FEI rebukes 2005 World Endurance Championship hosts

Horse&Hound.co.uk

Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor

7 June, 2007
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has officially reprimanded the organising committee of the 2005 World Endurance Championships, putting an end to a two-year doping saga.

In January 2005, the World Endurance Championships ended in controversy when the results were overturned at the medal ceremony by the organising committee (Emirates International Endurance Racing) — without the FEI's permission. France's Barbara Lissarague was crowned World Champion instead of Sheikh Hazza Bin Sultan Al Nayan.

Afterwards, organisers said Hachim — the horse ridden to victory by Sheikh Hazza — had failed a doping test (see panel, right). But the FEI refused to acknowledge this at the time, although its laboratories later confirmed the horse had tested positive for methylprednisolone, an anti-inflammatory drug.

An extrapolated legal process ensued before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the ultimate arbitrators in sporting disputes, upheld Sheikh Hazza's disqualification and the FEI turned its attentions to the organising committee.

"Whether or not Sheikh Hazza was ultimately found to have committed a doping offence had a bearing on certain issues raised in the protest filed with the FEI against the organising committee," said FEI legal director Alexander Mc Lin. "It was only after that was assessed that all the issues relating to the organising committee's actions could be looked at."

He said: "A reprimand will go on the record," adding that this would be "taken into consideration" if the organising committee applied to host another event.

But what actually happened in Dubai is still not clear. The plot reads more like a Dick Francis novel than a judicial process.

In the CAS judgement it is stated that Hachim was "allegedly the subject of persistent doping rumours".

Giving evidence to CAS, organising committee vice-chairman Saeed H Al Tayer said a "reliable source" told him Hachim was doped, but refused to name that source.

He testified that, based on those rumours, the organising committee declared second-placed Ms Lissarague the winner. Sheikh Hazza was mounted at the medal ceremony but left halfway through.

Mr Mc Lin told H&H last week: "What exactly occurred is still not entirely clear. Clearly, the organising committee acted on information it obtained from a laboratory."

Mr Mc Lin further explained that, unlike police, the FEI does not have the powers to force parties to reveal their evidence.

He added: "If the perception is that the FEI didn't investigate this enough, I can assure you that is not the case.

"The FEI has to make a decision based on what evidence it has, and unfortunately the evidence in this case was not conclusive."

H&H was unable to contact the organising committee, Emirates International Endurance Racing, for comment, nor the United Arab Emirates Equestrian and Racing Federation, to comment on behalf of Sheikh Hazza.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 June, '07)

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

[More ...]

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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