Andes horseback challenge

Photo Credit: © Pablo Betancourt

5 June, 2007

A HORSE riding opportunity of a lifetime following Charles Darwin’s route through the remote Andes Mountains has been launched by youth charity The Prince’s Trust.

The Trans-Andes Horseback Challenge provides riders with the opportunity to take on a unique equestrian experience and raise money for disadvantaged young people across the UK.

The six-day challenge takes place from February 1-10 2008 and will see riders trek more than 150km on horseback across the stunning landscape of the snow-capped Andes mountain range, from Mendoza in Argentina and to the Chilean capital of Santiago.

Accompanied by a team of local “gauchos” (horsemen), participants will experience “cabalgata” or traditional horseback trekking. They will ride with western-style saddles and bridles and negotiate steep climbs, rugged terrain and remote mountain passes, crossing rivers and camping out under the stars each night along the route. The itinerary follows one of Charles Darwin’s expedition trails and passes breathtaking ravines, ancient volcanoes and hot springs, as well as taking in the diverse flora and fauna of the region.

With up to eight hours a day in the saddle at high altitude (up to 4,500m), participants need to be confident riders and have a high level of fitness - committing to follow a comprehensive training schedule in the months leading up to departure in order to prepare for the intense physical demands of the journey.

Endurance GB rider Fiona Fairhurst took part in the first Andes Challenge earlier this year. She said: “Although for me the horse riding itself wasn’t most difficult part of the challenge, this is certainly no trek up the Brecon Beacons – the Andes are the second highest mountain range in the world – the scenery is jaw-dropping and the route is tough.

But the challenge is far more than just an amazing riding experience. Being away from everyday life in an environment like this allowed everyone to learn something about themselves and their lives. On a mountain, miles from anywhere, you are just concentrating on surviving, but everyone pulls together and the team spirit created is remarkable.”

The Trust’s Challenges aim to raise £500,000 over the next year to help thousands more young people across the UK to realise their potential and turn their lives around.

For more information or to sign up on the Trans-Andes Horseback Challenge call 020 7543 1370 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk/andes.

FRA: France Victorious at CEIO Nation's Cup

By Endurance.Net
The French endurance team was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2007 CEIO Nation's Cup held June 2 at the endurance venue at Compiegne France.

Detailed results of the race are on www.endurance.net

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Bahrain Third at France Challenge

Bahrain: Gulf Daily News

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team bagged third place overall in the Compiegne International Endurance Horseride Championship at the Compiegne racecourse near Paris.The team, captained by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, completed the six-stage, 160-km race in 11 hours, 25 minutes and 20 seconds.

They were behind champions France who crossed the finish line first in 9:31.08, followed by Belgium (10:08:36) in second place.

The four-member Bahraini squad consisted of Mohammed Abdulaziz, Yousif Taher and Ghazi Al Dossary apart from Shaikh Nasser.

The race was dominated by French riders who took the top four positions in the individual event with Thomas Philippe finishing first in 1:12.30, followed by compatriot Begaud Jacque (1:01:12) in second place, Dietsch Pascal (1:06:55) third and Lemoine Maryli (1:08:10) fourth.

Bahrain's Abdulaziz finished ninth overall in 1:19.57, Taher was 13th in 1:30.30, while Al Dossary withdrew from the race following an injury to its horse.

Apart from Bahrain, 11 other nations - Algeria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UAE - took part in the championship but only 17 riders completed the race.

Top officials from Compiegne Province attended the event and presented trophies to the top three teams and the first 15 riders in the individual event at a prize-giving ceremony.

Shaikh Nasser expressed satisfaction with the performance of his team both in the team event and the individual category.

"We took this race very seriously and were keen to complete it without any injuries as we have a number of other races to take part in Europe in the next two months," said Shaikh Nasser.

It is Bahrain's second appearance at the Compiegne racecourse having taken part in the 2005 Europen Championship which was held at the same venue and attended by His Majesty King Hamad.

"This race was a qualifier for the 2007 Europe Endurance Horseride Championship to be staged in Portugal in September and those who complete three races over 160 kms will qualify for this prestigious event," added Shaikh Nasser.

"It's a privilege to be taking part in such a prestigious event. The result is also very good despite the fact that we took part in this event without our main horses. The horses we took part are in are the ones based in Europe," said Shaikh Nasser.

"The environment here is amazing and the Equestrian Stadium has a top quality circuit with excellent sand tracks," he said.

The team will return today from Paris and continue preparations for future races to be held in the UK and France next month.

Results (in order of country, horse, total time):

Individual event: 1 Thomas Philippe (France, Joel Gabirat, 1:12:30 hrs), 2 Begaud Jacque (France, Koum Des Jamets, 1:01:12), 3 Dietsch Pascal (France, Hifrane Dui Barth, 1:06:55), 4 Lemoine Maryli (France, Sherahki, 1:08:10), 5 Van Den Abeele (Belgium, Epson Dela Brus, 1:09:13) 6 Mosti Laurent (France, Xalene Dela Dro, 1:13:13).

