Spanish Team Confirmed for the European Championship

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

Next week will meet in Most, Czech Republic, the whole raid European teams to compete for the gold medal in singles defending Spain and France for equipment. The team, which will reach Most on the 10th, will consist of:

Jaume Punti Dachs with QURAN EL ULM.

Laia Muixi Crusellas with FLYNG TORNADE

María Uriarte Cañellas with RUFO

Angel Soy Coll with FOR-XINXETA

Javier Cervera-Arnedo with STRAWBLADE

Primer reserva: Ibon Alberdi Sanchez with ABANDO AB BAKAR

Italy and Portugal to host Arabian horse flat racing events

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham Al Gizouli / 7 September 2013

The Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival continued its partnership with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to sponsor two endurance events in Italy and Portugal, Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR) Ladies races confirmed on Friday.

“Under the directives of Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, we are delighted to announce the sponsorship of the FEI World Endurance Championship Young Horses, Garda Endurance Cup at the Lago di Garda, Verona, Italy from September 26 to 29 and the Portuguese National Championship as well as the Portuguese Junior & Young Riders National Championship at Atoleiros, Portugal during the period from April 25 to 27, 2014,” Sawaya told newsmen at the Exhibition Centre.

“I would like to thank Princess Haya, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai; in her capacity as President of the International Equestrian Federation for the great help which she has provided for our move.

“The ultimate objective of the festival is to bring together people from all over the world under one umbrella and extend the image of the Arabian horse in all disciplines, including flat races and endurance championships,” she added...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/nationsports/2013/September/nationsports_September54.xml§ion=nationsports

La Garda Endurance Championship for Young Horses Detailed at ADIHEX

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

September 7, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

September 6, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ The fourth day of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition delivered more in the way of exhibits and entertainment and included a Saluki Dog Beauty Contest, Birds of Prey Show, and a Camel auction.

At a press conference held earlier in the day, the details of the 2013 FEI La Garda Endurance Championship for Young Horses was top on the list. Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies Racing announced that the Championship will be held for the first time in Italy, taking place on September 28 along the scenic shore of Lake Garda...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=7824&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=la-garda-endurance-championship-for-young-horses-detailed-at-adihex

Uruguayan Ride History

El Raid Blog - Full Article

5 September 2013
Gabriel Gamiz

From Uruguay, friends of the Endurance of that great country, where the Equestrian Endurance is a passion, I forwarded this article about the history of Uruguayan raid, so you do not know you do not love, and history must know it to be taken into account and save a respect for those who preceded us in this beautiful hobby riding.

This is the story written by Eduardo Lerena in Raidistas.com:

"Riders and our raid Amazon

Written by Eduardo Lerena .

100 years ago, October 13, 1913, first gear is disputed equestrian endurance Sarandi Grande - Florida - Sarandi Grande, reason enough to remind riders only two of the thirteen who participated, who completed the course, full of incompetence and ignorance.
The winner of the competition was Amadeo Rodriguez and second place was Eduardo Grajales.

It was two years before, silenced the harsh criticism for the excessive burden on the horses, the second test will be played again, this time to the city of Durazno, resulting Bentancour Coralio winner.

It is impossible to name the thousands of riders who have participated since 1935 to date, but just as we did in "Great horses in history", we feel an obligation and duty to appoint who, in controversial final out the winner of the 1st Raid Equestrian of the modern era, the dean "Battle of Sarandi" Don Eladio Gonzalez Cespedes, who won by a length to the eminent rider Alcides Cassani, the late "Toad", which had the great joy of seeing run the "33 East", being that his last appearance, in which he defended a position far one of his best students, Enrique Arroqui "The Twisty"...

Read more here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2013/09/historia-del-raid-uruguayo.html

Raid on the Camino de Santiago for Madrid 2020.

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

September 4 2013
[google translation]

A Raid Rider, President of the Federation Equestrian Cántabra, Roberto Laherrán, is one of the forty riders that has been implicated in the march "A Horse to Santiago in Madrid 2020", another one of those riders, with horses PRE, are doing the Camino Frances, to reach Santiago, supporting the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid, one hour before the appointment by the Olympic Committee of the 2020 Olympic host.

