New Zealand: Solid results for endurance riders

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

24/2/2011

Just three Marlborough riders made the long trip down to Cannington, Cave, last weekend to compete in the South Island Endurance Championships.

Rides were contested on Saturday (160km and 90km) and Sunday (120km and 80km) in perfect conditions.

The CEI 3* 160km ride started at 3am on Saturday and the last riders home finished around 7pm, their ride times around 12 1/2 hours.

The winner was former Marlborough rider Phillip Graham (now Cheviot-based), on seasoned campaigner Wolf Gang Amadeus, his time 9hr 33min.

Also starting in the dark, at 5am, was the CEI 1* 90km Senior and Junior rides.

The winners of these classes finished in exactly six hours, with six horses (four senior and two junior) all galloping for the finish line together...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/4698587/Solid-results-for-endurance-riders

Great Britain: BEF Futurity Evaluations seeking world champions

Letstalkhorses.co.uk - Full Article

The BEF Futurity Evaluation series aims to identify British bred young potential sport horses and ponies destined for careers in endurance, dressage, eventing, or show-jumping, with the intention of finding the world champions of the future.

Endurance has been a popular category with breeders in the Futurity since its introduction in 2009. Entries in this section are on the up as endurance breeders increasingly value the chance to gain an informed opinion on the performance potential of their youngstock.

Entries for the Futurity are categorised by discipline with age groups for foals, yearlings, two and three-year-olds. Each horse is evaluated in hand and loose in an indoor school as well as undergoing a vet’s assessment. It is equally as valuable to amateur as professional breeders because the evaluators are purely assessing the horse and not the ‘name’ of the person accompanying it!

The BEF Futurity Evaluations highlight the importance of a planned breeding programme in order to attain youngsters which will be able to successfully compete on the world stage. If the aim of the breeder is to breed a top class endurance horse, looking at the results of the Futurity (both the stallions and the offspring) is increasingly important. One strong advocate of this approach is Dominick Atkinson, the breeder of Seren Procynon (pictured), last year’s highest scoring endurance entry. He believes there is great importance of looking both at individual stallions and at successful lines.

“Seren Procyon is just one of Hanson’s sons. We also have two colts/future stallions by him here. They also follow the consistent stamp that Hanson put on his offspring with our type of mare, in both male and female progeny.” Sadly Hanson died in 2009...

Read more here:
http://www.letstalkhorses.co.uk/latest-news/bef-futurity-evaluations-seeking-world-champions.html

Chile: It is the Endurance Grand Prix Lago Escondido

Anbariloche.com.ar

February 13 2011

The weekend of 26 and 27 next February is a new edition of Endurance Lake Escondido, a classic event that traverses the geography of a magnificent area of Patagonia on horseback, as competition will be missed.

The slogan of this sport is to prioritize the health and welfare of the horse, which was withdrawn by the Veterinary Service of the race before any health problem.

There are already people registered from different parts of the country. Is that this traditional competition is gaining momentum year after year.

For those who wish to participate, include the receipt of horses will be from Wednesday 23 until 16 pm on Saturday, February 26, as from the 17 on Saturday will be the Veterinary Review. On Sunday morning will be the technical talk and then the race.

A date Federal Championship, and also run Novice distances are: 25, 40 and 80 kilometers. Among the activities to be undertaken within the framework of the event, meaning that on Saturday during the day there will be a veterinary clinic and a Herrado and the next day there will be a demonstration of Amanse.

There will also be available, as every year, a camping area for those who wish to do so. The night before the competition will be held a barbecue at the basket among the campers. There will be musical numbers to generate a fun time and where all present participate.

A Test of Endurance is a competition against time to evaluate not only the strength of the horse over large distances to travel, but also the strategic pose the race for the rider.

The horse's performance on various types of terrain and natural obstacles is significant to determine the knowledge equestrian rider and horse training and status. Both horse and rider must possess excellent physical condition, there is nothing worse for a tired horse a rider tired.

Endurance competition is organized in a number of phases. At the end of each phase (in principle every 40 kiloómetros) is a veterinary veterinary organized as a door with a retention time (retention pulse begins when the horse is in the 64 or so, until now the time race continues).

The importance of this discipline is the environment that occurs in each test, where participants not only gather but also their relatives, friends, horse owners, buyers and the general public.

There is no age limit for jockeys, horse races or limitation for this sport, any horse in normal health and with proper training can practice Endurance.

The slogan of this sport is to prioritize the health and welfare of the horse, which was withdrawn by the Veterinary Service of the race before any health problem.

For more information, contact email is: endurance@lago-escondido.com

Qatar: Pact signed for use of ICT in equine sports

Gulf-times.com - Full Article

20 February 2011

agreement
Qatar Science and Technology Park and Al Shaqab have signed a memorandum of understanding for the launch of an ICT solution platform called Rasad monitors that can be used in equine sports.
QSTP chairman, who is also the Science and Technology adviser Dr Tidu Maini and Al Shaqab director Fahad Saad al-Qahtani signed the agreement.
Rasad uses a variety of sensors to collect data and transmit over wireless or wired networks to a central server that processes the data, providing real time customised graphical interfaces and services.
It can be used in several industries, but when used in the equine sports, it provides several benefits such as: the optimisation and personalisation of horse training sessions, a more effective management of performance during endurance competitions...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=417190&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Abu Dhabi: Ali Al Muhairi wins Rashid Festival ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Completes 120-km event in 4:27:36

* By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
* Published: 00:00 February 20, 2011

Abu Dhabi: The two horses that Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi prepared for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year have obliged the endurance rider with two successive wins this season.

Yesterday, Al Muhairi, a member of the UAE team which won a team gold and an individual silver at the WEG, rode 13-year-old Fenwick Cadenza to victory in the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival 2011 120-km Endurance Ride.

He won in a time of 4hrs 27min and 36secs.

It followed Al Muahiri's win on Karabil Kalya Hai in the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge last month...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/ali-al-muhairi-wins-rashid-festival-ride-1.764530

From World Games to World Stage: Equestrian-Friendly Royal Families and Turmoil in the Middle East

Equisearch - Fran Jurga Blog
February 18 2011

Maybe you’re not a newshound like me. All this Middle Eastern political news might leave you cold. You don’t know these people, you think. And you never will. Does it matter?

I think it does matter. It matters in the big picture of the world, of course. The unrest is disturbing, and violence distressing.

But on a much more personal level, there’s a lot to be said for some high stakes in horse sports riding in the balance, as political unrest in the region spills into the Gulf states with the violence in Bahrain. The high stakes cover four areas that I can think of immediately: the breeding of Arabian horses, the breeding and racing of Thoroughbreds, the sport of endurance and the executive office of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Take the current crisis in Bahrain, for instance; for the past year or so, I have been following an outbreak of the disease called glanders in that island nation. That research led me to learn about the horse breeding program there, and the endurance team. As this political crisis took over the news, veterinary authorities were set to inspect every horse in the kingdom in order to declare the country free of glanders. No horses have been allowed off the islands during a long quarantine...

Read more here:
http://blogs.equisearch.com/horsehealth/2011/02/18/endurance-equestrian-bahrain-royal-nasser/

Junior/Young Riders World Championship Ride to Abu Dhabi

FEI.org

14 Feb 2011

The FEI Endurance Young Riders/Juniors Championships™ 2011 has been allocated to Abu Dhabi (UAE), following the resignation of Brazil as host country. The championships will be held in December this year, but an exact date has not yet been finalised.

Chris Yeoman's President's Cup Adventure - Part I

EnduranceGB.co.uk - Full Story

8th February 2011

Chris is riding in the President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi this weekend on ZT Richshakfy otherwise known as “Ricky”, her talented grey Argentinian gelding who completed his first FEI 160km last year. After months of preparation, Chris, Ricky and the crewing team, headed up by husband John, have now arrived in Abu Dhabi and Chris has sent us this report back.

“We started our journey well. The flights were ok except I was sat opposite a guy that was ill and sick for a lot of the time - yuk yuk yuk!!! That kept me from eating too much on the flight I can tell you! Anyway John and I met up at the airport as planned and made our way to the hotel. We were supposed to be picked up by the hotel but they never turned up so we got a taxi.

