Malaysia: Terengganu Riders Dominate 80km MGIER

Bernama.com http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newssport.php?id=489723

MELAKA, April 11 (Bernama) -- Terengganu dominated the 80km race at the Melaka Grand Invitational Endurance Ride (MGIER) 2010 which came to a close Sunday by taking the top four positions.

Riding "Kerbalanen Amor", Shahruddin Abdullah emerged as the winner by clocking 4 hours 46 minutes 11 seconds followed by Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who mounted "Jq Tuan Junior", a distant second in 5:55:47.

Muhammad Alif Sabidi, who mounted "Jq Tuan Junior" came a close third by a mere one second behind Abdul Rahman.

The trio were from the State of Terengganu Endurance Team (STET).

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's son, Tengku Muhammad Ismail, who represented the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) finished fourth.

Only 10 of 44 riders completed the race which started at the Hang Jebat Stadium and passed through rubber and oil palm plantations and nearby villages.



In the 120km race, TMKN Endurance Team's Mohd Azizie Ismail, who mounted "Texas", rode into victory in 7:34:01 with STET's Wan Mohd Kamaluddin Wan Yusuff, who was on "M Malon" horseback, in the second spot with 8:39:12.

Astriding ""Ropadi Baltazar", Muhammad Zaini Saad of RTES came in third in 8:56:34.

Only six of 12 riders made it to the finishing line.

TMKN Endurance Team was adjudged the winner of the 120km team race by clocking 17:19:33 while SET took the 80km team title with a combined time of 16:37:46.

Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam gave away the prizes.

-- BERNAMA

New Zealand: Bulfin shows class at trail-riding nationals

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

9 April 2010

A small contingent of Marlborough riders made a successful foray to Culverden for the New Zealand Endurance and Trail Riding Nationals at Easter, winning two competitive trail riding titles.

Heidi Bulfin, riding Stonelea Sparkling Rose, followed on from the South Island Championship success to win the 61-kilometre open ride on Sunday. Riding over two loops with an optimum time of five hours 30 minutes, they accrued 136 faults, taken from three heart rates and time faults.

Runner-up, 13 points back, was fellow Marlborough rider Missy Green, with Xavier Cheerokee, while Lorraine Stratford, on Jay, rounded out a good weekend in third place.

Tessa Wells and Masada Park Maestro were too good for the 32km junior class, winning with 94 faults, accumulated from over-the-line heart rate, final heart rate and time faults. Wells finished just four seconds over the optimum time of 3hrs 15mins.

Marlborough riders Kevin Prangley, riding WD Amir Ibn Kaliph, and Penelope Valk, with BTR Overture, both had successful completions in the three-star, 160km pinnacle endurance ride on Good Friday.

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/3565054/Bulfin-shows-class-at-trail-riding-nationals

Bahrain: Top riders for Crown Prince endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com
Monday, April 05, 2010


THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising the Crown Prince Endurance Horse Ride Championship, to be sponsored by Batelco, on Friday.

Taking place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, the event will be the season's first ride to be held in the evening and features two rides.

The main ride will be over 120 kms for senior and junior riders while an additional 80 kms qualifying ride is also set on the day.

Friday's rides will be held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed delight in organising this prestigious championship, which consists of five stages.

The first two stages will be over 30 kms, the third will be over 24 kms, the fourth over 20 kms and the fifth and last stage over 16 kms.

The 80-km qualifying ride will be over three stages- 30 kms each for the first and second while the third will be over 20 kms.

Shaikh Khalid thanked the Crown Prince for supporting this event, adding that without his continued backing it would be impossible to organise a championship of this scale.

The Breef's chief also stressed on the significant role of Batelco as official partners.

Malaysia: More Than 100 Riders Confirm Participation For MGIER

Bernama.com

April 07, 2010

MELAKA, April 7 (Bernama) -- More than 100 local and international endurance horse riders have confirmed their participation for the Melaka Grand Invitational Endurance Ride (MGIER) 2010 which starts on Friday.

Melaka Stadium Board executive director Mohd Saufi Jaafar said the list comprises 88 local riders from 24 equestrian clubs in the country and 12 riders from the United States, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

"The number of riders may increase by Friday," he told Bernama here on Wednesday.

Mohd Saufi said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, an avid endurance horse rider, would be in Melaka for the MGIER but not as a participant because he had recently undergone an operation.

