Mongolia: Justin pips Saskia in a thrilling final dash for the line!

Mongolderby.theadventurists.com

"Team Juskia" re-enact their 'Man from Snowy River' fantasies and swoop down a valley for a glorious finish

Eight days into the majestic Mongol Derby, US rider Justin Nelzen has crossed the finish line to claim victory from Saskia van Heeren of South Africa. After 1,000kms riding together the margin was narrow, just a few lengths, and both were jubilant after a final sprint for the line on a fine pair of horses.

Justin was hardly out of breath. Having initially made an assault on the finish line last night and been forced to turn back in a downpour of biblical proportions, they had a great run in for the final leg this morning. Said Justin, "We were out in front last night, decided to take it easy this morning, no need to push the horses, we could afford to just look after them. About 300m out, Saskia gave me the nod and we 'turned the horses loose' to see what they had, and raced to the end. The horses were great, they look great, Saskia and I feel great, the Mongolian people have been great!”

He was full of praise for his team-mate, a Derby veteran from the inaugural race in 2009. "It was a team effort, two horses travel faster than one. Saskia deserves this victory as much as I do, she's been with me the whole time. We've been riding 8 days and we've had a lot of fun. When times were tough we motivated each other- and told each other to 'suck it up' a few times! You have to be tough waking up with aches and pains and facing another 12 or 14 hours in the saddle. But it couldn't have been a better experience."

Justin found much to admire on his journey; "The scenery is absolutely beautiful. And the people- they take such good care of you. To get to know them- such gracious people, such wonderful horses- was the highlight."

When asked what his immediate plans were, he didn't hesitate; "I'll be taking a hot shower if I can find one!"

Saskia was still buzzing from her final Derby dash, and in fact still mounted, when she spoke to us. A glutton for punishment, this is her second Mongol Derby, and she insists it will be her last: "Another Derby and my knees will give out permanently!

"We had a wonderful gallop down the hill to the finish, one arm in the air for balance, it felt like "Man from Snowy River. I was half scared we would trip up on the final stretch, or spook at the finish line entourage- “please do not throw me off in front of all of these flags and cameras!

"It was a great finish! I have a beer in my hand, I'm sat on a horse, and it's 8am! Justin and I both agreed it was a big bonus to ride with someone else; it was give and take, you need someone else to help balance the highs and lows. In retrospect the things that were lows at the time become highs when you have endured them and completed the race. We rode in violent hail storms, nearly got struck by lightning, and rode in forty degree heat. I have two swollen knees and my back is in spasm. I am physically broken, but mentally absolutely high. You feel like you have achieved something very grand. The landscape is humbling, but also makes you feel proud. Proud in spite of looking very uncivilised, with our split lips."

When asked about her experience of surviving on the steppe, she said "Mongolian people are the nicest on the planet- so friendly and so giving. They made a huge effort for us, and it's an honour to be with them and stay with them, and a privilege that they lend their magnificent horses for us. Danger aside, you feel very safe out here with the Mongolians. It is a wonderful life out here on the steppe- you have to deal with being alone, with no barriers. Unrestricted by social/political constraints, you learn who you are. This is an experience everyone should go through! There is no room for bullshit, silly social worries. It's pure survival."

We will be speaking to more riders as they complete their epic 1,000km ride in the coming days. A support vehicle loaded with photographs is also on its way back to Derby HQ in Ulaanbaatar, and we look forward to some eloquent images to do justice to Team Juskia'a eloquent words at the finish line.

The remaining riders can all be tracked online via their GPS Spot trackers, visit the Tracking Page to see who is winning.

Each Rider is raising at least £1000 for the official charities, Mercy Corps and AVSF so that the Mongol Derby makes a genuinely positive impact over and above the benefits of the race itself.

The Mongol Derby is organised by The Adventurists in partnership with Tengri Group in Mongolia.

Mongol Derby: Justin Nelzen and Saskia van Heeren neck and neck with just 25km to go...

Mongolderby.theadventurists.com

This year's 1000km Mongol Derby horse race across Mongolia has been tight throughout, but today two riders have broken clear of the chasing pack and are closing in on the finish line.

Justin Nelzen, a former US marine, and South African Saskia van Heeren who also raced in the 2009 Mongol Derby, are camped right now at the penultimate Urtuu (horse station) just 25km from the finish line.

