FEI: Drug testers will target endurance horses

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Charlotte White, H&H deputy news editor

27 November, 2012

Endurance is to fall under increased anti-doping scrutiny next year.

But the independent integrity unit that oversees the drug testing of elite competition horses says the move reflects the expansion of the sport rather than a recent spate of failed drugs tests in endurance.

In the year to November, horse sport’s international governing body, the FEI, had investigated 15 doping cases, eight of them involving endurance riders, seven of which were from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

There are a further 10 cases pending investigation — nine of which are in endurance.

Paul Greenwood, the manager of the equestrian community integrity unit, said: “Endurance has grown so much in the past year and is now just behind jumping [in terms of number of events].

“We have focused on jumping in past years and now we want to increase our profile in the endurance world.”

FEI director of non-Olympic sports Ian Williams confirmed that the FEI would be paying special attention to Africa and the Middle East...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/389/315008.html

UAE: Trainer Mohammad saddles 1-2 in Al Wathba ride

Gulfnews.com

Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum prevails in Al Wathhba ride ahead of Al Maamari
Staff ReportPublished: 18:12 November 25, 2012

Abu Dhabi: Trainer Esmail Mohammad completed a one-two in the season’s first endurance ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.
Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum, riding nine-year-old Tonki Dee Boo Kokoda, crossed the finish line just ahead of Saeed Sultan Shames Al Maamari, who was riding Khersiko Du Courtisot, to win the Al Wathba Challenge 120km ride which attracted 178 riders.

The ride was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also participated in the race, but retired in the third loop in the CEI** 120km ride which was run in five phases of 33 kilometres, 27 kms, 24 kms, 20 kms and 16 kms.

Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum completed the ride in a time of four hours, 25 minutes and three seconds, at an average speed of 27.165 km/h. Saeed Sultan Shames Al Maamari, who was riding Khersiko Du Courtisot, finished a close second clocking 4.25.04 with an average speed of 27.163 km/h.

Woman rider Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Merri finished third on Ohio from Dubai Endurance Stables.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abdullah Al Qubaisi Director of Communications, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Lara Sawaya, Director of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and Head of IFAHR Ladies Racing presented the trophies and cash rewards.

Top 5:

1 Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum (Tonki Dee Boo Kokoda) 4:25.3.
2. Saeed Sultan Shames Al Maamari(Khersiko Du Courtisot) 4:25.4.
3. Fatima Jasem Saeed Al Merri (Ohio) 4:25.08
4. Mohammad Sulaiman Rashid Al Marboui (Commando Te) 4:25.38.
5. Munthar Ahmad Al Beloushi (Rivergum Drifter) 4:25.52.

Morocco: Royal Endurance Team dominate

Gulf-daily-news.com

November 21, 2012

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team celebrated a three-way podium yesterday when team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa retained the cup in the second Bahrain and Morocco Endurance Horse Ride Championship.

The 2010 edition champion was in superb form to win the title for the second successive time after a dominant show in this 120-km ride, staged at Dar Es Salam Forest in Rabat, in Morocco.

Jointly organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation and the Moroccan Equestrian Federation, the race featured an exciting battle among participants.

Prominent riders from France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Morocco and Tunisia were also in the fray. They included Sabrina Arnold of Germany, Belgian Wendy Fallon, besides Lisa Keyes and Silvia Yebra of France.

They competed over five challenging stages, including 30km each for the first and second.

This was followed by 20km for the third, 25km for the fourth and 15 for the fifth and final stage.

And it was Shaikh Nasser who came out victorious, completing all five stages with a total ride time of five hours, 49 minutes and 50 seconds, and with a 20km average speed.

He was followed by runner-up Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (5:49:51), the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president, with an average speed of 20km per hour.

Khalifa Al Dossary (5:49:52) then rounded off the podium for the Royal Team by coming third, also with a similar average speed of 20km per hour.

The race was attended by His Majesty King Hamad, who honoured the top three winners at the awarding ceremony later yesterday.

On the occasion, Shaikh Nasser said he was honoured by His Majesty's presence at the race venue, which was the biggest motive for him and other team members to excel.

Shaikh Nasser said the race was one of the toughest with several prominent European riders seeking podium.

He said that holding the second race in Morocco reflected the values of sincere co-operation bonding Bahrain and Morocco, in line with the sound directives of His Majesty King Hamad and the Moroccan Monarch King Mohammed VI.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid said the participants had shifted positions on several occasions during the race, which underlines the competitive environment and excitement that the event had seen yesterday.

UAE: Strong field for Al Wathba Challenge

Gulfnews.com

Staff Report
Published: 17:54 November 21, 2012

Abu Dhabi: More than 100 riders will be seen in action in the Al Wathba Challenge CEI** 120km Endurance ride at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning.

The race is open for six-year-old horses and above and will be held over five stages of 33km, 27km, 24km, 20km and 16km.

Competitors are requested to present horses with an approved national or FEI passport who have been micro-chipped.

Electronic heart rate monitors and display systems will be used as per set protocol.

“All preparations are well in place for the big event, which will be held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs,” said Adnan Sultan, director of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club at Mangroves Hotel on Wednesday.

“I would like to thank our faithful partners and sponsors. The race will be held under the umbrella of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and sponsored by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Areej Al Ameerat, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, Abu Dhabi, Al Awani General Enter. & Representing Companies Est., Samawi Neon, Designing & Art Production.”

Sultan confirmed that the winner of the event will drive home a new four-wheel-drive car plus receive a major share of the Dh350.000 prize money.

Top riders ready for Morocco endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ELITE riders from around the world are ready for today's second Bahrain and Morocco Endurance Championship taking place at Dar Es Salam Forest, in Rabat.

