African endurance in Walvis Bay

Newera.com.na - Full Article

01 September 2010

WALVIS BAY - The coastal town of Walvis Bay is hosting the First National Bank (FNB) African Endurance Horse-riding Championship.

The event, organized by FNB, is said to be “the biggest ever” in Walvis Bay with 195 participants. Apart from hosts Namibia, South Africa and Germany will be represented by riders in various categories, and who are expected to endure an ultimate 120 km ride in the hot Namib desert.

“It is a difficult ride because of the desert and the weather. All the horses were thoroughly checked by veterinarians. We have 14 vets to check the horses before the game.

“These horses will be going in different directions. Some to Dune 7, along the beach up to Guano Island, while some will go to the salt pan,” said Annette Hanekom one of the main organizers of the event...

Read more here:
http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=12783

New Zealand: Trio aiming to go the full distance

NZHerald.co.nz - Full Article

By David Leggat
5:30 AM Saturday Aug 28, 2010

Jenny Chandler had pottered about for years in the usual equestrian pursuits. Some eventing here, a bit of showjumping there, going back to getting her first pony at 10.

She'd heard about endurance riding but figured she wouldn't have the time to take it seriously. But on Tuesday she and teammates Debby Worsfold and Alison Higgins are off to Kentucky as New Zealand's team for the 160km endurance race at the world equestrian games.

"I've now discovered the riding I most enjoy doing - hacking down the road, which used to be called skiving because you should be doing more important things - is called training," she quipped. At the Masters Games in Hamilton six years ago, Chandler, who farms near Pirongia, close to Te Awamutu, and works at Waikato University's animal psychology lab, was encouraged to enter and had a standardbred who wasn't much good for anything else.

"So I took him in. It was 20km, which seemed an awfully long way. We won it and I was hooked." Chandler bought her world games mount, Lace and Fineness, in December 2005...

Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10669396

China International Horseracing Meeting Kicks off in NW China

Cri.cn

2010-08-28

China international horseracing meeting kicked off in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Saturday, which attracted nearly 100 equestrian lovers from home and abroad with over 120 quality horses.

The meeting encompasses three racing disciplines, including International Equestrian Federation (FEI) 80km-endurance, speed and horse-walking races.

During the competition event, other equestrian shows will be staged, including dressage, jumping and riding-shooting.

The meeting was held along the Great Wall and Beacon Tower in Yinchuan, which is a great appeal especially to foreign equestrian lovers.

The meeting is held to promote the exchange between Chinese and foreign equestrian lovers and lead more people to approach the healthy and low-carbon exercising choices, said the organizers.

Compiegne 2010 Young Endurance Horse Championship

Report by Leonard Liesens, Endurance-belgium.com

Compiegne was celebrating his ten years birthday. With a mixed feeling. Nothing has changed in terms of organization (still as good as usual), as far as the venue in concerned (exceptional place, good accommodation, catering perfect and very good weather). The course was very good. It has rained some days before making the going excellent. Some hills have been added to the circuit of last year, but without the big hills that made Compiegne famous ( The Beaux Monts ascent, the Mont St Pierre, the technical parts of the first loop heading to the river).

The weather was good. We had plenty of sunshine, but also a high level of humidity especially in the forest. Most of the Compiegne trails are in the forest.

Unfortunately, the major sponsor didn't renew his support to the organization. A big loss for Compiegne, which forced the organizers to review the whole program. Was that linked wit the forfeit of the main sponsor or not, but one could hardly see any horse broker on the venue. While several dozens of horses joined the Gulf stables during the previous years competitions, this time, we didn't hear about financial transactions...

More story and photos at
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2010Compiegne/
and
http://www.endurance-belgium.com/navigation/index.htm

British Endurance Elite Squad 2010

Endurancegb.co.uk

The following horses and riders are the 5 team members that have been selected to represent Team GBR at the forthcoming World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September 2010.

BECCY BROUGHTON

Beccy Broughton-Booker, UKCC Coach and Equine Sports Massage Therapist began riding in 1981- at 2 years old! She was just 5 years old at her first competitive 25 mile CTR - 26yrs ago - 1986 at Southwell Racecourse on a pony called Oatie Crunch owned by Mrs Janet Denny.