This is the chronicle published Cántabra Equestrian Federation:
Cantabria present in the challenge: 'A horse Santiago Madrid 2020'

By Federation on September 4, 2013 20:12 News

The president of the Cantabrian Federation Equestrian, Roberto Laherrán, between 40 horsemen and horse riding representing the Spanish who are walking the Camino de Santiago to support the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid.

The French Way of Santiago has been the route chosen by the Spanish Equestrian Federation (FEI). Reach Santiago Square on September 6, just hours before the IOC makes known its decision.

On September 7 is the date marked on the calendar of many Spanish. That day the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires will host the International Olympic Committee session in which the agency will designate the host city of 2020 Olympic Games. A race in which Madrid is facing the cities of Istanbul (Turkey) and Tokyo (Japan). To help achieve that result the elected Spanish capital, the FEI has launched, through the Department for the Promotion of Equestrian Tourism in Spain-an unprecedented move in the industry.

On August 30, 40 horsemen and women have gone from across the country for the Camino de Santiago with French purebred Spanish horses. On September 6, on arrival at the Plaza del Obradoiro, accede to the Cathedral to ask the Holy his intercession on behalf of the Madrid 2020 Olympic bid.

This initiative was created as a public show of support for the achievement of this dream and is headed by different territories of Spain linked to horses. Indeed, in a year in which the pilgrimage route has emerged as the great symbol of Spanish rural tourism boom, surpassing all expectations and hovering around 200,000 visitors.

On the other hand, the FEI and its Department intended to use the occasion to promote equestrian tourism in Spain and the Camino de Santiago, whose route from Valencia has been the first to obtain approval code equestrian IE-016 number. Equestrian tourism is a growing activity, which in the years to assist in the economic recovery of the regions with approved equestrian routes.

The initiative also involved various collaborating organizations, the organizing committees of major equestrian events are held every year in Spain and all regional federations. They have been involved in the design aspects of the project, setting path or the attainment of the necessary infrastructure. In short, we have shown as an example of interregional collaboration with one goal in mind: to show support throughout the equestrian sector the Madrid 2020 bid.

Have a nice way and those horses PRE take them to the foot of the Saint to intercede with the IOC to Madrid will host the 2020 Olympics.

Greetings from Gabriel.

Multiple Endurance Champion Nobby Heads European Championship Nominations

September 5 2013

Multiple World and European Champions Maria Alvarez Ponton and the incomparable Nobby of Spain head the list of the nominations for the 2013 Meydan FEI Open European Championships to be held in Most, Czech Republic on 14 September 2013.

Most popular with endurance fans around the world, Alvarez and Nobby won the World Endurance Championships in Malaysia in 2008 and in Kentucky in 2010; the European Championship in Assisi, Italy in 2009, and the European Championship in Florac, France in 2011. In their last race, the pair finished a close 4th in the 2012 World Championship at Euston Park, Great Britain.

25 countries will be represented.

The French will bring their habitual strong team, this year consisting of Virginie Atger, Jean Philippe Frances (2007 European Champion on Hanaba du Bois), Julien Lafaure, Melody Theolissat and Philippe Tomas.

Malaysia brings a contingent led by His Majesty Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Valerie Kanavy will be the lone rider representing the USA on Priceless Gold. The gelding most recently finished 10th in June in the 160-km CEI*** Dillingen race with Gabriela Forster aboard.

See the nominations:
http://www.endurance.net/international/CzechRepublic/2013EuropeanChampionship/nominated_entries.xlsx

To follow the race see
http://www.endurance.net/international/CzechRepublic/2013EuropeanChampionship/

Monpazier Raid Chronicle - France

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

Good results of the binomial Spanish in Monpazier Equestrian Raid (FRA). Test run on this past weekend, on 30, September 31 and August 1, where we have run a series of tests CIS.

This is the chronicle of Equestrian:

"Victoria de Oier Etxenike in France

Oier Etxenike completed a superb weekend in Monpazier: Friday was fifth in the CEI2 * riding "Hodei", while Saturday won the CIS * with "Foque de Quijas”". In the various French tests dozens of Spanish competed.

On Friday August 30 ran in France CEI2 * Monpazier, a test of 130 kms. which had among its 73 participants to 12 Spanish. Riding "Hodei" which debuted in the distance, Oier Etxenike was fifth, with an average speed of 19.98 km. / Hr. (25.72 kms. / Hr. In the fourth and final phase).

