Mexico: Oaxacan youth brings home silver medal

On July 24th in the lush rolling hills of Henryville, Indiana, two Mexican Youth Endurance Riders, Gabriel Mendoza Gagnier , age 17 and Magali de la Rosa, age 16, successfully completed the 75 mile ride to bring their international team to a silver medal win.

This team comprised of two Mexican and three Canadian youth riders took the honor of having all five riders successfully complete, their horses being deemed by the vets as “fit to continue”. In this demanding discipline of endurance riding “to finish is to win” and a 100% completion is considered stellar.

Heavy rains had left the ride’s steep trails muddy and slippery, a situation that required extra-cautious riding but for Gabriel and Magali the "for them" exotic deciduous forests lightened the work of the twelve hours it took them to ride their Arabian horses to a safe and sound finish.

A spirit of support and camaraderie permeated the event that for the first time ever saw riders from all three North American countries competing. Special appreciation goes to veteran rider Jan Worthington and equally experienced ground crew Grace Ramsay who generously lent their knowledge and their horses - Lantana for Magali and LuNor Sovereign for Gabriel.

For more info on endurance riding in Mexico visit: www.horsebackmexico.com

Mongolia: Reddy to compete in Mongol Derby

Aiken Standard
7/25/2009 11:40 PM
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer

The inaugural Mongol Derby is being called the toughest and most physically demanding race in the world.

The derby, arranged by a tour company known as The Adventurists, will feature 26 participants, who will ride semi-wild Mongolian horses 1,000 kilometers across the varied terrain of the Mongolian steppe.

The sojourn should take about two weeks, and participants had to pay an entry fee of $4,450, in addition to the $1,800 that will go toward Mercy Corps, the charity organization who will benefit from the challenge.

Aiken resident Tara Reddy is one of the intrepid horsemen who will be participating in the event. Attempts to reach Reddy via e-mail and phone were not returned. Attempts were also made to contact Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent of The Adventurists, who was with the Mongol Rally hordes in the Czech Republic; and she also did not return e-mails.

The event has drawn concern from several organizations who question the health and safety of the horses who will be participating in the Mongol Derby.

The test of fitness, stamina and endurance will not only push the riders to their limits, but also the horses, who must be in condition for the contest. The start date for the race is Aug. 22. The length between horse stations is 40 kilometers or about 25 miles.

The route will be split into two 500-kilometer legs. Each participant will ride 25 horses during the Mongol Derby. A section on horse care and horse welfare of the horses participating in the event have been posted on the Mongol Derby website, at mongol-derby.theadventurists.com.

Horse welfare is an issue that was raised by the Long Riders Guild, who, according to its website, is the world's first international association of equestrian explorers. The invitation-only organization was founded in 1994. The group has raised questions about whether the organizers of the event are going to be able to provide adequate veterinary care, has suggested that there is absolute disregard for the welfare of the horses involved in the race and has called for an immediate halt to the event.

During an interview conducted by the Long Riders Guild on July 11, Dr. Thomas Juergens, a DVM who is an adviser to VET Net, the Mongolian nongovernmental organization linked to the Mongol Derby, told the guild that he was surprised that VET Net had been linked to the event; a copy of the interview was forwarded to the Aiken Standard by the Long Riders Guild. Juergens also called for the event to be stopped on moral and ethical grounds.

Questions remain as to how adequate the veterinary care will be and how many veterinarians per horse will be available.

Mercy Corps relationship with The Adventurists dates back several years, according to Caitlin Carlson, Mercy Corps communications officer.

"Mercy Corps has been a beneficiary charity for Adventurist events since 2005, initially as the principal charity for the Mongol Rally," said Carlson, in an e-mail dated July 22. "Over the past four years, we have been a beneficiary charity for other Adventurists events such as the Rickshaw Run and the Ruta Del Sol. In 2009 Mercy Corps is one of the three charities for the Mongol Rally and one of two charities for the Winter Rickshaw Run. This year we are also the sole charity for the first ever Mongol Derby. Mercy Corps is not involved in the organization of these events."

The money being raised by the prospective participants for Mercy Corps, which is hoping to raise approximately $41,000 from the Mongol Derby, will go to help a variety of small Mongolian businesses and help stimulate and create job opportunities for poverty-stricken families, who are often nomadic. None of the fundraising money from The Adventurists has been accepted by Mercy Corps at this time, said Carlson.

