France: Lexington hopes of medals

Nationales-bretonnes.org

From October 25 to 10 the World Equestrian Games in Lexington (USA) will offer the world the events bringing together the best competitors of time in eight disciplines: jumping, eventing, dressage, endurance, vaulting, Driving, Reining and Para Equestrian Dressage.

Endurance World Equestrian Games will be Sunday, September 26, the day after the opening ceremony. The last mile to consolidate the French team has gone to Compiegne. The young Breton Sarah Chakil to defend the colors of France with Sakalia.

The horses of the France team will gather on 14 and 15 September in Vittel to a final work program. Then they will join Cork in order to recover Christophe Pélissié, the veterinary team from France and assistance. All horses selected for the French gaming will take off for Lexington 19, riders will recover them 20.

* Virginie ATGER / AZIM DU FLORIVAL
* Sarah CHAKIL / SAKALIA
* Caroline DENAYER GAD / GWELLIK DU PARC
* Jean-Philippe FRANCES / HANABA DU BOIS
* Bénédicte SANTISTEVA / DJOUR DE BOZOULS

Alternate: Cecile MILLETO / EASY FONTNOIRE

Since August, Sarah connects a program of training that prepares the best for the distance of 160 km. LANDIVISIAU / COREMAs with GRAZIELLA OF SULEIMAN (August 7) - The world's eight years in COMPIEGNE with ORRHA Gargassan (August 20 ) - The trophy sponsors COMPIEGNE with NIAC ARMOR (August 21) ... Coming in the next few days: Monpazier CIS * Monpazier with and again the following day ** CIS will then Florae with SHARARAT (the origin of lameness in Corlay encountered was identified and resolved since).

The "world capital of horse" France will host a team of motivated, well prepared.

Wish them luck

Namibia: Horse riding fever in Walvis

Newera.com.na - Full Article

02 September 2010

by Albertina Nakale

WALVIS BAY - Approximately 200 international horse riders have joined their Namibian counterparts for the annual International Horse Endurance Riding Competition, at the Namibian harbour town.

According to the Namibia Endurance Ride Association (NERA), Walvis Bay remains the ideal location for the competition.

“It is difficult to imagine any other location where the stamina, perseverance and willpower of both the rider and their steed is challenged. Not only do the dunes provide for some of the toughest endurance and obstacle courses, this course is more difficult than similar races in the Middle East.

“We have been very fortunate to enjoy the support of the Municipality of Walvis Bay to host this particular event and would like to see this relationship continuing,” said NERA secretary, Annette Hanekom.

Hanekom noted that over the last few years since the competition was shifted to Walvis Bay, there has been an improvement in the skills and performance of Namibian endurance horse riders...

Read more here:
http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=12814

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.