We arrived at the hotel at 2am UAE time on Sunday morning the 6th and they were expecting us (that was a relief… bearing in mind their failure to collect us from the airport!)

However, the hotel is undergoing a major makeover and they are building a whole new wing so peaceful it is not! Drills and hammers are going all day every day.
Day one for 3 hours during the afternoon they even turn the water off - great!!

On the evening of the 6th Nikki (Malcolm) and Philip (Hirst) arrived, having been held up in London due to bad winds in Germany!...

Read more here:
http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=2282

Winner of the NED Festive Photo competition

NEDonline.co.uk

National Equine Database’s winter 2010 photo competition winners Dominick and Jan Atkinson from Kendal in Cumbria are looking forward to their year’s free subscription to Horse and Hound, generously donated by IPC Media.

“We are absolutely thrilled” said Dominick, whose wife Jan took the winning photograph of grey Arab stallion Halal against the snowy backdrop of Whiteside End and the Kentmere Fells at their stud farm located at over 1000 feet above sea level in Cumbria.

“It was minus 12 celsius on the day the photo was taken” said Jan “it’s no wonder we hadn’t bathed him first!”

Halal is full brother to Dominick and Jan’s stallion Hanson who died tragically in 2009, leading to Halal’s owner Ali Cox immediately offering them the loan of Halal to complete their breeding season. Following Halal’s trip over from Ireland, the loan has been so successful, Halal has remained at the Atkinsons’ Seren Arabians stud for a further two seasons.

Dominick and Jan are supporters of the BEF Futurity series which assesses young sport horses from foals to three years for their potential as dressage horses, endurance horses, eventers or showjumpers. A three year old son of Hanson, Seren Procyon, was the 2010 Futurity season’s endurance high scorer. “We are even happier about having the winning photograph” says Dominick “because the featured stallion is closely linked to our 2010 and forthcoming 2011 BEF Futurity entries.”

To view the winning photo “Snow Motion”, visit www.nedonline.co.uk

***

NED is the UK’s National Equine Database www.nedonline.co.uk where information on
every horse in the UK with a passport is stored. Horse information is available for the public to view.

The winning photo is of Halal who is a 100% Crabbett Arab stallion foaled 1989 (Hanif x Sherilla by Bright Shadow) Copyright Jan Atkinson, Seren Arabians www.arabianhorse.co.uk

Horse and Hound www.horseandhound.co.uk, the UK’s leading weekly equestrian publication is published by IPC Media www.ipcmedia.com

Information on the Baileys Horse Feeds/BEF Futurity is at www.bef.co.uk/British_Breeding/BEF_Futurity.html

To see a larger sized high resolution image of Snow Motion, click
http://www.nedonline.co.uk/public/551.aspx

UAE: Presidents Cup Results

12 February 2011

UAE rider swept the first 9 positions of the 160-km race, with Sultan Ahmed Al Baloushi, riding Cronus (Set Sail) in first, in 6:25.13, with Omair Husain Abdulla Al Bloushi riding Marlicia Walter second by 7 seconds. Both are from Al Reef Stables.

France's Sarah Chakil, riding Bahia De Piboul finished 10th followed by fellow countrywoman Cecile Miletto riding Easy Fontnoire.
Americans Cici Butler-Stasiuk finished 20th on DJB Cytron Kon, in 8:19.43, and Deborah Reich and DJB Juniper finished 32nd, in 10:06.08.

Valerie Kanavy and Spectacular Gold were eliminated at the finish on metabolics. Leaving gate 5, she'd been in 13th place, 40 minutes behind the leader.

99 horses started and 32 finished.

Complete results and more stories at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2011PresidentsCup/

UAE: Presidents Cup - Al Beloushi scores repeat victory

Emirati rider wins second successive president's cup in Abu dhabi
By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer
February 13, 2011
Gulf News -http://gulfnews.com/sport/other-sports/al-beloushi-scores-repeat-victory-1.761120

Dubai: The Al Reef Stables' Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi won the HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup for the second year in a row as he led a sensational UAE sweep of the top nine positions in the CEI three star ride at Abu Dhabi's Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and other Shaikhs and officials attended the ride.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, participated in the event which saw a total of 90 riders in action.

Al Beloushi, who was aboard the bay gelding Cronus, held off a strong challenge from fellow Al Reef rider Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Bloushi to win the gruelling 160km event in a time of 6 hours 25.13 minutes. Al Bloushi, riding the grey Marlicia Walter, finished just seven seconds behind the winner.

Third place went to Majid Mohammad Salman Al Sabri who clocked a time of 06:30.35 aboard the 10-year-old chestnut Armin s Zulu. Al Sabri rides out of the Emaar Stables who also supplied the fourth place finisher, Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri who finished in 06:38.27.

Mohammad Ali Al Shafar, from the Al Reeh Endurance Stables was fifth aboard Dalyn Man, while another Emaar Stables rider, Buti Ali Saif Ali Al Nuaimi took the sixth place with Laziz du Barthas. Al Shafar set a time of 06:46.42 while Al Nuaimi clocked 06:52.15.

Emirates Stables' Ahmad Mohammad Yafour Al Sabusi finished seventh, Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi of the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Stables eighth and Mansour Ebrahim Al Salman from the Fazaa Endurance Team in ninth place.

French endurance rider Sarah Chakil finished best among the international riders in 10th place.

UAE: Al Baloushi brothers and fellow Emiratis take on the world in 160km President's Cup endurance race at Al Wathba

http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/sport/uae-sport/al-baloushi-brothers-and-fellow-emiratis-take-on-the-world-in-160km-presidents-cup-endurance-race-at-al-wathba
Amith Passela
Feb 12, 2011

photo:Maria Alvarez Ponton (1) leads Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (7) at the 2010 World Endurance Championship. John Sommers / Reuters

ABU DHABI
The reigning world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain and Valerie Kanavy, the two-time world champion from the United States, are among the top riders in today's President's Cup endurance race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Ponton, who trains endurance horses in Dubai with her husband, Juma Punti Dachs, won the world title from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in the US last September.

Today, Ponton will compete aboard Iska, a 15-year-old Anglo-Arab. When she rode at the world championship in Lexington, Kentucky last year, she was on Nobby, a purebred Arabian of the same age.

Kanavy, the winner of the world title in 1994 and 1998, is one of the five riders from the US who will compete in today's 160km race. She rides Spectacular Gold, a nine-year-old bay gelding.

She won on Gold Raven over the same distance at the Dupuis Equestrian Centre near Indiantow, Florida, at the first US endurance meeting of the season in January. The Al Reef Stables' al Baloushi brothers, Yousef Ahmed and Sultan Ahmed, have won the last two runnings of the race and they post the biggest challenge in a field that also include past winners Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, the Crown Prince of Dubai; Hassan bin Ali and Abdulla Khamis Ali Saeed.

"The President's Cup is the biggest endurance prize in Abu Dhabi and is the dream of every rider to win it," said Yousef Ahmed al Baloushi, who trained and rode the 2008 winner Charlendre El Sharif, who repeated that success under Sultan Ahmed, the younger brother, last year.

Yousef has been the most successful trainer/rider in the domestic season for the past five years and he is riding Elphyn Silverlight, a nine-year-old grey gelding.

He also trained OH-Jay, the winner of the Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Cup, another 160km race in Dubai in January, ridden by his cousin Omair Hussain al Baloushi.

"We have had a lot of success because we have prepared the horses well, and we also are quite fortunate to have some good horses in training," he said. "A 160km race will test the best of the horses but we are hopeful."

It was announced yesterday the Netherlands will host the second World Arabian Horse Racing Conference from June 16-18 following the success of the inaugural conference in Abu Dhabi last September.

UAE: Presidents Cup

Pamela Burton reports on the 2011 UAE President's Cup

"I’m off to Abu Dhabi! When the winter chill hits the riding trails, we are all thinking of warm breezes, a perfect time to visit the Arabian Gulf ~ well, if it is Abu Dhabi. The winter weather in Abu Dhabi is like Palm Springs ~ lovely for all snowbirds to warm up, enjoy the turquoise sea near the water and inland, desert jeep safaris complete with camels to ride and a “almost” genuine Arabic feast ~ and don’t forget the dancing girls!