"Mercy Corps continues to be in regular contact with The Adventurists to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare are upheld during the Mongol Derby," said Carlson. "We have been assured by the race's organizers that appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard the welfare of horses and participants. We are committed to animal welfare and would not involve ourselves in a fundraiser that compromises this commitment. As far as we can tell, the debate between the Long Riders Guild and The Adventurists amounts to a difference of opinion among long-distance horse riding enthusiasts about animal safety."

The Adventurists say they will provide extensive veterinary care prior to, during and after the race.

"If the horses come to task properly conditioned, are at the proper body weight, are sound of limb and are checked prior to, during and after the races, and they (The Adventurists) institute what they say they are going to do and insure the horses will be properly looked after, the horses' welfare must come first," said Dr. Jeannette Mero, American Endurance Ride Conference veterinary committee chair, who said the AERC would never endorse or sanction an event like the Mongol Derby.

THE AERC has strict rules and regulations riders must follow, and the rides are tightly monitored by veterinarians, said Dr. Keelin Redmond with Avoca Equine LLC.

"Every 10 to 15 miles there are stringent vet checks, and there are repeated vet checks throughout the ride," she said.

It's up to the endurance ride veterinarian to decide if a horse is fit to go on based on its metabolic and mechanical recovery. Pulse rates, hydration, respiration and metabolism level should be checked. After the ride, the horse must still pass final inspection.

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.

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USA: Walla Wall riders excel

Walla Wall - Horses and Hits
By Bret Rankin | July 22, 2009

photo: Cassandra Berube
WALLA WALLA — Local riders Ernie Schrader and Cassandra Berube continue to excel in endurance racing with Schrader’s two horses, Captain Calypso and I’m a Sweet Steele.
They tied for second place at the 100-mile Sun River Race at Mount Bachelor, Ore., on June 20th. Captain Calypso again won the coveted Best Condition award. This was his fifth Best Condition award in as many races this year, at distances of 50, 75, and 100 miles.
I’m a Sweet Steele had the highest veterinarian score, just slightly higher than Captain Calypso, but Captain Calypso won the award because he was carrying 42 more pounds of weight for the entire 100 miles, and was in better condition at the end of the ride than the winning horse.
Schrader and Berube rode the entire race together, but had some bad luck. They were “in front of the pack” and reached the second veterinarian check point 30 miles into the race — before the veterinarians arrived, and before the staff had marked the stop location. They continued down the trail past the stop until they realized they must have missed the check point. After riding an additional 25 minutes, they returned to the vet check which, by that time, had been posted in time for riders who were trailing behind them. This allowed five riders to get ahead of Berube and Schrader.
In the next 55 miles, they caught all except the leader, who finished about 10 minutes ahead of them. The next horse behind them was about 40 minutes back.
This was Berube’s first race at the 100-mile distance. She had been practicing for it by riding at night, but that practice proved unnecessary. Schrader and Berube finished well before dark. The last finishers came in at about 3:30 a.m.
Schrader and Berube’s next race will be the Tevis Cup on Aug. 1, along with local rider Dean Hoalst. The Tevis cup is considered to be the toughest horse race in the world, starting near Lake Tahoe. It covers a 100-mile distance over all types of terrain including a climb up the ski slope at Squaw Valley, reaching 8,700 feet at Emigrant Pass, a series of climbs and downhills in deep valleys with temperatures ranging from near freezing to over 100 degrees, swimming the American River at night, crossing the “No Hands” timber bridge and the cable “Swinging Bridge.”
After about 15,000 feet of total elevation change along the 100-mile trek, the race finishes in Auburn, Calif. All riders must finish within a maximum 24-hour allowed time.
Typically, less than half of the 200 pre-qualified international starters actually complete the ride in any given year. Most of the non-completers are “pulled” for various reasons at one of the vet checks along the way. As with all sanctioned endurance races, any horses showing any signs of serious distress, fatigue, lameness or other issue are not allowed to continue. Riders are not checked and may continue injured.
[Full article...]

Mongolia: Controversy continues over Mongolian race

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 24, 2009

Both sides have invoked the memory of Genghis Khan, and both seem as intractable as the mighty Mongol warrior, as the war of words continues over the merits of a 1000km horse race across the Mongolian steppes.

CuChullaine O'Reilly, founder of the Long Riders' Guild, has attacked the race, voicing fears for the wellbeing and safety of the horses and riders.

O'Reilly has raised concerns around the experience of some riders, the ability of the small local horses to carry larger-framed foreigners between race stations, and the dangerous and difficult nature of the terrain.

However, The Adventurists, the firm organising the event, says veterinarian support will be in place for the relay race and riders will carry tracking devices for their safety.

