Meanwhile, in Outer Mongolia…

Sluggerotoole.com - Full Article

Pete Baker, Tue 16 August 2011

If you were wondering where the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, was [You were?! - Ed], he’s been in Mongolia [In a yurt! - Ed]. A “ger” actually. The NI Secretary of State is one of 23 riders, including his wife Ruth Paterson, who have taken part in the third Adventurists’ Mongol Derby – a 1,000 km multi-horse race over 10 days on the Mongolian steppes which began on the 6th August using “around 1000 semi-wild Mongolian horses” the Adventurists “select and train”, and changing horses at urtuus spaced at 40km along the 10o0km un-route.

The controversy surrounding the inaugral Mongol Derby in 2009 among endurance riders appears to have alleviated. And the official Derby site does note that the weight limit on equipment was halved in 2010.

There is a 5kg weight limit on equipment, so you’ll have to travel light. This may sound like very little but in 2009 the weight limit was 10 kg and riders soon discovered they needed far less than they had brought with them.

And there were other changes.

In 2009 a world class team of vets from Mongolia, Scotland, New Zealand and South Africa provided superb care for the horses taking part in the Mongol Derby. In 2010 the top class veterinary care will be provided by three emergency response vets from Massey University in New Zealand, as well as our 18 specially trained equine vets from Mongolia.

Though it’s difficult to get confirmation of official statements in such a remote event...

Read more here:
http://sluggerotoole.com/2011/08/16/meanwhile-in-outer-mongolia/

Northern Ireland: Minister's race plan raises £50,000

Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Full Article
Sunday, 24 July 2011

Almost £50,000 has been raised for injured soldiers and other good causes by the Northern Ireland Secretary's planned participation in the world's longest horse race.

Owen Paterson will ride 1,000km (621 miles) across one of the world's last great wildernesses in the Mongolian steppe next month. The Mongol Derby is modelled on warrior Genghis Khan's legendary system for communicating across his vast empire.

Mr Paterson and his wife Rose have been raising money for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund, the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries and a Mongolian charity.

He said: "We have been stunned by the generosity of the people of Northern Ireland who have shown really incredible support for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund. So far we have raised £47,500 and we are tantalisingly close to our goal of £50,000."

Three soldiers from the regiment were killed during their recent tour of Afghanistan and another 16 were severely injured.

The Conservative MP said: "The work of the benevolent fund supporting members, their widows and children is very important. That's why we are delighted that people have given so generously. It is starting to sink in that we are going to be riding 60 miles a day for 10 days on semi-trained horses, which is quite a daunting prospect, so in the final weeks we are really stepping up our training..."

Read more here:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ministers-race-plan-raises-50000-16027145.html

Belgian Team for European Championship

Endurance-belgium.com

15 August 2011

The final decision has fallen after a two-days clinic held last week in the south of the country, in the hilliest part of Belgium, to mimic a bit the environment of Florac.

The selection process was actually very simple for the Chef d'Equipe Pierre Arnould as two candidates on the short list had to give up.
They were Wendy Fallon (her mare has been injured) and Elisabeth Hardy (the mare Lutece de Crouz is back to the owner).

So the six couples who will represent Belgium are :
Maritza Pereira with Lima du Barthas (5th Florac2008)
Celine Just with Jahman (5th Tarbes 160km)
Raphael Van Cauter with Taborah de Sier (4th Tarbes 160km)
Michel Lequarre with Sahid des Fontaines(11th Castelsagrat 160km)
Pietro Di Geronimo with SD Mengali(21st Lexington 160km).

A good team with reliable horses which could do well at the team competition.

Other nations' selection for Florac
GERMANY: Six German Endurace Riders Participate at the European Endurance Championships in France After the last sighting the following endurance riders have been selected by the endurance commission of the German Olympic Committee (DOKR),
who will represent Germany at the European Championships in Florac, France to be held on 10 September 2011:
Joana Al Samarraie with Famosa
Klaudia Al Samarraie with Olymp
Sabrina Arnold with Beau
Dr. Gabriela Förster with Priceless Gold
Petra Hattab with Prince Sharif
Sybille Markert-Bäumer with Estopal Estopa

THE NETHERLANDS: Le chef d’équipe, Emile Docquier a désigné les couples suivants:
Jeanne Linneweever, Riki’s Macho Man
Suzanne Pen, Noniusz
Barbara Peterse, Pachinco
Carmen Römer, Gitana 220
Yvonne van der Velde, Joy Escobar
Jannet van Wijk, Zaira Star

