Auburn, California - Endurance Capital of the World

Placercountyca.wordpress.com - Full Article

Posted on July 2, 2010 by placercountyca

Since 2003, Auburn in California has held the title of “Endurance Capital of the World”. This is because Auburn’s picture-esque landscape translates into one of the world’s toughest triathlon competitions. Auburn is situated near the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Tahoe national park. This provides spectacular terrain ranging from rivers and lakes to hills and mountains, perfect for a this kind of competition. In case you are unfamiliar with a triathlon, it is a long distance multi-sport race that consists of swimming, cycling and running. It can vary in length and has variations with only two of the sports included. The most famous variation is the Ironman competition, which covers an unbelievable 4km of swimming, 180km bike ride and a 42km run...

The Tevis Cup

This exciting endurance race has been held annually since 1955 and is competed on horseback. The course is a staggering 100 miles, has a 24-hour time limit and covers the diverse Sierra mountain trails...

Read more here:
http://placercountyca.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/auburn-endurance-capital-of-the-world/

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/07/03/a-long-ride-but-it-was-worth-it/
Anne-Louise Brown | 3rd July 2010

photo by Geoff Potterna - HORSEMAN: David Anderson, 12, from Belli, and his horse Ashwind were first across the line in the 160km Tom Quilty Gold Cup.
WHEN David Anderson was a little boy he struggled to fit in because he was tongue-tied and mildly deaf.

But his parents had a plan. To give their little boy a confidence boost they put him on a horse.

David, now 12, has never looked back.

Last week the Cooroy State School student and his mare, Ashwind, were first across the line in Australia’s most prestigious equestrian marathon, the 160km Tom Quilty Gold Cup, held this year at Manilla in New South Wales. They completed the course in just over eight hours.

“When Ashwind and I ride together we know what the other is thinking. She’s an amazing horse,” David said.

“It was so exciting to get across the line first because I’ve been wanting to do the Tom Quilty for years, but you have to be 12 to compete.”

David said he had been inspired to get serious about riding after watching his big sister, Terri, compete.

“When I watched her I used to get so excited and soon I was totally addicted to horse riding,” he said.

“My aim is to be a vet that specialises in horses or a farrier. I want to live in Dubai where endurance horse racing started and work for a sheik.”

David’s mum, Sharon Cogbill, said her son was determined and focused on attaining his goals.

She said many people did not realise he was only 12.

“The only thing that gives it away is his size, because when David speaks about riding he’s so grown up,” Ms Cogbill said.

“He took to riding really naturally and was riding by himself at the age of five.

“David competed in his first endurance event when he was eight and by the age of nine was winning 320km races.”

Ironically, David almost missed out on competing in the Tom Quilty.

His father suffers heart problems and had to stop work and, to get David there, the family had to sell one of its 14 horses.

“There was no way we could let David miss out on it. Doing the Tom Quilty has been his dream for so long,” Ms Cogbill said.

“David’s career as a horseman is just starting, but I have no doubt he’s going to be a success.”

World Equestrian Games Preview

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Jennifer O. Bryant
July 01 2010, Article # 16603

Excitement mounts for the biggest-ever equestrian competition on U.S. soil.

Think of the biggest sporting events in the United States, and which ones come to mind? The Super Bowl, of course. The Kentucky Derby. A handful of mega-competitions, such as the two-week-long tennis U.S. Open. Two months from now, for the first time in history, the United States will host a 16-day sporting extravaganza that will approach the U.S. Open (which drew 700,000-plus spectators in 2009) in attendance size. It will command more than six hours of network television airtime, and it will bring together athletes from 60 nations.

It's the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), and the eight-discipline equestrian world championships kick off Sept. 25 on the pastoral grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington.

The World Games 2010 Foundation, the Lexington-based organizer, anticipates selling 600,000 reserved tickets. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has been building arenas and stabling, expanding infrastructure, widening roads, and more since 2005, when the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sport, awarded the 2010 WEG to Lexington. In return, Kentucky hopes to realize the projected $150-plus-million influx of visitor dollars...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16603

Belgium: 2010 Arville

Belgium: 2010 Arville


June 27 2010

The first 80 km National endurance ride took place at Arville, Belgium, at the same time as a 3-day event international.