Beccy has competed in over 20 International Rides, including at the European Championships 2001 finishing a very creditable 7th, at WEG 2002 to finish 18th, and in the Dukeries Bahrain Cup 2010 where she came 1st . In 2001 she was the top British based rider in the World FEI rankings. In 2002 she was placed 36th in the FEI World Rankings and her stallion Murmansk was placed 4th in the FEI World Rankings for competing stallions. She was been chosen to represent GB as an U21 and on the senior team.

Beccy’s crew are Rachel Stendall, husband Garry Booker and father Tim Broughton. Beccy names Marcy Pavord as the most influential person in her life, saying “I want to achieve what she did not have time to do.” However, Beccy adds it is her father she most looks up to – “for too many reasons.”

As well as wanting to be the best that she can be, encouraging the growth of the discipline and wanting a World and Olympic Medal, Beccy’s ambitions also include “to coach riders at all levels sharing my experiences and knowledge to improve horse and rider combinations to reach their goals.” For those of us who know Beccy it is no surprise that hobbies outside of horses include “Fast cars, fast skis and fast everything really!”

Beccy’s horses are Java Sunlight, a 13yo chestnut Arab mare (Dhruv/Sunlit Wings) who came 2nd at Haywood Oaks 160 FEI3*. Beccy also has Tawmarsh Muharram, a 10yo chestnut Arab gelding (Murmansk/Khashala) who came 1st in the Bahrain Dukeries Cup 160FEI3* 2010. This horse is the son of Beccy’s previous team horse Murmansk, who took her to many of her achievements so far. Beccy says “His Dad pep talks him every day!”
ROZ CLAPP

Ros Clapp, previous team member at Assissi 2009 and Compeigne 2005, took up riding in 1980 and has been competing in Endurance since 2000. Ros chose Endurance “through my Mum who was on the British team”, and her best result to date was to finish Assissi riding Nazeeka.

Nazeeka is an 11yo grey Anglo Arab mare (Prince Vandezee/Namibia), whom Ros has owned for 5 years. Nazeeka was also a champion hack before starting Endurance so obviously a very talented horse. In fact, Ros’s top tip for success in Endurance is that you need “a good horse”.

Ros’s crew include John Tydesley, John and Jane Hudson and Rob Clapp.
JANICE COCKLEY-ADAMS

Janice Cockley-Adams is a European Strategic Sourcing Manager, who took up riding 26 years ago – as soon as she started earning!

Janice says “I trained as a Zoologist and was a competitive athlete from age of 11. The combination of physiology, psychology, nutrition, training and competition together with the close bond between horse and rider ticked all my boxes. I did my first ride in 1988 and was hooked. Over the years I have been fortunate to have great moments on 9 different horses including winning the Scottish Open Championship (160km) and the Spirit of Sherwood multi-day 150 miles (240km).”

Highlights with the two horses Janice has on the elite squad for WEG include 6th FEI 120km Dukeries, May 2010 (first European to finish,)2nd FEI 160km Haywood Oaks, Apr 2010 (her debut 160km) and 7th FEI 130km Monpazier, France, Sept 2009 (first Briton to finish) on Roxane du Bout du Monde. Khadidja du Pont has also had many fantastic results including 4th FEI 120km Euston Park, August 2009 (first European to finish), 2nd FEI 120km Dukeries, May 2008 & best condition award (first European to finish), and 23rd (first Briton and 4th European) in the inaugural running of the FEI 160km Shk Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, Dubai, Jan 2008 (The “richest endurance ride in the world.”) Janice was ranked 7th in FEI World Ranking 2007 (Rider/Horse Combination). She was also the Winner of the British FEI Championship 2007, Winner of the Senior Grand Prix Trophy 2007 (Most points in Endurance Rides (i.e. races) by a British rider) and Winner 160km Dukeries, May 2007 (her debut 160km).

Janice’s ambitions within Endurance are to represent GBR and to continue to train and ride at international level for many more years to come. Her crew include Janine Wade, Sashi Davies and husband Iain Cockley-Adams.

