Uproar at FEI proposal to allow horses to compete on bute

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news, in Denmark
18 November, 2009

Should riders be allowed to compete on horses that have been given a small amount of bute?

That has been the subject of heated discussion this afternoon at a meeting of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The liveliest debate during a meeting to unveil the FEI's completed work on "clean sport" centered on the proposal for a complete policy shift to allow horses to compete on low levels of painkillers.

A new list of banned substances and controlled medication is the lynchpin of plans unveiled this afternoon in advance of voting during tomorrow's general assembly.

But there are two lists. The first - "current list" - continues with the FEI's zero-tolerance policy. The second "progressive list" would allow low levels of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) within horse sport around the world.

"If the FEI accepts this, there will be uproar in many countries," warned Bo Helander of Sweden. "It's completely unacceptable for horse welfare, and changes the whole philosophy of the FEI."

Tomorrow the nearly 100 national federations assembled in Copenhagen will vote on whether phenylbutazone (bute), flunixin and salcyclic acid (aspirin) should be allowed.

More...

Hussein International Endurance Race WADI RUM - JORDAN

EnduroOnline.com - full story and results
World Champion Miguel Vila Ubach wins CEI* 90 km ride

photo: EnduroOnline.com

HRH Princess Alia, president of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation, attends the Hussein International Endurance Race in Wadi Rum on Saturday. Eighty-seven international, regional and local participants took part in the 80km race.

The desert of Wadi Rum has to be one of the most spectacular settings for an endurance ride, famous as a location for many films including Lawrence of Arabia. It is a beautiful area of sandy desert and semi-arid plains broken dramatically by steep limestone cliffs and rugged deep pink and red mountains. The course was over five different loops of 30, 30, and 20km. Although predominantly flat it was not easy with stony ground, an abundance of deep sand and billowing dust.
[More ...]

DLF International Seeds to Provide Grass Seed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Pitchcare.com

By Press Release in Industry on 16th Nov 2009 14:00

Lexington, KY-The World Games 2010 Foundation today announced that DLF International Seeds will become a supplier to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, 2010.

The World Equestrian Games are the world championships for eight equestrian sports recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The first World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990, and the 2010 Games in Lexington, Kentucky are the first to be held outside of Europe.

DLF International Seeds will provide the grass seed for the cross country course of the Kentucky Horse Park. The course will be used during the Games for the Endurance competition, the cross country phase of Eventing competition, and the marathon phase of the Driving competition.

The course is located north of the main stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park and covers more than four miles of rolling landscape. DLF will lay more than 9000 Kg of seed for the course from 2009 through 2011, assuring that the integrity of the landscape is maintained before, during and after the competitions.

"As an international company and proud member of the Bluegrass state, we are honored to become a supplier for the 2010 Games," said Steve Reid, DLF Chief Breeder for the United States. "We have every confidence that the mixture of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass varieties will stand up to the rigors of the competition and be aesthetically pleasing to spectators."

"DLF's commitment will make a lasting impact on not only our event, but also to the Kentucky Horse Park," said Terry Johnson, Vice President of Sales for the Foundation. "Their product and expertise will ensure that the Kentucky Horse Park is showcased as a beautiful backdrop to host and broadcast this prestigious event to the world."

DLF International Seeds is a member of the DLF Trifolium Group, which is the world's largest producer and marketer of grass and clover seed. The U.S. production, marketing and shipping services are located in the Pacific Northwest-the site of more than half the world's cool season grass seed production. DLF market the Masterline, Foragemax & Johnsons sports seed ranges in the UK and supply many of the leading equestrian venues.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world's most prestigious equestrian competition. In 2010 the Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which will mark 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.

For more information on this story or the DLF seed range contact:
Derek Smith Amenity Sales Manager
Tel:01386 791102 Email: dsmith @ dlf.co.uk Web: www.dlf.co.uk

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser wins 90km race

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

November 15, 2009

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was the overall winner in the 90km qualifying endurance horseride, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Riding Razor Back Indigo, the Royal Endurance Team put up a spirited show in the fourth and last stage of the race, crossing the finish line first in a total ride time of three hours, 43 minutes and 48 seconds with an average speed of 24.13km per hour.

