Bahrain: Princess Lalla Amina participates in King Hamad's Horse Racing Cup

Magreb Daily

Manama - Princess Lalla Amina, President of the Moroccan Federation of equestrian sports and of Special Olympics Morocco, participated in king Hamad's Horce Racing Cup, which took place on Saturday.

Princess Lalla Amina completed the 20-km distance in two hours.

The Princess was greeted at the end of the competition by King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF), Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, handed over a special prize of the Federation to Lalla Amina, in recognition of her remarkable participation in this competition.

Bahrain: Shaikh Khalid races to victory

Gulf-daily-news.com

February 07, 2010

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday won His Majesty the King's Endurance Ride Championship, which headlined a glittering equestrian festival at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

His Majesty King Hamad attended the event, alongside National Guard commander Major General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Mohammed later awarded the winners their prizes on behalf of His Majesty the King, in the presence of Royal Endurance Team captain and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid.

Also present were Jordanian Equestrian Federation president Princess Alia bint Al Hussain and chairwoman of both the Royal Moroccan Equestrian Federation and Special Olympics Morocco Princess Lella Amina, who were in Bahrain especially for the event, which was organised by Breef and sponsored by Marsa Al Seef.

Riding Liqourice, Shaikh Khalid took first place after completing the five-stage, 120-kilometre ride in a total time of five hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds. He registered an average speed of 20.94kph.

Shaikh Khalid ended the 30-km first stage in fourth place, but then fell to fifth after the 29-km second leg.

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The Breef chief and Royal Endurance Team member returned to fourth after the 25-km third stage, but then powered to the lead after the 20-km fourth stage by when a majority of the participants were already out of the ride. One of them was Shaikh Nasser, who unfortunately had to retire due to health concerns for his horse Fabio.

Shaikh Khalid then capped his impressive performance by storming to victory in the 16-km final stage, earning him the right to lift His Majesty the King's Cup.

Fellow-Royal Endurance Team members Bagat Singh and Abdulhak Kaddouri claimed second and third places, respectively.

Singh, riding Jhelam, finished the ride in 5:44:02, while having an average speed of 20.03kph. Kaddouri completed the distance in 5:47:41, with an average speed of 20.71kph.

The juniors endurance ride, which was also held over 120 kms, was won by Mohammed Hilal Al Khatri of Al Asayel Stable, riding his horse Dixie Love.

In second place was Royal Endurance Team member Ahmed Adel Al Gaoud on Moondara Merlin, while Nasser Awad Ahmed of Al Muhqeerat Stable riding Al Fahd was third.

Meanwhile, other competitions were held yesterday as part of the equestrian festival. A showjumping event for Grand Prix-level riders took place and it saw the participation of a large number of Bahrain national showjumping team members.

Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa won first place while Sami Ghazwan came second. Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa was third.

In the Arabian horse beauty contest, Ghazal Gulf owned by Sami Hassan Abdulla Abdulaziz took first place, while the Cowboy competition was won by Yahya Ahmed Jawad.

Photo Gallery by Osama Mohammed

Bahrain: Jordanian horse riders take part in Bahraini King Endurance Cup

Petra.gov.jo

Manama, Feb.6, 2010

Jordanian equestrians take part in King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Endurance Cup which kicked off Saturday in presence of HRH Highness Princess Alia bent Al Hussein, President of Jordan's Royal Equestrian Federation.

Taking part in the 120-km horse riding competition, organized at Bahrain International Endurance Village, are horse riders from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Ajman.

The championship includes competitions in hurdle jumping, a beauty competition for the purebred Arabian horses and cowboy performances.

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation and other Bahraini officials welcomed Princess Alia and commended Jordan's participation in the Championship.

Mongolia: Specialist endurance training for Mongolian vets announced

Theadventurists.com

27th Jan 2010

An innovative veterinary training programme has been launched by the organisers of the Mongol Derby. More than 20 local vets will be trained to become part of the international team of equine experts that will ensure the welfare of the 1000 semi-wild horses taking part in the race across the Mongolian steppe in August.

vetinspectionmongolderby1Led by four star accredited FEI vet Jenny Weston, the specialist training will also leave a legacy that will benefit other events and races in a country renowned for its love of horses.

"The training will cover exercise physiology and the types of conditions that you see in horses involved in endurance riding and the long-distance horse racing that is a part of Mongolian culture," explained Jenny. "This will benefit not only the horses involved in the Mongol Derby but also the many thousands involved in the annual Nadaam festival.

"There were very few veterinary issues with the horses involved in the Mongol Derby in 2009 and I am confident that will also be the case in 2010 but it is important to be prepared when you are working with a combination of semi-wild horses, remote and difficult terrrain, and warm summer weather."

The training is part of a comprehensive horse welfare program including pre-race training for the riders led by Maggie Pattinson, Chef d'Equipe of the British Home International Endurance Team since 2007.

