Australia: Riding royalty at Red Range

Static.Lifeislocal.com.au - Full Article

BEN LONERGAN
24 Nov, 2011 03:25 PM
The Red Range Sports Ground was graced with the presence of one of the biggest stars the sport of endurance riding has to offer on the weekend.

Four time Australian champion and 10 time national rider of the year, Margaret “Meg” Wade was in town for the Red Range Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI) annual event.

Meg was undoubtedly one of the top endurance riders in Australia and throughout the world before a tragic accident cut short her competitive career two years ago.

While riding in an event in Tumbarumba during Easter in 2009, Meg fell from her horse only 10km from the finish line and as a result suffered traumatic brain injuries.

She was placed in an induced coma for three weeks and lost around three months worth of her memory.

Meg was kept in hospital for almost a year, so her condition could be monitored as well as to start her rehabilitation.

For the next year, she had to travel from her home just south of the NSW border to Albury two nights a week for rehabilitation.

But her persistence and commitment to rehabilitation eventually paid off and she had her first post accident horse ride in November 2010...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/news/local/sport/equestrian/riding-royalty-at-red-range/2369734.aspx

Abu Dhabi: 200 ready for National Day cup endurance horseride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

* By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
* Published: 16:00 November 25, 2011

Around 200 riders have confirmed their entries for Saturday's prestigious National Day Cup endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba

Abu Dhabi Around 200 riders have confirmed their entries for Saturday's prestigious National Day Cup endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The National Day Cup, which has a 15-year history, is a CEI two-star event and will be run over 120km, with almost all the top riders in the UAE to be joined by some international riders.

The defending champion is Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi, who won last year on Marlicia Walter. The Al Reef Stables rider also went on to win the HH President's Cup ride over 160km and is expected to be among the favourites today, along with the likes of Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi.

This year's European Open champion, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri from Al Wathba Stables, will also be in with a good chance.

Significance

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: "With the UAE marking its 40th year, the event holds a lot of significance to the riders and officials.

"A total prize fund of Dh300,000 and a car for the winner of the ride will be on offer. We expect the number of starters to exceed 200 but a final figure will be known after the pre-ride veterinary check."

First of a series of equestrian events

Lara Sawaya of Tasweeq said: "This is just the first of a series of equestrian events to mark the UAE National Day. The National Day Cup will be followed by another prestigious ride for ladies and we will give details of that event soon.

Today's ride was due to start at 6.30am and will be run in five different loops of 33km, 27km, 24km, 20km and 16km.

Ali Al Mulla, Chairman of Areej Al Ameerat, who are one of the sponsors, said: "For us it is a source of great pride to be involved in this prestigious ride. We have seen this ride develop into one of the most popular events on the UAE endurance calendar and being a sport involved with the UAE's past, we are delighted to support it."

Great Britain: The tale of the horse who got stuck in the mud

Cambridgefirst.co.uk - Full Article

By Hugh Morris Wednesday, November 23, 2011

BARNEY, a 24-year-old endurance race horse, may be fit for his age but was still left exhausted after a two-hour struggle stuck in the mud.

The gelding had slipped into the River Cam near Church Street, Great Shelford, early on Tuesday morning. His owner, Dr Jane Greatorex, awoke expecting to find three horses in the field but there were only two, despite all the gates being shut.

She called for Barney and he neighed back.

“In 25 years we have never had a horse fall in the river. It’s quite slippery on the banks so he must have just fallen. He was right in up to his shoulders,” she said.

“I borrowed some waders and went in to try and encourage him out and managed to get him to the spot he was eventually rescued from.

“It was quite scary. He had obviously been trying to get out as he was exhausted.”

When Cambridgeshire Fire And Rescue Service’s two appliances and a rescue vehicle arrived at the scene, four of the firefighters got into the water with the horse but he was too heavy to lift and had sunk into the mud...

