Great Britain: Team GBR Launch Fundraising Auction

Horsemart.co.uk

An Online auction has been launched by Equestrian Team GBR to raise funds to send the British Team to the World Equestrian Games in 2010. The site includes exclusive gifts, experiences and a huge array of items that will appeal to everyone. The auction forms a major part of Team GBR’s fundraising initiatives, which are now gathering momentum.

There are a number of lots on the site already that you can bid for. Items include the chance to join the eventing performance squad for winter training, a pamper day for two at Peter Jones in Slone Square, lessons with our equestrian stars, the 3ft tall Olympic mascot from Hong Kong and much, much more.

A World Equestrian Games includes the eight disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance, reining and vaulting – for the British team this is more than 51 horses in total.

“The Games are being held in Kentucky, USA, the first time they have ever been held outside Europe,” comments Will Connell, Equestrian Performance Director. “To send a full team and remain one of the top equestrian nations in the world, we need your help. All proceeds of this auction will go towards sending the team to the Games and supporting our talented riders in their quest to compete and win on the World stage. Without your help we will not be able to send a full team.”

The Olympic and Paralympic teams are generously supported by lottery funding via UK Sport, but the non-Olympic sports of driving, endurance, reining and vaulting do not receive funding of any kind. GBP 500,000 is needed to support those teams and fund their trip to Kentucky next year.

The auction site has been launched with the generous support of the John Lewis Partnership who joined with the British Equestrian Federation as part of the British Olympic Association FTSE 100 partnership scheme.

The site is very easy to use, setting up an account will only take a few minutes and then you can start bidding straight away on any of the items. There is also the option to sign up for auction email alerts, to be the first to know about the exciting new lots being added to the site.

The British Equestrian Federation and all its member bodies are committed to sending a full team to the World Games and the auction site is just one way that people can get behind the Teams.

You can also show your support by joining Team GBR Ontrack. Supported across the British Equestrian Federation and launched in partnership with the equestrian Olympic and Paralympic teams via British Eventing, The British Show Jumping Association and British Dressage, Team GBR Ontrack brings together, for the first time, all equestrian and horse sport activity in the UK under one ‘supporters club’. There are two options to join, either free or a one-off fee of GBP 20 which brings with it a range of exciting benefits for you and the teams.

Everyone joining the full membership option will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a VIP trip the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and the first 500 members will get a unique black membership card.

Ontrack will officially launch at an exclusive fundraising event in the Cotswolds on 8 September. With a champagne reception, luxury lunch, showcase of all World Equestrian Games sports and the opportunity to meet stars of the past and future, this is a not be missed event. Details of how to buy tickets are available on the website.

Also look out for the exciting Team GBR raffle which will be coming very soon with the exciting first prize of a GBP 100,000 Olympic Horsebox and some great runners-up prizes too.

Visit the auction via www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk and find out more about the other initiatives at www.teamgbrontrack.com.

Show your support:
o Bid on an auction item
o Buy a raffle ticket
o Join Team GBR Ontrack
o Buy a ticket for the first Ontrack fundraising day

It’s all great value, only takes a couple of minutes of your time and will make a real difference to our equestrian teams while giving you some great benefits, gifts and prizes in return!

Area rider finishes well in Tevis Cup

SkyHiDailyNews.com
Tennessee (Lane) Mahoney "Tenney," former Grand County student and resident of a ranch owned by her family near Kremmling, recently placed sixth in the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile, one-day, equine race from Truckee, Calif., to Auburn, Calif.

The Tevis Cup race is considered one of the most, if not THE most, difficult horse race in the world. The 2009 race had entries from six countries and 33 states. About 180 riders entered and 87 completed the race.

Tenney and her husband, Sean Mahoney, train horses and teach riding at their home "Remuda Run," outside of Fort Collins.

Although Tennessee has been doing well in the Mountain Region AERC (American Endurance Riding Club) and has qualified her horse, DWA Pearl, through Federacion Equine Internacional to possibly compete in the Olympics, this was Tennessee's first time to ride in the Tevis Cup and her first time to ride Salty, a gelding of mixed breeds.

