The Mongol Derby: Galloping to Glory

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Moni Mathews / 14 October 2012

Dubai-based Austrian veterinary surgeon, endurance rider, charity worker and adventure specialist Michaela Gradinger finished third in her very first attempt at the Mongol Derby, the world’s toughest endurance race on horse-back.
In many ways, the event, which was into its fourth chapter this year, is a multi-faceted adventure and not just an endurance race.

The lady (Michaela) who is restless when there is no challenge in life, took it upon herself to go through the tough screening process as laid down by the organisers of the 1,000km ride across the Mongolian steppes on semi wild and partially trained horses from the region outside Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital.

Over 800 such horses are taken in by the organisers every year.

About Michaela’s performance and participation, organisers Adventurists, had words of praise about her outlook and personality that makes participating in the Mongol Derby a memorable experience for anyone passing the initial screening and acclimatisation process days before the 10-event begins.

“Michaela was a joy to have on the event and should be very, very proud of herself,” Katy of the organisers said when permission was sought to publish information from their website.

“It’s a life time experience and one for those who want an extra kick out of life. It’s all out there for one to see, feel and learn in total wilderness in a land so alien yet friendly with the people so embracing when it comes to hospitality,” Michaela, who once undertook a ride through all the emirates on a horse to raise awareness for breast cancer, told Khaleej Times.

“The additional feature of the Mongol Derby is not just the detailed screening process, but also the fact that having participated in it, one is part of a process in raising funds for the charity work aimed at improving the living conditions of the people in the Mongolian regions where the Derby takes place. It also makes it eligible for riders to go on a charity project of their choice,” Michaela had said in an interview with another publication during her pre-event months in Dubai.

Prior to the event, familiarisation with the GPS is part of the conditioning period and once the hand picked candidates set foot to the ‘kick-off’ camp in Mongolia, the organisers keep reminding the riders continuously about the life saving electronic device.

Survival equipment of any kind are welcome, such as a sleeping bag, torch and spare clothes, not to forget “the tooth brush and paste,” as Michaela said light heartedly...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/sportstalk/2012/October/sportstalk_October22.xml§ion=sportstalk

Great Britain: Marlouf de Norvavre makes a 'huge comeback' to win

Thisiscornwall.co.uk - Full Article

12 October 2012

David Yeoman won the Red Dragon 164km two-day endurance race at Builth Wells, in Powys, Wales, last weekend.

David, of North Brewham, Somerset, rode his 12-year-old French part-bred Arab Marlouf de Norvavre at an average speed of more than 15kph in a ride that saw only five of the original 16 starters finish.

"I'm over the moon," said David, who achieved silver in this year's Golden Horseshoe on Exmoor.

"It's been a difficult time because Marlouf de Norvavre was diagnosed with an injury to his annular ligament which is similar to carpel tunnel syndrome. Our vet Neil Brimson, at Garston Vets in Frome, diagnosed him and he was sent for specialist surgery.

"It meant a whole year off but now he's come back and won silver at the Golden Horseshoe and the Red Dragon – it's a huge comeback..."

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Marlouf-Norvavre-makes-huge-comeback-win/story-17074854-detail/story.html

2012 PanAmerican Endurance Championship will be at Pinamar, Argentina

The 2012 PanAmerican Endurance Championship will be held 19-20 October at Pinamar by the sea in Argentina. It is being organized by the Federación Ecuestre Argentina and Club Ecuestre Hipocampo de Pinamar.

The course is relatively flat and will traverse woods, beaches, dunes, and residential areas. 70% is firm level terrain, 10% is sand (seashore), and 20% is firm sand soils along woods.

For further information, see
http://www.pinamarendurance.com.ar/

Australia: Prince ready to compete at the Tom Quilty Cup

Whitsundaytimes.com.au - Full Article

11 October 2012

WHITSUNDAY rider Tony Laurent and his Arabian horse 'Prince' have qualified for the premier endurance riding event in Australia, to be held in Kilkivan, in southern Queensland next June.

Laurent won the notoriously difficult Denison Creek race to qualify for the Tom Quilty Gold Cup championships.

The prestige associated with competing in the Tom Quilty Cup is huge and it is the goal of Australian endurance riders to attempt the ride in their lifetime.

Laurent is thrilled to have qualified for the event.

"We have been trying to complete a 160km ride in qualifying time for years," Laurent said.

"It takes about two years of training to get a horse that fit.

"Then of course you have to have a horse with a huge heart and willing character.

"All those lonely days and nights out there training in the forest develops a wonderful bond between you and your four legged companion..."

Read more here:
http://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/news/prince-ready-to-compete-at-the-tom-quilty-cup/1577325/

Scotland: Endurance season ends better than it started

Thesouthernreporter.co.uk - Full Article

Published on Wednesday 10 October 2012 23:52

THE Scottish Borders Endurance Riding Club (SBERC) ended another successful and eventful season by holding their final ride of the year last week.

By all accounts this season has been challenging to say the least, with many rides being cancelled throughout the year due to the extreme weather conditions.

