An Exciting Year of Endurance Riding in Arizona

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14 January 2011 By Kim Abbott View Comments

“I love you Arizona, your mountains, deserts and skies”… it’s a verse from a song written by the state balladeer, Dolan Ellis, about beautiful Arizona. But it should be the words spoken by every endurance rider in the state of Arizona and surrounding states. Especially this year… 2011 is offering many exciting new Arizona endurance rides! Here is a list of the 2011 Arizona endurance rides:

We started off the year with a huge bang! Rusty Toth, and accomplished endurance rider, hosted the 3 day Resolution Ride that took place in Scottsdale Arizona. Kevin Myers, also an accomplished endurance rider, and on the Easy Boot team assisted Rusty Toth in putting on a great New Years ride from their home in Rio Verde. Although the weather gave them fits, the riders had a great time and the horses did fantastic! Rusty was able to get riders from as far east as New York and as north as Oregon. Other states represented were Colorado, Utah, California, New Mexico, Oregon and New York.

We next jump to February and the Springdale Romp hosted by long time endurance rider Ray Sansom. The ride will take place in beautiful Safford, Arizona on February 3rd,4th,5th, a day off, then on 7th,8th,9th. This ride promises to be beautiful!

We then move on to the spring ride, Old Pueblo, hosted by Marilyn McCoy on the Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ. I last participated in this ride in the fall. The grass was knee high, the flowers were incredible and the fields of sunflowers were amazing! Don’t miss this ride March 11th,12th and 13th.

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Bahrain: Junior riders set to match skills

Gulf-daily-news.com

12 January 2011

E Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising a 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The third event of the season targets junior riders as the organisers are looking to expand this discipline while searching for young talents to include them in the national team.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the federation is keen to boost the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain in the fray.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will also take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the veterinary examination would be held on Friday from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir.

The organising committee also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Shaikh Khalid earlier approved members of the working committees ahead of Friday's event.

Mohammed Abdullwa was named international referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb is the international steward, Ghaleb Al Alawi is the technical representative while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

The media committee is headed by Tawfeeq Salhi and comprises photographers Mahmood Abdulla, Qamber Mohammed and Hussain Abdulmajeed.

Bahrain TV crew are Sami Yaqoub, Mohammed Jameel, Mohammed Al Shoumeli, Alli Al Shoumeli, Hussain Al Aradi, Saddam Nasser, Fawaz Al Abdulla.

Abu Dhabi: College student wins Ladies Challenge ride

Gulfnews.com - Full ArticleJanuary 28 2011

Abu Dhabi: Twenty-one-year-old Uma Mencia Uranga, a student at the American University in Dubai, romped home a convincing winner of the Al Jaber Ladies Challenge at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Averaging an impressive speed of 28.58 km per hour aboard the nine-year-old bay gelding Pintaka, the Spanish rider made every kilometre count as she completed the gruelling 90 kilometre course in a time of three hours, eight minutes and 55 seconds. Pintaka is owned by the Fazaa Endurance team stables.

Finishing in second place on board Siloah Hamza was Emirati rider Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Merri representing the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Stables...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/college-student-wins-ladies-challenge-ride-1.742691

UAE: Student wins first prize in ride

Gulfnews
Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri takes home the trophy for 100km endurance ride

By Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing and Special Features Writer
Published: 00:00 January 9, 2011

photo: * Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri wins the 100km endurance ride of Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup at Emirates International Endurance Village, at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday. * Image Credit: Abdul Rahman /Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Schoolboy Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri surprised even himself when he won the Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately owned horses at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.

Riding Shardell Sharna Golden, a horse he randomly picked from the 20 his family owns, he battled through early morning fog to secure the first victory of his career.

Al Marri completed the CEN 100km ride in a time of three hours and 39.58 minutes aboard the 11-year-old chestnut gelding owned by his father Mohammad Obaid Al Jaber. He clocked an an average speed of 27.28km/h for the distance.

"I really did not expect this win. I was only hoping for a top 10 finish," said a delighted Marri who was also presented with the keys of a new car, as the first prize. Marri is in 12th grade at the Al Nadjha School in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the trophies to the winners. Also present were Emirates Equestrian Federation secretary general Talib Daher Al Muhairi; Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club director general Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi; and Tasweeq managing director Lara Sawaya.

