League Jumping Championships.

Commenting on his participation at CHI Al Shaqab, Sheikh Ali said: “We always aim at participating in these international competitions, which are usually held in European countries, as we are used to in the past years. What makes us feel proud this time is that Qatar is organising a competition of this international level through Al Shaqab. Qatar has acclaimed global attention, thanks to its ambitious vision in the field of sport. This places great responsibility on the Qatari riders to live up to the expectations.”

About the benefit that he shall gain from participating in CHI Al Shaqab, the Qatari rider said: “CHI Al Shaqab will provide a treasure of experience on the technical level, not only to the riders, but also to those working behind the scenes in the equestrian field. It serves as an opportunity to the local trainers to follow and observe the preparations and trainings done by the international riders participating in the competition.”

Praising the organisers, he added: “Al Shaqab owns the best stables and courses, and complete world-class facilities, which helps them in hosting a number of high level international tournaments. “

He explained: “Moreover, organising international championship of this kind proves the international standard and global fame of Al Shaqab, and adds to the value of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and the Qatar Olympic Committee.”

He added: “Everyone must keep in mind that the world’s top riders choose the places in which their horses shall be handled with utmost attention and care. The trust they place in allowing their horses to be kept at Al Shaqab in preparation of the championship proves that Al Shaqab is completely fit and eligible to organise international competitions.”

Commenting on the competitions in Qatar, Sheikh Ali said: “We hope that the sport organisers increase the number of championships held in Qatar. This shall reflect positively on the level of local competitions. Also this will help the horses and riders get the opportunity to compete in different places.” THE PENINSULA