Australia: Fernvale "Bremervale Justice" FEI ride

The Fernvale sports and rodeo grounds (and community church facility) are becoming very familiar to all of us SE Queenslanders, with this being the fourth ride held here so far this year! Oz Endurance Inc has been host to riders from all over the place, and this weekend was no different... with the Castlebar crew making the trip up from Victoria as well as many other NSW and VIC riders coming along too. (Hi Duncan!!)

The weather was clear and warm during the days, with cooler nights. The track was quite hard underfoot, and 'competitive' horses had been warned to be padded in advance. I chose not to pad any of mine, as we have not had any rain to speak of, and our training tracks are very hard anyway... so my horses were primed!

The facilities at this ride base are adequate, but there were a few hassels with the bigger rigs driving around the arena and getting stuck on the 'mound' halfway, due to the normal access being blocked off to traffic.

The presence of the Malaysian King and his entourage meant that the security blokes were very visible all weekend, and the limo drivers seemed to be pretty impressed and interested in the goings-on of the ride. A large contingent of other Malaysian and UAE riders also made for a real international flavour to the ride. Gilly Wheeler was also in attendance, so doubtless there will be a write-up in the next edition of Endurance World Online.

There were actually five different rides on during the day on Sunday, with an FEI*** 160km, an AERA 160km, an FEI** 80km, an AERA 80km, and an AERA 40km training ride.... meaning that the secretarial staff had a huge job to do. The volunteers came out of the woodwork to assist with the ride, and the FEI officials were also drawn from around the country. President of the Ground Jury was the awesome Barb Timms, and she kept everyone on their toes across the weekend.

I'd like to thank all the Veterinarians, the FEI Officials, the SES, the Ride Volunteers and the Ride Organisers for their efforts to make this ride the success that it was.

And the Splendacrest Team did have a very successful weekend!! I am thrilled with our results, and very proud to present such a cohesive team of riders and some very good horses!

In the FEI*** 160km ride, young Tarnia Kittel achieved 2nd placing in the Youth Division, and also then took out the Best Conditioned Horse award on Raaward Chanelle (owned by Zoe Gardner). Chanelle looked picture perfect the next morning at the BC workout, and certainly turned a few heads!

Gerard Bou completed his first ever 160km ride, riding Splendacrest Fiesta (owned by Shigeru Ogawa of Japan) to 14th Open placing in the FEI*** ride. We call this little mare 'the Machine', as she just never stops! G was a bit tired after it was all over, but extremely happy with his result... as he should be!

In the AERA 160km ride, young Ingrid Ambrosiussen rode one of Kate Gadsby's horses, Kazzy, to 2nd Junior placing.... for that horses' first 160km completion and Ingrid's second successful 160km ride.

In the FEI** 80km ride, Lisa Stoffel was mounted on Manana Gaylord, and also achieved 2nd Youth placing! (So that's three 2nd placings for these 3 young ladies over the weekend!) Thanks to Yvonne Knight for giving Lisa this ride!

In the AERA 80km ride, Angela Head had the responsibility for escorting our Japanese guest, Takeshi Ito, around. Angela (on Shaah) and Takeshi took out =9th Middleweight placing, with Takeshi being extremely happy to be once again riding his favourite horse, Splendacrest Perfection (owned by Shane Hopkins).

Jess Hewitt also completed the 80km ride, on Bacchante Silver Lace (also owned by Shane Hopkins), in 13th Middleweight position, bringing her into the Open Endurance Rider ranks with her third 80km completion! Congratulations Jess!

Amanda Powell completed the 40km ride on Summit Park Raz, and our thanks go to Lisa Stone for this ride!

I'd like to thank my crewing team of Sam Dobson, Britt Geddes, Jan Kittel, Viv Ambrosiussen, Shane Hopkins, Albie Knight, Yuko Crease, and Tanya and Roman Stoffel.... without you the weekend would not have been as successful or as fun!

One of the most amazing things I have ever seen in endurance occurred at the finish line of the FEI*** 160km ride. Brothers Matthew and Brook Sample WALKED over the finish line together, forcing a dead heat for 1st placing, and then Penny Toft and Meg Wade also WALKED over the finish line with their horses literally nose-to-nose forcing a dead heat for 3rd placing! The reaction from the crowd to this display of sportsmanship between these two highly competitive ladies was pretty wild!

