UAE: Al Beloushi rewrites world record

Image Credit: AHMED KUTTY/Gulf News

Gulfnews.com

M. Satya Narayan,Senior Reporter
March 21, 2010

Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup winner led from first stage of 160km event

Dubai: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi extended his red-hot form to rewrite another world record while Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, finished a steady second in yesterday's Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, 160-km FEI-Three star ride at the Dubai International Endurance City.

Al Beloushi, riding 11-year-old grey gelding Jayhal Shazal, led from the very first stage in the six-stage 160km ride to register another victory for the Al Reef Stables. Al Beloushi and Jayhal Shazal completed the ride in five hours 45 minutes and 44 seconds to break the world record held by a horse trained by the rider himself. The horse was ridden by his younger brother Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi in the President's Cup earlier this year. Sultan on Charlandre El Sharif broke his own world record for a 160km ride by more than seven minutes when he had clocked 6 hours 21 minutes and 12 seconds.

Final loop

Yousuf, who averaged 27.77kmph for the 160km ride, unleashed a terrific speed of 35.53kmph on his horse in the final loop. "This is one of my greatest wins and I am very happy that the world record stays in the family," said Al Beloushi, who has been one of the most consistent riders on the UAE circuit. He also holds the record for 120kms.

Shaikh Hamdan used to ride as a preparation for the World Endurance Games to be held in Kentucky later this year when he kept himself in the leader group for most of the race, finishing the last two stages behind the winner.

Riding Hattam, Shaikh Hamdan completed the ride less than six minutes behind the winner with all three top finishers breaking the world record.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also took part in yesterday's ride.

Two more rides were held by the Dubai Equestrian Club as the curtains came down on the endurance season here at this venue.

Harmke Margreta Westervest of The Netherlands won the Dubai Crown Prince Cup riding EDL Agbahr. She completed the 120-km distance in 4hrs 04mins and 17 seconds to finish ahead of Emirati pair Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim and Mansour Ebrahim Al Salman. In the national ride over 100 kms, Abdullah Ahmad Al Shaikh finished on top riding M. Calfio.

Results

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, 160km FEI-Three star ride:

1.Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi (Jayhal Shazal) 5 hrs 45 mins 44 secs;

2. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Hattam) 5:51.32; 3. Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi (Maquarie Park Sedition) 5:53.24.

Dubai Crown Prince Cup, 120-km FEI Two Star ride:

1. Harmke Margreta Westervest-NED- (EDL Agbahr) 4:04.17; 2. Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim (Skyros DE Peyrols) 4:07.39; 3. Mansour Ebrahim Al Salman (Redah) 4:09.03

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Challenge 101km CEN Ride:

1. Abdullah Ahmad Al Shaikh (M. Calfiao) 3:27.01; 2. Aliya Ali Al Marzouqi (The Rockets) 3:27.03; 3. Hamad Ebrahim Al Marzouqi (Churrasquito) 3:27.46

Spain: Modification in the Stages of Kaliber V Raid Tierras de al-Andalus

www.tierrasdeal-andalus.com

Antes las dudas surgidas a las modificaciones que en el V Raid Kalber Tierras de Al-Andalus se han producido, tratare de aclararlo.

10/04/2010 SEVILLA--EL ROCIO: IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA
11/04/2010 EL ROCÍO--EL ROCIO: ETAPA MODIFICADA. ETAPA A REALIZAR INTEGRA EN EL ROCIO, DOS FASES CON SALIDA Y LLEGADA AL ROCÍO, 70 KM. SE INTERCALA ESTA ETAPA.
12/04/2010 EL ROCÍO--SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA: SE ATRASA UN DÍA PERO ES LA MISMA ETAPA DE 70 KM.
13/04/2010 ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA -RONDA: IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA
14/04/2010 RONDA--ANTEQUERA: IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA
15/04/2010 LOJA--GRANADA : IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA
16/04/2010 DESCANSO
17/04/2010 GRANADA--GUADIX: IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA
18/04/2110 POZOALCON--CAZORLA: IGUAL, NO SE MODIFICA NADA


