New Zealand: Challenge is On!

NZEquestrian.org.nz

13/08/2010 4:06:22 p.m.

Three women will fly the flag for New Zealand at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next month.

Alison Higgins (Nelson) on Twynham El Omar, Debby Worsfold (Rangiora) on Northwinds Bradley McGregor (owned by Chris King) and Jenny Chandler (Te Awamutu) on Lace and Fineness will compete in the 160-kilometre endurance ride against the best in the world.

Higgins is the highest world ranked member of the team, coming in at number 10 – her best ranking was three earlier this year. She'll compete on her horse Twynham El Omar, who was one of a trio of horses she competed successfully on in New Zealand this past season.

The 41-year-old current South Island champ has only been involved in endurance since 2002, but has moved quickly through the ranks.

Twenty-four year old Worsfold has previously ridden in South Africa for New Zealand and has won the South Island Championships and finished second at National Championships.

Rounding out the team is 44-year-old Chandler, who while relatively new to the sport, has placed well in national competitions.

High performance leader Madonna Harris says the terrain in Kentucky will suit the Kiwi horses perfectly, but much hinges on solid riding skills and a strong team performance. However, with just three in the team, there is no luxury of a drop off score.

“Our riders know what speed they need to ride at to maintain that world class level,” says Harris, who has represented New Zealand in a raft of sports including cross country skiing, cycling, athletics, endurance riding and basketball.

“We have a great opportunity to do well there.”

The team gets on the road later this week before flying to Los Angeles on August 29th.

Endurance is one of eight equestrian disciplines taking part in the games – the others being showjumping, reining, dressage, eventing, para dressage, vaulting and driving.

The endurance team was the first of the New Zealand teams to be announced. Initially a five-strong team was named but two of those announced later withdrew.



The World Equestrian Games are held every four years. The first one was held in Stockholm in 1990, and this year's event in Kentucky, in the United States is expected to attract riders from more than 50 nations.

The estimated economic impact the 16-day event is expected to have on Kentucky is around $US 150 million. Organisers say they will sell 600,000 tickets. The games run from September 25 through to October 10 and are held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Riding championships at Perth Racecourse

A TOTAL of 200 riders descended on the Fair City recently for a gruelling international horse racing event.

Presided over by the Scottish Endurance Riding Club, the three-day championships were held at Perth Racecourse late last month.

The flagship event, a 160km race held over two days, drew Irish rider Helen MacFarland and her mount, J St Jake, back to defend their 2009 title.

Despite a determined challenge from Highlander Lorna Templeton, on Redarn Connon, the pair claimed top honours once more.

In the one-day 120km race, Jill Calder and Khebir Shahir fended-off strong opposition to get their hands on the coveted silverware, as well as the title for ‘best condition’.

Results are as follows: Highland Challenge trophy (two-day 160km) – Helen MacFarland on J St Jake.

120km trophy – Jill Calder on Khebir Shahir.

Pasquill Trophy (two-day 120km) – Tony Comerford on Aratahnes Shantiye.

Drummond Trophy (80km) – Karen Shotton on Patchwork Polly.

Hamilton Cup (60km) – Donna Hemmings and Cumbria Sameh.

Dinero Cup (two-day 80km) – Iain Paterson and Tannasg Primo Dancer.

Veteran Horse Trophy – General George (Sheila Ogilvie).

AC Burns Cup (two-day 60km) – Tracey Johnstone on Bonnie.

50k Novice Champion – Claire Lawrence and Aratahnes Zeus.

Alba Challenge Trophy (50km Open) – Libby Whittome and Imagine.

40km trophy – Kath McGhee on Foxghylls Folly.

30km Open – Barbara Jordan on Jamies-son, and Audrey Taylor on Redstarr (joint winners).

full article here http://www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk/perthshire-sport/2010/08/20/riding-championships-at-perth-racecourse-73103-27098042/

WEG: competitors coming from 58 countries

full article at http://www.kentucky.com/2010/08/19/1397689/weg-competitors-coming-from-58.html

Entry list from 58 countries exceeds 900 riders, 1,300 horses
By Linda B. Blackford - lblackford@herald-leader.com

Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States will continue their fierce rivalry to be the tops in equestrian sport when they compete in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games starting Sept. 25.

Those four countries are the only ones that will have teams in all eight disciplines during the Games — reining, vaulting, dressage, eventing, show jumping, endurance, para dressage and driving. But 54 other countries will compete in one or more events through Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Nineteen countries will compete in five or more disciplines, organizers said.



