FEI's Clean Sport Campaign Website Dedicated to FEI Anti-Doping Efforts

"The FEI must turn a new leaf in order to guarantee its community a clean and uncorrupt product. The Stevens Commission and the Ljungqvist Commission have both painted a picture that illustrates how negligent we have been in this area thus far and our governing body is completely committed to rectifying the problems we now face, for the benefit of our athletes, our community and our public."

- HRH Princess Haya

Equestrian sport derives its credibility and public acceptance from the concept of fair play, the idea that the best athlete or team should win fairly and squarely, having competed under equitable conditions and under rules that are fair and applied evenly with true competence. To be valid and meaningful, competition results must be achieved on a level playing field.

Doping and the inappropriate use of normal medications present a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of our sport, because they give athletes an unfair advantage and threaten the welfare of horses. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the entire equine community: athletes, veterinarians, grooms, managers, coaches, owners, officials, and our National Federations to join together to help combat doping and the inappropriate use of medications through better education and increased vigilance.

The FEI's Clean Sport Campaign is a coordinated effort at many levels to provide all our stakeholders with the information and tools necessary to address the issue head on. We hope the campaign will also serve as a call to action to all to reaffirm their commitment to fair play and horse welfare. The concept of Clean Sport is about much more than a new list of prohibited substances and a new rulebook. It's also about better judgment, professionalisation of the officials that regulate our sport and consistency of decisions. It's a complete package and its success depends on everyone playing their part to maintain that level playing field.

For more information, see www.feicleansport.org

UAE: Al Jahouri wins Endurance Cup for the second year in a row

Gulf News
January 17, 2010

Dubai : Defending champion Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri delivered a stunning repeat performance to win the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for the second year in succession at Dubai International Endurance City yesterday.

Al Jahouri held off a challenge from Al Wathba stables teammate Mohammad Mubarak Al Sayari in a dramatic finish to prevail by just two seconds.

The talented Emirati horseman, who has ridden and trained purebred Arabian endurance horses for the last 10 years, clocked a winning time of 6 hours 31 minutes and 19 seconds.

Al Sayari was two seconds back in 06.31.21 seconds.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also participated in the event together with his son Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture.

The FEI CEI three-star ride was held over a distance of 160 km and organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club.

Al Jahouri looks to be in red-hot form having only last week won the Emirates Championship at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

Riding Bouwman Nasrof, a nine-year-old grey gelding, Al Jahouri rode a patient race.

After finishing the first and second loops in 12th and 13th places, he moved up the field in the third loop to take fourth place.

The 34-year-old Al Jahouri went into the lead in the fourth loop and paced his horse perfectly in the first loop to narrowly beat Al Sayari.

The latter also delivered a strong performance moving up the field from 21st position to make a bid for the title in the final loop.

Saif Sultan Abdullah Dhahi Al Bu Amim, representing the Al Aasfa Stables, took third place with a time of 06.33.12 seconds.

Al Bu Amim led for the early part of the ride but gradually dropped back after each of the first loops.

Over hundred riders from UAE and Europe participated in the prestigious competition including two ex-World Cup champions.

The ride distance was divided into six phases.

The Red Loop comprised 31km after which the horses were presented twice within 20 minutes and 30 minutes hold time.

The second phase through the Blue Loop ran over 30km and the same rules as above for the presentation and the hold time applied.

1. Al Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE/ Al Wathba Stables/ riding Bowman Nasrof). Time: 06:31.19secs.

2. Mohammad Mubarak Al Sayari (UAE/ Al Wathba Stables/ Kalifa) Time: 06:31.21secs.

3. Saif Sultan Abdullah Dhahi Al Bu Amim (UAE/ Al Aasfa Stables/ Kumait) Time: 06:33.12secs,

New Zealand: Iron horse, iron rider

Ruralliving.co.nz - Full Article

Friday, 15 January 2010
By Crispin Caldicott

The infamous ironman contest sounds to be at the extremes of human endurance, but it is probably good training if you are an endurance rider about to set out for a 100 mile saunter through the night on horseback.

Rural Living spoke to Wendy Farnell, who with her husband John spent ten years abroad training horses for this very exacting equestrian discipline.

