Canada: Nationals at Rocky Mountain Challenge

August 17, 2008 Media Release

Alberta sweeps seven team Medals at the Canadian Nationals

Calgary - The Rocky Mountain Challenge - 2008 Canadian Nationals represented
over 170 long distance riders from across Canada and the United States from
July 31 - August 4, 2008. Three sports crowned their Canadian Champions:
competitive trail riding, endurance and ride n' tie. The events were hosted
at Red Deer River Ranches a working cattle and guest ranch west of Sundre,
AB.

Medal Results

Competitive Trail
Individual Gold - Leanna Marchant, Calgary, AB; Individual Silver - Natasha
French; Individual Bronze - Cathy Kolesar

Gold - Natasha French, Millarville, AB - Cathy Kolesar, Coutts, AB - Holly
Tibble, St. Albert, AB

Silver - Linda Riley, Leslieville, AB - Kandace Krause, Canmore, AB -
Christine Smith, Calgary, AB

Bronze - Elaine Steel, Mountain Grove, ON - Laura Rye of Alliston, ON - Anne
MacKay of B.C.

Canadian National Junior Champion - Leah Brunner, Red Deer, AB

50 Mile Endurance
Winner - Elroy Karius, Kelowna, BC
Best Condition - Bill Miller of Fairfield, MT

Gold - Nancy Haughian, Grande Prairie, AB - Dave Getzinger, Drayton Valley,
AB Karen Badger, Grande Prairie, AB

Silver - Carol, Rae-Anne and Robyn Wadey of Edson, AB

Bronze - Lori Brewza, Chase BC - Gail Jewell, Kelowna, BC - Wyatt Laing,
Okanagan Center, BC

100 mile Endurance
Winner and Best Condition - Gail Jewell, Kelowna, BC

Gold - Christy and Jaylene Janzen of Devon, AB - Crystal Fulcher, Seba
Beach, AB

Silver - Gail Jewell, Kelowna, B.C. - Tunie Russeau, Westbank, BC - Terre O’
Brennen, Delta, BC

No Bronze team.

20 Mile Ride N' Tie
Gold - Alison Douglas, Banff, AB - Heather Price, Canmore, AB
Silver - Rae-Anne Wadey, Edson, AB - Jenny Mooney, Winfield, AB
Bronze - Prue Critchley of Hamiota, MB - Kristine Erb of Oakbluff, MB

Further Details

"The ranch was an excellent venue to showcase long distance talent.
Beautiful, scenic trail provided our wide range of competitors with a
challenging and unforgettable experience." Declared Sandra Nielsen, RMC
committee president. "It was terrific to see the varying ages of riders and
the many breeds of horses participating; among the many Arabians were
standardbreds, quarter horses, mustangs, even a Norwegian Fjord. One
particular favorite was Leah Brunner's 13.1hh pony, Willow, a very strong
competitor in the junior 80-mile Competitive Trail event."

With Alberta as host of the event, both endurance and competitive trail
events qualified two teams a piece and this strong contingent of teams
claimed five of the possible six Canadian National team medals in those two
sports including three gold and two silver.

"In numbers, Alberta has the strongest competitive trail club (Trail Riding
Alberta Conference) in Canada as well as a very strong endurance club
(Endurance Riders of Alberta). These clubs sanction several regional
competitions held throughout the year all over Alberta, so it was no
surprise to have the "home team" in the medals," commented Nielsen.

Competitive Trail Riding

In the competitive trail riding, a two-day eighty-mile ride was hosted in
superb competition weather conditions with partly cloudy skies and
temperatures from sub to mid twenties. The trail wound its way through the
foothills region of the Rocky Mountains and challenged the horses with
elevation gains of 2223 meters. "We threw at them everything the foothills
of the Canadian Rockies provides: Hard climbs, long flats, lots of
technical riding, plenty of water, and some bog. It was a challenging but
fair test of distance horses competing at a national championship." Stated
Brent Seufert, trail committee.

In total, 30 riders started, 20 riders finished. Competitive trail riders
have a minimum and maximum time period in which to complete the course and
were scored on how their horse’s handled the challenge. Team scores were
tabulated to determine the 2008 Canadian Champions.

Gold was awarded to Alberta A team - Natasha French of Millarville, AB
riding her twelve year-old bay Arabian mare Savannah, Cathy Kolesar of
Coutts, AB riding a seven year-old Arabian named Classical Dancer and Holly
Tibble of St. Albert, AB riding King Sera, a nine year old Arabian. French
also won the individual silver and Kolesar captured the individual bronze
medal.

