Intercontinental newsletter: 07/04

Intercontinental Newsletter
NEWS & MESSAGES
07/04

In this letter you’ll find:

• Important Message from Manoj Jalan, India
  
• Canter into Europe”: Central European Endurance Cup 2004
  
• Message from Suzanne Dollinger: Answer to Ian William’s letter (15th April 2004) concerning the message of Sergio Tommasi published in newsletter 06/ 04
  
• Gulf News: Several riders qualified for Senior World Championship 2005
  

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FEI General Assembly. Paris, 16-22 April 2004

FEDERATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE
FEI PRESS NEWS
FEI GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Paris, 16-22 April 2004

A record number of National Federations took part in the 2004 FEI General
Assembly hosted by the French Equestrian Federation. The six days of
meetings (16 through 21 April) were held in a cooperative and friendly
atmosphere.

In connection with the General Assembly, both the Bureau and the Executive
Board met twice. A total of 26 different meetings took place throughout the
week, which represents the highest number of meetings ever organised in the
framework of an FEI General Assembly.

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FEI Endurance: US Federation and FEI Debate

US National Federation and FEI Correspondence
FEI Certificate of Capability, Qualifications, World Rankings, Welfare of the Horse

To National Federations: "As you will be aware, a recent review of the Endurance 4* qualification criteria has shown that the existing wording is not as clear as first thought and may be in need of further consideration and review... "

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Egypt: Riding the dunes

Riding the dunes
by AL-AHRAM

The fourth Al-Ahram Al-Arabi Endurance Ride took place in the desert overlooking the Pyramids. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab followed the pack with photographer Mahmoud Moussa

From top: Sheikh Hazza, centre, and celeberating with teammates by waving the UAE flag; Ragab and Mahmoud; Hazza and the Saqqara Pyramid in the background

Once again this year I found myself in the desert, surrounded by a sea of dunes, of shifting sands, and of the rhythmic pounding of hooves. From dawn until dusk, 52 horses and their riders explored the Sahara sands.

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USEF: An Open Letter to the FEI.

An Open Letter to the FEI.

Arthur W. Priesz, Jr., Esq.
USEF Vice President of Endurance

It is with a deep sadness and regret that this letter is drafted. However, too often issues within the Endurance Discipline are dealt with out of simple expediency or, worse, in the self-interest of those involved. This has been especially true Internationally, and occurs too much at home as well. Unfortunately, when it happens Internationally, it is displayed on a much broader and more visible stage. This must stop. We need debate, not to determine a “majority” position, but to determine what is “right” in keeping the Horse first.



Representatives of the United States Equestrian Federation attending the FEI General Assembly in Paris in April will be prepared to publicly debate these issues, and others. However, this open letter to you will also be distributed to other Endurance Nations to encourage debate and consensus regarding these issues. This is another unfortunate moment for this discipline, especially following the Paris Endurance Forum of only 13 months ago and the preceding disasters at Jerez.

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USEF Comments on proposed FEI Rules Changes:

http://www.enduranceworld.net/countries/us/FEIIssues/sid0001.htm

Brazil: 2004 Haras Endurance International Coverage

8 Apr 2004
Steph Teeter


It was truly an adventure. I had to keep the concentration up constantly, as the course had a lot of different trail, changing and turning frequently, through the woods, around fields, along lakes, through villages. A challenge even under normal circumstances. No daydreaming. I really enjoyed it though, Luis is a wonderful man and told me many stories, and many things about his native country.

We got to the first vet check fine, were met at the ingate by Henrique and crew, fast efficient, horses pulsed down quickly and vetted through fine. The second loop was more difficult - much hillier, and a lot of hardpack clay road. And the horses were less than enthusiastic about going back out after the 40 min hold (neither horse had done more than 40km before... what´s the deal?) We squeezed and pushed them out the gate, past the stable area (Luis´s horse tried more than once to turn back into his pen) and through the feed barn past bags of grain, dogs, tractors and men. We finally got them out and going well again, but it was tough going, and IMO too much hardpack and rock and hill to keep the same pace as before... ´Luis.... slow down... come back!..´

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Ride & Tie Association Sponsors International Teams

April 5, 2004 - El Cajon, California


The Ride and Tie Association today announced a program to extend the reach of the sport internationally. The association is inviting each national distance riding organization outside the USA to identify a team to represent their country at the 34th Ride & Tie World Championship. Each national team receives a free entry to the Championship event, a mentor to answer questions about preparing for the race, advice on gear, travel, camping and leasing a capable horse locally.

"We don?t have any doubt foreign teams can come here and do well," stated Curt Riffle, president of the Ride and Tie Association. He cited the man/woman team from Barcelona Spain who finished the 2003 World Championship race in 13th place overall, on a horse leased in California. One of the team members had no prior experience in the sport; he trained under the advice of American competitors who coached him by e-mail. "Because the sport is seldom seen outside the USA, there will be no qualifying criteria for international teams this year," Riffle stated.

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