Nevertheless, Peter and Ashley Close of Fishwick Mains Farm near Paxton, managed to pull out all the stops in order to provide a weatherproof route with distances of 80km, 60km, 50km, and 33km as well as a 20km pleasure ride.

Competitors on the day came from as far afield as Cumbria, Durham, and Glasgow, as well as the Borders.

Some of the far-flung horses and riders stayed overnight on the Saturday and made use of the camping and corralling facilities on offer.

Riders witnessed a fantastic route out over the surrounding countryside, which consisted of quiet country lanes, lovely grassy tracks and fields, as well as disused railway line and, of course, some fantastic scenery...

Read more here:
http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/endurance-season-ends-better-than-it-started-1-2567283

France: A seminar to lead the way!

Jemfeialltech2014-normandie.fr

2/10/12

On 25 September, some 115 representatives of local authorities associated with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ™ 2014 in Normandy, gathered at a seminar arranged by the Organising Committee (OC). The seminar comprised two distinct phases: a first round of discussions at the Regional Council, followed by an initiation into equestrian disciplines at the Caen Equestrian Club.

The seminar’s principal aim was to bring the participants up to date on the project’s progress. It was also the perfect opportunity to allow them to get to know the members of the OC that they work with. « Of the 140 invitations sent out, 115 people participated; this goes to show how much interest there is for the event », adds Dobrina Perrody, the Organising Committee deputy director. « Everyone present was familiar with a small part of the project, either through their professional involvement in a local authority or other organisation. But we wanted everyone to have an overall view of the Games. We felt that they could, in this way, really appreciate the significance of the event. In a sense, the aim was also to say; we need all of you, we need your skills and your help!”

Proceedings were opened by Fabien Grobon, the OC managing director, who was then followed by several members of the Organising Committee. One after the other, they talked about their exact role, the work already accomplished and the priorities they faced in the coming months.The local authorities’ director generals then went on to make a speech (Regional Council, General Council of Calvados, of Orne, the Manche, Urban Councilof Caen la mer and the town of Caen). Finally, Clara Verger, cabinet director for the Calvados prefect, took the floor to reaffirm the French government’s support for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ™ 2014 in Normandy.

The second half of the seminar saw a special demonstration of the event’s eight official disciplines at the Caen Equestrian Centre (SHUC as it is known). Eric Navet, the 1990 & 2002 world champion, one of the finest records in world jumping, impressed spectators with his minute and fascinating running commentary about the way he jumps his horse. José Letartre, para equestrian dressage multiple-medal winner, Fabrice Martin, French driving champion, Laura Duponchel, reining champion and the vaulting teams of the Petit Dan stables near Caen, led the way as they all shared their passion for equestrian sport.

It was indeed, a festive end to what had been a day true to the spirit of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ™ 2014 in Normandy.

2013 FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List in Effect from 1 January

fei.org

2 Oct 2012
The FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List for 2013, which has now been approved by the FEI Bureau, will come into force on 1 January 2013.

Following a period of consultation with the National Federations, the FEI List Group held its most recent meeting during the London 2012 Paralympics and signed off changes to the List for 2013, which include five new substances and other amendments.

The changes, which will be included in the 2013 List and will come into effect on 1 January of next year, are summarised here and below:

 Five new substances have been added to the List for 2013. These are the Controlled Medication substances Cyclosporin, a systemic immunosuppressant; Tropicamide, which affects the central nervous system and has a potential for abuse; Pitcher Plant preparation (Sarapin), which is reputed to have analgesic properties, a potential to affect performance and its use is considered to be a welfare concern; Delmadinone acetate and Chlormadinone acetate, synthetic steroidal progestins that decrease testosterone concentration and have the potential to affect performance;

 Fentanyl and Morphine (analgesics), both of which are currently classified as Banned Substances, will be moved to the Controlled Medication section of the List in 2013 due to their increasingly common legitimate use in equine medicine;

 Suxibuzone, which converts to Phenylbutazone in the body and is currently listed as Phenylbutazone, will be listed separately under Controlled Medications;

 Deslorelin, which was categorised as a Controlled Medication substance in the 2012 List, will be removed from the 2013 List.

“The FEI List Group seeks to use the most up-to-date scientific research and information as part of its ongoing review of the Prohibited Substances List,” said Graeme Cooke, FEI Veterinary Director.

“The National Federations and all the Veterinarians involved in our sport are very much a part of the consultation process and all comments received on the initial suggested changes, which were first proposed in April of this year, were discussed by the List Group prior to the changes being finalised.

“Publishing the changes to the List 90 days in advance, in accordance with our rules, means that the National Federations and their athletes will have plenty of time to familiarise themselves with the changes well in advance of the 2013 Equine Prohibited Substances List coming into force on 1 January next year.”

The 2013 Equine Prohibited Substance List will be accessible prior to 1 January 2013 on the FEI Clean Sport website. Additionally, information is now available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database, which is free to download for Smartphones.