Read more here:
http://www.cambridgefirst.co.uk/news/the_tale_of_the_horse_who_got_stuck_in_the_mud_1_1135000

Europe: Young Horses Championship Moved

Endurance-belgium.com

November 20 2011

Compiègne had announced its forfeit for the organisation of the Young Horses Championship to be held at the same time as the World Championship in Euston Park. Compiègne had launched this event in 2002 and year after year it became an inescapable event in endurance.

Babolna (located at the State Stud breeding Shagya arabs) has just received the right to organize this championship. It will take place on 18-19 August 2012.

Abu Dhabi: Entries for YRJ Championship

November 20 2011

Representatives from 33 countries will participate in the 120-km FEI Young Riders & Juniors World Endurance Championship on December 10, 2011 at the Emirates International Endurance Village at Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Entry list can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2011WECYRJ/

Australia: Back in the Saddle

ABC.net.au - See Video

Posted November 20, 2011 14:44:00

In the world of endurance riding one event stands above all the others, the 160 kilometre Tom Quilty. Amongst the nearly 200 riders in this year's field was one of the sport's superstars, former world number one and four time Quilty winner, Meg Wade. This year though she rode just five kilometres - keeping a promise to herself that she wouldn't let a near fatal horse fall keep her out of the saddle or away from her favourite event.
Pip Courtney

See video here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-20/back-in-the-saddle/3682640?section=sport

Great Britain: World Class Start and Potential Squad and Young Riders Training and Assessment Weekend

Endurancegb.co.uk

15th November 2011

Bury Farm near Luton, Beds once again welcomed us to their equestrian village and hosted our event.

Last weekend saw the Autumn assessment and training weekend for the combined squads of the WCSPS and the YRs.

Bury Farm near Luton, Beds once again welcomed us to their equestrian village and hosted our event. All of the facilities that we could possibly need including 4 indoor arenas and permanent indoor stabling for all of the squads horses, meant that once again both of the squads could enjoy the facilities and get together.

On Saturday, both squads had individual guidance and assessments from their individual team vets, farriers, and physios along with riding and trot-up practise. Crews were also included in the trot-up training and given guidance on what is required of them next season.

In the afternoon both squads came together for some talks including, Lorna Edgar from Baileys horse feeds and Alison Northroyd and Dan Gorton from Anglia Ruskin University on the science they need our help with to provide research on the fitness and nutritional requirements for the Endurance Rider. Lots of our riders have now signed up to assist with research which will include visits and assessments at the university along with assesments at competitions. It is hope from this, that they will be able to provide the firm facts on what we need to optimise our performances as riders.

Two WCSPS riders then talked about their experiences so far, Lindsey Comben on completing her first 160k ride and Gill Brown on her experiences crewing for Catriona Moon at the Florac European Champs.

A super Buffet dinner was arranged by Bury Farm caterers for all in the evening.

Sunday morning was workshops and team building sessions, as well as overviews by the team Chef’s as to what we plan for next season.

Sunday lunchtime saw all departing until the next training in Feb 2012.


World Class Start and Potential Squad 2011/2012

The following combinations put their horses forward for assessment at this weekend, and will be preparing now for next season under the guidance of the World Class Squad MT.


Start level Riders – Preparing for 2* rides UK and Europe

Gill Brown – Nougat Du Villard
Laura Short – Bey Shebaan
Harrier Hammond – Natida Rahmoon
Rebecca Kinnarney – Seren Capella
Anna Kidd – Espace
Selena Webb – Dolivier
Fiona Griffiths – Oliver/ Dear kate
Jane Greatorex – Trust me Too
Claire Wertheimer – Marouk du Caprice
Rachael Stendall – Tuleeka


Potential Level Riders - Min of 2 x 2* rides completed working towards Elite

Jo Malcolm – Rasslan
Lindsey Comben – Radhwan

We look forward to welcoming them and those riders both start and potential who where not able to attend this weekend, to the next Squad training weekend at Bury Farm on 18th-19th Feb 2012.

Andrea Baker
Chef D’equipe