Tanku Mizan (the Malaysian King) crossed the finish line for his 2nd successful WEC qualifying ride on the lovely appaloosa cross 'Pharaoh' and was surrounded by wellwishers, press, spectators, etc for some minutes, forcing his 'minders' into a mild panic!

All in all, a very good ride, and a great start to the season for us!

Best regards

Jay Randle
SPLENDACREST ENDURANCE TRAINING
www.freewebs.com/splendacrest

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Unofficial Results:

3* OPEN 21 starters

1.Matthew Sample Brookleigh Ricardo 11:25:23 Average recovery time 3:40mins BC
1.Brook Sample Brookleigh Casper 11:25:23 Av rec time 4:51mins
3.Penny Toft Don 11:48:16 Av rec time 4:27mins
3.Meg Wade Castlebar Balik 11:48:16 Av rec time 5:05mins
5.Derek Armitage M P Mickerby 11:54:14 Av rec 03:40mins
6.Donna Weismann H'glen Zepplin 12:01:04 Av rec 09:36mins
7.Jan Tyrrell Fabio 12:07:55 Av rec time 08:34mins
8.HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidan MAL T M Pharoah 12:55:23 Av rec 07:53mins
9.Halim Alihan Brookleigh Kentara MAL 12:55:30 Av rec 07:11mins
10.Mark Tylee Rowallan Curly Sue NZL 12:57:23 Av rec 8:35mins
11.Mohd.Shauib Ashak Blue Bronco MAL 13:00:58 Av 06:45mins
12.Faizal Ishmail Edenfels Zephyr MAL 13:01:02 Av rec 08:08mins
13.Sarah Love Dancing Diplomat 13:08:50 Av rec 08:15mins
14.Gerard Bou Splendacrest Fiesta 13:49:45 Av rec 09:06mins
15.Kristie McGaffin Kurrajong Concorde 13:49:50 Av rec 02:33mins

Eliminations
Omair Al Bloushi UAE Stanpark Strike horse fell leg 1
Yousif Al Bloushi UAE Sha'ahmaliah gate 2 lame
Jennifer Gilbertson Ferrymaster gate 2 lame
Mohd. Apandi Muhamad MAL Elshada Silvr Instinct gate 3 lame
Amily Daw C'bar Kalahari gate 3 lame
Joyce Corbett Reeflex gate 6 lame


3* YOUTH 6 starters
1.Terri Anderson Ashwind 12:54:44 Av rec 04:23mins
2.Tarnia Kittel Raaward Chanelle 13:49:40 Av rec 05:30mins BC
3.Kathrine Ryan Leopard 14:43:50 Av rec 07:17mins

Eliminations
Shelley Kimber El Quantum gate 4 lame
Carmel Trevorrow Burrulga Bourbon gate 5 lame
Leila Callendar H'brook Knightrider gate 6

Australia: Malaysia King qualifies for World Championship

The Star Online

MELBOURNE: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin qualified for next year's world endurance championship to be held in Terengganu when he completed the gruelling Nanango three-Star 160km International Endurance ride near Kingaroy in Queensland, yesterday.

The King, 45, was one of five Malaysians to join an international field of about 50 riders from New Zealand, Japan, Poland, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Australia in the ride. They started their ride at 5am.

Tuanku Mizan completed the course in under 13 hours 20 minutes to qualify for the world event which requires a rider to finish the 160km ride twice on the same horse.

The King, who was astride Pharoh, rode the same horse in Queensland last year in the first leg.

Tuanku Mizan had already qualified for the world championships when he rode Ibrahim in Dubai in January and again in Abu Dhabi in February within the qualifying time.

This has given the King the choice to decide which horse, Ibrahim or Pharoh, to ride in Terengganu in the November world meet.

Royal Terengganu Endurance Stables general manager Che Mat Din said the 160km ride was tough and tested the competitors' strength, determination and riding skills.