The silver medal was won by Alberta B team despite the unfortunate
circumstance of Kandance Krause’s horse losing a shoe on day one resulting
in her time penalty disqualification. The team included veteran long
distance rider Linda Riley of Leslieville, AB riding sixteen year-old
Kittasha, Kandace Krause of Canmore, AB riding Jasmin, a sixteen year-old
Arab cross and Christine Smith of Calgary, AB riding her eleven year-old
Arabian, JV Prism in their first Nationals appearance and only their second
season in the sport.

The bronze medal was awarded to team Ontario, which included Elaine Steel of
Mountain Grove, ON riding Chanticleer Shadow, Laura Rye of Alliston, ON
riding Touch of Steel and Anne MacKay of B.C. riding Dante.

Leanna Marchant of Calgary, AB riding her solid Arabian, Samson’s Fire put
together a stellar ride finishing with an individual gold medal.

Nine year-old Leah Brunner of Red Deer, AB and her trusty pony 'Willow' were
named the Canadian National Junior Champions in their first open season and
first National event.

"I love this sport. I'm always going to be in this sport - competitive trail
and endurance." beams a self-assured young Brunner.

50 Mile Endurance

In the fifty-mile endurance event, the Alberta team of Nancy Haughian of
Grande Prairie, AB riding Buckaroo Heart, Dave Getzinger of Drayton Valley,
AB aboard Prince Charming and Karen Badger of Grande Prairie, AB riding
eight year-old Anglo-Arabian Pilgrim claimed the gold medal. Twenty of the
twenty-nine starters finished the event including Carol Wadey of Edson, AB
and her two young daughters, Rae-Anne (17) and Robyn (13). These talented
riders comprised Alberta's second team and were the only team in both the 50
and 100-mile events to finish all three team members earning them their
silver medals.

With over 23,000 combined miles between them this was the first time they
have competed at nationals. It was also only the second time that they have
ridden together in a team event. Robyn rode nineteen year-old Spanish
Mustang named Gypsy while her Mom; Carol rode Gypsy's offspring, a half Arab
named MR Ladybird.

Rae-Anne rode Jet, her fifteen year-old 14.1 hh polish Arab "I’ve been
riding him for ten years." Says Rae-Anne. "He's naturally easy at the start
of ride, it’s so nice. He's slowing a little now. I have put on about
500-700 miles per year, but last year it was barely over 100. I'm slowing
down a little too. A lot of slow miles, we never go fast. I like it, its
fun, it's a challenge."

Mom Carol has been competing since 1983. Rae-Anne started at age 5 in
limited distance; Robyn started limited distance age 5 and started 50s the
same year.

British Columbia secured the bronze medals with riders Lori Brewza from
Chase BC riding her twelve year-old Morab Black Majik, Gail Jewell of
Kelowna, BC and Wyatt Laing from Okanagan Center, BC riding a part-bred Arab
Cody Flair.

Overall, the individual gold medal in the 50-mile was Elroy Karius of
Kelowna riding Jolly Holiday, a six year-old Arabian with a ride time of
5:37:57.

"When you do this sport and the horse gives you everything they can give you
and you get it done…It's a gift." Said Karius of his win.

Bill Miller of Fairfield, MT rode his Arabian HA Lady Valarrie and captured
the silver and the coveted best condition accolade with his time of 5:39:21.
Doug Swingley of Lincoln, MT rode JV Laredo, a seven year-old Arabian to the
bronze medal finishing in 5:47:31.

100 Mile Endurance

In the 100-mile event, Alberta's contingent of consummate riders also
captured gold. This gold-medal team included Christy Janzen of Devon, AB
riding Salate's Victory, her fifteen year-old daughter Jaylene aboard SLSF
Halite's Comet and Crystal Fulcher of Seba Beach, AB riding Bardo Grey
Fonyx.

While their day started out in a similar weather pattern of earlier days in
the week, the winds of change erupted with showers about eight hours into
the event followed by two storm cells rolling through the area after the
eleven hour mark. Out of 26 starters, only ten riders crossed the finish
line. The torrent of rain was influential in preventing any riders from
attaining a sub 13 hour 20 minute ride time to qualify in the FEI event for
the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010.

The silver medal was awarded to British Columbia. The team consisted of Gail
Jewell of Kelowna, B.C. who won the ride on her ten year-old Arab NL
Temptation. Jewell's teammates included Tunie Russeau of Westbank, BC riding
thirteen-year-old Arietta and Terre O’Brennen of Delta, BC riding
twelve-year-old Arabian, Koszaar.

