New Zealand: Endurance High Performance WEG Focus Squads

NZEquestrian.org.nz

9 November 2009

The Endurance selectors are pleased to announce the following WEG focus squad.


WEG Qualification attained:
Jennifer Chandler & Lace and Fineness
Jenny Champion & Freckles
Mark Tylee & Class Act
Teresa Hoult & SS Kaleb
Vanessa Tiffen & Astek Lauralea
Phillip Graham & Wolfgang Armadeus
Kevin James & Glendaar Iraklis


WEG Qualification to be completed:
Kylie Avery & Silands Mia Bella
Debby Wolsfold & Northwinds Bradley McGregor
Angela Doel & SS Shahrayar
Murray Smith & Glenmore Toyboy
Rupert Kurghan & Blackjack Davey
Kevin Prangley & WD Amir IBN Kaliph
Sarah Hamer & Diamid
Alison Higgins & Twyham El Omar
Shane Dougan & Taralea Sheer Illusion


The squad is not limited to this list and will be added to following all remaining FEI events and at the discretion or invitation of the selection panel.

Invitations are also sought from those not already associated with a rider, who may wish to be on the WEG Team as a groom or support person. All rider grooms/crew will be required to meet selection standards.

It is envisaged that a WEG long team will be announced following the National Championships in April and until then the opportunity for selection will not be closed to any potential combinations that achieve required criteria.

Final selection for the WEG team will be based on, but not limited to, the following principles:

· Meet all FEI entry requirements.
· A shown ability to ride at a controlled but consistent canter for an entire race.
· Display consistently fast vet gate times. Lag times over 4 minutes will not be considered appropriate for representation at WEG and considerable attention needs to be paid to this aspect of your racing performance.
· Proficient and well practiced grooms and vet gate crew must be integral to your presentation. If not already established, all riders are encouraged to create a WEG crew/groom partnership as soon as possible.
· A shown appreciation to be part of a team atmosphere and culture will be fundamental and you must demonstrate desire for success of the overall WEG focus program.
· You will be required to commit to individual targeted performances and show consistent improvement.
· Riders and crew will be required to participate in scheduled squad camps.


It is envisaged that a full team of six riders will be selected to represent NZ Endurance at WEG 2010, should enough individual combinations met the selection criteria.

All final team members will be required to contribute to the cost of participation. The WEG Endurance race day is September 26, 2010. If you are planning on attending – PLAN NOW.

Should you have any questions or queries please feel free to contact

Madonna Harris
Endurance High Performance Leader
mad@ihug.co.nz

Australia: Trans-Tasman Team Announced

Aera.asn.au

The Trans Tasman Team riders for 2009 that will be attending the CEIO/YJ 1* 90km, CEIO/YJ 2* 120km to be held in Ruahine on the 21-22 November are as follows:


Young Riders - Tarnia Kittel (Qld), Talea Haskow Stewart (NSW), Reserve - Lisa Stoffel (Qld).

Senior Riders - Ady McIntosh (WA), Sonya Ryan (Qld), Reserve - Linda Tanian (Vic).

Derek Armitage (Qld) is the Team Manager.

They will be starting their journey next week and we wish them all the best for the competition.

Cuba: San Vicente Ranch: a School of Excellence

Cadenagramonte.cubaweb.cu - Full Article

By Raysa Mestril Gutiérrez / Radio Cadena Agramonte

11 November 2009

Since the year 2000 when San Vicente Ranch, located in the Cuban province of Camagüey, became a unit of the National Company for the Conservation of the Flora and Fauna, its workers set some superior goals which are definitely a must for the raising, breeding and genetically improvement of the Arabian horse, a breed of excellence and recognized for its fine bearing and prestige.

The reputation of the Arabian horse relied on its intelligence, strong character and outstanding stamina. With a typical head and the tail always tilted up, is one of the most recognized breeds in the world.

These horses were also used to improve other breeds injecting speed, refinement, resistance and a good bony structure. Today, the Arabian features can be found in almost every modern breed of horses commonly used in endurance riding, Olympic horse sports and stunt horse riding.