10/04/2010 SEVILLE - THE DEW: SAME, NO CHANGE
11/04/2010 THE DEW - THE DEW: STAGE AMENDED. INTEGRA STAGE TO PERFORM IN THE DEW, TWO PHASES WITH THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL DEW, 70 KM.
12/04/2010 THE DEW - Sanlucar de Barrameda: BE BACK ONE DAY BUT IT IS THE SAME STAGE OF 70 KM.
13/04/2010 ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA-ROUND: THE SAME, NO CHANGE
14/04/2010 RONDA - ANTEQUERA: SAME, NO CHANGE
15/04/2010 Loja - Granada: SAME, NO CHANGE
16/04/2010 REST DAY
17/04/2010 GRANADA - GUADIX: SAME, NO CHANGE
18/04/2110 POZOALCON - Cazorla: SAME, NO CHANGE

UAE: Riders set for endurance challenges

Gulfnews.com

Staff Reporter
March 18, 2010

Final three rides of season will take place in Dubai from Friday



Dubai: The final three endurance rides under the aegis of the Dubai Equestrian Club are set to take place in just a few days. All will be held at Dubai International Endurance City, the first two of which will take place on Saturday.

The Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Challenge and two Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cups are the races on the cards.

The first ride, the 160km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup consists of six loops.

The second ride, the 120km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup consists of five loops with the first inspection taking place on Friday between 3pm and 5pm.

The 100km Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Challenge consists of four loops with the first inspection also taking place on Friday.

Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club, said: "This season has been one of our most successful seasons. We have witnessed a drastic increase in the number of participants amongst young riders and horses in this sport.

"We would like to thank Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for his sponsorship and we are predicting this ride to leave a great impact on equestrian sport lovers due to its importance."

Portugal: 2010 Championships

CEI-Ravasqueira.com

The 2010 Portuguese Championship - CEI*** 160 km Open - Team Trophy will be held 15-18 April, 2010 at Monte da Ravasqueira estate, in the municipality of Arraiolos, Portugal.

In addition a CEI** 120 km and a CEI * 80 km will be held the same weekend.

The Monte da Ravasqueira has been linked to the family Jose De Mello for several generations, and produces some of the best wine that the Alentejo has to offer. The estate has organized and hosted the 1996 First International Friendship Driving Contest, and the 2006 Iberian Driving Cup.

For more information:
http://www.cei-ravasqueira.com/Home.html

Ride coverage page:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Portugal/2010NationalChampionship/

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to Bid for 2018 WEG

Dressage-news.com - Full Article

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Mar. 13 - Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that stages the world's largest and longest running horse show announced Saturday that it will bid for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The bid for one of the world's largest sporting events that is held every four years will be made by Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP).

ESP owns and operates the 150-acre (60ha) PBIEC show grounds whose centerpiece event is the Winter Equestrian Festival that draws more than 2,000 horses from more than 30 countries during each of its 12 weeks.

Michael Stone, former secretary general of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and current president of ESP, will head up the Palm Beach organizing committee. He has been involved in every WEG since the inaugural event in Stockholm in 1990.

Work on the formal application will begin this year to insure completion well before the deadline of 2013 for the naming of the WEG in 2018.

Read more here:
http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=5447

2010 WEG: Wyonna Judd to Perform at Opening Ceremony

LEXINGTON, KY (March 10, 2010) - Wynonna Judd will welcome the world to Kentucky with a special performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The 2010 Games will feature world championship competitions in eight equestrian sports at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25 through October 10. The Games will be the largest sporting event in America this year and are renowned to be the world's most prestigious equestrian competition.

On the evening of September 25, Wynonna will perform "My Old Kentucky Home" in a pinnacle moment of the Opening Ceremonies.

