Abu Dhabi: Young Rider/Junior World Endurance Championship Updates

Dec 6
Melody Blittersdorf (USA)
Kyle is doing Great !! Great ride today ! He is having a blast ! Practiced his French today with the French team ;) Forest had fun at the camel tack store , today they went to dubai today to a very fancy stable ;) Steven is having the time of his life too !

Kyle Gibbon (USA)
Hi Everyone - Sorry I did not get a chance to write yesterday.  Each and every day seems to start at 6 a.m. and finish at 1 a.m....

it seems as if a fair amount of trails used here, the sand is grated and raked and gets quite hard, seems as hard as pavement.

Ali Toft (Australia)
Opening Ceremony at the Emirates Palace Hotel....NICE!

Dec 7
Ariel MacLeod (Canada)
Yesterday before opening ceremonies a few of us got to go to the beach, what a beautiful sight/feeling. The sand was super white, and the water as clear and blue as ever. This morning Team Canada will get down and dirty clipping Summer, I'm sure we will see black hair everywhere!!

Dec 8
Lientjie de Wit (Namibia)
sooooo Chef d'Equipe meeting done....we're still on track.....2night's the Desert Safari Dinner somewhere in the desert......will be a great experience I think....

Mary Katherine Clark (USA)
Rode today with the team. All horses are looking great. After that my mom, Mr. Steve, Kyle, Forest, Steven, and I went to the world's 3rd largest mosque which we finally arrived at after getting slightly turned around. I can offically say that I have been in the desert and got stuck in a car.But it didn't take to long to get and unstuck and we were back to driving the course. Drove the first 2 loops. Tonight we had a desert dinner where I rode a camel, ate dinner, talked with some friends, face planted in the sand trying to come down it on a snowboard lol, and much more.Vet in tomorrow at 2 o'clock and the USA is first to vet. GO USA!!!

Lientjie de Wit (Namibia)
tomorrow it's the pre-ride checks...starting at 14h00....can't wait to see all the horses....all of them are still in quarintine...till race day....

Steven Hay (USA)
Today we rode the trail--there are some long sections, that have VERY deep sand...This is not an easy course. It's not flat either--granted there aren't mountains, but...
And by rode the trail I mean drove..actually got stuck out there too lol

More updates throughout the event at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2011WECYRJ/

Young Riders Endurance Championship in Abu Dhabi opens

KHNS.nl

[google translate]

December 8 2011

ABU DHABI (UAE) (KNHS) - The four young riders who ride for the Netherlands in the Endurance Championship on Monday arrived in Abu Dhabi. Their horses have arrived one day later and the journey by plane successfully passed. The participants are now preparing the ground for the event over 120 km (CEI4 *). This will be held on Saturday, December 10th and goes through the whole desert.

Participants
The World Championship in Abu Dhabi is a championship for riders up to 21 years. The Dutch team consists of four combinations: the 18-year-old Marijke Visser (Soest) with Eomer, the 19-year-old Joyce van den Berg (Leiden) with the Bass Cardonne, Fenne Koppenol (Grathem) with Valesco and Yara de Boer (Winterswijk Woold ) with Sumaya G. Because Fenne and Yara since the age of 21 years have achieved for them the last time they may reach a Championship for Young Riders. Yara de Boer drove alone already (twice) before an international championship.

Riders and horses for the first time Wednesday afternoon riding in the desert, among the camels. The horses felt well. On Wednesday, the official opening of the impressive Palace by Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi. The start list has 83 participants from 30 countries. Netherlands riding for a good team classification. For a place in the country rankings, three of the four combinations well to the finish line.

The Dutch team is supervised and supported by national coach Emile Docquier (Stavelot, B) and team vet Ben Horsmans (Selfkant, D.).

Schedule
The main area of ​​the Emirates International Endurance World Championship is the Village in Al Watbha. Friday afternoon, December 9th is there for the veterinary inspection occurs. On Saturday, December 10th at 6:30 in the morning (local time), the participants start. Abu Dhabi is three hours ahead of the Netherlands.

The route of 120 km consists of five loops, ranging in distance from 16 to 28 km. The vetgates between the various routes take 30-40 minutes. During these breaks, the horses are always veterinary inspection. The ceremony included the awarding of the prize for Best Condition on Sunday, December 11. There are both individual and team medals to distribute.


Follow the World Cup on the Internet

Official website of the Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders: http://www.eef.ae/

Weblog Dutch participants: http://wkendurance.wordpress.com/

On December 10 the results are recorded live at www.atrm-systems.fr/index0eng.htm

Spain: Alex Luque and Koheilan Kinscso win 2-day 2x100 km Barcelona Santa Susanna

Alex Luque Moral, riding Koheilan Kinscso, won the Raid Barcelona- Santa Susana on December 4 2011. It was the 59th running of the 2-day 200 km ride.

1. Alex Luque Moral (ESP) - Koheiland Kimsco - 11:23.17
2. Laurent Mosti (FRA) - Kilim de Fignols - 11:24.23
3. Alex Criville Tapias (ESP) - Inguru - 11:24.29
4. Gauthier Folchat (ITA) - Mika de la Mole - 11:28.40
5. Daniel Maldera (FRA) - Otello de Rivoiron - 11:33.10

For a complete list of finishers, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/Spain/2011SantaSusannafinal.pdf

Photo Gallery by Kristian Feneaux here:
http://www.caballo.com/fotos2011/santasusanna2011/index.htm

Abu Dhabi: Young Rider/Junior World Endurance Championship Updates

December 6
Ariel MacLeod (Canada)
Well now is the start of a new day, wonder would adventures Abu Dhabi brings us today. Finally got some sleep! That might help to be more functional. Going to see Summy soon and take her for a little ride :)

December 7
Lientjie de Wit (Netherlands)
The Emirates Palace Hotel so so so so beautifull ...... and gold glitter where you look ..... ONGELOOFLIK!