The list of nominated entries released Wednesday includes more than 900 athletes and 1,300 horses, although that number will decline when definite entries are submitted in mid-September. Many countries have nominated short lists but have not decided on their final team members.

The teams will showcase some of the finest individual riders in the world, including Edward Gal of the Netherlands, who has been breaking records with his dressage scores this summer aboard Moorlands Totilas; and McLain Ward on the chestnut mare Sapphire, the show-jumping combination from New York that has won most of the major jumping events around the world, including Olympic gold.

Mason Phelps, the owner of Phelps Media Group, an equine public relations firm that represents the United States Equestrian Team, said each of the Games' eight disciplines has its own stars and its own followers.

"Each discipline has its own idiosyncrasies," Phelps said. "The World Games don't do a medal count like the Olympics."

For example, the Americans have always been strong in show jumping, winning the team gold at the Athens and Beijing Olympics.

"They're a force to be reckoned with, and they have a very strong rivalry with the Germans," Phelps said. "But one can't forget the Dutch or the French; they've been very strong this summer" in competitions.

While some countries will be represented in force with entire teams, others have only one or two riders. India and Lithuania, for example, have nominated one rider each, in the 100-mile endurance race. Bahrain, Costa Rica and Guatemala are sending teams but only in endurance.

The Dutch Antilles will have just one competitor, in dressage. Fourteen countries will bring competitors for reining, the Western riding sport that has become hugely popular all over the world. Those include several European countries, several from South America, and a team from Israel.

Phelps said the hard-core fans will be in town for their discipline of choice.

"Of course, people here are rooting for the American teams, but the show-jumping crowd sticks to show jumping and so on," he said.

South American horses will begin to arrive at the Miami quarantine Sept. 1 and at the Kentucky Horse Park beginning Sept. 10, organizers said.

On Sept. 16, the first horses from Europe will at the temporary quarantine at the Northern Kentucky airport. They will stay at least 48 hours before being shipped to the Horse Park.

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How entries stack up in each discipline

The number of countries that will have teams in each of the eight World Equestrian Games disciplines, along with the number of countries that will be represented by individuals only, plus the total number of athletes nominated to compete in each discipline:

Discipline Teams Ind. Ath.

Reining 18 4 85

Endurance 26 6 162

Dressage 18 6 98

Eventing 15 8 122

Jumping 32 10 201

Para dressage 19 6 107

Vaulting 13 19 190

Eventing 7 1 30

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Participating nations

Fifty-eight countries will be represented at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Sept. 25 to Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park:

Argentina Italy

Australia Jordan

Austria Lithuania

Azerbaijan Luxembourg

Bahrain Mexico

Belgium Namibia

Bermuda Netherlands

Brazil NetherlandsCanada Antilles

Chile New Zealand

China Norway

Chinese Taipei Poland

Colombia Portugal

Costa Rica Qatar

Czech Republic Saudi Arabia

Denmark South Africa

Dominican Russia

Republic Singapore

Ecuador Switzerland

Egypt Slovakia

El Salvador Spain

Finland Sweden

France Syria

Great Britain Turkey

Germany United ArabGuatemala Emirates

Hungary Ukraine

India Uruguay

Ireland United States

Israel Venezuela

Japan

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/08/19/1397689/weg-competitors-coming-from-58.html#ixzz0x4xvx9A8

Frazee's Thistle Down Run draws 77 entries

by Dale Fett

Horse riders had great weather for the fourth annual Thistle Down Run endurance ride near Frazee Aug. 14-15.

The rainy weather Thursday and Friday made marking the trails a challenge, but Saturday and Sunday brought out the sun to keep spirits up. Low humidity, cooler temps, and some wind dried out the trail making it perfect for riders and horses alike.

Minnesota riders made up the bulk of entries with riders also from North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.

Canadian Rachel Hill made the trek southward and Hatham Albarrak from Dubai rode his first ride in America. This has made Thistle Down Run a true international event.

The only local rider, Teresa Fett placed second both Saturday and Sunday in the 25-mile event riding a different horse each day. Hawley's mother/daughter team of Char Tuhy and Jordanne Bruns took first and second in Saturday's 50-mile event.

Dale and Teresa Fett, ride managers, were allowed to use the farm of Scott and Lisa Piche as event headquarters along with the property of Les, Pat and Ron Kertscher. Veterinarians were Dr. Randall Lindemann of Frazee and Dr. Travis Kuhlka from New Salem, N.D.