February is also the annual Abu Dhabi Endurance Invitational, the President of the UAE Cup, known as “The President’s Cup”. The 2011 ride has invited 20 horses and riders from Europe and North America. Valerie Kanavy, Deborah Reich and Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will be the US representatives. While Valerie has many times been to the UAE, it will be the first trip for Deborah and Ceci. Jason Stasiuk, Ceci’s husband, called yesterday and said Ceci was scheduled to leave that evening with all three horses from Miami. ”She is so excited she is about to burst,” he said.

The ride started in 2000 with about 14 National riders, but now is a popular ride to show off horses from the many stables in the Gulf States. The ride is high profile, with many of the world’s top ranked riders invited, but it is assuredly tipped in favor of the home teams. The horses that have been trained in the hot desert climate on the sandy terrain by professional trainers have the upper hand, as much as the Alaska bred Iditarod dogs have in that race over a one owner team of dogs bred and trained in Milwaukee. That said, the Invited Riders know to ride to their horses’ ability and not try to race to the lead.

In any case, it’s a great adventure. The Arabs (the people not the horses) are known for their hospitality to guests and will have some fun treats in store for the riders including tours of local horse farms. There is big prize money and a car goes to the winner…and in the past there was payout for every rider that completed the ride. I’ll have more details after the Friday, February 11th Press Conference.

More news as it comes. By the way, the temperature in Abu Dhabi at present is 70 degrees F (20 C) and it is night time. They are 12 hours ahead in time (GMT+4)."

Current: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday vet-in -
Read more at Pamela's blog

Abu Dhabi: Stage set for 90 riders to undergo gruelling 160km Endurance Cup

Sport360.com

Friday, 11 February 2011

Ninety riders from over 10 countries are set to lock horns in the His Highness The President of United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup on Saturday.

Fifteen riders from the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Slovakia will line up alongside their counterparts from the UAE and the GCC in the 160km endurance horse race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, as they bid to become the first-ever non-Emirati winners of the event.

Starting at 6am and running until 10.30pm, the race is split into six phases of between 16km and 34km, with two recovery inspection periods after the fourth and fifth loop. Last year’s race was won by Sultan Ahmed Al Bloushi, on Charlandre El Sharif, in a time of 06:21:12.

And the rider has again been in good form this season, winning the National Day Cup in December.

The top-three riders will each get their hands on a set of keys for a shiny new car, as will the winners of the team event.

The race is run under the directives of His Highness The President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, under the supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs.

The event is also held in conjunction with the Al Wathba Stud Farm, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage, Invest AD, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Areej Al Ameerat and HSBC Bank.

Declan Hegarty, HSBC’s Managing Director and Head of Business, Abu Dhabi said: “HSBC is proud to support Abu Dhabi and ADIHEX in celebrating Emirati culture and pastimes as the UAE continues to set the model of economic development for the Middle East.”

On a positive day for purebred Arabian horses, it was also announced by the Global Arabian Horse flat Racing Festival that the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference would be back for a second year, to be held in The Hague.

The conference will be held from June 16-18 and follows from the successful 2010 event that took place in Abu Dhabi.

By Martyn Thomas

Spain: 16th annual Cron Raid

February 7 2011

The 16th Raid Cron, a CEI*** 120 km test, will be held on 12 March 2011 near St Pere de Torello, outside of Vic, in Catalonia, Spain.

On 13 March, the 20 km, 40 km, and 60 km Cron Promotion ride will also be held at the same venue.

The route of the 120 km will be the same as last year's and can be found at http://raidcron.blogspot.com/ as well as additional information.

Australia's Top Ranked 2010 Riders

AERA.ans.au

Australia’s top rider Ceinwen Morgan, who placed 170 world-wide, rode a perfect season finishing 6 events entered on 6 different horses. All Ceinwen’s events in were off-continent in the United Arab Emirates and Great Britain. Mathew Sample, who represented Australia at the World Championship in Kentucky, was Australia’s second place rider in FEI standings with an overall placing of 215. Mr. Sample finished four rides out of four starts in Australia winning two events with Tarrangower Crecendo.

The Australian Meydan FEI Open Combination Horse and Rider team was Mathew Sample and his mount from the World Equestrian Championship, Tarrangower Crecendo. The pair finish 276 place overall in the FEI World Ranking. Crecendo and Matthew had the winning time at the Kalbar CEI3* 160 – 15.7 km per hour.

Top Young Rider Alexandra Toft Wins Dual Honors. Alexandra rode 5 competitions on 4 different horses to secure Australia’s top FEI Medyan Ranked rider. Alexandra placed 13th in the overall ranking winning the CEIYJ2* 120 Imbil QLD, riding Magum owned by Toft Endurance. It was the Alexandra and Magum team that also captured Australia’s top spot in the Young Riders Combination World Ranking. The pair were ranked 31st in the FEI World Wide Ranking.

Australasian Endurance Conference & Forum

NZEquestrian.org.nz

2/02/2011

Goal of the Conference:

The primary role of the conference is to achieve the aspirations of the FEI Code of Conduct as written below:

Code of Conduct FEI

The FEI urges all involved with the sport to attain the highest levels of education in their areas of expertise.

The secondary goals are:

* Discuss the implementation of the new rules and the implications of the new star rating for treatment veterinarians;

* Improve the understanding of the roles of officials in particular: Ground Jury, Technical Delegate, Foreign Veterinary Delegate and members of the Veterinary Commission;

* Discuss the changes to the Veterinary Regulations with regard to medication control;

* Discuss the examination of horses during competition especially metabolics and lameness;

* Discuss the issues relating to the treatment of horses at endurance rides;

* Forum on the future of international competition: Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan & Thailand;

* Discuss improved nutrition and training methods for endurance horses;

* Discuss issues related to rider safety.

Date: 8th, 9th & 10th of June 2011

Venue: Centr@l Bardon Conference Venue, 390 Simpsons Road, Bardon, Queensland, Australia.

Enquiries: Veterinary. Dr Brian Sheahan, email: Brian@samfordvets.com.au
Officials: Barbara Macdonald Timms email: barbt78@bigpond.com

For more information see:
http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=727&ESID=4711

New Zealand: North Island Champs - Kurutau

North Island Champs - Kurutau - 22-23rd January 2011

It was a mother-daughter victory at Taupo’s IRT North Island Endurance Champs last month with Susan Reid on Makahiwi Achilles recording a back to back win in the IRT CEI 3* 160km ride (following up from last year’s win in the same class) and daughter Sian Reid, riding AA Oscar, taking out the IRT CEI 2* 120km ride the next day.

Taupo hosted the event at Kuratau in very wet conditions on January 22 and 23 with some describing the event as “aquatic endurance”, the rain was so persistent, especially on day two. However most rode well and completion rates were very high, proving that this track will be more than up to scratch for the Nationals being run here at Easter this year, under hopefully much better conditions.

For Susan Reid it was an emphatic win on the 15 year old “Chilli”, owned by Pip Mutch, the combinations’ third win from three starts within 12 months at 3* level, which must be something of an NZ record for sure.

The ever consistent Jenny Champion and Freckles finished second in the 3* 160km ride (and was later awarded Best Conditioned Horse), 40 odd minutes behind Reid and just ahead of third placed Mark Tylee and Jacob, and Michael Wakeling riding Iti, their first start at this level to finish a very credible fourth. Eight out of the 11 starters qualified in this top class, a great tribute to event organizers and track markers.

Sian Reid and AA Oscar won the 2* 120km class of 30 combinations by over 20 minutes and also claimed Best Conditioned, rounding out a great weekend for the Reid’s with their third horse, AA Sabatage, ridden by Rosemary Revell, placing third in the IRT CEI 1* 90km ride.

23 combinations excelled in the IRT 2* 120km with the top three finishing in under eight hours. Behind Sian Reid was Raewyn Carter and Maioro Fire, followed by Sean Trafford and Sayfwood Rolling Stone.

Five out of six Juniors/Young Riders completed their 2* 120km with Emma Armstrong and Craig Royston O’Ryan winning by over an hour from Georgia Smith (Glenmore Astroid), and sole CEN 120km Open competitor Natasha Guest on Cyden Manana completed their first ride at this level.