Janice’s daily regime is certainly tough. She states “I typically work around 10 hours a day which can include late evenings too for calls to colleagues in the USA, so the horses fit around this – riding before and/or after work. I am usually up and out for 5 am daily and pleased to finish before 7.30pm. When travelling abroad for work I try to minimise overnight stays whenever I can. This means very long days if I have meetings in Europe (leave home at 4.30am and back 11.00pm) but it fits in better with managing the horses. When I am away on business my husband rides the horses. When I’m not competing, the weekends are dominated by long rides, sessions on the gallops and catching up with jobs around the house and land.”

Janice’s top tips for success in Endurance are discipline; hard work; planning; diary notes and a holistic approach – physical, mental and environmental. “You need to understand each horse and recognise when it has reached its potential - not all horses are good at endurance, some actually like jumping or excel at dressage etc.”

We asked Janice what her most memorable riding story was...

“I guess the first time I rode Khadidja in a Race ride in France. After only riding her for an hour, I agreed to buy her 2 months before I did the 200km 2 Jours Montcuq ride where I first took ownership of her. Half way round on the first day I leant over to straighten my stirrup and she bucked me off and ran off down the trail. At that moment I saw my life savings running away and I got up and sprinted uphill for 2 km before finally catching up with her. Her seller had told me no sudden movements as she was hyper sensitive but I guess I forgot until I was sprinting after her! My pride was a bit hurt that day but nothing else. However we went on to the second day and had a very successful and safe 10th place which considering I was only looking to complete before the long journey back to the UK and I didn’t really know her I was very pleased. It was the start of a great relationship and one in which she is now very much my girl.”
CHRISTINE YEOMAN

Christine Yeoman has an impressive list of previous team selections including2003 FEI European Endurance Championships, Ireland, 2006 World Equestrian Games, Aachen, 2007 FEI European Endurance Championships, Portugal, 2008 FEI World Endurance Championships, Malaysia and 2009 FEI European Endurance Championships, Assisi, Italy where she was selected but couldn't go!

Chris has been riding since she was a child but gave up as teenager then started again as adult, and has now been competing in Endurance for approximately 12 years. Her best results to date include 17th and top British rider in Aachen on LM Taquillero, 160km win on LM Taquillero and fastest speed on 160km in UK 2009, 120km win in Belgium, 160 Km win on LM Midday, 160 km win on Farouk de Lozelle, 160 km qualification for Kentucky on home bred mare, Forest and her 120km win in France on Diyla

Chris’s ambitions are “to compete in a championship and win a medal” and her crew include husband John Yeoman, farrier Nigel Perrott, Michelle Macleod, Lisa Davenport, Nikki Malcolm and Olwen Bryer. Chris says that husband John is the most influential person in her life, “Without his support I would not be where I am now. I trust his judgement on race day to make sure all at base is taken care of, so that when I come into a vet hold any information I need is correct “

Chris’s top tip for success in Endurance is “Fitness of not only horse but also the rider is essential.” Chris says her most memorable Endurance story was not at a top level event, but “doing my first 80km ride at Cirencester to achieve advanced status - it poured with rain all day! And my first race ride at Ludlow in the blazing sun which I won. That was the start to my competitive career.”

Chris has two horses qualified for WEG: LM MIDDAY, an 11yo grey Arab mare whom Chris has owned for 5 years, and has consistently performed well, including winning Dukeries 2009 160km, 2nd in France 130km and being on the British Team for 2008 FEI World Endurance Championships, Malaysia.

The second horse is CJ'S GAI FOREST, a 10 yo homebred chestnut Arab mare (Ganemede/Gold Sahri) who’s results include 1st 120km, 6th 160km 2009 and 2nd 160km 2010.
DAVID YEOMAN

David Yeoman rode a lot as a child up to 21 yo, including Polo, Point to Point, Eventing, Pony Club, but then had to go to work for 20 years. David has been competing in Endurance since 2005 and chose this sport because “my Sister-in-Law got me re-involved with riding in 2004/05, and I just took to endurance like a duck to water!” Needless to say the Sister-In-Law is Christine Yeoman!