Like most events, local volunteers are a key ingredient to be successful. Thanks to the following: Sandy Noonan as assistant ride manager, vet scribes Robin Holmer and Clio Jepson with assistance by Jordan Dretsch, Donna Fett at registration, Orlynn Hanson was official timer, and Joyce Vogler kept everyone fed with a steady supply of food. Troubleshooters Dennis Fett, Trevor Fett and Vinton Vogler took care of miscellaneous details to keep the event running smoothly.

Henry Gruber from Saint Cloud was on hand and took over 500 photos for viewing. These photos plus the complete results can be found at www.mndra.com along with information for anyone interested in horse endurance riding.

[full article at http://www.frazeeforum.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=110&ArticleID=23580...]

NATRC: Island in the Sky ride brings 61 riders to Grand Mesa

According to Mike Mason, in spite of the very real potential for a torrential downpour, this year’s National American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) competitive trail ride on the Grand Mesa took place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7-8. With 61 people participating, the event was deemed a huge success.

Sponsored by the Women’s Surface Creek Saddle Club, the event has been dubbed the “Island in the Sky” ride (from the book “Island in the Sky” by Muriel Marshall, with her permission).

Mason also noted that the “Island in the Sky” ride takes place every other year, alternating with the Wet Mountain Ride, and that for this year’s event, Rich Garrett was the ride secretary, Judy Mason was ride chairman.

For her part, Judy said the ride could not be possible without the help of so many people, in particular: Carolynn Andersen, trail master, who marked and pre-rode 60 miles of trail (Andersen has been the trail master for the ride since its beginning in 2000); Ed Kehoe who cooked wonderful meals for the whole weekend; Rich Garrett who took all the entries and kept the paperwork straight; Lori Molitor, awards chairman and Secretary for the veterinarian judge; Kristie LaValley, secretary for the horsemanship judge; Dewitt Daggett, safety rider chairman; Ole Morgan, Sally Sutton, Cheri McFadden, Julleen Feazell, Judy Mason and Brandy Ferganchick who marked, timed and/or pre-rode the entire trail; Louan Lundberg, Jimmy LaValley, Greg Feazell, Weldy Feazell and Bill Sutton who helped everywhere; Mike Mason, communications and horse water person and general support; Melanie Son, pulse and respiration team captain; Frank St. Peter, Pattie Timmerwilke and Beverly Kolkman who helped with the cooking; Roy Garner, on-site farrier (much needed due to the mud and rocks); and the many saddle club members who baked cookies and cobblers for the meals and otherwise helped as needed.

NATRC had its inception in 1961 and has played an important part in making competitive trail riding one of the nation’s most popular horse activities. According to the NATRC website, competitive trail riding encourages a true partnership between horse and rider, educates horse and rider to help achieve higher skill levels, promotes the performance of horses over the long term, focuses on the health and safety of the horse, helps train competent, happy, and willing horses; promotes conditioning programs to help horses reach their potential, and fosters camaraderie in which riders consider themselves part of a family dedicated to their horses, trail riding, and spirited competition.

A competitive trail ride is similar to an endurance ride. Both cover a set, measured course, and a veterinary judge closely monitors the horses in both sports.

Endurance rides must be completed within a maximum time, and the winner is the horse that finishes first and is judged fit to continue. But in competitive trail riding, the horse and rider must finish the ride within a window of time, and speed is not a judging factor. Endurance rides are often longer than a competitive trail ride.

NATRC rides are two-day events covering 40 to 50 miles over difficult terrain. The horse and rider complete many judged obstacles along the route, which includes soundness and conditioning of the horse. Riders are divided into three classes: Novice, Competitive Pleasure and Open. The Open Class is for experienced competitors who ride between 50 and 60 miles, depending on terrain and weather, with additional obstacle to overcome.

Mason said this was the first full NATRC ride in the Rocky Mountain region in nearly two years. He said the wildflowers “were at their peak, the meadows were lush and the weather added a certain tension and magic as the sun played in and out of the clouds and fog meandered over the mountain peaks.”

Because of limited cell phone service, the group placed a radio repeater on top of the fire lookout, located on the summit of Leon Peak, in case of an emergency. The safety riders, many EMT qualified, had radios and could contact a person with phone service to call 911 if necessary.

In both endurance and competitive trail rides, horses and riders are judged on fitness; but in competitive trail riding events, horses are judged not only on which is the most fit but also on which horse has the best manners. In competitive trail rides, horses are checked at any point along the trail. In endurance rides, horses are checked by a veterinary judge at certain points and are judged as fit to continue. Another difference, according to the website is: “riders can proceed on foot in endurance riding, but for all forward motion in competitive trail riding, the rider must be mounted.”

