FEI Press News 59/05- Bahrain WEC

Sunday evening, 18 December, saw the closing ceremony of the 2006 FEI Gulf Energy World Endurance Championship which took place at the Bahrain Royal Equestrian Race track. The ceremony was the culmination of three days of Endurance competition at the highest level.

Thirty countries attended this record breaking event with teams entered from over twenty four Nations. The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and was organised by the Bahrain Royal Endurance and Equestrian Federation through its President, H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hammad al Khalifa

The Championship began with a lavish opening ceremony held at the world famous Formula 1 Race track in Bahrain. The Championships was declared open by the Crown Prince of Bahrain, H.H. Shaikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa who attended the opening ceremony together with other members of the Bahrain Royal Family, Bahrain Equestrian Federation Board Members, FEI Officials and over five hundred riders, support staff, parents and guests.

The trot up took place the following day at the newly built Endurance Village in Bahrain. This purpose built facility was designed especially for these World Championships and the Bahrain Federation is planning to host further Championships in the future. With sixteen lanes for trot up, covered crewing bays, a modern fully equipped Equine Treatment Facility and full catering and rest areas the site is one of the most up to date venues available.

The Championship started on Saturday morning at 5.00am and a short while later the sun rose over the waters of the gulf as the 127 starters followed the 30 km first loop along the waters edge.

The competition continued throughout the morning with the riders and horses returning to the central vet gate. The first horse to cross the finish line did so just after 1.00pm. Fahed Sulaiman (BRN) riding Lormar Lorrien, a 1998 grey mare was passed by the vet panel and declared the provisional individual winner.

Other riders and horses continued to arrive and the final horse to cross the finish line did so just before 5.00pm. A total of 59 starters completed the full course.

Final placings

Individual:
Gold Fahed Sulaiman / Lormar Lorrien (BRN)
Silver HE Sh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qasimi / Colahlee Park Charlene (UAE)
Bronze HE Sh Ahmed bin Mohd Al Maktoum / Jazyk (UAE)

Teams:
Gold: Australia
Silver: France
Bronze: Brazil

FEI Endurance Committee Chairman, Dr Hallvard Sommerseth, commented; ?Everyone who has had the opportunity to be involved with this Championships either as rider, crew or organiser, can take home some great memories of top level competition and warm and generous hosts who have made us all feel very welcome here in the Kingdom of Bahrain?.

Complete results available soon on the Endurance section of www.horsesport.org

Saudi female rider makes a mark

By Hisham Al Gizouli

23 December 2005


DUBAI ? Alia Alhoaiti, a 25-year-old young Saudi lady, yesterday became the first female rider from her country to take part in international endurance races at the Dubai Endurance City.

Her father, Alhoaiti, who arrived with his daughter from Riyadh last weekend to see her competing for the first time in her life against experienced international riders, was jubilant at her display.

Alia, a graduate of Business Administration from Amman University, came to Dubai under the support and encouragement of the Saudi billionaire and member of the ruling family, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal after receiving the green light from the Saudi Equestrian Federation.

Now Alia is planning to shift part of her operations to the UAE where she can enjoy riding at both endurance and flat races.

?At present, I?m very busy with my job in the Kingdom Holding Company back home, but after bringing some of my horses here, it will be easy for me to enjoy riding during my holidays,? she said.

Regarding the nature of her relations with friends and colleagues in the Kingdom, Alia said everything was very normal.

?They truly appreciate what they describe as a courageous move,? she said. ?We have every right in Saudi Arabia to do what we like so long as it does not contradict our faith and culture.

?I?m a working woman who has completed her higher education abroad without any difficulties or restrictions. We are an open society and you may come and see yourself,? she added.

Speaking about her experience at Seih Assalam, Alia said it was great. ?My horse, Falah Ohood, did a very good job despite being disqualified after Gate Three on Metabolic. I think something happened to him because he was trotting keenly and I didn?t expect any early elimination,? she said.

But her father and trainer Najeeb Al Barjisi accepted the matter, saying that the horse has just arrived from Saudi Arabia and needed more time to acclimatise.

?It was an encouraging start and things will get even better in the upcoming commitments,? Al Barjisi said.

Meanwhile, Alia told her trainer about her intentions to learn riding in flat races. ?My weight is only 54 kilos and have no intentions to put on more weight,? she said with a smile.

Al Barjisi shook his head in agreement pointing out that her length and weight will help a lot.

Alia, a descendant of one of the biggest tribes in Saudi Arabia with a great love and admiration for horse riding since childhood, has come to Dubai with great ambitions to prove her mettle on the international riding scene.

Young Britons sixth in World Championships

Carol Phillips

21 December, 2005

The Endurance GB young rider team finished sixth out of more than 24 countries at the FEI World Endurance Championships in Bahrain
Endurance GB is celebrating the successful return of its young rider squad from the FEI World Endurance Championships in Bahrain.

