Australia: Riders enjoy Kazan Challenge

Photo by Chris Ros Waginargus.com.au - Full Article

JULIE MANGALAVITE
04 Aug, 2011 04:00 AM

WAGIN hosted this year’s Kazan Challenge on the weekend which saw 90 riders from across the world compete in seven different endurance events.

Sponsored by the Kazan Stables Malaysia, the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) event was selected by the National Endurance governing body to be a World Championship Qualifier – one of only three being held in Australia this year.

Australians Seeking Performance in Ridden Endurance (ASPIRE) event secretary and local rider Anita Lunt said the weekend was a huge success.

“We've had very positive feedback from everybody involved which is fantastic because this was a big event that was great for the town,” Anita said.

“We (ASPIRE) applied to host the event in Wagin to help WA riders with their international aspirations and help them to achieve their goals, rather than having to travel over east.”

Anita said that they would now like to host more events and especially carry on with this particular event in future years.

“The whole weekend wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic support of all of the sponsors, the community and especially the Shire of Wagin,” she said.

“We are also very grateful and thankful to all the people that were involved in the actual running and organising of the event.”

Competitions like the one held on the weekend are how WA riders qualify and compete on the international stage...

Read more here:
http://www.waginargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/riders-enjoy-kazan-challenge/2247431.aspx

Australia: Young Riders Qualified for Abu Dhabi 2011

AERA.asn.au

Horse and Rider combinations in alphabetical order. These following combinations have fulfilled the qualifications as required by the FEI Endurance Rules (Art. 816.3.1 – 816.3.11) and have attained AES Level 4 (Young Riders):

Alexandra Toft, Qld - High Society te, Emily Jones te, Zalman, Travina -

Allix Jones, NSW - Castlebar Moonlight, Castlebar Topaz

Brook Warner, NSW - Kunama Safira, Quinta Essentia

Georgia Toft, Qld - Bremervale Arrogance, Zalman

Talea Haskow Stewart, NSW - Blakes Heaven Bombora, Blakes Heaven Venus

The Selection Panel congratulates these young riders and their horses in achieving the qualifications necessary to represent Australia at the forthcoming World Championships. This is an exciting and very experienced group of young riders and magnificent horses, who certainly have the ability to bring home medals.

The short list of 4 riders and 5 horses will be announced on September 30 (at the SA Quilty ).
The Team will leave for Abu Dhabi mid November.

Anne Barnes, Chair of Selection Panel

US Riders top FEI World Ranking List

Meydan Open Riders World Ranking

As of June 30, 2011

1. Valerie Kanavy - USA - 515 points
2. Margaret Sleeper - USA - 496 points
3. Nathalie Michel - France - 494 points
4. Alex Luque Moral - Spain - 490 points
5. Romain Laporte - France - 454 points
6. Lisa Riou - France - 446 points
7. Enora Boulenger - France - 442 points
8. Darolyn Butler - USA - 440 points
9. Virginie Atger - France - 436 points
10. Deborah Reich - USA - 425 points
11. Kristie Taprell - Australia - 422 points
12. Thani Mohammed Al Muhairi - UAE - 413 points
13. Sabrina Arnold - Germany - 395 points
14. Stephen Rojek - USA - 391 points
15. Sean Trafford - New Zealand - 382 points
16. Penny Toft - Australia - 364 points
16. Mercedes Tapia - Argentina - 364 points
16. Hernan Barbosa - Colombia - 364 points
19 . Jack Begaud - France - 358 points
20. Petr Jadlovsky - Czechoslovakia - 352 points

New Zealand: Young rider set for worlds

Stuff.co.nz - Full article

26/07/2011

Horse endurance rider Emma Mason is going on a long journey.

A year 12 pupil at Upper Hutt College, Emma has been selected in the New Zealand Young Rider team for the World Champs in Abu Dhabi in December.

Her path to selection has been a long one already, both in her competitive miles on her horse and in the many places she's been to on the way to earning her recognition.

Making the worlds has meant a two-year commitment of travelling to Federation Equestrian International qualifying events throughout New Zealand, and, in the last phase, Australia.