Jewell also commandeered the much sought-after title of best condition in
both the AERC and FEI events with her ride time of 14:18:54, which was well
ahead of Sue Summers from Gifford, WA who finished in 15:42:33 riding Mags
Motovator.

There was no bronze team awarded.

Individual Canadian Championship 100 Miles: Gold - Gail Jewell DVM, Silver -
Trisha Dowling DVM (St. Denis, SK), Bronze - Crystal Fulcher.

Ride N'Tie

In the Ride n’ Tie twenty-mile Canadian Championship event, Alberta teams
emerged with gold and silver titles. Gold was awarded to Alison Douglas of
Banff, AB and Heather Price of Canmore, AB who complete the challenging,
muddy course in 3:28, pursued closely by Rae-Anne Wadey and Jenny Mooney of
Winfield, AB in 3:35 who captured the silver medal. Wadey and Mooney teamed
up after Wadey’s original partner backed out. They rode 'Tonto' a horse
owned by Alberta rider Christy Janzen for the event. Wadey competes in track
and field, cross-country and also did the K-100 relay in Kananaskis country.
"We get off our horses a lot when doing endurance riding.” Says Wadey of the
running portion of the ride n' tie. "I went to the World Champion ride n'
tie in Montana three years ago. That one was a bit easier than this one.”
Claims Wadey who had to battle slick, mucky conditions following Sunday's
rainstorms.

Prue Critchley of Hamiota, MB, a few generations Wadey's senior, and
Kristine Erb of Oakbluff, MB showed dogged determination in completing the
course in 6:15 riding sixteen year-old Morab, Fort William.

Germany: Kreuth event crowns champions

Junior Champion
Amy Wegner & Aicha Addschawad


Senior Champion
Belinda Hitzler & Shagar

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CEI 160km Winner
Urs Wenger CH & Cadour d'Alsace (SWI)


Results and Photo Gallery

Australia: Tingha endurance ride goes international

The Invernell Times
15/08/2008 11:11:00 AM

GREEN Valley Farm is to become home for more than 100 horses and riders this weekend.

And the Green Valley Tingha Endurance Ride 2008 is set to become an International Endurance event.

There will be three riders from Thailand at the Tingha ride including Prutirat Serireongrith, who is the vice-president of the Thai Endurance Riders Association, from Bangkok, Wipawan Pawitayalarp of Bangkok and Dr Supanee Chaiwiro from Pattaya.

All three riders will be attempting the 80km ride.

Prutirat has previously completed two 40km and two 80km rides in Australia.

Both Wipawan and Supanee have completed one 40km ride in Australia, but they have also completed several 40km and 60km rides in Thailand. This will be their first attempt at the 80km distance.

Prutirat will be riding his own horse, Shardell Prince Ali, a 6-year-old purebred gelding bred by Rod Strahan of Shardell Arabians in Queensland. Wipawan will be riding another horse owned by Prutirat, Shardell Galazan, also bred by Strahan.

Supanee will be riding Mt Eerwah Silver Mariner, an 11-year-old purebred gelding bred by Robyn Pembroke of Mt Eerwah Arabians of Queensland, and owned by Splendacrest Endurance Training.

Endurance riding in Thailand is in its infancy, although support and interest in the sport is growing rapidly.

By gaining experience in Australia, where endurance riding is well established, these Thai riders are hoping to progress the sport at home.

In addition, there will also be His Excellence, Sheik Saeed Bin Maktoum al Maktoum from the United Arab Emirents.

He will be riding in the 110km challenge ride, and is keen to win the event.

Enduranace racing is a very popular sport in his country, where riders compete for prize money. But in Australia, prize money is not allowed.

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser joyful for victory of Shaikh Khalid in the Thetford race

Bahrain News Agency
London, Aug 1

The captain of the Bahraini royal endurance team Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed his great joy on the first European victory of Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, leader of al Khalidiya Stables, at the Thetford race.

The victory in the fourth European event for the Royal Team adds to the good days Shaikh Khalid is having after graduating from the Toyal Military Academy Sandhurst, Shaikh Nasser said. The team is preparing for the World Endurance Championship in Malaysia to be held in November. The generous support of Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mmaktoom and his sons Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Majed was also a great source of joy, Shaikh Nasser said.