Today Wendy is secretary for the Counties Distance Riding Club which organises Endurance championships throughout the country.

"This club has been in existence for ten years, and started with mostly trail riding before concentrating on endurance competitions. Effectively these events are marathons on horseback, with several different categories from the longest of 160 km starting at 1am on Saturday to the more junior events down to 57km.

"Each Class starts at different times throughout the night - or early morning! Everything about this sport is very exacting. The horse may not even set off if it doesn't meet the vetting criteria, and there are several points throughout the ride at which it could be disqualified – including right at the very end - we say this is a great sport for bringing you down to earth!"

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UAE: 240 Km in the desert

Wrsan wins after 3 days of competition
by Paula Nascimento, Brazil
photo album

Three days in the desert, with high speed and heat formed the backdrop of the 4th edition of HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance International Festival. Some races were part of the event in Boutheib Endurance Village: International Open Race FEI *** 240 km, Juniors & Young Riders 120 km **; Privates Horses 120 km **; Federation Qualifier Ride 80 Km and 40 Km Qualification Ride. Starting December 31, 2009, the Festival also included an auction in Boutheib Stables. The event was organized by the Emirates Heritage Club with the Federation of United Equuestre (EEF).
Coincidence or not, is another year that Al Wrsan Stables remain unbeaten in the competition of 240 km. Only Sh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stables has this trophy, while most stables, trainers and veterinarians in the United Arab Emirates hope to come.

The distance of 80 km per day can apparently not be difficult, but certainly this is one of the most difficult races in the desert, inhibiting many stables to participate with their horses. Their prefer to save them for other events less technical. It takes much training, wisdom and sensitivity for the horse/ rider to finish the 240 km in good physical condition.

This year, the highlight was the argentinian horse breeding Cal Puelche, that led Wrsan Stables to the highest place of the podium. With an average speed of 23.36 Km/h, Puelche was with Abdulla Rashid Mohd Saeed Al Naqbi and all scored a total of 10h16min12s on track. Puelche presented during the three days of competition good recovery. The time recoverying was between 1min16s/ 2min40s. Only the return of the first loop the horse was slow to recover and have to wait 6min14s to go into the vet check. CAL Puelche performed at the vet check nine times and added an average recovery with 19min22s.

In the first loop, Puelche arrived with the 27th place. The speed on track in this loop was 24 km/h. In the second loop the horse recovered many places, taking second place and the speed was 25.83 km / h in the desert sands. After Puelche and Abdulla was between 4, 2nd and 1st place, but not reaching the highest speed that the 2nd loop (1 day). Puelche performed well in all stages, including the initial inspection of each day to start.

Cal Ramon, in Argentina, was the Puelche breeder in Argentina and trainer was Jorge Vita, then when the horse was exported to the United Arab Emirates in 2008.
The second place was Saif Salem Mohd Al Fares which Raaward Kasmin, Dubai Endurance Stables. They stay every day in the top 10 and on the last day was running for the top of the podium. Raaward made the 1st loop with the average 25.39 km/h and finished the race at a speed of 24.58 km / h, with only two seconds off the champion. The total time of his recovery was 28min48s.

The third place went to Munthar Ahmed Al Baloushi and Jibbah Enog, a horse feared and respected in the UAE. Representing the Al Reef Stables, Jibbah was leading the race for 5 loops and made the race in 10h16min33s. The average speed was 23.35 km / h and the recovery of the horse enviable, since not passed 1min55s. In the third loop Jibbah performed with only 1min17s, totaling just 12min49s recovery. The trainer of Jibbah in Al Reef Stables is Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi.

Who win the best condition was My Last Mabrouk, ridden by Fauiz Jameel Al Turkoman. They was the 7th place and made the race with an average of 22.08 km/ h and 10h51min59s. They was grown during the three days of competition, leaving 20, 19, 14, 13, 12, 9, 9, 7 and 7 respectively. My Last Mabrouk is a horse in the Fazaa Endurance Team Stables.

On the first day (December 31), the race was divided into loops of 30 km, 30 km and 20 km, starting at 6am. Was 50 horses that begin the race in search of the title and many stables in order to end the hegemony of the ever-victorious Al Wrsan. Were 38 sets that ended the 80 km in the first day. On the second day, only 34 went to the trail in the fourth loop and completed the 6 th loop 23 horses. All days were 3 loops that made up the tracks, totaling nine rings. Start on the morning of 02 January 23 horses and 19 finished the race.

