Great Britain: Set Back for Team Omar

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

Published on 18/05/2013 06:01

RAF Cranwell, normally home to aircrafts, played host to Endurance Great Britain’s third major national ride last weekend.

The event attracted hundreds of riders and horses from across the UK for a competition spread over three days.

Brechin based rider John Thomson and his pure bred Arabian gelding Prince Omar made the journey south to join some of his N&T Group team mates, all of whom were scheduled for the big distance race rides of 160kms over two days, one day 80kms and John and Omar in the 100kms CER one day class.

In a cloudless early morning the mass start went over the line at 07.31 a.m.

For a race ride it was a fairly sedate start due to a short section of tarmac that led into heavily rutted and root laden forest tracks but within a couple of kilometres, nerves had passed and the riders had settled down to a steady but quick endurance trot before the pace shifted up a gear...

Read more here:
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/sport/local-sport/set-back-for-team-omar-1-2931151

UAE: Guilty racehorse trainer’s endurance links put spotlight on Arab doping record

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

May 6 2013

Concerns about equine doping and severe injuries in the Middle East are already the worst-kept secrets in FEI endurance. But this niche discipline seems set for wider scrutiny following the Godolphin steroids scandal that rocked the racing world.

Mahmood al Zarooni, who trained for Sheikh Mohammed’s elite Godolphin operation at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket, was banned for a record eight years after 11 racehorses tested positive to anabolic steroids, following a spot-check by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) last month.

Al Zarooni also admitted giving steroids to four other horses.

Sheikh Mohammed is the ruler of Dubai, one of the seven principalities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He personally underpins the global racing economy with worldwide bloodstock investments worth billions and owns an estimated 5,000 racehorses.

His junior wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, is president of the FEI, the body that governs global horse sport, and has actively campaigned for clean sport...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/guilty-racehorse-trainers-endurance-links-put-spotlight-on-arab-doping-record/

Great Britain: Sheikh Mohammed's son-in-law explains pressures that lead to doping in endurance racing

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

By Simon Briggs
14 May 2013

Endurance racing needed a smooth day out on Friday at Windsor, after the negative publicity that has surrounded it in recent days. The Queen attended, the United Arab Emirates took three of the first four places, and no positive tests were reported — for the moment at least.

For those not familiar with this niche equestrian pursuit, an endurance ride involves a course of up to 100 miles long which must be completed by one rider on one horse. It is little wonder that the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has identified it as a hotspot for chemical enhancement, with 41 cases of doctored horses reported between 2010 and 2012.

Figures prepared by the Swiss Equestrian Federation suggest that the Middle Eastern states — which have come to dominate the sport since the 1990s — are at the heart of the problem. Horses from the UAE have repeatedly been cited — even one ridden by the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, himself. The connections between these mini-scandals and the rather larger debacle at Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stables are not hard to draw.

Sheikh Mohammed’s son-in-law, Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, rode in Friday’s race, although with limited success; his horse Moro Famayev went lame and had to retire after the first 20-mile lap. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Prince Nasser — whose father is the King of Bahrain — admitted that doping was a major problem in endurance racing, though he was wise enough to defend Sheikh Mohammed from any accusation of wrong-doing.

“What made this happen is like exactly the athletes in the human races, they want to beat the other runners and the other countries, and they start to miscalculate things,” said Prince Nasser...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/10055050/Sheikh-Mohammeds-son-in-law-explains-pressures-that-lead-to-doping-in-endurance-racing.html

Great Britain: Royal Windsor's first endurance race a success

Horseandcountry.tv - Full Article

By Charlotte Ricca-Smith on 14th-May-2013

Royal Windsor’s very first endurance ride was hailed as a great success, with perfect conditions helping to produce some top-class performances.

History in the making

The winner was United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri, who completed the 120km course in a time of four hours, 32 minutes and 34 seconds, riding his 11-year-old grey mare La Crysada.

“The race was difficult as this was my first ride abroad and the course was very different to courses in the Emirates but to come here and to enter the history books by winning the first ever Royal Windsor endurance ride is an honour,” said Al Marri.
In second place was fellow UAE rider Saeed Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi with Castlebar Kadeen, who finished in a time of four hours, 39 minutes and 39 seconds...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2013/05/14/royal-windsors-first-endurance-race-success

France: The 2014 WEG Organising Committee meets the press in Gothenburg

JEMFEIAlltech2014-normandie.fr

02/05/2013

The Organising Committee’smanaging director Fabien Grobon, outlined the major achievements of the last twelve months. He particularly focused on the teams’ daily achievements, as they work towards making these Games an event to live up to both the public’s expectations and enthusiasm.

José Carlin-Perez, the media operations manager, explained the OC’s approach to providing media services for all those making the journey to Normandy from 23 August to 7 September 2014. Everything possible will be done to guarantee high-quality services, which will allow media representatives to optimise their fortnight stay. José Carlin-Perez stressed the Organising Committee’s wish “to have a thorough approach towards the transmission of the results and information on a whole, as well as supplying a highly-organised working environment for the media.”

Teams of volunteers will be assigned to assist the media and facilitate the organisation of everyday services.

Specific areas will be reserved for the media in close proximity to the Main Media Centre (MMC/CIM) located at the d’Ornano Stadium. Additional media centres will also be placed at all of the competition venues. The control room and broadcasting centre will be set up nearby and television transmission will be handled conjointly by the EBU and the France Télévisions group.

Accommodation arrangements have already been finalised. Four hotels will be allocated to journalists, all of which are located close to Caen’s d’Ornano Stadium. Nearly 200 rooms have been pre-booked with rates ranging from 75 to 150 euros (depending on the category of hotel.) Reservations will be possible from 15 May 2013 onwards.

A shuttle service will be organised between the media hotels, the MMC/CIM and all the different competition venues.

Requests for accreditation will be possible from February 2014 until May 2014.

Journalists present in Gothenburg went away with all the information necessary for their forthcoming trip to Normandy. Further dates have been planned for the coming months.

Everything has been designed to make the media’s work that little bit easier at the Games!

Key dates:

Hotel reservations from 15 May 2013 – contact : hotels.normandie2014@mci-group.com
Accreditation possible from February 2014 – contact : media.operations@normandie2014.com
For practical information : media.operations@normandie2014.com

Great Britain: 120 km Royal Windsor Endurance CEI 2*

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 12, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

May 5, 2013, Windsor, UK ~ On a very cool day with high winds and occasional heavy showers 48 competitors representing seven countries galloped away from the start with the splendid back drop of Windsor Castle.

This was an historic occasion as it was the first time that an endurance ride was included in the events of Royal Windsor Horse Show that was celebrating its 70th anniversary.

The majority of the route was over the Queen’s private Estate of Windsor Great Park. The going was exceptional, over beautifully mown grass and sandy tracks. The mildly undulating course passed several famous statues and set another first when part of the first loop was set around the steeplechase course at Ascot Race Course that will host the famous Royal meeting next month. It also passed Cranbourne Tower, the birthplace of Eclipse in 1764, an outstanding British thoroughbred racehorse undefeated in the 18th-century winning 18 races, including 11 King’s Plates. After retiring from racing he became a very successful sire...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=6827

Mansour Festival to stage two rides in France

Gulfnews.com

Compiegne, Tarbes venues for the events

Staff Report
Published: 17:45 May 13, 2013

Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival announced their association with international endurance rides here at a press conference on Monday.

