BRN: Shaikh Nasser leads training for Endurance Cup

Gulf Daily News
Endurance.Net Event Coverage
BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa led his side's training yesterday prior to His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for tomorrow at 5am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Shaikh Nasser, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president, will also attend today's two-hour veterinary examination starting at 3pm at the event venue.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Equestrian Federation president Princess Alya bint Al Hussain arrived last night from Amman following an invitation from Shaikh Nasser to attend tomorrow's championship.

Princess Alya was received by Breef second vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and other federation officials. Shaikh Khalid welcomed Princess Alya and conveyed the greetings of the Breef first vice-president, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

"We at the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation are delighted to have our friends from Jordan and other regional countries take part in this prestigious event," said Shaikh Khalid. "This championship means a lot for us and we are keen to ensure that the event is a huge success," he said.

Princess Alya expressed gratitude to the Breef for inviting her to the championship.

Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a strong field of riders from Bahrain and overseas in this challenging 120km championship.

Among top riders in the fray are UAE's Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoom, winner of the endurance race held during the Arab Games in Egypt.

Other top riders include a team from Saudi Arabia, led by Prince Abdulla bin Fahad Al Saud, besides six entrants from Jordan.

The Bahraini riders will also be present in today's event, representing the Royal Endurance Team, Al Khaldiya Stable, Al Asayel, Al Talia and other hot stables.

The event, sponsored by Al Areen Holding Company, Gulf Holding Company and International Bank, consists of races for senior and junior riders, both over 120km.

Each race will be divided into five stages with 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

More than BD58,000 prizemoney is up for grabs. The top award in the senior race will be a vehicle worth BD16,000 for the champion. Runners-up will get BD7,000, BD6,000 for third place, BD5,000 for fourth and BD4,000 for fifth.

The prize for the sixth-place winner will be BD3,000, BD2,500 for seventh, BD2,000 for eighth, BD1,500 for ninth and BD1,000 for the 10th place.

In the junior race, BD26,400 will be divided into five prizes with the winner getting BD6,000 and the runner-up BD5,000. The prize for third plce will be BD4,000, BD3,000 for fourth place, BD2,500 for fifth, BD2,000 for sixth, BD1,500 for seventh, BD1,000 for eighth, BD800 for ninth and BD600 for 10th.
Endurance.Net Event Coverage

European Union to Require Microchipping of Foals

Thehorse.com

by: Edited Press Release
March 10 2008, Article # 11464

Member states of the European Union have reached an agreement on a new regulation that will revise existing equine identification legislation. The main new requirement is the compulsory microchipping of foals born after July 1, 2009.

The requirement will not be retroactive for older horses and the regulation does allow for member states to approve alternative methods to the microchip.

Microchips provide a link between a horse and its passport and strengthen existing horse identification requirements. Such unique identification of equidae could also prove useful for disease control and surveillance purposes and for the recovery of lost or stolen horses.

In the U.K., the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs will be consulting with the horse industry over the implementation of the new requirements.

Bahrain: Riders gear up for Endurance

Bahrain Gulf Daily News Article

Riders gear up for Endurance
Published: 13th March 2008

Endurance.Net Coverage

RIDERS from Saudi Arabia and Jordan have confirmed their entries for His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday at 5am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Among the prominent riders from Saudi Arabia are Prince Abdulla bin Fahad Al Saud, Humood Al Shimirri, Nawaf Al Otibi, Abdulla Al Bahyan, Bader Misfir and Mansoor Al Shimirri.

From Jordan, six riders are in the fray. They are Jehad Shaltoogh, Lorance Al Fayez, Subhi Khalil, Shakeeb Wahbi, Musamah Balawna and Abdulhamid Al Saleh.

The event consists of races for senior and junior riders, both over 120km. Each race will be divided into five stages with 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

Veterinary examination is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 3pm at the veterinary area at the village. The examination will continue until 5pm.

The organisers are presently preparing the endurance village for the prestigious event by installing new facilities like the a special stand for the podium.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Hashim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said that the development made by the equestrian sport achieved by this sport on the international level is a result of the directives and efforts of Shaikh Nasser.

He said these directives and encouragement have put the equestrian sport on the world map through the achievements made over the last few years.

"Bahrain's endurance horseride sport has made large strides, taking it beyond the local and Gulf geography and recording unique and brilliant results for Bahrain in the world circles all within a period of not more than eight years since the Royal Equestrian Association was formed," said Shaikh Hashim.

"The keenness and follow-up of Shaikh Nasser and his judicious leadership of the federation has put the equestrian sport on the world map in record time, making it a competitor to be reckoned with against Gulf championships and on international levels."

Shaikh Hashim said Bahrain has proved its ability also to stage and organise the strongest championships and to compete in them at the same time, adding that the world at large has seen the World Junior Championship which has won high praise by all teams participating in it, in addition to the successful annual organisation of His Majesty King Hamad Championship in which all champions from the Gulf countries participate.

He added that Bahrain is also able to organise the World's Senior Championship, given its potential which contributes to the success of the event.

Shaikh Hashim said that His Majesty the King's directives and constant follow-up of the equestrian sport is a strong moral support for Bahrain's riders.

