Britain: Your Horse Masterson Method video star crowned National Endurance Champion

Yourhorse.co.uk - Full Article

By Amanda Stevenson

04 September 2008

Barnowl, the equine star of Your Horse's Masterson Method web videos has been crowned National Endurance Champion. The nine-year-old Arab X Argentinian Polo Pony was ridden to victory in the 100-mile Cirencester Park Ride by his owner and breeder Sally Hall, just a week after the filming of Barnowl's treatments by Jim Masterson in June this year.

Jim Masterson commented: "Barnowl is a handsome and fit horse and when treated was without any serious issues other than some of the usual tension in the poll, neck and shoulders that we often find in competition horses. While doing the bodywork I do remember that he was somewhat suspicious and didn't really feel that he needed us messing with him. But horses that compete on his level need the same attention as human athletes, and we didn't take "no" for an answer.

"He turned out to be a pretty good star both in the video and as an athlete!"

The Cirencester Park Ride hosts three FEI CEI 3* classes over 160 km (100 mile) and 120 km (75 mile) routes. Ride conditions were extremely difficult after heavy rain the night before the major classes left deep mud in many places on the route. The humidity also took its toll on many competitors in the 160 km (100 mile) race.

The winner was Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoun from the UAE, who rode an average speed of 14.68 kph, while Sally and Barnowl were the first British combination home, earning them the title of British Champions.

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Australia: Country music star joins Quilty endurance lineup

Australia's renowned Tom Quilty endurance ride will this year host 150 horses and riders including two from the US - as well as the one of the country's up-and-coming country music stars.

Dean Johnston is on his way to Nashville, Tennessee to perform at the famous annual Fan Fair, but on the way will stop off to perform at the Quilty, at Nanango on September 18, and will also entertain guests at the closing night dinner on Sunday September 21 at the Nanango Cultural Centre.
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Malaysia WEC: Havens Horsefeed 'Official Supplier' World Endurance Championship Terangganu

Press release
August 2008

The FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 (www.malaysia-wec.com) will be held in Malaysia from November 6 – 9th. The WEC 2008 will be staged at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, 25km north of Kuala Terengganu on the South Chinese Sea. In total 150 riders from 36 countries will compete at the bi-annual WEC, that was held earlier in Aachen (2006) and Dubai (2004).

The WEC 2008-Organising Committee has named HAVENS Horsefeed from the Netherlands ( www.horsefeed.nl) as "Official Horsefeed" of the WEC 2008.

As part of the agreement, Havens will supply all horsefeed for all participating horses; from arrival on October 13th (start quarantine) untill departure of the horses after November 10th. All feeds will meet the highest quality standards and will be specially tested on absence of any prohibited substances in the Equestrian Labs in Newmarket (UK).

"We are proud to have found a strong european partner, that also provides guarantees as to quality and non-doping conformity”, says Azrin Zuhdi, Director and Organising Secretary of WEC 2008 OC. “Moreover, the presence of Havens in more than 55 countries in Europe, Middle East and Asia will add to the international image of the 2008 WEC."

Havens feeds are produced in the Netherlands by a family-owned company (since 1845) in 5th generation. Considered in Europe as the "Mercedes" of horsefeed, Havens has also been supplier of several Olympic Games (Barcelona, Sydney, Athens, Beijing) as well as the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Germany. All feeds are produced in the same factory which guarantees the same worldwide quality.

Havens has been present in the Asia since 2005; in Malaysia it is represented by Tallahesse Equestrian Supplies ( www.tallahesse.com ) from KL.

Australia: Levy on horse owners moves step closer

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

September 4, 2008

A plan to levy Australian horse owners for eradication efforts in any future disease outbreaks has passed its first parliamentary hurdle.

The legislation setting up the framework for the levy passed in the lower house yesterday and is bound for the Senate.

The amount of the levy remains unknown. It will be set in consultation with the horse industry.

The levy proposal was attacked by opposition MPs, who argued it was inequitable, with many unregistered horses unlikely to be subject to the levy. Opponents argued that the levy would place an unfair share of the responsibility on recreational horse owners.

The levy proposal is likely to go before a Senate committee.

The Australian Horse Industry Council said a decision to put the matter before a Senate committee would provide further opportunity for industry consultation on the merits of the current proposal.

But it added: "It might also further delay protection of the horse industry should there be an emergency disease outbreak while this examination process is under way."

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Kiwi endurance riders place in South Africa

September 1, 2008

A team of New Zealand endurance riders has performed well in South Africa, at a ride in Dullstroon last month.

Kirsten Deuss placed second in the 123.5km ride on Arkab Aqrab, finishing in a time of 10 hours, six minutes and nine seconds, behind the winner in 10:40:05. Teresa Birkett was fifth (Moolmanshoek Maximus, 11:16:20), and Nadine Barker finished sixth (Tuarec Jamill, 11:40:42) of the six riders to finish. Tony Masters vetted out, along with four other riders. The team finished second of three teams.

The team's next start was to be a tri-nations event in Namibia, with teams from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana also competing. Gaewyn Churchill was to replace Tony Masters on the team.

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New Zealand: Endurance pays off

Stuff.co.nz - Full Story

By DENISE GUNN - Feilding Herald | Tuesday, 02 September 2008

Clocking up the miles has paid off for Mangaweka endurance rider Andrea Smith and her 9-year-old anglo arab gelding Sierra Nevada, as the pair have earned qualification for the World Endurance Championships in Malaysia.

The championships are held every two years and are considered one of the toughest horse endurance races, covering a distance of 160km.

Although this is the first time a major World Endurance championship has been held in tropical weather, it is scheduled to coincide with the monsoon season in November to take advantage of the cooler temperatures.

Up to 150 riders from 43 countries are expected to compete in the event, starting on November 7.

Several veterinarians will be present and horses are thoroughly checked before the race starts. Vet checks continue at intervals throughout the ride and again after horses and riders cross the finish line.

The horse's heart rate must not exceed 64 beats a minute within a 30-minute recovery time.

Mrs Smith will head to Auckland with her horse and the other two members of the New Zealand team in early October.

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Future of Olympic equestrian sport under threat

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Kate Green, H&H reporter in Hong Kong

THE president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has warned that the status of equestrian sports within the Olympic movement is precarious.

Princess Haya told H&H that despite the undoubtedly great sport and brilliant organisation of Hong Kong, there is no guarantee that horse sports can survive in the Olympics beyond 2012 — or even get that far — and could follow sports such as cricket and polo out of the Olympic door.

"The FEI has a huge fight to even get to 2012," explained Princess Haya, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the FEI's first elected president.

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