David’s first Endurance ride was at Forest of Dean 42KM in 2005 and after successfully building up his experience every year, David has had a fantastic year already in 2010. His best results to date are 1st Cirencester 164KM FEI ***, 2nd Haywood Oaks 120KM FEI** both in 2010, and 1st Euston Park 121KM FEI** in 2009, all on Haszdr. David has also clocked up a fair few Golden Horseshoe miles over the years on Eleazar De Landas, achieving Gold at Golden Horseshoe in 2006 and 2008 , and Silver in 2007. David rode on the Development Squad Team last year at Mont Le Soie , Belgium , FEI** 120 km.

Australia: Local Endurance Horse ride a huge success

photo: Sharon Foster riding "Akaysha"
24 Aug, 2010 09:03 AM
A weekend of spectacular weather conditions saw 83 riders participate in the Upper Corindi Endurance Horse ride.

After a nine year absence, the Upper Corindi (the old Bushman’s ride) returned to the ride calendar and the crew hosted a fantastic Endurance ride.

Horse enthusiast came from as far as Rockhampton to ride in what has been described as a challenging 80 kilometre endurance track, consisting of some tough hills and some slippery conditions, through private property and state forest and with some glorious views back to the Pacific Ocean.

Sharon Foster from Bellingen Saddlery and Pet Supplies said the weekend ran smoothly and with the addition of a 21 kilometre introductory ride on the Saturday for people who have never tried endurance riding and wanted to give it a go, was very successful with the majority of the 23 riders being local riders from the Bellingen and Grafton area.

The 80 kilometre ride started at 5am with 30 horses riding into the crisp frosty Sunday morning followed by the 40 kilometre riders starting at daylight. Sharon says it’s a huge team effort to organise such an event and the preparations are on going all year round with tracks to be cleared and coloured markers being place out in the bush every kilometre or so.

Sharon and her husband Chris Schofield are planning to host a ride in Bellingen possible next year which will be great for the area.

Their biggest hurdle is finding a suitable ride base that’s out of the town centre and nearest to the state forest tracks, big enough for up to 100 horse floats and campers and without having to ride on busy tar roads. It’s a big job but where keen to have it happen.
full article at http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/local-endurance-horse-ride-a-huge-success/1921545.aspx

FEI WORLD YOUNG ENDURANCE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010 - COMPIEGNE

photo: French rider Melody Theolissat won gold in the Seven-Year-Old division
at the 2010 FEI World Young Endurance Horse Championships in
Compiegne, France riding Padichah du Paon. Photo Credit: Gilly Wheeler.
23 Aug 2010

FRENCH DOMINATE PODIUM AT FEI WORLD YOUNG ENDURANCE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS
100th Anniversary of Compiègne celebrated in style

French riders were in sparkling form when taking all three medals in the Eight Year Old division, while only Spain's Monica Comas Molist stopped them from doing the same in the battle for the Seven-Year-Old honours at the FEI World Young Endurance Horse Championships at Compiegne, France. Cecile Totain, Laetitia Goncalves and Roman Lafaure secured a clean sweep for the host nation in the senior 160kms section for the eight-year-olds, while the Spaniard separated gold medallist Melody Thoelissat and Clementine Manoha as the home runners also flexed their muscle in the seven-year-old class run over 130kms..

This prestigious fixture, filled with the oysters-and-champagne lifestyle that has long been associated with this particular endurance venue, might be considered a "jolly" affair by some, but that couldn’t be further from the reality. Compiègne is a tough, competitive track requiring skilled and tactical riding and, of course, a talented horse. It is well-recognised as one of the toughest courses on the International circuit but, some years ago, the course was modified and the competition was run over flatter terrain with speed being the main focus. Last year the track was modified again, reintroducing more technical aspects of the sport.

This FEI World Championships attracts the cream of the crop of young endurance horses and often those that will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. The 2010 event was no exception, with representatives across the two categories from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, USA, Argentina, Qatar, Portugal, Slovakia, Germany, Great Britain, Brazil, the Netherlands and of course, a strong contingent from the home nation of France.

