Riding Around The World

The World Ride

CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly are setting off on the first continuous, around-the-world equestrian expedition. The journey will cover 12,000 miles, cross eleven countries, last two years and be the most highly developed diplomatic and scientific equestrian mission ever undertaken.

The World Ride represents the merging of the Bronze Age activity of equestrian travel with cutting-edge twenty-first century technology. This will result in a “Genghis Khan meets the Matrix” combination wherein state-of-the-art electronics will allow reader/riders to participate from afar, thereby creating humanity’s first inter-active equestrian epic.

This is a journey with a difference. Even if they succeed in riding around the world, that will not be the primary goal. En route Basha will be working with scientists and horse owners to collect hair samples from every known horse breed, thus creating the first complete equine DNA chain. CuChullaine will be using GPS technology to create a unique Long Rider map of the entire route, a project designed to highlight geography to school children around the world and encourage others to undertake their own World Ride.

Ultimately, the World Ride is designed to link humans and horses via the saddle and the internet, with the goal being to demonstrate that all humans share a common mother-tongue, “horse.” This is a journey about courage, not records, and you are invited to explore this website, to follow the World Riders and participate in this unprecedented equestrian event.

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Australia: Margaret Wade still in coma after fall

Gulfnews.com

By Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
May 08, 2009



Abu Dhabi: One of the world's top endurance riders and a well-known faces in the UAE's domestic circuit, Margaret (Meg) Wade is still in coma since a fall during a ride in Tumbarumba, Australia on April 12.

Wade, a champion rider and a breeder and trainer of endurance horses, was riding Castlebar Dell when the horse shied away from a puddle unseating her.

"I was not there at the scene but since it happened close to a checkpoint she was attended by a doctor and ambulance staff," said her husband Chris Gates, speaking to Gulf News yesterday.

"Wade was airlifted by Snowy Hydro Southcare Rescue Helicopter to Royal Canberra Hospital where she has been in coma since then," said Gates.

"Her medical condition has improved and clinically it is not life threatening. But the doctors are waiting for her to come out of the coma. There seems to be a slight, very slight response," said Gates.

Wade, who had finished second in a 90-kilometre Ladies Ride in Al Wathba after a 19th place finish in the 160-kilometre HH The President's Cup during the recently-concluded UAE endurance season, has had many horses bred and trained at her Castlebar facility in Australia.

Wade has won three bronze medals at the World Endurance Championships, finished 4th individually in 2002 when Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the gold medal, has been Australian Rider of the Year nine times and won the world-famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup four times.

"We are devastated. Meg was a champion athlete and has never been in hospital. Very fit and athletic. I am confident that she will fight her way out of this," said Gates.

Meg has been a regular participant in rides in the UAE since the 1998 World Championship and her husband said, "We received many calls from the endurance fraternity in the UAE and the world. The Royal families of Dubai and Bahrain have been enquiring about her progress," he said.

Soon after the accident Gates had in an interview to ABC Radio said, "This is an injury that every horse rider fears. It happens, it's unfortunate. The riders all wear helmets but it's the fear behind everyone to have an accident that's so devastating,"

Gates said the fall was a freak accident, and other than her head injury, "Meg never sustained another injury. There's not a mark on her body."

UAE: Running, but not wild: Dubai warms to brumbies

smh.com.au

Andrew Stevenson in Dubai
May 9, 2009

THEIR names are Luca, Marran and Paraku. Born in the Kimberley and captured in Western Australia last year, the three brumbies are starting a new life in the stables of the deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

They and 11 other brumbies including a young colt have left life as wild bush horses far behind. In the sheik's stables they are training for the demanding sport of endurance racing.

Their arrival in Dubai completes a circle of sorts. Born wild, their pedigree traces back to the Arab horses taken to Europe over many centuries, the stock from which the modern thoroughbred was made.

The horse, once the most important animal in Australia, still stands at the heart of Bedouin culture - and when Ali Mohammed Al Mohairi, Sheik Hamdan's racing manager, heard tales of the brumbies in Australia, he wanted to know more.

Two years ago he went bush in the Northern Territory to see brumbies up close. But wild horses stop for no man.

"There was a mare and foal and they were galloping from behind and I yelled to go, I was screaming at the driver," he recalled. "It was something amazing. Then they crossed in front of us and the sparks were coming off the road. When they came to a lake, they jumped straight in and swam across.

"There was a rocky hill on the other side and I said: 'Impossible, they will not climb that'. And they did.

"My imagination cannot go as far as this. I was amazed. And [then] they were gone and we never saw them again."

But the story, worthy of an Arab Paterson in Mr Al Mohairi's retelling, took root. Sheik Hamdan, a leading racehorse owner and winner of two Melbourne Cups, was intrigued by the animals' capability in the wild but also concerned the brumbies - there are an estimated 400,000 in Australia - were being culled.

"I felt I wanted to do something to help this animal. I told him people shoot them, five or six hundred at a time, and I said we [can] get some to try," Mr Al Mohairi said.

The next step was to send a team into Lake Gregory, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, and to catch a dozen or so brumbies which were then trucked to Glen Innes, NSW, where they were broken in before being flown to Dubai.

