Abu Dhabi: Top riders set for Giants Endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

December 12, 2009


FOUR of Bahrain's top riders are set to compete in the first round of the 120-kilometre Giants Endurance Horse Ride Challenge today at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

The event is scheduled to get underway at 6am, Bahrain time.

Led by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the team will be among many high-profile riders from the UAE, other GCC countries, and overseas.

The kingdom's other participants are Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, and Ahmed Janahi.

The ride will be divided into five stages, starting with 32km first stage. The second will cover 28km, the third 24km, the fourth 20km and the fifth will be over 16km.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Nasser and the remaining members of the team took their horses yesterday for the mandatory veterinary examinations which took place at the event's venue.

The first round will be followed by two rounds in Bahrain and Dubai, respectively. Today's event is part of an equestrian festival in Abu Dhabi being held as part of the UAE's National Day celebrations.

Worldwide support for delayed return of bute in horse sport

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
11 December, 2009

Equestrians nations, vets and welfare organisations from around the world have welcomed "time out" on the bute row — and plans to put off the re-introduction of painkillers in horse sport for at least a year.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) last week bowed to increasing pressure from vets and national federations (NFs) as the row over the issue of allowing non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in competition threatened to split the federation.

FEI president Princess Haya has now asked NFs to support a 12-month delay that could result in a complete U-turn.

"At last some common sense prevails," said endurance vet Fred Barrelet, who wrote a damning letter to Princess Haya after Copenhagen. "This was pushed through far too hastily, so now people can sit back and discuss this properly.

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Bahrain: Isa gets new wheels with endurance win

gulfweekly.com

December 10 2009

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) conducted the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Ride Championships - the third of the season - for local stables.

Cash prizes coupled with an even bigger incentive of a Toyota Land Cruiser to the event's overall champion, saw 75 riders in the fray at 5.30am on Saturday.

It was Bahrain's Isa Bu Hazza riding CR Prince Charming, which won the event, and could drive himself home in his shining new motor.

So WHAT is Endurance? For those not so familiar with this wonderful sport let me explain a bit about the endurance rides that are held here in Bahrain, and similarly across the Gulf.

Endurance rides in Bahrain are held over various distances for differing categories of horse and rider. A 'race' is usually anything from 80km to 120km, held in stages. The first two stages are usually 30km each, the subsequent stages are then divided in progressively decreased distances up to the total distance of the race.

The first two stages of the event usually double up as 'qualifying' rounds, because in order for horse or rider to compete or ride in an 80+km ride they must both have successfully completed the two stages of a 60km qualifying ride.

Horse and rider alike train for many long hours, gradually building and increasing in stamina and distance, even then it's not simply a question of turning up and riding.

The horse must be proven to be fit, and its welfare is principal at all times, therefore, there are stringent veterinary checks carried out prior to the event, and these checks continue throughout and after the ride. The horse's heart rate, hydration levels and soundness are all systematically checked and any horse that does not make a 100 per cent vet inspection will be disqualified!

After the initial veterinary check, horse and rider are allocated a number - written clearly on the horse's rear, the rider is given a vest with the same number, as along the route of each section are strategically placed check points - it's this number that's noted on passing each of these points. So off they go? Not quite ... there are weight stipulations on riders, so rider and tack (saddle/bridle) are weighed-in prior to the start.

Horse and rider do not do endurance alone, they are supported by a 'crew' - the crew will follow their horse or horses around each section, and be there to ensure there are no problems and to support both horse and rider, carrying with them emergency supplies. The routes for the different sections/stages are indicated by coloured flags and a map identifying each flag colour and route is given to the crew.

Along the route many water stops are positioned, enabling the horse to drink and keep hydrated, and when they stop for water the crew are there ready to sponge down horse (and rider!), keeping them cool, and helping in their re-hydration.

Upon completion of each stage, the pair returns to the finish to be checked in, a card registers their time, the crew are ready to un-tack the horse and check all its vital signs ensuring it is fit enough to be presented to the vet for checking.

The horse's welfare and well-being is overriding as also each stage/section must be completed in a specified time, and disqualification also happens if the pair are too slow so maintaining a reasonable speed at all times is imperative.

So, now with all preparations done - it's time to set off.

The thrill and excitement as they wait to set off is indescribable, adrenalin running in full gear for both horse and rider. To be part of this experience is simply exhilarating, an experience beyond description. OK, so now how many of you are going to get ready for the next event?

Brazil: Pre-Selection of Brazilian Team for Kentucky

Endurancebrasil.com.br - Mais

OLAVO MACIEL ANUNCIA OS 14 CONVOCADOS PARA A PRE-SELECAO DA EQUIPE BRASILEIRA PARA OS JOGOS EQUESTRE MUNDIAIS DE KENTUCKY

O diretor de enduro da Confederacao Brasileira de Hipismo, Olavo Maciel, anunciou no ultimo sabado (05 de dezembro), durante a premiacao do Campeonato Brasileiro em Brasilia, os 14 conjuntos que estão qualificados e agora tem a chance de representar o Brasil no Jogos Equestres Mundiais de Kentucky, em Setembro de 2010.