"I could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to return home to my roots. Kentucky holds such a sacred place in my heart and to have this honor to share the home I so dearly love with my friends and family brings me great joy," Judd remarked.

As a native Kentuckian, Wynonna will bring a local flavor to an international audience.

"Wynonna Judd represents what is best about Kentucky and our musical heritage," said Governor Steve Beshear. "I am so proud that she will be honoring our Commonwealth by lending her voice to our state song."

Wynonna will be a major highlight in an Opening Ceremonies program featuring more than 200 horses, a symphony orchestra and chorale, all of whom will showcase Kentucky’s, and America’s, equestrian and musical heritage to the world.

"This song, with this artist, in a stadium of 30,000 spectators, is going create a magical moment for everyone, regardless of their home state or country," said Dr. Everett McCorvey, whose company, Global Creative Connection, is producing the ceremonies. "Wynonna represents but one of many different genres to be showcased in our ceremonies, and we are so honored to have her."

Additional entertainment acts for Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be announced throughout the spring.

Tickets for Opening Ceremonies, as well as the competition events of the 2010 Games, are on sale now at www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets. Tickets for Opening Ceremonies range from $120 to $150.

About Wynonna Judd

5-time GRAMMY Award winning artist, Wynonna Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds. On top of that amazing feat, she also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 25-year career. In addition to her countless musical achievements, Wynonna became a New York Times best-selling author in 2005 with the release of her long-awaited autobiography, Coming Home to Myself, released in conjunction with her live CD and DVD Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime.

Wynonna recently announced she plans to reunite with her mother, Naomi, for a final Judds tour in 2010. She is also presently touring in support of her critically acclaimed seventh solo studio album, Sing: Chapter 1, an eclectic assortment of standards paying homage to all the different genres and songs that have formed the soundtrack to her life.
Visit www.wynonna.com to learn more!

About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The 2010 Games are the first to incorporate all eight international disciplines as well as the first to be held outside of Europe.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Meydan, Ariat International, Inc, and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

UAE: Al Beloushi rewrites another record at Al Maktoum Challenge

Image Credit: ABDUL RAHMAN/Gulf News

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
March 14, 2010

Trainer-cum-rider of Al Reef Stables has been a consistent performer



Abu Dhabi : The UAE's domestic endurance season may be on its home stretch, the temperatures may be rising but there just seems to be no stopping Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi.

The trainer-cum-rider of Al Reef Stables, owned by Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of President's Private Department, once again battered the record for a 120km ride by more than 11 minutes in yesterday's Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival 2010 at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

Riding 12-year-old chestnut gelding Trajano, Al Beloushi, who had rewritten the record (four hours 32 minutes 26 seconds) last month in Dubai with a timing of 4 hours 32 minutes 26 seconds, lowered it further to 4 hours 18 minutes and 52 seconds.

Battling to second place was Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Saluki, and it was this Al Wathba rider who had held the record for two years before Al Beloushi broke it on February 6 this year.

Al Beloushi, who recorded an average ride time of 27.81 kmph during the 120-km FEI two star ride said, "I am very happy as this is the third win for Trajano. The conditions were tough as it was a bit hotter than expected."

"Once I got into the lead in the fourth loop, I sensed that my horse was in a good condition so I decided to try and go for a record," said Al Beloushi, who has been one of the most consistent riders and trainers over the last couple of years.

Yesterday's ride was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum along with Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Ali Al Muhairi, Racing Manager of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq attended the prize distribution ceremony.

Results

1. Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi (Trajano-Al Reef Stables) 4hrs 18 mins 52secs; 2. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Saluki-Al Wathba Stables) 4:23.09, 3. Munthar Ahmad Al Beloushi (Silversprings Kabir Arwa- Al Reef Stables) 4:32.28,; 4. Saeed Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri (Elphyn Silverlight- Al-Reef Stables) 4:34.35,; 5. Saif Sultan Al Bu Amim (Omaani Iman-Al Aasfa Ltd) 4:37.43.