Agonisingly close to the finish line, they actually set out from Urtuu 24 to try and cross the finish line today but a torrential downpour forced them back to the horse station where they're currently camped.

Racing rules only permit riding during daylight hours so as soon as dawn breaks the two riders will set out to complete their epic race, but nobody knows who will cross the finish line first.

The pair are expected to approach the finish line at 7am local Mongolian time and as the sun is about to rise in Mongolia they are most likely just about to set off.

Each Urtuu (horse station) is approximately 40km apart and most of the riders are camping at one of these stations.

Just one Urtuu behind the leading pair at horse station 23 is Madonna Harris, camping up without any other riders and currently in a strong third but probably not able to challenge for a win.

Halfway between horse stations 22 and 23 and just behind Madonna and sleeping out on the steppe are Sophie del Selliers and Richard Dyer.

And at Urtuu 22 the following riders make up the chasing pack: Camilla Speck, Anya Campbell, Hilary Ponti, Camilla Swift and Rhiannon Thomas.

Kat Swigart who bravely rode on after a fall is at Urtuu 20 along with Ann Bradbury, Elsa Post and Susi Saddler.

The riders can all be tracked online via their GPS Spot trackers, visit the Tracking Page to see who is winning.

Each Rider is raising at least £1000 for the official charities, Mercy Corps and AVSF so that the Mongol Derby makes a genuinely positive impact over and above the benefits of the race itself.

The Mongol Derby is organised by The Adventurists in partnership with Tengri Group in Mongolia.

2010 WEG: YMCA of Central Kentucky to open facilities to guests of the 2010 Games

August 12, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY - The YMCA of Central Kentucky joins the World Games 2010 Foundation in welcoming guests from around the world during the 16 days of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, by providing facilities to athletes and guests who want to stay active during their visit.

Any person attending or participating in the Games will be allowed free guest access to the Y’s facility branches, which include Beaumont Centre Family Y, High Street Y, and North Lexington Family Y, for the duration of the Games.

“With YMCA’s located in 124 countries worldwide, this is a great opportunity for our association to welcome the world to our community,” said Jim Kelsey, marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Central Kentucky. “We’re excited to welcome new friends from all over the world while continuing to serve this community.”

The Y has been serving the Lexington community since 1853, and is a non-profit, volunteer organization with a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

The branch facilities of the YMCA of Central Kentucky vary slightly but all of them feature state-of-the-art workout amenities including free weights, cardio equipment, group exercise classes, aquatic facilities, locker rooms with showers and more.

To gain free entry to any of the facility branches during the Games, athletes or visitors just have to show their World Equestrian Games pass or ticket to Y staff upon entering the facility. There is no limit to how many times a guest can use the facilities, and even Lexington residents attending the Games are allowed access.

For more information about the YMCA of Central Kentucky and to view the location and details of each facility branch, click here.

Great Britain: Endurance WEG Team member back in the saddle

Equestrianteamgbr.co.uk - Full Article

2010-08-11

It takes a lot of grit and determination, not to mention physical stamina, to be an endurance rider at the top level, especially if you have just given birth to a daughter and intend to be on the team for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) to be held in Kentucky, USA in September.

Ros Clapp, 37, from Baltonsborough, Somerset, completed the 80km Endurance Ride at Barbary Castle on 7th August, with her team horse, Nazeeka, just 27 days after her second daughter, Jenna, was born. She then attended the team training day the following day, and Jenna came too – her first experience of crewing, though she slept through most of the action.

“I feel fine. I did some walking and kept active while I was pregnant and managed to stay reasonably fit. My physio said that running was not so good so now I am working on getting my core strength back, doing Pilates and my father-in-law has leant me his exercise bike!”, said Ros, who also has a 2 year old daughter, Polly.

“It was good to be back competing again. There was quite a bit of canter work on 80km ride and at the training day, which was good for my calves! Nazeeka was in good form and did all the work. My Mum and sister have been helping keep her fit and she did a 120km ride while I was not riding, so now she just needs some hill work to get her really fit for the WEG..."

Read more here:
http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/news-detail.php?id=522

Mongol Derby 1000km horse race underway now in Mongolia

http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com/index.php?page=derby-news-release-launch

14 riders in contention at halfway stage...

