Shining Moon 100: Tamotsu Sasaki and Dameon PJ First to Finish

June 17, 2007
Shining Moon 100 Mile Ride, an FEI CEI*** event was won by Tamotsu Sasaki riding Dameon PJ, a 10 yr Arabian gelding owned by Seiichi Hasumi. A ride time of 13:12 earned Sasaki and Dameon an FEI Certificate of Capability, and the honor of being the first team to complete a 100 mile endurance ride in Japan.

The ride was the dream of Seiichi and Harumi Hasumi and brought riders and officials from around the world to the small resort town of Karuizawa, nestled at the foot of the live volcano, Mt. Asama. Japan Equestrian Federation and the sponsorship of National 'Joba Ride' helped make the event a success. A huge crowd numbering close to 500 people turned out to observe and help work the ride. National, local and International press covered this premier event. Entry fees were waived and the event offered full amenities to competitors and spectators alike.

Coverage, results and photos of the event can be found at http://www.endurance.net/international/japan/2007ShiningMoon/

UAE: Ruling body keen on new measures

Photo: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi played a stellar role in Al Reef Stable's domination as he finished as the top trainer as well as the top rider. (Gulf News)

Gulf News
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

The Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Hussain Mohammad Hussain, termed the recently-concluded endurance season a highly successful and memorable one for the sport in the UAE.

"The 2006-07 UAE endurance season has been featured with quite a few achievements both at the national level as well as the international level," Hussain Mohammad said.

"The UAE team of Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum created history by winning the team gold medal when endurance made its debut at the Doha Asian Games. Shaikh Rashid also won the individual gold while Sultan Bin Sulayem won the bronze," the official said.

"In April this year, Shaikh Ahmad and Shaikh Mayed, along with Mansoor Ahmad Al Subose and Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose, won the team silver in the World Junior Championship held in Buenos Aires while Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi won the individual bronze and Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qassimi finished fourth."

"Both these achievements once again reasserted the UAE's supremacy in the sport of endurance and the top riders will now begin to focus on the future challenges," said Hussain Mohammad.

"Regarding the UAE season, the officials and veterinarians - both from the UAE as well as those invited from abroad according to FEI rules, together ensured that a high standard of competition was held. The number of international riders using the UAE to prepare themselves and qualify for international events again saw an increase this season," he added.

High quality

"Quite a few officials from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, as well as other equestrian bodies in the UAE, have been invited to officiate in international rides and this once again reflected the high quality of cadres present in the country," the Secretary General said.

"We are keen to build on this success and hope to bring in more changes in the next season," said Hussain Mohammad Hussain.

JPN: 2007 Shining Moon

5:45pm Local Time - Tamotsu Sasaki riding Dameon PJ have opened a 45 minute lead over the field with 51Km remaining! All are riding into the evening with the approach of darkness at the Shining Moon

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Pan American Championship: Schedule and Info

NZL: Why this Sample Horse is Fit For A King

WHO does the King of Malaysia trust to pick out the best horse in the country for him to ride in a marathon 160km event?

It's simple - the Kenilworth's Sample family.

And Brook Sample - who is also a national endurance horse-riding champion - chose a seven-year-old Arabian-Appalachian cross gelding called Pharoah for the king to ride in the weekends endurance event near Nanango.

Brook's father Bob said his son picked out the gelding from the family's 200 hoses on their Kenilworth farm and even decided not to compete against Sultan Mizan in the gruelling race held on Saturday.

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Australia wins team events at Nanango endurance ride

Horsetalk.co.nz June 12, 2007

H.M. Tuanku Mizan Zaind Abidin and Taljarri Moonlight Pharoah.
Picture: Franz Venhaus, EFA

Australia won both team events at the Nanango Forest Endurance ride at the weekend. The event was host to an international FEI 3* 160km ride, along with the Trans Tasman FEI 3* 160km and FEI 2* 110km.

Matthew Sample won the ride in 9:46:17, riding Brookleigh Ricardo. Best Conditioned went to fourth place-getter, Kristie McGaffen riding Ryton Remy.

The King of Malaysia, H.M. Tuanku Mizan Zaind Abidin, riding a loan horse from Brook Sample, the arab-appaloosa cross Taljarri Moonlight Pharoah, finished in 12th place.

Riding as an individual, New Zealand's Sandie MacLean, on Macedonian Rakkali, placed 7th in the time of 11:51:11.

New Zealand CEI** 107km team members Jordyn Piripi, Selwyn Boler, Alison Higgins and Kimberley Ryan all completed the ride on Saturday.

Fellow New Zealander David Marshall made his return to competitive endurance riding after a two-year absence, finishing in eighth place in the 107km ride. He rode Dakila Renoasette, in the time of 6:02:37. Also placed in this event was Mark Tylee riding Brookleigh Maestro, finishing 12th in a time of 6:10:00.

Kiwi endurance team wins gold in South Africa

Kiwi endurance team wins gold in South Africa

June 12, 2007

New Zealand's Horse of the Year team won gold at the Christiana CEI** 122km ride in South Africa on June 2.

The New Zealand placings were: Teresa Birkett 3rd, Kylie Avery 5th, Linda Pullar 7th and Lois Hosking 9th.

Struan Duncan qualified in the 80km ride and has since gone on to compete at a 92km ride in Cape Town, where he also qualified.

In Christiana, eight nations were represented at the ride.

Competitors report that the ride was a surreal experience, riding amongst galloping herds of zebra, waterbuck, wildebeast, inpala and springbok as well as rhino, giraffe, ostrich, monkeys, mongoose and more. "It has certainly been a trip of a lifetime for all involved. The South African Endurance community hosted us all very well and we have all made some special friendships along the way," a spokesman said.

Earlier, New Zealander Sandie MacLean placed second on Sanniesgun Sadan in the Open 80km ride at the South African Freestate Championships on May 25. She also completed on Sadan the day before in a stepladder ride over 80km.

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