The IRT CEI 1* 90km ride also was big – 30 combinations again, and five in the Junior/Young Rider class. Riding at and winning his first 1* was Frank Aldridge riding Merimindi Finali, finishing in 5:49:04 and just over a minute ahead of second-placed Maxi Mueller on Mauku Mistique, who was followed closely by Revell. The Young Riders were only slightly slower, Amanda Walton and Lotus Blue Moon finishing strongly to take out the championship class at this level.

The 60km Championship classes were contested by 16 Opens and 3 Juniors with a total of 15 qualifiers.

Hopefully this event will be remembered for the champions that excelled, the OC, vets and officials who made it what it was and the tracks for what they were, despite the rain.

First US CEI of 2011

USEF.org

Release: February 03 2011
Author: From the USEF Communications Department

The first American CEI of 2011 took place at the Dupuis Equestrian Center near Indiantown, FL, January 28-29. The event featured two days of Endurance competition.

In the CEIJY 1* (80km), Forest Green and PL Nino took top honors in a time of 3:55:30 beating Kelsey Russell and Tryssta by 30 seconds to the wire. In the CEI 1* (80km) Amy Atkins crossed the finish line in 5:03:40 on SA Zacks Comet, one second ahead of Daryl Downs and Blaze Star. In another desperately close race, Kathy Brunjes won the CEI 2* (120 km) on Theatric in a time of 7:19:58, one second clear of Melody Blittersdorf on Tektonic.

In the CEI 3* (160km), veteran Valerie Kanavy took top honors on Gold Raven by a wide margin. Her winning time of 8:42:44 was more than 50 minutes clear of Margaret Sleeper, who finished in 9:54:49 with Syrocco Reveille, one second ahead of Nicki Meuten and Not tonight. After a third place finish in the CEIJY 1* on Friday, Kyle Gibbon won the CEIY3* the following day in a time of 13:12:51 on Julio.

India: Thorough breds win first equestrian endurance meet

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Thorough-breds-win-first-equestrian-endurance-meet/articleshow/7439325.cms
Parth Shastri, TNN, Feb 7, 2011, 12.39am IST

AHMEDABAD: Thoroughbreds outshone Marwari and Kathiawadi horses on their home turf. However, the organizers of the first edition of Gujarat's 20 km equestrian endurance competition at Santej near Ahmedabad were happy to make a mark on the national circuit. A 61-year old rider from Ahmedabad won first prize at the event.

Anish Gajjar, founder of Equestrian Club of Gujarat and organizer of the event, told TOI that the event saw participation of 18 riders in the main category, 10 juniors and two women participants. "The event had Kathiawadi and Marwari horses in addition to thoroughbreds and Sindhi breeds. Thoroughbreds are traditionally known for their discipline and will to stick to the end. Homegrown Kathiawadis are sturdy but more mercurial. However, with more and more such events and more training by the riders, we believe that they will make the mark on the national scene," said Gajjar.

RB Pande, an equestrian trainer at a school in Ahmedabad, stood first in the open category riding a thoroughbred. Purvi Shah was first in the women's category also on a thoroughbred while Vijay Patel stood won the junior category in the saddle of a Marwari horse. Marwaris came a close second to the thoroughbreds in winning prizes, said organizers.

Bahrain: IT'S AL HAZZA!

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=298780
Posted on » Sunday, February 06, 2011

BAHRAIN Royal Endurance Team rider Isa Abdulla Al Hazza raced to a dominant victory yesterday in His Majesty The King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship, held at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir with His Majesty the King in attendance.

Riding his horse Duke Ya'aahad, Al Hazza was among the event's leaders from start to finish. He eventually completed the gruelling 120-kilometre event with a winning time of four hours 58 minutes 26 seconds and an average pace of 24.126km/h.

His Majesty King Hamad later presented Al Hazza with a royal sword as part of his prizes as the winner.

Yesterday's race was sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), and sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory.

Al Hazza led three other members of the Royal Endurance Team to finishes within the top four.

Abdulrahman Al Saad was the runner-up and Abdulrahman Al Zaed third, while Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was a strong fourth.

Al Saad, riding Kintamani Ragindi, completed the event quite a distance behind Al Hazza in a time of 5:13:58. He registered an average pace of 22.932km/h in claiming second place.

Al Zaed, mounted on Cedar Ridge Original, did well to battle back from behind to take the final podium position in 5:27:56. He raced with an average speed of 21.956km/h.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Breef president Shaikh Khalid was riding his horse Tarabic Carl to claim an impressive fourth position. Shaikh Khalid finished in 5:44:46, and averaged a solid pace of 20.884km/h.

FEI member Abdulla Al Asfour, riding Rushcreek Ovid, came fifth overall just two seconds behind Shaikh Khalid; while Shawamek Stable rider Khalil Abdulsamad Abdullatif on Chesterfield came sixth in 6:00:02.

Rounding out the finishing order amongst the leaders was Jaffar Mohammed Ali representing Al Ajiyal Stable. On Zidan, he completed the race in 6:06:48.

Also competing in His Majesty's event was Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president. Shaikh Nasser, however, was forced to withdraw from the competition during the first stage, following an injury to his horse The Statesman of Cheveaux.

Meanwhile, Royal Endurance Team's Ali Yousif Baqer won the junior category of the race. Riding Derrom Sabre, Ali had a finishing time of 5:24:00 while going for an average speed of 22.222km/h.

Hussain Al Nayef of Asayel Stable was second. Riding his horse Jassem, he finished just two seconds behind the victor.

Claiming third place was Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al khalifa riding Cal Kafee. Shaikha Najla, representing Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, completed the event in 5:32:12.

After the race, all three top junior riders were presented their respective trophies by Shaikh Khalid.

USA: Three US horses head for Abu Dhabi for endurance invitational

http://horsereporter.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/three-us-horses-head-for-abu-dhabi-for-endurance-invitational/

Miami- Three US horses will ship tonight to compete in the President’s Cup Endurance ride slated for February 12th at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Valerie Kanavy will represent the US riding Spectacular Gold, Deborah Reich will ride DJB Juniper and Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will ride DJB Cytron Tron. Butler-Stasiuk had the option to ride Katie Shah’s Ace’s Commett but feels Cytron Tron is good to go. Butler-Stasiuk will leave from Florida and travel with the horses by February 5th, the other riders to follow. The ride field usually supports 50 National riders and 20 invited competitors from Europe and North America who will compete for monetary prizes as well as the grand prize of an automobile. Entry numbers and prizes will be announced by February 11th. The prestigious 160-km ride started in 2000 with 14 national and 22 International riders.

©Pamela Burton

Gujarat to host first equestrian endurance championship

AHMEDABAD: Will home-bred Kathiawadi and Marwari horses be able to compete with the famed Arabian horses? This Sunday will test the endurance of 30 horses in the first edition of Gujarat's equestrian endurance competition on a 10 km track in Santej near Ahmedabad. The horses, from Gujarat and Rajasthan, belonging to industrialists, farmers and horse enthusiasts, will be tested for their strength, ability to negotiate hurdles and health.

Anish Gajjar, founder of Equestrian Club of Gujarat and organizer of the event, told TOI that the sport is conducted in 20, 40, 60, 80 and 120 kilometre races at national and international levels. "As this is the first initiative for the state, we are going for a 20 km race in two loops for the open category, while there is a shorter 10 km race for the junior category of horse riders. We also have a category for women," said Gajjar. The event will take place at Santej.

Why Ahmedabad? "The event has always been a bastion of Arabian breeds at national and international levels. However, we have an interesting mix of breeds including Marwari, Kathiawadi, thoroughbreds and mixed breeds in the state with quite a few enthusiasts. It will be an interesting competition and an exhibition of their strength," said Gajjar.

According to organizers, in an endurance race, the winning horse is the first to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal fit to continue. Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to participate in the race. The rider who reaches the destination first after passing all the periodic exams is declared the winner. The event is being organized according to the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and with support from the Marwari Horse Society of India (MHSI). British equestrian trainer Philippa Waterfield will co-ordinate the event.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gujarat-to-host-first-equestrian-endurance-championship/articleshow/7414598.cms

UAE: Top riders to showcase skills at Endurance City

Gulf News
Staff Report
February 3, 2011

Maktoum Bin Hamdan ride on Saturday

Dubai: International Endurance City is set to host two back-to-back races this weekend with the UAE's leading riders set to take part.