For this year’s Island in the Sky ride, Gary Inman of Bennett took home the open class high-point award, and Brandy Ferganchick of Eckert, was runner-up.

Comments from some of the participants in this year’s ride included: “thank you and Judy for a fantastic weekend. The ride was beautiful and well planned,” and, “Thank you for all your help. My grandson asked when the next one was. He had a great time. Everyone was so kind and helpful to him. Thanks,” and “Many thanks to you and the crew for all the hard work you did to make sure this ride was safe and fun!!! The weather sure tested you, but it really was not bad in the long run. Just wanted to know you all are so appreciated!”

And, in spite of the “iffy” weather, the ride was a huge success and no one was injured.

For more information about competitive trail riding, call Judy Mason at 856-7022.
full article at

WEG: Cockley-Adams delighted to be on her way to the World Equestrian Games

Article at http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Cockley-Adams-delighted-way-World-Equestrian-Games/article-2536761-detail/article.html



SEVENHAMPTON endurance rider Janice Cockley-Adams will be taking on the world this year, when she represents Great Britain at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Games take place at Kentucky in the USA (September 25 to October 10) and Cockley- Adams is one of five riders named on the GB endurance squad, with her 15hh chestnut mare Roxane du bout du Monde.

They will face a tough challenge, racing over a 160km course in what is one of the most demanding equestrian disciplines.

"This is a terrific honour and a real challenge," Cockley- Adams said. "Selection for the World Championships is the high point of my career so far and the result of years of hard work juggling a full time career with looking after, training and competing my horses."

Cockley-Adams proved just how tough she is back in June when she broke her collarbone, requiring an operation to repair the damage. She was on a plane to the USA for a business trip 36 hours later and back in the saddle in less than 14 days.

She started riding relatively late, in her early 20s, having been a county level athlete, and took part in her first endurance race ride in 1990. In 2007 Cockley-Adams won her first 160km title, at the renowned Dukeries ride, and was ranked seventh in the world.

Last year she was the best Brit in the inaugural FEI 160km Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, the world's richest endurance ride held in Dubai, and in 2010 finished second in the Haywood Oaks 160km ride.

Joining her on the World team will be husband and wife Chris and David Yeomans, from Somerset, Ros Clapp and Beccy Broughton-Booker.

"We have a top class team of riders who have competed successfully in international rides many times," remarked Chef d'Equipe, Liz Finney. "Their horses have all proved that they are capable of the speeds necessary nowadays to win team medals and we will be competing in Kentucky with a real chance of a top team position."

The team has had to raise their own funds to make the trip – anyone looking to help their gallant cause can visit www.endurancegb.co.uk and follow the links to WEG Kentucky.

The World Equestrian Games is held every four years.

Mongol Derby: All riders home and dry after epic 1,000km ride

The last four riders crossed the finish line in Binder soum yesterday (Sunday) morning, thus bringing to a splendid conclusion the second Mongol Derby. We spoke to some of the riders from the finish camp after a day spent attending to weary bodies and stunted appetites. For some, the pride of completing such an epic adventure was palpable, while others were experiencing an acute desire to get back out on the steppe, finally still after eight gruelling days in the saddle and already missing the rhythm of the race.

Australian entrant and professional track rider Alisa Vermay showed the grit which comes with the territory of a life with horses. "I am so disappointed not to finish, but a day off recovering from heat stroke last week revealed to me that I had ridden through the pain barrier. My back and shoulders were very sore, and as a profgessional rider I just cannot risk further injury. The [Prometheus]medical team have been fantastic and I am feeling better already." Despite her early exit and bodily injury, she had plenty of fond memories to treasure; "I loved it. I absolutely loved it!"

Susi Saddler was one of two riders to take the chance and camp wild between the urtuus, and she described the experience as "amazing". Her partner for the night was Camilla Swift, and she described their encampment, in bivvy bags under a rock, their horses tethered and hobbled close at hand; "luckily we were on two lazy buggers and they just lay down and went to sleep next to us. We had an alarm set at 45 minute intervals to be on the safe side, but they didn't move a muscle! We had our saddles for pillows". Ah, the romance!

All of the riders praised the plucky and quirky Mongolian horses, who carried our brave riders across rivers, flood plains, up steep and stony passes, through desert. Susi remembered fondly a little stallion she partnered in the mid-stages; "he was so fit, he galloped for much of the leg and we swept across a wide open plain, with huge red crags either side". She admitted she would have loved to have taken him home. "He'd clean up on the endurance circuit".



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