Lara Sawaya, Director of the Festival and Head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies Racing, said two rides will be held under the banner of the Festival starting with a 160-km ride later this month.
“We are proud to announce that the Festival will now be officially involved in two international endurance rides under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affair,” Sawaya said.
“The first ride is a CEI-O three-star Nation Cup ride which will be over a distance of 160km in Compiegne, France, and will be the last 160-km ride before the World Equestrian Games. There will be participants from all over the world, including from the UAE, and this race will take place on May 24 with pre-inspection on May 23,” she said.

Great Britain: Al Beloushi flies the flag for UAE with Royal victory

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Emirati riders finish one-two in historic ride held at Windsor Great Park

By Leslie Wilson JrRacing & Special Features Writer
Published: 18:57 May 11, 2013

Dubai: Rashid Mohammad Ebrahim Al Beloushi did the UAE proud by winning the inaugural Royal Windsor Endurance CEI 2* ride held in association with and presented by the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Riding the seven-year-old grey gelding Bucanero, Al Baloushi completed the challenging 120km course around the centuries-old Windsor Great Park in a time of 4 hours, 32 minutes and 34 seconds.

Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi made it a memorable day for the UAE when he finished in second place aboard the 16-year-old Australian mare Castlebar Kadeen. Al Habri timed 4:39:39 secs.

Dace Sainsbury, a 20-year-old top-placed British rider, was third with French Lieutenant (4:48:32)...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-beloushi-flies-the-flag-for-uae-with-royal-victory-1.1182107

Great Britain: Horseshoe Endurance Ride to host para class

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on May 08, 2013 in Focus

Britain’s famous Golden Horseshoe Endurance Ride over Exmoor is including an invitation-only event for Para riders this year.

The ride, from May 12 to 14, has eight competitive classes and will this year host the 48th running of the famous Golden Horseshoe, which in its early days was 75 miles long but is now a daunting 100 miles...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/05/08/golden-horseshoe-endurance-para-class/#axzz2Sqn5DHFR

Major blow for Endurance GB as Dubai Equestrian Club pulls plug on Euston Park sponsorship

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Endurance riding in Great Britain has suffered a huge blow with the Dubai Equestrian Club pulling its blanket sponsorship of Euston Park, axing the Thetford venue’s entire 2013 calendar.

By Pippa Cuckson
10:00PM BST 09 May 2013

The loss of four major race rides — to endurance riding, the equivalent of horse racing losing both Newmarket and Ascot – was announced in a single sentence on Euston Park’s website, which effectively shut down on Wednesday. The national governing body, Endurance GB, has not been offered a reason.

The development follows a week of further publicity surrounding doping cases within Sheikh Mohammed’s wider equine interests including Telegraph Sport's disclosure on Wednesday that some 20 horses trained in stables owned by the Maktoum family in Dubai had been involved in FEI doping cases since 2005.

Telegraph Sport understands that prior to the revelations that led to Sheikh Mohammed’s racehorse trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni, being banned for eight years, Endurance GB was already resisting proposals for another "private ride" not under the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

A similar concept was staged at Euston in August 2009 which enabled Sheikh Mohammed and three other riders, all then serving FEI suspensions, to compete...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/10047857/Major-blow-for-Endurance-GB-as-Dubai-Equestrian-Club-pulls-plug-on-Euston-Park-sponsorship.html

Australia: Countdown to Tom Quilty Gold Cup in Kilkivan

Horsezone.com.au - Full Article

COUNTDOWN TO TOM QUILTY GOLD CUP ENDURANCE RIDE - KILKIVAN 7-9 JUNE 2013
Published on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in General

Sponsored by Events Queensland, it’s only four weeks until Australia’s world famous 160km endurance horse ride begins. The rural township of Kilkivan, located in south-east Queensland, will proudly host the 2013 Tom Quilty Gold Cup from June 7-9.

Current national champion, Brook Sample, 38, of Kenilworth, who already has six Quilty Cups to his name, plans to compete again this year and hopes to make 2013 his 7th victory.

Brook has competed regularly in this iconic endurance horse ride since reaching the qualifying age of 12. His first 160km ride was the Quilty in South Australia in 1986 when he placed first in the Junior Division.

He has ridden in the Quilty 12 times, each time finishing in the top 10 and winning first place in 1990, 1995, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2012 – a record unmatched by any other Australian endurance rider.

“What drives me to keep going back to the Quilty is testing my horsemanship skills in the biggest ride in the country and against the best riders in the country,” explained Brook, as he prepared for this year’s challenge...

Read more here:
http://horsezone.com.au/news/countdown-to-tom-quilty-gold-cup-endurance-ride-kilkivan-7-9-june-2013-3776/

Great Britain: Euston Park FEI Rides 2013 Cancelled

Endurancegb.co.uk

08 May 2013

It is with regret that EnduranceGB have to inform you that the Dubai Equestrian Club have decided to withdraw their sponsorship from the FEI rides at Euston Park for 2013.

This will mean that the Euston Park series of FEI rides will not be available this summer. There are opportunities to compete in FEI rides at Bocconoc, Kings Forest, Seacliffe, Barbury Castle and the College ride in the UK.

If it is at all possible to secure one of the Euston Park dates to run an FEI ride elsewhere we will endeavour to seek out the opportunities. We have enjoyed the generosity of the DEC for several years and would hope that this will continue in the future. 



Karen Collier

Chairman of Endurance GB

Endurance horses trained at Sheikh Mohammed's Dubai stables involved in doping scandal

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

By Pippa Cuckson
11:59PM BST 07 May 2013

More than 20 endurance horses trained in Dubai at stables owned variously by Sheikh Mohammed and other senior members of the Maktoum family have been involved in doping cases before the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) disciplinary tribunal since 2005.

According to publicly available archives, 16 of the horses tested positive in competition to natural or manufactured steroids. Four since 2009 have involved stanozolol, the banned substance found in Sheikh Mohammed’s 11 Godolphin racehorses that led to trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni’s eight-year ban by the British Horseracing Authority.

Sheikh Mohammed refused to answer questions relating to doping from television presenter Clare Balding at Newmarket last Saturday, but he had previously pledged a root-and-branch investigation into stable practices at Godolphin’s Newmarket set-up. The FEI tribunal has pre­viously noted that he made a similar undertaking regarding his endurance operations in Dubai when he himself was suspended for six months in 2009, though any evidence of changes brought in as a result was not shown to them...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/10042116/Endurance-horses-trained-at-Sheikh-Mohammeds-Dubai-stables-involved-in-doping-scandal.html

Guillermo Gonzalez and Camerupt are 2013 Spanish Junior Champions

El Raid Blog

May 4 2013

Guillermo Gonzalez and Camerupt won the Spanish Junior/Young Rider Championships on May 4, 2013 in Sant Feliu Sasserra (Barcelona), Spain. Nuria Serrabassa riding Kasbah was second, and Gil Berenguer riding Shagya Irisz was third.

The 120 km ride was completed in 6:54.23 at an average of 17.81 kkm/h.

Complete results can be seen here:
http://www.ecuestreonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fase4.pdf

Australia: Endurance rider ready for another big year

Bellingencourier.com.au - Full Article

May 1 2013

Bellingen rider Sharon Foster is all trained up for another year of endurance horse riding.