The Mongol Derby 1000km horse race across Mongolia thundered out onto the Steppe on Saturday 7th August and the dramatic horseback adventure has already seen rider injuries, withdrawals, extreme fatigue and intense competition for first place.

Now just over halfway into the race, the leading riders have travelled well over 500km and reached horse station 16 out of a total of 25 along the route. There are two groups of seven riders still racing, camped overnight just one horse station apart, so as they sleep only 40 kilometres separates the whole field after 5 days of racing. The race will restart at dawn in Mongolia.

Nearly all the riders are reported to be showing clear signs of the physical strain. Kat Swigart, from the USA, is sporting a "double egg" bump to the head and a black eye after taking a tumble on Sunday. In the company of two other riders who alerted our medical team and dispatched them to check up on her, she has bravely continued none the worse.

The medical response services are provided by the Derby's Official Medical Partner – Prometheus, who are well known for delivering emergency medical support in remote environments such as the Mongolian steppe.

South African Elsa Post and British rider Anna Bradbury have called time on their competitive bid for Derby glory and elected to be transferred further up the course, giving them the chance to rest, re-group and re-mount when they are ready while the pack thunders on.

Unfortunately another South African Rider Alexandra van Heeren sustained a broken collarbone during pre-race training and was forced to retire from the race.

The training was held on the steppe by Maggie Pattinson, Chef d'Equipe of the British Home International Endurance Team since 2007 and endurance expert extraordinnaire. She is now travelling along the route of the Derby in a response vehicle, and reported earlier today:

"The race hotting up now Richard Sophie and Alisa left 10 mins ahead of Justin, Madonna and Saskia this morning. All in good spirits despite wet conditions, having achieved 4 stations yesterday.

"If spirits high, bodies showing some wear and tear, even Madonna is tired. The Dark Horse is Richard, who looks no different morning, noon or night".

Maggie's dark horse is Richard Dyer, a British rider currently in the leading pack – one to watch.

Justin Nelzen, a former US marine is the only other man competing in the race and has been a favourite of many. He has stated his intentions are to win, but he'll have to overcome Richard, and the other 12 female riders to win the 2010 Derby.

The riders can all be tracked online via their GPS Spot trackers, visit the Tracking Page to see who is winning.

Each Rider is raising at least £1000 for the official charities, Mercy Corps and AVSF so that the Mongol Derby makes a genuinely positive impact over and above the benefits of the race itself.

The Mongol Derby is organised by The Adventurists in partnership with Tengri Group in Mongolia.

New Zealand: Endurance Board comments on World Equestrian Games withdrawals

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

August 11 2010

The Endurance Board of Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) has distanced itself from the controversy surrounding the withdrawal of two combinations from the World Equestrian Games.

Two-time national champion Jenny Champion and 2010 national champion Sue Reid each withdrew from the team after their first-choice grooms failed to gain selection.

The withdrawals have left New Zealand with three combinations in endurance in the Games in Kentucky, severely damaging the country's chances of team honours.

The Endurance Board, in a statement to members, noted the public discussion and debate around the withdrawals and voiced fears it could damage the sport's standing.

It said it wanted to reiterate to members that the Endurance Board held no authority over ESNZ High Performance and retained no position of influence over endurance high-performance selections or selection criteria for the Games...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/072.shtml

The First Barefoot Endurance Horse of Guatemala Goes to the WEG 2010

Easycareinc.com Blog - Full Story

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Kevin Myers

Candelita and Jaime Mansilla earned their place in the Guatemalan Team for the WEG 2010, on June 19th at the FEI 3* Event in El Caman Chimaltenango, with Easyboot Bares as back up.

We had three US FEI Officials attending the event, Dr. Mike Tomlinson, Teresa Cross and Sue Phillips helping us as Foreign Officials. And our own FEI 4* Judge Scarlet de Rodas was on location, who has participated in several FEI rides in the US, including the Git R Done in California last January.

Candelita has been shod her entire career she is now nine years old and has done endurance for four years. But we at Haras EL Pino Endurance have started experimenting with natural hoof care for about eight months with the broodmare band and non-competition horses. We were so impressed with the results that were now at the stage of trying it on our competition horses...

Read more here:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/bootlegging/0/0/the-first-barefoot-endurance-horse-of-guatemala-goes-to-the-weg-2010