Gulf Daily News
BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Horseride team successfully completed the first two stages of the 160-km World Endurance Horseride Championship which got underway yesterday at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Terengga.
The team, being led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, put up a spirited show in the first stages of this challenging race which concludes today.
The Bahrainis managed to stay in the race despite the heavy rain which started before the event and continued to fall throughout the early stages of the race.
The remaining five Bahrainis in the fray are Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary, Raed Mahmood and Ahmed Abdulla.
The Bahraini team is being coached by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa while Dr Khalid Hassan was appointed team manager.
A total of 242 riders representing 34 countries started this challenging race but only 90 riders could finish the first two stages.
Crossed
In the first stage, which was over 28 kms, 108 were able to complete the race, including Spaniard rider Maria Alvarez who crossed the finish line in one hour, 24 minutes and 29 seconds.
Behind her was Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (1:25:24) of the UAE in second place while Qatari Abdulla Al Mirri (1:27:23) was third.
Bahrain's first rider to finish this stage was Al Dossary who clocked 1:40:20, followed by Abdulla (1:41:23), Shaikh Nasser (1:43:46), Mahmood (1:44:43), Taher (1:46:44) and Shaikh Khalid (1:58:23).
In the second stage, Al Mirri moved on top and was ahead of Alvarez who went down to second while Shaikh Hamdan dropped to third.
The first Bahraini rider to end this stage was Al Dossary who marked three hours, 13 minutes and 59 seconds.
The next Bahraini was held by Abdulla (3:19:29), Mahmood (3:23:12), Taher (3:30:33), Shaikh Nasser (3:39:24) and Shaikh Khalid (3:55:17).
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/08/2008 02:01:00 PM
Saturday, November 08, 2008
[WEC Reports] Spain's Maria Mercedes Sweeps Individual Title, UAE Clinch Team...
Bernama.com
November 08, 2008 17:06 PM
By Hilary Sebastian
SETIU, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Spain's Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton astride Nobby not only overcame thunderstorms and pitch darkness but also her male challengers to win the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 individual title, while the UAE clinched the team title at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu, Saturday.
Maria's win underlined Spain's supremacy in world endurance races as it was their second victory in the individual category in the prestigious championship after Miguel Villa Ubach won the title in 2006 in Aachen, Germany.
The Spanish rider led from start to finish with the exception of the second loop where she came in second behind Argentinas Agustin Vita to complete the 160km race in a time of 8 hours 48 minutes and 06 seconds.
Her win also maintained women's dominance in the World Endurance Championship as she became the 10th women to win the individual title out of 12 editions, since 1986.
Apart from Ubach in 2006 the only other time men won the title was in 2002 when Spain hosted the championship. Ahmed Al Maktoum of the UAE won it then.
Vita went on to clinch second place with a time of 857:55s while UAEs Sultan Ahmed Sultan Sulayem clocked 909:31s to take third place.
Maria who started the 160km race at 5.30pm yesterday together with 126 other riders who competed in the individual and team events, completed the final loop (loop 7) at 7.18am this morning as the first rider while the last rider came into the final check point at 11.40am.
In the team event, middle east countries UAE, Qatar and Bahrain made a clean sweep of the top three places while defending champion France were relegated to 9th spot as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Canada and Argentina finished ahead of them.
The total times recorded by UAEs three team members, 27 hours 57 minutes 59 seconds gave them the team title ahead of Qatar who finished with a time of 2847:17s for second place while Bahrain snatched third place from Portugal with a time of 3055:34s.
The grueling race that was flagged off at 5.30pm yesterday with 126 riders saw only 50 riders complete the race while 76 were eliminated for various health reasons to horses or the riders.
By the first loop, 21 riders had been eliminated and another 10 saw the exit in the second loop, 15 after the third loop, 13 more were eliminated in the fourth loop while the fifth, sixth and seventh loops saw ten, four and three riders disqualified respectively.
The prize giving ceremony would be held tomorrow at TIEP.
