India: Endurance race rides desi horse power, betters national record

Timesofindia.com

Parvesh sharma, TNN | Apr 25, 2011

PATIALA: To gauge the real horse power of our locally-bred horses, Fatehpur village of Patiala district was the place to be this Sunday. The mounts proved their worth in the first ever 30km endurance race in Punjab and, if the organizers are to be believed, they ran much faster than the ones in national races.

Members of Horse Sports and Breeder Society of Punjab (HSBSP) and the event organizers claimed that the steed which ran the fastest clocked the speed of 18.38km per hour, the next covered 18km per hour and the third 17.50km per hour. The national standard for endurance events is 16km per hour.

Bhola, the horse of Sahib Parminder Singh from Jalandhar district, won the first position and a cash prize of Rs 21,000. The second prize went to Kiranjit Singh's horse – a cash prize of Rs 11,000. "I love my horse as I would my
child. When I came to know about the event, I immediately called up the organizers as I didn't want to miss this opportunity. The government should also organize such events more often," said Sahib Parminder.

Some experts were surprised to see the pulse rate of all three leading horses as normal, that too even after running the first round of 15km. "Normally, the pulse increases after running such a long distance," said an expert. "But, the normal pulse rate points towards the power of Punjabi horses," he added. "We knew that our horses are the best... we have war horses. But the first ever event has now brought it on record that our horses are stronger than all others across the country, as they ran faster than those in the national standard of endurance of 16km per hour," said Kamalvir Singh Dhindsa, a member of HSBSP.

Although the organizers had received many requests, only 27 horses were allowed to participate. Out of these, eight were disqualified after the first round of 15km.

"The endurance levels, globally, are usually of 40, 60, 80 and 120km. But we chose 30 (km) because it was our first event and also because of the heat factor. The success of this maiden event has really encouraged us and we plan to organize another one this October. We just want due respect for our horses," said Dhindsa.

The event started early, around 5.30am, and concluded at 8.30am. However, it was watched by hundreds of enthusiastic villagers, who had started converging at site from 4am.

Manileau CEI** 120 km Spanish Young Rider Championship

23 April 2011

52 horses and riders were entered in the April 23rd Spanish Young Rider Championships in Manileu (Barcelona), Spain.

Winner was Maria Ledesma riding Ushamir ben Priz, in 6:07.41, at 19.58 km/h. Second place went to Oier Etxenike riding Foque de Quijas, in 6:21.57, at 18.85 km/h. Third was Ane Baseta riding Alabama, in 6:22.38, at 18.82 km/h.

31 pairs completed the ride.

Australia: Mudgee endurance riders take major placings at Tooraweenah

Mudgeeguardian.com.au - Full Article

ALEX BOYD
22 Apr, 2011

Mudgee Endurance riders made all the major placings at the 80 kilometre endurance ride at Tooraweenah on April 10.

The event was well attended with 61 entries in the 80km ride and 45 entries in the 40km trainer.

Bernice King was awarded the encouragement award after she finished the 80 kilometres ride even though she had suffered a dismount earlier in the race.

Mette Sutton won the 80km ride after she finished in five hours, 15 minutes with her horse Vuldar the Magician as well as being awarded open fittest horse.

Gloria Mills was first highweight finishing in five hours and 39 minutes with her horse Glendos Sabodice also taking the fittest horse award for catchweight.

Paddy Smith was the first heavyweight and Justin Pilley was first junior as well as first across the line.

India: First ever 30km race to test Punjab horses

Timesofindia.com

April 22 2011

CHANDIGARH: In what is being seen as a revival of old times when horse riding was a passion in Punjab, horse lovers and breeders in the state have got together to organize, for the first time, a 30 km endurance race of indigenous and thoroughbred horses in Fatehpur village in Patiala district on Sunday.

Punjab bloodline horses are being encouraged and riders from across the country are expected. "Horse keeping comes naturally to the people of Punjab and has been for centuries, a way of life. The sport of horse riding is deemed to be a natural attraction and deserves to be given a new meaning in the modern day context," said Kamalbir Singh Dhindsa, a prominent horse breeder and equestrian promoter. Promoters of the event, who have got together under the banner of Horse Sports and Breeder Society of Punjab and are not supported by any ernment organization, have pooled in about Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh each to organize the endurance race. Col Sarpartap Singh, equestrian judge at international events and a prominent horse breeder in Punjab said, "Endurance rides are races over a trail of distance. We have chosen a varied and challenging terrain."

Sumrinder Singh Sira, a horse breeder and also faculty in department of business management, Punjabi University said, "This endurance meet will help breeders to improve their stock and encourage them. That is why we have not kept any entry fee, boarding and lodging is free for participants." About 60 riders from across the region will exhibit the strength of their horses besides riding skills. The distance of 30 kms will be extended to 40 kms, 60 kms and 80 kms in second endurance meet that Horse Sport and Breeders Society is mulling of organizing in October.

Bahrain: Royal victory!

Gulf-daily-news.com

Sunday, April 17, 2011

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Salem Sabt emerged champions in the season-ending 120-km Endurance Horseride Championship for the Crown Prince Cup, reports RAMI HULAYYEL. Shaikh Nasser proved too strong to win the 29-rider senior ride while Salem Sabt finished on top in the junior event, which saw 20 riders in the fray.

The final endurance event of the season, which took place at the Bahrain International Village in Sakhir, ended on an exciting note with Shaikh Nasser winning it by a narrow margin.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, completed the challenging 120-km ride on Mystic Traveler.

Shaikh Nasser clocked five hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds with an average speed of 21.040 kmph.

The Royal Endurance team dominated the show, winning the next two places. Noureddin Kaddouri, riding Kalharabi Katar, timed 5:53:14 to clinch second place with an average speed of 21.035kmph.