Organized by international endurance rider Leonard Liesens, it attracted 66 starters.

Riders were very fortunate to compete in this wonderful venue, a park with grassland and forest of some 2000 hectares, a 17th century castle, Chateau d'Arville, with a village of gourmet food, belgian beers and many tackstores and others. Several attractions were at the venue, such as tree climbing, draft horses work performance, and carriage promenades.

"Finally the 'cohabitation'  with the international 3-days event was a success. Endurance made a good display, just beside the showjumping field," Liesens said. The ride was very technical, many ups and downs. "On the 30km loop they climbed for 900 meters. So in total on the 80km, 900x2+400= 2200 meters elevation difference. It was very warm - 34*C at the hottest part of the day - but no horse has been put at risk, none have been treated, no real metabolic elimination. The completion rate was very good - 70%. BRAVO to riders who as true 'horsemen' run their horses in these extreme conditions."

Following the style of Steph Teeter, who organizes endurance rides in Idaho, USA, Liesens marked trails by ribbons, and had prizes for many different categories: Turtle prizes for each category (the new endurance book of Leonard Liesens - "Le Livre d'un Cavalier Pour les Cavaliers"), Poulidor prizes (Poulidor is the traditional second of the Tour de France, he was second behind Anquetil then Merckx for many years), nicest couple horse/rider, nicest tack, fair-play prize, best horse showing in front of the vets, etc.
 
"We plan a CEI* for next year hoping to attract some French riders from the North," Liesens said. Perhaps some foreigners from overseas will also join the riders for this unique and beautiful ride.


Photos by Caroll Gatelier here:
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/photos/arville10/index.html



Photos by Leonard Liesens here:
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/photos/arville10ll/index.html


and recap here:
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/navigation/index.htm

New Zealand: Star endurance team ready to tackle financial hurdles

Times-age.co.nz - Full Article

Gary Caffell | 30th June 2010

Ace Masterton endurance rider Jenny Champion has a mountain to climb before she can represent New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky in the United States from September 25 to October 10.

Champion needs $50,000 to enable both herself and her star charge, Freckles, to make the return trip and she has just over two months to meet that financial commitment.
Not surprisingly then, Champion's immediate focus is on bringing her mightily impressive CV up to date so she can present it to the various organisations and business houses from which sponsorship could possibly be obtained.

And she is also planning how any sponsors coming on board can be rewarded for their generosity, like having their names or logos embossed on a rug which will be worn by Freckles or painted on to the truck which usually transports the classy 15-year-old mare...

Read more here:
http://www.times-age.co.nz/sport/news/star-endurance-team-ready-to-tackle-financial-hurd/3916692/

Canadian Endurance Riders Excel in North American FEI Events

Horse-canada.com
June 30, 2010

Ottawa, ON— Following The Kentucky Cup — the pre-ride for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) — Canadian endurance horses and riders have travelled thousands of miles, in pursuit of their dream to qualify and compete for Canada, either in the World Equestrian Games this September or in future major international events. In FEI competitions from all over North America, Canadian riders and their amazing equine partners have excelled, building on their already-enviable ride records. In addition to the FEI events, these riders have actively participated in open rides as well with outstanding results.

• Elroy Karius & Jolly Holiday: FEI 2* 75 miles (Williston, FL) — sixth place
• Gail Jewell & A Salisbury Rose: FEI 3* 100 miles (Inyokern, CA) — fourth place
• Carol Steiner & Jumpin’ Jax: FEI 1* 100 miles (Ocala, FL) — third place; FEI 3* 100 (Decatar, TX) – seventh place
• Carol Steiner & Merlin FEI 3* (Moriston, FL) — seventh place
• Dessia Miller & Parker AES: FEI 2* 75 miles (Asheville, NC) — second place
• Monique Vincent on MJL Olivia: FEI 1* 50 miles (Decatur, TX)—First place
• Lee Hutten & Diamond Reo: FEI 1* 75 mile (Morrison, FL)
• Ruth Sturley & Futurystic: FEI 1* 50 miles (Asheville, NC) —first place
• Yvette Vinton & Jal Bas Kalid: FEI 1* 50 miles (Ocala, FL) — 10th place
• Yvette Vinton & Tesse FEI 3* 100 miles (Williston, FL) — 20th place
• Yvette Vinton & JS Sedona FEI 1* 50 miles (Williston, FL) — first place