The King loves horses and loves riding. He is a world-class endurance rider and he has competed in many parts of the world. – Bernama

Bahrain: Al Dossary lifts endurance title

Bahrain Gulf News Article
By RAMI HULAYYEL

GHAZI Al Dossary steered Jelham to victory in the 100-km Endurance Horseride Championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef). The final event of the endurance season, sponsored by Zain-Bahrain and co-sponsored by GPIC, started on Thursday evening and concluded early yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

A total of 71 riders from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia lined up for the event which featured four stages, 30 kms each for the first three and 10 for the last stage.

The Royal Endurance Team dominated the race taking the first two positions with Al Dossary, coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, coming on top with a total time of four hours, 15 minutes and 35 seconds.

Behind him in second place was teammate Nezar Hassan (4:26:44). Just five seconds behind in third was Ahmed Al Fateh Stable rider Ibrahim Al Jeboori.

Royal Endurance Team riders Ahmed Abdulla and Raed Mahmood were fourth and fifth respectively. Baqer Ali of Abdulaziz Yousef was sixth and he was followed by Jaffer Mirza and Abdulrahman Al Saad, both of the Royal Team.

Ninth overall was Mohammed Rasheed Al Malhasi of Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable while Mohammed Riyadh of Al Hafira Stable wrapped up the top 10.

The championship got underway with Mahmood leading the first stage with the fastest time of 1:10:42, average speed 25.46-km per hour.

Mahmood maintained his lead in the second stage and was followed by Hassan and Manal Fakrawi.

Al Jeboori made a strong comeback in the third stage, moving on top and ahead of Mahmood who went down to third with Hassan making a good leap to second position.

The fourth and final stage was the most exciting in the competition as Al Dossary regained his momentum to take over the lead from Hassan and Al Jeboori.

Among other top riders who took part was Bahrain Athletics Association president Shaikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa who was forced to quit following an injury to his horse.

Shaikh Talal was also on hand to present the trophies to the top three riders at the prize-giving ceremony which was held right after the race.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated the winners and wished them success in the near future.

Bahrain: Night Endurance Race

ROYAL Endurance Team will enter tomorrow's 100km Endurance Horseride Championship as top favourites as the final race of the season will get underway at 5pm at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir. The championship, being sponsored by Zain-Bahrain and co-sponsored by GPIC, will be the second successive night race to be held due to the hot weather conditions.

The Royal Team, coached by Abdulhaq Qadoori and Abdulrahman Abdullatif, will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and consist of top local riders.

Among prominent riders for the Royal Team are Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood, Ahmed Abdulla and Jaffer Mirza who are all keen to clinch a podium finish.

Taking part in the race are riders from leading stables in Bahrain, including Al Khaldiya Stable captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who won the 120km Championship for the Crown Prince Cup held 10 days ago.

Among overseas riders to be in the fray are the Kingdom Stable women's team who arrived in Bahrain last week with team manager Najeeb Burjus heading the delegation.

Meanwhile, the organising committee has approved four stages for the race. The first two stages will be over 30km each, the third stage will be 25km and the fourth and last stage 15km.

Veterinary examination is set for tomorrow at 3pm and will continue for two hours at the veterinary area. Maximum weight allowed for each horse is 80kg.

The technical and judging committee was also confirmed. It is being headed by Abdulsamad Al Busta and consists of Ghalib Al Alawi, Mahdi Hassan, Ali Ghuloom, Mohammed Dadulla and Haider Al Zo'bi.

Official commissioner is Mohammed Abdulsahen while Fahad Al Rumaihi will be his assistant. Haider Rafii was named official technical commissioner.

Junior/Young Rider European Endurance Championships 2008

06Mar2008

The FEI has received a late Calendar Application from the ESP Federation to host a CEIYJ3* 120km event to be held in Oviedo (ESP) on 3 May.

Oviedo (ESP) is the venue for the Junior and Young Rider European Endurance Championships from 12 to 14 September later this year. It is thought this late Calendar Application will be used as a trial run over the same course, using the same facilities as the Championships to take place later in the year.

The FEI Endurance Committee will appoint the Technical Delegate for the Championships at their meeting to be held in Interlaken (SUI) this April. The appointed TD is then expected to travel to Oviedo in May to oversee the event and make any necessary suggestions and/or recommendations to the Organising Committee in preparation for the Championships.

