FEI World Rankings

As of October 20, 2012, Linda Cowperthwaite and Maraday Mystaron of Great Britain topped the FEI Meydan Open Combination World rankings. Cowperthwaite said, "Just a quick note to let EGB in on my horse, Maraday Mystaron's, exciting news. As a result of Ron’s successfully season and trips overseas we have been rewarded. The current FEI ranking have been updated and he’s number 1 in the world combinations.

It’s still not quite sunk in. I dared to think he could go top for a time but to see, it is just amazing."

Dana Hladisova and Dean are second, and Juan Lacasi and Rock and Roll are ranked third. USA's Jeremy Reynolds and A Kutt Above made 16th on the list.

In the Meydan Open Riders World Ranking, UAE's Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum is first, with France's Lisa Riou second, and UAE's Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum 3rd.

In the Meydan Open Horse World Ranking, Intissar tops the list with Yamamah second. Both horses are ridden by UAE riders, with Yamamah (formerly known as Kurrajong Concorde) finishing 2nd in the World Endurance Championship in Great Britain in August. Maraday Mystaron is ranked 4th.

For complete rankings, see
https://data.fei.org/Ranking/List.aspx

Kathy Brunjes

photo: Kathy Brunjes riding Theatric at the 2008 World Endurance Championship in Malaysia

Kathy was a true athlete, a generous and sincere woman. A class act.

She will be remembered lovingly by her friends and family and many around the world who shared her commitment to the sport of Endurance.

Kathy, you will be missed.

Steph
Endurance.Net

Australia: Shahzada 2012 – The 32nd Shahzada…..

AERA.asn.au

The last week of August, 2012 saw the running of the 32nd Shahzada – the ultimate test of horsemanship – with 60 horses and riders from all over Australia covering 80kms a day for five days from the ride base in St Albans up and down the mountains that surround the MacDonald Valley in north west Sydney. There were two entrants from WA, two from Tasmania, three from SA, five from Qld, two from the ACT and 46 from NSW all embarking on long trips to experience the magic of Shahzada.

We had superb weather with some rain the week before to soften the tracks and then beautiful sunshine. The Committee and some of the wonderful volunteers without whom this ride would not go ahead, were there up to ten days prior to the ride erecting tents and gazebos, placing all the early birds in their campsites which continued right up to the start of the ride, putting water up in those mountains which is a major feat in itself as well as marking and still clearing after the savage winds that hit the area prior to the ride. 4am Monday, 27th August sixty riders took off up the Common Road…..what a buzz!!!

Kim Hagon on her part Arabian gelding Diamond R Boston recorded the fastest time of 34 hours for the 400 kms and was one of four horse and rider combinations to be called up for the Best Conditioned/Best Managed Horse award – the others were Sue Todd on her Appaloosa mare Shakista (six out of six completions), Cherry Cummins on her Arabian mare Winter Hill Alice and Jody Smith on her Anglo Arab gelding Rage On with Jody and Rage On taking out the prestigious award – a huge trophy and rug as pictured. There were 29 completions – each horse and rider earning a Shahzada buckle, acknowledging this amazing achievement.

The Halifax Hayes Fit & Well Award was presented to two horse and rider combinations this year – Ron Malone on Maringo and Stewart Lymbery on Garonne Park Walker with Maddie Hayes saying that both combinations were deserving of the recognition.

There were two encouragement awards for the ride this year….the Newscom Award for first time horse and rider combination went to Trish Smith from Tasmania on Beaucheval Akhiran and the Darryl Davis Encouragement Award went to Robert Catlin on Copperkahn Tiara. The First Australian Stock Horse across the line was Razorback Kadance ridden by Robin Young. There were a number of awards donated by the Knihinicki family – the oldest rider to complete was Karen Rhodes (this was Karen’s 17th buckle) on Stratfield Ghayth (Billy), the youngest was Tiarna Young on Burren-dah Narla who also received the Steve Locke Memorial Award, and Lyn Summerfield from WA took out the last rider home and the rider who travelled furthest on Orchid Park Silver Mecca. The Suncrest Arabians Award for the First Stallion to Finish went to Burren-dah Gladiator ridden by Martin Gregson.

There were 86 entrants in the Mini Marathon which was held over three days of 40kms per day and gave riders and horses the opportunity to get the taste of marathon riding with the idea that they will take up the challenge next year and attempt the 400 km Shahzada……63 riders were successful.

Shahzada is put together by a small committee and a large number of dedicated volunteers – thank you to everyone involved in the success of the 2012 Shahzada.

Great Britain: End of the season for Team Omar

Brechinadvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

Monday 29 October 2012 06:41

With competitive endurance riding now entering the close season, Brechin rider John Thomson and his pure bred Arabian gelding Prince Omar completed the final ride of the year in the hills of Easter Ross.

With a revised layout from last year, the first part of the course was fast before the riders headed into the 40 per cent strenuous climbs. From there it was a gentle gradient into the Kildermorie Estate and Vet Gate One at 31kms. Omar was quickly vetted then set off on the second loop of 32kms, which was covered in just on two hours. At the 63kms Vet Gate there was nothing between the lead riders but Team Omar had quickly bought back time to break their record for the distance.

It has been a remarkably successful year with a course record broken on the first ride of the season, a new course record set on the second ride but in a season remembered for wet weather and cancellations, Omar fell foul of the plague of hoof abscesses that had swept the country and was knocked out of action for four weeks. Many thanks to local vet Lindsay Cameron for working so quickly to produce those ever so important blood tests throughout the season and to ensure that Omar stayed at the peak of conditioning.

On the return to competition, a 44kms nonstop at Clashindarroch Forest saw horse and rider pick up a third fastest time. A few weeks later near Nairn, Omar turned in a remarkable speed during the 53kms. Despite the loss of a shoe seven kms from the end of the second loop and frantic activity by the duty farrier and crew to prepare for the final vetting, Team Omar maintained the fastest time over the distance.

Horse and rider then returned to lay the ghost of last year’s Red Rock Relay Team where an injury had witnessed their elimination. However despite the deteriorating conditions Team Omar went on again to take the fastest time...

Read more here:
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/sport/end-of-the-season-for-team-omar-1-2597918

Malaysia: Thai Rider Wins Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Race For Second Consecutive Year

Bernama.com

October 21, 2012 19:03 PM

SETIU, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Wipawan Pawitayalarp of Thailand swept her male counterparts aside to win the Sultan Mizan Cup endurance race for the second consecutive year at the Terengganu International Equestrian Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong here Sunday.

The 38-year-old Thai rider who was a cut above the rest, pocketed USD10,000 (RM30,500) and a watch worth RM25,000 for her effort.

Wipawan, riding Mulawa Angelus, swept aside 51 other local and foreign riders to win the 120km race with a time of 7 hours 18 minutes and 8 seconds while the State of Terengganu Endurance Team (STET) rider Mohammad Fuad Hashim clocked 7'28:38s to finish second ahead of Mohd Bukhari Rozali (7'50:45s).

"The heavy rain yesterday added the level of difficulty in the race because the track was heavy, providing a major challenge for the horses," said Wipawan here today.

The Sultan of Terengganu, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin who also competed in the 120km race on his "RTES Annaversary" horse, later gave away the prizes.

--BERNAMA

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/