Dominican Republic: First Endurance Ride of the Season

Asociacion de Endurance & Rally a Caballo de la Republica Domincana

Last Saturday July 2 in Dominican Republic was held the first endurance of 2011.

Julio Johnson on "Lucky" dominated the category of 40km, followed by Jean Paul Mateo on "El chulo" and Lisbelle Vargas on "Mickey".

In the 20km test Juan Arturo Biaggi dominated on "Ken", followed by Arturo Pichardo on "Chuppy" and Nelson Vargas on "Moonbelle".

22 riders participated to demonstrate their skills on the backs of horses during the course of the competition organized by the Equi-Club.

The first three places in each category received a stud from the arabian stallion "Medal of honor", of the valued in 1,000US . Victor Miguel Pacheco Mendez, owner of the ranch La Cuadra, congratulated and thanked the participants for the support given to the activity.

The next two endurance rides will be on September 3rd and November 19th in Capcana.

Ernesto Pimentel

For photos of the event, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/DominicanRepublic/2011RanchoLaCuadra/

Great Britain: Drinking the Wind Book Available

July 13 2011

The autobiographical book Drinking the Wind: At the limits of Endurance, by John Tytler Thomson, was released yesterday, July 12, and the Kindle version has been launched worldwide today.

Forged from the basics of good old-fashioned horsemanship and high tech innovation. Endurance riding, the sport of a million steps isn’t for the faint hearted. At the purest level or at the extremes of competitive distances, it is the ultimate challenge of horse and rider over the natural elements.

Drinking the Wind - is the extraordinary and inspiring version of one man’s recovery from a sudden and debilitating illness, an encounter with a ghostly horse and his progression to become a successful EGB endurance rider. This story is about courage, determination and the tough, intense, often unforgiving conditioning required to prepare a horse and rider for the extremes of endurance. This is a remarkable account of the formidable bond forged between the rider and his pure bred Arabian horse and their combined battle for the first Trans Scotland 200 miles Endurance Ride.

Struck down by a sudden stroke, paralysed, brain damaged and emotionally wrecked the writer is hospitalised. During the initial days of recovery a second trauma occurs which places the writer in a near death experience. From what appears to be a passage through the void an encounter with a ghostly horse generates a massive life change and sets the writer on a whole new direction. The story tells the initial battle for recovery, investigation into the near death experience, the void and spirit guides. When the writer finally decides that the entire episode should be put behind him and to rest, he thinks that the final piece of the puzzle is to learn to ride a horse and be at oneness with the equine guide. The experience and this decision baffles friends and family and the subsequent recovery after months of intense, demanding, physiological and psychological testing astounds doctors. In the early chapters the writer examines the benefits of the American concept of Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding, challenges the theory that talent is natural and god given at birth and instead follows the demanding psychological concept of “deliberate practice” and the belief in extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Within eighteen months, the writer, a person with little or no previous horse riding experience moves from an Endurance Great Britain novice to advanced class rider, comfortably winning various competitive classes along the way.

Reviews from 1st Edition

Drinking the Wind – “His book about his 200 mile Trans Scotland ride is an entertaining read. It had me laughing and crying, holding my breath and sighing with relief as I felt I was riding along side him with every page.

For me John can take his place alongside the likes of Bob Champion and Lance Armstrong. Men who when faced with life threatening illnesses have used their sport as a battle ground to fight back. Proving that they will not be beaten and “normal” life will continue.

The book is full of colourful descriptions of the scenery, places and people Team Omar encounter on route, as well as informative historical, geographical, botanical, theological and literary references. Clearly a lot of research has gone into producing this rounded and enjoyable read.”
Nikki Pearson, EGB Cumbria Branch Secretary

“I have just finished reading the book. Feeling rather emotional and overwhelmed to be honest. So inspirational! Such an achievement! He must be so proud of Omar and what has been done. It tells of the bond between a horse and human that is so precious and a real treasure.”
Lynn Healey, Culgarth

“I was drawn in from the very beginning. The story is so life affirming and encouraging.”
Kathy Low, Dundee

“This book is so emotionally charged in places I went through a box of tissues then found myself laughing hysterically at the wicked sense of humour. It is a remarkable story of a journey of achievement that anyone would be proud of. It is an inspiration. The description of the Scottish scenery, history and culture is breathtaking.”
Lesley & Laurence, Bury St Edmonds

“Awesome!! When is the movie coming out?”
Delores Wotring, South Carolina

“This is a book which manages to be powerful and moving, inspiring and informative all together. It tells the reader a lot about the almost magical bond that can be formed between horse and rider and much about the historic country through which John passed. And it says much too about the invincibility of the human spirit. This book will have a strong US readership.”
T Smith, London

ISBN 978-0-9560415-2-4
Metal Rabbit Editions

For worldwide paperback sales and distribution please contact:
 
Steve Beresford
steve@performance-equestrian.com
www.performance-equestrian.com

Hendra Virus Continues Taking Toll on Australian Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Erica Larson, News Editor
July 08 2011, Article # 18499

Australian animal health officials confirmed Thursday (July 7) that seven horses have now died or been euthanized as a result of contracting hendra virus, according to a report from World News Australia. The most recent confirmed case was located in New South Wales--the second case in that state this year and the furthest south the virus has ever been found.

The report indicates that the horse died Sunday (July 3) and laboratory tests confirming the presence of hendra virus in her body were returned yesterday. The farm the horse resided at has been quarantined, and three additional horses living on the property are under observation but aren't currently displaying any signs of illness.

The report also noted that:

* The seven hendra-affected horses were located in Queensland (five cases) and New South Wales (two cases) exclusively; and
* Six people in close contact with the latest fatality bring the total number of exposed humans to 15 in New South Wales and 17 in Queensland. These individuals will undergo "three rounds of tests over several weeks" before they are cleared of being infected with the virus.

The zoonotic virus can be deadly to humans if contracted and has been blamed for four human deaths since its discovery in the mid-1990s...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18499

Australia Appoints High Performance Endurance Positions

AERA.asn.au

12 July 2011

Equestrian Australia wishes to confirm the appointment of the following High Performance Endurance positions for the period including WEG 2014.

Team Veterinarian: Narelle Cribb
National Selectors: Barbars Timms, Anne Barnes and Patricia MacKay
Chef d’Equipe: Mark Freeman

Congratulations to the new appointees, Equestrian Australia looks forward to working with these people to increase the success of Endurance in Australia and overseas.

Kind Regards

Mandy Stephens
Sport Consultant (Jumping and Non Olympic)
Equestrian Australia Limited

Alltech Will be Title Sponsor of Normandy 2014 FEI WEG

Alltech Unites with the Normandy 2014 Organizing Committee to Make the FEI World Equestrian Games a Success

[Caen, FRANCE] – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organizing Committee, and Alltech president Dr. Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy. This joint signing represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of €10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. “These world championships of equestrian sport epitomize the values that we applaud: passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. Alltech’s sponsorship of equestrian sport brings the brand to life and creates value for our partners, generating strong ties with the end consumer of our products at moments of great passion. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a longstanding history of serving the agricultural community in France, and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event. Given the inherent passion the people of Normandy have for the horse, we hope to leverage this sponsorship to support the communities in which we live and work."

Alltech’s commitment to supporting national and international equestrian sports began in 2006, when it agreed to become the first-ever title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. More than half a million spectators from all 50 U.S. states and 63 countries attended the 2010 event in Kentucky, and another 500 million television viewers around the world tuned in. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Alltech France, where Alltech has offices in both Paris and Nantes. The company has a strong corporate presence throughout Europe, where 36 of its offices are located. Vice-President for Alltech Europe, Mr. Marc Larousse oversees the European region from the Paris office.

Countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014 officially begins on July 8, 2011. This day marks 1136 days out to the opening day of the event on August 17, 2014. More than 900 riders and 850 horses representing more than 60 nations are expected to convene in Normandy.

For more information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.normandie2014.com

Australia: KER-Supported Endurance Rider Sam Marquis Returns from Injury

KER.com - full article

Six years ago, life dealt avid horsewoman Sam Marquis a devastating blow.

A horse-related accident left Marquis with severe back pain. Physicians performed spinal surgery, a procedure that left her with residual back pain and only partial use of her lower extremities. A second surgery a year ago provided hope that a less painful future was possible, and indeed riding once again figures prominently in her life.

After her spinal injuries, Marquis started a business called Helping Hand in which she helps people regain their confidence around horses after accidents. One of her clients, Simone Jelic, decided she wanted to learn more about endurance riding, and Marquis was the perfect person to instruct her...

Read more here:
http://www.ker.com/news/2011/07/ker-supported-endurance-rider.html

China: British Rider Attends Endurance Event

BBS.horse.org.cn - Full Article

6 July 2011

A SPEECH FROM MR. RICHARD ALLEN, AN ENDURANCE EVENT PROFESSIONAL FROM UK

Mr. Richard Allen came from a farm nearby London of U.K., where he has trained up Arabian horses for endurance competitions. He had visited China twice for endurance competitions on China horses, last year, the Yinchuan endurance competion, and now the Yili Chaosu endurance competition.

On the competitors welcoming meeting, he was invited to have a speech before all the competitors. I considered him a respectable trainer and mentor for the endurance event, therefore, I am glad to have his speech written below for those who are interested in endurance events and for those who love horses:-

QUOTE:

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to talk to you today. It is a great honour.

This is my second visit to China. The first was last year when, thanks to the organization of Mr. Wu(乌扎拉先生), I was able to go to Yinchuan and be the first European to ride endurance in this country. In Yinchuan, I was given a tough little stallion to ride. Although he had no shoes, no special feed, and no special training, he was in good health and went fast and safe for 90 kms. For the first time I understood how good such a horse can be, and ever since I have had great respect for the Chinese horses.

Now, thanks to the generosity of my friend Mr. David Ha (夏海鸥先生), I am back in China to ride endurance in the Yili valley - one of the most beautiful places on earth. To ride beneath the amazing Tian Shan(天山), and experience the "four seasons in one day", is a very special privilege, and I must say again how grateful I am to be given this opportunity.

The Yili valley (伊犁超苏）is not just beautiful, I also think it is a perfect place to produce endurance horses. This is because you have two great assets.

The first, of course, is your horses. You have a lot of them! I have never seen so many horses in one place as were at the opening ceremony. And these horses are obviously blessed with two qualities an endurance horse needs: stamina and toughness. Just like my Yinchuan horse, my horse here was small and did not look very strong, but he surprised me with his ability to carry me for two days - I am not a small man, and I have eaten a lot of noodles...

Read more here:
http://bbs.horse.org.cn/viewthread.php?tid=79757&page=1&extra=#pid385397pid385397