Great Britain: Veteran Grey Medlar clocks up 7,500 kms

Thisiscornwall.co.uk - Full Article

Friday October 19 2012

There can be no greater contrast with the hilly endurance rides here in the South West than last weekend's Royalties Ride in the Fen country of Lincolnshire.

Described by one competitor as "the best going I have ever ridden", the route along flat bridleways and riverbanks, private tracks and quiet lanes is so flat that crews can see their riders coming from several miles away.

This exactly suited the Chisholm family's wonderful old endurance horse, Grey Medlar, now 21-years-old. Ridden by Abbie Chisholm, who lives on Dartmoor, he won the 170 km ER, ridden over three days. First of the competitors out of every vetgate, he averaged a speed of 15.6 kph over the three days.

Medlar has now successfully completed 7,500 kms at competitive endurance rides and has lost none of his enthusiasm for the sport. A wonderful record...

Read more here:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Veteran-Grey-Medlar-clocks-7-500-kms/story-17125607-detail/story.html

Australia: Wollondilly shire horse riders tackle the Shazahda

Macarthur-chronicle-wollondilly - full article

17 OCT 12
BY AMANDA PARTRIDGE

AUSTRALIA'S toughest endurance riding marathon is not one for the faint of heart - but for Wollondilly shire's Tiarna Young and Martin Gregson it's a challenge worth taking on.

In August Tiarna, 15, of Oakdale, and Mr Gregson, of The Oaks, took on the Shazahda - an annual test of horsemanship covering 400km around St Albans.

Tiarna, mentored by Mr Gregson, with just four months of endurance training under her belt, took out the first place prize in juniors, and was the youngest competitor in the marathon this year...

Read more here:
http://macarthur-chronicle-wollondilly.whereilive.com.au/news/story/wollondilly-shire-horse-riders-tackle-the-shazahda/

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