The test was won by the Emirati Rashid Mohd Ibrahim Al Baloushi, who made an average of 20.26 kms. / Hr. with the horse Extremadura "Bucanero". Besides Etxenike, which last year was second in this race with "Farad", were classified four Spanish: Ander Mato (23 º with "Kin"), Aiora Urkiaga (29th with "Hiaben"), Olatz Areitio (30th with "Ainhoa ​​Catharilis") and Miguel Astiz (40 ° on "Lan Bugati").

The next day was even happier to Etxenike, as the Gipuzkoa and "Foque de Quijas" were imposed on 39 rivals in the CIS *, with an average of 19.62 kms. / Hr. (24.54 km. / Hr. On the third and final phase.) Among the 24 was also classified Eulalia Gonzalez (16th with "Polo de Galeon").

The CIS3 * (39 classified 66 participants) was won by Cecile Totain locally, with the former Alex Luque mare "Koheilan Kincso" (18.45 kms. / Hr.). Eulalia Gonzalez also qualified in this test, it was 14th on "Gazal Biborka". Laia and Agda Muixí were 25th and 26th with "Tbo Rematador" and "Vaincre Kossack" respectively, while Rachel Pratcorona was 32nd ("Erika"), and Xabier Aitor Unanue, 34 ("Ab-Zita").

Finally, in the CEI2 * 2 × 70 (31/47), won by local Sebastien Miermont and "Badra d'Aiza" (19.69 km. / Hr.) Were classified Xavier Maxenchs (7th with "Killa de Masferrer ") and Juan Carlos Ruiz de Villa (17th with "Rohf Joram").

Click on the following link to view the results: CIS Monpazier."

Source: Equestrian Online.
Greetings from Gabriel.

European Championship in Most, Czech Republic

Endurance-belgium.com

by Leonard Liesens

There will be finally three teams coached by Belgians at this championship. Of course, Belgium will be managed by his indefatigable Pierre Arnould. The chef Belgian d'equipe for Netherlands is since a few years dressed in orange (Emile Docquier). And for the first time the viking amazons will be lead by (how to present myself... your writer...) Leonard Liesens.

Arnould said that "we present a reviewed team with for the first time a rider from Flanders". Belgium has changed several horses from the team staffed at Euston Park. The five at Most will be : Karin Boulanger (Anouk de Rendpeine Ewalraid), Pietro Di Geronimo (SD Mengali), Martine Luyckx (Akrevpa Adisha), Celine Maquet (Quick des Sauvlons) and Maritza Pereira (Bidjanne).

On the other (northern) side of the border, the Dutch have to perform well "if we want to keep getting the support of our federation" said Emile Docquier. "A fifth place at the team ranking is almost necessary" he continues. So big pressure on the shoulders of the four amazons and the unique male of the team: Marly van Ditzhuyzen with her stallion Eenhoorn's Dahman, Carmen Romer and the Belgian mare Oceane d'Havenne, Janet Van Wijk on Zaira Star, Marijke Visser with another Belgian horse Wamid and the only man in the team Theo Heldens riding D-Prodigy.

Regarding Norway, that will be the first time that the country enters a full team. The 'new coach effect' ??? "It is for sure anyway that the Norwegian endurance is surfing on the wave and just a bit of luck mixed with a higher rigour and here we are". Our main rider Olaug Carstensen owns five 160 km-qualified horses. One (Opal, Shagya) will be ridden by the junior rider Jeanne Holum. Olaug can still (until definite entries) choose between Yassir II (winner in Germany) or Al Thaka (winner at Ermelo). Ellen Suhr brings the experience thanks to her long career at international level and she will be riding the good but sometimes complicated Shah Nahim (winner in Estonia). Another experienced rider is Tonje Danielson with her horse that completed Florac 2011. And the new one, Mariann Seglem who qualified at Ermelo with Mynt.

So just ladies, and just strong personalities... hopefully they will listen :-)

Regarding France, once again the riders from the Hexagon will be the biggest contenders for the gold. They are : Virginie Atger / Milah de Jalima - Jean Philippe Frances / Qrafik la Majorie - Julien Lafaure / Phaena Cabirat - Melody Theolissat / Azelle de Jalima - Philippe Tomas / Quotien Persky.