Individuals of this species, renowned in Cuba and abroad as Rohara Renuir, Cabalier and Sabiel, are always in the minds of the ranchers at San Vicente; and there we can find Maharajah, son of Rohara. Specialists assure that Maharajah surpasses its father with better standards, and is appraised at over one million dollars.


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Neigh-Lox contamination claims are "unsubstantiated" says maker

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news

11 November, 2009

The health of horses who have been fed a possibly contaminated consignment of the equine antacid Neigh-Lox should not have been compromised, says US American manufacturer Kentucky Performance Products (KPP).

A batch of Neigh-Lox was recalled last week by UK distributors Saracen Horse Feeds. The supplement had been implicated as the possible cause of a positive dope test on a British endurance horse.

"We take such allegations very seriously, and our main concern is for the health and wellbeing of horses that depend on this product," said KPP president Karen Isberg. "We have been working to investigate the claims, and at this time, the allegations are unsubstantiated."

Traces of ractopamine — a feed supplement given to pigs to promote muscle growth — were found by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in a random sample taken from Forest, a horse ridden by British rider Christine Yeoman at Euston Park on 9 August.

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New Zealand: Horror horse injury sparks call for fireworks ban

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

November 11, 2009

by Neil Clarkson

A woman whose Arab stallion suffered a terrible side wound on Guy Fawkes night says it is time to ban fireworks.

Jackie Chamberlain wants to start a nationwide petition to bring an end to the fireworks that terrify horses, other farm animals and pets around the country.

Her stallion, Prestige, suffered a massive wound to his side when he smashed his way through a post-and-rail fence to escape fireworks last Thursday on Guy Fawkes night, probably just after nightfall.

Jackie told Horsetalk that Prestige, 17, is her quietest horse.

"He ended up out on the busy Morrinsville/Hamilton Highway.

"He found his way into someone's paddock 1 kilometre down the road and was discovered there early the next morning. Luckily, these people had the good sense to call a vet and go searching for the owner."

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Bahrain: Endurance season opener set for off

Gulf-daily-news.com

Monday, November 09, 2009


PREPARATIONS are underway for the first endurance horseride of the 2009/10 season, to be held on Friday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir.

The season opener will be over 90kms while three additional qualifying races are also set to take place on the same day. Distances for the three races are over 50kms, 65kms and 90kms.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, had already started receiving applications from riders representing different stables from across the kingdom.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation is keen to continue its support to endurance competitions this season after the remarkable number of local stables and riders taking part in past events.

The Breef's chief indicated the outstanding success of the qualifying rides held last month at the village which saw more than 70 riders in the fray.

He also stressed on the noticeable preparations from all stables for the new season and their eagerness to win a place on the podium in each race they take part.

Shaikh Khalid admired the amazing participation of many young riders in last month's qualifying rides, adding that this initiative will certainly contribute to expand this sport in the kingdom.

Agong Heads Classy Field In Gruelling Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com

KUALA TERENGGANU, 7 Nov (Bernama) -- Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was among 100 riders who started their campaign at the Sultan Terengganu Cup Endurance Challenge held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu here on Saturday.

Tuanku Mizan, representing Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) together with 12 others, started the endurance challenge astride Jakim Murphy in the 120km race which started at 5pm.

The race which is expected to end tomorrow morning, saw riders from Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay and the United States participating.

The race which started under ideal weather conditions is expected to remain competitive as the wet conditions due to the rainy spell brought by the monsoon season, would provide an ideal condition for the horses.

The other teams in the race are Wilayah Equestrian Team, State Terengganu Endurance Team (STET), PENN Endurance, Tengku Mahkota Kelantan (TMKN), Tanjung Keling Riding Club, Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, Langkawi Endurance Team, Masterscaff Endurance Team, D'Bali Stable, Kimi Stable and Iskandari Stable.

Winner of the race will receive USD$10,000 (RM43,000) and cup, second USD$7,000 (RM25,000), third USD$5,000 (RM18,000), fourth USD$4,000 (RM13,500), fifth USD$2,000 (RM6,800) while riders who finish the 120km race in the allotted time would receive USD$1,000 (RM3,400).

-- BERNAMA

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