Results

Top 10 results (Provisional): 1.Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri (Shardell Sharana Golden) 03.39.58; 2.Sayed Mohammad Abbas Alawi (Polonia Endurance) 03.50.09; 3.Ahmad Mohammad Saleh Al Shehhi (Sheridon) 03.5357, 4.Mansour Ibrahim Ahmad (Guru)03:54.07; 5.Matar Saeed Mohammad Al Kaabi (Ghaith)03.55.05, 6. Ahmad Ali Al Sabri (Rayhana) 03.57.50; 7. Layla Abul Aziz Al Redha (Umm Khammas) 04.09.50; 8.Abdullah Bin Ahmad Al Shaikh (AS Elegida) 04:10.7; 9. Hamad Bader Abdullah Al Hammadi (Arabito) 04:12.31; 10. Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri (Meltharina Marzan) 04:12.54

Abu Dhabi: Ponton facing a stiff challenge in Al Wathba for 90km race

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Amith Passela

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2011

ABU DHABI // Maria Alvarez Ponton, the world champion from Spain, will be challenged by more than 30 Emirati women in the Al Jaber Challenge, a 90-kilometre CEI one-star endurance race tomorrow at the Emirates International Endurance Village (EIEV) in Al Wathba.

Ponton, who trains endurance horses in Dubai, won the world title from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September. She heads a 70-runner, women-only field.

"We started with one race at Al Wathba two years ago and it doubled last year," said Adnan Sultan al Nuaimi, the secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

"We have two races already planned for the new season, and may have a third before the season ends.

"There is a lot of interest among the Emirati women to ride in competitions and the numbers are increasing at every race..."

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/sport/middle-article-list/ponton-facing-a-stiff-challenge-in-al-wathba-for-90km-race

China: Horse endurance racing, anyone?

Horse endurance racing, anyone?
By Wong Yee Fong | Posted: 31 December 2010 1336 hrs
BEIJING: Horse endurance races are a tradition in some parts of China.

One particularly gruelling one takes place this time of the year when temperatures dip below zero.

More than 100 riders charge ahead to compete in one of the most challenging endurance races in China.

The task of the 115 riders is to ride across Beijing and Hebei Province along the scenic route of Guanting Reservoir.

The sub-zero temperature is considered ideal for the horses' well-being, but it's hard on the riders.

Endurance races for horses can be likened to the marathon races.

In horse endurance races, riders and their horses have to complete 100km in 9.5 hours.

The welfare of horses is of utmost importance. Riders must ensure that their horses maintain a stable heart rate and that they are not exhausted or dehydrated.

There's no horsing around when it comes to protecting the animals.

Riders are not allowed to use whips or spurs.

And the horses are put through health checks a day before the race.

Veterinarian Cheng Xin said "The ideal heart rate is between 48 and 60. Safety comes first and riders should slow down if their horses are sweating profusely to prevent them from falling ill".

Riders come from places like Inner Mongolia and Guangzhou.

One said: "I've never ridden such a long distance but I should be able to handle it".

Another rider said: "We shouldn't rush at the beginning but take it slow".

Some riders use covers to protect their horses from the cold.

A group from Guangzhou also spent five days acclimatising, before the race.

Vets check on the horses at every quarter mark to ensure they cool down and replenish their fluids.

But some of the animals still succumb to the rigours of the race.

Some drop out from injuries such as a torn muscle.

The organiser hopes to modernise the equestrian sport which has long been a part of the culture of many ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region and Tibet, as well as neighbouring Mongolia.

Chinese Equestrian Association's official Website founder Wutzala said: "We want to introduce standards set by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports to China.

"This is to increase awareness of the importance of caring for the horses as many horses were injured or died of exhaustion in traditional endurance races".

Only 30 per cent of the competitors complete the race.

-CNA/wk

[full article]

Australia: Big year in saddle for Allix Jones

Portstephenexaminer.com.au - Full Article

BY NICK HANSEN
29 Dec, 2010 01:00 AM

ANCHORED to the saddle for up to 12 hours at a time, Allix Jones admits the demands of her sport are a touch extreme.

But as Australia's top lightweight endurance horse rider, she clearly relishes the challenge.

The Bobs Farm 18 year old clocked-up more than 2400km on horse back in competition this year, accruing 149.5 competition points at 26 events across the country.

She became Australia's most successful lightweight rider by season's end in November.

Aside from putting her in the box seat to represent Australia at next year's Singapore endurance Olympic event, Jones' 2010 campaign delivered some grand milestones.

She completed her fifth straight Shahzada 400 endurance test, an annual 400km race near Wisemans Ferry held over five days, and won the 160km FEI National Championships in Queensland...

Read more here:
http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/news/local/sport/general/big-year-in-saddle-for-allix-jones/2035766.aspx