Foster has three horses on a fitness program ready for the endurance season ahead.

The Coffs Clarence Endurance Riding Club will be running its annual endurance ride on August 17 and 18.

There will be two 20km social rides, a 40km training ride and an 80km competition ride. All horse lovers are welcome. Last year, Foster covered a total of 1500km in training around the state forests in Bellingen.

And riding her trusted Arabian mare Maleka rode a total of 720km of competition, with a 100 per cent success rate...

Read more here:
http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/1470346/endurance-rider-ready-for-another-big-year/?cs=12

Australia: Tom Quilty Gold Cup closing date extended

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

1 May 2013

THE closing date to nominate for Australia's international endurance horse ride, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, has been extended to May 15.

The 48th Tom Quilty Gold Cup will be held at Kilkivan from June 7-9, hosted by the Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club (KERC).

To qualify for the "Quilty", riders must successfully complete a 160km ride prior to the event.

Several lead-up endurance rides were cancelled due to unprecedented weather events including repeated heavy rains and flooding in south-east Queensland since January.

The most recent cancellation was the Far-A-Way endurance carnival, due to have been held at Imbil over Easter.

KERC president, Vern Berry said nominations to date for the Quilty were down on expectations because many key qualifying rides had been washed out...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/tom-quilty-gold-cup-closing-date-extended/1849797/

Great Britain: Team Omar strike gold

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

04/05/2013

Despite the inclement weather and poor ground conditions over the early months of this year being responsible for delays in training programmes and competitive rides, Brechin based rider John Thomson and his pure bred Arabian endurance horse Prince Omar headed south for their first competitive ride of the season.

John and Omar joined 130 other combinations at the Endurance Great Britain National ride at Durham Valleys in early April with Team Omar taking on the 82 kilometres class.

The route, broken into a series of loops, followed sections of bridleways and disused railway lines making the going ideal for Omar’s flat speed conditioning.

Despite a temperature of minus two degrees Celsius in the early morning start, by the time Team Omar came into Vet Gate one the sun was up and the temperature had reached what seemed like a “tropical” 14 degrees Celsius.

By this stage Team Omar had covered the first 40 kilometres loop in under two and a half hours.

With the crew working flat out Omar was quickly vetted and the second loop covered in a time of two hours and 17 minutes to gain a National 2 award and gold standard.

“With the weather playing havoc with training plans and our first planned National ride in Cumbria cancelled there was always a slight worry about being fully prepared for a big distance early in the season,” explained John...

Read more here:
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/sport/local-sport/team-omar-strike-gold-1-2915443

Great Britain: Godolphin Trainer's Steroid Use Called 'Deliberate Flouting'

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By The Blood-Horse Staff • May 01, 2013 • Article #31788

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), in a recap of a hearing into trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni's admitted use of anabolic steroids in some of his racehorses, called it a "deliberate flouting" of the rules of racing.

The BHA published the document April 30, just days after Al Zarooni, who trained for Godolphin, was suspended for eight years for 11 positive tests for ethylestranol and stanozolol. Blood samples were taken from the horses April 9, and the hearing before the BHA Disciplinary Panel was held April 25.

"The panel takes a very dim view of the sheer volume of horses who were subjected to these unlawful medication regimes," the BHA said. "This was a widespread systematic misuse of illegal substances which are absolutely prohibited under the rules..."

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31788/godolphin-trainers-steroid-use-called-deliberate-flouting?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=05-02-2013

Jairo Rodriquez and Lyrical Breeze are 2013 Spanish Champions

El Raid Blog

May 2 2013

Jairo Rodriquez and Lyrical Breeze won the Spanish Championships held on May 2 in Sant Feliu Sasserra (Barcelona), Spain. The pair covered the 160 km in 9:28.15, averaging 17.11 km/h. Lyrical Breeze also received the Best Condition award.

Laia Muixi riding Flying Tornade finished second, and Bernat Casals riding Dzsamila-P finished 3rd.

10 of 34 starters completed the ride.

Full results can be seen here:
http://www.ecuestreonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/resultados_raid_ctoespana.pdf

Australia: Mudgee Endurance Ride celebrates 40th birthday

Mudgeeguardian.com.au - Full Article

April 29 2013

Mudgee Endurance Riders Club will dedicate its 40th anniversary ride on May 25 and 26 to its veterinarian of 36 years, the late Ray Gooley.

Planning is well underway for the 40th ride which will start from the Cooyal Progress Association Hall on Wollar Road.

The main event of 83 kilometres will head out at 6am on Sunday, May 26, and a 40-kilometre training ride will begin at 7am.

There will also be a 20-kilometre social ride on Saturday afternoon starting at 1pm. Vetting pre-ride takes place from 11am on Saturday.

Mudgee Endurance Riders Club member Pat Dickinson said the course is not difficult and travels along quiet lanes, private properties, fire trails and bush tracks...

Read more here:
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/1463873/mudgee-endurance-ride-celebrates-40th-birthday/?cs=1233

Swiss Protest "Negative Evolution of the FEI discipline Endurance"

4/26/2013

In a March 26, 2013, letter from the Swiss Federation, sent to the FEI and distributed to the National Equestrian Federations and European Equestrian Federation, the "negative evolution of the FEI discipline Endurance in the last few years" and the well being of the equestrian sport of endurance and its horses has been addressed.

The letter was written "on behalf of many worried riders, trainers and officials, but also observers in the public, media and animal protection circles." The letter stated, the "actual situation of FEI Endurance is taking forms that the Swiss Equestrian Federation cannot accept any longer."

The letter addresses the "multitude of witnessed and documented cruelties to horses… tremendous fracture frequencies… dangerous treatment protocols… as well as cheating actions before and during the Endurance races… in parallel with the non-taking of responsibility and function of certain officials…"

A "dramatic incidence of positive medication and doping cases" has been observed, along with inequity in competition.

The Swiss have petitioned the FEI to take immediate and efficient measures against the doping of endurance horses and the documented non-equity of competition.

The Swiss letter precedes letters of concern from the French Equestrian Federation, and the Belgian Equestrian Federation to the FEI in October of 2012.

The Belgian letter dated October 2, 2012, addressed (google translate) "the number of dead from exhaustion or horses euthanized due to spontaneous fractures has reached unimaginable proportions…" and requests the FEI take the (google translate) "necessary measures to ensure that perpetrators are actually banned from equestrian sport and that such actions quit permanently."

The French letter, dated October 12, 2012, addressed "a welfare issue concerning endurance discipline," pointing to 3 horse deaths during international endurance competition: "Concerned Horses dead after having passed vet gate inspections either during the track either after the end of the track… These cases are preoccupant for all endurance stakeholders. Here is a risk to tarnish the public perception of endurance discipline…"

No public comment so far from the FEI.

The Federation letters can be seen here:

Belgian Federation letter to FEI

French Federation letter to FEI

Swiss Federation letter to FEI

Abu Dhabi: Al Harmoudi wins Night Endurance Ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Khaled Abdullah Ahmad Al Harmoudi riding 12-year-old Ashraf Sparkling Polaris won the 120-km Al Wathba Night Ride

By M. Satya Narayan, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
Published: 09:16 April 27, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Khaled Abdullah Ahmad Al Harmoudi riding 12-year-old Ashraf Sparkling Polaris won the 120-km Al Wathba Night Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Friday night.