ITALY:
Diana Origgi/Pervinca della Bosana
Alfonso Striano/Waligora
Danilo De Angelis/Present Jey
Simona Garatti/Badr Dell’Orsetta
Emanuele Fondi/Felicidad
Per la definizione del sesto binomio e della riserva, il tecnico si è riservato di procedere ad ulteriori valutazioni dei binomi formati da:
BRUNELLI ALLESSANDRA – KAILA DE TENSIONNIVES /I BATTISTA CARLO – FLUMINIO

Spain: Selection for the European Championships

August 16 2011

Completed tests developed past day 13, in St Feliu Sasserra facilities, which were convened by the national coach, Quico Yebra, binomials shortlisted the final list of seven candidates (the team signed four pairs, with two more individuals) for the European Chamionships in Florac on 10 September is composed of:

Nobby with Maria Alvarez.

Fling Tornade with Laia Muixi.

Calzadilla with Anna Mª Yebra .

Faref Bugati with Ivan Autet.

Zarha de Vilaformiu with Oriol Casals.

Arizona de Lafon with Francesc Xavier Casellas.

Pal Partenon with Otto Velez.

Throughout the week, after analyzing the results of veterinary examinations carried out, will communicate the final composition of the list.

Germany: Endurance Riders Nominated for European Championships

Horseweb.de

Aug 15th, 2011 | By kr | Category: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

15 Aug 2011

Six German Endurace Riders Participate at the European Endurance Championships in France

After the last sighting the following endurance riders have been selected by the endurance commission of the German Olympic Committee (DOKR), who will represent Germany at the European Championships in Florac, France to be held on 10 September 2011:

Joana Al Samarraie with Famosa
Klaudia Al Samarraie with Olymp
Sabrina Arnold with Beau
Dr. Gabriela Förster with Priceless Gold
Petra Hattab with Prince Sharif and
Sybille Markert-Bäumer with Estopal Estopa

Source: FN press

2011 Mongol Derby Has Been Won

TheAdventurists.com - Full Article

by Mr Tom on: 13 Aug 2011 categories: Mongol Derby,

After a week of adventures, injuries and some of the toughest horse riding in the world we have a winner. Craig Egberink of South Africa who led the field for most of the race has crossed the line in first place. In what turned out to be a nail bitting finish Sanbayier who had been catching up over the last few days of the Derby crossed the line just 2 minutes later to claim second place. Below is the listing at the moment. These take a while to calculate with accuracy as we have to cross check all the results and timings from each station. As soon as we can give you full details we will publish them live here.

All the riders are now at the finish and the 2011 Mongol Derby has come to a close.

1st Craig Egberink

2nd Sanbayier

3rd and 4th Bayinmuenke & David Ha (positions to be confirmed)

5th Jo Dawson

Crossing Sunday around midday was a group of 7 riders (positions to be confirmed):

Owen Patterson

Rose Patterson

Olivia Swingland

Kevin Pricemoor

Richard Allen

Tyga Helme

Jason Tse

Coming in towards the end of Sunday our last 3 riders crossed the line,

Sophia Mangalee

Frederique Schut

Ronald Van Der Velden

Of the 23 riders who started this year's Mongol Derby, only the 15 riders in bold above were still in the competitive race for the finish.

Riders who did not make the finish-line on a horse (they are all fine and most are at the finish line now for the party tonight):

Paul Erskine

Regina Bueno Ros

Borja Jimenez

Cara Barnes

Tommy Tsui

Marcus & Sarah Chenevix-Trench

Barry Armitage

More news, and radio interview with the winner here:
http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/mongol-derby-2011-has-been-won

France: Compiegne Festival Mondial d'Endurance

August 15 2011

The World Festival of Endurance in Compiegne will be held 18-22 August.

the Young horse championship CEI** 120 km - 7 years old, and the CEI*** 160 km - 8 years old will take place on Friday 19th August; and the CEI** 120 km Sponsors Trophy will take place on Sunday 21st August.

43 riders from France, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Oman, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain, Netherlands, and Luxembourg have entered the 120 km; 27 riders from France, Oman, Portugal, Brazil, German, Qatar, Bahrain, Spain, Great Britain, and Slovakia have entered the 160 km; 131 riders from France, UAE, SLovakia, Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Bahrain, Qatar, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Oman, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Uruguay have entered the 130 km Sponsors Trophy