Read horse rider wins bronze for GB in Belgium endurance contest

Clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

Teenage equestrian Kate Atkinson is riding high after winning a bronze medal with the Great Britain team in a top European endurance event.

Kate (15) from Read, was the youngest in a four-strong team in the FEI European Young Rider Endurance Championships at Mont le Soie, in Belgium, where 19 national teams were competing on a super-tough 120-km Ardennes mountain route. It was Britain’s first junior medal win in the competition in 15 years.

Kate’s determined performance, riding her 13-year-old bay Arab gelding Vanash to 23rd place overall helped the GB team to clinch bronze as one of the only three teams to have the required minimum three riders complete the course.

Team mates Carri-Ann Dark and Beth Langley, both in their last year of junior competition, came in 14th and 18th. France won gold and Italy silver...

Read more here:
http://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/read-horse-rider-wins-bronze-for-gb-in-belgium-endurance-contest-1-4937463

High-powered group to look at future of endurance

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Sep 03, 2013

An FEI committee has been named to draft a road-map to prosperity for the fast-growing sport of endurance, following unease among some national federations over fracture rates and drug infractions in the Middle East.

The FEI has named its Endurance Strategic Planning Group, which follows on from the Round Table meeting held late in July to discuss endurance concerns.

The new group has been tasked with developing a strategic plan for endurance to cover the next decade...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/09/03/group-future-endurance/#.UiXhjWRAS9w

Australia: Jolly ride for equine endurance race

Examiner.com.au - Full Article

3 September 2013

MORE than 60 endurance riders gathered at Santarena Park on August 24 for the annual Jolly Lette Memorial Endurance Ride.

The North East Endurance Equine Club ran the event which saw Ellie Maddick riding Davlyn Park Camille cross the line in 5 hours 2 minutes to claim first middleweight, best-condition middleweight and first across the line.

The prize for the first junior and best-condition junior went to Sarah Parker riding Moment, who finished in 5:27...

Read more here:
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1750934/jolly-ride-for-equine-endurance-race/?cs=95

Great Britain: Beccy Broughton Withdraws from the European Endurance Championships

Endurancegb.co.uk

2nd September 2013

Press release from Holdsworth PR: Very sadly, Beccy Broughton Booker has been forced to withdraw from the British team for the FEI European Endurance Championships 2013.

Beccy stated, “It is with regret and disappointment that I will have to withdraw Tawmarsh Muharram (Mayday) and myself from the team travelling to Most for this year’s European Endurance Championships. After a very successful 80km training ride complete with full vetting and vet gates he unfortunately pulled out of the stable slightly lame yesterday (Thursday 28th August) morning. My vet, Derrick Grantham, visited during the day and has diagnosed a suspected deep flexor tendon injury to be confirmed with a scan in several days’ time. I am bitterly disappointed as Mayday felt fit and strong and his recoveries during training were excellent. I wish the team at the Championships all the very best”.

Chef d’Equipe, Annabelle Scofield said, “We are now taking a team of three to the Championships and we will do our utmost to help the riders get the team round. The withdrawal of Beccy does narrow our chances of team completion but we will all do our very best. With that in mind we will be travelling out to the Czech Republic with a positive outlook and it will be good experience ahead of WEG next year”.

Chair of selectors, Di Latham said, “It is always disappointing and sad when a selected combination is unable to go to a Championship. As horses are living creatures capable of injury, it is never a given until passing the initial vetting. All our riders do their best to bring their horses to the start line in the best possible condition of fitness and health, but sometimes things do not go according to plan. Beccy was delighted to have been selected, a culmination of a lot of hard work to achieve the ultimate goal. It is not to be for this year, but the selectors would like to thank Beccy for her commitment and honesty and doing all that has been asked of her. We wish Tawmarsh Muharram a speedy recovery to full fitness again, ready to challenge for a place on the Team for WEG in 2014”.