Third place was also won by the Royal Endurance team through Jaffar Mirza on Danon Jabeen. Mirza, who took the lead in the early stages, could finish third in 5:42:16.

Fahad Ismail (5:49:04) of Al Khalidiya Stables claimed fourth position, followed by Raed Mahmood (5:01:59) in fifth place, Isa Al Doseri (5:14:57) of Al Shawamekh Stables sixth and Al Reem Stable's Mohamed Al Shaikh (5:28:40) seventh.

Bag Singh (5:54:14) of Al Montasir Stable was eighth, ahead of Nakhat Singh (6:01:22), also of Montasir Stable, while Manar Rashid (6:05:58) of Ahmed Al Fateh Stable rounded off the top 10. Manar was the first lady rider to complete the event.

Junior

In the junior ride, Al Asayel Stable rider Sabt steered Ge Lady to victory in five hours, 33 minutes and 12 second after a close battle with another Al Asayel Stable rider Mohammed Al Khatry. Fahad Helal (5:44:30) was third on Al Jared.

Ali Baqer (5:49:20) of Hawar Stable was fourth, followed by Ali Al Abdulla (5:33:03), Saud Al Hadhrami (5:33:31), Mohammed Al Khatri (6:06:52), Faisal Al Manea (6:12:09) and Mohamed Al Subai (6:14:43), all of Al Asayel Stable.

An additional 85-km qualifying ride was held on the occasion, with seven riders in the fray. It was won by Abdulla Al Qoad, riding Kintamani Kebir, who clocked three hours, 49 minutes and 36 seconds.

He was followed by Hamad Al Marri (4:52:06) of Royal Endurance Team in second place with Al Shawamek Stable rider Abdulla Al Dosseri (5:29:14) third.

His Majesty the King's Personal Representative Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa honoured the top three riders in each event.

Shaikh Khalid thanked Durrat Al Bahrain, especially its board chairman Abdulhakeem Al Khayyat, for sponsoring this prestigious event.

Photos by Osama Mohammed can be seen here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ridecamp/HRHTheCrownPrinceCupEnduranceRIdeChampionshipFEICEI120Km41511?pli=1#

India: Majestic Marwari beats enchanting English

Mydigitalfc.com - Full Article

By Yana Bey Apr 14 2011

A beautiful grey stallion, Pratham, ridden by Thakhat Singh, beat British thoroughbreds in National Endurance event

Amid the momentous happen­ings in the world of adventure sport this February, a land­mark event in the little-known and cl­ose-knit circle of Indian equestrian sp­orts was eclipsed. For the first time, in the National Endurance champ­ion­ship, a Marwari horse beat English th­oroug­hbreds to win the 100-km event.

Endurance events are long-distance riding events that test the physical and mental stamina of both horse and rider. There are 40-km, 60-km, 80-km, 100-km and 120-km events. The last two, being very taxing, see the fewest number of participants.

This year, just four horses took part in the National Endurance 100-km event — held in Jodhpur on February 27. Two were English thoroughbreds but the other two were sons of the soil - beautiful specimens of the Marwari, the horse native to the region. All the four were from Jodhpur with both Marwaris belonging to the All-India Marwari Horse Society.

The winner was a beautiful grey stallion, Pratham...

Read more here:
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/sporting-life/majestic-marwari-beats-enchanting-english-453

Bahrain: Fitting finale for endurance event

Gulf-daily-news.com

Thursday, April 14, 2011

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation is organising the season-ending Endurance Horseride Championships of the season tomorrow.

The event is for the trophy of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and covers a total distance of 120km. It features rides for senior and junior riders.

This ride, to be held at night, will take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir with prominent Bahraini riders from various stables from across the kingdom expected to take part.

Among the top riders in the fray is Royal Endurance captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who steered Musical Gully Pizzecato last year to victory, lifting the prestigious Crown Prince Cup following a dominant performance in the 120-km ride.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, will be joined by Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and some of Bahrain's elite riders.

Breef's Endurance Committee chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa said the final ride of the year promises to feature stiff competition among participants.

Shaikh Faisal extended his appreciation to the Crown Prince for patronising the ride and for his continued support to the federation's programmes and activities.

The endurance committee chief expressed gratitude to Durrat Al Bahrain for sponsoring tomorrow's ride, and expressed hope that this co-operation would continue in future competitions.

Shaikh Faisal also praised the efforts of the organising committee to make sure the event is a great success.

Meanwhile, the organising committee has approved technical issues concerning the ride, which will be divided into five stages.

The first stage will be over 30km and is covered with red flags, to be followed by another 30km stage with blue flags.

Green flags will cover the third stage, which is over 25km, to be followed by the fourth which is over 20km, covered in yellow flags. The fifth and last stage will be over 15km with white flags.

It was also confirmed that the senior ride will begin at 4pm while the junior section is set to start at 4.15pm. The prize-distribution ceremony is due to begin at 11.30pm.

The veterinary and ground jury committees have been named. Ghalib Al Alawi will head the ground jury committee, which also has Abdulsamad Al Busta, Ali Ghuloom, Mahdi Al Kelaiti and Fahad Al Rumaihi, all of Bahrain, besides foreign judge Haider Al Zubi of Jordan.

Other veterinarians are Bahrain's Abbas Al Haiki, Farida Abdulrazzaq, Abdularhman Abulshouk and Abu Obaida Sabeel besides Melo Caonabo of the Dominican Republic.

The event is being sponsored by Durrat Al Bahrain, who signed an agreement with the organising committee at a special function yesterday.

It was attended by CEO of Durrat Al Bahrain Jassim Al Jowder besides Breef member Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa as well as other federation officials.