One mare, Marran, dropped a skewbald colt after capture. Marjii might have grown up in Arabia but he can't hide his past.

"He's happy, friendly and playing but you can tell he's a brumby, with his face, big and ugly," Mr Mohairi said.

The horses arrived last year and since then several have been prepared for endurance racing, which is conducted under the enthusiastic patronage of Dubai's royal family, notably Sheik Hamdan's brother, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the country's ruler, who also competes in the events.

On the track the brumbies' results have not been a complete success. The horses have speed, and can rapidly recover after running one stage of the race, but they don't want to run again.

"They're not tired but they take care of themselves," said Mr Al Mohairi, who believes their wild instincts lead them to to preserve their energy for whenever it might be needed in the future.

But the experiment at Seeh Al Salam stables will be given at least another year. "People here are waiting to see what this stable will do. If we do well with them, they will go there and do the same as we did," Mr Al Mohairi said.

"To be honest, we spent money on them and I hope it will work. It will help me to look good in front of my boss because I asked him to do it, plus it will help the horses."

Australia: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc

Melbourne, Victoria, 8/5/2009

Australia's premier endurance ride gains pace.

The countdown is on, planning is in full swing and the excitement is starting to build as the 2009 Tom Quilty Endurance Ride draws closer.

With only five months to go until Australia's premier endurance horse ride, organisers are working feverishly preparing for this major event scheduled for 18 September at Tonimbuk, Victoria.

The Tom Quilty Endurance ride is an internationally acclaimed endurance event attracting riders and horses from around the world. The event tests the skill and fitness of horse and rider as they compete to finish 160km within 24 hours.

"This year's Tom Quilty course is sensational," says Event Director, Lissy Verity. "Based at the world-class Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre, the course includes the beautiful surrounds of the Bunyip State Park, whilst also traversing private land, bush tracks and all weather roads. It is a highlight on the international endurance calendar without a doubt," she says.

Despite part of the track being affected by the February bushfires, organisers guarantee the course will be ready for the September ride. Visitors and spectators won't be disappointed either as this picturesque area is also home to many wonderful wineries, restaurants and interesting tourist destinations.

An experienced endurance ride organizer, Lissy knows better than anyone what is involved in running an event like this. "It's expensive, requires many volunteers and consumes enormous man hours to prepare for and to host," she says. "We are totally reliant on fundraising and sponsorship and given the current economic climate we are having to work even harder to raise the necessary funds to ensure a successful ride."

Organisers are busy preparing for a major fundraising dinner in July to be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham in the hope they can raise $25,000. One organisation that has already shown its support is Cardinia Shire Council. Council has committed significant funds and in-kind support, without which organisers would have faced an even harder financial challenge.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Bill Pearson says he is looking forward to the event, adding the Tom Quilty Gold Cup will put Tonimbuk - and Cardinia Shire - on a global stage.

"It will be a fantastic spectacle and we expect thousands of people to be here for what will be one of the biggest events ever staged in Cardinia Shire," Cr Pearson says.

"Council is proud to be supporting the Tom Quilty Gold Cup and we hope the local community and businesses really get behind what will be a fabulous showcase of equestrian skill and stamina."


For more information about the fundraising dinner or to book tickets please contact Sue Cousins on 03 56292530 or visit the website at www.tonimbukgoldcup.org.au


Contact Person: Helen Ward
Company Name: Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc
Telephone: 0438 59 4285
Email: hiward@bigpond.com

Australia: Riders ready for Cooyal

Mudgee.yourguide.com

7/05/2009

Mudgee endurance riders dominated the ride held at Tooraweenah on April 19, a result that shows that the locals and their horses are in great shape for the coming Cooyal ride.

The Tooraweenah ride attracted 31 riders in the 80 kilometre ride and 34 in the 40 kilometre training ride.

Mudgee riders Mette Sutton, Garry Bennett and Gloria Mills rode together throughout the event accompanied by Bernie Harvey from Tooraweenah.

Bennett said it was a benefit to have Harvey ride with them as, being a local, it made it easier to find the track markers in the pitch darkness of the 5am start.

This made sure the Mudgee contingent didn’t stray off course in the early stages but they were faced with a rocky, hilly track that was affected by the dry spell of weather, which resulted in horses having to travel over loose stones underfoot.

Riders needed to be sensible in their approach to the course to ensure their mounts did not slip - especially when travelling down hill.

Middleweight rider Bennett riding 'Karabil Yaningi' pulled away from his companions after the final descent down Ned's Mountain and crossed the line ahead of the field to win the ride in four hours 58 minutes.

Sutton and 'Tuldar the Magician' were second across the line one minute after the winner and, much to Sutton’s delight, her mount was awarded the fittest horse.

Mills and 'Glendos Sabodie' arrived back at the base for the final time shortly after her Mudgee co-riders to take out the lightweight division and the fittest horse for that division.

Mudgee's only casualty on the day was Paddy Smith, whose horse was unfortunately vetted out lame.

Harvey, who rode the early stages with the Mudgee contingent, was the heavyweight winner.

Natasha Mitchell riding 'Rami' was successful in completing the training ride.

