Abu Dhabi: Hamdan rides to glory in Giants Endurance Challenge

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Mohammad finishes third as Sultan Al Bloushi wins National Day Cup.

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
December 12, 2010

Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai finished third in the 120km Giants Endurance Challenge (Round One) which was won by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai here on Saturday at the Emirates International Endurance Village.

Shaikh Mohammad, who was making his first appearance in an endurance event since he won the silver medal and inspired the UAE to a team gold in the World Equestrian Games, was on Dourmane, a 10-year-old mare during the 120km ride which was run in five stages.

Leader

Shaikh Hamdan, member of the UAE team which won the gold at the WEG in Kentucky, won the ride in 4 hours 33 minutes and 12 seconds to lead the three-round challenge. Shaikh Hamdan was on nine-year-old Naif and finished ahead of Rashed Ali Yunis on Kumait with Shaikh Mohammad third on Dourmane....

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/hamdan-rides-to-glory-in-giants-endurance-challenge-1.727950

Bahrain: Royal Team for Abu Dhabi ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Friday, December 10, 2010


SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a six-member Bahrain Royal Endurance Team in the inaugural round of the 2010 Giants Endurance Horse Ride Challenge tomorrow in Abu Dhabi.

The first ride of the season, set to take place at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, will be over 120km and is divided into five stages.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, will be joined by a group of elite Bahraini riders.

They are Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's president and captain of Al Khaldiya Stables Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Yousef Taher, Ghazi Al Dossary and Ahmed Janahi.

The Bahraini riders, who also took part in the Season Open Championship and the Morocco-Bahrain Ride last month, arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Shaikh Nasser, who finished second overall last season, said he is excited to come back to the UAE and compete with some of the region's top riders in this prestigious championship.

Among the prominent riders taking part is defending champion Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who is also due to take part this season.

Shaikh Nasser said the Bahrain team decided to participate in the first round after a series of impressive results in recent regional and international championships.

He stressed his faith in members of the Bahrain team to produce outstanding results in tomorrow's round, adding that his rides are determined to claim podium places this season.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the new season of the Giants Endurance Challenge is regarded a crucial step for the Bahraini team towards reaching higher standards.

He confirmed that the team will take part while being managed by a group of experienced trainers who prepared the horses right after their departure from Morocco.

Shaikh Khalid believes the Giants Endurance Challenge is a great opportunity for the Bahraini riders to get more experience and confidence as they face off with top UAE riders.

Meanwhile, the veterinary examination is set for today at the Al Wathba Endurance Village while several of the Bahrain team members underwent training yesterday.

After an intense battle last season, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the third leg of the Giants Endurance Challenge, emerging champion of the three-leg ride.

Staged at the Dubai International Endurance City at Seih Assalam, the 120-kms ride was graced by His Majesty King Hamad and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

Both King Hamad and Sheikh Hamdan crowned Sheikh Mohammed as champion of the Challenge while Sheikh Nasser was also honoured for taking second place overall.

Abu Dhabi: Giants ride tomorrow for top prize in National Day Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Riders from the region and around the world in two five-stage events

* By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
* December 10, 2010

Abu Dhabi: Some of the medal winners at the World Equestrian Games' endurance championship will be seen in action during tomorrow's 120-kilometre National Day Cup and the 120-kilometre Giants Endurance Challenge (Round 1) at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, members of the gold-medal winning UAE team are likely to ride in the National Day Cup and the first round of the Giants event. Some of the top riders in the region and around the world are expected to take part in the two rides, to be held over five stages each.

"A total prize fund of Dh300,000 and a car will be up for grabs in the National Day Cup ride. The Giants ride here will kick-start the three-round series with the venues for the next two rounds to be decided soon," said Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/giants-ride-tomorrow-for-top-prize-in-national-day-cup-1.727004

2011 Tevis Entry - Early Entries Pick First!

December 3 2010

A pen starting system will be used for 2011 Tevis. . . so get your entries in early!
". . .The first riders who submit their entries can self-seed. Pens will be filled first come, first served. Please enter early. Postmarks will determine order of pen selection. Please choose your preferred starting pen, one, two, or three.
Please note that Pen 1 is for riders preferring a faster start, Pen 2 is for riders preferring a moderate start, and Pen 3 is for riders who want to start more slowly."

Go to the http://www.teviscup.org/home_3.html web site to download form.

Spain: Otel-Lo Leads National Ranking

9 December 2010

Otel-Lo, owned by Jordi Arboix, leads the Spanish National Rankings with 575 points.

Behind him is Elisabeth Font's Twister with 558 points, and in third place is Alex Luque's Sankoc with 533.50.

A full list of Rankings can be seen here:
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2010/12/ranking-nacional-de-caballos-de-raid.html

AERC Director Election results

AERC Directors (at large) for 2011-2012:



Leslie E. Anderson

Olin Balch DVM

Randy Eiland

Laura Hayes

Terry Woolley Howe

Susan Keil DVM

Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

Mike Maul


Congratulations!

Easyboot is the Official Hoof Boot of Tevis 2011

EasyCare Inc. | www.easycareinc.com
Wednesday December 8, 2010
Tucson, AZ.

EasyCare announced today a new partnership with the Western States Trail Foundation, the organizing body that oversees the planning and implementation of the annual Tevis Cup 100 mile endurance ride.

"We're delighted to count EasyCare as a lead sponsor for the 2011 edition of the Western States Trail Ride," said Kathie Perry, President of the WSTF Board. "This meaningful financial support comes at a key time in the year for us. Although we incur annual expenses for the event itself, portions of our resources are used throughout the year to preserve and maintain the trail and improve access points for the future."

WSTF promotes the use of trails established by gold rush emigrants to California and a historic route established by miners across the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the gold mines of California to the silver lodes of Nevada.

The relationship between EasyCare and the Western States Trail Ride goes back some 35 years to 1975, when Easyboot founder Dr. Neel Glass completed the Tevis Cup 100 mile ride in Easyboots. Since that time, Easyboots have provided additional hoof protection every year for more and more horses who take on what is arguably the most challenging 100-mile ride in the world.

"I think of the Western States Trail as part of our national identity," said Garrett Ford, President and CEO of EasyCare. "We each play a role in preserving the event and the trail for today and for the future. The Western States Trail represents one of the best proving grounds for our products, both in terms of technical challenge and reputation. We are honored to count ourselves as partners with this organization."

Mr. Ford completed the Tevis Cup ride for the first time at age 13. He has gone on to conquer the trail six times with a horse and once on foot at the Western States Trail Run.

For more information on the Tevis Cup ride, please click here. For more information on Easyboots, please see the EasyCare website at http://easycareinc.com and the EasyCare blog at http://blog.easycareinc.com. For all additional questions, contact Kevin Myers, Director of Marketing at kmyers@easycareinc.com.