Os conjuntos foram avaliados, qualificados dentro das competicoes seletivas que aconteceram neste ano de 2009 e agora estao pre-selecionados.


The director of endurance of the Brazilian Equestrian, Olavo Maciel, announced on Saturday (05 December), at the awards ceremony of the Brazilian Championship in Brasilia, the 14 sets that are qualified and have a chance to represent Brazil in Equestrian Games World of Kentucky, in September 2010.

The sets were evaluated, qualified in the selective competitions that took place in 2009 and are now pre-selected.

Convocados:/Squad

Ana Carla com WN Perla
Andre Vidiz com Nuit Endurance
Fernando Goncalves com Destinado Rach/ RT Cely
Karina Arroyo com HSK Nadjin/ Vo Doidim
Leo Steinbruch com EHK Crystal
Leonardo Abreu com Vhetor
Lilian Garrubo com Judah HEN
Luciane Bagarolli com RSC El Chara
Marcio Honorio com Shibhaan HAN
Mariana Salles com Casanova Rach
Nick Lins com NNL San Ray
Pedro Marino com Anata
Rafael Salvador com Califa Tamm
Vitoria Lins com Filoteu Rach e C Chanrion

Mais...

Spain: Daniele Massobrio gano el Raid Santa Susana

Ecuestreonline.com - Mas
09/12/2009

El joven jinete italiano Daniele Massobrio gano el Raid de Santa Susanna con "Ninfea Baia" al imponerse en la ultima fase al espanol Jordi Arboix con "Ashlan", que fueron segundos. El CEI3* de Santa Susana se disputo entre los dias 4 al 6 de diciembre.

The young Italian rider Daniele Massobrio won the Raid in Santa Susanna "Ninfea Bay" by winning the final stage in the Spanish Jordi Arboix with "Ashlan, who was second. The Santa Susana CEI3 was played between days 4 to 6 December.

Mas: Articulo, resultados y photos

Abu Dhabi: Endurance Village to hold major events on Saturday

Gulfnews.com
A car and a total of Dh300,000 will be up for grabs

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
December 10, 2009

bu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba will be a hive of activity on Saturday when the prestigious 120-km National Day Cup and the 120-km Giants Endurance Challenge (Round 1) will see the cream of endurance riders in action.

The Bonyan International Investment Group will be sponsoring both the rides, the National Day Cup being an open ride while the Giants Endurance being the first of the three rounds of a bodyweight series.

Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: "The winner of the National Day Cup will drive away with a car while a total of Dh300,000 is on offer for those who finish at the top."

"Saturday will also see the first round of the prestigious Giants Endurance, with the next two rounds in the series stopping in Bahrain and Dubai," he said.

"This is the first time that Bonyan will be supporting the sport of endurance and it is indeed a matter of great pride to be involved with the prestigious National Day Cup ride."

"As you may be aware, the Bonyan International Investment Group supported the National Day Cup flat race and the thrilling finish in front of a large crowd gave us immense pleasure," Abdullah Atatreh, Chairman of Bonyan Group, said.

"Bonyan International Investment Group believes strongly that equestrian sport in the UAE is part of the country's culture and heritage and we are willing partners in its promotion. We are involved along with the Breeding Stables of [Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs] Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, based in Normandy, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in this endeavour," said Abdullah Bin Brouk, Bonyan's President.

Leading destination

Abu Dhabi Sports Council's Talal Al Hashemi said: "Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a leading sporting destination and such events which are connected with our culture and heritage go hand-in-hand with the other international events being staged here."

Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq, said the Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour along with the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Abu Dhabi Sports Council will be involved in supporting more such events in the future.

Great Britain: National riding title for Thay

Bostonstandard.co.uk - Full Article

Published Date: 09 December 2009
Wednesday, 4pm - A MEDLAM woman is celebrating after being crowned the national endurance riding champion.
Thay Stephenson and her horse Simeric S'moudh - known affectionately as Bull - were announced as the winners by organisers Endurance GB after beating off competition from 2,500 other entrants.

The competition takes place across the country from March to October each year, on hacking courses of 50 miles or more.

Riders gain points for their performances depending on how they fare and, at the end of the season, the top 10 results for each competitor are totted up.

But despite taking part in just nine events, Thay, 52, was announced as top of the leaderboard at the Endurance GB end of season dinner.

"I thought I'd done well," Thay said. "But having only competed in nine events I thought other riders would be able to discard some of their results and finish ahead of me.

"It was a nice surprise when I heard I had won - there was some whooping."

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