Rajasthan: Raring to Go

Business Standard - full article
Anand Sankar / New Delhi February 03, 2008

In the cold rajasthani desert, the marwari horse shows its mettle in endurance racing.

The moon is still high above the horizon in the wee hours of a freezing winter morning.

I stagger out of my tent to see a fully suited rider warming himself in front of a roaring fire. His mount has already been exercised and is raring like him to head out into the darkness. The day promises to test their skill to the limit.

Horse racing is definitely the pinnacle of equestrian sport and draws massive attention worldwide. But within horse racing there is a niche called endurance equestrian that is the realm of only a few chosen mounts and their riders.

There was a chance to witness this very specialist sport at the recently concluded National Endurance Championship in the shrublands of Dundlod, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan.

Preparations had begun months in advance, and finally the stables of Dundlod were ready to host the championship. For the five riders who rode into the darkness, a gruelling 25 km course awaited, which they had to lap four times.

It was quite a sight to watch the riders set off, and to follow them in the numbing cold down the track that wound along unpaved roads, sandy tracks, gravel and fertile agricultural lands. It made one appreciate the toughness of the sport.

Endurance racing traces its history to the age when horses were the only means of transport over vast distances. But today it is considered the most strenuous form of horse racing, requiring both horse and rider to compete at the peak of their ability. As one of the judges at the championship pointed out: “The rider must not tire as he will tire the horse, and if the horse tires the rider will tire.”

Standard distances at an endurance meet are 60, 80, 100 and 160 km, which are rated one-, two-, three- and four-star races respectively. In general, the horse and rider to complete the ride in the shortest time are classified winners.

But between laps and at the end of a race the horses undergo a medical examination for which their heart rate must be lowered to 64 beats per minute, and they must pass a check for soundness and dehydration. An unfit horse is eliminated.

Preparation for the race begins very early. Horse and rider build their stamina gradually through hours of practice. The rider must master the art of pacing his horse, and learn to understand his mount’s condition to watch out for tiredness.

In between each lap there is a 30-minute break, and it resembles a pit stop in a Formula 1 race. While the rider refreshes himself, the horse is cooled down, massaged, fed and watered and made to pass the medical examination.

As always, there is plenty of drama. Of the five riders who set out, one has to call it a day after the first lap as his horse injures its ankle. Another horse succumbs to tiredness by the halfway mark and in the final lap it’s a head-to-head contest between two horses while the last contestant staggers in exhausted just two minutes before the race closes at 5 pm.

This edition of the national championship is special because all the horses except one thoroughbred of the Indian Army are of the Marwari breed. The stable at Dundlod, owned by royal scion Kanwar Raghuvendra Singh, is famous for its pioneering efforts to resuscitate the bloodline of the Marwari.

Predictably, it won the championship’s signature 100 km race. The last edition of the Asian Games in 2006 at Doha featured endurance riding for the first time and predictably again, it was the Arabian breeds that dominated because of their “incredible stamina and natural endurance”. But Singh has high hopes for the Marwari.

The Marwari horse has been a favourite of the warrior classes in India for centuries. A stocky and powerfully built horse, it has starred in many previous editions of the national endurance championships.

Its main advantage is the ability to adapt to most environmental conditions, and Singh says with selective breeding and sustained complete nutrition, his horses have sometimes reached a proportion of 17 hands (the height of the horse at its shoulder).

“We are working for the promotion, preservation, conservation and more international recognition of the Marwari horse,” says Singh.

“Even foreign riders have shown their confidence in the horse’s endurance ability. Yes, with the right kind of support, we believe this breed can one day challenge the supremacy of the Arabian horses.”

Pieraz-Cryozootech-Stallion's First Foal Due in April

Pieraz-Cryozootech-Stallion, the colt cloned from Valerie Kanavy's two-time World Champion Endurance horse, Pieraz, will have his first foal on the ground in April to the mare Dziupla. Born in 2005 in Italy, he now stands at stud in France.

Pieraz, a gray gelding, won the World Endurance Championship at the The Hague in 1994 with Valerie Kanavy, and the World Endurance Championship in Fort Riley in 1996 with Valerie's daughter, Danielle Kanavy. In total, he won 12 160-km races.

The first mare bred to Pieraz-Cryozootech-Stallion in 2007 was Varoussa, the 2000 World Endurance Championship winner at Compiegne. Varoussa is by the indomitable Persik.

