Namibia: Endurance riders excel

Namibia Sport
June 19

Namibia’s endurance horse riding teams excelled at the South African International FEI Challenge which recently took place in Beaufort West, South Africa, winning both the Senior Standard Weight and Heavy Weight divisions. Namibia’s individual riders also excelled in their various categories, with several riders winning medals. Namibia competed against the national teams of South Africa, France and Great Britain as well as provincial South African teams.

Namibia had by far the superior team in the Heavy Weight division with all its riders putting in consistently good rides. The Namibian team’s strategy was to ride competitively yet safely and let the other teams ride themselves out of the race.
The plan was successful when three of the South African riders were eliminated after the first loop and a fourth rider was eliminated after the second loop.

The only two South Africans finishers came first and 12th overall, while all but one of Namibia’s riders finished amongst the top 12 positions. They were Rudolf Oosthuizen (third), Gawie Viljoen (fourth), Shanie Bosch (seventh), Danie Delport (tenth) and Kallie Grunschlos (11th). The only Namibian withdrawal was Johan van der Walt, whose horse pulled up lame after the second loop.

Namibia dominated the Standard Weight category and took the lead after 30 minutes of the first loop. After the second loop the lead increased to 48 minutes and one of the South African team members was eliminated. After the third loop two more South African team members were eliminated because they could not keep up with the high speed of the Namibian riders. Victory was sweet when the Namibian team finished ahead of South Africa, France and Great Britian.

Jeremia Goagoseb came second, Bredell Wessels came fourth, Frans Saubek sixth, Collin Tjanda seventh, Sam Kriel 16th, Simon Hangura 28th and Hannelie Coetzee 40th. Stefanus Pienaar was eliminated at the final inspection.

Namibia nearly also won the Young Riders category, but were eliminated when three of their horses failed to complete the course. Namibia was leading until the final inspection when Anna Wucher’s horse, Mubarak was eliminated due to lameness. If Mubarak had finished, Namibia would have beaten the eventual winners, South Africa, by more than 1 hour 40 minutes.
Chante Nell came first, Christine van Zyl fourth, Conrad van der Walt 16th, Recht Burger 17th, Schalk Burger 18th and Kabous Rossouw.

In the individual competitions, Namibian riders performed well and ended in the following positions:
In the Senior Standard Weight division over 120,7 km, Izolde von Schauroth came third and Adri van Zyl 27th.
In the Young Riders’ category over 120,7km Fritz Konjak came third, Wilhelm Loubscher 15th and Cherne de Meyer 18th.
Marlene van Rensburg came seventh in the Erasa 120km category, while Johan Bredenkamp came first overall in the I Young Rider category over 81,09km.

Of the 15 horses that were nominated for the Best Conditioned competition in the three categories in which Namibia competed, eight were Namibian horses. Namibia won two of the three awards, with Chante Nell on Henham Zahara winning in the Young riders category and Izolde von Schauroth on Zabubega Tushiya in the senior category.

[full article]

FEI checks 2nd horse doping case

Bleacher Report

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

LAUSANNE, Switzerland(AP)—The International Equestrian Federation is investigating a second member of its president’s family for alleged horse doping.

The governing body said Friday that Princess Haya of Jordan will step aside from her presidential duties when it considers the case against Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the son of her husband, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Sheik Hamdan rode his horse Eo Fawati in a 74 1/2-mile endurance race at Bahrain in January. The horse tested positive for metabolites of the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

Sheik Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, rode his horse, Tahhan, when it tested positive for stanozolol metabolites in Bahrain. It also had traces of the banned substance guanabenz in Bahrain and after racing in Dubai in February.

Both men’s cases are expected to go before the FEI’s seven-member tribunal, which can suspend riders from endurance races.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee, Princess Haya informed the organization about the cases. Endurance racing is not an Olympic discipline.

Since becoming FEI president in 2006, the princess has campaigned to clean up equestrian’s doping and medication problems.

She publicized details when six horses failed doping tests at last year’s Beijing Olympics, and has commissioned IOC adviser Arne Ljungqvist to lead a review of the sport’s methods of treating horses and educating riders. His report is due in the next few months.

Full article

UAE: A horsewoman in pursuit of a vision

The National
Rym Ghazal
June 19
photo:Hanan al Muhairi, 24, of Ras al Khaimah, takes a ride in the desert on a horse from the police stables. Amy Leang / The National

For many Emirati women, horse riding is an impossible dream. They face frowns from a traditional society, starting with family, that views riding as something only for men.

