Thursday, January 03, 2008

UAE: Hazza takes vital lead over Al Beloushi

GulfNews.com
photo: Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right) and Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in action during the 240km ride in Abu Dhabi.

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 04, 2008, 00:43

Abu Dhabi: Defending champion Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan carved out a seven-second lead over strong contender Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi after the first 80km in the three-day 240km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup which started on Thursday.

Riding 10-year-old Akab, Shaikh Hazza was in fine form as he moved ahead of a strong line-up of riders at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem here yesterday.

Gruelling ride

With 20 of the 59 riders who started the gruelling 240-km ride being eliminated at the end of day one, Shaikh Hazza will start off with Al Reef champion Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi on Zara Farm Chandali in second place.

Gulf News article

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Bahrain: National Guard Endurance Horseride Championship

Top stables eye endurance title
Bahrain Gulf Daily News - full article

RIDERS from leading stables are gearing up for the National Guard Endurance Horseride Championship to be organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) on Saturday at 6am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir.

This is the second event of the 2007-08 season and will include the first women's race of the season to be held over 100 kms.

Al Fateh Stable will be one of the leaing teams taking part in the women's race with Shaikha Muneera bint Salman Al Khalifa and her sister Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa top contenders for the individual title.

The sisters had a month-long extensive training programme under their father and coach Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa.

The sisters have thanked Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his support in organising the women's race.

Shaikh Nasser earlier said the Royal Endurance Team will not be allowed to participate in the event. This decision was taken with a view of providing an opportunity for other stables to take part in a high profile event like this.

The federation, meanwhile, have received confirmation from several stables, including the Kingdom's Stable from Saudi Arabia who will be taking part in this event for the second successive year.

The women's team include Alya'a Al Huwaiti, Latifa Al Shaikh, Noora Al Yousif, Sara Baban and team head Najeeb Al Burjus. The Saudi team will be sponsored by the Kingdom Holding Company chairman Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.

The event, to be held under the patronage of National Guard chief Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, will be divided into four stages - the first two stages will consist of 30 kms each, the third will be over 25 kms and the fourth 15 kms.

A men's race over 100 kms will also be held besides two qualifying races over 85-kms and 60-kms open to new riders and horses.

The 85-km race will be divided into three stages, 30 kms for the first two stages and 25 kms for the third while the 60-km event consists of two stages, each over 30 kms.

Among the top riders taking part in the men's race is Isa Ali who will be riding Silver Fox, owned by Zaynab Isa. Ali said he is confident of achieving a good result in the race.

Registration will continue tomorrow till the commencement of veterinary tests at 2.30pm at the Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The organising committee earlier approved the technical and judging teams for the championship.

The judging committee will be headed by Abdulsamad Al Busta and include Ghalib Al Alawi, Haider Al Zo'bi, Ali Ghuloom and assistant judge Haider Rafii.

The official commissioner is Mohammed Dadulla who will be assisted by Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Dr Abbas Al Haiki was named head of the veterinary committee which includes Ibrahim Yousef, Abu Obaida Adam, Mohammed Al Hammad, Mohammed Safi, Khalid Ahmed, Adam Sabeel, Abdulrahman Abulshook, Farida Abdulrazzaq, Sabad Al Ka'ab, Mirghani Jelani and Ahmed Dhaif.

UAE: Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup

Photo: Defending champion Shaikh Hazza will miss the three-day 240km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup.

Large field for three-day ride
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 03, 2008, 01:31
Gulf News, full article

Abu Dhabi: The number of entries for the three-day 240-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup, the feature event of the three-day endurance festival starting today at the Boudtheib Endurance Village, has doubled from last year.

Around 80 riders are expected to start in the 240-km FEI CEI three-star event, in which the riders will ride over 80-km in each of the three days on the same horse.

The 240-km ride is the highlight of the three-day festival organised by the Emirates Heritage Club under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and sponsored by Sorouh.

Today's opening day will also see about 45 Junior and Young riders battling for honours in the Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Juniors while a 120-km ride for privately-owned horses and small stables will be part of day two's action. The final day will see the finish of the gruelling 240-km ride accompanied by two Federation Qualifier Rides.

Proud

Masood Al Awar, Special Advisor to Chairman, Sorouh said, "Sorouh is delighted to be back as Endurance ride sponsors, particularly this three-day festival which will see some of the top competitors. In the three big rides almost all categories of endurance riders are covered and we feel this is a major event and are proud to support it."

In the absence of defending champion Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Reef Stables' trio Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed and Omair Hussain Al Beloushi will be leading a strong line-up of UAE riders.

Yousuf, who has been in great form this season, will be looking to make up for last year's unfortunate result, when his horse was eliminated in the final vet check after he had finished the 240-km ride in first position. The champion from Al Reef rides Jibbah Enog while Abdullah Khamis will be on Risco Moreno, the horse that finished second in this ride under Spaniard Jesus Manuel Berna.

Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum, who finished 13th last year is back on the same horse Solid Asa Rock.

Shaikh Madiya recently finished second in a ride in Mexico behind two-time world champion Valerie Kanavy.

Riders from Canada, Uruguay, Australia and Great Britain are also part of the line-up in the 240-km ride and each day's 80-km distance will be in three stages of 30kms, 30kms and 20 kms.

Schedule

1. 240-km-FEI.CEI, Three-star, three-day Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup, January 3, 4 & 5, 80 km each day, start: Thursday, 6.00 am, Finish-Saturday.

2. 120-km-UAE.CEN, 120-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup (for privately owned horses and small stables), Thursday, 6.30 am start.

3. 120-km FEI.CEIJY, Three-star, Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup (For Junior & Young riders), Friday, 6.30 am start.

4. Two Federation Qualifiers on Saturday, 80kms start at 6.30 am and 44 kms start at 6.45 am.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

New Mexico CEI*** - Sheikha Madiya and Faberge PJwin Best Condition


photo: Sheikha Madiya Bint Hasher Al Maktoum riding Faberge PJ owned by Tracy Kaden of Flight Leader Farm

January 1, Endurance.Net

Faberge PJ, ridden by Sheikha Madiya of UAE, won the overall Best Condition award in the December 30 CEI*** 100 Endurance ride held in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The duo finished the 100 Mile event in second place with a time of 10:14.












photo: First place finisher Valerie Kanavy on King Ali Gold

Monday, December 31, 2007

Poland: Endurance Season 2007 Recap



Polsiearaby.com - Full story

Endurance season 2007: a few bright marks albeit a crisis

Author: Maciej Kacprzyk | 2007-12-10

The 2007 endurance season in Poland has come to an end. Contestant-and-horse pairs bravely took on the long kilometers during 10 events: one of international rank (Warka), four labeled as All-Polish (thrice in Koczek and once in Bieruń) and five regionals (Gieniusze, Zabajka, Bieruń). A couple of events scheduled in the calendar did not come to pass, including an international competition in Ciosny near Łódź. There were also problems with the attendance, only the Polish Championships in Warka drew a larger number of contestants and horses.

This year in the riders’ ranking, composed by the Endurance.pl website which adds up points for each start using the same method for the last 4 years, 48 riders were classified. The winner was Beata Dzikowska from KJ Champion, who gained 454,9 points (with three completed events). Second came Kamilia Kart, also from KJ Champion, who scored 452,8 points (with five completed events). The third place belonged to Marcin Tobiasz from JKS Pogórze, who achieved 432,2 points (with two completed events). Among the juniors and young riders the highest classified contestant was Olga Ciesielska from KJ Champion Łódź – placing ninth in the general classification with 222,9 points for three completed events.

In the horses’ ranking, composed using the same rules as the riders’ ranking, 54 horses were classified. The most points were gathered by Cyryl 1995 (Sinus – Cyrla by Algomej), bred by Kurozwęki, who scored under Beata Dzikowska. Together they grabbed the silver medal of the Polish Senior Championships, among others. The second place belonged to Ester 1994 (Wermut – Eskadra by Algomej), bred by Kurozwęki, who competed under Kamilia and Marcin Tobiasz. It is worth to mention that Ester and Marcin Tobiasz were the only Polish pair who completed the 160 km ride this year. At third spot we find Shanokk 1998 (Santos – Sinjah by Eskan), bred by Saleska Arabians (DE), who gained his points under Olga Ciesielska and Kamila Kart.

In the young horse championships, which for many years have been compiled by Ewa Szarska, 19 horses were classified in all (six 4-year-olds, four 5-year-olds and nine 6-year-olds). The young horse classification is based taking into consideration marks from the veterinary card and the length of the race, while the 6-year-olds also have the additional factor of speed.

And so the 4 year old classification was won by the Kabardian gelding Neron under Patrycja Bereznowska.

In the 5 year old age group the winner was the pure bred Arabian mare Pisarka (Pesal – Pytia by Pepton), bred by A. Wójtowicz, under Maciej Kacprzyk (author of the article). This robust mare, after a very successful season, was purchased by Dorota Krzywicka, who plans a further sport, as well as breeding career for her.

Among the 6-year-olds the top spot was occupied by the Małopolska breed gelding Koral under Maja Kijowska.