Al Harmoudi was followed home by Dana Mohammad Sharif Al Mutawa on Syferpan Cosmo with Rashed Hamoud Humaid Al Junaibi on Sarah Jones Te finishing third.

The Night Ride began at 5.15 pm and winner crossed the finish line at midnight with a time of 4 hours 10 minutes and 37 seconds.

A total of 166 riders took part in the 120-km event that was run in four stages of 40km, 40km, 24km and 16kms.

The winner drove away a 4WD car for his effort while all those who completed the event shared a total prize fund of Dh 450,000.

UAE: Racing giant Sheik Mohammed is no stranger to doping controversies

Dailymail.co.uk - Full Article

By JONATHAN POWELL
PUBLISHED: 15:50 EST, 27 April 2013

Sheik Mohammed, founder of the shamed Godolphin operation, has been tainted previously by three equine doping infringements involving himself, his family and his horses.

Thoroughbred racing's biggest scandal continues to unfold following an eight-year ban for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni after anabolic steroid stanozolol was found in some of Godolphin's horses.

But the Sheik has been in trouble with the same substance before. Both he and his son, Hamdan, the Crown Prince of Dubai, have been banned after traces were found in the horses they were riding.

And in a third case, a ban was handed out to a British rider using a horse borrowed from Sheik Mohammed that tested positive for another banned steroid.

The Sheik was suspended for six months in 2009 and fined £2,500 by the International Equestrian Federation after his mount Tahhan tested positive for banned substances, including stanozolol, in two competitions.

In addition, Tahhan's trainer, Abdullah bin Huzaim, was banned for 12 months.

In a statement at the time, the Sheik said he had a stake in 700 endurance horses but could not be expected to be aware of each one's medication protocol.

Yet only a month earlier, his wife, Princess Haya, the FEI president, had stressed that it was up to the rider to know how his horse was managed...

Read more here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-2315865/Sheik-Mohammed-stranger-doping-controversies.html

Great Britain: The Godolphin scandal: a race for respectability

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

Newmarket is hoping confidence will return after the most serious crisis British racing has ever faced

By Cole Moreton9:00PM BST
27 Apr 2013

They step through the early morning drizzle with a catwalk grace. A dozen gorgeous horses in a line, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not more. The traffic stops at the sight of them, because Newmarket is a racing town that respects these dawn patrols.

As the thoroughbreds cross the road, their hooves clatter and their riders mutter gossip to each other in many different languages. There is a lot to talk about. Their sport is reeling this weekend from one of the greatest scandals it has ever known.

“It is shocking, a complete surprise,” says Tim Cox, a historian and trustee of the National Racing Museum. “The use of steroids in this way, and such a public exposure, is unique in the history of racing.”

The discovery of illegal performance-enhancing drugs in 11 horses at the Moulton Paddocks, which sits behind locked gates on a hill two miles out of Newmarket, was such a huge shock because of the man who owns it. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the most influential figures in racing across the world, with a massive training operation called Godolphin that is based both in Dubai and in this Suffolk town.

He is also the ruler of Dubai, who has spent a large portion of his estimated £10 billion fortune using sport to promote his desert state as a centre of excellence, innovation and sportsmanship. The Sheikh has declared himself “appalled and angered” by the discovery and “locked down” the stables until they are proved to be clean, but what will this do to his reputation? This is not just a story about the secretive world of horse racing. It goes way beyond that, into the realms of international politics, power and pride...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/drugsinsport/10022365/The-Godolphin-scandal-a-race-for-respectability.html

Great Britain: Mahmood al-Zarooni's time with banned trainer raises questions

Guardian.co.uk - Full Article

Chris Cook
The Guardian, Thursday 25 April 2013

• Mubarak bin Shafya was suspended for steroids
• Godolphin play down significance of connection

As Simon Crisford, Godolphin's spokesman, fielded questions about Mahmood al-Zarooni on Thursday, he found himself answering queries about another trainer banned for the use of anabolic steroids with whom Zarooni had a strong association. Before being hired as Godolphin's second trainer in Newmarket, Zarooni served as assistant in Dubai to Mubarak bin Shafya, who was banned from the separate sport of endurance racing in 2011 over the use of stanozolol, one of the steroids that Zarooni has admitted using.

Crisford played down the significance of Shafya in Zarooni's racing education, saying that the latter had served 10 years under another trainer, Ali al-Raihe, compared with just one under Shafya. He pointed out that Shafya's case came after Zarooni had been hired, adding of Shafya: "He didn't get banned from thoroughbred racing. I wouldn't have been aware of that."

Pressed as to whether Shafya's case raised any concerns for Godolphin over Zarooni, Crisford said: "What are you trying to imply? We didn't take it into consideration."

Shafya was banned for two years by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the governing body for Olympic equestrian events as well as endurance racing after Castlebar Kadeen, a horse he trained, tested positive for stanozolol at an event in Abu Dhabi in November 2010...

Read more here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/25/mahmood-al-zarooni-trainer-questions

Australia: Kilkivan setting for ultimate test

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

26 April 2013

RIDERS, horses and strapping crews will travel from across Australia and overseas to compete in the Tom Quilty Cup in Kilkivan in June - the ultimate test of endurance where participants aim to complete a 160km course within 24 hours.

The first heavyweight or middleweight division competitor across the finish line wins the 2013 Tom Quilty Gold Cup award. The original perpetual cup is a permanent exhibit at the Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland.

For most competitors, the overall aim is to complete the five-leg course and receive an esteemed Quilty Buckle Award. In the spirit of the ride's motto - To Complete is to Win - a specially crafted belt buckle goes to every successful competitor in recognition of the high standard of horsemanship required to complete the rigorous course. This means many long hours in the saddle and the careful tending of tiring horses.

At the end of the race, each mount is vetted and must be deemed in sound condition and fit to continue.

In 2013, the 48th Tom Quilty Cup is expected to attract a record number of rider/horse teams, Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club president Very Berry said...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/kilkivan-setting-for-ultimate-test/1844102/

Dubai ruler shuts down England stable after doping scandal

NZWeek.com - Full Article

April 25 2013

Souce: Xinhua
Publish By Thomas Whittle

DUBAI, April 24 — Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum ordered Wednesday the closing of his Godolphin horse stables in Newamarket, England, after one of the stables trainer was charged with doping.

Samples from 11 of his horses at his Moulton Paddocks stables run by trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni revealed to contain anabolic steroids, a forbidden substance that can increase a horse’s endurance.

In an official statement, Sheikh Mohammed said “I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing...”

Read more here:
http://www.nzweek.com/world/dubai-ruler-shuts-down-england-stable-after-doping-scandal-61699/

UAE: Goldolphin driving force Sheikh Mohammed served athlete suspension for doping in endurance race

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

24 April 2013
By Pippa Cuckson

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the driving force behind Godolphin Racing, served a six-month “athlete suspension” in 2009, after a horse he rode tested positive for prohibited substances in endurances races – in which a tough indigenous Arabian breed are usually preferred to the thoroughbreds used in flat racing – in Bahrain and Dubai.

