USA: Rapp and Reynolds to Ride for US at Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup

USEF.org
Release: February 11 2010
Author: Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be represented by two endurance riders at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Al Wathba President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This prestigious 160 km race is one of the premier events on the international endurance circuit and takes place on February 13, 2010. Riding for the US will be: Ellyn Rapp on Belshazzar and Jeremy Reynolds on Sir Smith.

Rapp was recently second in deluge conditions at the 2009 Kentucky Cup – which served as the test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. She can expect totally different circumstances in Abu Dhabi where the forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s and dry conditions on race day.

Reynolds will ride Sir Smith, an experienced endurance veteran in the United Arab Emirates. Reynolds is also a farrier and is married to fellow endurance rider Heather Reynolds – who has also represented the United States in international competition. Sir Smith has two FEI wins on his record already and looks to add to this tally in Abu Dhabi.

Complete horse and rider information:

Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner

Ellyn Rapp/27/Lamotte, IA/SA Belshazzar/13/Shagya-Arabian/G/Jeremy Olson
Jeremy Reynolds/30/Los Gatos, CA/Sir Smith/11/Arabian/G/Heather and Jeremy Reynolds

For complete information please visit: http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2010PresidentsCup/

To follow along with the adventure via the Reynolds’ blog, please visit: http://www.reynoldsracing.us/home.

55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Begins Today

www.Scottsdaleshow.com

The 55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show begins today at Westworld, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The first show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel which was a beautiful setting for a horse show. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was a first class show from the very first day.

After the show's beginnings at the Arizona Biltmore, Ann McCormick bought 150 acres in Scottsdale and made it into the horse facility known as Paradise Park which served the needs of the show for many years.

Since then, the show has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns.

The sponsoring organization, the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, was incorporated in 1955. There were about twelve members when it began and it has grown to over 450 members. As our association has grown so has our annual show. Even though our show is our focal point, our members are active in other ways, representing us on boards and committees at national levels. Many of our members have become judges and stewards and have encouraged our youth to become involved with the horse show as well as other activities. This competition permits them to win Educational Scholarships.

We are very proud of our members and their accomplishments. Through them, as well as other participants and sponsors, our show will continue to grow and offer enjoyment to visitors as well as our own Arizona residents.

The show will run from February 11-21, 2010.

For more information see www.Scottsdaleshow.com

New Zealand: Enduring passion

Stratfordpress.co.nz - Full Article

Leon Gray-Lockhart | 11th February 2010

IT takes a certain kind of horse to go the distance in an endurance ride - so too does it take a certain kind of rider.

So, it's just as well Stratford District has an endurance-riding hero in Toko's Amanda Walton who became North Island Champion last month.

On her grandfather Trevor's horse, Lotus Blue Moon, the 18-year-old undertook a 57km endurance circuit near Waiuku, south of Auckland on Saturday, January 2.

"We started at nine in the morning," says Amanda.

"Travelling through the heat at that time of day was pretty tough, but we managed to get back first."

The following day on her own horse, Sir Cae, Amanda undertook another gruelling 103km trail and came second – ending an extremely successful, but tiring two days of competition.

More...

Great Britain: New Appointment to the International Selection Panel

Endurancegb.co.uk

9th February 2010

The International Committee have appointed Mrs G Payton onto the Selection Panel. Gilly is a well known Endurance GB member who has many years of experience of riding, crewing, organinising and spectating - both at home and internationally.

She will have special responsibility for the Young Rider Squad and the British Endurance Development Squad.

Sue Broughton
Chair of IC

Great Britain: Endurance GB Launches Fundraising Initiatives for 2010 WEG

Endurancegb.co.uk

Endurance GB (EGB) has launched new fundraising initiatives to support the British Team at this yea's World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.

The Kentucky Sponsorship Form

As many of you realise we are looking at methods of raising money to help the costs of our team at the world championships in Kentucky in 2010. If we are sending a team, plus one or two individuals then it is imperative that we send the best team and also the best prepared team as possible.

