2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Spectators Can Experience All Kentucky Has To Offer

April 13, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY - This fall, visitors from around the world will get a chance to experience all the sights, sounds and tastes that Kentucky has to offer during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, without ever leaving the Kentucky Horse Park.

"Our goal is to immerse visitors in all that is Kentucky so that before they return home, or the next time they travel, they won’t be able to resist seeing the real thing," said Mike Cooper, Kentucky's Commissioner of Travel & Tourism.

While the primary focus of the 2010 Games is eight world championships in equestrian sport, spectators from around the world will be able to enjoy The Kentucky Experience, which will present the multitude of Kentucky cultural, historical and artistic features that make the Bluegrass State such a unique and special place among the world's travel destinations.

Located at the Kentucky Horse Park and grounds of the Games from September 25 through October 10, The Kentucky Experience is a major exposition that will feature the nine tourism regions of the Commonwealth, from the lakes in the west, to the mountains in the east, and even to the caves and Corvettes in the south.

The Kentucky Experience will have three Pavilions to entice visitors. The first stop, though, is The Kentucky Experience Welcome Center. At the Welcome Center, visitors will get a dose of Kentucky hospitality as hosts will provide a list of daily events and provide information on each region represented.

Next, walk through the regions of Kentucky and experience the Bluegrass State in the Exhibit Pavilion. Images, artifacts and audio will combine to present a virtual tour of the Commonwealth. From Ali to Colonel Sanders, horses to houseboats, artists to aquariums, and so much more, the Exhibit Pavilion will present an unbridled Kentucky experience.

The Kentucky Product Pavilion is designed give visitors a taste of Kentucky, literally. Local bourbon distillers will be on hand to show (and let you sample!) the bourbon distilling process, in addition to local wineries and wine tastings. Kentucky ales will also be featured. Visitors will also be able to taste a selection of Kentucky Proud products, such as beer cheese and bourbon balls. Beautiful handmade Kentucky folk crafts and world-famous art will be on display and even available for purchase.

Follow the sounds to the Entertainment Pavilion, where performances will be occurring throughout the Games, all by Kentucky artists. Kentucky is well known for its Bluegrass and Country artists, and will be found at the entertainment pavilion, but so too will the full array and diversity of talent that resides in Kentucky.

The Welcome Center and pavilions will surround a beautiful Kentucky courtyard garden designed by nationally known master gardener and Rockastle County native, Jon Carloftis.

See it, experience it... The Kentucky Experience!

Access to the The Kentucky Experience will be available with a Grounds Pass or a competition ticket. Grounds Pass ticket sales begin April 16 at 10 a.m. at www.alltechfeigames.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, and at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will be on sale at a promotional rate of $20 until May 31. Grounds Pass tickets will be priced at $25 after that time. All children 12 years of age and under will be granted free entry with a paying adult.

For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com and www.thekentuckyexperience.com

Guatemala hosts International FEI Endurance Course for Judges and Vets

Guatemala.world-countries.net

Monday, 12 April 2010

Guatemala City.- Fernando Paiz, President of the Organizing Committee of the 4th Edition of the Magdalena Endurance Challenge on 24-25th of April 2010, is also in charge of the organization of the International FEI Endurance Course for Judges and Vet’s to be held in Guatemala on the 22 and 23rd of April 2010. He informs that this is an excellent opportunity for judges and veterinarians of the Central American region to assist and acquire credits as qualified judges and veterinarians according to FEI standards.

Currently there are very few FEI qualified judges and Vets authorized to be directors of FEI Courses. Guatemala has the luck that for this course some of the most distinguished FEI Course Directors will be present. Ruth Carlson is the FEI Chair of the Endurance Technical Committee. Also in charge is Dr. Verocay, FEI Veterinarian from Uruguay, who speaks Spanish.

How to contact the course organizers:

Guatemalan National Equestrian Association: Telephon: (502) 2471 0825. E- mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

President of the Organizing Committee, Fernando Paiz: tel: (502) 59000 790.
Already 4 judes and one Veterinarian from Costa Rica have confirmed their asistance for the course.

Contents of the Course
FEI Course for Endurance Judges (Level I and Level II) and Veterinarians. Guatemala City, Guatemala.
April 22nd – 23rd 2010

April 22nd
AM- Registration
Opening and welcome
Introduction of participants
Introduction to FEI – Includes Level I, Level II and Veterinarians
Class splits – Level I and Level II remain, Veterinarians change rooms

PM
Review Endurance Rules
General
The Course
Timekeeping
Assistance/Forbidden Assistance
Dress Code, Saddlery, Weights
Classification
Categories of Competition
Eligibility/Qualification of horse and rider

Objectives and Challenges
Promotion of Officials

Officials required for CEI 1*, 2*, 3*, 4*
Code of Conduct / Philosophy of Judging
Duties – Ground Jury, Technical Delegate, Stewards, Appeals Committee
Judging Guidelines
Discussion and Questions

Day 2
Categories of Veterinarians
Promotion of Veterinarians
Responsibilities of Veterinarians
Veterinary Controls
Examinations and Inspections

Passport requirements
Vaccination requirements
Best Condition Judging

Organizing a CEI
Calendar deadlines, fees and organizing dues
The Draft Schedule

Discussion of case studies

Exam (Levels I and II)
Course Evaluation
Wrap-up

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser sets pace in endurance race

Gulf-daily-news.com

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa held the early lead last night in the Endurance Horse Ride Championship for the Crown Prince Cup. Shaikh Nasser, who is also the Bahrain Olympic Committee president, completed the 30-kilometre first stage in first place. He clocked a time of one hour 20 minutes nine seconds in the leg, finishing just one second ahead of fellow-Bahraini Ali Abdulla Al Timimi of Al Asayel Stable.

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team rider and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa completed the stage in third place. He had a mark of 1:20:37.

The top three were well ahead of the rest of the field, with their closest challengers close to a minute behind Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad.

Yesterday's start was flagged off by Breef vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at 5pm. All the competitors continued their rides late yesterday and are expected to have completed the 120km event in the early hours of today morning.

The second stage also covers 30km, while the third stretches over 24km, the fourth 20km and the fifth 16km.

The event, sponsored by Batelco, is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president.

Photos by Osama Mohammed here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ridecamp/BahrainHRHTheCrownPrinceEnduranceRideChampionship41010?pli=1&gsessionid=hc98NMndSbzyl0SpAotxdQ#

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.