The MGIER, awarded a two star rating by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), would enable participants to earn qualifying points for the FEI World Endurance Championship, he said.

He added that MGIER, organised for the third time since 2008, would feature three categories, 120km, 80km and 40km.

Spain: Presentacion Oficial del V Kaliber-Andalucia.

El Raid Blog

Esta manana en la sede central de la Cruz del Campo en Sevilla, se ha presentado oficialmente el V Kaliber-Andalucia con la presencia de D. Manuel Jimenez Barrios, Secretario General para el Deporte Consejeria de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucia; D. Diego Antonanzas de Toledo, Director de Sponsoring y Eventos de Imagen de Heineken España y de D. Jose Manuel Soto Alarcon como alma mater del Kaliber-Andalucia.


Empezo el acto con la presentacion oficial del Cartel anunciador del V Kaliber-Andalucia.


Posteriormente tomo la palabra Jose Manuel Soto el cual presento el video del Raid confeccionado con bellas imagenes de Kaliber anteriores. Tambien informo del recorrido por los bellos parajes andaluces y de las dificultades generales que estos ultimos tiempos estamos pasando, pero que a pesar de todo, sigue adelante este bello evento ecuestre.

This morning at the headquarters of the Cruz del Campo in Seville, has officially launched the V-Kaliber Andalucia with the presence of D. Manuel Jimenez Barrios, Secretary General for Sport Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Sports of the Junta de Andalucia, D. Antonanzas Diego de Toledo, Director of Sponsoring & Events Image Heineken Spain and D. Jose Manuel Soto Alarcon alma mater as the Kaliber-Andalucia.

Empezo the event with the official launch of the V Poster Kaliber-Andalucia. Later, speaking Jose Manuel Soto who presented the video of the raid made with beautiful images of previous Kaliber. Also reported the tour of the beautiful places in Andalusia and the general difficulties in recent times we are passing, but nevertheless, keep going this beautiful equestrian event.

Then responsible for Kaliber spoke in Andalucia, as one of the leading proponents of this Raid and meaning the magnificent views of the event.
Cerro the act the Secretary General for Sport of the Junta de Andalucia, reminding the union that unites him with Jose Manuel in the Raid, because since the first Al-Andalus, is supporting the sport, which provides information to Andalucia by worldwide.

At the close of this presentation, they gave us all the wizard with glasses of beer, accompanied by rich viands prepared by Gambrinus school students with a good ham from our friend Maximilian.

Australia: Endurance horse riding test

Matthew Lee | 6th April 2010
photo: Karen Trundell with horse Zac during a break in competition at Imbil

THE Easter long weekend is used by many Australians as a chance to kick back and unwind.

THE Easter long weekend is used by many Australians as a chance to kick back and unwind.

This wasn’t the case, however, for the many members of the Far-A-Way Endurance Riders Club at the weekend.

With a strong membership base drawn from throughout the Sunshine Coast, the club hosted its first ride of the season in Imbil – the 2010 Easter Endurance Carnival.

The competitive line-up included an 84km ride in addition to a 120km challenge and an epic marathon traversing 320km.

The three events were highlights of a schedule involving nine events in total spread across five action-packed days.

Eager spectators gathered in Imbil yesterday as the marathon ride was expected to come to a close at the Imbil Showgrounds.

The course negotiated by riders was largely similar to that of previous years, with hills and undulating countryside.

During these events, horse safety is of paramount importance and all endurance rides were carried out subject to current specifications for the sport in Australia.

Horses were monitored for their condition at various checkpoints, including physical inspections involving the measuring of heart rate.

The event was only possible due to the army of volunteers that donated their Easter long weekend to take part in a sport that captures their hearts.

A highlight of the Easter Endurance Carnival was the social atmosphere, where young and older riders alike were able to assemble together after a day’s riding at the camp grounds and share their experiences.

Organisers thanked competitors for nominating and the many volunteers for their participation.

[More ...] http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/04/06/endurance-horse-riding-test/

Mongol Derby: Riders from 7 countries and an innovative veterinary programme for Year Two

With riders from 7 Countries - UK, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Venezuela - the 2010 Mongol Derby is set to be the most hotly contested yet.

Riders include a Martial Arts expert from Texas, an Olympian 'Madonna' from New Zealand, two siblings from South Africa and a brave Brit who previously broke her back riding a horse.