Behind him was runner-up Ahmed Al Gaoud, also of the Royal Endurance Team, in 4:05:27 riding TBO Heredero, followed by teammate Ahmed Samad on Drumlin Cruiser in 4:05:47.

Another race over 60km took place which was dominated by Al Khaldiya Stable who took all three places on the podium.

Hari Singh steered Blythswood Akabar to finish the race on top with a total ride time of three hours, 10 minutes and 21 seconds, and with an average speed of 18.91km per hour.


More...

Abu Dhabi: Al Reef off to a winning start

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
November 15, 2009

Mohammad, Mansour attend season opener at Al Wathba

Abu Dhabi: The all-conquering Al Reef Stables got off to a winning start with Ahmad Salem Al Beloushi on Silversprings Kabir Arwa winning the 120-kilometre Sorouh Challenge, the season's first ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

It was in fact a repeat of last year's winning start to the season here by the 11-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by one of the UAE's top trainer-cum-rider — Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi.

It was a dominating win for the young Ahmad Salem, who led in three of the five stages to complete the 120-kilometre ride in four hours 45 minutes and 13 seconds at an average speed of 25.24 kilometres per hour with veteran Hassan Bin Ali on Kalkadoon Vagabond finishing second.

"It is always great to ride a champion horse and right from the beginning I knew Silversprings Kabir Arwa was in top shape," said the winning rider, while trainer Yousuf said the horse will now aim for the President's Cup.

More...

Abu Dhabi: Al Baloushi expects much from Jayhal Ghost

Thenational.ae

Amith Passela
November 13. 2009

ABU DHABI - The Al Reef Stables leading rider and trainer Yousef Ahmed al Baloushi spearheads a three-pronged attack in tomorrow’s 120km Sorouh Cup, the opening race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Al Baloushi, in charge of the Al Ain wing of the endurance stables, rides the 10-year-old Jayhal Ghost on whom he won an 80km race in Dubai a fortnight ago.

"This horse was returning from injury after a year," said al Baloushi. "He ran a good first race for me on his return and I am pretty happy to jump on board him again. I would like to think he will run another good race and stay over the longer distance."

But al Baloushi felt the two entries from the stables Abu Dhabi wing, Silverspring Kabir Arwa and Kipp, would be the ones to watch.

Silverspring Kabir Arwa is the defending champion of the race and was second in the 160km President’s Cup. The two-times President’s Cup winner Abdulla Khamis Ali Saeed rides the 10-year-old Australian mare Kitt, who was third in a 120km race in her first run in the UAE last season. And al Baloushi added: "I won on Kitt in Australia and she's got loads of ability to win first time out in the season. These three are the fancied entries for the stables but then it's now always the fancied runner who wins.

"There are more than 100 entries and it's always tough."

Bahrain: Top riders for endurance season opener

Gulf-daily-news.com

Friday, November 13, 2009


PROMINENT riders will vie for supremacy today when they battle it out in the opening races of the 2009/10 endurance horse ride season at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Among top entrants are veteran Royal Endurance Team members Yousef Taher and Ghazi Al Dossary who will lead a group of young and experienced riders in the 90km ride which gets underway at 4pm.

Jaffer Mirza, Abdulla Khalifa, Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Ahmed Al Moawda and Abdulrahman Al Saad are the other favourites expected to claim a place on the podium.

Three additional qualifying rides are also set on the same day.

They are over 50kms, 65kms and 90kms.

In the 90-km event, riders will compete over three stages of 35kms for the first stage, 40kms for the second and 25kms for the third.

The 90-km qualifying ride was also divided into three similar stages, the 65-km ride consists of 35km and 30km phases while the two-stage 50-km ride features 25km for both phases.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has finalised preparations or today's championship.

Backing

Shaikh Khalid said the federation extended his backing to endurance competitions this season after the remarkable turn up of local stables and riders in taking part.

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.