Shaikh Khalid repeated his achievement of last year by scoring the fastest time in the 160 kilometre race. Shaikh Khalid praised the level exhibited by Shaikh Khalid in the race and his performance in its six stages. Shaikh Kkhalid deserved the victory which he earned after a putting a lot of efforts for this race, Shaikh Nasser said. On his part, Shaikh Kkhalid extended his appreciation for Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoom, Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Majed for their great support throughout the event.

Shaikh Khalid said the race would be a beautiful memory as it was the first time he won a European Endurance Championship. He said that the guidance of his brother Shaikh Nasser has led him to the finish line of the race. Shaikh Nasser became a main source of support after his withdrawal from the race, he said. Shaikh Duaij Bin Salman Al Khalifa praised the big victory of Shaikh Khalid, especially that the race witnessed strong competition from the very beginning. As a Bahraini Team, we were keen to stay together until the end but circumstances played against us, he said. Shaikh Nasser decided to withdraw, rider Mohammed Abdul Aziz was slightly injured after his horse tripped, he said.

Only three were left with Ahmed Abdulla who tried his best but could not complete the race as his horse did not pass the veterinarian checkup, he explained. Shaikh Duaij commended the significant role Shaikh Nasser had in guiding the team during the remaining phases of the highly competitive race. The Thetford race witnessed a steamy competition with the positions of jockeys shifting at every stage. At the second stage of the race, both Shaikh Khalid and Shaikh Duaij crossed the distance in 3.48.28. Mohammed Abdul Aziz completed the distance in 3.51.30 and Ahmed Abdullah in 3.46.29.

Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoom had the lead with 3.42.06. at the 120 km, Yousif Ali Taher completed the distance 3.41.56 whereas Ghazi Al Dosseri's horse was injured and therefore lost time. In the 120 km for youth, Mohammed Abdulsamad crossed the distance in 3.31.09. After the first stage, Sshaikh Nasser came third with 2.06.42 while Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid has the lead with 2.05.37. Ahmed Abdullah came third with 2.06.28 and Shaikh Khalid came fifth.

Although Shaikh Mohammed Min Rashid was ahead in the third stage, Shaikh Khalid continued with a time of 5.24.10. Ahmed Abdulla had a time of 5.29.09 and Yousif Taher 4.05.08. the members of the royal team were still present in the fourth stage for 160km and 120km. Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad had a time of 6.22.27, Ahmed Abdullah with 6.19. 46 and Shaikh Duaij Bin Salman 6.23.13. Mohammed Abdul Samad withdrew at 120 km because he got dehydrated.

Canadian Championship 2008 Results

Rocky Mountain Challenge website

Partial Results 100 Miles:

AERC
Place Rider Time
1 Gail Jewel 14:18:54 Best Condition
2 Sue Summers 15:42:33
3 Carol Giles 15:42:34
4 Jan Marsh 15:42:35

ERA
Place Rider Time
1 Jan Marsh 15:42:35
2 Crystal Fulcher 18:17:15

Junior
Place Rider Time
1 Kelsey Kimbler 18:17:17
2 Jaylene Janzen 18:17:18

FEI
Place Rider
1 Gail Jewel Best Condition
2 Sue Summers
3 Carol Gile
4 Jan Mars


Individual Canadian Championship
Place Rider
Gold Gail Jewell DVM
Silver Trisha Dowling DVM
Bronze Crystal Fulcher

South Africa News

Mogale Endurance Club
NEWSLETTER

Dear Fellow Mogalians,

It is with great pride that we congratulate the following members for completing FAURESMITH.

Danie Herbst Junior;
Bernice Binet;
Kay Lockwood;
Sophia Liebenberg;
Wendy Smallman;
Lianne Herbst;
Stephne Lockwood.

Congratulations to you all and for those who never completed the ride better luck next time..

It was good to see so many members at Dullstroom last weekend. Henno Pretorius and his family, Herbie and Johannie Geldenhuys, Laura Woods, Ance Deetlefs, Dr Paul VanDam and Franza Keyser and Julius Keyser.

To my knowledge all our members got through and this is also no mean feat as Dullstroom is a very difficult course.

I would also wish to thank the following club members who were so kind as to assist us with donations to obtain finance to assist with the furnishings of the luxury chalets which Mr William Khoury has built at the second dam. The members are, Antony Ball, Kobus Lombaard, Darnie Ferreira, Tim Anderson, Dr Paul VanDam and myself.

The new ride base apart from the grassing on the running lanes and vetting area which will take place early in September is looking absolutely superb and this is indeed a ride base which the club and its members can be very proud.