RESULTS:
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY:
1. Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton & Nobby (Spain)
08:46:06 seconds
2. Agustin Vita Agustin & Baraka Ibn Tamah (Argentina) 08:57:55s
3. Sultan Ahmed Sultan Sulayem & Tazoul El Parry (UAE) 09:09:31s
4. Shaikh Majid Mohd Al Maktoum & Spenda Crest Kamouflage (UAE) 09:14:42s
5. Mohd Ahmad Ali Subose & Koum Des Jamets (UAE) 09:21:38s
6. Mubarak Khalifa Shafya & Zakah Zahara (UAE) 09:21:39s
7. Abdulla Thani Huzaim & Caslebar Kadeen (UAE) 09:21:40s
8. Rachel Jaumotte & Rukban Dikruhu (BEL) 09:32:18s
9. Shaikh Nasser Hamad Al Khalifa (BHR) 09:33:28s
10. Atta Mohammed Beer (OTR) 09:34:38s
TEAM CATEGORY:
1. UAE 27:57:59S
2. Qatar 28:47:17s
3. Bahrain 30:55:34s
4. Portugal 30:58:52s
5. Spain 31:25:24s
6. Italy 34:31:37s
7. Canada 38:25:45s
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/08/2008 01:36:00 PM
November 08, 2008 17:06 PM
By Hilary Sebastian
SETIU, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Spain's Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton astride Nobby not only overcame thunderstorms and pitch darkness but also her male challengers to win the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 individual title, while the UAE clinched the team title at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, Setiu, Saturday.
Maria's win underlined Spain's supremacy in world endurance races as it was their second victory in the individual category in the prestigious championship after Miguel Villa Ubach won the title in 2006 in Aachen, Germany.
The Spanish rider led from start to finish with the exception of the second loop where she came in second behind Argentinas Agustin Vita to complete the 160km race in a time of 8 hours 48 minutes and 06 seconds.
Her win also maintained women's dominance in the World Endurance Championship as she became the 10th women to win the individual title out of 12 editions, since 1986.
Apart from Ubach in 2006 the only other time men won the title was in 2002 when Spain hosted the championship. Ahmed Al Maktoum of the UAE won it then.
Vita went on to clinch second place with a time of 857:55s while UAEs Sultan Ahmed Sultan Sulayem clocked 909:31s to take third place.
Maria who started the 160km race at 5.30pm yesterday together with 126 other riders who competed in the individual and team events, completed the final loop (loop 7) at 7.18am this morning as the first rider while the last rider came into the final check point at 11.40am.
In the team event, middle east countries UAE, Qatar and Bahrain made a clean sweep of the top three places while defending champion France were relegated to 9th spot as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Canada and Argentina finished ahead of them.
The total times recorded by UAEs three team members, 27 hours 57 minutes 59 seconds gave them the team title ahead of Qatar who finished with a time of 2847:17s for second place while Bahrain snatched third place from Portugal with a time of 3055:34s.
The grueling race that was flagged off at 5.30pm yesterday with 126 riders saw only 50 riders complete the race while 76 were eliminated for various health reasons to horses or the riders.
By the first loop, 21 riders had been eliminated and another 10 saw the exit in the second loop, 15 after the third loop, 13 more were eliminated in the fourth loop while the fifth, sixth and seventh loops saw ten, four and three riders disqualified respectively.
The prize giving ceremony would be held tomorrow at TIEP.
RESULTS:
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY:
1. Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton & Nobby (Spain)
08:46:06 seconds
2. Agustin Vita Agustin & Baraka Ibn Tamah (Argentina) 08:57:55s
3. Sultan Ahmed Sultan Sulayem & Tazoul El Parry (UAE) 09:09:31s
4. Shaikh Majid Mohd Al Maktoum & Spenda Crest Kamouflage (UAE) 09:14:42s
5. Mohd Ahmad Ali Subose & Koum Des Jamets (UAE) 09:21:38s
6. Mubarak Khalifa Shafya & Zakah Zahara (UAE) 09:21:39s
7. Abdulla Thani Huzaim & Caslebar Kadeen (UAE) 09:21:40s
8. Rachel Jaumotte & Rukban Dikruhu (BEL) 09:32:18s
9. Shaikh Nasser Hamad Al Khalifa (BHR) 09:33:28s
10. Atta Mohammed Beer (OTR) 09:34:38s
TEAM CATEGORY:
1. UAE 27:57:59S
2. Qatar 28:47:17s
3. Bahrain 30:55:34s
4. Portugal 30:58:52s
5. Spain 31:25:24s
6. Italy 34:31:37s
7. Canada 38:25:45s
--
Posted By Steph Teeter to WEC Reports at 11/08/2008 01:36:00 PM
Thursday, November 06, 2008
[WEC Reports] Equestrian event opening does Malaysia proud
New Straits Times
2008/11/07
KUALA TERENGGANU: It was an evening to remember for some 50,000 people who attended the opening ceremony of the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak on Wednesday night.