The race, set to tip off at 10am (Bahrain time), is organised for the second time by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) in co-operation with the Moroccan Equestrian Federation.

Riders come from Bahrain, Morocco, Tunisia, Germany, Spain, France and Belgium are lined up for the 120km ride.

They include Sabrina Arnold of Germany, Belgian-French rider Wendy Fallon, besides French riders Lisa Keyes of France and Alan Liu.

From Bahrain, Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead some of the kingdom's best riders.

The Supreme Council for Youth a and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, who had won the 2010 edition trophy, will race along with Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and six other riders - Raed Mahmood, Salman Isa, Hood Buchiri, Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Mohammed Abdulsamad and Abdulhaq Qadoori.

Today's race will be divided into five stages. The first stage will be over 30km, followed by another 30km for the second, 20km for the third, 25km for the fourth and 15 for the fifth and final stage.

This year's race route will feature some changes from the one held two years ago, especially in the areas near the starting and finishing points.

There will also be two qualifying rides - over 80km and 40km - organised during the day.

Media Office and Information Centre Director and Head of Breef Media Committee Tawfiq Al Salehi said the federation is keen to implement the directives of Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid to enhance relations between Bahrain riders and those from Morocco and other countries.

Bahrain Endurance Horse Ride Season Kick-Starts

BNA.bh

17/11/2012

Manama, Nov. 17. (BNA) – Seventy-six riders have signed up for the 80km Qualifying Ride, the first event of the 2012/13 Endurance Horse Ride Season in Bahrain, kick-started today in Sakhir.

The season opener is organised by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), and is being held under the patronage of its president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The race commenced at 5am at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Stables taking part include the Royal Endurance Team, are represented by 22 riders, the highest number of participants from one stable in today's race.

The Royal Endurance Team, one of the favourites, is spearheaded by some of Bahrain's most prominent riders.

They include regular riders from the Bahrain national team like Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Jaafar Mirza, Fhad Bakheet, Abdelhak Kaddouri, Mohammed Abdulsamad, Raed Mahmood and Isa Al Hazza.

Al Asayel Stable (19 riders) have the second highest number of participants. Other riders are from Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, Al Montasir, Khalid Al Rowaie, Al Muqheerat, Al Ajiyal, Al Shawamek and Saar Riding School.

Featuring three stages, the ride is a warm-up event that aims to help participants gear up for the main championship that will be organised later this season.

Today's event begins with 30 kms for the first stage, to be followed by another 30 kms for the second stage while the concluding stage will over 20 kms.

As an incentive to participants, Shaikh Khalid has directed the organising committee to award BD100 for every rider successfully completing all three stages.

Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi has been named president of the ground jury.
It also includes members Ali Ghuloom, Mahdi Al Kalaiti and Fahad Al Romaihi, besides foreign technical delegate Mohammed Dadulla, chief steward Haider Al Zu'bi and steward Abdulla Al Rumaihi.

The veterinary commission is being headed by Abbas Al Haiki, with Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia being the foreign veterinary delegate.

Other commission members are Khalid Razaiqi and Hady Al Lawati, both of Oman, as well as Bahrain's Ebrahim Yousef, Ebrahim Yousif, Sabah Al Kabie, Abudlrahman Yaqoob, while Fareeda Abdulrazaq and Caonabo Melo of Domincan Republic are the veterinarians.

Mir Ghani was appointed lab technician and Sudiq Sankar the show secretary.

WHQ

Morocco: Shaikh Nasser Praises Royal Directives to Hold 2nd Endurance Race in Morocco

BNA.bh

17/11/2012

Rabat, Nov. 17. (BNA) – Upon directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to activate joint cooperation with Morocco in the sports field, in general, and the equestrian one, in particular, and follow-up of the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) and captain of the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, preparations are in full swing to hold, on November 20, the second Bahrain and Morocco Endurance Championship, the largest of its kind in north Africa.

The race will be open for all riders and will cover a distance of 120 kms, with qualifying races of 80 and 40 kms, in accordance with the royal instructions.

An elite of riders from the Royal Endurance Team, led by Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Morocco and Tunisia will be participating in the event.

On the occasion, Captain of the Royal Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad said that holding the second edition of the race in Morocco reflects the values of sincere cooperation bonding the two sisterly kingdoms, in line with the sound directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his brother King Mohammed VI.

The move aims to promote the endurance sport in North Africa, he added, noting that holding it in Morocco will increase the number of its fans there.

Shaikh Nasser expressed delight at implementing the Royal directives to turn the race into an international one so as to increase the number of participant riders and pave the way for Bahraini riders to strengthen ties with their counterparts in North Africa and other countries and exchange expertise with them.

He also affirmed that the race will benefit Bahraini and Moroccan riders and enrich their experience, wishing all riders every success.

On his part, BREEF President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad said that HM the King's directives to hold the race in Morocco will consolidate bilateral cooperation and will spread the sport in Morocco and other North African countries.

He added that BREEF and endurance officials in Morocco have taken all the necessary procedures in order to ensure the success of the race and achieve its set goals, pledging that members of the Royal team are keen to achieve the best results during the race and take advantage of it to prepare for the coming races.

In the same context, Dr. Khalid Ahmed asserted that all success requirements are already in place, adding that the race will be a highly-distinguished one, given the number of experienced riders taking part in it.

On his part, Media Office and Information Centre Director and Head of the Media Committee Tawfiq Al-Salhi said that BREEF is keen to implement the directives of Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid to enhance relations between Bahraini riders and others riders from Morocco and other countries and enhance sports cooperation, pledging that media coverage will be thorough, in line with the royal directives.

WHQ