More information on Pieraz-Cryozootech-Stallion at www.cryozootech.com

Warsan Endurance Challenge

photo: Anzaq Mehmood, Sheikha Madiya Al Maktoum, and Arsad Khan finishing the Warsan Endurance Challenge

February 2, Bou Thib Endurance Stable
Warsan Endurance Challenge CEI*** 120km

Top Five Finishers:
1. Fakhar Abbas Mohd riding Ultimo: 5:46:18
2. Omair Husain Abdulla Al Bloushi riding Parlour Mountain Legend: 5:53:39
3. Iqbal Karim Ikramul Haque riding Toreado: 5:53:41
4. Sheikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum riding JG Rose: 6:35:50
5. Arsad Ali Saudi Khan riding Cindy: 6:35:51

2008 WEC Qualification Review

A Brief Review of the Minimum Qualification Criteria for the 2008 World Endurance Championship, Malaysia, November 7-9, 2008

FEI: Article 825.3, section 3.1:
"To be qualified to participate in any Championship or any other CEI4* ride, a rider/horse as a combination has to have successfully completed a CEI 3* (or above) ride, the combination, in doing so, meeting the parameters and conditions as defined in art.825.4. This minimum qualification must be achieved within 24 months prior to the closing date of nominated entry."

The FEI has announced that the closing date of Nominated Entries for the 2008 WEC is August 21, 2008. Closing nomination date is October 1, 2008..

FEI: Article 825.4:
"The rider/horse must:
1. Successfully complete the ride equal to, or greater than, the published Championship or CEI4* distance (5kms tolerance allowed).
2. Successfully complete the ride ... in a ride time equal to, or less than, 13 hours 20 mins. per 160km distance.
3. Successfully complete the ride in the same time frame as the published Championship or CEI4*"

A CEI3* completed on or after August21 2006 with a ride time equal to, or less than, 13 hours 20 mins., meets this (825.3, 3.1) minimum qualification.

FEI: article 825.5 :
"Additional Qualification Criteria applicable only to Malaysia 2008.

To be qualified to participate in WEC Malaysia 2008 a rider/horse as a combination has to have successfully completed an additional FEI CEI 3* (or above) ride, the combination, in doing so, meeting the parameters and conditions as defined below. This additional qualification must be achieved within 12 months prior to the closing date of nominated entry.

The rider/horse must:
1. Successfully complete such additional ride equal to, or greater than, the published Championship or CEI4* distance (5kms tolerance allowed).
2. Successfully complete such additional ride in a ride time equal to, or less than, 13 hours 20 mins. per 160kms distance.
3. Successfully complete the ride in the same time frame as the published Championship or CEI 4*."

In order to qualify for Malaysia WEC, the same rider/horse combination must have completed TWO CEI3*rides: BOTH a CEI3* on or after September 1 2006 AND a CEI3* on or after August 21 2007.

In addition, per FEI article 825.6 :
"1. Any horse qualified as per articles 825.3, 825.4 and 825.5 above that within 6 months of the closing date for nominated entries is elimiated from any FEI or National competition for Metabolic reasons, requiring immediate invasive treatment (while still under competition veterinary control), will forfeit such qualification.
2. Any rider qualifed as per the articles above who, within 12 months of the closing date for nominated entries, is eliminated from any two consecutive events (FEI or National) for Metabolic reasons will forfeit such qualification."

Any HORSE which has a Metabolic Elimination (requiring invasive treatment) on or after February 21, 2008 will forfeit the qualification.

Any RIDER who gets 2 consecutive Metabolic Eliminations August 21 2007 and after, will forfeit the qualification.

Official PDF file with Qualification Criteria

Salem Rashed and Fakhar show fine form

Gulf News - full article
Photo - Gulf News: Salem Rashed Bin Ghadayer (No 55) and Abdulla Thani Bin Huzaim rejoice during the presentation ceremony at Dubai Endurance Village.
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: February 03, 2008, 00:45

Abu Dhabi: Salem Rashed Bin Ghadayer on Dell Hama came up with a stirring final loop to win the Dubai World Challenge 120-km endurance ride at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalam.

In another ride held at Boudtheib Endurance Village, Fakhar Ahmad on Altimo scored his and Al Asayel Stables' first ever win in a 120-km open ride while winning the Warsan Endurance Challenge.