The discipline, which involves long-distance treks of 100 miles, is the Fédération Equestre Internationale’s fastest-growing sport. However, the increase in popularity has been accompanied by a disproportionate incidence of doping in the Middle East. Endurance has also provided embarrassment for the sheikh’s junior wife, HRH Princess Haya of Jordan. She was elected president of the FEI in 2006 on a ‘clean sport’ mandate, and hired former Metropoliran Police Commissioner Lord Stevens to beef up integrity.

The FEI administers eight disciplines, including the Olympic sports of show jumping, eventing, and dressage, yet endurance accounts for eight of 11 doping cases currently under investigation, seven of which involve Arabic riders, three from the United Arab Emirates. Further, seven UAE riders were disciplined in medication control cases in 2012, six in 2011.

One repeat offender was Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya, stripped of his FEI Open endurance title in 2008 while manager and trainer at Sheikh Mohammed’s Al Asaafa stable. Mubarak then trained thoroughbred racehorses for the sheikh in Newmarket and Dubai. In 2011, the FEI were concerned that five endurance horses managed by Mubarak had tested positive in the previous two years.

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/10013617/Goldolphin-driving-force-Sheikh-Mohammed-served-athlete-suspension-for-doping-in-endurance-race.html

Abu Dhabi: Car and cash prize of Dh450,000 on offer for Al Wathba Night Ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Endurance village to sign off 2012-13 season with 120km event on Friday

BY M. Satya Narayan, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
Published: April 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba will sign off its 2012-13 endurance season with a 120km Al Wathba Night Ride on Friday, with a car and Dh450,000 on offer as prizes.

Entrants will get off to a mass start at 5.15pm and the ride will involve four stages of 40km, 40km, 24km and 16km.
“This is the last ride of the 2012-13 season here at Al Wathba and is being held under the instruction and directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” said Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

“The winner will be rewarded a 4WD car, while the prize fund of Dh450,000 will be distributed among all riders who complete the 120km event. Riders will wear helmets fitted with battery-operated headlights to help them negotiate the course at night,” he added...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/car-and-cash-prize-of-dh450-000-on-offer-for-al-wathba-night-ride-1.1174271

A new book on the history of equestrian sports in Bahrain to be issued

BNA.bh

22/04/2013

Manama, April 22 (BNA)--The Media Office and Information Centre of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will issue a book on the history of equestrian sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain, starting from horse racing to showjumping and endurance races.

The decision was in compliance to the directives of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee President and Honorary President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation.

The book will include the support and backing of Bahrain’s leadership to equestrian sports since its birth, down to the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

It also highlights the history of horses in the Kingdom, its most prominent strains and competitions that were held during horse racing, showjumping and endurance events, in addition to the most important figures that supported these races as well as horses owners, who had the finest horses, besides leading Arabian breeds in Bahrain.

The Media Office and Information Centre, headed by Director Tawfiq Al Salhi, will work on putting all Shaikh Nasser’s directives into writings and document it in this first-of-its-kind release.

Shaikh Nasser said that issuing this book comes under the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the first supporter to horses in Bahrain, and aims to document the equestrian sport in the Kingdom, which has a long honorable history thanks to the continued backing of the nation’s leadership.

Shaikh Nasser stressed the importance of knowing the correct history of horses in the Kingdom and its races, especially those held in the past decades, in addition to showjumping and endurance competitions...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/557565

The Purebred Arabian Horses of Iraq, by Mohammad Al-Nujaifi

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Apr 20, 2013 in Reviews

For many in “the west”, the very mention of Iraq can conjure up mostly negative connotations of war and strife.

But for horse lovers – arabian horse lovers, particularly – the country and the immediate region should be celebrated and appreciated far more that it currently is as the origin of the world’s oldest and most influential breed.

This new book by Iraqi arabian breeder and racing enthusiast Dr Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Nujaifi sheds much light on Iraq and its neighbors and their horse-loving traditions.

The Purebred Arabian Horses of Iraq – Myths and Realities
by Dr Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Nujaifi
Hardcover, 239pp, RRP £35
ISBN 978-1-909339-01-9
Available from Amazon or Medina Publishing

The author needs no introduction in arabian racing circles in Iraq and in Europe, being the top owner for all races in all countries in 2012 according to the statistics of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) – the third consecutive season he has held the title.

Dr Al-Nujaifi breeds both purebred and anglo-arabian racehorses at his Al-Nujaifi stud farm north of Mosul, where his family has raised Arabians since 1638...

read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/04/20/the-purebred-arabian-horses-of-iraq/#.UXMZBCtAT_o

Thailand: An enduring passion

Bangkokpost.com - Full Article

Published: 20 Apr 2013
Newspaper section: Muse

Despite having just returned from her most recent competition, the 2013 Endurance Horse Ride in Fontainebleau, France, neither jetlag nor a pre-Songkran workload could fizzle Wipawan Pawitayalarp's exuberant enthusiasm in relaying her experience.

What she thought would be just a warm-up for her horse, Mulawa Angelus, turned into a victory of a kind.

"I had not hoped to win at all because it was such a large-scale competition, with professional riders from all over the world competing. It was also cold, and my horse was not used to that kind of weather," said Wipawan, an award-winning Thai endurance rider.

In the first phase of the ride, she and her horse were off to a good start, being in the top five. They continued to speed through the snowy course at such a rate that she could hear the air whizzing past. On the last 3km of the track, holding third place, another horse overtook them, bumping them down to fourth.

"At the time, I wasn't completely deflated or disappointed, because my intention in this competition was really to just test the water and gain experience. For me, to complete [the race] is to win," she explained.

However, at the last corner, things took a turn when the rider who had passed her took a fall.

"I asked him if he was ok, and when he said he was, I just did my best to complete the race. I ended up winning third prize and got to stand on the podium," she recalled with excitement in her voice...

Read more here:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/women/346141/an-enduring-passion

Great Britain: New classes turn Golden Horseshoe ride into a festival of endurance

Thisiscornwall.co.uk - Full Article

April 19 2013

The Golden Horseshoe ride on Exmoor is to become a 'festival of endurance' this year (May 12-14) as organisers add three new tests and an invitation-only para class, with a number of high-profile para riders set to take part.

New competitive classes for 2013 include the Exmoor Extra (120km split into three rides of 40km each day for advanced combinations), the Exmoor 40 (a 40km ride for those competing at Open level or above) and the Exmoor Novice (a 40km ride for novices, with slower completion speeds).

The programme, which includes the 48th running of the famous Golden Horseshoe – in its early days 75 miles and now a daunting 100 miles – is completed by the two-day Exmoor Stag class over 80km and 40km routes, the 80km one-day Exmoor 80 and the popular Exmoor Experience class, where the two 40km-a-day rides are designed to give riders and horses a taste of competition over the very testing Exmoor terrain.

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/New-classes-turn-Golden-Horseshoe-ride-festival/story-18745076-detail/story.html#axzz2R2v160ge

Royal Windsor Endurance ride route bound for Ascot Racecourse

RWHS.co.uk

The 120km route of the inaugural Royal Windsor Endurance CEI 2* ride being held in association with and presented by Royal Windsor Horse Show (8 – 12 May 2013) is set to take in a circuit of Ascot Racecourse, it has been announced.

Not only will the 60 riders participating in the newly introduced event on Friday 10th May get the opportunity to tackle a route around Windsor Great Park, they will have the thrill of completing a single circuit around the National Hunt section of the racecourse.  The Ascot stage of the event will take place early in the race as later in the day it will be business as usual at the racecourse which hosts its meeting of the Flat season that evening.