FEI: 2008 WEC Qualification Criteria - 10:40 requirement dropped

World Senior Endurance Championship 2008 qualification criteria for approval by the FEI Bureau

The FEI Technical Committee, together with the FEI Endurance Department have now submitted the final wording of the World Senior Endurance Championship 2008 qualification criteria for approval by the FEI Bureau.

The original Criteria which was posted on the FEI Web site and circulated to all FEI National Federations for comment has been amended with regard to the maximum ride time allowed at the additional qualification ride - to be achieved within twelve months of the nominated entry date of the 2008 Championship.This is now the same as the other qualification ride to be achieved within twenty four months of the nominated entry date.

The original thinking behind the suggestion of a shorter maximum ride time for the additional qualifier was to ensure that horses competing in Malaysia had proven levels of increased fitness. However, some Federations felt that the differing conditions found at FEI 160 km events around the world made this increased requirement unfair on certain nations. Further, there was concern that the need for additional speed was contrary to the desire for increased levels of horsemanship that are not directly linked to the ability to increase speed.

The FEI Technical Committee will therefore address these fitness issues by applying stricter criteria on the day of competition as provided for under art 807 and 808 of the FEI Rules for Endurance Events.

Final Qualification Criteria: Horsesport.org

The Patriot's Day 100 Endurance Ride

California - Plumas County News
5/30/07
By Centella Tucker
Special to Feather Publishing

The Patriot's Day 100 Endurance Ride was held May 19 in Greenville and attracted riders from California and beyond.



The event, co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Greenville and the Indian Valley Riding and Roping Club, brought 33 entrants to Coppercreek Camp for the first 100-mile endurance ride in Greenville.

This ride was held with the hope of attracting the AERC National Championship Ride to this site in 2008 or 2009.

Riders followed the trail over the Keddie Ridge saddle to Walker Lake and back.

They later traveled through Haun's Meadow and along the ridge overlooking Lake Almanor.

The first to finish completed the ride in just over 13 hours, including 2 hours 45 minutes of mandatory rest times at five veterinary checks where the well-being of the horses was evaluated.

Anderson resident Betsy Adamson on Wriana's Destiny and Redding resident Deanna Guinasso on RGR Flash Fire rode across the finish line in a photo finish at 6:34 p.m., after a 5:30 a.m. start.

First-place horse Wriana's Destiny also earned the Best Condition Award.

Other special recognition goes to First Junior Rider Katie Lydon and Rusty of Manton.

First Featherweight was Betsy Adamson of Anderson on Wriana's Destiny.

First Lightweight was Deanna Guinasso of Redding on RGR Flash Fire.

First Middleweight was Ron Belknap of Coarsegold on Sussman.

First Heavyweight was Gina Hall of Carson City, Nev., on Fire Mountain Destiny.

The Turtle Award went to Cynthia LeDoux-Bloom of Fort Bragg, riding SJ Kerensky to the finish at 12:46 a.m. Sunday, May 20, after an early afternoon fall slowed her pace.

The toughest rider was Renie Burnett of Anderson on Czentinel, who finished 25th with a possible broken collarbone.

Malaysian King to visit rural Qld horse event

ABC News Online

The King of Malaysia and some of the world's best horse riders are heading to Queensland's south Burnett for an international endurance event.

Nanango residents are preparing the small rural town for its first royal visit.

Atop the Blackbutt Range, Nanango has been battling drought and the loss of coal mining jobs.

A royal visit, and the influx of 1,000 people for an international endurance ride on the Queen's Birthday long weekend is a welcome distraction.

Barbara Timms from the Nanango Heritage Endurance Riders Association concedes a royal competitor has been something of a challenge.

"We've had all the embassies sending out their demands for what's required and that sort of thing," she said.

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has booked an entire motel, one of only four in the township.

Horse buyers are expected from the United Arab Emirates and there have been rumours of offers of $1 million for one noted Queensland-bred champion.
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Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser bags second place

Bahrain Gulf Daily News


ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa came second in the 120-km Endurance Horserace Championship for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy held yesterday in UK.

Shaikh Nasser, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president, headed the five-member Bahraini team which included Shaikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Ahmed Abdulla, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulsamad.

Shaikh Nasser settled for second position after gruelling competition with Great Britain's Liz Taylor, who won the race.

As for the other Bahraini riders, Shaikh Talal took fourth-place ahead of Abdulla who came fifth, Mahmood sixth and Abdulsamad seventh. The event, which was the first for the Bahraini team this year and took place near Tottenham, consisted of three races over 80 kms, 120 kms and 160 kms.

The Royal Endurance Team took part in the 120-km race which was divided into four stages.

The first stage was over 40 kms, 30 kms for the second and third stages while the fourth stage was over 20 kms. After the race, Shaikh Nasser and other team riders were congratulated by His Majesty King Hamad. This event was part of the team's training programme in Europe which also includes participation in other races in the UK, France and Portugal.