Bahrain: Royal Team aim to dominate ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Thursday, December 23, 2010

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said he is confident of his side's ability to dominate races and eventually win them.

Shaikh Nasser was talking ahead of the National Day Endurance Horseride Championship to be held on Saturday.

A strong field of riders from the different stables are due to compete in the second event of the season, to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, beginning at 6am.

"Our team is keen to participate in all endurance rides this year, especially this event which marks our debut this season," said Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.

Saturday's ride is organised as part of Bahrain's National Day celebrations and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne.

"This annual championship is one of the major events being organised every season and has a special place in the hearts of all Bahraini riders taking part," said Shaikh Nasser.

"We all believe that this season will be an exceptional one and we are all excited to see many new riders taking to the sport."

Shaikh Nasser highlighted the thrilling battle during the first ride of the season last week which was for Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad All Khalifa Trophy.

"Saturday's ride will feature entries from all over Bahrain with most of the local stables all ready to go racing. It will be a season to remember and I hope my team can live up to this challenge," said Shaikh Nasser.

Prominent

Al Asayel Stable's prominent rider Khalid Al Khatry said his team is ready for Saturday's championship, adding that the riders have reached peak form following the recently concluded season opener.

The veterinary committee, meanwhile, has approved the timetable of its veterinary examination, which gets underway at 4pm and continues till 5.30am.

The championship's media committee, headed by Tawfiq Salehi, announced that Bahrain TV Sports Channel would provide live telecast of the ride.

The decision was announced after Salehi's meeting with officials from the channel, being represented by Sami Yaqoob, Mohammed Jameel, Mohammed Al Shoumeli, Ali Al Shoumeli, Hamad Ramadan and Hussain Al Aradi.

Endurance horse ride fans can also follow the action with updated results available on the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's website http://www.furrsan.com.

The ride will cover a total distance of 120 kms and is divided into five stages. The first and second stages will be over 30 kms each. The third will be over 25 kms, the fourth over 20 kms and the fifth over 15 kms.

A three-stage 80-km qualifying ride is also set to take place on the same day. It will be open for new riders seeking experience.

This ride consists of 30 kms in the first two stages while the third will be over 20 kms.

New Zealand: Prangley wins with emphatic lead

Marlborough Express

The Cloudy Bay Floats Marlborough endurance ride was held in near-perfect conditions earlier this month in the Waihopai Valley.

More than 50 horse and rider combinations competed across the two days in classes ranging from the 20-kilometre introductory class to the International 2* CEI 120km class. Entrants came from around the South Island as well as Australia and Saudi Arabia, with the foreign riders competing on Kiwi horses.

On day one, 10 riders started in the 120km class and it was fairly obvious from the start that Blenheim's Kevin Prangley was set to better his second placing in Canterbury last month against Canterbury-based rider Kylie Avery.

The pair came in together off the first 40km loop with a couple of other riders hot on their heels.

The second loop, after a 40-minute rest period, was 32km and the gap lengthened slightly between the two leaders and the rest of the field.

Heading out on to loop three (24km), Avery had a small advantage, but Prangley soon closed that gap and again the gap between them and the rest widened.

Unfortunately, a vet out for Avery after this loop left Prangley and his exotic stallion WD Amir Ibn Kaliph with little competition. By this stage, they had an hour's lead on their nearest rivals, with 24km to go.

As temperatures soared, Prangley and his little horse crossed the finish line and entered the vet ring for the final time to take the victory.

Ten years ago, on a neighbouring Waihopai property, iconic endurance rider Leo Nisbett died of a heart attack during a Marlborough endurance ride and his family donated a trophy to the 120km winner in his honour.

Prangley was also uncontested in the prestigious best conditioned ceremony.

Also finishing this gruelling ride were locals Penelope Valk, who rode Laanvin NZL to fifth, and Kim Swan on Roselea Shady in sixth.

Saturday also featured the a 1* CEI 80km and 40km classes. The victor in the 80km three-loop ride was South Canterbury's Nigel Kerr, edging out Waihopai's Linda Harmon in a gallop finish, after the pair had ridden the entire ride together.

Kerr's horse, Dahma La Ish, was also awarded best conditioned.

There was also a 1* CEI 80km ride on the Sunday, which was once again hotly contested.

Nigel Kerr, competing for a double, was narrowly beaten by Canterbury's Chris Musson riding Connie, both coming in under five hours.

