Malaysia: Shahruddin Trots Away With Pahang-Penn Endurance Crown

Bernama.com
October 11, 2009 17:25 PM

KUANTAN, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Shahruddin Abdullah, representing Team Blue Moon, overcame the challenge of 27 other riders to win the gruelling 100km race in the Pahang-PENN Endurance 2009 that ended at the Pahang International Endurance Park here on Sunday.

Shahruddin completed the 100km route in 7 hours 25 minutes 07 seconds to beat Wan Mohd Kamaluddin Wan Yusuff from Team Moro Deuz who came in with a time of 7'29:08s while Muhammad Zaini Saad (Ropadi Bal Tazar) clocked 8'35:57s to take third place.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the defending champion, had to drop out of the race as his horse "Tarjari Moonlight Pharoah" suffered a health problem.

Tuanku Mizan's children Tengku Muhammad Ismail and Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah meanwhile, competing in the same category, decided to withdraw after completing 70km.

Though Tengku Muhammad and Tengku Nadhirah had decided to withdraw, the 70km completed was their best personal achievements as both had only managed to complete 60km distances in the past.

In the 60km category, Norlaily Bunyamin representing Team Bremervale Jessie James, emerged victorious after completing her race in 4 hours 30 minutes 32 seconds.

Mohd Shahlan Hamzi Mohd Noor from Mater Scaff Endurance came in second with a time of 4'42:17s while Haris Zulhkiple Navaronne from WP Equestrian Team finished third with a time of 4'50:26s.

The 20km category was won by Amir Ghani Ahmad from Ar-Raudhah Equine Centre with a time of 1'16:27, ahead of Al Iskandari Equine Park rider Mohd Fazlee Marzuki (1'25:15s) and Mohd Anif Mohd Nawi.

-- BERNAMA

Tuanku Mizan Sets Out To Defend Title In Gruelling Endurance Race

Bernama.com

KUANTAN, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was among 97 local and foreign riders who started on their quest in the Pahang-PENN Endurance Challenge 2009 at the Pahang International Endurance Park in Cherating near here Saturday.

The King, an avid endurance rider, representing Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) and wearing a 7 numbered jersey, rode out for the 100km race with 28 other competitors in his class, astride his horse "Tarjari Moonlight Pharoah".

His two children, Tengku Muhammad Ismail and Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah were also riders in his class which started of at 4.30pm today and expected to last for 15 hours, before ending at 7am Sunday.

Last year, Tuanku Mizan emerged as the champion in the 100km category with a time of 8 hours 17 minutes and 49 seconds.

Two other categories contested, 60km and 20km, saw 52 riders and 17 riders respectively, competing for honours.

Riders are expected to take about 8 hours to complete the 60km race while the 20km race is expected to take about 3 hours to complete.

Apart from local riders, endurance riders from Germany, France, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia are taking part in the competition.

-- BERNAMA

Sheik Mohammed returns to endurance riding

HorseAndHound.co.uk
Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor
9 October, 2009

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum makes his return to international riding on Wednesday (14 October) in the test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

The Sheik was banned from competition for six months after being found guilty of doping his horse Tahhan at the CEI 2* 120km in Sakhir, Bahrain, on 10 January and the CEI 2* 120km in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on 28 February.

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Sales of WEG tickets reach 123,000

Kentucky.com

Thursday, Oct. 08, 2009



About 123,000 tickets have been sold to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games since they went on sale Sept. 25, organizers announced Thursday.

That means roughly one-third of the Games' ticket budget has been met, said Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games Foundation, which is putting on the event at the Kentucky Horse Park next year. Previously, the foundation has set $30 million as the goal for ticket sales.

"The outlook is very positive," he said. Ticket buyers are coming from all 50 states and 40 countries. A more detailed demographic breakdown will be available in a few months, he said. The ticket sales have also prompted more sales of hospitality packages, which are a combination of tickets and VIP accommodations.

In other Games' news:

■Several Games' employees will travel to Copenhagen next month to report to the International Equestrian Federation on the Games' progress.

■The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation will contribute funding towards building a veterinary diagnostic center, which will remain in place after the Games. It will be used to diagnose problems before horses are taken to veterinary facilities around Lexington.

■Marketing director Terry Johnson reported that 80 percent of the sponsorship budget has been reached, and 60 percent of the spots in the trade show have been sold.

■The test event for the 100-mile endurance race will be held on Oct. 14. Test events have already been held for reining, vaulting and carriage driving.

Portugal: Victorious Results for Qatar's Al Shahania Stud at 120km Portugal Endurance Challenge

Barroca d'Alva, Portugal, September 2009 - The International Endurance Championship ride held in Barroca d'Alva, Portugal saw a victorious sweep of Al Shahania horses. Boasting first, second, and fifth place, the race challenge brought exciting, international, and highly competitive racing to Portugal and raised the bar of endurance racing in the country. Race results highlight the Qatari-based stud farm's increased dedication and enthusiasm for endurance racing around the world.