British endurance squad horse injured in road accident

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full story

Nessie Lambert, news writer

12 March, 2008
British endurance rider Rachael Claridge has been involved in a road traffic accident with her British squad horse, Blue Chip Prince Meliodas, or "Mel".

Rachael was enjoying a morning hack when at 8.45 am a low trailer passed her on a quiet country lane between Blackborough and Sheldon in East Devon:

"The driver did pass wide and slow but the empty trailer bounced on the tarmac which spooked Mel. He shot backwards before I could stop him," Rachael told H&H.

The driver of that vehicle and the one behind stopped to assist Rachael when it became apparent that Mel had serious flesh wounds to his left hock and inner thigh.

More...

FEI Appoints Secretary General

Fei.org

March 10 2008

The President of the Fédération Equestre Internationale, HRH Princess Haya, has today announced the appointment of Alex McLin to the position of Secretary General, effective immediately. The appointment follows an extensive consultation period, with the National Federations, and the interviewing of a number of external candidates. Mr. McLin, who joined the FEI in March 2005, is currently the General Counsel & Deputy Secretary General of the FEI and has been Acting Secretary General since September 2007.

Educated at Duke University, a member of the New York Bar and having previously worked for the World Economic Forum, Mr McLin (37) is highly experienced in sports law, governance and management.

HRH Princess Haya said, "Alex McLin has shown that he is an excellent leader who has a profound understanding of the need to deliver the plans for horsesport in an expedient and apolitical fashion.

The mixture of youth and wisdom that is found in Alex McLin heralds a new era for the role of Secretary General and reflects the changing trend in sport away from the era of colourful sports administrators. As in business, sport is discovering that skill and creative delivery are powerful allies whose effect can be equally well delivered by a quiet approach."

South Africa: Horse Quarantine and Export

Full Story

11 March 2008

SOURCE: Ministry of Agriculture (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)

Statement by Cobus Dowry Minister for Agriculture in the Western Cape

The 2004 outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) in South Africa's Export Zone in the Western Cape led to an embargo on the import of horses by the European Union (EU). Apart from an estimated R250 million loss of revenue for South Africa, the impact on employment and foreign market share was also significant.

There are currently 34 horses in South Africa's export facility, Kenilworth Quarantine Station. Once the horses have completed their 40 day pre-export quarantine on the 15th of April, they will be transported by air to the EU. Included in the quarantine are South Africa's elite competition horses representing disciplines such as polo, endurance, Olympic events and horseracing.

Given the extent of the current AHS outbreak in the east and north of the country, all horse owners, transporters and associations/clubs are urged to exercise great caution when deciding to move horses from outbreak areas to those free of infection.

Transportation of infected horses remains one of the main sources of new outbreaks that can lead to the death of susceptible horses and negatively impact South Africa's export status.

Consequently, the State Veterinary Services have imposed an embargo on the movement of horses into South Africa's Export Zone from many parts of the country, but especially from the following Provinces:
Gauteng Province
Eastern Province
KwaZulu Natal

For more information on movement controls into the Western Cape, please contact:
Dr Gary Buhrmann
Chief State Veterinarian, Boland

Or, alternatively contact the local State Veterinary office in your area.

Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Email: avjaarsv @ pgwc.gov.za

Bahrain: Top riders set for 120km race

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Story

March 12 2008

MORE than BD58,000 prizemoney is up for grabs in His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday.

The prizemoney will be shared by the top 10 riders in the senior and junior races with a total distance of 120km approved for both events.

The top prize in the senior race will be a vehicle worth BD16,000 for the champion. Runners-up will get BD7,000, BD6,000 for third place, BD5,000 for fourth and BD4,00 for fifth.

The remaining five riders will also be honoured with six place to have BD3,000, BD2,500 for seventh, BD2,000 for eighth, BD1,500 for ninth and BD1,000 for 10th place.

In the junior race, BD26,400 will be divided into five prizes with the winner to be awarded BD6,000 while runner up gets BD5,000.

Third play will have BD4,000, BD3,000 for fourth place, BD2,500 for fifth, BD2,000 for sixth, BD1,500 for seventh, BD1,000 for eighth, BD800 for ninth and BD600 for 10th.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa confirmed the participation of the UAE's Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoom in the event.

Shaikh Majid, son of UAE Crown Prince and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom, was the winner of the endurance race held during the Arab Games in Egypt.

The event, to be staged at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, will be sponsored by Al Areen Holding Company, Gulf Holding Company and International Bank.

Shaikh Nasser meet Al Areen Holding Company chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa and expressed his appreciation to the company for its support to the event.

The meeting was also attended by Gulf Holding Company vice-chairman Ahmed Al Ameer and officials from the Breef.

Shaikh Ahmed expressed honour to sponsor the prestigious event, adding that the company has been always keen to offer its support to the sports activities in Bahrain.

Shaikh Ahmed said he is confident about the abilities of the federation to organise the championship to be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.

Preparations are in full swing at the endurance village to host the event. Goys planning and follow-up director Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa visited the venue and inspected its facilities ahead of the championship.

Shaikh Abdulla was joined on this tour by officials from the Crown Prince Court and the federation.