Achieving speeds of between14-22km per hour, the endurance riders will complete the 120km route in four separate sections with riders returning to a single vetgate on the Review Ground for inspection by the team of international vets and judges. More than 90% of the course will be off-road. Several historic rides in the Great Park have been opened for the event including the Long Walk which it will cross. Endurance competitors will also be given the unique opportunity to ride up to and circuit the equestrian statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II, situated on the highest point of Queen Anne's Ride. The sculpture, a Golden Jubilee gift from the Crown Estate, stands 12ft 6in tall on a 10 foot plinth and will be one of the focal points on the final loop of the event.

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

Royal Windsor Endurance Director Mike Shephard said: “The route around the Great Park and across to Ascot covers a surprising variety of terrain from parkland to woodland tracks where the going will be softer. There are some sandy sections and gentle inclines. Although there are some open straight sections, parts of the course are quite twisty and technical and will require horses to be well balanced. We are grateful to the team at Ascot Racecourse for allowing us access. The prospect of 60 horses on the circuit will be a thrilling spectacle and it will be without doubt a memorable experience for the riders.” 

Nick Smith, Head of Communications at Ascot Racecourse said: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Royal Windsor Horse Show to host part of the endurance race at the racecourse for the first time. So many supporters of endurance riding are also among racing’s biggest patrons – including important Middle East-based racehorse owners and it is great to welcome the participants to ride at Ascot this year. It is a great opportunity to be able to showcase a sport where, like horse racing, supreme equine athleticism, albeit for endurance rather than speed, is paramount.”

Visitors may watch the endurance event free of charge, access to the event is available in the ‘Review Ground’ which is where the vetgate and start finish is located. The Review Ground and public parking is off the permanent car park on the South side of the A332. Signs will indicate the way.

Royal Windsor Horse Show box office is now open and tickets can be purchased online at  www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephone from 0844 581 4960.

For further information please contact Elizabeth Peplow e.peplow@btinternet.com 0044 7825082595

Great Britain: Windsor horse show entries top 4000

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Apr 16, 2013 in Focus

Record entries have been received by Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers for this year’s 70th anniversary show early next month.

Some 4095 entries have been made for the 174 classes for the show, from May 8 to 12. Over three years, entries have increased by 40%.

The show is also hosting its first international endurance ride in the Great Park. Supported by The Kingdom of Bahrain, the ride will attract competitors from the Middle East and Europe and will cover 120km of the outstanding landscape...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/04/16/windsor-horse-show-entries-top-4000/#.UW1cjCtAT_o

2013 Portugal National Championships

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

16 April 2013

Rui Lanternas and Safira de Ala won the Portugal National Endurance Championships at Fronteira, Portugal on April 12-14 in a close race over Margarida Oliveira Soares and Xelio. Filipe Fialho and Aziza were third.

Average speed for the winner was 16.193 km/h.

For more results see:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2013/04/resultados-del-campeonato-de-portugal.html

USEF Announces Outing for the 2013 FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Rider Team

USEFNetwork.com

RELEASE: April 3, 2013
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, KY- United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will host an Outing for the 2013 FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Rider Team April 18-20, 2013 at McCulley Farm near Jasper, Florida. Pending approval from the USEF High Performance Working Group and USEF Executive Committee, this Outing will serve as a Selection Trial for candidates interested in applying for the U.S. Team.

The Outing will consist of a preliminary examination of horses by at least 2 members of the Veterinary Panel on Thursday, April 18, followed by an 80 Kilometer competition on Friday, April 19. There will be an examination of horses at designated stages throughout the competition and a post -competition evaluation of all horses on Saturday, April 20.

Further details regarding the Outing and Selection Procedures will be published shortly here.

The 2013 FEI World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders will take place July 27, 2013 in Tarbes, France. More information about the Championships can be found here.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Endurance Team here.

Preparations for the 2013 Championships of Spain Raid

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

15/4/2013

From the Catalan Federation of Equestrian and on their official website, give us news about the work of the organizing committee said new championships in Spain, as well as the speed with which they take their actions.
This is the information:

The decision last week by the FEI, with the support of the FCH, to grant the organization Sant Feliu Sasserra Championship of Spain, is forcing drivers to work around the clock to carry out this competition.

Anna Yebra, head of the organizing committee is aware of the difficulty of organizing a tournament of this magnitude in just seventeen days before the start of the test but as she explains, "this situation is a challenge for all of us but we are convinced that everything will be fine. " On the tour they intend to present the riders involved, Yebra Anna believes that will be a very technical course and where you can find some steps that are part of the official tour of Sant Feliu Raid that takes place this coming weekend and is sure to be a test of contact for many pairs.

On participation, organizers hope to have the presence of between 40 and 60 pairs for each category (Absolute and Young Riders). Regarding the choice of Sant Feliu Sasserra to host the Championship of Spain, Anna Yebra greatly appreciates this fact since "will be positive for everyone, especially for all the riders participating Catalans, and to remember that almost 70% of the inscriptions of this championship are Catalans and the fact it at home will not only competitors, but also be positive also for the Catalan Federation ".

Finally, we must remember that both the President of the FEI, Javier Revuelta, as the President of the Catalan Federation of Equestrian, Emili Zegrí, have been appointed members of the Honorary Committee of the Championship of Spain of RAID. "

Greetings from Gabriel. 

Bahrain: Dominant Mirza lifts Crown Prince Cup

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

April 14, 2013

JAFFER Mirza of Victory Stable won the 120km Crown Prince Cup Endurance Horse Ride Championship early yesterday morning.

More than 100 riders from all over Bahrain, in addition to entries from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, fought it out for cup glory in this challenging night ride, which marked the culmination of the 2012/13 endurance season in Bahrain.

Held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, the race lived up to expectations with participants showing high level of competitiveness and riding skills, as the championship was decided in the very last metres.

Riding Perspolia, Mirza completed the event with a total ride time of four hours, 51 minutes and 36 seconds with an average speed of 24-km per hour.

He was followed by Al Asayel Stable's Ahmed Hazeem (5:25:25), who came second, while Shaikh Mohammerd bin Mubarak Al Khalifa (2:26:38) of Al Zaeem Stable rounded off the podium on Adios.

Mirza, a prominent Bahraini rider, sealed his victory after ups and downs in this five-stage night ride. The race got underway with Royal Team dominating the first stage, which was over 30 kms, as Hussain Mohammed (1:10:50), Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa (1:10:55) and Raed Mahmood (1:11:03) took the top three places...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=351417

Great Britain: Exmoor Endurance Ride Introduces New Para-class

Aboutmyarea.co.uk - Full Article

Author: Jennette Baxter Published: 11th April 2013

Famous in the equestrian world as the toughest and oldest Endurance event in the UK's competitive long-distance riding calendar, Exmoor's Golden Horseshoe Ride has raised eyebrows by introducing a new Para Invitation class this year.

Inspired by the London 2012 Paralympics, Endurance GB, the governing body for the sport of Endurance Riding in Great Britain, launched Para Endurance last year with a class open to riders who were already endurance members. The Golden Horseshoe has gone one step further by inviting Para-riders with no experience of Endurance to compete in the new 15 mile class.