The 16-year-old's "long list" selection was made last month but it came with a catch ... meaning a trip to Australia and another endurance event.

In April, Emma won the 160km New Zealand junior champs in Taupo, riding the 160km course on Tarelea Sheer Illusion in 11 hours 25 minutes at her first attempt at this distance, more than an hour ahead of the second finisher.

Emma won the North Island competitive trail riding champs earlier in the year and the national endurance champs at Easter...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/upper-hutt-leader/sport/5342365/Young-rider-set-for-worlds

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser hails UAE win in UK endurance ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

Posted on » Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BAHRAIN Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the victory of UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Rule of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the Euston Park 160-kilometre endurance ride, held Sunday near Newmarket in the UK.

Shaikh Nasser said that it is no surprise that Shaikh Mohammed was able to clinch the win in the gruelling six-stage event, given his vast experience in top-level international endurance races and the class of the UAE endurance team.

Shaikh Nasser was prevented from competing in the race due to an injury with his horse, while other Royal Team members, including Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president and Al Khalidiyah Stables leader Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were forced to make early exits also due to horse injuries.

Shaikh Nasser said that despite the disappointing results, the Royal Team must learn from their experience and apply the lessons in future endurance rides.

Shaikh Nasser added that the Royal Team is now more determined to do well in upcoming events, as they gear up to compete in the European Championships later this summer and then the World Endurance Championships next year.

The events at Euston Park on Sunday acted as a rehearsal for the worlds, which will be held at the same UK venue.

At the end of Sunday's 160km ride and upon the invitation of Shaikh Mohammed, Shaikh Nasser took part in the awarding ceremony where the top three were presented their respective trophies. Shaikh Mohammed led another two UAE riders onto the podium. Saeed Al Ameeri was the runner-up while Shaikha Maryam Al Qassimi came third.

Charity World Horse Welfare fund raiser

My name is Loes knopper and I am hoping you are willing to join us or help me promote a world wide fund raiser I am organising for World Horse Welfare.

The event I am organizing is on a big, nae HUGE, scale.

I am asking riders around the world to ride x amount of miles they are comfortable with and find sponsorship.

The idea is to ride a combined 24906 miles (the circumference of the Earth) and raise as much money as possible for the Charity World Horse welfare.

The date is set for September 25th this year.

So far I have 41 rides confirmed in 10 countries with several in the pipeline but we need even more to make this work.

To be successful we need to reach as many people as possible and I hope you are willing to help spread the word.

All information is to be found on my website www.onhorsesforhorses.org but attached link will take you to a video I made explaining the idea.

It will only take just over 2.34 minutes of your life to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9HABOXzGc

Hoping for a response,

with kindest regards

Loes Knopper
On Horses for Horses

Great Britain: Mohammad wins 160km ride

Gulfnews.com

Receives trophy from Hamdan after qualifying for Endurance World Cup 2012

* WAM
* Published: July 26, 2011

London: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the 160km endurance race at London's Austin Park yesterday. The victory helped him qualify for the Endurance World Cup 2012, which will take place in August.

Shaikh Mohammad received the award from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, who also participated in the race and was deputed by the organising committee to present the award to the winners.

Avid fans

Shaikh Mohammad was crowned champion riding his horse, Pony Express, with a timing of 7:40.6 hours at an average of 20.86km/h. Altogether 65 riders, including Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad, the King of Malaysia, and some prominent riders from Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and those from UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Morocco, took part in the race. Shaikha Mariam Omar Al Qasimi came second in the race at 7:40.7 hours.

Article continues below

Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum came third at 7:40.8 hours. The race had six rounds of 38km, 29km, 30km, 20km, 23 km and 20km respectively.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and a number of senior officials and avid equestrian fans were also present.

Important destination

Mohammad Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club, praised Shaikh Mohammad's victory and achievement that qualifies him for the World Cup race.

All Adhab added that the race is an important destination, and represents one of the prominent rounds that Shaikh Mohammad has participated in during the summer.

"UAE riders proved their competence in the race, which is a small version of the World Endurance Cup, a fact that enabled them to occupy top places and gives a positive sign for their future participation," he added.