These members are representing Endurance in Great Britain and we feel it is important that we support them in every way we can, especially with the costs of transport. A figure of GBP20.000 is the calculation to send each member there, so we need to be raising about GBP120,000. Even more important is the exposure that Endurance will get at home if we can achieve this, leading in the future to a greater membership and further sponsorship.

In order to raise funds all E.G.B. members are asked to get themselves sponsored for every kilometre they ride at NCR.s, CR.s, or ER.s during the months of February, March and April.

The form is self explanatory. On the front of the card write down your own details, and then the name, address and telephone number of your sponsors and include how much per km they are sponsoring you for. (either 1p per km, 5p per km or 10p per km). On the back of the card write down the date, venue and distance for each ride you have competed at and get it signed by the ride secretary on completion of the ride.

I feel in these three months the average member will be riding approximately between 100 and 200 kilometers, some maybe a little less and some many more. Aim to get at least 20 sponsors onto your cards and hopefully each member could make between GBP200 and GBP400. Having collected your sponsorship money then send your completed cards back to the EGB Office (address below) with the appropriate money by the end of April. If you complete your card early then extra cards are available from headquarters, or from Robert Blane (01845 526185)

There will be a special prize for the individual who raises the most money and also for the group who does likewise.

Good luck. Keep smiling. And here’s to winning the world championships.


Kentucky Rides For Fun

Endurance GB (EGB) has launched new fundraising initiatives to support the British Team at this year’s World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA. The Kentucky Rides Series will provide an opportunity to encourage new members while also raising funds to Well over [number] Kentucky Rides are expected to take place at venues throughout the country between now and August 2010.

Kentucky Rides are a series of Non-Competitive rides organised by regional EGB groups, covering a range of distances to suit all levels of experience from 10 miles to longer rides of 25 miles. The rides are open to non members and offer a fabulous opportunity to ride over beautiful countryside, often over private land not normally open to the public. Riders will take part either for pleasure or as preparation for the competition season ahead.

"We have a really talented pool of riders and hope to be sending a strong team to the WEG in Kentucky. These rides are an excellent way for those interested in endurance riding to get a taste of what is involved, or just enjoy the beautiful countryside while raising valuable funds to support our international squad", says Jo Claridge, EGB Chairman.

Britain has been committed to fielding an international endurance team since the first FEI event in 1984 and British teams have an excellent track record in World and European championships, at one time holding more team and individual medals than all other countries except the USA and France. International teams are largely self funding and rely on fundraising to support their endeavours.


Kentucky - Three Peaks Challenge

A team of your Championship squad members and supporters are coming together to take on the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales all in 24 hours.

This gruelling, true endurance challenge will be attempted by riders Rachel Atkinson, Beccy Broughton, Rachel Claridge, Annie Joppe, Sarah Rogerson, Nicky Sherry and crew member Steve Masterson with well known photographer and already once successful 3 Peaks challenger David Saunders. A team of supporters will also be backing up the challengers throughout.

We will begin in Scotland with the ascent and descent of Ben Nevis, drive 7 hours to our next climb, Scafell Pike and then onto Wales with the ascent and descent of Snowdonia all within 24 hours.

Continual updates of the teams plans will be posted on the EGB website and our Team GBR Endurance 3 Peaks facebook page but for the time being please support us and donate here or if anyone can support us in the form of sponsorship to cover the various parts of the challenge or would like to be part of our team please contact us.



Kentucky - Tricia Hirst – Comrades Marathon

Having done the London Marathon and the New York Marathon last year, my entry has been accepted for my next challenge - The Comrades Marathon which is actually an Ultra marathon 56 miles in under 12 hours. This takes place in South Africa every year and you can read all about it at www.comrades.com Runners come from all over the world and out of the 20,000 runners they only accept 5,000 first time novice runners each year. These places were taken up within 27hrs of the opening date.
I have always strongly believed that money should not stop anyone putting their name forward to compete on a British team. So any money you can spare would go towards the team effort to enable anyone who is selected to have the opportunity to go and fly the flag for us. If you would like to help in this way please sponsor me on my endurance challenge. We would be very grateful no matter how little you can afford. Please make your donation here


Kentucky - Chris Yeoman - Bath Half Marathon

Faising Funds for the EGB WEF funda and also to raise money for MS - "as you will all know I have had this now for a lot of years and have had a lot of help from various sources I now feel the need to give something back and to help others with MS achieve their goals in life whatever they may be". To donate to this charity please see my just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/CHRISTINE-YEOMAN or make your donation to EGB
PLEASE HELP ME KEEP MOTIVATED IN THIS FREEZING WEATHER AND KEEP TRAINING!

