Great Britain: Beccy Broughton-Booker and Java Sunlight Retire from Endurance Competition

EnduranceGB.co.uk

23 June 2011

When Beccy Broughton-Booker and Java Sunlight finished Dukeries in such fine style at the end of May, both looking as good as I have ever seen them, I had no idea that this would be Java’s swansong and that retirement from endurance competition was imminent. It is always a pleasure to see a horse reach its peak and bow out on a good note and I commend Beccy for knowing that the time is right for a change of career and commencement of maternal duties. I am looking forward to meeting the first orange offspring of Java and Murmansk in 2012. This will be a hard act for baby to follow with both parents representing Great Britain at championship level, but what a starting point. I am sure that everyone will join me in wishing Java well and we look forward to seeing Beccy back at the top with another Elite horse.

Beccy adds:
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to withdraw Java and myself from the British Team Elite Squad which will be sending a team to this year’s European Championships in Florac. We wish the Team every success and best of luck in their quest. I would also like to thank all of the Team Management for their support, advice and hard work.”

Di Latham (Chairman of Selectors)

Malaysia: Sultan Terengganu Cup To Be Known As Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com.my

June 19 2011

SETIU, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Sultan's Cup Endurance Challenge inaugurated five years ago will be renamed as Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Challenge.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the name change was in recognition of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's contribution and involvement in the sport.

"The Endurance Challenge has seen a tremendous increase in participation and response over the past five years and it is about time to elevate the status of the race," he said when launching the 2011 Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Challenge which was held simultaneously with the prize presentation ceremony of the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy '11 here today.

He added that this year's race was expected to attract 90 riders from 15 countries, namely from Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Chile, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Kamaluddin Wan Yusof from Terengganu emerged victorious in the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge which was held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong, here yesterday.

Wan Yusof, riding "Idas Tobiha" completed the 80km race with a time of 4 hours 02 minutes and 50 minutes, to beat 56 other riders in the category, including Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Ramso Ramli made it a 1-2 finish for Terengganu with a time of 4'03:02s while Thailand's Wipawan Pawitayalaup finished third with a time of 4'03:03s.

Tuanku Mizan later presented prizes to the winners.

-- BERNAMA

Endurance rider crosses Asia in Olympics quest

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/19/endurance-rider-crosses-asia-in-olympics-quest-91466-28901268/

* by Rachael Misstear, Wales On Sunday
* Jun 19 2011


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She's slept inches way from scorpions and snakes, fended off attacks from wild stallions and broken her ribs and collarbone – all as part of an epic 10,000-mile journey on horseback.

But for 62-year-old West Wales pony breeder Megan Lewis her four-year challenge to ride from the Beijing Olympics to the start of the 2012 Games in London is fulfilling a lifelong dream.

The mum of three and – aptly – a former head of geography, has already packed a lot into her journey through life.

Now she is combining her lust for adventure and her experience of endurance riding with a bid to raise funds for her husband, Iestyn Thomas’s, charity Schoolchildren for Children.

Currently resting at her farm in Pumpsaint, Carmarthenshire, she has just completed her crossing over the Ural river bridge in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, to officially enter Europe.

Riding her horse Zorbee, she was accompanied by her cousin Rowena Gulland on her horse Bolashak.

Megan started her epic trek in October 2008 from the end of the Great Wall of China where it reaches the sea at Shanhaiguan on the Chinese coast.

In spite of encountering many setbacks and challenges, she has now covered 5,000 miles across the deserts, mountains and steppes of Asia.

In China she suffered a three-month delay recovering from a fall from her horse but such setbacks were not going to hold Megan back from her dream.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this and because I was brought up in the Far East, I’ve always had an interest in Asia.

“My husband has been fully supportive from the very beginning, as has the rest of my family. My children think I am completely mad, but are not surprised,” said Megan.

She said the worst moment of her journey came when she had the accident just nine days after starting out from the Chinese capital.

“I fell off my horse in northern Hebei, breaking my collarbone and six ribs and puncturing a lung. After a seven-hour drive back to Beijing, an operation to pin back my collarbone, and three months’ recuperation in the UK, I returned to resume the ride at the beginning of August.”

Megan is riding 20 to 30 miles a day on her trip across Asia and Europe and is in the saddle for between six and eight hours. Her journey, dubbed the Long Horse Ride, is designed to promote good relations between Britain and China.

Megan is carrying a message of goodwill from Beijing to London for delivery in the Olympic year.

On May 29, she completed the crossing of Kazakhstan and has returned home for a few weeks to organise the next leg across Russia and the Ukraine.

Despite the feat of endurance and frightening encounters with local wildlife, she says the journey is a great adventure and is very enjoyable.

“Coming through the Steppes, Rowena and I camped at night and when we gathered up our tents we found several scorpions underneath and I had been a little blase about leaving my boots outside. We’ve had a few encounters with deadly snakes but mainly they stay out of your way.