Hanan al Muhairi wants to eliminate the stigma and make the dream a reality. After four years struggling to complete her documentary film about the first female horse riding team in the UAE, Ms al Muhairi is now on a mission to set up the first club for any Emirati woman who wants to ride.

“I want a place that will be a link between the UAE’s greatest horses, and its future horse riders,” said Ms al Muhairi, 24, who as a rider and horse lover is determined to change attitudes.

The documentary takes a hard and honest look at the struggles, dreams and reality of horse riding for an Emirati woman.

The movie, called Arabyana, after the six-member female riding team, was released in April after four years of delays and obstacles owing to the sensitivity of some topics it dealt with and high-profile interviews that took time to arrange.

“It is about our right to ride, and the challenges we face from our own community whenever we pursue less than traditional activities,” she said.

“It is not fair just to keep men in the spotlight of the equestrian field and ignore all the female talents in the same field,” she said.

The interviewees included: Sheikha Madeya Bint Hasher Al Maktoum, a young UAE horse rider who specialises in endurance races; the champion horse rider Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, who participated in the Olympics; and Princess Haya, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who is a horse rider herself.

The documentary was made under Princess Haya’s patronage. It also featured Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak and Sheikh Talib Al Qassimi.

“Horse riding is not just a man’s sport; a woman can also be a great horse rider and she can do it as a lady,” said Ms al Muhairi, a member of the UAE’s female riding team.

By wearing a black scarf and loose clothing as she rides her horse in the documentary, Ms al Muhairi says she is trying to show her people that “you can be a good Muslim girl and a great horse rider”. “So why not open for us a place where we can train and ride freely without social or financial pressures?” she asked. The six young women, all of whom studied different majors at Dubai Women’s College, would like to expand their team and compete in national and international competition.

Ms al Muhairi said she knows of many horsewomen who would like a chance to ride for their country.

“We are dedicated, just give us a chance,” she said. “It shouldn’t be limited just to the royals, it is a sport for everyone.”

..........

“Maybe pressure from outside can help open a window here,” she said. “Who knows, anything is possible if you work hard and follow your dreams.”


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Australia: Clare in running to host Tom Quilty

Northernargus.com.au

CHELSEA ASHMEADE
17/06/2009

Australia's biggest endurance horse riding event, the Tom Quilty, may be held in Clare in 2011.

Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society hopes to host the event on its extensive site at the southern entrance to Clare.

"A local chap contacted me and asked if we can have it, or if we were interested in holding the event," show society president Norm Crowther said.

The South Australian Endurance Riders Association will holding its state championships in Clare next year which will put the showgrounds to the test as a venue.

"Next year they are coming to Clare, we have a meeting at the end of the week to talk more about the Tom Quilty," Mr Crowther said.

"But next year there could be about 60 to 80 horses on the grounds which will be a reasonable test on the system."

The meeting to be held at the end of the week will include a representative from the SAERA, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, the Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society and other town groups.

"We have to know all the information possible for both events so we can start organising our grounds. It is prestigious to be able to hold an event like this in our area, and having an area big enough for their use is fantastic," Norm said.

Facts about the Tom Quilty:

Tom Quilty was a legendary Kimberley cattleman who was approached by R.M Williams to donate $1000 toward the perpetual trophy, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup in 1966.

The ride used to be known as 100 miles and is now defined in metric (160km), yet the spirit of the event remains; to complete the distance in a day.

The event draws competitors from throughout Australia and overseas.

The trophy has more than 38 ounces of gold and is heavier than the Melbourne Cup, it’s so valuable it now resides in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach, Queensland and a gold plated replica is presented in its place.

It begins at midnight and goes throughout the day until all are finished, whether they complete or withdraw.

The Netherlands: 2009 Ermelo: Dutch National Championship

Belgium's Kristel Van Den Abeele, riding Yasmina du Florival, won the
160-km CEI*** Endurance ride and Dutch Championship in Ermelo,
Netherlands on 12 June, 2009.

Finishing just seconds behind Van Den Abeele were Dutch riders Yvonne
Van Der Velde and Jeanne Linneweever, both of whom made up at least 17 minutes on the final 16 kilometer loop to
almost catch the leader Van Den Abeele. Unfortunately, both Van Der
Velde's horse Joy Escobar, and Linneweever's horse Riki's Macho Man,
were eliminated at the finish, for lameness and metabolics, respectively.

