UAE: Al Faresi wins Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Cup

photo: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2nd right) and King of Malaysia HM Al Wathiqu Bilah Tuanku Mizan (2nd left) pose with the winners
Sunday, 06 March 2011

Ahmed Saeed Mohammad Al Faresi dominated the last phase of the final day of the 240-kilometre endurance race to emerge winner of the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Cup.

Al Faresi, who was lying 13th at the end of the first day, bettered his standings on Friday to start the final day in the third place.

Riding on 11-year-old Ohio, Al Faresi began the gruelling final day to move into the second place in the first 30km first stage.

But he lost pace and slipped to third place in the second 30km stage to Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi on Akasha Sensation.

Al Faresi, however, gathered pace in the final stage of 20km riding at an average speed of 24kmph to overtake the top two to ride away with the title

Al Faresi covered the total distance in nine hours, 57 minutes and 42 seconds.

Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, his trainer-cum-rider, said: “This was Al Faresi’s second win and Ohio’s first. The long distance race is different and one must utilise good tactics to achieve good results.”

Omair Hussain Al Belsoushi, astride Oh-Jay, finished in nine hours, 58 minutes and 42 seconds for the second spot while Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, riding Gazyl Al Sundari, sealed the third place with a total time of 10 hours, one minute and two seconds.

Iqbal Khan Allauddin Khan, leader on the first two days, failed to qualify in the eighth phase.

In the 120km Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nayhan Endurance Festival for Junior and Young Riders, Rashed Ahmed Al Bloushi emerged the winner after covering the distance on Silversprings Kabir Arwa in a time of four hours, 47 minutes and 48 seconds.

Abdullah Rashid Mohammed Al Naqbi finished second in a time of four hours, 48 minutes and 26 seconds atop Braka Sidi-Ifni, while Mohammed Hassan Al Hammadi riding Coolaroo Jubal was third.

The CEI 1-star 80km ride was won by Rachel Harriet Harvey on Caramelo in a time of three hours, 27 minutes and 24 seconds. Shamsad Alam Mohammed Zaid took second place on Tres Jolie Endurance (3:47.42) and Michelle du Plessis on Pindarem finished third (3:53.14).

The three-day festival was organised by the Emirates Heritabe Club, in co-operation with the Emirates Equestrain Federation and held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the President and Chairman of Emirates Heritage Club.

By Jai Prasad

full article at http://www.sport360.com/uae/news/54681-al-faresi-wins-sheikh-sultan-bin-zayed-cup http://www.sport360.com/images/stories/MARCH2011/6marimages/JJC-Endurance-Winner-9-crop.jpg

Qatar: Ladie's Endurance

Gulf Times
The winners of the Ladies Endurance Championship pose with their trophies after the presentation ceremony on Friday. About 40 Qatari and expatriate riders took part in the 80km race which was held for ladies for the first time in Qatar. Amany Hosam Saber atop Sior Mabrouk was first, while Haya Mohamed al-Kuwari riding Mansor finished second. Victoria Louis on Debawy took third prize.

Netherlands: the Dutch Championship returns to the Fasna Trail

1 March 2011

The Dutch Championships have returned to the Fasna Trail on 3-5 June 2011. Multiple rides will take place on 4 June: a CEI3* 160km, a 141km CEI3*, a CEI*2 120 km, a CEI2* Young Rider 120km, a 90km CEI, and a CEI* 90 km Young Rider.

"In 2010 there was no Dutch Champion in the 160km Endurance, due to a lack of endurance sport in the Netherlands," says Eric Lamsma, Ride Organizer. "However, the organization has worked hard to be the only Dutch CEI to get back on the map. And successfully. Many new sponsors are supporting us, as well as Havens and Nissan.

"Havens and Nissan also had the confidence in us last year which laid the foundation for 2011."

There are still opportunities to support the event. The Fasna Trail organization intends to also link a CEI-O to the event.

The first International participants have already reported. Harald Grinschgl has also committed to the 2011 Fasna Trail to record the timing information.

The board of the Fasna trail is extended:

* Eric-Lamsma
* Geke Verhoog
* Arjen Jansen-Kieneker
* Wier Peter Inge (adv)

For more information, contact Eric Lamsma at info@fasnatrail.nl

Stay updated with news at
http://www.fasnatrail.nl/default.asp
and
http://www.endurance.net/international/Netherlands/2011Ermelo/

Spain: Urban tour of Seville, Andalucia Kaliber VI

1 March 2011

Since the organization of Kaliber-Andalucía Raid invite all fans to the sport of horse racing in any discipline, to join us in the city tour we will do in Seville next April 3 (Sunday), as an display, with which we intend to give this test and all the more striking equestrian world and category. The tour will depart from the Parque del Alamillo, at 11 am and will run approximately 3 hours. It is our intention that, in addition to the riders of Kaliber Raid-Andalusia, may be present the many riding schools in our community, associations and clubs and fans in general, whenever they are ready to show at all times the necessary discipline and good behavior for the better development of the march. We have also extended invitations to the Local Police, Guardia Civil, couplers and club music Banda del Sol to join us riding on our tour of Seville.