Monique and Laura recently returned from Brazil where they attended an international ride and I annex hereto a report from Monique on the ride which people might find of interest.

We will advise you shortly of the AGM which must be held before the end of October to enable all fees to be paid in and over to ERASA to avoid penalties. For those club members travelling to Walvisbaai I wish you the best of luck and a safe journey.

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YOUNG RIDERS: BRASIL 2008

In 2006 and 2007, Nick and Vitoria Lins of Rio, Brasil, came to South Africa to join us at the FEI Christiana Endurance Ride on horses prepared by Laura Woods (2007) and Laura and the Marx family of Wolmaranstad in 2008. Both Nick and Vitoria have been selected for the Brasilian team to take part in the World Championships in Malaysia in 2008. Nick recently rode with South African Carmen du Preez in Brasil: Carmen won the open 160kms event, and Nick’s efforts gained him the Brasilian Championship.

A return invitation was issued to Laura Woods and Petrus Marx as Young Riders to take part in the prestigious Festival Internacional de Enduro: Jequitibá (Sao Paulo, Brasil) on 25 July 2008. 33 Young Riders from Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, France, Italy and England and South Africa took part. The ride base was the exclusive Paradiso Resort, where spectators could watch the final leg being run around a fountain–filled lake.

The CEIOYR course of 122kms consisted of three extremely technical legs, with steep hills and hard roads, estimated at about a 10 handicap. The last two legs of 22 and 19kms were flat, fast and furious.

The horse ridden by Laura, NNL Millenium Bay, was recovering from a tendon injury and unfortunately despite a valiant effort could not get past the 4th leg.

Petrus rode Lumiar Simply Red, a fiery chestnut mare owned by Dr Paolo and Nick Lins. She has spent most of her 10 years as a show horse, only last year coming into endurance and with a mere 2 x 60kms and 1 x 90kms to her name. This was her first attempt at 120kms. She gave Petrus a hard time in the 1st leg, being most unwilling to be held in. After the 3rd leg Petrus decided to ride without a bit due to mouth injuries and the mare calmed down somewhat. Petrus was in the top ten from the first leg. The mare kept up her desire to run as fast as possible, and on the final two legs she and Petrus perfected their partnership. As Petrus approached the last 500m he passed two well known riders, Rafael Salvador (Uru) and Iuri Timoner (Bra) who then dramatically gave chase as they came in to full spectators’ view around the lake. Petrus casually turned around to see them coming in full flight, and he then turned on the power. To an exultant rendition of “Hier kom die Bokke” by the South African fans, Simply Red curled her tail over her back and leapt forward to sweep over the finishing line, giving Petrus 5th position in a time of 6h55. He was one of 23 who completed the course; 12 were eliminated.

This was Petrus’ first ride out of Africa. You may remember him in a documentary of Fauresmith made by Danie Ferreira (Urban Brew) in 2003. He was the little chap with big eyes captured in the early morning light; the commentator talked about his desire to become a Springbok – which in fact came true.

Petrus’ first horse was a Schneider; he qualified him in his first season and finished in the top ten children’s division at Fauresmith in 2003. Since then he has ridden for the national team on 3 occasions. His Arab gelding Shamalti Namib has been awarded Best Condition on 3 occasions.

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Lekker Ry.

MOGALE ENDURANCE CLUB
Per: TONY BERLOWITZ
CHAIRMAN

UK: Royal Victory

[More ...]

ROYAL VICTORY

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team rider Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa won the 160-kilometre event of the Thetford race, held yesterday in England.

It was the first European endurance victory for Shaikh Khalid, who is fast improving as one of the kingdom's best riders.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) first vice-president completed the distance in a dominant eight hours 19 minutes and 12 seconds, which was more than half an hour than his closest rival. It was also a close mark to the winning time of Royal Team leader and Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Thetford last year.

Shaikh Khalid was congratulated for his victory by Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Shaikh Nasser. Both Sheikh Mohammed and Shaikh Nasser withdrew from the race in the second stage due to an injury to their respective horses.

Shaikh Khalid said that he dedicates his hard-earned win to His Majesty the King.

Finishing second in the 160km event was Royal Team member Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, who clocked a time of 8:56:24, while Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the UAE placed third in 9:31:21.

Meanwhile, Bahrainis Yousef Taher and Ghazi Al Dossary finished sixth and eight respectively in the 120km race at Thetford. Taher had a mark of 7:00:54, while Al Dossary came in in 7:19:37.

Mohammed Ahmed Al Subose of the UAE won in 5:20:35.