Marlborough club president Heidi Bulfin claimed fourth spot on her horse's first start at FEI level.

Cloudy Bay Floats Marlborough CEI and CEN Endurance results, Saturday, December 18
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Vet Centre Marlborough 2* CEI 120km: Kevin Prangley, WD Amir Ibn Kaliph 1 and BC, 7.12.21; Ian Grey, B/B Boy Named Sue 2; Robyn Marshall, Aquila Toby 3; Alison Higgins, Twynham El Desiree 4; Penelope Valk, Laanvin 5; Kim Swan, Roselea Shady 6.

Superior Covers 1* CEI 80km: Nigel Kerr, Dahma La Ish 1 and BC, 5.08.40; Linda Harmon, MF El Marees 2; Philip Graham, Rosewood Bashir 3; Carla Barakat, Naibara Silver Moon 4; Helen Bray, Sherwood Ayshah 5; Angela Head, CD Shaka 6; Ahmed Alanazi, Dahman Al Badi NZL Q; Kaye Blundell, Waitohi Sarina Lady Q; Hayden Watson, Masada Park Matador Q.

Georges Michel Wine Estate 1* CEI JY 80km: Helen Graham, Ra'oul Abu Rakheem 1 and BC, 5.34.37; Ingrid Ambrosiussen, CD Uproar 2; Ariana Ranui, Karamea Messala 3.

Saddlery Warehouse 40km open: Lorraine Stratford, Jay 1, 2.37.47; Donna Carter, GSD Espaarence 2.

Makana Confectionery 40km novice: Tim Blunt, Hundalee Calyx Q; Sally Blunt, Hundalee Pumpernickel Q.

Sunday, December 12:Wadsco's Holden 1* CEI 80km: Chris Musson, Connie 1, 4.57.12; Nigel Kerr, Rowallan Dee Jay 2; Vanessa Tiffen, Aztec Dreamweaver 3; Heidi Bulfin, Stonelea Sparkling Rose 4; Alison Higgins, Twynham El Jazeera 5 and BC; David Marshall, Forrest NZL 6.

NRM 1* CEI JY 80km: Ariana Ranui, Karim NZL 1 and BC, 7.40.23.

Winesale.co.nz 80km novice: Linda Kenney, Seawind Dancer Q; Peter May, GA Mahsaal Jack Q; Hamish Malcolm, Northwinds Apollo Q; Ahmed Alanazi, Makahiwi Tblisi Q.

Dominion Salt 80km novice junior: Charlotte Wadsworth, MF Zanbuck Q.

Hendersons Limited 20km intro: Fiona Radford, Chat by Chance Q; Lee Oldfield, PHD Q; Nicky Tennant, Ruby Q; Vivien Wadsworth, Leroy Brown Q; Glenys Parsons, Stirling McAvoy Q; Cheryl Payne, Abby Q; Deborah Pruden, Zahav Beech Babe Q; Jane Butler, El Etruscan Q; Pam Harris, Zilla D'Oro Q; Kaye Smith, Lucas Q; Emma Pilcher, Talk About Q; Sophie Andrews, Squirrel Q; Stoney Bourke, Arnie Q; Portia Barcello, Heineken Q.
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New Zealand: Passing of long-time arabian breeder

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full ArticleDecember 16, 2010

Arabian breeder and equine veterinarian Gabrielle Deuss died in ICU at Wellington Hospital on December 3 at the age of 62.

Deuss had suffered from health problems in recent years.

She was a long-time breeder of arabian horses, and ran Aspen Hills Stud in the Wellington area. Her family founded Tarapuruhi Arabians. Deuss was also involved in the sport of endurance, both in her local area and nationally, as a rider and vet...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/12/115.shtml

Dubai: Intense battle likely in 120km three-star ride

Gulfnews.com

Hamdan lauded for backing equestrian sports.

* Staff Report
* Published: 00:03 December 15, 2010

Dubai: Some of the UAE's top endurance riders will be seen in action when the Dubai Equestrian Club stages the Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum-CEI FEI three-star ride at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) this Saturday.

The ride will be held over a distance of 120km and will consist of five loops — Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink and White.

The pre-ride inspection will take place tomorrow between 2.30pm and 5pm.

Speaking at a press conference at the Meydan Racecourse yesterday, Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, the racing manager of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, highlighted the significance of Shaikh Hamdan's support for equestrian sports.

