Jordan: Local riders dominate endurance race

Jordantimes.com

26 April 2010

AMMAN (JT) - Hussein Abu Shabab on Saturday was crowned champion of the International Wadi Rum Endurance Race after finishing the 80km in 2h49m55s. Mahmoud Mohammad won the second place with 3h00m17s while Mohammad Musalem settled in the third place with 3h01m27s. Eighteen out of 45 riders finished the race which is considered one of the toughest events that tests both the rider and the horse with awards ranging from $5,000 to $500 were distributed to winners and those who finished the race. The event was held under the patronage of HRH Princess Alia, president of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation. Princess Alia praised this year's participation, saying: "It was a very special race regarding the number of participants and organisation but more preparation and training are needed." The 160km race had only five riders taking part with Haitham Al Souti coming in first place, followed by Haitham Falahat.

Jordan and the Arabian horse - the vibrancy of heritage

Photo by Ruth Sherlock

Jordantimes.com - Full Article

By Ruth Sherlock

AMMAN - At the bottom of a sweeping tree-lined drive lies the archetypal equine fairy tale.

With its freshly painted blue and white archways, horseshoe windows and clean swept yard, the Royal Stables for the Preservation of the Arabian Horse gleams.

Over every stable door hang the majestic, beautifully refined heads of purebred Arabian horses, while in the paddock brood mares attend to their foals.

At only two months old, the seven newborns frolic, spindly legged, around their mothers, pressing for milk and attention. Each holds the promise of classic equine Arabian beauty; the high tail, the delicately sculpted, powerful legs, the intelligent high-strung gaze and the flared nostrils. The best mares are selected in the breeding process and, the sire to many of these newborns is a Belgian Arabian, a prized show horses.

The stables, of which HRH Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein is the director, is home to over 225 Arabian show horses, many of whom are globally renowned. Hlayyil Ramadan, an Arabian stallion who brings together Egyptian and ancient Jordanian lines, won the 2006 World Arabian Horse Organisation trophy and represented Jordan at the 2002 and 2004 World Championships.

The beauty and uniqueness of these horses is exemplified in their value. Some of the Arabians are worth millions of dollars, according to Jihad Shhaltough, who is the stable manager of Prince Ali Ben Hussein's stables and works closely with the Royal Stables.

Beyond the paddocks lies another means of promoting Arabian horses within current society - the Olympic equestrian discipline of endurance horse racing. This section of the stables belongs to Princess Alia’s son Abdul Hamid Mohammad Al Saleh, according to Shhaltough.

More at http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=25950

Great Britain: Haywood Oaks 2010 – success for British riders

Endurancegb.co.uk

11th April 2010

The first International ride in the EGB calendar saw British riders shine at Haywood Oaks in Nottinghamshire at the weekend.

Haywood Oaks, organised by Sue Broughton, hosted a multitude of International classes on Saturday 11th April 2010. The 3 senior classes were all won by riders currently on the British Endurance Elite Squad aiming for selection for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September.

Four combinations started the 160km CEI*** class at 6am just after it had started to get light. Tricia and Vlacq Abattarik were the winners at the end of the day, cantering effortlessly over the finish line to win the class at a speed of 15.33km/hr.

Janice Cockley-Adams with Roxanne du bout du Monde came over the line in 2nd after leading for most of the ride with Karen Jones and Macedamia finishing 3rd in the dark at 13.35km/hr.

An exciting racing finish in the 120km CEI** saw Beccy Broughton-Booker and Tawmarsh Muhanram win the class. David Yeoman and Haszar finished 2nd with Lesley-Ann Parker and Velvet Echo finishing 3rd.

Christine Yeoman had a good start to the 2010 season with a win in the 90km CEI* with Midday at a speed of 19.49km/hr. The 90km CEIYR* was won by Louise Rich and Oakleaze Farm Cziko.

Brazil Will be Headquarters of World Juniors & Young Riders 2011

Endurancebrasil.com.br

A very important step to achieve the greatest endurance event in the equestrian world was given at the meeting of the Bureau of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), which legitimized the candidacy of Brazil on the last day April 15, Thursday.

FEI Bureau meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, for its spring meeting. Important decisions were taken at the meeting. Look up at the link the decisions taken in various modalities.

Brazil was the only country signed up to host this event, the FEI yesterday to which gave our country the right to do the same. However, now the next step is the Brazilian Confederation of Equestrian manifest announcing date and location for the World Championships Juniors Young Riders.

In it, the event was also confirmed the Panamerican Championship for Young Riders en Santo Domingo - Chile, since it had only been approved for Seniors.

As it was confirmed Florac (France) as hosts for the European Championship in 2011.
Now just wait and hope the best riders in the world 21 years before landing in our country next year and we are able to hold an event of this size successfully.


Um passo muito importante para a realizacoo do maior evento do enduro equestre no mundo foi dado na reuniao do Bureau da FEI (Federacao Equestre Internacional), que legitimou a candidatura do Brasil no ultimo dia 15 de Abril, quinta-feira.
O Bureau da FEI se reuniu em Genebra, na Suica, para a sua reuniao de primavera. Decisoes importantes foram tomadas na reuniao. Veja acima no link as decisoes tomadas em varias modalidades.
O Brasil foi o unico pais inscrito para sediar este evento, ddo qual ontem a FEI deu direito ao nosso país realizar o mesmo. No entanto, agora o proximo passo e a Confederacao Brasileira de Hipismo se manifestar anunciando data e local para o Campeonato Mundial Juniors Young Riders.
Na mesma, tambem foi confirmado o acontecimento do Campeonato Panamericano para Young Riders en San Domingo - Chile, uma vez que so havia sido aprovado para Seniors.
Assim como confirmou-se Florac (Franca) como anfitria para o Campeonato Europeu 2011.
Agora eeso aguardar e torcer para que os melhores cavaleiros ate 21 anos no mundo desembarquem em nosso pais no proximo ano e que sejamos capazes de realizar um evento desse porte com sucesso.

Jordan: 55 riders set for endurance race

Jordantimes.com

22 April 2010

By Roufan Nahhas

AMMAN - The International Wadi Rum Endurance Race, one of the toughest and most beautiful forms of horse racing, kicks off on Saturday with the participation of 55 riders representing four countries.

The event, to be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Alia, president of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation (RJEF), will witness riders from Italy, Spain and Iraq, in addition to Jordan, taking on 160km and 80km of pure desert riding routes that will put the horse and its rider under severe testing condition.

Ghalia Noordein, executive manager of RJEF, told The Jordan Times that all preparations to host the event are being finalised.

"We want to make sure that everything is set according to the directives of HRH Princess Alia and that everything will go smoothly as planned," she said.
"We have a host of professional riders and their horses to compete in the race which we believe will give a competitive edge to the event and create one of a kind event," Noordein added.

The International Wadi Rum Endurance Race has gained popularity due to the calibre of riders taking part in the event who represent the best in the world while their magnificent beasts are trained according to the highest standards.

"We have excellent participation this year especially from local riders who have been training for such a long time for this event and we hope to conquer advanced positions," Noordein said.

According to Noordein, the winning horse in the endurance race is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and fit to continue.

The event, recognised by the Federation Equestre Internationale, will start early Saturday morning at 6:00am in the Qweira area while the pre-ride vet check will be held Friday.

Aussie Breed Traces Its Roots

www.horseyard.com.au

Written by IRT, on 21-04-2010

Brumbies join the ranks of Dubai’s many horse imports.

A few years ago Ali Mohammed Al Mohairi - the racing manager for deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum - took a trip to the outback of Australia's Northern Territory. He was looking for a very particular breed of horse and before he knew it, they'd found him.

"There was a mare and a foal and they were galloping from behind and I yelled to go, I was screaming at the driver," he recalled. "Then they crossed in front of us and the sparks were coming off the road. When they came to a lake, they jumped straight in and swam across."

Mr Al Mohairi had finally seen first-hand and in their own environment the dash and daring of Australia's famous "brumbies" and they weren't done yet. After they crossed the lake "There was a rocky hill on the other side and I said: 'Impossible, they will not climb that.' And they did."

It may play like a deleted scene from Jurassic Park, but the brumby breed is not science fiction and like many Australians, their pedigree traces back to the other side of the world. In fact, they are said to come from Arab horses taken to Europe. Now it seems, some of them, are going home. IRT recently transported 14 brumbies to Dubai for the Sheikh, to be trained for the rigors of endurance racing.

More at http://www.horseyard.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167810&Itemid=145

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