This is the first time a Junior/Young Rider Championship has been held in Spain since the inaugural Junior/Young Rider World Championships on 8 September 2001. This event had 13 Nations competing with over 50 starters. Team Gold was won by the home nation, Spain, with Individual Gold going to the UAE and HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Bahrain eyes first Grand Prix

By RAMI Hulayyel

BAHRAIN is bidding to become the first nation in the world to host the Endurance Horseride Grand Prix. The idea, which was masterminded by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, aims to spread endurance horseride and place Bahrain on the world map.

Following the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team's success by coming second overall in the European Endurance Championship in Portugal, Bahrain is keen to maintain its outstanding reputation as one of the most developed countries in this traditional sport.

Shaikh Nasser will invite senior officials from the World Equestrian Federation (FEI) to visit Bahrain and brief them on the competition, which is similar to motorsports' leading event 'Formula One'.

Shaikh Nasser said the idea of the Grand Prix is to have a series of endurance races in different countries from all around the world, including Bahrain.

The Breef chief confirmed that the federation is preparing for the biggest cash award in this championship which will be sponsored by various companies and establishments in Bahrain.

"If everything goes as planned, this Grand Prix will be held in different locations across the globe and particularly in touristic venues to highlight the history of the countries," said Shaikh Nasser.

"We will discuss all details with the International Equestrian Federation to prepare a complete study about this idea and here at the Bahrain Federation we are very much optimistic about making this dream come true," added the Royal Endurance Team captain.

"Having this event in Bahrain will be a key contributor to the expansion of endurance sport in Bahrain, having been widely practised in Europe, America and Australia. It will also bring many new riders into the competition," he said.

"History of endurance races in Bahrain is very short but with His Majesty King Hamad's support and the efforts of the officials from the national federation have made the Kingdom one of the hot contenders in any regional or international championships," added Shaikh Nasser.

"Endurance activities in Bahrain enjoy the whole-hearted support of His Majesty. By visiting the championships regularly and extending full support to the riders, His Majesty inspired them to achieve higher goals.

"Without the extensive support and encouragement of His Majesty, this sport in Bahrain would never have reached this level of professionalism and worldwide recognition. The riders and the people of Bahrain are proud of His Majesty, who extends his unlimited support to this sport."

One of the fastest growing sports in the world, undoubtedly, is the endurance riding. The kingdom saw the real birth of this sport in its soil on April 7, 2000.

His Majesty instructed to organise the 120km Bahrain International Endurance Horse Riding Championship as two separate races for the riders of UAE and Bahrain with the aim of creating a pool of knowledge for the participants and to help them realise their pitfalls as well as potentials.

UAE Crown Prince and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the winner from the UAE riders. Among the Bahraini riders, Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa reached the first place.

Inspired by the success of the first international championship, the Kingdom began to organise various types of championships from October to May every year.

The participation of the Royal team in the World Endurance Championship FEI in Italy in September 2003 has proved highly beneficial.

By participating in the championship, Shaikh Nasser, his younger brother Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other members, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Salem Al Otaibi, Saad Al Yami and Manal Fakhrawi, the first Bahraini girl to participate in the world championship, attained valuable experience.

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SHAIKH NASSER TO PUSH FOR HOLDING INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

date: 22 04, 2008

MANAMA, APRIL 22 (BNA) PRESIDENT OF THE BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA ANNOUNCED TODAY HIS INTENTION TO PUSH FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION IN A BID TO GLOBALIZE THIS SPORT AND EXTEND IT TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GLOBE.
HE ALSO UNVEILED HIS INTENTION TO ALLOCATE GREAT FINANCIAL AWARDS FOR THE WINNERS AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP WOULD BE SPONSORED BY MANY SIDES. SHAIKH NASSER ALSO ASKED THE INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION TO ORGANIZE THIS CHAMPIONSHIP IN MORE THAN ONE PART OF THE WORLD AND TO CREATE THE NECESSARY MECHANISMS TO ENSURE ITS SUCCESS. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SHAIKH NASSERS IDEA IS TO PROMOTE THIS SPORT WORLDWIDE AND PREPARE FUTURE EQUESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY THAT THE SPORT IS WIDELY PRACTICED IN EUROPE, NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA.