Australia: Battle-hardened Excalibur wins Tom Quilty

ABC.net.au - Full Article

June 9 2013
Cassie Hough

A fight to the finish on the weekend made for one of the most exciting conclusions in the history of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Defending champion Brook Sample had six Tom Quilty Gold Cup wins to his name going in to this year's event, but he had never won in his home state of Queensland.

Mr Sample led in the final leg of the race but he and his horse Brookleigh Excalibur were challenged by Akhmed Pshunov on Tarrangower Crecendo on the home straight.

Mr Sample says he has never been pushed so hard at the end of a Tom Quilty endurance ride before.

"It was full on, we were flying at a full gallop and after doing 160 kilometres, having a full gallop down the grass verge was very exciting."

"He is such a courageous horse, I actually slowed him up in that last loop and the other guy caught me and I just wanted to slow my horse up, I didn't want to hurt him."

"But as soon as the other guy caught me my horse just lifted up a gear and he just said to me 'No way, I've not been doing this for 160kms to be beaten by this other horse' and he just took off, I couldn't hold him."

"When they finish like that and they really want to go, they're a 95 per cent chance of their heart rate coming down and vetting back through and being a happy wonderful horse."

Mr Sample and Excalibur crossed the finish line in a time of nine hours and 14 minutes, just one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Akhmed Pshunov on Tarrangower Crecendo...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/tom-quilty/4742896

Great Britain: Top two separated by a head after 80km ride

Thisiscornwell.co.uk - Full Article

June 7 2013
By Jane Holden

For the first time in five years, the weather gods smiled upon the Minions Moorland Endurance Ride and it took place in glorious sunshine, with just a light breeze on top of the moor to keep the horses cool.

There were a record number of entries this year, many of them local riders who came out to enjoy a route that is not usually available. Thanks to the generosity of local landowners and the St Cleer and East Moor Commoners, Sue Speed and I, as ride organisers, were able to link Minions Moor with East Moor by taking the riders through Smallacombe Plantation.

Thanks to the sunshine and the drying wind, the going was pronounced "superb" with only a few wet patches and the occasional stony track to take care on. No crewing can take place on the moor so all checkpoints were provided with water for the horses (riders are expected to carry their own). Those riders doing the longer distances were also crewed at East Moor Gate, which is the halfway point of the 32km (20 miles)...

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/separated-head-80km-ride/story-19214904-detail/story.html#axzz2VfS7IBka

Great Britain: 2,500-mile charity horse rider to arrive in Burnley

Burnleyexpress.net - Full Article

07/06/2013 14:37

Veteran long-distance rider William Reddaway (65) will pass through the Burnley countryside tomorrow (Saturday) during a 2,500 mile six-month charity ride.

He and his four-legged companion, Strider, are raising funds for Wormwood Scrubs Riding for the Disabled Association and The Family Holiday Association. They will ride along the Mary Towneley Loop, which passes through Cliviger, to complete the first eight stages and 500 miles of the route which began in Gloucestershire...

Read more here:
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/local-news/2-500-mile-charity-horse-rider-to-arrive-in-burnley-1-5747221

Australia: Crowd gathers for national horse ride

ABC.net.au - Full Article

By Eliza Rogers

Posted Fri Jun 7, 2013

Tom Quilty rider Paul Sidio
Photo: Missouri rider Paul Sidio is competing in the Tom Quilty Cup for the first time with horse Sid, who has completed the event twice. (Eliza Rogers)

More than 250 riders have nominated for this year's Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance horse ride at Kilkivan, near Gympie in southern Queensland.

The ride, known as the largest horse endurance ride in the Southern Hemisphere, kicks off at midnight tonight and riders have 24 hours to complete a 160-kilometre course.

Kilkivan hasn't hosted the event since 2008, and organisers worked hard this year to bring flood-damaged grounds up to standard.

The small town's population is expected to swell by five times to 2,000 as support teams and spectators flock in.

Riders have come from New Zealand, America, Japan, France and England to compete...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/tom-quilty-horse-ride/4740588

Australia: Riders prepare for tough going in Tom Quilty Gold Cup

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

7th Jun 2013 6:37 AM

Craig Warhurst

TODAY sees the Tom Quilty Gold Cup come to Kilkivan.

The endurance ride is arguably the toughest in Australia and was founded by the legendary RM Williams.