"We are thrilled with our race results as it demonstrates the equine talent we are actively seeking to develop and promote through our stud. We are completely dedicated to the support of endurance around the world. The Barroca d'Alva ride attracted a large number and high caliber of participants from around the world to take part in what was truly a world class race. We look forward to becoming increasing involved with the support and promotion of endurance in Portugal as well as other European nations", said a representative of Al Shahania stud.

Riding close together, Al Shahania fillies Utopia and Kirina kept to the front of the pack throughout all loops of the race. Already 1st and 2nd after the fourth loop, their last rival could not continue. In the final 5th loop they steamed by the others at an average speed of over 20 kph to singularly grab the lead, and take victorious first and second place, a second apart from one another.

Andre Borges on Kirina galloped into first with a time of 6:13:34, and only one second behind was Luis Romero on Utopia Rounding out Al Shahania's victorious day, Renato Contreras on Andalus finished fifth with a time of 6:56:27. The winning filly Kirina was later judged to be the Best Conditioned horse.

The 160 km race route although mostly flat, was variable with diverse land use ranging from forestry and estuary terrain, to vineyards, and agricultural farmlands. Due to the course's variation, several riders were heard to comment that it was a race that would require careful thought, and strategy.

Race host city Barocca d'Alva is situated approximately 30 minutes from Portugal's capital city Lisbon. The area is a renowned equine hub organising various equestrian competitions throughout the year. Whilst Portugal had previously hosted many important European endurance races, this international race highlights the fact that the climate and diversity of the country’s terrain makes it a highly desirable race venue.


Located in an oasis outside Doha, the capital of the Arabian Gulf state of Qatar, Al Shahania is one of the most progressive and successful Arabian breeding and racing establishments in the world. The impressive facility boasts state-of-the-art equine breeding laboratory and barns, full quarantine facilities, and lush pastures ideal for young, growing horses. Currently producing an average of 20 foals per year, the farm is breeding consistent quality flat racers as well as endurance Arabians.

Keen to embrace the world's growing interest and participation in endurance, Al Shahania has ambitious plans for future race sponsorships as well as increased breeding efforts.

Al Shahania Stud, founded by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, is recognized as an international racing enterprise. In all, 157 horses reside at Al Shahnia, predominantly of French lines, and the farm produces an average of 20 foals per year. In the 20 years since its inception, Al Shahania has earned a place among the world’s great Arabian race stables, helps define the standard for excellence in breeding of the Arabian horse. Al Shahania breeds both flat and endurance racers, and is consistently producing results-driven horses.

Malaysia: Agong To Compete In Pahang-PENN Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com

October 7 2009

KUANTAN, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will take part in the three-day Pahang-PENN Endurance Challenge beginning this Saturday.

Pahang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Wan Adnan Wan Mamat said the championship held for the second time in Cherating, near here, had also attracted 130 participants from six foreign countries, namely Germany, France, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

"It is understood that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will ride the horse, Tarjari Moonlight Pharoah, in the 100km category of the endurance race," he told reporters, here, on Wednesday.

Tuanku Mizan has not only excelled in the sport domestically, but has also done well in competitions outside the country.

Wan Adnan said Saturday's endurance challenge, divided into three categories -- 100km, 60km and 20km -- would also be graced by the participation of Tengku Muhammad Ismail and Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah, two of Tuanku Mizan's children.

"This championship will be the first to use the track at the 100-hectare Pahang International Endurance Park, Cherating which had cost RM2 million to build.

"It is the second such track for endurance races after the one in Lembah Bidung, Terengganu."

He said such events held here would help promote tourism and build interest in equine sports among the people.

-- BERNAMA

Kentucky: The World Games 2010 Foundation Announces Competitors for Kentucky Cup Endurance

Official Test Event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Game

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY-October 7, 2009- On October 14, riders from more than 20 countries will compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance race, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, and the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

Athletes from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Romania, Spain and many other countries are expected to compete in or observe Kentucky Cup Endurance in preparation for next year's Endurance World Championship at the 2010 Games. The team from the United Arab Emirates will be led by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His son, HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, will also ride for the UAE.

Current World Champion Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain, and the mother-daughter team of Valerie Kanavy and Danielle Mc Gunigal of the United States will also compete. Kanavy is a two-time world champion (1994 and 1998) and also placed second to her daughter in the 1996 World Championships.

Kentucky Cup Endurance will feature both a 75-mile (120 km) race and a 100-mile (160 km) race. Both races comprise a series of loops through the Kentucky Horse Park and surrounding properties, frequently returning to the Kentucky Horse Park for required veterinary inspections.

The 75-mile race will begin at 7:30 a.m. on October 14 and the 100-mile race will follow with a 7:45 a.m. start. Awards for the 100-mile race will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 15 in the new outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. In addition to honoring the top riders, there will also be an award for the best conditioned horse.

Admission to Kentucky Cup Endurance is free to the public. Parking will be $3 per day at the entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Cup Endurance spectators can also enjoy the other Kentucky Horse Park attractions. Admission to Kentucky Horse Park attractions is available at the Visitor's Center.

A complete list of competitors and countries is available on the Kentucky Cup Endurance test event page of our Web site.

About the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and AQHA. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com

Media Contact:
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org