Discussion forums and bloggers have weighed into the debate over the race, which will involve up to 800 horses, with some questioning whether the event is in the best interests of the Mongol herdsmen who eke out a living in the remote terrain.

On its website, The Adventurists played up the danger and adventure in the race, which will involved 25 riders racing native horses for 40km legs between horse stations manned by local herdsman.

"Having thundered out over the start line," the Adventurists website exhorted, "a crotch-pounding 1000km will stand between you and glorious victory.

"You will have to navigate your way from one station to the next single-handedly; there's no marked course and there will be huge stretches with no paths or tracks at all.

"In fact even when there are tracks there is little chance they will be going in the right direction. You will be facing the wilderness, alone ...

"Bleeding kidneys, broken limbs, open sores, sun stroke, moon stroke and a list of dangers longer than your arm stand between the you and victory."

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Australia: Going for Gold

Gold: Murray Bridge equestrienne and
endurance rider Jill Bourton took home gold
at the recent South African Championship at
Fauresmith in Free States.

Murrayvalleystandard.com.au

23/07/2009

MURRAY BRIDGE equestrienne and endurance rider Jill Bourton has won gold with the Australian team in the South African National Endurance Championships at Fauresmith, in the Free States.

A New Zealand team was also invited to compete in the recent tri-nations event, with more than 400 riders from South Africa.

The South African team consisted of six of their fastest qualifying riders who were the favourites to win gold.

Both the Australian and New Zealand teams were provided with good, qualified horses.

The Australian team arrived a week before the event and were hosted at a game farm near Klerksdorp, in the North West Province, where they were able to ride and train their horses.

During the week, Bourton suffered a fall as the 16.2 hand Anglo Arabian horse she was borrowing shied at a stable.

A Queensland rider also fell during the incident as both horses bolted.

Both riders were unhurt apart from bruising and were able to continue riding.

By the weekend, horses and riders had travelled to Fauresmith in the Orange Free State where the three-day ride was held.

The Fauresmith three-day 200 kilometre championship has been going for 34 years and is regarded as the premier endurance event in South Africa.

The ride started with 382 riders and finished with a 58.7 per cent completion rate.

Bourton set the pace for the Australian team from day one and completed the third day as the first international rider across the line with a total riding time of 11.04 hours.

She finished 43rd out of about 155 riders in the standard weight division.

The New Zealand team lost all but one of its riders through vet outs over the three days of the competition, the South Africans lost three and the Australian team only lost one, resulting in the gold medal for Australia.

"It was certainly the highlight of my year and probably my endurance career," Bourton said.

"The horses were amazing and the speeds were very fast over terrain very similar to our far north and Flinders Ranges.

"I actually felt quite at home."

Bourton said the hospitality and generosity of the Africans was amazing and she would not hesitate to go back.

She hoped she could inspire more South Australian riders to apply to take part in future teams.

"The Eastern States tend to dominate the international side of our sport and even though we have some good endurance riders in this State, I was the first South Australian to compete overseas for some years," she said.

Young Rider Team Dressage Kicks Off 2009 NAJYRC

July 22 2009

The 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North kicked off today under a deluge from the sky at the Kentucky Horse Park. Despite the fact that rain showers, and eventually a downpour, plagued the first day of competition, some stunning rides in the USDF/Platinum Performance NAJYRC Dressage Championships Team Test and the first medal ceremony of the championships brightened the day for riders and spectators alike.

It was an exciting test from start to finish, as just over four points separated the Gold-medal team from the Bronze-medal team.

Region 7 took home the first Gold medal of the competition. The team, consisting of Brian Hafner and Lombardo LHF, Amanda Harlan and Liberte, Christine Stephenson and Markant and Brianna Dutton and Tibet, finished with a team total of 198.631. All four riders put in solid tests. More importantly, they all appreciate their team members and how well they have gotten along on the journey to the NAJYRC.

"I got really lucky today," Hafner said. "My horse was really solid. We had a few minor faults. It is a huge deal for me to be part of this group and do so well as a team."

Harlan agreed with Hafner, and got the added privilege of experiencing the rain firsthand.

"I was very happy with my ride today. I rode in the pouring rain for the first time!" she said. "I'm so happy to be here. It's been an amazing journey."

Dutton and Stephenson finished with solid scores, but both were thrilled with their team's efforts and with receiving the Gold medal.

"There were a few more mistakes than usual," Dutton said. "But, it was nice to ride and get out there. My team is really awesome."

"I didn't have the greatest ride today," Stephenson admitted, but added, "I have the best teammates anyone could ever have. It was just awesome being there and being able to compete."