Four of the six-strong British squad ? Zara Moon, Abigail Lockett, Alice Beet and Gemma Parkin ? successfully completed the 120km race ride. British individual rider Zara Moon was the highest placed British rider in 26th place.

Fahed Sulaiman riding Lormar Lorrien for Bahrain took the individual gold medal, ahead of Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qasimi and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohd Al Maktoum for the United Arab Emirates.

The team gold medal went to Australia, with France in second and Brazil, third. The British team finished sixth.

FEI Endurance Committee Chairman, Dr Hallvard Sommerseth, said: "Everyone who has been involved with this championships either as rider, crew or organiser, can take home some great memories of top level competition and warm and generous hosts who have made us all feel very welcome here in the Kingdom of Bahrain."

Meanwhile, the FEI's head of endurance has confirmed that the turmoil surrounding the late cancellation of Britain's hosting of the 2005 Open European Endurance Championships has not affected a future bid.

?The FEI will always welcome applications from all nations [including Britain] for future championships,? said Ian Williams. ?What may have gone before will not affect any future bid which may be received.?

YoungRiders: Bahrain?s Fahed is world champ

SAKHIR, Bahrain: Fahed Sulaiman gave Bahrain a belated National Day gift by winning the FEI World Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in convincing fashion here yesterday.

In the team competition, Australia were first with France and Brazil finishing second and third respectively.

Fahed finished the gruelling 120km race in 5hrs38min.07secs , ahead of the powerful UAE duo of Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal al-Qassimi and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Maktoum who claimed the second and third spots at the Endurance Village on the outskirts of Manama.
Sheikh Abdullah, riding Colahlee Park Charlene, timed 5:38.51, while the third placed Sheikh Ahmed clocked 5:53.51 on Jazyk, a chestnut gelding.
Fahed, riding Lomar Lorrein, a seven-year-old grey mare, was placed third at the end of the first and second vet gate, but improved to second at the third and made up enough time to finish first after the fourth and fifth stages to emerge champion.

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Bahraini Equestrian Makes it at World Endurance Championship

date: 17 12, 2005


Manama, Dec. 17, (BNA) HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, watched Bahrain Equestrian, Fahd Sulaiman snatching the World Junior Endurance Championship for the first time in the event's history.
The world-class victory made by the Bharaini equestrian coincided with Bahrain's celebrations of the National Day and HM's accession to the throne. Fahd, Sulaiman, one of the Endurance junior champions outdid 140 male and female equestrians from all over the globe at the 120- kilometer race held on Saturday. The Champion, Fad Sulaiman was congratulated for the achievement by HM the King who has been keen to watch Bahraini equestrians since the kick off the race at 5.00 p.m. which was signaled by GOYS President, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Head of the Organizing Committee. Fahd, aged 14, who rode Lumir Loryan for Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, is regarded one of the outstanding endurance equestrians in the Kingdom of Bahrain. While congratulating equestrian Fahd, HM the King valued the achievement, tipping it "historic" as the Bahraini equestrian secured the first position after 5 hours 38.o7 minutes, followed by Shaikh Faisal Al Qasimi from the UAE in the second place and in the third place Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum from the UAE, followed consecutively by Belgium's and Australia's equestrians. The victory was billed by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa a historic moment for the Kingdom of Bahrain, hailing HM the King's encouragement of the Endurance sport. Shaikh Nasser secured the 7th place in the race but Shaikh Khalid left the competition during the second stage due to the injury of his horse. As to Shaikha Najla'a bint Salman bin Saqr, she came fifth recording 6.07.25 hours. at the level of teams, Australia came first, France second, Brazil third and Bahrain fourth.

Bahrain woman rider aims high

BAHRAIN'S national endurance team rider and the only woman in the team Shaikha Najla bint Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa will start today's 120-km Gulf Energy World Junior Endurance Championship, starting at 5am at the Endurance Village in Sakhir, with ambitous plans of making a podium finish.

"I want to do my best and help my team finish in the top three," said Shaikh Najla, who is the only woman in the 12-member Bahrain team taking part in the race.

Thirty teams with 140 riders start the race in this prestigious event.

"It is an honour for me as a girl to represent my Kingdom at this prestigious event," said Shaikha Najla.

"I have prepared for this championship for quite a long time and I am now eager to prove myself."

Shaikha Najla has been training under her coach and father Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa at the Al Fateh Stable in Sakhir.

She thanked His Majesty King Hamad for his unlimited support to equestrian sports in general and endurance races in particular.

The Bahraini team will be captained by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who arrived yesterday and paid a visit to the village.

Other team members are Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Mohammed Abdulsamad, Abdulaziz Adam, Salem Al Otaibi, Ahmed Hassan, Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Maytham Ahmed, Ebrahim Al Jebouri, Mohammed Abdulaziz and Fahad Sulaiman.