Tomorrow will see a CEI one-star Dubai International Endurance City-backed 80-km ride with two loops; a yellow category loop of 40-km once repeated. The pre-ride meet and inspection will be held from 9:30am-12 noon.

While a CEI two-star 120-km event, the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge, sponsored by Seeh Al Salam Stables, takes place on Saturday. The race consists of five loops and the pre-ride meet will be held on Friday from 2:30-5pm.

Mohammad Essa Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of the organisers Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), said: "We would like to extend our appreciation to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, for his continuous and generous contributions to our endurance events throughout the season. We are very honoured to host the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge.

"We are also very grateful to Seeh Al Salam Stables and are delighted that they have been rewarded with such a top-class line-up of riders."

French Endurance Coach Dropped!

Frenchhorseandcountry.com - Full Article

January 27, 2011 By fhc

The coach of the French Endurance team, Jean-Louis Leclerc, will be dropped from January 31st this year by the Federation. Why? Apparently he is too old and there will be a new directions from then on.

Veterinarian by training, Jean-Louis Leclerc was the head of the French team for endurance for 6 years and involved in the federation for 16 years. He earned respect and steered the teams to achieve results with 9 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze. Not bad, but not enough in the eyes of authorities.

The new federal plan for the Endurance no longer requires a full time coach and feels it is time for the application of new blood. Although only 62 and despite his undeniable results, Jean-Louis Leclerc will not be reappointed...

read more here:
http://www.frenchhorseandcountry.com/WP/2011/01/27/french-endurance-coach-dropped/

Endurance Added to 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships

February 01 2011
Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – For more than 30 years, the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North traditionally hosts championships for teams and individuals in the three Olympic Equestrian disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping. In 2008 reining was included, and in 2011 the sport of endurance will be introduced for the first time.

Included as a non-championship event since 2008 – participation and support for the program continues to grow. The 2011 championship will run from July 27-31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY and the endurance portion will use some of the same track that the World Endurance Championships ran over during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last September.

The ride will take place on Friday July 29. The stabling, start, veterinary inspections and finish as well as portions of the course will be on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds. The remainder of the course for the 120km race will make use of private property near the horse park.

For more information please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.

FEI Year End Rankings 2010

January 31 2011

Two French riders topped the Meydan Open Riders World Ranking for FEI year end results. Virginie Atger, who was ranked fifth in the world last year, topped the list in 2010 by just 14 points over fellow Frenchwoman Sarah Chakil.

In 2010 Atger won a number of rides, including the CEI*** 160-km Sommant and 160-km Rambouillet in France. She also finished 10th in the World Endurance Championship in Lexington, Kentucky.

Chakil won the 160km CEI*** Landivisiau and Florac in France. Chakil and Sakalia finished 8th in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky, boosting the pair to a year-end 4th place ranking in the FEI World’s Top Open Combination.

14-year-old SAS Alexis was the top ranked horse in the FEI Meydan Open Horse World Ranking. The horse had 5 starts in 2010, finishing first in a CEI** 120km in Bahrain, two 2nd places in CEI*** 160-km rides in England, and a third in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky.

2nd ranked horse in the FEI Meydan Open Horse World Ranking was 10-year-old Ciel Oriental. The horse had 5 starts in 2010, with 3 wins in England at 120 km, 130 km, and 160 km, and a 2nd place finish in the World Equestrian Games.

The very popular Double World Champion, and reigning European Champion, 15-year-old Nobby, ranked 32nd on the list. He had two starts on the year, a 4th place in 2010, a 160-km in Dubai in April, and first place in the World Endurance Championship in Kentucky.

Meydan Open Riders World Ranking:
1 - Virginie Atger - France - 1149 points
2 - Sarah Chakil - France - 1135 points
3 - Maria Hagman-Eriksson - Sweden - 1106 points
3 - S.S Faleh Nasser Bughenaim - Qatar - 1106 points
5 - Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum - UAE - 1089 points

Meydan Open Combination World Ranking:
1 - Ann S. Hall and HCC Zara RR - USA - 404 points
2 - Alex Luque Moral and Koheilan Kincso - Spain - 372 points
3 - Joao Raposo and Titanic - Portugal - 357 points
4 - Sarah Chakil and Sakalia - France - 349 points
5 - Carlos Cunha and Quinza - Portugal - 339 points

Meydan Open Horse World Ranking:
1 - SAS ALEXIS - 504 points
2 - CIEL ORIENTAL - 475 points
3 - MAQUARIE PARK SEDITION - 443 points
4 - GROSO HLM - 411 points
5 - AMIR - 408 points

FEI Year End Ranking - U.S. Horse and Rider Are Tops

January 31 2011 - California, United States,

Ann S. Hall, with mare HCC Zara RR, World’s Top Open Combination World Ranking for FEI year end results

Ms. Hall, a veteran endurance rider from Auburn, California topped the FEI ranking of 4764 horse and rider teams world wide to garner the number one spot. Ms. Hall and her mare HCC Zara RR accumulated the highest amount of points as a team in FEI events for the year. Ms. Hall, who has 10,000 miles in competition has been riding FEI events since 2006 and has a 100% finishing lifetime record in FEI events.

“HCC Zara RR has only been under saddle for 2 years, we are very pleased with her progress. Zara is closely related to several other Hall horses that have done very well through KOSCIUSKO, AERC Hall of Fame Stallion and sire of Tevis Champions. We are looking forward to 2011.”

Winner of the individual rider to accumulate more points with various horses went to Virginie Atger of France. Ms. Atger had an impressive year with 15 finishes out of 15 races to top her fellow compatriot, Sarah Chakil, in closely contested race for the world champion title. Ms. Atger rode seven different horses to achieve the world title. Ms. Atger, silver medalist at Aachen, Germany in the World Equestrian Games (WEG), represented France in Kentucky at the WEG and finished in the 10th place spot riding Azim Du Floival.

SAS Alexis, FEI World Top Ranked Horse for the 2010 season, is a 15 year Arabian gelding. SAS Alexis, is owned by the Fazaa Endurance Team from the United Arab Emirates. SAS Alexis, born in Australia, bested a field of 4109 horses to claim the year- end title. His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Al Maktoum, Captain of the United Arab Emirate team, guided SAS Alexis to bronze individual medal and team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. SAS Alexis, was a mere 17 seconds behind the 2nd place horse.

In 2010, Endurance inspired 270 International Events, a far cry form the modest 16 events held in 1995. This dramatic increase places Endurance as one of the fastest growing discipline in Equestrian sport.

The FEI, founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Today, it is the sole controlling authority for 8 equestrian disciplines throughout the world. Of the equestrian disciplines that FEI oversees is the sport of endurance riding.

Bahrain: Top riders for King's Cup endurance championship

Gulf-daily-news.com

January 30, 2011


THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) has started its preparations to organise His Majesty King's Cup Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

Some of the best riders from Bahrain and the GCC will be coming in the endurance season's most prestigious event, sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory (WGA).

The 120-kilometre event is set to take place at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship will be held under the directives of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport's first deputy chairman and Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation is holding the event as a grand sports festival in the kingdom.

Welcomed

He welcomed the riders from across the Gulf region taking part and expressed confidence of an exciting competition that is expected to be held this season.

Shaikh Khalid underlined the large number of entries to the tremendous success of the championship in previous years.

Shaikh Khalid praised the efforts of the organising committee and the federation with one week separating them from the championship.

Shaikh Khalid highlighted the endless support from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the preparation for His Majesty the King's ride.

The Breef's chief also expressed appreciation to WGA founder and president Ahsan Ali Syed for sponsoring the event, adding that he is looking forward to possibly building on their partnership in the future.

Shaikh Khalid stressed the importance of cooperation with the private sector in the development of sport, especially in equestrian, in Bahrain.

Malaysia: Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1

SETIU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday took part in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1 at the International Endurance Park Terengganu in Lembah Bidong, here.

Tuanku Mizan, riding the horse VV Coco, led three other riders in the 80km ride which was flagged off by Youth and Sports Executive Chairman Rozi Mamat.

Also taking part in the race were his princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah, 15, prince Tengku Muhammad Mua'az, 11 and princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra, 9.

The race was divided into three categories namely 120km, 80km and 40km.

Other teams taking part are the Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, State of Terengganu Endurance Team, Langkawi Endurance Team and Malaysian Army Endurance Team.

The results are expected to be obtained tomorrow morning.

-- BERNAMA

Great Britain: This is a sport which endures

by Karen Dent, The Journal
Jan 29 2011

RIDERS interested in endurance are being offered a free introduction to the sport in the North East.

The Intro to Endurance evening in Stannington, Northumberland, next month, will cover everything from pleasure rides to the low-distance competitive endurance, crewing and a look at competing abroad. The main speaker on the night will be Angela Hall, the founder of the Equine Massage Academy (North East).

The event is being organised by the Northumberland & Tyneside Endurance GB group, which has 39 members and organises eight rides in the region annually.

Viv Knight from the group has been involved in endurance for 16 years and now her whole family are part of the team.

She said: “It is the safest, healthiest – for the horse – most sociable, family-friendly, lowest cost competitive sport for those with horses.

“My daughter, Lee-Anne, started riding in endurance when she was 14 years old. When she went to university and qualified as a vet – she now works for ScottMitchell Associates, Hexham – I took over the reins. Apologies for the pun!

“The whole family has been involved as my husband Graham and son Darrell have crewed for us.”

Haltwhistle-based Mrs Knight has two Arabs, a gelding called Ashraaf, who is 22 and now retired, and a 10-year-old mare called Sun Diva GFA, who is known as Geri.

“I bought her when she was a rising two-year-old,” said Mrs Knight.

“My daughter started to ride her when Geri was four in pleasure rides, but then as work and family commitments took over, we approached a friend, who in fact first backed Geri – Andrew Richardson, a point to point jockey and trainer who lives in Hexham.

“He now trains and rides her in the competitive season. We now concentrate on the endurance rides (races) of 50 miles and above.

“Their greatest achievements together have been in 2010, where they came first at the Hexhamshire Trophy Ride in August and first at the Red Dragon, Builth Wells in October out of a very high standard of riders of 22.

“We also came away with the Best Condition award for our class in that event.

“I am hoping that this year we will do even better, as she has matured and her whole body has strengthened.”

Mrs Knight is heavily involved in Geri’s diet and training programme and crews at events with her husband.

But she says it’s a myth that you need an Arab to do well at endurance.

“Many people have to wrong idea about needing an Arab horse, indeed one of our top horses in the North East is a trotter cross,” said Mrs Knight.

“Any type of horse can do endurance. They all become fit with time and the limitations are often due to the amount of time the owner can provide, as with most sports.”

In addition to the eight events put on the Northumberland & Tyneside group, there are also active endurance groups in Durham, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders that organised events of up to 65km.

The Intro to Endurance event takes place from 7pm on February 24 at Stannington Village Hall near Morpeth.

ENDURANCE GB NORTHUMBERLAND & TYNESIDE GROUP 2010 AWARDS

PLEASURE DISTANCE TROPHY

JUNIOR HIGHEST MILEAGE TROPHY

NEWCOMERS TROPHY

HAPPY TRAILS TROPHY

GRADED RIDE TROPHY

HIGH POINT TROPHY

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/2011/01/29/this-is-a-sport-which-endures-61634-28075476/#ixzz1CRyCevWp

France: New International Endurance Event at Fontainebleau

Grandparquetendurance.fr

Welcome to Fontainebleau !

The Grand Parquet Endurance association is happy to present you with a new event happening in France: an International Endurance Ride Competition taking place in Fontainebleau on Saturday, April the 2nd 2011.

The event is hosted on the Grand Parquet spot, one of the most beautiful equestrian sites in France, very comfortable, as well for the horses as for the rider:

*Very easy to access : located 60 km south of Paris on the A6 Motorway, Exit No 14
*Many hotels situated around Fontainebleau
*230 permanent structure horse boxes
*Many horse shower areas
*Concrete grooming area
*Large consolidated parking area
*Exhibitors and caterer on the premises

On the programme:
*CEI** - 121 km in 4 loops (33km, 36,5km, 30km and 21,5km) – 1450 meters difference in height
*CEI* - 91 km in 3 loops (33km, 36,5km, and 21,5km) – 1100 meters difference in height

The courses are displayed in daisy shape around the site, in the magnificent Fontainebleau Forest, on excellent quality grounds (almost no asphalt).

Electronic timing will be applied to the riders.

Agenda
Monday, March 21st

closing date for final entries (through your federations)

Wednesday, March 30th (2 :00 pm) to Friday, April 1st (12 :00 pm) : Riders and Horses arrival

Friday, April 1st, 2 :30 pm : initial veterinary control

Saturday, April 2nd : 7 :00 am : CEI** start – 8 :00 am : CEI* start

Saturday, April 2nd : 8 :30 pm : Gala Dinner.

And thanks to our partners we will have a very nice award ceremony !

We are awaiting you all for this first edition !

To contact us
cg.cabardos@club-internet.fr

Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2011

SATomQuilty.com.au

 

 
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the SA Tom Quilty committee announces a change of venue and date for the 2011 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.  The event, now known as the Barossa Ranges Tom Quilty Gold Cup will provide a challenging event for participants on a new course.  There will be an away check point and riders will experience changing terrain as the course traverses Mt Crawford State forest, vineyards and pastures.  The second and potentially most challenging leg will be through pine forests, then onto private land owned by the Ross family (by kind permission).
 
The ride base will be at Mt Pleasant which hosts annually a large agricultural show in addition to many livestock and horse events.  One of the best scenic routes in our State runs through Mount Pleasant linking Adelaide with the Barossa via the rich pastoral lands, forestry and the wine areas of Springton and Eden Valley close to Mt. Pleasant. 

Land was first purchased for forestry at Mount Crawford in 1909. Plantings commenced in 1914; two species of eucalypts (Narrow-leaved Ironbark and South Australian Blue gum) and two species of pine (Radiata and Maritime pine) which creates a fantastic horse riding environment.  The current reserve area is in the region of 12,000 hectares. 
 
Please note that the event will now start at midnight on Friday September 30th 2011 and continue through Saturday October 1st.
 
Changes to our website are being made and further announcements will follow as plans are finalised for the test event, the South Australian State Championships and FEI 1* featuring the Trans Tasman and Young Horse Qualifier (sponsored by Castlebar) which takes place later this year on October 8th - 10th
 
For more information, see http://www.satomquilty.com.au/about

Qatar: HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (centre) is seen with the winners of the HH The Heir Appraent Endurance Cup at the indoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. Al Shaqab Endurance Team took the top five places while dominating in the Seniors 120 kms HH The Heir Apparent Endurance Cup held at the Sealine on Saturday. Abdulrahman Saad al-Sulaiteen riding Parlour Mountain came in first while his team mate Faleh Nasser Saleh Bughenaim astride Amir took the second place ahead of Hassan Tahous Saif al-Nuami. The Juniors event over 100 kms also saw the Al Shaqab Team in pristine form as their riders and champion horses took the first three places. Saad Senan Saad al-Kaabi riding Idaho Champ checked in ahead of Salem Ali Salem Feteas (Kalgan De Lafon) to take the top honours.

Gulf-times.com

Qatar: Al Shaqab Endurance is the Second Best in the FEI World Ranking

Al Shaqab.com

With all essential support and endorsement of Al Shaqab, represented by endurance manager Hadi Al Ramzan and the team, the dedicated, applied and professional endurance rider Faleh Nasser Bughenaim is the 2nd best endurance rider of the year 2010 in the ranking of the FEI, more once a source of pride for Qatar.

Winner of eight international endurance races in France, Uruguay, Brazil and Portugal, besides the honorable 5th place in Kentucky, he also exhibits in his ranking of results important victories in Uruguay, where he began ride together with the stallion Amir and was championin a race of 160 Km in July in Costa Azul, with an average speed of 20.82 km / h, doing the last loop with an of 28.03 km/h.

He was also 7th place in the difficult and demanding race of Florac, France, one of the toughest race of endurance world with more than 180 riders. In Florac, Faleh was riding Leonardo and the average speed was 16.84 km/h. The last loop was 21.83 Km/h, leaving all the connoisseurs impressed with the speed,the same that the champion Sarah Chakil did.