For more information, forms, donations, and list of rides, see http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/fundraising.html.

Canada: Alberta - Endurance Riding Celebrate 30 Years

Horsesall.com

Endurance riding has come a long way during its 30 year history in Alberta - from a handful of riders located in western Alberta to more than 100 riders province wide today. Among the internationally recognized disciplines governed by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) - endurance, jumping, dressage, driving, vaulting and reining - endurance stands out as one of the fastest growing disciplines.

The first world endurance competition took place in Virginia in 1988, with one member from Alberta, Joan Harris, nominated to enter. Without any support, she helped bring home a team silver medal. Now, for every rider heading to international events there is a support team of no less than three people per rider. Grooms, crews, coaches, team vets and chef d’equipes give their time and money to help our dedicated riders succeed.

And as interest in endurance riding grows, the qualifying process becomes more refined. In 1988 riders were chosen based on the number of rides they did locally. Having completed at least one, 100-mile event assured you of a placing. Now, there is a qualifying process in place. To be considered as a competitor, riders and horses must have competed in a number of FEI-sanctioned rides at a certain speed and in a certain length of time. The youth are also being included now with championship events being held for them.

All international competitions, whether championships or qualifiers are governed by the FEI with its head office in Lausanne, Switzerland. This assures riders that everyone competes on a level playing field.

In the past, FEI qualifying endurance rides in Canada were few and far between. Now, Alberta has a venue for a competition of this calibre, at Horseshoe Lake north of Edmonton and hosted on the Long Island Light Horse Associat ion’s grounds. The first FEI qualifer was held here last May. The event was such a success that many western Canadians have inquired if there will be another. There is a need, not only for riders but for people wishing to become FEI officials, to have a dedicated venue in the province where they can train and learn.

To become an official, one must go through qualifying stages, much like riders. Up until recently, Keith Thorne was the only official in Alberta. Now we have three more in training— Dr. Roxy Bell, Dr. Deanna Spiker and Joan Harris, along with others from the west. Having a regular FEI ride with the necessary courses taught here will put Alberta on the endurance map.

Last year, five riders trained and qualified in Alberta for a place on the Canada Endurance Team. They are chosen on a point-for-miles-completed basis. Tara MacLeod and her daughter, Ariel, were on the Canada West team that attended the pre-world competition in Kentucky last October. Kathy Irvine came in second overall on a grueling five-day, 250-mile ride in Idaho last September and Caroline Williams and Leanne Marchant travelled to eastern Canada to compete.

The date for the next FEI ride is May 22 and 23, 2010. It will be a two-day ride with open and FEI divisions. Visit our website at www.enduranceridersofalberta.com for more information.

President's Cup: Entries

The following foreign riders have been invited to participate in the CEI *** 160 km Presidents Cup, to be held on February 14 2010 in Abu Dhabi:

Pietro Di Geronimo - Belgium

Andre Vidiz - Brazil
Rafael Salvador - Brazil

Caroline Denayer Gad - France
Santisteva Benedicte - France

Belinda Hitzker - Germany
Sabrina Arnold - Germany

Valentin Kun - Hungary
Eniko Odor - Hungary

Jannet Van Wijk - Netherlands
Carmen Roemer - Netherlands

Beata Dzikowska - Poland
Ola Ciesielska - Poland

Boulbol Feras - Slovakia
Silvia Potocna - Slovakia

Ellen Rapp - USA
Jeremy Reynolds - USA