Rising rider Mohammed Abdulsamad said he is confident of putting up a good performance in the race after having a useful training programme.

"There are teams of top class riders taking part in the championship but for us nothing is impossible. We will do our best and hope to be among the top by end of the race," he said.

The Abdulaziz brothers, Mohammed and Ahmed, said they are keen to put up a good show in today's race.

"Being here with top riders from around the world is a big challenge for us. I have gained some experience from taking part in regional and international races for the last couple of years and I am quite confident of accompalishing a good result," said Mohammed who is the eldest of the two.

Excited

On his part, Ahmed said he is very excited to go head-to-head with some of the finest riders from across the world in such a prestigious event.

"I have been training twice a day and now I am 100 per cent fit for this race. I am also happy with the condition of the course which is very convenient," he said.

Five Arab countries - including favourites the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain - will be among the teams competing in today's race.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Royal Equestrian Federation president Princess Alya bint Al Hussain arrived in Bahrain yesterday to attend the race. She was welcomed on arrival by General Organisation for Youth and Sports president and Organising Committee chairman Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and other officials.

The UAE's Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also arrived yesterday and was welcomed on arrival by Shaikh Nasser.

Breef's endurance committee chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa yesterday received Qatar Equestrian Federation's endurance committee chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani.

A total of 45 jurors and veterinarians have been assigned by the International Equestrian Federation to supervise today's race. The jury panel is headed by its president Carol Bunting of Britain and includes jurors from Bahrain, Jordan, Italy, France, Holland, Ireland, India, the UAE and Qatar.

"Sixteen of the most experienced juries are in Bahrain since the last couple of days making sure everything goes as planned," said Robertson.

The FEI also selected 29 veterinarians from the UK, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Poland, Italy, Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US, India, Belgium, Dominican Republic and Bahrain.

The Bahraini veterinarians are Dr Fareeda Abdulrazzaq, Dr Adam Ubeida, Dr Sabah Al Kabie, Dr Abdulrehman Tejani, Dr Ebrahim Yousif and Dr Abbas Al Haiki.

British riders begin contest for desert gold

5 December, 2005

Britain?s Endurance Young Riders start their campaign at the FEI World Young Rider Championships in Bahrain.
Six experienced young British endurance riders will today attend the opening ceremony of the FEI World Young Rider Championships in Bahrain.



The Team flew out two weeks ago and have acclimatised well to the fierce Middle-Eastern temperatures. A purpose built venue in Sakhir has been provided for the horses and riders with full accommodation for the 500 people and 35 officials involved. Vet tests and briefings will take place tomorrow before the competition gets underway on Saturday (17 December).



?Acclimatisation will be the biggest single difficulty?, said Endurance GB international chairman Maggie Maguire before the team left for Bahrain. ?The British-based horses will be used to winter conditions.?



A thorough training programme took place over the year and the Endurance GB team places were fiercely contested. The final six were selected in September.



Zara Moon and Philip Hirst will both be representing Britain for a second time. Moon, who is last year's EGB overall champion, will be partnering her International horse Yamavah. Dubai-based Hirst will be riding his mother's Vlaq Khamul.



Anna Williams is another experienced team member, who has represented Britain on two previous occasions. Wiliams will be partnering the eight-year-old H S Saboteur, who completed his first 120km in one day at Cirencester 2005. Alice Beet from Surrey will be riding Harmatan de Lozere, who she qualified in Dubai last year, and Gemma Parkin, from Derbyshire will be riding Lutandorvici.



Abigail Lockett, from Stafford has been selected with the experienced Delorto Zaranz, who has already competed abroad at Wicklow Hills 1999 and was at the WEG in Jerez in 2002. Winscombe-based Rachel Harvey is a non-travelling reserve with Sarah Ryson's Prince Imperial.



?All the young riders are excellent,? Maguire says. ?They have all had a lot of success.?



When the competition gets underway on Saturday, more than 150 competitors from 33 different countries will journey 120km through the desert during the course of one day. ?Consistent cantering in a rhythm is the key to conserving energy,? said Maggie Maguire, ?In this country rides often require lots of stopping and starting but in the desert you can pretty much canter the whole ride?.



Each of Endurance GB's riders has completed at least one 120km endurance ride since November last year and are accustomed to pacing distances according to the physical build of their horse and the terrain and weather conditions.



They will all use heart monitors to check the conditions of their horse throughout the course of the Championship ride and will be required to present their horse to the vet at various set intervals to be checked as fit to continue.

?It is a considerable test,? Maguire explains, ?It is all about doing it within the capabilities of the horse?.



The team will be given advice by team vet Adam Driver who has spent the last two winters in Dubai and who understands the conditions and the impact they have on foreign horses.



?The return flights are expected on the 19th when we hope some gold from the sands will be on board with them?, said a spokesperson for Endurance GB.