Chairman of the Organising Committee Barbara Wigley admits some were surprised by this inclusion "The Golden Horseshoe is well-known as one of the toughest endurance events, so to introduce a novice Para-invitation class to this particular event is a challenge, but we are determined to cater to all abilities. We really want to encourage people who may not otherwise think that they could compete in this discipline..."

Read more here:
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Somerset/Minehead/TA24/News/Local-News/245485-Exmoor-Endurance-Ride-Introduces-New-Para-class

Spain: Maria Alvarez, Ambassador FEI Solidarity

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

April 12 2013

[google translation]

One more title for Mary, our great bichampion World and Europe.
From Equestrian Online, news of the award reflected our great rider.
This is the article:

Maria Alvarez, Ambassador FEI Solidarity

Maria Alvarez, twice champion of the World and European Raid, is today one of eight ambassadors FEI Solidarity, the development program of the International Equestrian Federation.

Inspired by the Olympic Solidarity model and founded in 2011, FEI Solidarity focuses on providing opportunities for future generations of athletes, as well as those working in equestrian communities, so they can establish their own national structures to help them develop their sports.

The aim is to encourage and develop the equestrian disciplines recognized by the FEI. Ambassadors help raise awareness of this work in response to the media and visiting equestrian development initiatives around the world.

So far, the program has supported eighteen projects, both funded and with technical and consulting services. These projects include horse assisted therapy for disabled children in South Africa or sports class for people with MS in Sardinia. Fifteen other initiatives will be supported by FEI Solidarity in 2013.

"FEI Solidarity is an exciting initiative to create a more egalitarian equestrian community and pushes us to jointly develop new and exciting projects that will evolve the sport we love to be truly universal," said the president of the FEI, HRH Princess Haya . "FEI Solidarity is changing lives," he added.

The eight ambassadors are:

Charlotte Dujardin, double Olympic gold medalist dressage. Britain.
Laurentia Tan, Paralympic medalist. Singapore.
Ingrid Klimke, Olympic gold medalist CCE. Germany.
Jessica Springsteen, Jumping rider 22 years. USA.
Maria Alvarez Ponton, first rider capable of combining the titles of the World Championships and European Raid (2010). Spain.
Tomas Eriksson, triple winner of the FEI Top Driver (Hooks). Sweden.
Lior Raz, rider competing at age 14 in Reining. Israel.
Bongani Mvumvu, turner and winner of the World Dressage Challenge Final for riders under (2003). Germany.

Source: EQUESTRIAN ONLINE

All the Jittery Horses: Racing the Mongol Derby

Outsideonline.com - Full Article

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

The ponies that carried Genghis Khan’s warriors are small, tough, and skittish as hell, making the prospect of riding them for 1,000 kilometers seem downright insane. American cowboy Will Grant couldn’t resist, so he entered the Mongol Derby—the longest, hardest horse race in the world—determined not just to finish but to win.

By: Will Grant

THE TOILET PAPER startled the horse. I was relieving myself, and a gust of wind had unfurled the tissue in my left hand. The red and white spotted pony lifted his head when he saw the flutter, and the rope to his bridle slipped through my fingers. He looked at me with eyes full of white and his front feet spread wide, ready to bolt. We both froze. He knew he was loose. I lunged forward in a full Pete Rose slide, bloodying both my knees and scraping my exposed parts on the rocks and the short prickly grass. Just as I grabbed the rope, he jerked it out of my hand and wheeled away, kicking a hind leg at me as he sprang off.

I collected myself and concluded my business while he quietly grazed about 20 yards from me. I spent the next half-hour trying to walk him down, cursing his name, or rather, because he didn’t have a name, his number, which was painted on his shoulder. Finally, he quit me and, with almost all my gear aboard, trotted off over the pale green horizon.

It was 6:30 p.m., and I was now on foot on the broad and treeless steppe of Outer Mongolia’s Tamir River Valley. Below me, about a mile away, I could see the white yurts of a herder camp. Within a quarter-mile of that, I could see a man watching me. Guard dogs milled around the camp, a stark reminder that, in spite of my meticulous preparation, I had failed to renew my rabies vaccination. I decided to stop and wave. It was easy to see that I was a horseman without a horse, and the man watching me hopped on his and galloped off in the direction mine had gone.

Twenty minutes later, he rode up with my pony beside him. I thanked him as best I could, with smiles and hand gestures, and he in turn made it clear that I now owed him something. I offered him my hat—a baseball cap from my hometown of Alma, Colorado—and cash, some Mongolian tugriks worth about $20. He shook his head no and pointed at my wrist.

Getting my horse back—my third mount of the day—cost me an hour and my alarm clock, a fancy Timex Ironman watch. Considering the day I’d had, it was a bargain. That morning I had crashed with the first horse I’d been issued; he had stepped into a marmot burrow at full gallop, and we did a synchronized somersault that would have been impressive to observe but hurt like hell. A few hours later, I sank my second horse to his chest in quicksand and then swam him across a furious river...

Read more here:
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/All-the-Jittery-Horses.html?page=1

Bahrain: Crown Prince Cup Endurance Horse Ride Championship will be a great success, affirms Shaikh Khalid

BNA.BH

11 April 2013

Manama, April 11 (BNA) -- Al Khalidya Stable captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa affirmed that the Crown Prince Cup Endurance Horse Ride Championship, the concluding race of the 2012/13 scheduled to take place tomorrow, will be a great success either in terms of competiveness and organization.

The prestigious event, set to tip off at 5pm at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, is under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.It features two races, with the main event to be over 120km, in addition to an 80km qualifying ride that is aimed to help riders qualify for major international endurance championships.
And Shaikh Khalid is confident that tomorrow's action will be a well-contested battle between various stables from Bahrain that are keen to impose their authority while seeking the prestigious trophy.

Shaikh Khalid believes that the main race of the day will be different from the previous years as it will be held in the evening for the first time.

He noted the developed level of the Bahrain riders in recent years, which came as a result of their extensive participations in regional and international endurance competitions, and for the continued support and directives of His Majesty King Hamad to all riders and stables officials.

The Al Khalidiya Stable leader also expressed gratitude and appreciation to Prince Salman to this race, which is one of the most awaiting endurance championships in Bahrain.

As for his team preparations, Shaikh Khalid showed confidence in the abilities of Al Khalidiya Stable representatives to achieve remarkable results tomorrow, emphasizing the noticeable development of this sporting discipline in Bahrain in general.

Meanwhile, the organisers announced five stages for the 120km, with the first and second stages to be over 30 kms each. The third will be over 25km, followed by 20km for the fourth, while the fifth is over 15km.
The veterinary inspection will be taking place tomorrow between 3pm and 4.30pm, just before the start of the ride. After the race, the top three riders will be honoured at the prize-distribution ceremony, set to take place at the village.

Tomorrow's ride will be telecasted live on Bahrain TV Sports Channel. This was announced after the coordinating meting between Breef Media Committee chairman Tawfeeq Al Salehi and representatives of the channel.
Al Salehi said that race update will also be available on the federation website www.endurancebh.com. The website is being run by Hassan Al Doy and Mohammed Jassim Sharida.

EM

France: The Organising Committee seeks to recruit 3000 volunteers for the Games!

JEMFEIAllTech2014-Normandie.fr

5 April 2013

The Normandie 2014 Organising Committee’s recruitment portal will be going live as of today (April 10th 2013) to mobilise 3,000 volunteers from all walks of life ! These volunteers will be on hand as the 1,000 competitors and horses wow the expected 500,000 visitors during the 15 days of competition from 23 August to 7 September 2014.

Whether they’re from down the road or from the other side of the world, together with the region of Normandy, they will bring the biggest equestrian event there is to life ! Hospitality, communication, transport, technology, health & safety, all different types of ancillary services… Our volunteers will have lots to do and each and every one of them will be pivotal in making the event a real success.

Volunteers: The Games' key to success

This volunteer campaign is one big group project with a place for everyone, and what’s more, it will be a shining example of human endeavour !

Our future volunteers symbolise the very essence of the Games, and they will be crucial to the success of the event. They will, after all, be the first in direct contact with the public and will welcome everyone to the Games and Normandy with their distinctive welcoming faces.

A programme open to EVERYONE

ANYONE of 18 or over (on 31 May 2014), both the able-bodied and disabled; we need you ALL to make the Games happen ! This programme is therefore open to ALL THOSE who can give us some of their time and offer us their valuable experience – TOGETHER we will affirm our four guiding principles:

Encourage ACHIEVEMENT
Show OPEN-MINDEDNESS
Promote RESPECT
Inspire with our ENTHUSIASM

3,000 volunteers to show what the Games are all about

The Organising Committee will need the help of 3,000 volunteers: 500 volunteers during the test events in August 2013 and a further 2,500 during the Games in 2014.

These volunteers should be available during the two-week long competition from 23 August to 7 September and be able to follow the pre-event training comprised of a one-day induction course and two further days of training.

How to register ?

The event’s recruitment portal goes live from Wednesday, 10 April 2013 (in French only) and will remain active so that volunteers can get updates throughout the recruitment process.

Only the first 5 000 applicants will get a chance to be be recruited so do not wait and join now !

2014 Normandy: The official 500-day countdown

JEMFEIAlltech2014-normandie.fr

On Monday 8 April, the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee invited journalists and the event’s partners to a landmark press conference to celebrate the symbolic 500-day countdown to the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.

This countdown was the occasion to launch the volunteer programme and the business club, to inaugurate Alltech’s new offices in Caen, and to reveal Norman - the Games’ official mascot !

March/April Issue of Arabian Horse Int'l

4/9/13

The March/April of the Arabian Horse Int'l is out. It features the 22nd Edition of Qatar International Equestrian Festival, the HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, Colic Researhes: Tight Junctions Crucial in Gut Function, Determination of the anaerobic threshold and maximal lactate steady state, and speed in equines using the lactate minimum speed protocol.

Read the issue at
http://www.arabianhorseintl.com/magazine/digital_magazine_march_2013/

Lyme Regis Endurance Rider back competing on UK shores

Midweekherald.co.uk - Full Article

Steve Birley
Sunday, April 7, 2013

More from East Devon Endurance rider Dace Sainsbury.

Upon arrival back in the UK after our fantastic trip to Abu Dhabi with Ballota I had to take a moment to breathe, get back to reality and plan the year ahead for the other horses I am fortunate to ride in Endurance. Alongside my youngster who this year I am qualifying (hopefully) to an international level, I also have the fantastic opportunity to take the ride of French Lieutenant, a truly out standing Arabian gelding owned by Carol Legg of Hillside Arabians.

French Lieutenant is a seasoned horse who came out of a successful career flat racing to excel in Endurance. In his years competing in endurance he has won 120km FEI 2*, 80km FEI 1* and national rides and last year, achieved the ultimate, at a very respectful speed completed a 160km FEI*** at Euston Park with senior rider Lorna Kidson.

This is my first year of competing French Lieutenant and have to say I have loved every minute of training and competing. He is a very cheeky chap and certainly does not like the idea of ‘slow’, you definitely know when he is feeling well! We took him to Cannock Chase to do a 64km training ride which we completed at a speed of 15.7kph - a good speed for the upcoming 120km FEI 2* being held in Thetford Forest two weeks later...

Read more here:
http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/sport/lyme_regis_endurance_rider_back_competing_on_uk_shores_1_2007487

Bahrain officals visit UK race venue

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

April 08, 2013

OFFICIALS from Bahrain visited London where they followed up the preparations to host the 2013 Royal Windsor Horse Show, to be held in the UK from May 8 to 12.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is organising an international endurance horse ride on May 12 in the UK on the sidelines of the five-day show.

The ride is one of a variety of equestrian competitions that will take place over four consecutive days in this year's festival, which has a wonderful mix of International Carriage Driving, Showing, Equestrian Displays and first class Jumping.

Bahrain's delegation includes Royal Endurance Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan, Shaikh Nasser Media Office and Information Centre director Tawfeeq Al Salehi, Ceremonies head Mohammed Naji, Royal Endurance Team administrator Tareq Al Amin and equipment official.

They inspected the venue of this year's festival, which celebrates its 70th anniversary, having started in 1943 to raise money for the war effort...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=351050

Great Britain: New enthusiasm for endurance as Newquay team gain good grades

Thisiscornwell.co.uk - Full Article

April 5 2013

By Jane Holden

It was yet another grey and very cold day for the Wadebridge Endurance Ride. Despite this there were cheerful faces from both competitors and helpers for this, the first Competitive Ride in the South West this season.
This year, ride organiser Jo Chisholm, was planning to reduce the amount of roadwork by taking the riders along the river between Hay and Trevorder Farms for the first time. Unfortunately, the wet weather put paid to that idea but permission is there for another year, when conditions are better.

For everyone competing, from those riding in the 64km class to the pleasure riders doing the 18km route, the Wadebridge Ride provides a chance to assess horse and rider fitness and to introduce novice horses to endurance. Since the route is mainly along lanes and forestry tracks, for those just starting endurance it is less daunting than some of the moorland rides.

Among the 70 horses and riders competing was a large team from the Newquay Riding Club. They are aiming to qualify for the Kibis Riding Club Endurance Championship, which takes place at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance in October, and this was their very first endurance ride.

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/New-enthusiasm-endurance-Newquay-team-gain-good/story-18618427-detail/story.html#axzz2Pn00sAHx

Australia: Gingin endurance ride is family friendly

Centraladvocate.com.au - Full Article

By Jan Millsteed April 3, 2013

IT may seem that endurance riding is a crazy group of riders who spend all day out in the bush on their horse's back but in fact this is not the case at all.

We are a family friendly group of riders who like to camp, ride and use the opportunities provided to ride some of the best countryside WA has to offer.

We can even share the camp with our other four-footed friends as in most cases dogs are welcome at rides so long as they are on leads. Believe it or not you don't need to have a lot of experience in the sport, or a certain type of horse to enter into a ride.

In fact, endurance is a sport that encourages people of any age and horses of any type to join - we have even had a mule.

The only pre-requisite is that you and your horse are fit enough to pass the vet check before you commence.

Not all the rides are really long.There are a range of distance options to suit the most cautious or nervous riders (10 or 20km) through to those that better suit the more ambitious, including a 160km ride or a three-day marathon...

Read more here:
http://www.centraladvocate.com.au/story/1404612/gingin-endurance-ride-is-family-friendly/?cs=1566