On the last day of racing was impossible to know the winner and the last three loops the dispute was between the top three who took turns in the standings.
Among the horses that were in race, was the Brazilian horse WN Peronek, exported to the United Arab Emirates in April 2008 for Al Wrsan Stables. In Brazil, Peronek was owned by Renato Salvador. Highly praised by professionals in the stable arabic, Peronek was eliminated on the 2nd day, after run 140 Km. He left the race after finishing the 5th loop. Peroneck was with Bader Ali Saeed Al Kayoum and remained at 18, 21, 18 and 15 place. The highest speed that was reached 24.78 km / h.
In Provately Owned Horses CIS * 120 km, the winner was Ylmood, ridden by Eduardo Herrara Saravia, representing the team Al Ain Endurance Stables. With an average speed of 22.93 km/h , the horse completed the race in 5h14min. Second place went to Rashid Saeed Al Kamda with RS Najid, averaging 22.77 km / h and only two minutes behind the champion. Al Kamda is the buyer of the Brazilian horse breeding Al Galyb HCF. In 2009, he bought three more horses in Brazil, sold by Haras Morada do Sol, owned by Silvio Arroyo. The horses are breeding for Kazik Stud, that the owner is Cláudio Ribas.
With the third place on the podium was Zafar Nawaz Shah with Bicho and did 22.74 km / h.

Among the Juniors & Young Riders the winner was Ahmad Saeed Mohammad Al Fares with Fenwick Cadenza, the Seeh Al Salaam Stables. The average race was 25.35 km / h and 4h41min01s. The second place was Rashid Ahmed Al Bloushi (Al Reef Stables) withTrojano and the average speed 25.34 km / h, reaching a few minutes after the winner. And third was Mohammed Saeed Mohd Al Fares Twaf with 23.58 km / h (Seeh Al Salaam Stables). The Best Condition was Sweet October, ridden by Magali Mendez, the Emirates Stables.
Attended every day of the competition Sheikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and formed the ceremony of awards in Boutheib Endurance Village. It was the U.S. ambassador Richard G. Olson, who was part of the podium delivering the prizes.

The website Endurance Brazil and Arabian Horse Magazine paid tribute to Sheikh Hazza in thanks to the invitations to coverage of the event.
It was the 4th edition of the Festival and the first was won in 2007 by Sh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure. In 2008 it was the turn of his brother, Sh Khaled bin Sultan Al Nahyan who formed together with Nemer (Roxborough Zepher) and in 2009, third edition, the winner was Abdul Rahman Mohd Karam riding Nemer (Roxborough Zepher).

UAE: Endurance Cup Attracts Top Riders

Kaleej Times
Hisham Al Gizouli
15 January 2010

DUBAI - Over hundred riders from UAE and Europe will line up under the early rays of the sun for the 160km FEI CEI Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2010 at the Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday.

The prestigious competition has attracted top 12 riders from Europe based on their European rankings including two Ex-World Cup champions.

The riders have arrived with their horses and preparations have been made to provide them with the utmost comfort.

The riders expressed their pleasure with the facility and warm welcome they have been receiving in Dubai thanks to the Arabian hospitality and friendly people and atmosphere.

According to Ali Mosa, general manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club, all arrangements have been made to stage the race.

“The distance has been divided into six phases. The Red Loop comprises 31km after which the horses should be presented twice within 20 minutes and 30 minutes hold time. The second phase through the Blue Loop runs over 30km and the same above rules for the presentation and the hold time apply. The Yellow Loop extends over 37km, followed by the Green Loop over 27km, the Pink 18km and the final White Loop over 17km,” he said.

Some of the loops have been done in previous World Cups and the others are new. The surface is a mixture grounds and the race is expected to be competitively fast.

The organisers are expecting the winner to cover the 160km in eight hours while the lazy horses may need up to 13 hours to cross the finish line. But the maximum riding time will be for 16 hours.

The pre-ride briefing will be held in the Vet Gate at 6am on the race day. The Best Condition horse will be selected from the first ten horses finishing within one hour after the first placed horse. The competition will be held approximately one hour after completion by the 10th placed horse. Any horse retires after the start must be presented to an official ride veterinarian before it.

Defending champion Ali Al Jahouri said he’s ready to defend his title but expected the race to be tough and the competition to be fierce.

“There’s nothing easy in the sport. Nobody can say he’s going to win a race or his horse is better than the other. We learned from the sport that the welfare of the horse comes first and for this reason it’s very difficult to predict what lies next,” he said.

Regarding his preparations to retain his crown, Al Jahouri said his horse is doing everything right but will happen on the ground is something different.

“We are well prepared for the competition and hopefully our plan would work and go for a back to back win for Al Wathba Stables,” he said.

India: Manipuri ponies gallop out of comfort zone

Telegraphindia.com
January 14 , 2010

Regulars in races & polo matches, this indigenous breed will debut at Dibrugarh equestrian meet

Dibrugarh, Jan. 13: It will be more than a test of endurance for the debutantes.

Five Manipuri ponies have been introduced to compete with other established breeds at the daylong one-star Conquer Endurance Internationale meet, organised by the Equestrian Federation of Assam with assistance from the Equestrian Federation of India in Dibrugarh on January 22.

Though Dibrugarh had been holding equestrian events regularly for riders from home and abroad, never before have Manipuri ponies taken part in any of the events in this Upper Assam tea town. The organisers have named the meet Eastern Himalayan Ride, 2010.

"The event, which will cover a total distance of 60km, is expected to have participation from all the top endurance riders of the six countries which have been invited. We are fielding indigenous ponies in the endurance event and hope that it will be exciting," said Siddhartha Sharma, the secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Assam.

Apart from top riders from host nation India, the invited countries are Switzerland, the US, South Africa, the UK, Argentina and Australia. "We wanted to give the event a global look so that we can have at least riders from one nation from each continent, we do hope that all of them will turn up, most of them had confirmed too. It will be really exciting to watch the Manipuri ponies in action for the first time in this part of the country. So far we have seen them in polo matches and races. We hope followers of equestrian will love this addition of new breed of horses," Manoj Jalan, the chief adviser of the Equestrian Federation of Assam, added.

Unlike other sport, organising an equestrian event takes months and even years of proper planning and correspondence within the state federation, national as well as the international body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Organising the one-star Conquer Endurance Internationale - French for International Endurance Championship - in Dibrugarh had taken months of planning and preparation by the Equestrian Federation of Assam.

"The riders will have to criss-cross sandy banks of the Brahmaputra and trek through tea gardens with the Himalayas in the background. This is why we thought to christen the event the Eastern Himalayan ride," Jalan said. This is the second time Dibrugarh is hosting an international endurance event, the first being held in 2003. Riders from various nations largely appreciated the track.

Ian William, the head of the endurance department of the FEI, is expected to arrive in Dibrugarh shortly and will act as the president of the ground jury and oversee the technical conduct of the event.

Rod Fisher, an eminent equine sport veterinarian, will be a foreign veterinary delegate and act as the president of the Veterinary Commission, said Brig. (retd) K.S. Rao, the technical director of the event.

Rao had been associated with the Equestrian Federation of Assam for a long period and was also the former director of the Meerut-based Army Equitation School - now upgraded into a college - while in service. Equestrian was held in 2001 for the first time in Assam and most of the events had been held in Dibrugarh.

Australia: Avery rides away with endurance challenge

Stuff.co.nz: The Marlborough Express - Full Article

13/01/2010

Former Waihopai Valley rider Kylie Avery showed her skills at last weekend's Annandale Feeds South Island Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Championships in Chestnut Valley, taking out the Radich Law CE1 1* 100-kilometre title.

On a challenging course in the Wairau Valley, Avery, on her horse Silands Mia Bella, headed off Jessica King riding Wishum, with Tessa Deuss, from Wellington, third on Samson 11.

Avery backed that effort up on Silands Jasark with a second placing in the Mitavite CE1 2* 120km event and later won the Best Conditioned 100km award with Silands Mia Bella.

The event included a wide range of courses, from 160km in the top endurance event to 32km trail rides. The 160km event started in darkness at 1am, the first two loops completed with the aid of headlamps and glow markers.

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