2013 Brazilian Championships

31 August 2013

Maria Vitoria Liberal Lins won the 28th CEI 3* 160-km Brazilian National Championship at Fazenda Olhos D'Agua, Caetanópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 31 August 2013. Riding RSC Burbara, the duo completed the course in first place, 6 seconds ahead of Rafael Sabino Salvador, riding SM La Turca. Third place Newton Lins Filho riding Quick Girl HEB crossed the finish line 4 seconds later.
The winners averaged 19.21 km/h. There were 18 starters and 7 finishers. SM La Turca won Best Condition.

In the CEI 2* 120-km Championship, Leonardo de Carvalho Barbosa finished first riding Ayalla HNP, who also received the Best Condition award. Averaging 19.3 km/h, the pair finished 4 minutes ahead of second place Thiago Freitas Martins and RSC Natacha. Pedro Godinho riding La Barca Endurance finished 3rd, with Jose Carlos Alves riding Falbalah do Bom Viver in 4th. Five of 14 starters completed the race.

For complete results, see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Brazil/2013BrazilNationalChampionships/

World Championship Young Horses at La Garda, Italy

Horsereporter.com

On September 28, the World Championships for Young Horses will take place along the scenic shores of Lake Garda and the breathtaking landscape of Parco Giardino Sigurta' in Valeggio sul Mincio. This is the the first time this event will be held in Italy.

Team UAE make a clean sweep to clinch Endurance Cup honours in Italy

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Kelly Ann Clarke / 1 September 2013

Team UAE reigned victorious on Saturday at the Horse Country Endurance Cup held in Sardinia, Italy – a first for the autonomous Italian region – with Dubai-based horses and riders snapping up the top three places of the tough 120-km race.

With competitors from the UAE, Italy, Spain, Great Britain and Algeria all vying for the top spot, it was the strength and agility of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s; horses that proved winner worthy.

Crossing the finishing line first at 14.08pm – nine and a half minutes ahead of the runner up and just over six hours after setting off – was Saeed Mohammed Khalifa Al Mehairi from MRM Stables in Dubai. Wearing the number 15 jersey and riding Qaid Larzac, Al Mehairi had a tense wait to confirm his winning position as the vets checked over the horse, but as the thumbs up were given, the rider and his team erupted into cheers and began throwing water over each other in celebration...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/sportstalk/2013/September/sportstalk_September1.xml§ion=sportstalk

Epic ride through the Americas close to completion

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Aug 30, 2013

A German adventurer is crossing the Alaskan wilderness on horseback, nearing the end of one of the most remarkable equestrian journeys in history. His epic trip began nearly 20 years earlier in Patagonia, near the southern tip of South America.

Guenter Wamser is currently out of contact, but is almost certainly nearing the end of his epic journey, during which he has covered more than 25,000 kilometers (15,535 miles).

In 1994, Guenter, an airplane mechanic by trade, set out from Patagonia on horseback with the intention or riding north to the top of Alaska...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/08/30/epic-ride-americas-close-completion/#axzz2dSp7gJWL

Australia: Alwyn's Life in the Saddle

Weeklytimesnow.com.au - Full Article

Johanna Leggatt | August 28, 2013

AWLYN Torenbeek "doesn't do anything in life that doesn't give him a natural high".

That's the words of the retired stockman and rodeo champion.

From rough riding horses in rodeo tournaments in his late teens to competing in endurance horse rides in his late 70s, Alwyn has always ripped off a fair chunk of life.

Such is the strength of the stories at his disposal, Alwyn finally relented to friends’ requests and shared his ups and downs with author David Gilchrist, in the newly released memoir Life in the Saddle.

“You have got to want to get out of bed every day when it is still dark to feed the horses,” he says.

“You have to want to live. It is no different from when you are riding a big bad horse that wants you off it, the thing is, you have to want to stay on.”

Alwyn has always wanted to stay on the horse, and as the wild and talented teen discovered, was pretty good at it, too.

He grew up mustering cattle on his parents’ property at Myella in Kokotunga, south-west of Rockhampton in Queensland, before leaving to work as a “taker” on a nearby station in his teens...