Since 1966, long distance competitive horse riding has been an organised sport in Australia.

The Tevis Cup endurance ride, held in the US since 1955, inspired RM Williams to start an Australian long distance race.

At the time he was editor of Hoofs and Horns, Australia's pioneer horse magazine.

Through his magazine, RM Williams extended an invitation to all those interested in conducting Australia's own 100 miles-in-one-day ride...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/riders-prepare-for-tough-ride/1898348/

Australia: Top riders saddle up for Tom Quilty Gold Cup

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

Craig Warhurst 6th Jun 2013 5:00 AM

THE Melbourne Cup of Australian endurance racing, The Tom Quilty Gold Cup, is rearing to go in Kilkivan tomorrow.

More than 250 of Australia's top riders will be saddled up to head out on the first leg of the annual Australian Endurance Riding Championships.

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup starts midnight tomorrow with Kenilworth's Brook Sample the favourite to take out the event.

Mr Sample will compete against the nation's best and a host of international riders from the United States, New Zealand, Japan and Europe.

The current Australian champion has won a record six Quiltys.

He arrived at the Kilkivan showground yesterday with his riding team and was quietly confident of a good showing...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/saddle-up-for-quilty-top-riders-ready-for-cup/1896597/

Guatemala: "Little Tevis - Guatevis"

6/3/2013

The 3rd annual Guatamalan National Endurance Championship, affectionately known as "the Little Tevis - Guatevis", will be held on June 8, 2013 at San Jose Pinula, Guatemala.

Events include a CEN 1/2*, CEN 1*, and CEN 2*.

Australia: 252 Starters for the 48th Tom Quilty Gold Cup at Kilkivian!

Horsedeals.com.au - Full Article

Australia's national endurance horse riding championship, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, will have 252 starters at midnight on Friday June 7 at Kilkivan in south-east Queensland.

While organisers had hoped 300 riders and their horses would nominate for the 48th Quilty - the nation's best test of true horsemanship - flooding earlier this year resulted in several key qualifying rides being cancelled or postponed.

This meant many prospective first-time Quilty riders hadn't successfully completed a prior 160km ride in time to qualify for this year's ride.

However, the event host, the Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club (KERC), is chuffed with the 250+ nominations from across Australia and overseas for the punishing 160km-long endurance pursuit.

"We reckon this is pretty darn good," said KERC president, Vern Berry, who saw the ride base at Kilkivan showground devastated by floodwaters in January.

Vern said the five legs of the rigorous Kilkivan track were in good condition, and lots of hard work by many volunteers had resurrected the showground's facilities, which are now ready to accommodate next week's influx of around 2000 people for the Quilty.

This means a five-fold increase to Kilkivan's population as riders, their strapping teams, support crews, family and friends, organisers and volunteers set up camp at the showground. Spectators at the event will further swell the township's numbers over the weekend of June 8-9.

Nine international competitors are flying in from the US, the UK, Japan and New Zealand, and an 18-strong contingent is crossing Bass Strait from Tasmania before heading north to Kilkivan. Two riders and their entourages are driving across from Western Australia, with another two coming up from South Australia, and many more are converging on Kilkivan from Victoria, New South Wales, and as far north as Herberton in far north Queensland.

This year 18 juniors (aged 12 to 17) and 234 seniors will enjoy the riding conditions of Queensland's mild winter and the historic aspect of the course's third leg, which covers part of the Cobb & Co Heritage Trail...

Read more here:
http://www.horsedeals.com.au/index.php?p=event&e=20519-252-Starters-for-the-48th-Tom-Quilty-Gold-Cup-at-Kilkivian

Australia: 76-year-old will compete in a 160km endurance horse ride

Themorningbulletin.com.au

Lisa Benoit 3rd Jun 2013

ALWYN Torenbeek has been riding horses since he can remember.

And at the age of 76, he still gets on his horse everyday.

Alwyn is off to the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, at Kilkivan in south-east Queensland this week to compete in a 160km endurance ride.

He started riding in the event's second year in 1967.

For more on Alwyn, check out this week's Morning Bulletin.

European Equestrian Federation Press Release on Endurance Discipline

Euroequestrian.eu

Warendorf, 29 May 2013

The Board of European Equestrian Federation (EEF) discussed the challenges in Endurance discipline identified by the Swiss NF at its meeting in Warsaw on Tuesday 27 May 2013 and reviewed the the discussions that had taken place between other NFs and the FEI. The Board determined to ask the FEI:

- to make public the actions it has already taken to protect our sport through their "Clean Sport" and other initiatives;

- to appoint an "independent commission" led by a highly respected chairman to review the challenges and future for Endurance and make appropriate recommendations for action.

