2010 WEG: WEG: Kentucky State Vet's Office Safeguards Equine Athletes at Games

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Press Release
July 28 2010, Article # 16706

The Kentucky state veterinarian's office has the yeoman's responsibility to regulate and manage the importation of an estimated 800 horses representing 62 countries that are scheduled to participate in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Sept. 25-Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington.

"The World Equestrian Games are far greater in size and scope than anything the state veterinarian's office has managed before," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. "However, the staff of the state veterinarian's office has vast experience in equine health and works several large-scale and high-profile events every year. These equine athletes couldn't be in better hands."

"The state veterinarian's office is committed to providing a healthy environment for the horses that will come to Kentucky to compete in the Games," State Veterinarian Robert Stout, DVM, said.

Five equine inspectors currently conduct inspections at the horse park, averaging 130 inspection hours per week, said E.S. Rusty Ford, DVM, equine programs magager for the Kentucky State Veterinarian. The Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) is working to ensure that the horse park's resident equines meet the health requirements of the equestrian sport's governing body, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

On Sept. 16, the largest airlift of horses to a single event in history will begin arriving in the U.S. Three-quarters of the horses will land at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The horses will spend their first 42 hours in Kentucky in stalls inside the barns at the recently constructed Northern Kentucky Temporary Quarantine.

Other horses will be quarantined at the Miami Animal Import Center and Los Angeles International Airport. Horses from North America will be transported to the horse park by truck.

Any imported horse presenting evidence or suspicion of illness will be held in quarantine and not permitted to travel to the horse park until the concern is resolved.

Prior to entering the park, all horses will be required to pass a KDA inspection and have their health status verified in order to be admitted to the stable area. All horses on the park grounds will be continuously monitored and evaluated daily by KDA, FEI, and World Equestrian Games personnel.

Planning and preparation to make Kentucky a viable option began long before Kentucky was selected to host the 2010 Games.

"There was work that had to be done before Kentucky could even bid for the Games," Ford said. "When you're allowing horses from all over world to be imported to Kentucky, you have to mitigate all potential risks. And we're confident that we've done that." The OSV's goals are to provide a safe and healthy environment for the horses coming to the Games and prepare to detect early, respond to and resolve any potential disease threat.

"With so many horses coming from all over the world, we have spent considerable time and resources to better familiarize ourselves with and understand a much broader spectrum of equine disease than what we have dealt with on a day-to-day basis our entire careers," Ford said. "We are confident that, with the preparations we have done, and with our daily presence and readiness during the World Equestrian Games, there will be no safer place than the Kentucky Horse Park to host an event of this magnitude."

An agency of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Office of the State Veterinarian is responsible for preparing for, detecting and responding to potential illnesses and mitigating risk of disease transmission.

"We look forward to welcoming competitors and visitors from around the world to the World Equestrian Games this fall," Commissioner Farmer said.

Mongolia: Mongol Derby set for Second Running

www.horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 29, 2010

The second running of the 1000-kilometre relay horse race known as the Mongol Derby will begin in little more than a week.

The event on the Mongolian steppe is scheduled to begin on August 7.

Competitors must complete the race within 10 days, changing their native horses at specially set-up stations at intervals of no more than 40km.

Its promoters say the derby celebrates the horseback messenger system used by the warrior Genghis Khan.

The derby is organised by a British company, The Adventurists, in collaboration with the Mongolia-based Tengri Group.

The race, billed as an event of rider endurance, involves about 1000 horses...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/07/182.shtml

Great Britain: Death of Endurance Rider Mitsuko Masui from Japan

Endurancegb.co.uk

27th July 2010

It is with regret that I have to inform you that Mitsuko Masui from Japan, who was taking part at Euston Park on 11th July, has sadly died at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

It is with regret that I have to inform you that Mitsuko Masui from Japan, who was taking part at Euston Park on 11th July, has sadly died at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Subsequent to this the Norfolk Coroner has opened an inquest which has been adjourned subject to a full inquiry. The inquiry will be held at a date yet to be set, when the cause of death is to be established. Mitsuko Masui represented Japan at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, Aachen Germany when she was in her late 60's and was an inspiration to riders worldwide for competing at such an advanced level at this age.

Jo Claridge. Chairman - Endurance GB

Australia: Shahzada 400 Km Endurance Ride 30th Anniversary/The Ride of Your Life

Photo by Kiron Power

Aera.asn.au

To celebrate the anniversary we are hoping to attract a record number of entries – at least 100 in the main ride so start planning now!!!!!!!