Ali Toft (Australia)
Ferrari World... mega nice place...fast cars... went on worlds fastest roller coaster!

Maura Leahy (Canada)
Well initially when i saw the price of the AEU map for my GPS at $123 decided not to buy it, well, trying to find things is way too difficult, we always get there as there are multiple routes to get there. And we are getting to see a lot of Abu Dhabi becuase if it. Yesterday we spent way too much (i'm not saying how much) time to find a mall..... purchase the map last night well worth it - will make getting to the opening ceremony and closing cerimony much easier. :) way too many good driving stories :)

Abu Dhabi: Young Rider/Junior World Endurance Championship Updates

December 5:
Steven Hay (USA)
Arrived in Abu Dhabi about 8:30. Great, easy trip. I'll go out with the crew tomorrow and do the early feeding

Dessia Miller (USA)
Not sure if too many people realize this, but one of the US horses, Cody Canuck is Canadian bred! So we have two Canadian horses competing at the YR World Champs!


December 6 6:
Mary Katherine Clark (USA)
Rode all the American horses this morning. Al was wonderful and read to go. I love that horse.

Melody Blittersdorf (USA)
It has been an amazing last few days here in Abu Dhabi. Beautiful weather, Horses and riders doing great ! Yesterday we went to several Camel sauks (pretty much a racing Camel tack shop) Today We went to the worlds fastest roller coaster. Of course all this after they ride and we spend tons of time at the BARN !!!

We are having a blast with Canada in our barn : )

Kelly Kimbler (USA)
The team went out on their first training ride today in the desert. It was sunny and hot! Wide open trails with car driving along. A little different then what we are used too!
After a full day at the barn the OC treated us to a private party at Ferrari world...home to the worlds fastest roller coaster!!!!!! Really fun day!

Spaniards Heading for Abu Dhabi for Young Rider/Jr WEC

El Raid Blog

December 6 2011

"The Raid junior Spanish team, current European bronze medalist, has departed from the airport to Abu Dhabbi Liege, where on Saturday December 10th will take place on Junior World Championship in the discipline, in the International Endurance Village, Al Wathba of Abu Dhabi.

A total of 120 miles in extreme desert plain in its entirety that are absolutely for our riders and horses. Up to 33 countries have announced their attendance.

Yebra Quico convened to represent Spain's Champion Maria Ledesma with Us-Hamir, Marc Oliva with Jep Embaucadora, Gil Bereguer with Lucero Miki and Mariona Naranjo with Tra Clica, while this last horse has not been authorized to take Emirates flight to Dubai by the authorities, who have not been given good permits the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Directorate General for Agriculture and Livestock. "

Source FEI.

Bahrain: Nasser off to a winning start

Gulf Daily News

http://snapshots.endurance.net/2011/12/bahrain-hh-sh-khalid-bin-hamad-al.html Photos by Osama Mohammed

YOUSEF Nasser yesterday steered Al Jared to victory in the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ride, the inaugural event of the 2011/12 endurance horseride season. The first event of the season, held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, was over 100 kms and open for private stables.

The Al Asayel Stable rider completed the four-stage event in four hours, 35 minutes and two seconds, with an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

Behind him was Al Mugheirat Stable's Nasser Awad (4:37:30) with an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

Securing third place was Nasser Khalifa (4:40:42) of Al Fateh Stable. He also had an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

All three riders received a brand new vehicle, donated by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation President (Breef) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at the awarding ceremony.

A side ride for seniors was also held. It was won by Abdulrahman Al Saad (4:09:40) of the Royal Endurance Team.

Second place was won by Yousef Nasser (4:35:02) of Al Asayel Stable while Awad Nasser (4:37:30) of Al Mugheirat came third.

Divided

Both rides were divided into four stages. The first two stages covered 30 kms each, the third was over 25 kms while the fourth and final stage was over 15 kms.

In the main ride, the Royal Endurance Team dominated the show with three of their members leading the first stage.

Gordon Singh came on top at the end of the first stage, crossing the finish line in one hour, nine minutes and 44 seconds. He was followed by Al Saad (1:09:49) in second place. Somer Singh (1:11:03) finished third.

In the second stage, Al Saad took over first position from Gordon after completing the stage in 1:13:59.

Gordon (1:13:14) went down to second while Somer (1:16:53) was third.

In the third and penultimate stage, Gordon made a major leap by moving up to first place, finishing the stage in 1:04:50 following a fierce battle with Al Saad (1:05:22) who dropped to second.

Abdulrahman Al Ali of Al Asayel Stable climbed into third place in 1:15:29.

The event was flagged off by Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi in the presence of Breef first vice-president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and other officials.

The Royal Endurance Team members were congratulated by their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa after the awarding ceremony.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee lauded the efforts of the organisers.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid said the rides were exciting and lived up to expectations.

Meanwhile, the next event on the federation's calendar will be the National Day Ride, set to take place on December 24. It will be followed by the Heavy Weight Challenge on January 7.

His Majesty the King's Cup ride, the main event of the endurance season, will then take place on February 4. The Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ride will then be held on February 18.

The Breef Championship is scheduled for March 2, to be followed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Cup night ride on April 6.

The season is due to conclude with End of the Season Ride, scheduled for April 5.