USA: Git R Done Special - results

As the 2010 World Equestrian Games grows closer, riders around the world are gearing up for qualifications and demonstration rides. Ride manager Daniel Brown organized a 'Git R Done' AERC/FEI ride in the southern California desert for just this purpose. A few dozen riders attended, entering the 50, 75 and 100 mile event.

Heather Reynolds won the 100 mile event riding Ssamiam in a time of 9:59:57. Jeremy Reynolds and Makazin won the 75 mile ride with a time of 7:07:41, and Junior rider J.J. Donley (riding only under AERC sanctioning) won the 50 mile ride on My Mamselle with a time of 4:59:23.

Full results can be seen here

Spain: New Route Announced for V Raid Kaliber Tierras al-Andalus

NUEVO RECORRIDO/NEW ROUTE:

1) Sevilla a El Rocío (sabado 10 abril)
2) El Rocio a Sanlucar de Barrameda (domingo 11 abril)
3) Sanlucar de Barrameda à Jerez de la Frontera (lunes 12 abril)
4) Arcos a Ronda (martes 13 abril)
5) Ronda a Antequera (miercoles 14 abril)
6) Loja a Granada (jueves 15 abril)
Descanso Granada (viernes 16 abril)
7) Granada a Guadix (sabado 17 abril)
8) Pozo Alcon a Cazorla (domingo 18 abril)

More information atwww.tierrasdeal-andalus.com

Abu Dhabi: Over 100 riders to compete for Presidents Cup

Gulfnews.com
Endurance ride intended to encourage small stables and private owners to participate in events

Staff Report
January 21, 2010



Abu Dhabi: Over 100 riders from private-owned stables will be taking part in Saturday's Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), ADEC Director General Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi said, "We are expecting over 100 riders for this event which is a national ride.

"The ride is being held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs."

"Like in the Ladies Ride, a total purse of Dh500,000 including two cars will be on offer for the winners and those finishing at the top.

"This event is to encourage riders from small stables and private owners," Adnan said.

Saturday's ride is being sponsored by Bonyan International Investment Group LLC, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Al Medmar magazine and Wathba Stud Farm. "The Wathba Stud Farm of Shaikh Mansour is backing this endurance ride as it gives riders from smaller stables to compete among themselves and graduate to higher levels," said Lara Sawaya representing Wathba Stud Farm.

"There are so many promising riders in the UAE and these rides have been attracting large fields."

Abu Dhabu: Stage Set for Ladies Endurance Cup

Khaleejtimes.com

Hisham Al Gizouli

20 January 2010
ABU DHABI - More than 70 top women riders from the UAE and other parts of the world are all set to vie for honours in the Fatima bint Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Ladies at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Wathba on Friday.

Winners will walk away with a four-wheel-drive car and handsome cash awards worth Dh500, 000, Adnan Sultan, director of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) said on Tuesday.

The event has also received the support of the Bonyan International Investment Group, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Wathba Stud Farm and Al Medmar Magazine.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi said during a brief news conference: "Entrants for the Shaikha Fatima bint Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup exceeded70 riders from different nationalities. The race will extend over a distance of 90 km at the desert village. The race will start at 7am."

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made and 200 students from the schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will travel to Al Wathba to watch the race," Talal Al Hashemi, from the Abdu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) confirmed.

Dr. Noor Al Deen Atatreh, vice president of Bonyan said: "We would like to thank the organisers for giving us an opportunity to support this event."

Lara Sawaya, managing director of Tasweeq, the associated organiser of the event thanked the sponsors for their great support.

"We are pleased to see women sport growing under the watchful eyes of the officials and courtesy of our faithful partners and sponsors," she said.

Compulsory microchipping for Australia endurance horses

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 20, 2010
by Robin Marshall

Qualified endurance horses in Australia must now be microchipped before they can compete, under new rules effective from January 1.

The Australian Enduance Riders Association (AERA) will not issue a logbook to horses without a microchip and a full veterinary identification.

The move follows the Equine Influenza outbreak in 2007, when many horses in New South Wales and Queensland were microchipped by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) after being vaccinated.

"The Government at the time stated that they would like all horses to be microchipped for tracking and ease of identification," said AERA secretary Anne Jones.

More...

Horse industry on red alert after swamp fever is discovered in Britain

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Abigail Butcher, H&H head of news
19 January, 2010

The horse world is on red-alert following the news that two horses carrying Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) — often termed "swamp fever" - have been found in Britain.

Swamp fever is not transferable to humans but is fatal in equines. If an infected horse does not die, it will carry the disease for life and faces indefinite isolation or compulsory euthanasia.

It causes intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death.

The horses were imported into the country from Romania via Belgium on 22 December. They arrived in a group of 10 horses, nine of which originated from Romania and one from Belgium.

More...

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