Tennessee began training in endurance riding with Global Endurance two years ago and she and her horse DWA (Drinkers of the Wind Arabians) Pearl have been selected to compete in the endurance riding Olympic Trials this October for the 2010 Olympics to be held in Kentucky that year.

Tennessee moved here from Virginia in 1989 when she was only 7 years old and had been doing horse work Western style both in Virginia, and at family ranches in Texas and New Mexico. She had done English riding and some jumping in Virginia since she was 3.

However, after moving to Colorado, she began riding in the local gymkanas and rodeos along with helping with cattle work at her home ranch. After going to High School at Fountain Valley School near Co. Springs, she learned to drive big Belgians in the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo and at the Denver Stock Show.

news.co.nz
photo:Hannah Ritchie and Charlotte Davison are part of a team competing in the Mongol Derby

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 7:51p.m.

Two New Zealanders living in London are preparing to canter into the record books with the race of a lifetime.

Hannah Ritchie and Charlotte Davison are part of a team competing in the Mongol Derby - a race the organisers have called the biggest, baddest equine affair on the planet.

"It's based on the old postal system that Genghis Khan created," Ms Ritchie explains. "When he was developing his empire, basically his riders would ride 22 hours a day in the saddle and change horse every 40km so they could get a message from Mongolia to Western Europe. I think they did it in about 11 days."

Starting in the ancient capital of Kharkhorin, the 26 riders of the derby will cover 80km a day to finish up somewhere in the Khentii province of Mongolia two weeks later.

It's not so much a race as an endurance test. Riders will spend 14 hours a day in the saddle.

The Kiwi pair's trusty steed for the race is the native Mongolian horse. It's an ancient breed that's stocky with short legs and a large head and roams free for months at a time.

Between them the race competitors will go through almost 800 horses in Mongolia, but sourcing so many horses shouldn't be a problem. In Mongolia they outnumber people seven to one.

The competitors are only allowed to carry 10kg of supplies and there are no support vehicles following them. The only safety net is a GPS attached to each rider to ensure they can be found if things go seriously wrong.
[More ...]

USA: Thistle Down riders complete course, despite rain

Frazee-Vergas Forum
by Dale Fet
photo:Almost 2 inches of rain altered the course at the Thistle Down Run near Frazee this weekend. Riders (from left) Alexis Visser of Pequot Lakes, Karen Kersten of Pine River and Tara Saley of Brainerd headed out of the campground on a timed run Sunday. Photo by Gale Kaas

The Thistle Down Run endurance horse ride near Frazee was a success with over 80 riders entering for the weekend in spite of less than ideal weather.

The temperature in the days preceding hovered in the mid-90s with the first real warm spell of the summer. It then cooled for Saturday, but rain showers forced everyone to bring out the rain gear as the wet weather continued through Sunday morning.

As it always seems to happen, the sun came out Sunday afternoon giving everyone a warm, sunny ride home.

Endurance riding goes on rain or shine and, true to form, these riders showed they are serious horse people who love to ride.

Ride managers Teresa and Dale Fett made extra trail checks to make sure trail markers stayed up during the rains and wind so riders would stay on course. A few route changes were made to adapt to the wet conditions as safety and wellbeing for both riders and their horses is first priority.

The ride was held in memory of Ben Piche on the family farm of his children Scott (Lisa) and Renae (Ken). Thanks to Les, Pat, and Ron Kertscher along with Vinton and Joyce Vogler who allowed the ride to also cross their property.

The local crew of volunteers included Spencer Fett, Donna Fett, Orlynn Hanson, Clio Jepson, Robin Holmer, Vernette Johnson and Jessica Looker who handled sign-up, timing, vet scribe and general duties. Joyce Vogler kept everyone well fed with her excellent culinary skills.