Summarizing the 2007 season we must say that there was as much crisis as during the last two years. Few contestants, few horses, neglect from the organizers – these are the problems that have haunted this equestrian discipline for years. The positive aspects are the numerous and successful starts of our contestants abroad – anyone who was able to tried their luck in Germany, Holland, France, Slovakia or Hungary. These results can be considered as the most valuable:

- 2nd and 3rd place over 100 km in Ermelo (Holland) by Beata Dzikowska on the mentioned Cyryl and Dorota Krzywicka atop the Małopolska breed Sahib (by Grandorr oo),
- 2nd place over 160 km at the event in Topolcianky by Marcin Tobiasz atop Ester
- 45th place at the Young Horses’ World Championships by Ewelina Preis atop Ashmin 1999 (Fawor – Aktorka by Embargo), bred by Z. Górski, who after a successful performance was sold to France.

Also the Senior Polish Championships, won in style by Sebastian Karaśkiewicz atop Grand 1997 (Entyk – Greczynka by Etogram), bred by Kurozwęki, can be considered successful. Their level was indeed high.

For the upcoming year three All-Polish events have been initially planned (April – Gieniusze, May – Ciosny, October – Koczek) and two bearing an international rank: in Ciosny (Young Riders’ and Juniors Championships) and in Warka (Senior Polish Championships). I personally still lack such places as Janów Podlaski or Białka on the endurance event map. As a comparison the stud in Babolna, which has been organizing international events for a couple of years now, will organize the Young Riders’ and Juniors European Championships in 2009.

The overall picture of endurance after the 2007 season is not heartwarming, but among the chaos of amateurism and mishaps it is possible to notice some bright marks, which allow for some cautious optimism. Endurance rides, being the quickest developing equestrian discipline in the world, are simply destined for success, especially in Poland – a country renowned for not just beautiful, but also valiant Arabian horses.


More...

New Mexico CEI*** - USA and UAE take top FEI honors

Photo: Sheikha Madiya Bint Hasher al Maktoum
New Years in New Mexico - Las Cruces CEI***
by Endurance.Net, December 31

Valerie Kanavy and King Ali Gold finished first at the Las Cruces CEI*** held December 30. After missing the trail in the dark and repeating most of the first loop, Kanavy and Ali worked their way up all day with steady progress on the trail and fast recoveries at the vetchecks, to overtake the leaders and finish well in front.

Sheikha Madiya Bint Hasher Al Maktoum was the top finishing foreign rider on Faberge (owned by Flight Leader Farm) with a 2nd place finish in the FEI division. Sheikha Madiya exhibited her 'Get Tuff or Die' farm motto as she rode the final loop with her left eye bandaged as a result of wind blown on an earlier loop.

Abdul Hamil from Malaysia and Kiyoshi Ozawa from Japan rounded out the foreign rider finishes in 4th and 5th place. His Royal Higness Mizan Zainal Abidin of Malaysia competed on the beautiful Dashing Lady but lameness at mile 50 forced his retirement.

The unusually cold temperatures and sandy tracks that became deeper as the day progressed took their toll on horses and riders at this ride with a 23% completion rate in the FEI 100 mile ride. The overall completion was 42% including the non-FEI division.


[More ...]

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Bahrain: First Women's Endurance Race Set - Dec 30 2007

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Story

The first women's endurance horseride race, to be organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), will be flagged off on Saturday at 6am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The event, to be held under the patronage of the National Guard, will be over 100 kms split into four stages. The first two stages will be over 30 kms each, the third stage will be over 25 kms and the fourth 15.

A men's race over 100 kms and two qualifying events over 85-kms and 60-kms which will be open to new riders and horses will also be held simultaneously.

The championship is being organised following directives from Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The federation organised a similar women's race last season.

The federation has already received several entries, including a few from the Kingdom's Stable from Saudi Arabia who will be taking part in this event for the second year.

Head

The women's team include Alya'a Al Huwaiti, Latifa Al Shaikh, Noora Al Yousif, Sara Baban and team head Najeeb Al Burjus.

The Saudi team will be sponsored by the Kingdom Holding Company chairman Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.

Registration will continue till Friday.

Meanwhile, the organising committee approved the technical and judging teams for the championship.

The judging committee will be headed by Abdulsamad Al Busta and includes Ghalib Al Alawi, Haider Al Zo'bi, Ali Ghuloom and assistant judge Haider Rafii.

The official commissioner is Mohammed Dadulla who will be assisted by Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Dr Abbas Al Haiki was named head of the veterinary committee which includes Ibrahim Yousef, Abu Obaida Adam, Mohammed Al Hammad, Mohammed Safi, Khalid Ahmed, Adam Sabeel, Abdulrahman Abulshook, Farida Abdulrazzaq, Sabad Al Ka'ab, Mirghani Jelani and Ahmed Dhaif.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad wins Rushford Endurance 120 km race in UK

BNA.bh - Full Article 17 Aug 2025 London, Aug. 17 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majes...