Bahrain: Riders set to match skills

Gulf-daily-news.com

March 15 2008

THE stage is set for His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship starting today at 5am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a strong field of riders from the kingdom and overseas in this challenging 120km event.

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

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

Bahraini riders will also be present in today's event, representing the Royal Endurance Team, Al Khaldiya Stable, Al Asayel, Al Talia, and other top 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 each, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

A two-hour veterinary examination was held yesterday at the venue's veterinary area.

More than BD58,000 in prize money is up for grabs. It will be shared by the top 10 riders in the senior and junior races.

The top award for the seniors' champion will be a vehicle worth BD16,000. A prize of BD7,000 will be given to the runner-up, BD6,000 for third place, BD5,000 for fourth and BD4,000 for fifth.

The remaining five riders will also be honoured. An amount of BD3,000 will be given to the sixth-place winner, BD2,500 for seventh, BD2,000 for eighth, BD1,500 for ninth and BD1,000 for 10th.

In the junior event, BD26,400 will be divided into 10 prizes with the winner to be awarded BD6,000. The runner-up gets BD5,000. Third-place winner will get BD4,000, BD3,000 for fourth, BD2,500 for fifth, BD2,000 for sixth, BD1,500 for seventh, BD1,000 for eighth, BD800 for ninth and BD600 for 10th.

Dubai: Hamdan Challenge brings curtain down on the season

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: March 15, 2008, 00:10

Dubai: The Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge II, a 100-km National endurance ride today at the Dubai International Endurance City will bring the curtain down on the endurance season here in Dubai.

The ride, which is being held here for the second year, is open to riders from small stables and individual owners, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Over 70 horses are expected to take part in the event.

Popular event

"A Nissan Patrol car is on offer to the winner of today's ride, which will be run in four loops of 31kms, 30kms, 27kms and 12kms. The total prize money on offer is Dh 550,000 and will be distributed among the top 20 finishers," said Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club.

"We thank Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his generous sponsorship.

"This ride is always popular as it gives the smaller owners - the private-owned stables and individuals - the chance to compete for the Dh550,000 prize-money on offer," he said.

Today's ride will be the last event to be held in Dubai at the Dubai International Endurance City.

Meanwhile most of the UAE's top riders are expected to take part in Sunday's endurance ride to be held in Bahrain.

DUBAI CROWN PRINCE ARRIVES IN BAHRAIN

date: 14 03, 2008
MANAMA, MAR. 14 (BNA) -- Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Of The Bdf Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa was at the airport today to welcome Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum upon his arrival in the kingdom to take part in HM Endurance Cup Races.

Also present at the airport to welcome the UAE Crown Prince was President Of Bahrain Royal Equestrian And Endurance Federation (Breef) Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. At the airport VIP lounge, the Crown Prince exchanged with Shaikh Hamdan Cordial talks on the deep-rooted Bahraini-UAE ties and welcomed him to Bahrain and his participation in the races at the head of the UAE equestrian team. He described the UAE keenness to take part in such equestrian events as an indication of its determination to reinforce youth and sports gatherings between the two brotherly states.
Full coverage on Endurance.net

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...