The Silver-medal team from Region 2 was made up of Ashlee Todosijevic and Sjoerd, Brittany McCarthy and Gabelle, Kristen N. Becker and Ramses and Kassandra Barteau and GP Raymeister. Region 2 had two riders finish in the top three individually, and had a combined score of 197.315.

The Bronze medal went to Region 3 with a combined score of 194.579. The Region 3 team included Mary-Cameron Rollins on Rose Nior 2, Caroline Roffman on Accent Aigu FRH, Amanda Sterns on Revanche and McKenzie Jenkins on Tsarina Bint RII.

Topping the leader board individually after the first round of dressage was Brian Hafner aboard the Hanoverian Lombardo LHF. Hafner, hailing from Region 7, received an average of 68.842% from the five judges. Lombardo has been with Hafner since he was a four-year-old.

"My horse was really solid today," he said. "We had a few minor faults. But I am very fortunate to have a great horse. He's so amazing. He has a great personality, and I am very blessed to have him."

Hafner goes go school in San Diego and trains with Laurie Falvo Doyle.

Kristen N. Becker and Ramses, a flashy KWPN from Region 2, turned in a 67.789% to put themselves in second place. Ramses impressed the judges with his flashy gaits and smooth, solid movements to earn a Team Silver medal, as well as put himself and Becker in a solid position for the rest of the competition.

Rounding out the top three is Kassandra Barteau and her GP Raymeister, also from Region 2, with their score of 67.579%. This isn't the first trip to this competition for Barteau, but it is the first trip to the championships for her partner. Thus far, Barteau is pleased with Raymeister’s performance.

"He was such a good boy!" she said. "I just took it nice and slow, and I didn't push him. I thought he was really steady. He can get a little flighty, and he didn't see the [judges'] tents yesterday. But, I was really proud of how he handled that."

Raymeister, a nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Rantares, has been with Barteau since he was just starting out under saddle.

"We've been together for four years now," she said proudly. "I've had him since he was doing training and first, and he's just working his way up to the FEI levels, figuring it all out."

Wednesday also featured horse inspections for the jumping horses, the eventers and the refiners, as well as the Opening Ceremonies which took place after the dressage had concluded. The big event was a packed and exciting march of the many groups that are onsite and participating in the week-long activities.

First was the procession of participating athletes from across North America that walked into the covered arena through ceremonious black curtains. Dressage, jumping, eventing, reining, vaulting and endurance were represented, followed by the officials.

Many dignitaries were present to show their support, including USEF President David O'Connor, Kentucky Horse Park Director John Nicholson and the President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

After the presentation of the FEI, Mexican and Canadian flags and anthems, it was time for the American flag and anthem to be presented. This was followed by the Lafayette Color Guard and students who performed the Linda Eder song "Gold."

The dignitaries returned to share their thoughts and encourage the athletes who traveled so far and worked so hard to earn a spot at these amazing championships.

Thursday at the NAJYRC will be packed with events staring at 7:30 a.m. and wrapping up long after sundown. Junior Team dressage will compete, as well as Junior and Young Rider show jumping, CCI** eventing dressage and reining.

For more information, visit http://www.youngriders.org.

2010 WEG: Preparations for World Equestrian Games go full-tilt

Courier-journal.com - Full Article

July 17, 2009

By Gregory A. Hall

LEXINGTON, Ky. — It will be more than a year before tens of thousands of equestrian fans fill the new arena and outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park for 16 days of world championship equine events, but a practice round of sorts for competitors and organizers gets under way next week.
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An international reining test, expected to attract 75 competitors from North America, is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday, followed July 30 with a four-day vaulting competition.

That first "dress rehearsal" is the latest step since Lexington won the right to host the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games — with an estimated 60,000 fans and 700 competitors from 60 countries.

In the more than three years since that happened, a $45million, 6,000-seat indoor arena has been built at the horse park, along with a $25million outdoor stadium that with temporary seating can hold up to 30,000, along with numerous other details like lining up parking as close as possible in Central Kentucky.

The local organizer of the event said staffers are working to ensure that by Sept. 25, 2010, the day the games begin, nothing goes wrong — and even if it does, you don't notice.

"We go through literally every minute of every day, detailed planning (for) … transportation, security, competition, hospitality, food service, trade show," said Jamie Link, chief executive of the World Games 2010 Foundation. The goal is to "have a very detailed plan and also a very detailed contingency plan for weather, security issues, transportation issues."

The arena got positive reviews Friday from one of the first riders to use it.

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