Argentina: Viral Equine Arteritis outbreak in the province of Buenos Aires

EN.Mercopress.com

May 8th 2010

SENASA, Argentina’s National Animal and Agriculture Health Board, issued a statement suspending all transportation of horses in the Buenos Aires province for two weeks due to an outbreak of Viral Equine Arteritis.

The ban in force as of this week may be extended up to 30 days and has curtailed horse activities such as racing, show jumping, endurance and auctions.

The origin of the outbreak was traced to semen imported recently from Holland for jumpers.

The disease affects pregnant mares which abort their embryos; however after being infected they become immune.

Stallions that have Viral Equine Arteritis must be gelded. The disease can be transmitted through the air or during breeding.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an acute, contagious, viral disease of equids caused by equine arteritis virus. It is characterized by fever, depression, dependent edema (especially of the limbs, scrotum, and prepuce in the stallion), conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, abortion, and infrequently, death in young foals.

The virus which causes EVA was first isolated from horses in Ohio in 1953 but the disease has afflicted equine animals worldwide for centuries. It has been more common in some breeds of horses in the United States, but there is no breed “immunity”.
There is no known human hazard.

2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Receives Entries from 60 Countries

May 7, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY—The World Games 2010 Foundation is pleased to announce that 60 National Federations have submitted entries in principle for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. They are:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela

With 60 countries expressing an interest in attendance at the Games, the World Games 2010 Foundation anticipates as many as 800 athletes could compete. The world championships for eight equestrian sports will be contested September 25 -October 10 at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park. Final entries and individual athletes will be named in August.

Tickets for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are available for competition in all eight disciplines. Grounds Pass tickets are also available. Visit www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, www.ticketmaster.com, visit any local Ticketmaster outlet or call 1-800-745-3000.

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). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

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 current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan and the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.

Media Contact:
Amy Walker
awalker@feigames2010.org

Brazil: Multidays

Enduroonline.com.br

Multidays is a test unlike any other place in Brazil. It's a race where all itinerant horse / rider will travel a distance of 70 km per day, totaling 210 km in three (3) days.

All riders will stay in the same hotel, as well as the organizers, veterinary, trekkers, timekeepers, etc.., And every night there will be a fantastic cocktail, so that all who compete during the day if confraternizarão night, throwing to each other new challenges for the next day. This creates a very special climate of understanding between everyone, without, however, let the competitive side.

It's a great way to start a horse endurance in long distance categories.

All the enduro national summit will be present in this test, both creators and riders, managers, veterinarians and judges.

This is already the fifth edition of Multidays and all were an absolute success, always bringing riders from Europe and USA to participate. This year we are waiting, too, knights of Uruguay and Argentina. It's a race that attracts the media specialist by their characteristics.


THE PROOF

The rider may opt to carry three (3) days of Multidays with one horse (approx. 60 km p / day) or three (3) days with two dogs or three (3) days with three animals ( 01 animal per day).

VALUES FOR ENTRIES

In the amount of entries will be included the hotel for three days:

- Entry on Thursday and departure on Sunday.

- The cocktails in the evening of the three (3) days and all meals.

Subscriptions to the day May 14 at a discount:

- For animal 2001: U.S. $ 1,290.00
- Each extra horse - Free

- Escort: Hotel + cocktails + food for three (3) days: U.S. $ 650.00

Subscriptions 15-27 May:

For animal 2001: U.S. $ 1,400.00

- Each extra horse + $ 100.00

- Escort: Hotel + cocktails + food for 03 days: U.S. $ 650.00

Note: Lodging in double room.

The Journey

Approximately 60 km / day, through little-used trails, rich in natural resources in the middle of the Atlantic Forest remaining natural habitat of local flora and fauna, and they extend the abundant waters of Cantareira system.

Between rivers, waterfalls and dams, the course covers the municipalities of Joanópolis, Piracaia and Camanducaia. Near the Capital, these towns are rural areas with features perfect for our sport with more than 500 km of dirt roads through the Waterfall of the Blacks, with a waterfall of 154 meters and the Dam River Jaguari.

CONTACT
Vanda Balassa
vbalassa@yahoo.com.br

Bahrain: Disease Identified as Glanders

Gulf-daily-news.com

By MANDEEP SINGH , Posted on » Monday, April 26, 2010

THE Cabinet yesterday allocated BD150,000 to combat the disease.

It also instructed the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry to carry out the preventive plan.

"The decision reflects the government's keenness to protect human health, the environment and animals," Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa said.

A MYSTERY illness, which forced vets to put down eight horses in three weeks, has been identified as the highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection glanders, or equina, that can be passed on to humans.

However, Bahrain's top vet yesterday allayed fears of a serious outbreak, saying authorities were already acting on the new information and said it could be "easily" managed.

Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry livestock director Dr Salman Abdul Nabi said every horse in the country was being examined for signs of the illness.

He added that blood samples from of horses, suspected of either having the illness or coming into contact with infected animals, were currently being analysed by specialists in the UAE.

"We have sent samples from nearly 400 horses to a specialist laboratory in the UAE and the 10 results we have got so far give us the all-clear," he told the GDN.

"We now know we can manage this quite easily and are taking appropriate action."

However, he stressed that a ban on moving horses between stables or taking part in competitions still existed to avoid the bacteria spreading.

He revealed around a dozen horses currently had symptoms of the infection, but said some were already showing signs of recovery.

Glanders is a highly contagious disease in horses, horses, mules and donkeys, but it can be passed on to humans who have direct contact with infected animals or contaminated objects.

The painful respiratory infection can cause skin lesions and signs include fever, chills, muscle aches and chest pain, but it can also lead to pneumonia and death without treatment.

Infection can also occur in dogs, cats, goats, camels, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Results of 2010 Mont-le-Soie in Belgium

120 km CEI**

1. Maritza Pereira - Khan de la Saulire - 7:35
2. Raphael Van Cauter - Hilal S - 7:36
3. Muriel Guillaudeux - Altaire du Florival - 7:38


120 CEIOYRJ**

1. Elisabeth Hardy - Lutece de Crouz - 17,83 k/h
2. Laura Houassin - Nadji des Sauvlons - 17,39 k/h
3. Raphael Van Cauter - Taborah de Sier - 17,39 k/h


Belgium Championships for 7 & 8 years horses 100 km CEI*:

1. Elise Couderc - Shanon - 5:20
2. Jean-Philippe Cohard - Hilkilly de Prazilia EWalRaid - 5:20
3. Romane Yernux - Sichen des Sauvlons - 5:21

Resultats Complet at http://www.endurance-belgium.com/navigation/index.htm

Photos by Carol Gatellier:
http://www.ceue.eu/photos/mls10mai/cg/index.html

Photos by Francis Piron:
http://www.ceue.eu/photos/mls10mai/fp/index.html

British Team Development Squad Successful in Belgium

Endurancegb.co.uk

4th May 2010

The Team rode at Mont le Soie, Belgium in the 120k 2* ride on Sunday 3rd May. All team members completed - Larissa, Louise, Heather, Sue, Charlotte and Claire in that order. Sadly Larissa's horse was lame at the finish. Congratulations to you all - have a good trip home! Team details .....


Larissa Whiley - Ben Shah
Sue Rich - Czako
Heather Whiteley - Shafabah
Claire Bruce - Ah Diba
Louise Rich - Cziko
Charlotte Hirst - WFA Leena

Bahrain: Shaikh Khalid lifts endurance crown

Gulf-daily-news.com

Posted on » Sunday, May 02, 2010


ROYAL Endurance Team rider Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa won the End-of-Season Endurance Ride Championship in the early hours of yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) chief completed the gruelling overnight race in five hours 19 minutes and three seconds.

Riding Kintamani Ragindi, Shaikh Khalid overcame a rough start to the 120-kilometre, five stage event but managed to power ahead of the field later on.

He was seventh after the opening 30-km leg, but rose to fourth after the second 30-km sector. He was then in the top three over the next two stages, covering distances of 24 kms and 20 kms, respectively, before making his decisive push over the last 16 kms to clinch first place.

Ahead

Shaikh Khalid led fellow-Royal Team member Ahmed Abdulla Al Hazza to the finish by a mere three seconds. Al Hazza, on Tarabic Carl, was ahead for most of the race, safely holding first place from legs two through four, but lost control over the late stages.

The leading pair were followed by Abdulaziz Khalifa representing Al Asayel Stables, who was on Minit Maid. Khalifa finished the race in 5:20:47, and also overcame a poor start as he found himself 12th after stage one.

Royal Team rider Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Saad came fourth. Riding Mystic Traveller, Al Saad had a total ride time of 5:45:53. Teammate Ratan Singh on Affiniti rounded out the top five in the championship. Singh completed the event in 5:51:25.

Both Al Saad and Singh managed late surges after starting the race outside the top 10.

At the end of the ride, Shaikh Khalid and the rest of the winners were presented their respective trophies by Royal Endurance Team captain and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser congratulated Shaikh Hamad on his victory and praised him for putting on a fantastic performance. Shaikh Nasser added that Shaikh Khalid was a very deserving winner.

The championship was organised and run by Breef. It flagged off at 5pm on Friday evening.

A total of 60 riders from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia took part. The ride was originally not announced due to a possible postponement because of the outbreak of a virus that has affected many horses around Bahrain.

But after medical checks and assurances from veterinarians and under the guidance of Shaikh Khalid the event was give the go ahead.