"Taking my passion for fitness to a ride in Mongolia is beyond the imagination," said Maggie. "I can't wait to get my hands on the successful applicants. I want their enthuasiasm for adventure and winning matched only with their knowledge of what it takes to keep their Mongolian Mounts fresh and happy."

The race format is based on Chinngis Khaan's legendary postal system which could relay messages thousands of miles in a matter of days. Horse stations (Morin Urtuu in Mongolian) manned by nomadic families will be established at intervals of 40km or less along the course and riders will change horses and undergo veterinary inspections at each one.

The Mongol Derby is a joint venture led by British company The Adventurists with Mongolia based Tengri Group and backed by the Mongolian government's Ministry of Agriculture.

Applications are open now to adventurous riders from around the world. More information about the world's longest and toughest horse and how to apply can be found on the official website: http://www.mongolderby.com

Fast Facts about the Mongol Derby

25 riders started the 2009 race, 23 finished and they raised GBP 71,000 for official charity Mercy Corps' projects in Mongolia.
Aged from 19 to 50, the 2009 riders came from 8 different countries including Argentina, Sweden and South Africa. 12 of the riders were female.
Two riders had to withdraw on the second day after serious falls with concussion and back injuries.
Less than 2% of the 700 horses that took part in 2009 required treatment which was all minor first aid.
The riders averaged 100 km per day at about 10 km/hr in 2009.
On cooler days last year some riders managed about 140 km in a day on the better days, at an average speed of 14 km/hr
Horses outnumber the population of Mongolia by 7 to 1!
Marco Polo wrote that in the 13th century 300,000 horses were posted at horse stations across the Great Khaan's empire

New Zealand: Perfect conditions for southern endurance ride

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

February 5, 2010

An early drizzle cleared to make way for a sunny day with perfect riding conditions for endurance riders at the latest Mount Linton ride in Southland.

The well-marked track set out from the equestrian centre at Sandy Point last Saturday and took riders through varied territory including a 10km scenic stretch along the beach, to tree-lined forest tracks, and long, grassy gallop areas.

The 80km Open ride was won by Gore's Angela Head, riding CD Fred. In second place was Trevor Copland on Dell Dancer...

More...

Bahrain: Top riders set for endurance race

Gulf Daily News
Friday, February 05, 2010

PROMINENT riders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have confirmed their participation in the seniors race of His Majesty the King's Endurance Ride Championships tomorrow at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Spearheading the UAE for tomorrow's prestigious event, to be sponsored by Marsa Al Seef, are Shaikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and Masaud Al Marzooqi.

From Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Al Malhasi will take part on his horse Al Yarmook, while Hussain Abul Shabab and Waleed Muhareb are set to represent Jordan.

Also in the fray are a group of Bahrain's top riders, led by captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and president of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Six other riders will be representing the Royal Endurance Team and they are Ahmed Abdulla, Abdulrahman Al Saad, Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Mohammed Al Thawadi, Yousef Taher and Abdulhaq Qadoori.

Other Bahraini participants will represent different stables from across the kingdom, including Al Taliya, Al Muntaser, Awal, Hawar and Jaffer Al Alawi Stable.

A junior ride is also set to take place tomorrow with more than 30 riders in the fray, including three entries from Qatar - Khalid Al Kuwari, Abdulla Al Mannai and Fahad Abdulsalam from Al Shamal Stable.

From Bahrain, Ahmed Al Qaud, Abdulrahman Al Zayed and girl rider Shereen Fayez will spearhead favourites the Royal Endurance Team.

Other participants will represent Al Wadi, Al Mughairat, Al Ruwaie, Al Shuwamekh, Al Asayel, Al Ajyal and Abdulaziz Taher stables

A qualifying ride, which is open to new riders, will also take place with 10 riders in the fray.

The event will be part of a one-day Equestrian Festival under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Khalid yesterday received Jordanian Equestrian Federation's president Princess Alia bint Al Hussain who arrived in Bahrain to attend tomorrow's championships.

The Breef's chief also welcomed the President of the Moroccan Royal Equestrian and Endurance University and the Moroccan Olympic Committee for the Disabled Princess Lala Amina who will also witness the event.

New Zealand: 2010 Endurance National Championships

Hosted by The Canterbury Endurance and Trail Riding Club in conjunction with Endurance NZ, the 2010 NZ National Endurance Championship & Trail Riding Championship Event will be held 1st - 4th April, 2010 at Culverden. Base camp will be at the Culverden Rugby Grounds.

The following rides will take place:

CEI*** 160 km; CEIJY** 120 km; CEI* 100 km & CEIJY* 100 km; CEN 80 $ 40 km Open, Novice & Junior; CTR Open 60 km, Intermediate 30 km, Junior 30 km.

Entries close 28th February.

For more information and entry forms, see www.nzequestrian.org.nz