Riders were offered choices of 50- or 25-mile endurance and 25-mile competitive rides Saturday. Sunday offerings were 25-mile endurance, 25-mile competitive, and an 8-mile novice ride.

The course was divided into two loops of 16 and 8 miles. After completing a loop, riders must have their horse vet checked for any health issues and then must take a mandatory 40-minute hold in camp to allow horses time to eat and drink.

They then mount up again and take their next loop until their particular class is completed. Vet checks are performed at the end to make sure all horses are healthy with vetting chores being handled by Dr. Dean Peterson of Ham Lake and Dr. Travis Kuhlka of New Salem, N.D.

Clio Jepson of Frazee endured a heavy rain shower Sunday morning on an Arab mare (Mi) to win the 8-mile novice class. Also in novice was Lisa Piche, who just started riding a few months ago under the watchful eye of Teresa Fett, riding her late father-in-law's grade mare (Penny) to a 4th place finish.

Teresa Fett, besides being a ride manager, competed both days in 25-mile endurance on her two new 4-year-old registered Arabs (Lillee and Mistir Aaz) with completions. These young horses are just old enough to enter this class and will take two to three years to get the experience and endurance needed to compete in the top of this class.

A rider's potluck was held Saturday evening with awards being given out and then Spencer Fett turned on the DJ music to entertain riders for the evening.

[full article ...]

Canadian Endurance Team Wins Silver at Endurance Young Riders Championships

HunterJumperNews.com
August 17, 2009

Ottawa, ON—Three Canadian young riders Lee Hutten, 17, Kate Coady, 20, and Ariel Macleod, 15, won the team silver medal at North American Young Riders Endurance Ride (NAYRER), held July 24, 2009, at the Clark State Forest in Henryville, Indiana. The competition was held in conjunction with the North American Junior and Young Riders Championships.

The three Canadians joined forces with two riders from Mexico and forming the International Canada/Mexico Team in which all five team members finished the ride. The Canadians rode together and each finished in a time of 11:18 over the five-loop 75-mile ride. Coady of , BC, earned an eighth place finish with Apache Eclypse, a 13-year-old Arabian gelding owned by Elroy Karius. Hutten of Chesterville, ON, rode I Bee Jazzin, her eight-year-old Anglo-Arab mare, to a ninth place finish. Riding A Salisbury Rose, a 10-year-old Arab mare also owned by Karius, Macleod of Montney, BC, finished in 10th place.

“To ride as a team was the best decision we made,” said Coady, who rode Apache Eclypse for the first time at the competition. “We helped each other along the way and the horses bonded, which made it easier to finish the last 10 miles. Elroy Karius and Gail Jewell donated my horse and Ariel’s horse, A Salisbury Rose. We would not have been able to attend the Championships without their generous support.”

“This was my first international competition, and I would definitely do one again,” Hutten, who started riding 10 years ago with Dessia Miller. “To prepare for this competition, I did two 50 mile rides and I conditioned my horse all winter. She really handled the distance of this ride very well.”

Mountain/Pacific Region team won the team gold medal, and the Central team was awarded bronze.

The winning time of 8:19 went to Kelsey Kimbler riding Junior CAHR of the Central Team. Junior CAHR was also named as the best conditioned horse.

“We are so very proud of these young riders, these horses and their devoted crew — a huge team effort and a huge success story,” said the chair of Endurance Canada, Daphne Richard. “Congratulations to all of the riders and thank you for a job well done.”

Complete results of the North American Young Riders Endurance Ride may be found at http://www.youngriders.org/documents/results/2009/endurance/2009FinalResults.pdf.

For additional information on Endurance Canada and its programs, please visit the Endurance section of the Equine Canada website or e-mail endurance@equinecanada.ca.

Written by Julie Cull

[More ...]

Australia: Top lot goes to Dubai at Magic Millions Sporthorse Sale

Efanational.com

17 August 2009

The Magic Millions inaugural Sporthorse Sale was held on Saturday evening at their Gold Coast Sale Complex.