Most recent successes for our elite riders have been at competitions at Horseshoe Lake, AB, held May 21, 2010, and Fort Howes, MT, held June 12, 2010. Those results include
• Terre O’Brennan & Koszaar: FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — first place
• Ariel MacLeod & Driftwoods Zorro : FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — third place and Best Condition award
• Kathy Irvine & Nightwind Savannah: FEI 3* 100 miles (Alberta) — second place; FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — third place and Best Condition award
• Leanna Marchant & Samsons Fire: FEI 2* 75miles (Alberta) —first place and Best Condition award; FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — second place
• Christy Janzen & Sakic: FEI 2* 75 mile (Alberta) — second place
• Karen Badger & Pilgrim: FEI 2* 75 mile (Alberta) —third place
• Caroline Williams & Diamond Reo: FEI 2* (Alberta)— fourth place
• Tara MacLeod & Sea Biscuit: FEI 1* (Alberta)— first place
• Mary-Ann Dorchester & SH Special Edition: FEI1* (Alberta) — second place
• Amy Hoffman & Jr’s Last Chance: FEI 1* (Alberta) — third place
• Lee Hutton & KD Colonel: FEI 2* 75 miles (Montana) — third place and Best Condition award
• Gail Jewell, DVM & Jolly Holiday: FEI 3* 100 Miles (Alberta) — fourth place
• Monique Vincent on MJL Olivia: FEI 2* 50 miles (Montana) — fifth place

The next and final challenge for these riders hoping for a berth on the 2010 WEG Team will be the 2010 Canadian Distance Championship in New Lowell, ON, on July 1, 2010. Following the Championship, the 2010 WEG squad will be named.

“The Canadian Championship will be an opportunity to prove our horses’ capabilities and may well change the WEG rankings,” said Elroy Karius from Kelowna, BC, who is currently sitting number one in the WEG rankings. “There are some very excellent horse and rider teams coming on strong.”

The Endurance Championship will include FEI 1*, 2* and 3* events, with Young Riders’ divisions. The majority of the WEG-nominated riders from Eastern Canada, as well as a few from the West, will compete under the watchful eyes of several of the Team officials: Kay Melvin, Chef d’équipe; Maura Leahy, Assistant Chef; Stan Alkemade, Assistant Team Veterinarian; and Kim Woolley, Team Coach.

“Personally, I’m finding it exciting as we have so many riders and horses trying out for a spot on the team, which is something our Canadian team has lacked in the past due to cost of sending horses overseas,” said Melvin. “Having this WEG on our doorstep has definitely changed how our riders have planned their competitions in this past couple of years. It has opened up opportunities for some who might not have considered competing at this level before.”

France: 2010 Corlay

CORLAY 2010 - June 18-20, 2010


CEI*** 160 km
33 starters, 24 finishers

1. Gregoire Tilquin - Mario De Plouvorn - 17.223 km/h
2. Pierre Fleury - Miraj - 17.215 km/h
3. Andrea Pulicani - Spiga - 16.955 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/19_06_10_Corlay_160km--729--21-fr-f-p160-n1.html



CEI*** 130 km
22 starters, 20 finishers

1. Laetitia Goncalves - Nikel Kermorvan - 16.249 km/h
2. Emmanuelle Rionde - Naffa De Lap - 15.948 km/h
3. Cecile Miletto Mosti - Olympe De Crouz - 15.874 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/18_06_10_Corlay_130km--728--21-en-f.html



CEI* 110 km
30 starters, 26 finishers

1. Philippe Tomas - Pacha De Barancon - 18.067 km/h
2. Enora Boulenger - Skadur - 18.041 km/h
3. Klervi Lefevre - Tahira El Numizki - 17.944 km/h

Images by Brigitte Huard can be seen here:
http://www.brigitte-huard.com/20_06_10_Corlay_90___110km--730--21-en-f.html

Complete results here:
http://www.france-endurance.net/default.aspx