All endurance riders from across Australia are invited to the historic village of St Albans, just north west of Sydney, for the 30th 400km Shahzada marathon endurance ride from August 23-27, 2010, eight weeks after the Quilty in Manilla and five weeks prior to the NSW State Championships for all those contemplating The Big Three. Camping is available from 14/8 at the ride base as well as accommodation at many local venues….check out the Shahzada website www.shahzadaresults.org/10entry.htmThe marathon event is run over five days on local roads and tracks – McKechnies, Woomera Path, Shepherds Gully, Johnny’s Hill, The Steps and Prestons – a great deal of work has been done on the course over the last few years under the guidance of Allan Caslick and Brad Jones - track clearing days will be announced soon…..if you can come and help please contact Brad. These improved tracks with the elimination of many tarred road verges and the wonderful help and advice from the veterinary panel during the ride over the last few years headed up by Kym Hagon, has established a very good completion rate – everyone who completes receives a highly coveted Shahzada buckle. So inspired, Kym will be riding the marathon this year!!!

In addition to the 400km event – “the ride of your life”, there will be a 120 km Training Ride (Mini Marathon) over three days (experience the passion and wonderful riding tracks of the Macdonald Valley without the pressure). Come for the fun and the challenge – be part of the excitement – apart from the riding, the social committee will ensure that it is a week to remember.

Enquiries: Sue Todd (02) 6379 7218 or email suetodd@activ8.net.au
Additional Shahzada information is available on www.shahzadaresults.org. where you can see daily updates during the week of the ride. reserve your number if you are a regular and read some of the stories from past rides to get you motivated……there is no other ride like this one!!!!!

New Zealand: Endurance rider withdraws from World Equestrian Games

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China: Playing horse whisperer

China.org.cn - Full Article

China Daily, July 22, 2010

Equestrian endurance racing is a sport that tests the mental and physical limits of both rider and horse. Alexis Hooi gets a taste of this deep in the heart of Xinjiang.

Packs of horses break through the morning mist on the horizon, as local grooms nearby slap on saddles and tighten bridles on their prized geldings and mares. The rising sun lights up the deep-blue sky above and slowly dissipates the dew on the surrounding yurts, decorated with ethnic Mongolian tapestry. I am in Bayanbulak, one of the country's largest and most beautiful grasslands in the Beyinguoleng Mongolian autonomous prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. But my heart pounds louder than the horses running about me and enjoying the breathtaking scenery is the last thing on my mind.

Instead, I am focused on making it through the 2nd Bayanbulak Swan Lake Equestrian Endurance Race being held in Xinjiang's Hejing county.

When the local authorities organized the area's first equestrian endurance race last year, at least six horses out of the more than 100 that took part dropped dead from exhaustion.

Riders had to cover more than 150 km in less than a day on local Mongolian horses famous for their strength and stamina.

But this year, competition organizers promise a different approach: The race goes global and has to adhere to international competition standards as set out by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports or FEI, the worldwide governing body for the sport.

This means the welfare of the horses in the race will be given top priority...

Read more here:
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2010-07/22/content_20552971.htm

Easyboot Horse Wins The Haggin Cup at the 2010 Tevis

Easycare Press Release:
Tuesday July 27, 2010
Auburn, California


Garrett Ford rode The Fury to an impressive eighth place finish at the 2010 edition of the Tevis 100 mile race on July 24. He was accompanied by his wife, Lisa Ford, who rode Cyclone to the ninth place finsh. The Fury and Cyclone were two of 34 horses who were competing in the Tevis race as part of the Ride Tevis for Free contest sponsored by EasyCare.

The Fury also won the coveted Haggin Cup. The Haggin Cup award is intended to recognize exceptional sportsmanship and horsemanship as demonstrated by the superior condition of the contestant’s horse during and at the completion of the ride. In other endurance events, the award tends to be based almost solely on the “best condition” judging held after the Ride and focuses on the criteria of “fit to go on."

"I think of The Fury as the horse of a lifetime," said Ford. "He is eight years old and I knew when I rode him for the first time last year that there was something special about this horse. When we got into the Foresthill vet check at 75 miles, he still had so much to give. As we set out on the last leg of the race, I decided to unleash The Fury!"

John Crandell III, who took first place at the event, rode the last six miles from Lower Quarry to the Auburn Fairgrounds in 64 minutes. Garrett and Lisa Ford traveled the same distance in 47 minutes, jumping from 16th and 17th respectively to 8th and 9th place.

Haggin Cup judging observations of contestants and their mounts are made throughout the ride, beginning with the initial check-in and subsequent veterinary checks by members of the veterinary examining and Cup Committees. Findings are documented by the veterinarians and made available to Cup Committee members.

Fury's Haggin Cup win is of particular note because he is the first barefoot horse in the 54 years of the race to win the award. Garrett trains and competes The Fury in Easyboot Gloves and uses Easyboot Glue-Ons for only a few races: the 2010 edition of Tevis was one of them. 21 of the horses competing in the EasyCare Ride Tevis for Free contest went on to cross the finish line in Auburn - including the last place horses, Cira and Sonny ridden by Kathie Ford and Kathy Sherman. Six of those horses finished in the top 20 positions.

Also worthy of note is the 62% completion rate of the horses competing in the Ride Tevis for Free Contest: the overall race had 182 horses start and 93 horses complete - a completion rate of 51%.

It was a red letter day for Easyboots and for the natural hoof care movement at large.