The President of the EEF, Dr. Hanfried Haring, said:

"We back fully the work of the FEI, it's "Clean Sport" policy and it's determination to maintain high levels of welfare amongst the horses competing internationally. We are fully confident that the FEI will provide the leadership to ensure a prosperous long term future for the Endurance discipline of our sport."

The EEF currently embraces 43 member national federations as well as 6 associate members in its organisation.

Pamela Young: Controversy in Endurance

Chrisstafford.podbean.com - Radio podcast

The editor of Horse Sport International, Pamela Young, joins me to discuss the international controversy surrounding the welfare of horses in the sport of endurance and letters from National Federations to the FEI calling for specific action. These topics are being covered in the current issue of Horse Sport International - http://www.horsesportinternational.com. Follow us on Twitter @horsesportintl and @chrisestafford.

Hear the radio podcast here:
http://chrisstafford.podbean.com/2013/05/30/pamela-young-controversy-in-endurance/

Australia: Endurance rider passes 10,000km mark

Mudgeeguardian.com.au - Full Article

By Ben Harris May 31, 2013

Horseman John Howe joined an exclusive club on the weekend when he notched up 10,000 kilometres of endurance riding.

The milestone was achieved during the Mudgee Endurance Ride on Sunday.

Howe and his trusty horse Ashbend Perazzi, or Ears as the 12-year-old is known, were given an enthusiastic applause when the pair crossed the finish line.

Howe was only able to celebrate the milestone once the vet gave Ears the all clear after the 83km event.

“I got the thumbs up from the vets and it was absolutely fantastic,” Howe said.

It has been a journey 26 years in the making and one that would not have begun if it weren’t for cricket.

“I was watching the cricket one night and seeing the likes of Allan Border scoring a truckload of runs, and I knew I was never going to be carrying the drinks for Australia so I thought I could be successful at endurance riding,” he said...

Read more here:
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/1540680/endurance-rider-passes-10000km-mark/?cs=12

France: Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm wins at Compiegne

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 26, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

May 24, 2013, Compiegne, France ~ The UAE’s Saeed Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi prevented a clean sweep by the French riders in the FEI 3 *160 Nations Cup Endurance in Compiegne, France, which was supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

French rider Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm finished first in this important 160-km ride with the Emirati rider Al Harbi on Reef Beethoven in second place and another French rider Laurent Mosti on Reve De Sauveterre in third in this highly testing event.

Goachet on Quran El Ulm completed the 160-km event in 7 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds at an average speed of 20.57 kmph...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=6952

Al Harbi prevents French sweep in Compiegne Endurance

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Emirati rider finishes second in 160km event

Staff Report
Published: 19:39 May 26, 2013

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi prevented a clean sweep by home riders in the 160-kilometre endurance in Compiegne, France, which was supported by the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
French rider Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm finished first, with Al Harbi on Reef Beethoven in second place and another French rider Laurent Mosti on Reve De Sauveterre in third.

Goachet finished in 7 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds at an average speed of 20.57 kmph.

“My horse looked in great shape as the trainer had done a good job and I was confident right from the start,” said the winner...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-harbi-prevents-french-sweep-in-compiegne-endurance-1.1188853

Doping Scandal Rocks Middle East Endurance

Chronofhorse.com - Full Article

May 21, 2013
By: Staff

Prominent European federations are pressuring the Fédération Equestre Internationale to “clean up” endurance riding in the Middle East, citing the high incidence of doping and equine fractures in the area.

The Swiss Equestrian Federation is currently in strong correspondence with the FEI—some of which has leaked onto the web—saying the “negative evolution” of endurance is so unacceptable a breakaway sport should be considered. Belgian officials have complained about “unimaginable proportions” of leg injuries, and the French are asking for a clean-up before the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in their country to avoid “a welfare scandal at a major event.”

And while the FEI is understood to have already taken stronger action, including directly appointing some of the officials at rides in the United Arab Emirates from the start of their next winter season, the Swiss remain dissatisfied with the FEI response and last week made further written demands...

Read more here:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/doping-scandal-rocks-middle-east-endurance

Ireland: Castleruddery

Enduranceridingireland.com - Full Story

Event: Castleruddery

Date: Sun May 19 2013

Mountains, valleys, forests and rivers - it's no wonder our prehistoric forebearers chose to settle here and raise the mysterious and timeless standing stone circle at Castleruddery. All was just as beautiful and mystical for the setting of the recent ILDRA endurance ride, organised superbly (as usual) by Sam Hawkins and his capable team of helpers, Larry O'Neill, Nicki Boud-Tighe, Emma McCarthy and Gillian Moody, with the veterinary expertise of Barbara Fonzo available to assess the horses competing.

Sam had marked a route which made great use of farmland and forest tracks, taking in Fauna and Mulrew forests with the farthest reaches of the trail stretching into Drumreagh at the back of Church Mountain. The tracks were in the best condition possible, with several stretches greatly improved from previous years and there can be few more delightful canter sections on endurance rides than those situated within the scenic Glen of Imaal - particularly on a sunny day! The route rode very well indeed with enough challenging terrain to make it a true 'endurance' test. In addition to the marvellous scenery (and to keep the horses on their toes!), riders caught frequent glimpses of wildlife, including deer and hare...

Read more here:
http://www.enduranceridingireland.com/endurance-riding-ildra-event-report.php?id=289

Dubai’s ruler bans steroids as horseracing scandal widens

FT.com - Full Article

By Simeon Kerr in Dubai and Roger Blitz in London
May 23, 2013

Dubai’s ruler has banned the use of steroids in the United Arab Emirates as he seeks to stem the widening doping scandal at his Godolphin stables.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE prime minister, said he had ordered the drafting, with immediate effect, of legislation criminalising the import, sale, purchase and use of anabolic steroids in all horse-related sports.

“Regrettably, one of my stables in Europe has recently fallen below the standards that I expect and will tolerate,” he said in a statement. “I have always believed in the integrity of horseracing...”

Read more here:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/72d37cb8-c3af-11e2-aa5b-00144feab7de.html#axzz2UDChgNrl

Top UAE riders in French endurance event

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Al Jahouri father and son will be among those to compete on Friday and Saturday

Staff Report
Published: 21:23 May 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Nearly 200 riders and teams from 22 nations will in action over the next two days in Compiegne, France, with the support of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Many of the UAE’s leading riders, including European Open champion Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and his son Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, who has won many rides in the UAE this season, will be representing the Al Wathba Stables, which are owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The UAE riders will be taking part in the 160km ride on Friday and the 160km ride and Nations Cup on Saturday...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/top-uae-riders-in-french-endurance-event-1.1187769

Great Britain: Atrocious weather fails to stop Golden Horseshoe endurance riders

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on May 22, 2013

If it had been a three-day-event, it probably would have been cancelled, but the endurance riders at last week’s Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor are made of sterner stuff.

The 180 competitive riders a rode through mud, wind and rain in the worse weather the famous event has experienced. But the poor weather failed to put a damper on the riders, and as one official put it, completing the event was “a triumph over adversity”...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/05/22/atrocious-weather-fails-stop-golden-horseshoe-endurance-riders/#.UZ6m3WRAQUI

Australia: Enduro Annetts wins again

Gleninnesexaminer.com.au - Full Article

May 23 2013

Glen Innes endurance horse rider Jenny Annetts has recently broken a record and won an event.

The NSW state horse endurance ride championships was held in Manilla, near Tamworth a few weeks back and Jenny won the gruelling 160km event in a great time of 11 hours and 23 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/1521554/enduro-annetts-wins-again/?cs=420

Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team is supporting a 120km Endurance Horse Ride

BNA.bh - Full Article

23/05/2013

Manama, May 23 (BNA) -- Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team is supporting a 120km Endurance Horse Ride, part of the Compiegne Festival Mondial d’Endurance, to be held on Sunday at Compiegne near Paris, in France.

Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a group of prominent Bahraini riders in this two-day festival, which also includes a 160km ride, set to take place today.

Shaikh Nasser will be racing alongside Yaqoub Al Hammadi, Raed Mahmood, Mohammed Abdulsamad and Abdulrahman Al Saad this weekend.

Fresh from their participation in the recently-concluded Windsor Show in the UK, the Bahrain delegation moved to Compiegne, a commune in the Oise department in northern France, ahead of today’s event, which is sponsored by Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.