Read more here:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/08/28/580793_country-living.html

Endurance Team Great Britain Announced for the FEI European Endurance Championships

Endurancegb.co.uk

5th August 2013
Holdsworth PR and Marketing report that Endurance GB has announced the team of horses and riders that will represent Great Britain at the FEI European Endurance Championships 2013

Link to Team Profiles

The riders in alphabetical order are:

· Beccy Broughton-Booker from Nottinghamshire riding Mr & Mrs T Broughton’s Tawmarsh Muharram
· Carrie-Ann Dark from Wiltshire riding her own Vavavoom
· Emma Finnie from Abu Dhabi Riding Al Wathba Stables’ Baraka Farid or Djella D’Enfer
· Annette Masterson from Staffordshire riding her own El Sabio or Millenium Chorus

Chairman of selectors, Di Latham said, on behalf of the selectors and management team, “This year’s team is a combination of new and experienced members. This is a perfect mix for the European Championships in preparation for the World Equestrian Games next year”.

Team Chef d’Equipe, Annabelle Scofield said, “It is very exciting to have new blood in the team. Each one of the members brings their own knowledge and experience. Emma has competed extensively in endurance and showjumping in Abu Dhabi, Carri-Ann comes to the senior team off the back of a Young Rider medal in 2012, Annette was a member of the 2012 World Endurance Championships team and Beccy is very experienced at senior level. We are expecting all the riders and crew to pull together really well”.

Chairman of EGB’s International Committee, Emma Miller, said, “This is a strong team of committed and hardworking riders. We are confident they will rise to the challenge in the Czech Republic”.

The FEI CEI 4* European Endurance Championships takes place 12 - 15 September, at Most in the North West of the Czech Republic; the riders will compete over a course of 160km in distance.

There will be a live twitter feed throughout the day of the Championships @enduranceGB, #Egbeuros. For further information about the sport of endurance riding visit www.endurancegb.co.uk.

For more information about the British equestrian team go to www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk.

France: Test Summary Test of 2014 WEG in Normandy

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

August 24 2013
[google translation]

One of the more Raid International Judges requested by the Committee Organizers important evidence in the international calendar, Fernando Carrillo, has made a summary of this test Test, preparatory Raid World 2014 to be held by the Norman lands in France next year 2014.

Sure that these views of a lover Judge Raid and expert in the field, have your weight within the Organizing Committee to make a good World Cup and that everything runs through the trails CRAVED of participants and assists ( how good and important work done in Equestrian Endurance test), and for much the public, which will likely resort to an event of such importance and resonance within the Raid World.

This is written by Fernando:

"Many friends have called me to know how was the test event for WEG 2014 and asked me to make a summary.

No professional is a summary only say the things that caught my attention.

The first thing people and people of Normandy, very kind and willing to WEG 2014 raid that goes well or yes.

And I am referring to several things, first, there are few since they cross paths huge farms and roads intersect and in each farm-road crossing two volunteers of the organization that become cops when national wagons.

I think there were more than 200 volunteers. I did not count but they were everywhere.

Countless have reaped corn farms for the tour passes by, making broad ways in which fit more than 5 horses at par. Victorian mansions, have opened their farm for horses passing by, even in some spend almost next to the front door.

Going through the villages is amazing, in this day, public holiday in France, people in some places, set up tables with food and drink and there were applauding every rider or group of riders passed.

Nothing to say about the gallop along the beaches, one with the Mont St. Michel in the background, each think or imagine what you want, but I will tell you is not to be missed. Cool!

The mountain route without hills but with up and down but also with flat stages. The sandy soil in many places, you have to run with head, especially if it's hot, it did the day before and had a very high temperature with high humidity.
The very large vet gate and next year it will be even more like the enclosure of blocks, which occupy part of what was the vet gate this year.

The assists very well marked and very large sites, the route well marked and signposted and also, again, volunteers fluorescent overalls and stop signs all over the place. Health, medical and ambulance assistance and one in every other fixed with two mobile hospitals vet gate.

I think it has all the ingredients to be a success, considering also that the Secretariat and the organization is run by one of the most experienced Organizing Committees in organizing European Championships as that of Compiegne.

I think I do not forget anything, perhaps only downside the distance to other events or equestrian disciplines, we will be slightly apart, but hopefully not for that, we are forgotten.

I attached some photos for you to see with your eyes what I have told you. "

Thanks Fernando for your contribution to our discipline riding is increasingly important and competitive.

Greetings from Gabriel.

Spain: Shortlist for the European Championships in Most (Czech Republic)

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

[google translate]

In the page of the Spanish Equestrian Federation give us the list of names of those who will binomials of the five pairs selected to attend the Senior European Championship in Most, Czech Republic Raid.