109 lots comprising of dressage, jumping, eventing, polo, endurance, showing, breeding stallions and youngstock were put through the sale ring.

Lot 9 topped the sale at $46,000, a 6-year-old endurance mare offered by Toft Endurance Pty Ltd sold to Dubai. In total 39 lots sold for an average price of $10,600.

International buyers from Korea purchased 11 horses, 3 horses were sold to Dubai and Chinese buyers also attended the sale.

The horses were viewed and trialled in the preceding two days at the Gold Coast Polo and Country Club about 40 minutes from the sales complex. Show jumps, dressage arenas and a free-schooling yard were set up on the polo fields to enable prospective buyers an opportunity to try the horses.

On Saturday the horses were moved into the sales complex where they were able to be inspected in-hand but not ridden. Vet checks were available at the expense of the purchaser.

The horses were presented in-hand for the auction as they would be at a thoroughbred sale. The auction started at 5pm and concluded around 9pm.

Attendance was good with most of the seating filled. The bidding was reasonable however the majority of horses were passed in as they did not reach their reserve price (the highest bid of the evening was $75,000 for the black jumping stallion Dutch Choice but it fell short of the reserve).

It appeared that many people were just there as spectators and not as buyers, which was not unusual for the first year of the sale.

Feedback from the vendors was largely positive. Most agreed that the first year was always going to be the most difficult but they were eager for Magic Millions to persevere.

"It is really important that we stick with this idea and support Magic Millions," said Peter Toft of Toft Endurance, "it is exactly what our industry needs."

"I think it is a good idea and with some fine tuning it could work very well," commented Olympic rider Vicki Roycroft who, along with Adam Mellers, acted as an advisor for Jumping .

"I sold the three horses that I brought," said event rider Kevin McNab, "next year I'll bring a lot more."

David Chester, Managing Director of Magic Millions, said that they were very excited about the development of the sale and the marketing of Australian Sporthorses around the world.

"To create international exposure for Australian performance horses, will be of great benefit to the development of the industry as a whole, and we envisage this concept will only grow from strength to strength," said David.

Industry professionals from each discipline formed a sale committee to advise Magic Millions and to assist with the selection of horses. Jumping – Adam Mellers and Vicki Roycroft, Dressage – Brett Parbery, Polo – Ian "Ginger" Hunt, Eventing – Tim Boland, Showhorse – Kim Durante and Endurance – Peter Toft.
Photos coming soon.

Bahrain: Royal team excel in Germany event

Gulf Daily News
Posted on » Sunday, August 16, 2009


BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team starred in an endurance horse race in Germany, where they took first place in several race categories.

Yousef Taher riding French horse Siyam won the 160km race, which featured riders from the UK, Belgium and Germany, and consisted of six stages.

Taher finished in a time of nine hours 31 minutes and 12 seconds, as he contested the event with an average riding speed of 16kph.

Second and third place also went to Bahrain. Jaffar Merza took the runner-up spot after completing the ride in just a second behind his victorious compatriot, while Abdulrahman Al Sa'ad was also not far behind, finishing two seconds behind Taher.

In the 120km event, Ahmed Abdulla on his horse Rashken took the winner's trophy in 6:38:25. He had an average speed of 18.72kph.

Shereen Fayez, also of the royal team, won the under-18 female event also over 120km. She clocked a winning mark of 6:39:16 and a speed of 18kph.

In the men's under-18 race over 80km, Bahrain's Ahmed Al Guood finished in second place with in 5:03:23, while countryman Ahmed Janahi was fifth in the same distance's under-20 age category.

Congratulated

Following their victorious campaign, Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated His Majesty King Hamad on the win and thanked His Majesty for the support to endurance riding and to all sports in the kingdom.

Shaikh Nasser pointed out that the Bahrainis' fine showing in Germany helped lift their spirits as they prepare to take part in several other European rides as well as the world championships.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed his appreciation of the royal team's efforts in victory, and encouraged them to continue their strong display in their remaining events in the summer.