Bahrain team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan had reached the French capital ahead of the team delegation arrival to ensure the completion of all matters related to the team participation and ensure smooth organization of the 120km ride...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/562094

Australia: Tenterfield hosts huge endurance ride

Tenterfieldstar.com.au - Full Article

May 22 2013

FOR the Tenterfield Endurance Riders Club, the weekend of May 4-5 was a big one.

It was the 27th consecutive ride the club has staged.

The 210 horses, riders and supporters crammed into our Girard State Forest base and tested our resources, not to mention our plumbing and water supplies, and our ability to organise and manage a ride of this magnitude

It was the second biggest endurance ride held in Australia this year.

Despite several campers managing to spear the underground water pipes with star droppers, and the huge demand on the hot water boiler and our plumbing, the “maintenance crew” managed it all with quiet aplomb.

Then there was the matter of finding, five or six veterinarians and technical support people required for a ride of this magnitude.

The administrative and technical people who kept track of the progress of each horse and rider from 3am to the last rider later in the day...

Read more here:
http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/1516952/tenterfield-hosts-huge-endurance-ride/?cs=1640

Léonard Liesens Chef d’Equipe for Norway Endurance

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 14, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

May 12, 2013, Belgium ~ Leonard Liesens is the new Chef d’Equipe for Norway Léonard Liesens, Chef d’Equipe de la Norvège

Leonard Liesens has accepted the position of Chef d’Equipe of Norway, a country that is small on the international endurance scene, but has some very competitive horses and riders. “I have just come from my first clinic in Borway, and all the lakes were still frozen. In spite of the ice and snow, the horses almost never stop training and conditioning and I was very impressed. The riders and horse are quite accustomed to the harsh conditions. The first competition will be the Baltique Championship in Estonia at Kurgjarve on May 24...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=6853

2013 Dutch Championship

19 May 2013

65-year-old Marly van Ditzhuijzen and Eenhoorn's Dahman are the 2013 Dutch Champions after the 160-km*** Dutch Championship at Ermelo, Netherlands, on 18 May 2013. Eenhoorn's Dahman, an 11-year-old stallion, was bred by Van Ditzhuijzen. The pair had been reserve Dutch Champions in 2008 and 2012.

Defending Dutch champion Carmen Römer was 2nd (3rd overall) on Oceane D'havenne. This was her 8-year-old mare's first 160-km race.

Both riders are hoping to make the Dutch team for the 2013 European Championships that will be held in Most, Czech Republic.

Norwegian rider Olaug Espeli Carstensen, riding Al Thaka Mellemgaard, won the competition by 40 seconds over Ditzhuijzen.

The 120 km** ride was won by Marjike Visser riding Eomer.

Australia: 2013 Shahzada - The Ultimate Test in Horsemanship

19 May 2013

If you are 16 or 60, Shahzada is something you HAVE to do……whether it is on your “bucket list” or you just need a benchmark to set all your future goals, this is the challenge for you.  If you love your horse and wish you could spend day after day riding in the best country…..this is definitely for you!!!!!

 Come join us in St Albans from August 25 – 29 for the running of the 33rd Shahzada and try the ultimate test of 400km over five days or if you just want to come and have some fun and get a taste of real endurance riding, the mini marathon of 120km over three days is for you.   The ride covers 80kms each day over legendary tracks like Prestons, McKechnie’s, The Steps, Jack’s Track, Boyd’s, Short Wellums, Blue Hill but this year we are hoping to bring back some of the old course like Word of Life, Lyndrian Hill, Derwent’s Track and Baker’s and we will be conducting track clearing weekends which will be announced on Aussie Endurance so come along and help and get a taste of what to expect in August.   

Heaps of entertainment during the week from Trivia and Poetry nights, Shahzada Idol and the famous dog races…..a great canteen and perfect weather.   We like to think of all Shahzada entrants and helpers as part of the Shahzada Family……..everyone helps each other and genuinely wants everyone to succeed and earn that much sought after Shahzada buckle…..so come and give it a go!!!

Start planning now – best to be there at least the Saturday before the start at 4am on Monday, 25th and go to the Shahzada website www.shahzadaresults.org and read some of the stories from other riders who took up the challenge. 

Pre-nom forms and campsite request forms are on the website and please contact Shahzada secretary, Sue Todd on suetodd@activ8.net.au or 0263 79 7218 for any further information.