Mirza claims tough win in Hungary

Gulf-daily-news.com


August 12, 2012

BAHRAIN's Jaffar Mirza yesterday clinched the World Endurance Horse Ride Championship for eight-year-old horse category in Babolna, Hungary.

The Royal Endurance Team member steered Yosko to victory in this challenging 120km ride on the second day of the event, which saw participants from Slovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary.

It was sweet victory for the Bahraini team and their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khallifa, who clinched the seven-year-old horse category ride held at the same venue on Friday.

The Royal Team are in the final phase of preparations for the FIA World Championship that will take place on August 25 at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK.

Yesterday's event was the last event for the Bahraini team, who have been camping in Europe for the last two months, during which they participated in several rides.

The ride comprised four stages, with the first stage featuring 34kms. The second stage was over 31km, the third 34km while the fourth and final stage was over 21km.

Mirza completed the ride with a total time of five hours, 44 minutes and 15 seconds, and with 21km per hour speed average.

Injury

The remaining team members in the fray were Raed Mahmood, who finished eighth overall, besides Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who was forced to withdraw in the third stage after his horse suffered an injury.

Mirza was congratulated after the ride by Shaikh Nasser and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, said the Bahrain team have already achieved the aspired goal by competing with a group of prominent riders in this two-day championship.

He noted that Bahrain riders have improved on their skills and overall performance by taking part in a number of endurance rides over the past two months in Europe.

Shaikh Nasser added that his team's continued achievements came as a result of the riders' efforts along with members of the administrative team, who all worked as one family to accomplish these gains for the Kingdom of Bahrain, in general, and to endurance in specific.

Shaikh Nasser added that the team was keen to take advantage of yesterday's ride ahead of the world championships, which will be over 160km.

In the world championships, featuring a total of six stages, riders from 44 countries from all around the globe are due to take part.

European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors

http://www.endurance-belgium.com/montlesoie-2012/

August 6th is the deadline for nominated entries for the European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors to take place on 8-9 September at Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.

while definite entries have to be forwarded on the August 29th. We expect 80 riders from 20 different European countries. The Championship is not open to non-European riders.
On the days after -sunday 9th September- it will be the Veterans' Worldcup. We expect a good number of riders. This CEI** competition is OPEN to non-veterans. There will be a ranking for Veterans and an Open ranking.

Individual medalists of the Junior European Championship medalists and of the Mundial for Veterans will receive a helmet UVEX FP3 ACTIVE PLUS (value € 400) painted in the colors of their medals (gold - silver - bronze).

The winner of the junior championship (09/08/2012) will also receive a saddle WINTEC / BATES worth € 1,000 while the winner of the World Veterans (09/09/2012) will receive, in addition to cash prizes, a pallet of wood pellets HORSE COVER to cover the needs of a horse litter for one year (value € 1,000).
UVEX helmets and saddle WINTEC / BATES are offered by the Belgian importer of these products, the company AKTIS. Wood pellets HORSE COVER are offered by the Belgian manufacturer of this revolutionary product, the company RECYBOIS.

The various winners of these races (and CEI2* and 1*, 09/09) and championships will also receive the stirups REFLEX and PREMIUM PERFORMANCE PROFILE of the Belgian firm COMPOSITI (value € 30).

Note that the riders of the Belgian national teams, both junior and senior, are themselves equipped with helmets UVEX FP3 ACTIVE PLUS, REFLEX COMPOSITI stir ups while their horses sleep on HORSE COVER.

All participants will be met on arrival, as the tradition is at the Mont le Soie, with a gift package of Belgian local beer LA CHOUFFE (4 bottles + 1 glass ).

Great Britain: Championship call for Shepton rider

Thisissomerset.co.uk - Full Article

August 9 2012

Shepton Mallet rider Christine Yeoman has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Longines World Endurance Championships.

Yeoman and her horse LM Crazy Girl earned their place after finishing second at the recent final team selection trial and will now compete in the 160k race at Euston Park on August 25.

​
She is one of the most experienced riders in the country, having competed several times at the World Championships during the 14 years she has been competing in endurance riding.

"We are delighted to be selected for the team and are all ready to go out and do a good job," said Yeoman, who will be assisted on the day by her crew of husband John Yeoman, Nigel Perrott, Zoe Horton and Lisa Davenport...

Read more here:
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Championship-Shepton-rider/story-16682153-detail/story.html

Youngest Malaysian Rider Chosen For World Endurance

Bernama.com.my

August 9 2012

LANGKAWI, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Junior rider Muhammad Ziyad Muhammad Hamzah has been chosen to represent Malaysia at the World Endurance Championship 2012 in Euston Park, Thetford, England on Aug 25.

At 16, Muhammad Ziyad will be the youngest rider to represent the country along with six senior riders in the championship.

He had been training hard for the championship for the past two years.

"I believe I could complete the 190 km ride, but I can't predict the position," he told reporters here Thursday.

Ranked 13th among juniors, Muhammad Ziyad of Sekolah Menengah Tunku Putra had performed well within and outside the county.

-- BERNAMA

New Zealand: Endurance riding a family activity

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

JOCELYN FANNIN
07/08/12

Endurance rides of up to 160 kilometres are a family sport for the Smith Family.