At the end of the course will be offered a drink and a bowl of stew to participants in the Cortijo del Parque del Alamillo.

Andalusian horsemen and fans should be proud of this test, which happens to be the longest and the hardest of all those held in the world and is attracting considerable international interest. That's why we thought it would be nice to organize a large caravan riding in Seville that might serve to show the world the great love of the horse that exists in this land since time immemorial. It will also be a nice way to share a good time with people from all over the world with which unites our great love of horses and nature.

It will not be necessary to formalize any registration, but the horses participating must be properly federated and insured, and must keep abreast of relevant vaccinations.

Raid organization shall not be liable for any claims for damages or any other eventuality.

http://www.raidkaliber.com/

Bahrain: Riders set for fifth race of the season

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

February 28, 2011


PREPA-RATIONS are underway for the 100-km Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

The ride, scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, will be the fifth endurance event of the season.

It's for the rolling trophy of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, have begun prepartions to host this prestigious event.

Shaikh Nasser's ride follows the season's top endurance event - the 120-km His Majesty King Hamad Championship held earlier this month.

It was sponsored by Western Gulf Advisory and Isa Al Hazza emerged senior champion while Ali Baqer notched the junior trophy.

Speaking on this occasion, Shaikh Khalid said the Shaikh Nasser Endurance Championship is regarded one of the most important competitions of the season, with prominent riders from across the kingdom taking part in it.

Shaikh Khalid said he is confident of a successfully weekend ride at the endurance village, adding that the organising committee is working hard to prepare the venue and its facilities.

The Breef's chief stressed on the fact that this weekend's ride, which comes at half-way stage of the season, promises to feature stiff competition among participants.

Shaikh Khalid hailed the tremendous success of the previous ride for His Majesty King Hamad's Cup and the exciting competition which took place at the endurance village.

Shaikh Khalid added that the present weather conditions is ideal for endurance rides and is expected to contribute to lift the overall standard of the ride.

Australia: Endurance riders fear long-term prospects

Canberratimes.com.au - Full Article

BY BEN HOUSTON
28 Feb, 2011 04:00 AM
Canberra's residential development is posing a threat to the future of endurance horse riding in the city.

The view was expressed by ACT Endurance Riders Association president Fia Hasko-Stewart yesterday as about 60 riders took part in a training and social ride day organised by the association.

''We used to ride all through the pine forests,'' Hasko-Stewart said.

''We held some really great rides through there and now they're developing housing through there.

''There still will be an access corridor between the equestrian park and the Stromlo Forest Park, but it's not the same. Like one little area to ride on, it's just not the same..."

Read more here:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/endurance-riders-fear-longterm-prospects/2088576.aspx

New Zealand: South Island Endurance Championships 2011

NZEquestrian.org.nz - Full Article

24/02/2011 11:26:09 a.m.

The Mt Nimrod Endurance Club put on a brilliant weekend for the South Island Endurance Champs, 18-20 February, based at Cannington, Cave in South Canterbury, but the glory well and truly belonged to father and daughter, Philip and Helen Graham.
The CEI 3* 160km ride started at 3am with the 40km loop. The first rider into the vet ring (in 2.41.10) was Philip Graham with Wolf Gang Amadeus, followed closely by several other riders including the five starters from the North Island who had made the long trip down.

The 160km riders rode all four loops with loops 2 and 4 being repeated before the final loop of 20km. Graham had fellow Canterbury rider, Kylie Avery and Silands Mia Bella, hot on his heels all day so it was no surprise that the two decided to fight out the title with a gallop through the last paddock – around 500m in length. Some said the finish was too close to call with Graham and Avery riding neck in neck over the line, but sadly for Avery, who vetted out lame, the final line honours were made in the vet ring, Graham’s horse going through to take the trophy in a time of 9.33.43. North Islander Sean Trafford, on Sayfwood Rolling Stone, crossed the line over an hour after Graham to take second place and was followed sometime later by wife Alexandra Rogers, riding Supre Nickel; seven out of 12 starters completing this track that had a good mixture of rolling hills, flat farm land and tracks, metal and tar seal road verges and plenty of challenges along the way.

Best Conditioned horse for the 3* was judged the following day with “Wolfie” uncontested and looking fit and sound, to claim this prize also...

Read more here:
http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=727&ESID=4779