2009 Mongol Derby was a "huge success...a brand new sport tourism variety"
Dr. Orgil, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Unit and the Chief Equine Vet in Mongolia


The Mongol Derby team have announced an innovative Veterinary Training Programme that aims to leave a lasting equine legacy in Mongolia.

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.


Led 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," explains Jenny. "This will benefit not only the horses involved in the Mongol Derby but also the many thousands involved in the annual Nadaam festival."

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.

Please also see this link for a full veterinary report on the inaugural 2009 Mongolian Derby.

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 manned by nomadic families are established at intervals of 40km or less along the course and riders 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 who acclaim the Mongolian Derby as “having great potential to develop our country”.

Applications are open now for 2010 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: www.mongolderby.com

Fast Facts about the Mongol Derby

25 riders started the 2009 race, 23 finished and they raised £71,000 for official charity Mercy Corps' projects in Mongolia
Aged from 21 to 65, the 2009 riders came from 8 different countries including Argentina, Sweden and South Africa. 12 of the riders were female
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 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


Rider Biographies


The 2010 riders come from the following countries:

UK
USA
South Africa
New Zealand
Australia
Venezuela
Belgium


USA

Hilary Ponti, USA, 47.
US born, Gloucestershire housewife and mother. Hilary ran the 2009 London Marathon and is a member of Cotswold and Heythrop Hunt. She is also an accomplished event rider.

Kat Swigart, USA, late 30s
Seriously tough Californian boasting a number of professions: horse trainer, graphic designer, business consultant, freelance writer and photographer, computer systems engineer and financial analyst. 
Kat lived in Russia after the collapse of Soviet Union building computer systems for the Russian stockmarket. A hugely experienced endurance rider she has completed 5000 miles of sanctioned endurance riding in the USA.

Justin Nelzen, 33, US
Professional endurance rider. Justin has ridden competitively all over the world and runs a professional equine facility in Texas where he breaks and trains horses.
He has raced in Dubai, the Tevis Cup and the Pan American Championships to name a few. Amazingly, he only took up riding a few years ago and previously served in the US Navy and Marine Corps including tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Justin also took part in the World Games for Martial Arts in 1997, where he won one silver and two bronze medals.

UK

Georgina Budge, UK, 28
Incredible determination brings Georgina to the Mongol Derby. In September 2008 she broke her back in a riding accident but has recovered to take part in the 1000km horse race across Mongolia.
Georgina is a martial arts specialist and has trained in North East China for 3 months. A self employed chef, she has also worked in a point-to-point yard and is an experienced rider.

Anna Bradbury, UK
Diplomat
Biography TBC

Richard Dyer, UK
Biography TBC

Susi Saddler, UK
Biography TBC

Rhiannon Thomas, UK
Biography TBC

Tom Welsh, UK
Biography TBC

Camilla Speck
Biography TBC

Camilla Swift, UK
Biography TBC

Anya Campbell, UK
Photographer
Biography TBC

NEW ZEALAND

Madonna Harris, New Zealand, 53
A serious athlete, double Olympian and entrepreneur, Madonna runs her own company manufacturing herbal products.
Since taking up endurance riding she has competed at the World, Pan American and European Championships. Incredibly she has also represented New Zealand at Olympic level in cycling and cross-country skiing.

Netta Burnside, New Zealand
Biography TBC


SOUTH AFRICA

Saskia van Heeren, South Africa
Saskia took part in the inaugural Mongol Derby in 2009 and enjoyed it so much she's back for the 2010 edition, and has also signed up her sister Alexandra to make up the Derby's first family team.
An international art dealer by trade and life-long horse lover, Saskia grew up in New Zealand where she rode for days at a time across wild terrain on the South Island.

Alexandra van Heeren, South Africa,
Alexandra's adventurous sibling took part in the inaugural Mongol Derby in 2009 and now both sisters are taking part in the 2010 edition to make up the Derby's first family team.
She has climbed numerous mountains in the alps; is a keen sailor having spent six months sailing around Fiji; enjoys kite-surfing and like her sister grew up riding horses.

Gina Abbott, South Africa
Biography TBC

Elsa Post, South Africa
Biography TBC


OTHER COUNTRIES

Alisa Vermay, Australia
Biography TBC

Moises Birnbaum, Venezuela, 61
An engineer and professional endurance 3* FEI accredited rider who competes internationally. He has taken part in the Tevis Cup among other high profile events.

Sophie de Selliers, Belgium
Biography TBC