Lisette Druenen of the Netherlands, who came fourth across the finish
line 25 minutes later, placed second when her horse completed the
final vet inspection, making her the 2009 Dutch National Champion. Van
Den Abeele's mount Yasmina du Florival also received the Best
Condition award. Last year's Dutch Champions, Jannet Van Wijk and
Latino finished third. 19 riders from 9 countries contested the 160 km ride,
with 6 finishing. Winning time was 9:37.37, with an average speed of
16.62 km/h.

Additional rides were held, including the CEI** 125 km ride, where
Maike Grell of Germany, riding Tango Lady XX, finished in first place,
just a few seconds over Rashed Saeed Al Kamda of the UAE, riding
Taliesen. Heike Blumel of Germany and Voila Kossack finished third; 15
of 21 riders completed the race, and Tango Lady received Best Condition. In the CEI-J-YR** 120 km ride, all four entrants were elimated by lamenesses at the third vet gate.

Complete results and photos at

www.endurance.net/international/Netherlands/2009Ermelo

Great Britain: Team GB needs £500,000 for World Equestrian Games

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Butcher, H&H news editor

13 June, 2009
Prohibitively high costs of transporting horses and riders to next year's Alltech FEI (International Equestrian Federation) World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky, could have serious repercussions for the competition.

National federations have expressed real concerns over the costs of flying horses to America for the 2010 WEG (25 September-10 October) and at the inflated prices that "official" hotels near the horse park are charging for accommodation.

Eight disciplines are represented at WEG — driving, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, paraequestrianism, reining, show jumping and vaulting.

The competition has been held every four years since 1990 and 2010 is the first time it will take place outside Europe.

New Zealand, Austria, Ireland, Australia and the British Equestrian Federation have told H&H they are struggling to meet budgets to send full teams.

Team GB manager Will Connell said: "It will cost between £1.25million and £1.5million to take eight full teams to WEG — it's an expensive operation."

More...

Australia: Record-breaker off to United States

Qt.com.au

David Lems | 13th June 2009

FOR record-breaking Australian endurance horse rider Linda Meredith, her latest success has been something special.

However, she's even more excited about her future after a stunning performance at the recent national titles at Imbil, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

By winning the 160km endurance event for the first time, Kalbar-based Meredith qualified to represent her country at next year's World Equestrian Games in the United States.

"That will be huge," Meredith said, delighted about the prospect of taking on the world's best in Kentucky next year.

"I'm absolutely over the moon."

Meredith has been competing in endurance riding since 1995, enjoying top 10 finishes at major events and competing in Trans-Tasman series at New Zealand championships.

She also won six Tom Quilty buckles (at national events).

However, her latest achievement is her best so far. She's ecstatic her husband Ted and rapidly maturing grey gelding Anglesea Trooper are sharing the journey.

"Ted is my strapper, coat person and taxi driver," she laughed.

"We're very much a team.

"We've just been waiting for our horse to explode out of the blocks."

Meredith, a registered nurse at Ipswich Hospital, said having nine-year-old horse Anglesea Trooper starting to peak gave her more confidence.

"I've always known he had potential and he's been very hard work to keep him under wraps," she said.

"He's old enough now to be able to race.

"I believe our best years are ahead."

Meredith's 160km endurance event is over six stages on different courses.

"It's a race against the clock or each other," the former Gold Coaster said, having been in Kalbar for seven years.

What satisfied her last weekend was clocking the fastest 160km time in Australia.

"It's the thrill of the race," Meredith said, explaining why she loves endurance racing.

Nationals course director Bob Sample said the Sunday of last weekend's competition "belonged to Linda Meredith and Anglesea Trooper" after they quickly took charge, leading all the way on the 160km course.

The rider and her horse completed the journey in eight hours, 56 minutes.

"Anyone who is familiar with the Imbil forest trails will know what a great performance this was," Sample said.

Australian endurance squad manager Barb Timms agreed.

"Linda Meredith and the big white horse Trooper established the lead well and truly in the first leg and never faulted for the entire ride," Timms said.

Meredith trains three to four times a week in the Kalbar area, often riding around Lake Manchester and up the Boonah hills.

'I believe our best years are ahead.'

- Linda Meredith