British Success at Euston 3

Endurancegb.co.uk

14th July 2011

Alex Tennant took the win in the CEIJYR** 120km at the third Euston park ride on Sunday 10th July.

Alex Tennant and Earlsdon won at a speed of 16.93kph. Brett Corcoran and Bashir Shamyr at 14.44kph finished in 2nd continuing their successful 2011 season.

Lesley-Ann Parker finished 21st in a very strong field in the CEI** 120km at 16.74kph. This class was won by Saif Salem Mohammed Al Faresi and Ziryyaa at a speed of 21.55kph. There were 25 finishers from 50 starters.

Katie Parkin finished best of the Bristish in the CEI* 80km with Focus (17.97kph). Kirsty Wiscombe and Eskar also completed this class in 9th place at 14.6kph.

Great Britain: Praise for ‘Drinking the Wind’ - Endurance Book

Enduranceridingforum.com

Praise for ‘Drinking the Wind’
Published on Wednesday 13 July 2011 15:01


ENDURANCE rider and author John Tytler Thomson is preparing to release the revised edition of his book ‘Drinking the Wind: At the limits of endurance’ later this month.


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.

It is a story 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 200mile endurance ride.

The first edition was met with high praise from all corners of the literary and equestrian world. Some have compared John to the likes of Bob Champion and Lance Armstrong - men who used their sport as a battle ground to fight back against a life-threatening illness.

Reader Lynn Healy said: “I have just finished reading the book and 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.”

The book will be available in paperback from July 31, and is available on Kindle now.
http://www.forfardispatch.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/praise_for_drinking_the_wind_1_1728626

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser Praises HM King Hamad’s Support

BNA.bh

Manama, July 17.

Captain of the Royal Endurance team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa today credited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the outstanding results achieved by the Bahraini riders in the European endurance races, asserting that HM the King’s close follow up and directives have had a great impact on riders and motivated them to bring about more successes so as to reflect the advanced level of endurance sport in the kingdom.

« The new achievement testifies to the wise leadership’s keen desire to upgrade the sport movement in the kingdom through providing the necessary support and creating favourable conditions for success in order to raise Bahrain’s position higher at international sport gatherings, » he said. Shaikh Nasser also praised the German media coverage of the races, adding that local media establishments highlighted the Bahraini Royal Endurance team’s superb performance.

WHQ

New Zealand: Award for riding duo

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

14/07/2011

Marlborough's Heidi Bulfin and her horse Stonelea Sparkling Rose took out a major award at last week's National Endurance and Trail Riding annual meeting and prizegiving in Hamilton.

Bulfin, from the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club, won the Open CTR Horse and Rider of the Year title, with fellow Marlborough competitor Lorraine Stratford and her horse Jay runners-up. Jay was also inducted into the CTR Roll of Honour after reaching 1000 lifetime kilometres this season...

Read more here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/5283634/Award-for-riding-duo/

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