Not only was it a historic night as it was the first time the nation was hosting the prestigious equestrian competition, but the lavish ceremony, opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, had also impressed many.
There were cultural song and dance, an acrobatic horse show by Lorenzo, fireworks display and performances by popular artistes, including M. Nasir, Ramli Sarip, Jamal Abdillah, Ella and Mawi.
But not many would know the spectacular fanfare was put together in less than a week by event management company Dale Lokman Associates Sdn Bhd.
Its managing director, Datuk Mahadzir Lokman, said he was entrusted with the task late last month but the go-ahead for the programme and opening ceremony came only about a week ago. He said at such short notice, it was a wonder the show got off the ground. But the hard work and sleepless nights paid off as the event was a success, judging by the many congratulatory phone calls and messages received after the show.
Time, Mahadzir said, was the team's biggest constraint, but everything fell into place at the right time.
He said he did not know why the tournament organiser had waited that long to hire an event manager for the opening ceremony, but he decided to accept the challenge.
Event deputy director Morne Hashim said she believed it was a rescue job of sorts. However, for the love of the country and the sport, she accepted the challenge of putting up a production with a cast of almost 1,000.
She said an ideal period for such a job would be at least three months but with grit and determination, anything could be done and done well.
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 03:05:00 AM
2008/11/07
KUALA TERENGGANU: It was an evening to remember for some 50,000 people who attended the opening ceremony of the FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak on Wednesday night.
Not only was it a historic night as it was the first time the nation was hosting the prestigious equestrian competition, but the lavish ceremony, opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, had also impressed many.
There were cultural song and dance, an acrobatic horse show by Lorenzo, fireworks display and performances by popular artistes, including M. Nasir, Ramli Sarip, Jamal Abdillah, Ella and Mawi.
But not many would know the spectacular fanfare was put together in less than a week by event management company Dale Lokman Associates Sdn Bhd.
Its managing director, Datuk Mahadzir Lokman, said he was entrusted with the task late last month but the go-ahead for the programme and opening ceremony came only about a week ago. He said at such short notice, it was a wonder the show got off the ground. But the hard work and sleepless nights paid off as the event was a success, judging by the many congratulatory phone calls and messages received after the show.
Time, Mahadzir said, was the team's biggest constraint, but everything fell into place at the right time.
He said he did not know why the tournament organiser had waited that long to hire an event manager for the opening ceremony, but he decided to accept the challenge.
Event deputy director Morne Hashim said she believed it was a rescue job of sorts. However, for the love of the country and the sport, she accepted the challenge of putting up a production with a cast of almost 1,000.
She said an ideal period for such a job would be at least three months but with grit and determination, anything could be done and done well.
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 03:05:00 AM
[WEC Reports] Challenge awaits riders
New Straits Times
2008/11/07
Ajitpal Singh
TERENGGANU will make history today by staging the FEI World Endurance Championships's first ever night race at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Setiu.
This is also the first time the 160km race is being held in a tropical country.
WEC technical director Derek Liebenberg said the endurance racing fraternity is anticipating an exciting race.
"Terengganu is a new challenge for everyone because it is the first time riders will be racing at night in a world meet. It's going to be exciting under challenging conditions, and interesting," said Liebenberg at TIEP yesterday.
"Everything has been done to ensure safety. We have tested the safety specifications many times and riders should not worry.
"Among the safety specs are the 1,200 light poles installed in sections of the course, check points at designated areas and all riders will be wearing a GPS tracking device.
"The Malaysian army will be stationed along the course during the race. The medical team are also well prepared if there are any untoward incidents."
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) decided on a night race due to the humid conditions here.
Riders should be prepared for a wet race as the meteorological department is predicting heavy rain for today.
That won't be too bad for the European riders who are hoping for rain in the hope that their horses will last the whole race.
However, riders from Middle Eastern countries are not too particular about the track and weather. According to endurance experts, their horses are trained to endure any conditions.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Tuanku Nur Zahirah will flag off the race which starts at 5.30pm today and the first horse is expected to cross the line at about 7am tomorrow.
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:59:00 AM
2008/11/07
Ajitpal Singh
TERENGGANU will make history today by staging the FEI World Endurance Championships's first ever night race at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Setiu.
This is also the first time the 160km race is being held in a tropical country.
WEC technical director Derek Liebenberg said the endurance racing fraternity is anticipating an exciting race.
"Terengganu is a new challenge for everyone because it is the first time riders will be racing at night in a world meet. It's going to be exciting under challenging conditions, and interesting," said Liebenberg at TIEP yesterday.
"Everything has been done to ensure safety. We have tested the safety specifications many times and riders should not worry.
"Among the safety specs are the 1,200 light poles installed in sections of the course, check points at designated areas and all riders will be wearing a GPS tracking device.
"The Malaysian army will be stationed along the course during the race. The medical team are also well prepared if there are any untoward incidents."
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) decided on a night race due to the humid conditions here.
Riders should be prepared for a wet race as the meteorological department is predicting heavy rain for today.
That won't be too bad for the European riders who are hoping for rain in the hope that their horses will last the whole race.
However, riders from Middle Eastern countries are not too particular about the track and weather. According to endurance experts, their horses are trained to endure any conditions.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Tuanku Nur Zahirah will flag off the race which starts at 5.30pm today and the first horse is expected to cross the line at about 7am tomorrow.
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:59:00 AM
[WEC Reports] Tuanku Mizan will lead Malaysia
New Straits Times
2008/11/07
FORMER world champions Italy have written off their chances of mounting a serious challenge in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) as they will be without two riders for today's race.
Italy, who lifted the team title at the 2004 edition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, had initially lost Cinzia Lachelli, after failing to present her horse -- Missouri -- for the compulsory veterinary inspection yesterday.
Simona Di Battista's mount Lara was eliminated by the veterinarians as the horse was limping.
Italian team leader Vergemino Testa said realistically, their chances of a podium finish in the team event is over as only four riders are left in the squad.
"It is very unfortunate that two of our riders cannot start tomorrow (today) but this is part and parcel of the sport," he said at TIEP yesterday.
However, he felt that Gianluca Laliscia, who was part of the winning team in 2004, will be a good bet for the individual title. Laliscia will be riding Kohl today.
The other riders are Vincenzo Catalano (Parytet), Simona Garatti (Z'tadore Al Maury) and Patricia Giacchro (Locace).
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:56:00 AM
2008/11/07
FORMER world champions Italy have written off their chances of mounting a serious challenge in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) as they will be without two riders for today's race.
Italy, who lifted the team title at the 2004 edition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, had initially lost Cinzia Lachelli, after failing to present her horse -- Missouri -- for the compulsory veterinary inspection yesterday.
Simona Di Battista's mount Lara was eliminated by the veterinarians as the horse was limping.
Italian team leader Vergemino Testa said realistically, their chances of a podium finish in the team event is over as only four riders are left in the squad.
"It is very unfortunate that two of our riders cannot start tomorrow (today) but this is part and parcel of the sport," he said at TIEP yesterday.
However, he felt that Gianluca Laliscia, who was part of the winning team in 2004, will be a good bet for the individual title. Laliscia will be riding Kohl today.
The other riders are Vincenzo Catalano (Parytet), Simona Garatti (Z'tadore Al Maury) and Patricia Giacchro (Locace).
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:56:00 AM
[WEC Reports] Italy doubtful of podium finish
New Straits Times
2008/11/07
FORMER world champions Italy have written off their chances of mounting a serious challenge in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) as they will be without two riders for today's race.
Italy, who lifted the team title at the 2004 edition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, had initially lost Cinzia Lachelli, after failing to present her horse -- Missouri -- for the compulsory veterinary inspection yesterday.
Simona Di Battista's mount Lara was eliminated by the veterinarians as the horse was limping.
Italian team leader Vergemino Testa said realistically, their chances of a podium finish in the team event is over as only four riders are left in the squad.
"It is very unfortunate that two of our riders cannot start tomorrow (today) but this is part and parcel of the sport," he said at TIEP yesterday.
However, he felt that Gianluca Laliscia, who was part of the winning team in 2004, will be a good bet for the individual title. Laliscia will be riding Kohl today.
The other riders are Vincenzo Catalano (Parytet), Simona Garatti (Z'tadore Al Maury) and Patricia Giacchro (Locace).
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:50:00 AM
2008/11/07
FORMER world champions Italy have written off their chances of mounting a serious challenge in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) as they will be without two riders for today's race.
Italy, who lifted the team title at the 2004 edition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, had initially lost Cinzia Lachelli, after failing to present her horse -- Missouri -- for the compulsory veterinary inspection yesterday.
Simona Di Battista's mount Lara was eliminated by the veterinarians as the horse was limping.
Italian team leader Vergemino Testa said realistically, their chances of a podium finish in the team event is over as only four riders are left in the squad.
"It is very unfortunate that two of our riders cannot start tomorrow (today) but this is part and parcel of the sport," he said at TIEP yesterday.
However, he felt that Gianluca Laliscia, who was part of the winning team in 2004, will be a good bet for the individual title. Laliscia will be riding Kohl today.
The other riders are Vincenzo Catalano (Parytet), Simona Garatti (Z'tadore Al Maury) and Patricia Giacchro (Locace).
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:50:00 AM
[WEC Reports] Equestrian Kamaruddin fancies his chances
New Straits Times
2008/11/07
FORMER World No 1 Datuk Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani is the only Malaysian rider good enough to outshine the world's best in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Setiu, today.
Kamaruddin, who ended 2001 as World No 1 and is currently 93, is a fearless rider and foreign participants here have spoken many times about the threat he could bring to them.
The 63-year-old rider rates the TIEP as not very tough and has planned out strategies to make an impression in the event.
"I have raced in many countries and I must say the track here is not as tough as compared to those in Australia and France. It's going to be a tactical race and those who pace themselves accordingly will do well," said Kamaruddin yesterday.
"I don't want to predict my chances. It will depend on the weather and track conditions tomorrow (today)." Kamaruddin made his world championships debut in the 1998 Dubai edition but failed to start the race as his horse failed the first inspection. History repeated itself in the following edition in France (2000).
In the 2002 edition in Spain, Kamaruddin was eliminated prior to the last loop as his horse failed the veterinary check. He only completed two loops in the 2004 Dubai edition.
Kamaruddin, a gold medalist in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, decided to retire in 2005 due to a prostate problem.
"I bled whenever I rode and doctors advised me to quit. It was sad as I was among the top-10 ranked riders in the world.
"However, I was coaxed into returning in late 2006 when Terengganu won the bid to host the world meet."
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:48:00 AM
2008/11/07
FORMER World No 1 Datuk Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani is the only Malaysian rider good enough to outshine the world's best in the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC) at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Setiu, today.
Kamaruddin, who ended 2001 as World No 1 and is currently 93, is a fearless rider and foreign participants here have spoken many times about the threat he could bring to them.
The 63-year-old rider rates the TIEP as not very tough and has planned out strategies to make an impression in the event.
"I have raced in many countries and I must say the track here is not as tough as compared to those in Australia and France. It's going to be a tactical race and those who pace themselves accordingly will do well," said Kamaruddin yesterday.
"I don't want to predict my chances. It will depend on the weather and track conditions tomorrow (today)." Kamaruddin made his world championships debut in the 1998 Dubai edition but failed to start the race as his horse failed the first inspection. History repeated itself in the following edition in France (2000).
In the 2002 edition in Spain, Kamaruddin was eliminated prior to the last loop as his horse failed the veterinary check. He only completed two loops in the 2004 Dubai edition.
Kamaruddin, a gold medalist in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, decided to retire in 2005 due to a prostate problem.
"I bled whenever I rode and doctors advised me to quit. It was sad as I was among the top-10 ranked riders in the world.
"However, I was coaxed into returning in late 2006 when Terengganu won the bid to host the world meet."
--
Posted By Merri to WEC Reports at 11/07/2008 02:48:00 AM
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