The Cooyal ride, hosted by the Mudgee Endurance Club is just over a week away and ride organisers will mark the course this coming Tuesday (May 12).

Local residents of Cooyal, Kains Flat and Botobolar are advised that endurance riders will be present on local roads on Saturday, May 16 and the following day.

Endurance spokesperson Pat Dickinson said the Mudgee committee hopes that anyone interested in taking up sport will participate in the 20 kilometre social ride at Cooyal.

"Endurance is not a race - it is a ride where the riders have to complete a course and do it in a way that the horse comes through the event fit and well," Dickinson said.

“In the social ride there are no winners or placings awarded - it is purely an introduction to the sport and is designed to give riders an idea of the way an endurance ride is conducted.

"An experienced pace rider will be appointed to accompany those taking part in the social ride.

"The social ride generally has an average speed of 10kph or slower - it is an easy course and is more like a trial ride."

Riders in the social ride receive a successful completion award to those riders whose horses who pass the veterinary examination after the ride.

"We hope these awards encourage participants to aspire to explore endurance at a higher level," Dickinson said.

"Our committee extends an invitation to all those riders who have been intrigued by the sport to come to Cooyal on the Saturday to find out more about this sport and perhaps take part in the social ride on Sunday."

For further information or to register for the Cooyal ride contact Mette Sutton (63724960) or Par Dickinson (63735346).

Great Britain: Endurance riders gather for Exmoor Golden Horseshoe

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

By Adrian Tierney-Jones
07 May 2009

Forget hunting, endurance riding is all the rage among the horsey set.

Exmoor's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which kicks off tomorow, is considered to be one of the toughest tests of horse and rider in Europe. It's just you and your horse over 100 miles of some of the most challenging terrain in Great Britain. All against the clock and your fellow competitors. Endurance riding (timed riding over long distances) is one of the fastest growing sports in Britain and, if you want to find out what all the fuss is about, you simply must trot down to Exmoor this weekend.

It's pure horse heaven as the village of Exford turns into a clip-clopping sea of bay, chestnut and grey. You don't even need to ride to enjoy the spectacle. The atmosphere is distinctly carnival: crowds spill out of the pubs, while up at the event venue (above the village) there is masses to see and do: you can watch the competition horses being vetted, buy horsey paraphernalia at the stalls and catch dog agility displays and parades of proud Arabians and their doughty distant cousins, the native Exmoor pony.

There are several different endurance races taking place over the next three days. The Golden Horseshoe ride itself is the big one with horse and rider competing over 100 miles on Monday and Tuesday. "Horses have to be very fit so only the very best endurance horses in the country can compete," says Barbara Wigley who heads the organising committee. "Most enthusiasts see a Gold award from Exmoor as having reached the pinnacle of the sport."

However, there are several other classes (over lesser mileage) that help riders build experience and fitness. And, just for the heck of it, there is a 15 mile Pleasure Ride (in aid of local charities) on the Sunday, a gentler way to enjoy part of the course. No horse? No problem. There's even a fun run for those who prefer two legs to four. As Barbara Wigley points out, ''They all give a chance to sample 'Horseshoe Country.'''

What country it is too: picture-postcard villages, wooded coombes, babbling streams, heather-clad moorland. Ten to one you'll see herds of native ponies and the wild red deer, buzzards wheeling lazily overhead and the larks flying up from under your hooves.

Top endurance rider Nikki Routledge explains the appeal...

More...

Australia: Sutton rides for Australia

Mudgee.yourguide.com

BY DON MAHONEY
7/05/2009

Mudgee rider Mette Sutton has been invited to ride in the South Africa national championships in July.

Sutton was a member of the Australian support team at the world championships held in Malaysia last November.

She said yesterday that it was during the world championships that she first became aware of the possibility of Australian riders being invited to ride in South Africa.

"The president of the Australian Endurance Riders Association met with his South African counterpart in Malaysia about the possibility of some of our riders riding at the South African championships," Sutton said.

"They then called for Australian members to nominate.

"To nominate you had to be a member of the Australian Endurance squad, which is a squad for endurance riders who aspire to ride at representative level for their country.

"I received my invitation yesterday (Wednesday) and had just 24 hours to accept.

"I can tell you it didn't take me long to make the decision - this is too good an opportunity to miss."

Sutton is one of six Australians that have been invited to ride at the coming South African championships.

The South African championships are to be held at Fauresmith on July 7, 8 and 9.

"We arrive in South Africa on June 26 to give us time to meet and familiarise ourselves with our horses, which are being supplied by the host nation," she said.

"Their championships, like our Shazada, are three rides of 80 kilometres a day.

"While they are run like the Shazada, they are considered to be the equivalent of Australia's national ride - the Tom Quilty."

Sutton began her love of Endurance at age 15 and had a break to rear her young family and resumed in the sport in the year 2000.

She is now one of Australia's leading Endurance riders and was named the Mid-Western Regional Council’s sportsperson of the year during the Australia Day celebrations in January.

She won the popular Cooyal ride last year and on Sunday week will be out to defend that title.

She then will ride in the Gulgong ride on June 14 - her last ride before she leaves for Johannesburg.