Financial support

"We are very grateful to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his continuous moral and financial support invested in the development of this sport," he said.

"This ride first took place in 2004 and has become a very important date on the Emirati Endurance calendar. We have seen riders enter their strongest horses each year thus enabling the upcoming generation of riders to gain more experience by participation," he added.

"Shaikh Hamdan and his sons have been [some] of the top sponsors investing [in] and financing most of the locally coordinated FEI rides and national challenges. This has triggered and caused a big evolutionary advancement in this traditional game."

Great Britain: Equine Viral Arteritis confirmed in West Sussex stallion

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Ellie Hughes

10 December, 2010

A case of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) has been confirmed in a stallion in West Sussex.

Few details are known about the circumstances surrounding the positive test, which came to light on Wednesday (8 December).

But Defra said in a statement: "Breeding restrictions have been put in place on the infected stallion and investigations have begun to establish the likely origin of the infection, as well as any mares that may have been affected...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/article.php?aid=304364

FEI President Names Executive Board Members

Thehorse.com

by: Edited Press Release
December 13 2010, Article # 17377

Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) President HRH Princess Haya named Chairman of Geographical Group VII Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN) and Chair of the Driving Committee Richard Nicoll (USA) as members of the FEI Executive Board on Dec. 13.

Sheikh Khalid and Nicoll will serve on the executive board alongside First Vice President John McEwen (GBR) and Second Vice President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), who were approved at the General Assembly, which took place Nov. 1-5 in Chinese Taipei.

Sheikh Khalid, whose carrier as a sports administrator began in 1987, is an international endurance judge. He has been chair of Group VII since 2006. He has been the vice president of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation and the Bahrain Olympic Committee since 2009. This year he became the chief executive officer of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. In the past he has been involved at the senior level in international sports clubs and committees for motor sports, jumping, and endurance.

Nicoll, who was born in Britain but is now a permanent U.S. resident, has been involved in the sport of driving since the early 1970s. He is currently an "O" level course designer and technical delegate for driving and he designed courses for the 1993 World Pairs Championships in the United States, the 1998 World Single Horse Championships in Austria, the 2004 World Single Horse Championships in Sweden, and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. He is currently in his second term as chair of the driving committee.

The FEI Bureau decides on the specific mandate of the Executive Board, whose role is generally to interface with FEI Headquarters to oversee and support the implementation of resolutions further to an agenda approved by the Bureau.

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Nasser pulls out of ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

December 12, 2010


BAHRAIN'S Royal Team suffered a disappointing day yesterday during the first-leg of the 2010 Giants Endurance Horse Ride Challenge in Abu Dhabi. Four of the six-member Bahraini team, including captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, had to pull out of the ride.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports' president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, was unable to complete the third stage after falling off his horse.

Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, captain of Al Khaldiya Stables, was also forced to quit during the second stage of the ride as his horse was exhaustion.

Things got worse for the Royal Team as prominent riders Ghazi Al Dossary and Yousef Taher also pulled out at the same stage with their horses picking up injuries.

Bahrain's remaining riders - Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, riding a UAE horse owned by Seeh Al Sallam Endurance Stable, and Ahmed Janahi, were 20th and 21st overall respectively.

Meanwhile, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Nad Al Sheba Stable's Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum steered Nayef to victory with a total ride time of four hours, 33 minutes and 12 seconds with an average speed of 25km per hour.

He was followed by compatriot Rashid Ali Younes (4:34:36) from Al Asifa Stables. Shaikh Hamdan's father and defending champion Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum (4:40:21), Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, clinched third place for Dubai Endurance Stables.

The first ride of the season, which took place at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, saw the participation of top riders from Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, India and Spain among others.

It was over 120 kms, divided into five stages. In the first stage, which was over 32 kms, Younes finished first, ahead of Shaikh Juma Al Maktoum in second and Shaikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Nahyan third.

Shaikh Nasser was the first Bahraini to finish the stage, followed by Shaikh Khalid, Shaikh Salman, Al Dossary, Taher and Janahi.

Younes maintained the lead after the second stage, which was over 28 kms. Shaikh Mohammed Al Nahyan improved on his overall placing by moving up to second while Khalifa Matar jumped to third.

Shaikh Hamdan showed great skill and experience to take over first place from Younes in the fifth and deciding stage before racing away to victory.

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

He congratulated Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Mohammed on winning podium places and highlighted the impressive organisation of the first-leg.