Australia: 2015 Tom Quilty Returns Home for 50th Anniversary

AERA.asn.au

November 29 2012

The AERA is pleased to announce that the 50th Tom Quilty Gold Cup, to be held in June 2015, will return to its origins in the Hawkesbury Valley of NSW.

The return of the 50th event to its birthplace was only possible due to the goodwill of VERA and the AERA thanks VERA and NSWERA on the successful negotiations.

The AERA has started planning celebrations to ensure the 50th Tom Quilty is a memorable event befitting its stature in the world of Endurance.

Australia: Hendra vaccine released

Equinescienceupdate - Full Article

Australian horse owners will welcome the news of the introduction of a vaccine* to help protect horses against the deadly Hendra virus. The vaccine, which is available only under permit from accredited veterinarians, will also assist in breaking the cycle of transmission that puts humans at risk of contracting this potentially lethal virus.

Hendra virus is a serious zoonotic infectious disease transmitted by flying foxes shedding the virus in their saliva, urine, aborted foetuses and/or reproductive fluids. Horses are thought to contract the virus by ingesting feed or water contaminated with one of these sources of infection.

With a high mortality rate, Hendra virus has claimed the lives of 81 horses, including nine deaths in 2012 alone. There is no known cure, so the vaccine is positioned to become the most effective defence against this virus.

“This vaccine significantly decreases the risk of exposure to Hendra virus for horse owners, handlers and veterinarians. For that reason, the Australian Veterinary Association recommends that all horses be vaccinated against the Hendra virus,” said Dr Ben Gardiner, President, Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). “The vaccine will also help to protect the health of horses and is a major win for anyone working in the equine industry, including veterinarians...”

Read more here:
Equinescienceupdate

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.