However, it was Salem Rashed's performance in Dubai which caught the eye as the gutsy rider who suffers from partial blindness started in fifth place on the final loop of 12kms.

Hassan Bin Ali on Stoney Brook Scarab, who led from the second stage onwards, was first out on the final loop with Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, Jaume Punti Dachs and Yousuf Abdullah Hammadi ahead of Salem Rashed.

But Salem Rashed, over nine minutes off the leader, urged Dell Hama and the 12-year-old gelding obliged with a speed of 26.37km/h on the final 12-km loop to finish first.

Al Reef Stables Mohammad Jasem Rahimi finished second, but his horse Kentish PK Touchwood was found lame at the vet check leaving Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim on Spendacrest Kamouflage to take the second spot.

Salem Rashed, who is one of the most popular riders in the UAE, said it was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who asked him to ride the winner while Shaikh Hamdan rode Matta Mia Larry which was retired after the third stage.

"This is Shaikh Hamdan's horse and he asked me to ride it," said Salem Rashid.

Crown Prince has a keen interest in sports

Khaleej Times Online - full article

Hisham Al Gizouli (Staff Reporter)
2 February 2008

DUBAI - The sports community within the United Arab Emirates has enthusiastically welcomed the appointment of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Dubai’s Crown Prince.

Shaikh Hamdan, is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which is known for educating and developing outstanding leaders. The young Shaikh Hamdan is already filling leadership positions. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Dubai Executive Council, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and he spearheads the Center for Young Business Leaders which was called into existence by Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Besides his official duties and obligations, Shaikh Hamdan is an enthusiastic and successful sportsman. He has won several gold medals for endurance horse races. His biggest triumph was the gold medal for the team endurance race that was won by him along with his brothers Shaikh Rashid, Shaikh Ahmad and Shaikh Majid during the Asian Games in Doha in 2006. Shaikh Hamdan also won the Zabeel Billiard Championship thereafter.

Shaikh Hamdan is equally a talented footballer and took part in many friendly tournaments along with his elder brother Shaikh Rashid where he displayed plenty of skills.

He was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Sports and Cultural Club a few years ago before he became the President of the Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

According to Khalifa Sulieman, chairman of the club’s board of directors, Al Ahli is one of the most successful clubs in the UAE since its foundation in 1970. It took Al Ahli only four years after its establishment to win the UAE league twice consecutively in 1975 and 1976 then again in 1980. Drawing hometown fans, Al Ahli have been and continue to be one of the most popular sport teams in the UAE. After a period of decline, Al Ahli back on top under Shaikh Hamdan, winning its fourth league title in 2006 and continued to be dominating club in UAE by winning its sixth President Cup’s title.
Prominent sportsmen, including Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police Force, Matar Al Tayer, director-general of the Roads & Transport Authority and Qasim Sultan, vice-chairman of the National Olympic Committee, Ebrahim Abdul Malik, secretary-general of the NOC and other top officials have all praised the move saying that it has come in the right time for the best interest of the sports community and the nation at large.

UAE: Rashid shines

Kaleej Times Online - full article
By Hisham Al Gizouli
3 February 2008

DUBAI - Salem Rashid bin Ghadayer stayed on course to claim the Dubai World Challenge FEI CEI 120km endurance race for Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum here at the Seih Assalam Endurance City yesterday.

Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim was five seconds behind in second place and Mohammed Hilal Salem in third as Dhahi Abdullah Khamis followed in fourth position. Ghadayer finished strongly after completing the first 30km loop in ninth. And dropped to 10th in the next 30 kilometres before he moved to finish eighth by the end of loop three, then fourth by the end of loop four and headed the field on the last 20km loop of the day.

"The field is closely grouped and looks like a wide open race at this stage. For me, it’s a great achievement which I present to Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum," the winner said later.

In the meantime, 89 riders lined up for the prestigious trophy led by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, astride his 11-year-old Arabian gelding.
Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim led briefly in the early stages before Hassan bin Ali put himself into contention and advanced to lead by the end of the second loop. By the end of loop three, Yousif Abdullah Al Hamadi moved to second and put much pressure on the early leader. But, the experienced rider maintained his first position through loop four and looked like a winner with 17km to go. At that point, Huzaim gave his horse a reminder and settled on the heels of the leaders with only five seconds separating between the first and third. "I think my horse did good work and has been always trotting keenly thanks to the hard work by the trainer and connections," Huzaim added.