IDEAL TRACK CONDITIONS
The area had plenty of rain in the run-up to the event providing ideal track conditions. However the day of the event dawned hot and humid and temperatures remained high during the day, something that would become evident in the performance of those horses that weren’t paced with the extreme weather conditions in mind.

The seven- year-old category was run over 130kms in four stages and had a total of 39 entries. There were plenty of well-known endurance names on the start-list, as is always expected at this popular event. First to vet-in at Vet Gate 1 was French rider Pierre Michel Dolay with his mount Khersiko du Courtisot but, as always, the fight was on and just two minutes behind arrived former World Champion Miguel Vila Ubach (ESP) with horse Balkanny who averaged just over 19.7kph. Two combinations failed to qualify at Vet Gate 1, namely Sabrina Arnold (GER), 2009 bronze medal winner in the same event, and Mustak Khan Iliyas Khan (QAT).

As the day continued the temperatures continued to climb and it was easy to see the toll the heat was taking on the front runners. Dolay continued at a strong pace but had dropped to third by the second Vet Gate. Belgian entrant Jean Philippe Cohard had now moved into first with Hillkili de Prazila, but their attempt was to end at the next vet as the horse failed to qualify due to lameness.

SPEEDS
The speeds remained fairly constant throughout the day with the front runners travelling at just over 18kph. First over the line was 21-year-old Melody Theolissat (FRA) with her chestnut gelding Padichah du Paon, three minutes ahead of second-placed Monica Comas Molist from Spain riding the chestnut Arab mare Princesse de Campagne. Whilst these horses crossed the line ahead of the rest, it was clear to see that both were tired, reflecting the testing conditions of the day and the humidity in the forest. However, both were fully recovered by the time they were presented to the Veterinary Panel. Those that had paced themselves a little more cautiously arrived just over 20 minutes later, all looking fresh and well. Vying for the final podium position were two French riders, Clementine Manoha and Sonia Bourle, but the French-bred Arab mare Padisha la Majorie came across the line just three seconds ahead to claim the bronze medal for Manoha. This was the pair’s first attempt at this distance and also their first podium position. A total of 18 horses and riders successfully completed the 130kms, with Slovakian entrant Feras Boubol coming in over the line last, completing at a speed of just over 14.5kph.

The eight-year-old category was run over 160kms in five stages and had a total of 21 entries. Once again there were many well known names in the start-list including a couple of horses competing in this age category that had challenged for the seven-year-old title in 2009. The riders in the longer-distance category paced themselves well and were travelling generally at around 17kph, a rate that the horses seemed comfortable with.

This category had a higher completion rate of 62%, consolidating the argument that has come from France for a long time – riders take greater care when tackling the longer distances, thus providing a higher completion rate. They are also well known for their preference for five-stage 160km rides, rather than the more traditional six stages – once again the French say that riders take greater care under this format.

YOUNG TALENT
Highlighting once again the young talent currently on the scene in France, two of the three podium positions were taken by young riders. The winner, at just over 18.5kph following a fast final loop, was French rider Cecile Totain with Aljay des Agachiols. This was the pair’s second 160km completion of 2010 following their respectable placing in Dubai in January this year. Totain herself is no stranger to success having also topped the podium in Florac last year.

One minute later 21 year old Laetitia Goncalves and the bay gelding Dahmhorr del Tochas claimed runner-up spot. Another young rider to complete the podium was Roman Lafaure for France riding Orient al Cabiret, who stopped the clock just one minute further behind. This talented chestnut gelding had challenged for the seven-year-old title last year but unfortunately failed to qualify at VG4 – so this was the perfect podium finish for 2010.

FEI Director of Non-Olympic Sports, Ian Williams, commented that he was pleased with the conduct of the Championships. As always, the venue was top level with a professional organisation. He also highlighted just how well those horses that had been well-paced looked at the end of the competition, and that despite the hot and difficult conditions both Championships still fielded high completion rates, not an easy task at such a highly-competitive Championship.

Full results at http://www.compiegne-endurance.com/