In September, the way home it was Kentucky, the Endurance World Championship, in the World Equestrian Games, where Faleh with the Qatar Team fought bravely for a big title. Riding Amir, the stallion from Uruguay, Faleh was once again among the best endurance riders, as Virginie Atger, Sarah Chakil, Maria Alvarez Ponton and did well for his country. At an average speed of 20.37 mph, he was 12°, 7°, 6°, 7° finishing in 5th place in a competition that unfortunately relied on dubious trials and controversies.

In October, Faleh and Urubu were gold medal of the Nations Cup in Tróia, Portugal, the average speed at 160 km was 18.89 km/h.He did race in 8h25min28s and the average speed in the last race was 23.129 km/h.The next day he did the race 120 km and with Opaline Cabirat he won with an average speed of 20.07 km/h, and the last loop was 24.69 km / h.

Along with these results, it also highlights the dedication of Hadi Al Naimi, who is responsible for all this success around the endurance in Al Shaqab Team, relying with a nice team.

Together with the Al Shaqab Team, Faleh spent months away from home by starting international season just before the half-year and only returned to Qatar in November 2010, in which he has already secured a 2nd place in a international race, riding the Portuguese horse Urubu an the average speed was 21.63 km / h.
So he ended the year 2010 in international endurance competitions and became with much merit with the 2nd best endurance rider in the world, proudly brought to the Al Shaqab this important title.

Abu Dhabi: Bin Ali clinches endurance ride

Gulfnews.com

* Staff Report
* Published: 00:00 January 23, 2011

Al Baloushi finishes 120-km in second place while Al Shafar third

Abu Dhabi: It was Hassan Bin Ali's day at the Emirates Championship — a CEI 120km endurance ride — when he rode IFO Rashin to victory at the Emirates International Endurance Village, in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The ride was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, owner of the winning horse.

The 120km ride started with India's Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan taking the lead in the first stage, which was over 32km, in 01.14.54 seconds. He was followed by his compatriot Chandra Singh Ladu Singh (1:15.07) in second place and the UAE's Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (01.18.11).

Khan maintained his lead in the 28km second stage, crossing the finish line in 02.19.22, followed by Singh (02.19.37) and Bin Ali (02.22.02) in third.

Bin Ali made a strong comeback in the third stage and climbed on top in 03.15.14 while his countryman Sultan Ahmad Al Baloushi (03.15.31) improved to second place with Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (03.17.42) third.

Bin Ali completed the ride in 04:41.38 to emerge the winner. Al Baloushi, riding Jayhal Shazal from Al Reef Stables, finished at second place (04:44.48) — followed by Shafar on Dalyn Man from Al Reeh Endurance Stables (04:45.08).

The race was sponsored by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS), Wathba Stud Farm, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2011, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) SAS Investment Co, Invest AD and Areej Al Ameerat.

RESULTS

Provisional (top five):

1. Hassan Bin Ali | (IFO Rashin) 04:41.38, 2. Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi (Jayhal Shazal) 04:44.48, 3. Mohammad Ali Al Shafar (Dalyn Man) 04:45.08, 4. Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri (Fazza Endurance Team) 04:47.52, 5. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Palhavi Des Pins) 04: 53.48.

Abu Dhabi: Second success for Spanish rider Uranga

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

* Staff Report
* Published: January 22, 2011


Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge

Abu Dhabi: Spanish rider Uma Mencia Uranga partnered HH Gabbar to win the CEN 90km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for ladies at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

It was her second triumph for 21-year-old Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, who had won the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge on January 7.

Forty-six riders of different nationalities had to deal with tough conditions affected by rain in the SAS Investment Co-sponsored event. In second place with a time of 3:18.18 was Saudi Arabia's Maha Hashem Al Jefri on Aloha Kamahl while Maha Khalid clocked 3:19.20 on Princess Diana to finish third.

Results (top five): 1.Uma Mencia Uranga (HH Gabbar) Fazza Endurance Team (3:15.27), 2. Maha Hashem Al Jefri (Aloha Kamahl) Al Reef Stables 3:18.18, 3. Maha Khalid (Princess Diana) Dubai Endurance Stable 3:19.20, 4. Chantelle du Plessis (Israk Grey) Al Reeh Endurance Stables 3:20.28, 5. Gerda Petronella Burger (Oska) Dubai Endurance Stables 3.22.56.

Australia: Lost horse register under way as owners begin searching

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 15, 2011
By Neil Clarkson

Five horses are listed as missing but the number is certain to grow as horse owners in flood-torn Queensland work to discover the fate of their animals.

he Queensland Horse Council is co-ordinating the lost horse register, which aims to re-unite lost horses with their owners, and hopefully bring closure to owners whose animals were washed away in the flash floods.

The toll of horses is unknown, as the cleanup across the state gets under way.

To date, 80 standardbreds are known to have perished at Cold Mountain Stud, but the equine death toll is certain to go much higher.

Sixteen people are confirmed dead in the flood, with the death toll predicted to double in the next couple of days. About 50 people are still missing...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/01/092.shtml

Bahrain: Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Abu Dhabi: US Riders to Ride in President's Cup

January 20 2011

3 American riders have been invited to participate in the 160-km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi. Former multiple World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy will ride Spectacular Gold, Ceci Butler-Stasiuk will ride DJB Cytron Kon JMF, and Deborah Reich will ride DJB Juniper in the event.

New Dutch Chef d’Equipe Endurance

Horsus.nl

19-01-2011

The Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has appointed Marjolijn de Rooy as the new chef d'équipe endurance. The 53-year-old entrepreneur have signed a contract until 2012.

Marjolijn de Rooy has more than 25 years experience in managing horses. She coached for many years endurance riders and horses where she not only paid attention to the preparation of training plans and management of the horse, but also the veterinary matters had high priority.

In 2003 Marjolijn was a member of the Dutch endurance team that won bronze at the European Championships in Punchestown.

HorsUs

Australia: Floods claim stud horses

Weeklytimesnow.com.au

Fran Cleland | January 19, 2011

FIFTY horses at Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer's stud were drowned when floods swept through the Lockyer Valley last week.

Mr Palmer said staff had herded the horses into the barns but the barns then began filling with water, forcing staff members to climb on to the roof.

"The horses were drowning beneath them," Mr Palmer was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, fears are held for 80 Arabian endurance horses belonging to Australian endurance champion Penny Toft, at Marburg.

The horses are missing, but Penny said she was hopeful they would be found alive.

The farm produces some of the world's best endurance competition horses.

"Horses are smart, and we are hoping they have moved uphill," Penny said.

"We are still better off than others in the area. More than 40 Thoroughbreds and 29 Standardbreds have been drowned."

Penny said the biggest problem for horse owners would be the lack of feed and hay, with roads to the area impassable

Bahrain: Abdulrahman claims junior endurance ride

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=296287

Sunday, January 16, 2011

ABDUL-RAHMAN Abdulla of Al Asayel Stable steered Al Haseel to victory in the 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride yesterday.

More than 60 riders of different stables competed in the event, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Abdulla completed the five-stage ride in five hours, 32 minutes and 38 seconds with an average of 19-km per hour.

Second overall was Nasser Awad of Al Mugheirat Stable in 5:35:40 while Al Shuwamekh Stable's young rider Saud Al Dossary (5:35:42) rounded off the podium winning third place.

The ride, which was the second event of the season, was flagged off at 6.30am by Breef's general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi and media committee head Tawfeeq Salehi.

Abdulla dominated the ride right from the start. He completed the first stage, which was over 30 kms, in one hour, 38 minutes and 49 seconds.

Behind him was Abdulla Al Qaud (1:20:07) of the Royal Endurance Team in second place and Ali Yousef (1:20:28), also of the Royal Endurance Team, third.

In the second stage, which was also over 30 kms, Abdulla continued to lead by finishing the stage in 1:18:57 while Yousef (1:25:10) advanced to second and Al Qaud (1:25:45) dropped to third.

The third stage was over 25 kms and Abdulla stayed in front, completing the stage in 1:18:57, ahead of Yousef (2:25:10) and Al Qaud (1:25:45).

Abdulla (59:36) held on to his lead after the fourth stage, which was over 20 kms. Yousef (58:13) remained second and Al Qaud (58:14) third.

Abdulla maintained his momentum in the fifth and last stage, which he finished in 45 minutes and 26 seconds.

