Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser rides to victory

Gulf-daily-news.com
By RAMI HULAYYEL , Posted on » Sunday, December 26, 2010

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa steered Jamaal to victory in the 120-km National Day Endurance Horseride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir yesterday.

Shaikh Nasser completed the five-stage event on top with a total time of five hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds and an average speed of 22.605 kms per hour.

The Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee edged out main challenger Gorden Sing who was just one second behind in the fifth and final stage.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa rounded off the podium by finishing third overall in 5:23:55 and an average speed of 21.627 kms per hour.

An 80-km qualifying ride also took place yesterday on the sidelines of the main event and was divided into three stages...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=294747

Into the Wild

Kamas woman's endurance racing takes her globetrotting
Christopher Kamrani, Of the Record staff
Posted: 12/23/2010 03:42:47 PM MST
Never in her wildest dreams did Beverly Gray imagine her proclivity for horses and sports would combine into a lifetime of jaw-dropping experiences and exotic travels.

The long-time Summit County resident has been part of the U.S. Equestrian Team in the World Equestrian Games, has raced in the President's Cup race in Dubai, and raced all around South America, the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas and the deserts of Utah.

And most recently, her endurance racing took her to the dark jungles of Malaysia, where she was invited by the royal family to participate in her third Sultan's Cup endurance race.

The race hosted 80 local and international riders in a 75-mile course through the tropical forest.

Gray said the race was conducted at night during a full moon.

"You would hear all kinds of noises in the trees," said Gray, laughing about the unknown around her and her horse during the nocturnal race. "You don't know what's out there."

Rewind back to when Gray was an 18-year-old college student at the University of Utah and had just moved to the Beehive State. Always a lover and rider of horses, Gray got involved in Ride and Tie, a race that features two riders/runners and one horse using an exchanged-riding strategy over a designated course.

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Great Britain: Kirsty defies the odds to claim number one

Dorsetecho.co.uk - Full Article

Friday, 24 December 2010

* By Ky Capel

ENDURANCE rider Kirsty Wiscombe is celebrating her most impressive year to date.

After recovering from a life-threatening illness, the 40-year-old defied the odds to finish as the top British rider in the FEI World Open Endurance Rider Rankings – 48th overall – and gain two qualification spots for next year’s European championships.

The Lyme Regis resident’s achievements were then honoured with a host of trophies at the British National Awards.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Wiscombe said: “It’s been a fantastic year as to get two qualifiers for the Europeans is practically unheard of, especially for an amateur rider like myself.

“I spent all of September 2009 in hospital with gastrointestinal problems, in fact I was in and out of hospital for a total of about 50 days and I nearly died...

Read more here:
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/localsport/8757574.Kirsty_defies_the_odds_to_claim_number_one/

Bahrain: Top riders ready for endurance challenge

Gulf-daily-news.com

Saturday, December 25, 2010


THE National Day Endurance Horseride Championship takes place today at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The 120-kilometre event, which is being held under the auspices of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is scheduled to flag off at 6.30am.

It has been organised as part of celebrations for Bahrain's National Day and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne.

The ride is set to feature at least 30 prominent riders from different stables across the kingdom.

Shaikh Khalid, along with Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, are among the leading riders at the event.

Other participants set to contest for the win are Khalifa Al Otaibi and Ali Mohammed from the Al Fateh Stable; Ahmed Al Dossary, Saud Al Dossary, Khalil Abdulsamad and Yasser Yousef from the Al Shuwamekh Stable; and Mohammed Al Haiki, Mohammed Al Ruwaie, Abdulla Yousef and Mohammed Al Ruwaie from Al Ruwaie Stable.

The 120km ride is to be the main race of the day. It will be divided into five stages, including two 30km legs to start, a 25km third stage, a 20km fourth and lastly a 15km finale.

An additional 80km qualifying ride will be held for a group of young riders seeking experience.

That event has been divided into three stages. The first two will be over 30km each while the final will be over 20km.

Some of the top entries for this ride include Baig Singh, Najeet Singh, Younes Abdulnabi, Manar and Abdulla Al Dossary, and other competitors from stables like Al Muntaser, Ahmed Al Fateh and Al Shuwamekh.

In preparation for today's events, the mandatory veterinary examinations on all participating horses were conducted yesterday, as well as the official weigh-ins of riders.

Shaikh Khalid and Shaikh Nasser were also present at the endurance village to follow up on the preparations for the championship.

Great Britain: Endurance riders scoops national awards

Thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk - Full Article

Thursday 23rd December 2010

ENDURANCE GB Cumbria riders have won seven national awards this year and picked up place rosettes in another five categories.

The outstanding achieve-ment came from Kath McGee, a 50-year-old garage owner from Ambleside, who with her pony Foxghylls Folly won five awards and finished fifth in the Senior National Championship.

Henry, as Foxghylls Folly is known at home, is about 18 years old and of an uncertain breed, but possibly a Welsh cross.

He was acquired by Kath in 1999 when he failed to grow big enough for a friend's trekking business - he is 14.2hh and a bay in colours.

Kath explains he is a bit of a character: “Henry has a real taste for cider and will chase anything that comes through his field to see if they’ve got some for him.”

Kath got into Endurance Riding in 2003 when she took part in a charity ride at Brampton...

Read more here:
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/sport/8754745.Riding___Endurance_riders_scoops_national_awards/

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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