Murray and Andrea Smith and their daughters Georgia, 15, and Brigitte, 12, are from the upper Kawhatau Valley towards the Ruahine Ranges from Mangaweka.

There they farm 566 hectares of hill country running beef and sheep.

"Our riding must fit in around the stock and farm work but we certainly endeavour to make it work if we can," said Mr Smith. Regular farm work also keeps the Arab horses fit for their long 160km rides.

Both girls have ridden from tiny with both longing to start endurance rides long before their parents felt they were ready.

"We have never made them ride; in fact it was hard for them to wait when we felt they were not ready," said Andrea. Murray was keen to ride while Andrea was a little more hesitant with two young daughters.

However, after time with a pony club, Georgia had her first ride at age seven while Brigitte was just five. Both girls are also keen show jumpers, but this has to fit around the endurance riding. The season runs from August to Easter.

The sport is very disciplined with a strong emphasis on the health and welfare of both horse and rider. Riders cannot start till age five and although there is a novice system, the speed restriction does not allow the horse or rider to go too fast.

"No one can just buy a horse and start," said Mrs Smith. "Both the horse and rider need conditioning..."

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/rural/central-districts-farmer/7429211/Endurance-riding-a-family-activity

Another Australian Withdraws from the WEC

July 29, 2012

The Australian Endurance Team has had another blow to its preparation today, when Ondy (Andrea Laws King) on medical advice has withdrawn from the Australian Endurance Team.
Ondy had a nasty fall from her Horse last weekend.

We thank her for conducting herself in a professional manner and wish her a speedy recovery.

Regards
Peter Toft.
Chef d Equippe
Australian Endurance Team

******

The horses leave Australia with Chef Peter Toft from Melbourne on August 8th.

Penny and grooms will leave several days before together with Norbert and Jane, Talea and family.

This is a reduced team and certainly not what was planned, however, what we may miss in numbers we will make up with experience, with Penny the veteran of many WC’s , not having missed one since Compeigne in 2000, Alexandra having been a team member in 2009 at Babolna and a groom at WC’s since before she could walk almost, Norbert and Jane experienced the highs and lows at Kentucky 2 years ago and have well and truly got the bug! Talea and family will have to experience all before them.

We wish the Team every success, and will try and keep everyone posted.

Barbara Macdonald
Manager
Australian Endurance Squad

*******

On Behalf of the Australian Endurance Team to contest the 2012 World Endurance Championships, I would like to sincerely thank the Arabian Horse Society of Australia, it’s Board and members for providing each of the five horses with a AHSA team rug.

I would like to acknowledge the AHSA’s support to all our teams at World Equestrian Games and World Endurance Championships over the past two decades.

Our 2012 team, like most other teams, consists of Australian Arabian Horses and this team will go as teams before representing all that is good about Australian Arabians with their amazing athleticism. Our representative team is a credit to the many Australian breeders who, whilst acknowledging the type and beauty of the Arabian horse, also know Arabians are bred to be ridden.

Currently the International component of Endurance in Australia is undergoing considerable reform and the 2012 team is excited to have the honour to represent Australia on the world stage.

Profiles of Horses and Riders will be on the Equestrian Australian website shortly.

Team:

TRAVINA ridden and bred by Penny Toft. Sire Ralvon Amigo S-17258 ( s Milex ) Dam. Traveller.

EMILY JONES te ( A.F.3773 ) ridden by Alexandra Toft, bred by P&P Toft. Sire WN Dasjmir Dam Tallaroon Creo Royarle

WEST COAST ACHARON ( S-21005) ridden by Dr Norbert Radny, bred by J&N Radny. Sire Aquanitor Dam Noran Parmelia

BLAKE’S HEAVEN BOMBORA ( G-25056 ) ridden by Talea Hasko Stewart, bred by H.Riek Sire Shahir ibn Rashan Dam Steveie Nix

Regards
Peter Toft
Australian Endurance Chef 2012

Great Britain: Supergran prepares for gruelling 100-mile horse marathon

Walesonline.co.uk - Full Article

by Abbie Wightwick, WalesOnlineAug 5 2012

At a time when most Welsh grans are beginning to look forward to a relaxing retirement, Tricia Hirst is instead preparing for a gruelling 100-mile horse marathon – at the age of 54.

The supergran will represent Britain when the Longines World Endurance Riding Championships, one of the toughest for horses and riders, takes place in Suffolk later this month.

Cantering at 20km an hour for 100 miles on her horse Madjin des Pins Tricia will be part of the Great Britain team competing against 160 riders from 40 teams across the globe.

It’s the latest challenge for an athlete who recently completed a 56-mile ultra marathon on foot.

“I’ve been training all year for this one goal. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life,” says Tricia, who started endurance riding at the age of 38.

“It’s a wonderful sport and I’m looking forward to the race.”

The mum of three, who became a grandmother earlier this year, lives in Meifod, near Welshpool, where she keeps eight horses and rides every day...

Read More Here:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/08/05/supergran-prepares-for-gruelling-100-mile-horse-marathon-91466-31547063/#ixzz22sAb7vlB