This is the note of the Federation:

List of names for the Senior European Championships RAID MOST, Czech Republic.

After a first round of tests conducted in recent weeks, the 10 riders who have entered the list of names for MOST of which will the final list of 5, is:

María Álvarez Pontón con NOBBY
Jaume Punti Dachs con QURAN EL ULM
Laia Muixi Crusellas con FLYNG TORNADE
Bernat Casals Fores con DZSAMILA P
Florentino Pereira Suarez con AGENTE 67
Ingrid Valls Vazquez con FLETXA D’OR
Ibon Alberdi Sánchez con ABANDO AB BAKAR
Maria Uriarte Cañellas con RUFO
Angel Soy Coll con FOR-XINXETA
Javier Cervera Sanchez-Arnedo con STRAWBLADE

Next week will start the end of selection tests that define the final team that will travel to the European Championships representing Spain.

The One-Year Countdown for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy Starts Today

August 23 2013

[CAEN, France] – The one-year countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy began today. In just 365 days, the streets of Caen will overflow with excitement as Normandy opens its doors to 1,000 international competitors, their families, trainers, more than 1,000 horses, 1,200 journalists, and more than 500,000 fans and spectators from 60 countries for 16 days of world championship sport from Aug. 23 until Sept. 7. Alltech, a leader in optimal animal health, nutrition and performance, is the proud title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, and will make history in France with the largest equestrian event ever held on French soil.
 
“The Games in Normandy hold a special significance for Alltech, touching every aspect of our business, motivating employee engagement, supporting our philanthropic and educational endeavors and establishing solid ties in the Normandy region for years to come,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “We are proud and delighted to be a part of this one-world event for the second time, having become the event’s first title sponsor through the last edition of the Games in Kentucky in 2010.”
 
As the world population moves closer to a 9 billion apex by 2050, Alltech’s title sponsor status provides a unique opportunity to feature the importance of agriculture to a global audience and to communicate Alltech’s passion for improving efficiency, profitability and sustainability on the farm through natural nutrition and scientific innovation.
 
The greatness associated with crowning eight world championships during the Games embodies Alltech values of peak performance and excellence, achievable in humans and animals by natural nutrition.
 
Alltech believes in supporting people where they work and live. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM in Kentucky produced close to $400 million USD in supplemental tax and tourism revenue for the state. For 2014, Alltech is actively supporting tourism to Normandy. Alltech already led a Kentucky delegation of business leaders to Normandy in 2012. In April of this year, Alltech welcomed 30 of its Alltech Official Games Partners to France from 27 countries. In 2014, for the Games, 40 Alltech Official Games Partners will return, yet with hundreds of their clients and families this time. Alltech will also organize one of its most important annual conferences in Normandy in 2014, gathering more than 500 international dairy and beef farmers in the region during the Games. 
 
Over the course of the next year, Alltech will increase staffing at its newest office in Caen, drawing approximately 100 employees from around the world to support its sponsorship efforts.  In France, Alltech is also expanding its sales force and has invested in a three-year digestive equine research project with the AgroSup Equine Masters Program in Dijon, France.
 
An additional benefit, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy will engage and unify Alltech employees as brand ambassadors.
 
“The title sponsorship is now a part of the company’s DNA, and our brand ambassadors, all 3,000 of our employees, are actively spreading the excitement about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014  in Normandy in 128 Alltech countries around the world,” said Catherine Keogh, chief marketing officer at Alltech.
 
“We salute Alltech’s enthusiasm to support Normandy in so many creative ways. Alltech truly lives their values of passion, performance and excellence, going above and beyond in everything they do, which includes promoting  Normandy and the spirit of equestrian sport around the world  to their partners, customers, and employees,” said Laurent Beauvais, president of the 2014 Organizing Committee and president of the region of Lower Normandy.

Press Contacts:

Marcelle C. Rousseau, Equine and Sponsorship PR
mrousseau@alltech.com; + 33 (0) 6 72 39 79 59
Susanna Elliott, Alltech PR
suelliott@alltech.com; +1 859- 473-2696

FNB Namibia Endurance Champs

Namibiasport.com - Full Article

Submitted by editor on Fri, 08/23/2013

The annual FNB Namibia Endurance African Championships will be held in Walvis Bay on Wednesday, August 28.

FNB Namibia has supported this event for the past five years and recently announced a sponsorship of N$50 000 for this year’s event.

Ingrid Goeieman, Manager Sponsorships and Donations at FNB Namibia:

“Apart from the fact that this is a sport event and FNB Namibia is the number one supporter of a variety of sporting codes in Namibia, we also appreciate the fact that this event is about endurance, stamina and a never-give-up- attitude,” she said.

“These are all qualities we admire in our staff as well as clients, ranging from SME owners to big corporate clients and we therefore wholeheartedly support such occasions,” she added.

Zelda von Schauroth of Namibia Endurance said:

“Namibia Endurance hosts their 18th flagship event with an expected record amount of entries. Apart from the four Namibian teams, heavy weight, senior standard weight, no weight and young rider teams, there are also teams from South Africa and Botswana. We expect between 180 and 200 horses to depart before sunrise in very misty conditions on a course lit with blinking lights.”

She went on to say that the course this year was very challenging and interesting with the second loop of the 120km being over the notorious Dune 7, a huge challenge for horse and rider...

Read more here:
http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/32242

Riding high on State success

Drew Timbs
22nd Aug 2013

photo: Young gun James Coop in the saddle.

THE Gympie region's horse riding talent continues to thrive after local endurance veteran Ken Moir and up-and-coming rider James Coop recently won the Queensland Endurance Riding Championships.

Winning the middleweight category and junior category respectively, Moir and Coop have a special relationship they formed three years ago.

After showing interest in the sport when he was 12, Coop asked Moir to be his mentor and after some practice on a small pony, the youngster was ready to tackle some of the bigger events.

Only finishing fourth at last year's Queensland Championships, Coop has now stormed to the front of his competition and Moir says the promising 15 year old has a bright future ahead.

"He is showing incredible talent and I'm actually in awe of his impressive race last weekend," Moir said.

"It's one of the fastest 160km I have ever seen in more than 15 years of endurance riding and racing."

Averaging more than 18kmh, Coop led from start to finish which was another incredible feat.

"We headed out together and our game plan was to go out hard and maintain the lead," 61-year-old Moir said.

"On the fourth stage I told James to push on and he did exactly that which is amazing to see such a young rider going so well on his own."

In anticipation for the event, the Gympie duo trained on their horses up to five days a week travelling more than 30km to condition their horses Shian and Cameo Helmzman.

When asked where they get their inspiration, Moir said they can always look up to Alwyn Torenbeek.

"He's the oldest endurance riding going around at the age of 76," he said.

"It's an honour to know him and ride alongside him. He hardly ever misses an endurance ride and has a true passion for it."

The local duo hadn't planned what they are taking on next but whatever it is, they are likely to succeed.
[More ...]

One for the bucket list: Australia’s Quilty ride

Australia's famous Tom Quilty Ride is on the bucket list of endurance riders world-wide. Amanda Rayner looks back at the history of the ride, and forward to its net running as the 2014 Australian National Championships in Western Australia.

One for the bucket list: Australia’s Quilty ride [More ...]

Canada: Young riders on 145-km endurance expedition

Journalpioneer.com - Full Article

Published on August 19, 2013
Eric McCarthy

ALBERTON – Green Cart day in Alberton proved to be the biggest challenge Monday for some of the young riders on the first leg of their 145-kilometre horseback riders. Five Trailblazers with the Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary Youth Club are using the ride to help fulfill the requirements of their Duke of Edinburgh Challenge Program.

They left St. Felix shortly before 10 a.m. Monday and arrived at the Prince County Exhibition Fair Grounds in Alberton just after 2 p.m., travelling mostly cross-country and on dirt roads where possible. The horses were being stabled at the fairgrounds Monday night and their riders were staying with them.

Today, Tuesday, the group will ride to Port Hill, travelling mostly along Highway 12.

Big transfer trucks are a concern admitted Ashley Crombie, 22, who was riding Image, 15.

“You have to talk to them,” she said of the need to keep their horse calm. “I just say, ‘easy girl...’”

Read more here:
http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2013-08-19/article-3356823/Young-riders-on-145-kilometer-endurance-expedition/1