“My horse Zorbee wasn’t keen on camels and got a little bit nervous about them. While I was travelling alone I was approached by a wild stallion who wanted to investigate and that was a hairy experience but I’m used to horses so wasn’t too fazed.”

She added: “The most thrilling part for me was finding a gorge I had read about in a book called the Gobi Desert by missionaries Mildred Cable and Eva and Francesca French.

“They had described how they travelled by moonlight through the Tian Shan gorge.

“It took about nine hours but I followed their steps and it was like living a dream.”

Megan aims to reach the London Olympic equestrian venue at Greenwich Park in June next year.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/19/endurance-rider-crosses-asia-in-olympics-quest-91466-28901268/#ixzz1Pj5brFF1

Great Britain: Dukeries International Success

David Saunders Photography

Endurancegb.co.uk

11th June 2011

British riders were once again out in force for Dukeries with Tricia Hirst winning the CEI*** 160km and Alice Beet the 120km.

Tricia Hirst made it an incredible third win in the CEI*** 160km class at Dukeries on Saturday 27th May 2011. Not only was it her third win, but each win has been with a different horse. In 2005 Tricia won this ride with Vlacq Khamul and followed this up in 2008 with that exciting racing finish beating the Bahrani riders with Vlacq Abattarik. 2011 saw her win again with the big grey Madjin des Pins from Beccy Broughton-Booker and Java Sunlight.

The Young Riders were also out in force again with Helen Perry winning the CEIJYR** 120km with Skylight Crusader. This was Helen's 4th win of this class at Dukeries (previous wins were with Wesam in 2005, 2007 & 2009). Brett Cororan & Harry Ingram completed their first 120km in exciting style with a racing finish for 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Congratulations to all those other riders with successful weekends.

France: Chanac CEI** 120 km

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

June 18 2011

Melody Theolissat and Amurath have won the Raid Chanac, in a time of 7:20.32, at 17.26 km/h. Second was Jean Pierre Stella and El Kebir de Mandre, in 7:20.32, at 16.89 km/h. Third was Aurelien Cerlati riding Rayan de Bruyeres, in 7:25.18, at 16.71 km/h. Spanish rider Ruth Comas and Johara P10 came fifth.

56 riders started the race, with 30 finishing.

Malaysia: Tuanku Mizan Leads Challenge In Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Trophy

Bernama.com

June 18 2011

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 18 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday led the 89 riders in the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy 2011 at Lembah Bidong here.

The championship being contested in the 80km and 40km categories was flagged off by State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Rozi Mamat at 6.30pm and 7pm at the Terengganu International Endurance park.

Tuanku Mizan, participating in the 80km category, rode RTES Smith alongside his son, the Terengganu Regent Tengku Muhammad Ismail. The 54 others in the same category included three women.

His daughter, Tengku Fatimatuz Zahrah, was in the 40km category, competing against 33 other riders, including Delia Phey Qi Xuan of Singapore and Britain's Victoria Jane Holt.

The 80km endurance test was expected to take more than 11 hours while the 40km challenge was estimated to stretch to seven hours. The Malaysian participants included riders from the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable, Malaysia Army Endurance Team, Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club and Langkawi Endurance Team.

The foreign participants included riders from Britain, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

The champion in the 80km category will receive US1,000, the runner-up US750 and the second runner-up US500. All three will be presented trophies.

Winners in the group category will receive US2,000 and a trophy.

In the 40km category, riders placed first, second and third will receive trophies.

--BERNAMA

UAE: Down the stretch and straight to history

Thenational.ae - full Article

Amith Passela
Jun 19, 2011

Down the stretch and straight to history

Amith Passela
Jun 19, 2011
(Foreground) Fatma al Marri and Shathra al Hajjaj are set to become the first Emirati women jockeys to race on the flat.

Shathra al Hajjaj and Fatma al Marri, two ambitious young jockeys, are poised to become the first Emirati women to race on the flat today at the Duindigt Racecourse in Holland.

The two women, both experienced endurance and show-jumping riders, recently completed a month of intensive training in preparation for today's race.

They are among 10 women who will ride in the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Fegentri Cup, a 1,900-metre race for amateur jockeys.

"This is the biggest sporting moment in our lives," al Hajjaj said.

"We just can't wait to experience and soak in the excitement of being the first Emirati ladies to race on the flat and also abroad."

Al Hajjaj, 26, and al Marri, 17, travelled to France more than a week ahead of today's race to familiarise with the horses they will ride, and for a few workouts on the racetrack, as well.

They are both hoping their recent work at the Seeh Al Salam Stables in Dubai will pay off today.

"We started training more than a month ago," al Hajjaj said.

"It became not only a daily routine for both of us, but we also thoroughly enjoyed the track work, riding three different horses under race conditions, every day.

"They were all endurance horses and it was very hard work because we needed to push them really, really hard as they didn't have the speed of the flat-race horses.

"It was also completely different as we had to work muscles we never used in endurance riding..."

Read more here: