Abu Dhabi: 60 riders to compete in UAE horse race

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Teams will be represented by four riders who qualified along with the horses for the championship

* By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
* Published: 14:51 December 5, 2011

Abu Dhabi: Over 60 riders from 29 countries will be competing in the 120-km FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba this Saturday.

Speaking to Gulf News, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club who is the Event Director for the championship said, "Saturday's 120-km event is being held by the Adec and the Emirates International Endurance Village. Quite a few teams have already arrived and we are in top gear preparing for this junior world championship."

The UAE, which has many endurance rides for juniors, will be among the favourites for a medal in both the individual as well as team categories.

The UAE's Hussain Ali Al Marzouqi on Sergai won the last FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship held in Hungary in 2009 while in last year's European Junior and Young Rider Endurance Championship the UAE again finished on top with Ahmed Ali Al Sabri winning the gold in the Open category on Alizee de Marjolaine....

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/60-riders-to-compete-in-uae-horse-race-1.943959

Abu Dhabi: Young Rider/Junior World Endurance Championship Updates

Dec 4
Mary Kathryn Clark (USA)
Arrived in Abu Dhabi today. All US horses travelled very well and look great.

Kyle Gibbon (USA)
Several members of our team have landed in Abu Dhabi today.  My 6 hour layover in Amsterdam turned out to be wonderful. 
Melody Blittersdorf and I met up and took a train down town and did some sightseeing.  It was very early in the morning and was also a Sunday, so nothing really open yet.  I think Melody has a short video to share.  We did come across one little bakery that was open and had the ovens running.  We sat down and enjoyed a nice Dutch latte and a traditional Christmas pastry called "oliebol". 
Our tour was short and dark but we got to see some beautiful architecture iluminated with Christmas lights.  Surprisingly, it was still quite dark at 9:00 a.m.  After some racing around to locate the right train to get back to the airport in time, and running up escalators going in the opposite direction, we had some good exercise.  I must say that most of the Dutch people seem so very tall, but everyone was so helpful and the nicest  
Kelly Kimbler and Kelsey Kimbler were also reunited with us in Amsterdam and flew together the final 6.5 hour leg to Abu Dhabi.  The Canadian Chef d'Equipe was also with us.   A few of Spain's young riders were also on our flight. 
At the hotel we had dinner with Cheryl Van Deusen, Mary Katherine Clark, Lori Shifflett, and met up with Emmett and John Crandell as well.  The Mafraq hotel is very nice and the food delicious.  I ordered the Morrocan Braized chicken with dates and cinnamon sticks. 
News is the horses are all looking wonderful.  Can't wait to go to the barns in the AM.  Barns open up at 8:00 AM and are a brief 20 minute drive away.  12:17 AM here, good night!

Kelly Kimbler (USA)
We are here! This beautiful tile work ceiling greeted us as we got off the airplane. We have checked into our room and the horses are checked into their stalls.

Glen Sinclair (Canada)
Well I got here last night and Summer this morning and hopefully the rest of the team and my luggage will also get here this evening. Nothing like 2 days of travelling followed by a day in the desert without a change of clothes..lets change the subject.

The mare is amazing! We did bloodwork upon arrival and she looks ready to race and the rest of her physical exam is remarkable. I was going to g...ive her "rehydration therapy" supplied by the treatment vet and he said to me that he would not give her fluids as she is obviously adapting and that we might in fact interfere with the process.

That and combined with the fact that our 4 tentmates from the US were about to go for a handwalk leaving her alone changed my plans as we are only allowed in the quarantine area from 8-noon and 2-6 so there was yet another reason to hold off.

After she dragged me around the desert in front of the US horses and handlers she had a good roll in the sand paddock behind the tent and then seemed back to her quiet content self.

Its great sharing the space with the US as they are so quick to offer assistance and materials if we are in need of anything and after a few years of being together at competitions we are becoming friends

Apart from that the driving here is good for the producers of Zantac and I think that I made enough mistakes today that the rest of the stay will benefit from this experience.....so many off ramps and options with so little time to choose especially when driving solo without a GPS or back-seat driver (that will change when Maura gets here) *S*

There are hundreds of camels training in some of the same areas as our training areas are and tonight they were out in throngs...some jogging some camelled(ponied) some with heavy blankets on some with muzzles and often one big one being ridden witha bunch of small ones in tow..I think they must race them young like TBs hope to check out the Camel racetrack as well as a million other things this week.

In any case so far we are in good shape with our equine competitor and after the the other team members get here and get a couple of days to adjust we should be in good shape...unless of course my luggage does not arrive.
Hoping to pass this journalistic baton to somebody else tomorrow and I apologize for any errors as I am too tired to go over it.

Best wishes to all!

Sincerely

Glenn Sinclair

Maura Leahy (Canada)
I arrived at 8pm this evening (well last evening) and was picked up along with the others that were expected at the same time - thanks Glenn for paving the way. Met up with Kelly, Kelsey, Kyle and Melodie in the Amsterdam airport, was great to see some familiar faces.

Was unpacking when i got the panicked email from Tara, she couldn't find their visa's - thank goodness for ipads and technology..., she was able to email the visas to the transfer station desk and they were able to print them - problem solved!! Apparently it is a $10,000 fine for the airline for having a passenger without a visa. The first time somebody wanted to see my visa was when i got to Abu Dhabi. Zulu the TD was in the loby when i went downstairs so hitched a ride to the airport - all was well they were abe to print copies and got a story to telleveryone about :)


At the moment only 2 people allowed in the barn at one time, this will apparently changing tommorw and thoes with accreditation will be alllowed into the barn starting tomorrow.


The journey is now in full swing

Ariel MacLeod (Canada)
We are finally in Abu Dhabi. And although it's 2:30 in the morning here Joan mom and I are bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to go see miss summy in a few hours!

Lientjie de Wit (Netherlands)
oooo it's our last night in Dubai.....it was so nice...going to Abu Dhabi 2morrow....and then....it will be horses morning noon and night.....

Further updates will be updated! at
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2011WECYRJ/

Abu Dhabi: USA's Steven Hay out of WEC

December 3 2011

Some issues with influenze records will prevent Steven Hay and Khalil Asam from representing the USA in Abu Dhabi in the Young Riders/Juniors World Endurance Championship. He will, however, be there to support the USA team. The rest of the USA horses are en route and should arrive in Abu Dhabi today.

Abu Dhabi: Sara Al Jaber triumphs at Abu Dhabi Ladies Endurance Cup ride

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

Posted on December 1, 2011 by worldreporter

December 1, 2011, Abu Dhabi, UAE~The 40th National Day Celebration by the UAE gave special meaning to the win of Sara Al Jaber riding Highland View Dolly at the 100km Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup ride, held at the Emirates Endurance Village on Friday.

Sara finished the ride in a time of 3:31:30 on her 7 year old mare, trained at the Al Jaber Stables, riding at an average speed of 28.37/kph. She took the lead during the last loop, passing second place finish Maha Khalid on the 15 year old, Ramalea Captain Starlight (Shah-Zamir x El-Shalao Almira), from the W’Rsan Stable, who finished one minute later. Four minutes more and Noura Abdulla Mahmoud, riding the half-Arab, 9 year old, Edenfels Silver Sioux ( Wycombe Lodge Samid x Lindall Peggy Sioux) from Emaar Stables, completed for third...

Read more here:
http://blog.horsereporter.com/2011/12/01/sara-al-jaber-triumphs-at-abu-dhabi-ladies-endurance-cup-ride/

Abu Dhabi: The Latest NZ Update from Abu Dhabi

NZEquestrian.org.nz

29/11/2011 9:38:53 a.m.

Sian Reid and Georgia Smith have now joined the rest of the NZ Junior World Championship Team in Abu Dhabi. Andrea Smith and I went out to the airport at 5.15am to meet the girls, unfortunately the Navigator lady took them for a little tour then they went around the car park three times. They eventually got on track and picked up the girls safely.

The two girls had their first run on the desert sands and were pleased to see their horses again. The team then took a walk up Mt.Nikolai with Sian and Tessa jogging some of it. There were great views from up there.

After a long day first day and the new arrivals were tucked asleep early. There is not a lot else happening only the Aussies and us at the base at present.

By Sue Reid

Abu Dhabi: A Safe Arrival for NZ Junior Worlds Team after long trip

NZEquestrian.org.nz

25/11/2011 7:37:44 a.m.

The first contingent of the NZ FEI Junior/Young Rider Endurance Team and their horses left NZ this week for the World Championships being held in the UAE.

Everyone has arrived safe and sound, feed had been a bit of a problem when they first arrived however this has been sorted now.

The horses arrived looking very well considering they had a 10 hour stopover in Singapore, Team Vet Nick Page and Chef d’Equipe Kevin James did a great job of looking after them on their long journey.

The team has a great routine in place now and drive out from their hotel at about 6.30am to head to the stables which is about a 50 minute trip. Once there they then muck out, walk or ride the horses then head back to the Mafraq or somewhere else for lunch. Then at about 2.30pm its back to the stables and walk the horses out again. The horses have seen the camels in the distance and AA Sabatage was not at all keen on them.

The Australians arrived yesterday with 6 horses. They have put their flags up now so we are all settled into our respective homes and the first two teams here.

UAE: Richest ride for Arab lady riders attracts 60 entries

Shaikha Fatima Cup carries Dh800,000 purse
By M. Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter
Gulf News
November 30, 2011

Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival will mark the 40th anniversary of the UAE National Day by hosting the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup on Friday at the Emirates International Endurance Village.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said the ride, which is open only to Arab lady riders, will carry a total prize purse of Dh800,000, making it the richest ladies' endurance ride.

"A total of 60 riders from the UAE and other Arab countries will take part in the 100-km ride with the winner taking home a Dh200,000 prize," Al Nuaimi said.

Lara Sawaya, Director of the Shaikh Mansour Festival, said, "We have decided to keep the ride open only to lady riders from Arab countries to improve their chances of winning."

Article continues below

"Around 25 of the lady riders will participate in a ‘Ladies' march of love' for the mother of the UAE, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the UAE's General Women's Union, who has touched so many lives in the UAE and made a huge difference to the Emirati women's confidence and belief," Sawaya said. The march will start at 3 pm from the Baniyas Equestrian Centre to the Emirates International Endurance Village.

Richest ride

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Communications Chief at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, said, "The endurance ride is being held under instructions of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. It is the richest ride and we hope that it will live up to the standards that we expect for any event organised as part of the Shaikh Mansour Festival."

Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Women's Union, said, "The support for the ride is under instructions from Her Highness Shaikha Fatima to enhance and support women's sports in the country in general and her passion to develop the Emirati women to play an active role in society."

Talal Al Hashemi, of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council ,said it was a huge step forward for UAE lady riders to take part in the most valuable endurance event. "Since it is part of the National Day's 40th anniversary, we are expecting an exciting event," he said.

"For women in the UAE this is another great stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our National Day and Mauzan is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our UAE people to ensure we continue to prosper under the wise and visionary guidance of our leaders," said Rafia Helal Bin Drai of Mauzan, one of the sponsors.

"The support of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima for ladies' racing is an exceptionally exciting development and we have seen rapid growth over the past," said Bill Tatham, Senior Vice-President of Invest AD. Essam Abdullah of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and Khalid Al Haddad, District Manager of Emirates airlines, also addressed yesterday's press conference.

After today's march and veterinary check the lady riders will get off to a mass start at 6.30am tomorrow for a slice of the Dh800,000 prize fund, with all those completing the 100-km ride eligible for a share.

Tomorrow's ride will be run in four stages of 33km, 27km, 24km and 16 km.