Awad held on to second place, clocking 30:32, and was followed by Al Dossay in third place in 30:22.

The ride was witnessed by National Guard Commander Lt Gen Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

It was held under the patronage of Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who presented trophies to the top three riders at an awarding ceremony.

Belgium: Mont le Soie to organize the European but also the World Championships for Young Riders

www.endurance-belgium.com
Leonard Leisens

The European Championship in Mont Le Soie is nothing really new for well-informed people. Many have already been informed that Pierre Arnould — Director of the Equestrian Centre of Mont Le Soie— was concocting something special in order to regain prestige for the Belgian Endurance on the international scene. On another subject, referring to the governmental crisis taking place in Belgium since more than 200 days, it is high time for Belgium to generally regain prestige. If things go like some are dreaming in their extreme dreams —or nightmares, depending— we could end up with two Belgian Teams, one in 'Black and Yellow, The Flanders Lion' and the other in 'Red and Yellow, the Walloon Rooster'.

Anyway…

Mont Le Soie has applied for the organization of the European Championships for Young Riders in 2012. The event will take place on 8th September 2012.

But there is more!

As anyone knows, Brazil threw the towel and had to withdraw its offer to organize the Young Riders World Championships. We have no intention of offending the Brazilian organizers or our South American friends, but one has to admit that holding a World Championship outside Europe is a kind of 'Mission: Impossible". Because who —with the exception of France and even as France didn't send any representatives to Argentina two years ago— will be able to ship a team to South America?

So, as Mont Le Soie was feeling ready with the organization of the European Championship, the idea of applying for the World Championships germinated.

The Belgian Federation is fully supporting the project and has recently sent his official candidature to the FEI. Beside Mont Le Soie, Compiègne is also interested. France has already received the organisation of the European Championship at Florace this year. So this will maybe tip the balance in favour of Mont Le Soie.

Because Mont Le Soie has many cards in its game:

· The venue of the Equestrian Centre in the heart of Europe have no cause to be envious of anybody. An full size indoor arena of 30x60m, a huge and top quality outdoor arena of 60x80m, an additional working arena of 20x40m, a cross track of 4km, a canter training track of 2km. All of that inside a park of 50 hectares, so enough space to have paddocks, turning-out area, closed stables, parkings…

...more at http://www.endurance-belgium.com/chroniques/mls-europe/mls-europe.htm

Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf Daily News
Posted on » Saturday, January 15, 2011

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

An Exciting Year of Endurance Riding in Arizona

[More ...]
14 January 2011 By Kim Abbott View Comments

“I love you Arizona, your mountains, deserts and skies”… it’s a verse from a song written by the state balladeer, Dolan Ellis, about beautiful Arizona. But it should be the words spoken by every endurance rider in the state of Arizona and surrounding states. Especially this year… 2011 is offering many exciting new Arizona endurance rides! Here is a list of the 2011 Arizona endurance rides:

We started off the year with a huge bang! Rusty Toth, and accomplished endurance rider, hosted the 3 day Resolution Ride that took place in Scottsdale Arizona. Kevin Myers, also an accomplished endurance rider, and on the Easy Boot team assisted Rusty Toth in putting on a great New Years ride from their home in Rio Verde. Although the weather gave them fits, the riders had a great time and the horses did fantastic! Rusty was able to get riders from as far east as New York and as north as Oregon. Other states represented were Colorado, Utah, California, New Mexico, Oregon and New York.

We next jump to February and the Springdale Romp hosted by long time endurance rider Ray Sansom. The ride will take place in beautiful Safford, Arizona on February 3rd,4th,5th, a day off, then on 7th,8th,9th. This ride promises to be beautiful!

We then move on to the spring ride, Old Pueblo, hosted by Marilyn McCoy on the Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ. I last participated in this ride in the fall. The grass was knee high, the flowers were incredible and the fields of sunflowers were amazing! Don’t miss this ride March 11th,12th and 13th.

...more

Bahrain: Junior riders set to match skills

Gulf-daily-news.com

12 January 2011

E Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising a 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The third event of the season targets junior riders as the organisers are looking to expand this discipline while searching for young talents to include them in the national team.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the federation is keen to boost the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain in the fray.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will also take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the veterinary examination would be held on Friday from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir.

The organising committee also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Shaikh Khalid earlier approved members of the working committees ahead of Friday's event.

Mohammed Abdullwa was named international referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb is the international steward, Ghaleb Al Alawi is the technical representative while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

The media committee is headed by Tawfeeq Salhi and comprises photographers Mahmood Abdulla, Qamber Mohammed and Hussain Abdulmajeed.

Bahrain TV crew are Sami Yaqoub, Mohammed Jameel, Mohammed Al Shoumeli, Alli Al Shoumeli, Hussain Al Aradi, Saddam Nasser, Fawaz Al Abdulla.

Abu Dhabi: College student wins Ladies Challenge ride

Gulfnews.com - Full ArticleJanuary 28 2011

Abu Dhabi: Twenty-one-year-old Uma Mencia Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, romped home a convincing winner of the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Averaging an impressive speed of 28.58 km per hour aboard the nine-year-old bay gelding Pintaka, the Spanish rider made every kilometre count as she completed the gruelling 90 kilometre course in a time of three hours, eight minutes and 55 seconds. Pintaka is owned by the Fazaa Endurance team stables.

Finishing in second place on board Siloah Hamza was Emirati rider Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Merri representing the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Stables...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/college-student-wins-ladies-challenge-ride-1.742691

UAE: Student wins first prize in ride

Gulfnews
Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri takes home the trophy for 100km endurance ride

By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing and Special Features Writer
Published: 00:00 January 9, 2011

photo: * Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri wins the 100km endurance ride of Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup at Emirates International Endurance Village, at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday. * Image Credit: Abdul Rahman /Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Schoolboy Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri surprised even himself when he won the Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately owned horses at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

Riding Shardell Sharna Golden, a horse he randomly picked from the 20 his family owns, he battled through early morning fog to secure the first victory of his career.

Al Marri completed the CEN 100km ride in a time of three hours and 39.58 minutes aboard the 11-year-old chestnut gelding owned by his father Mohammad Obaid Al Jaber. He clocked an an average speed of 27.28km/h for the distance.

"I really did not expect this win. I was only hoping for a top 10 finish," said a delighted Marri who was also presented with the keys of a new car, as the first prize. Marri is in 12th grade at the Al Nadjha School in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the trophies to the winners. Also present were Emirates Equestrian Federation secretary general Talib Daher Al Muhairi; Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club director general Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi; and Tasweeq managing director Lara Sawaya.

Results

Top 10 results (Provisional): 1.Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri (Shardell Sharana Golden) 03.39.58; 2.Sayed Mohammad Abbas Alawi (Polonia Endurance) 03.50.09; 3.Ahmad Mohammad Saleh Al Shehhi (Sheridon) 03.5357, 4.Mansour Ibrahim Ahmad (Guru)03:54.07; 5.Matar Saeed Mohammad Al Kaabi (Ghaith)03.55.05, 6. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Rayhana) 03.57.50; 7. Layla Abul Aziz Al Redha (Umm Khammas) 04.09.50; 8.Abdullah Bin Ahmad Al Shaikh (AS Elegida) 04:10.7; 9. Hamad Bader Abdullah Al Hammadi (Arabito) 04:12.31; 10. Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri (Meltharina Marzan) 04:12.54

Abu Dhabi: Ponton facing a stiff challenge in Al Wathba for 90km race

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Amith Passela

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2011

ABU DHABI // Maria Alvarez Ponton, the world champion from Spain, will be challenged by more than 30 Emirati women in the Al Jaber Challenge, a 90-kilometre CEI one-star endurance race tomorrow at the Emirates International Endurance Village (EIEV) in Al Wathba.

Ponton, who trains endurance horses in Dubai, won the world title from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September. She heads a 70-runner, women-only field.

"We started with one race at Al Wathba two years ago and it doubled last year," said Adnan Sultan al Nuaimi, the secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

"We have two races already planned for the new season, and may have a third before the season ends.

"There is a lot of interest among the Emirati women to ride in competitions and the numbers are increasing at every race..."

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/sport/middle-article-list/ponton-facing-a-stiff-challenge-in-al-wathba-for-90km-race