New Zealand: Smith Takes North Island Title

NZEquestrian.org.nz


22/01/2013 9:52:54 a.m.

Kuratau in the central North Island was the location for the 2013 North Island Endurance Championships which were held over the weekend. Hosted by the Waikato Endurance Club, the tracks took riders over nice rolling central north island country with views to Lake Taupo. Snow on the mountains on Thursday evening brought temperatures that were better suited to the winter, with a chilly 3 degrees being recorded for the start of the 160KM ride at 1.00am on Saturday morning.

12 combinations started in the feature event, the 160KM, which was eventually taken out by an impressive performance from Andrea Smith and Glenmore Tariq finishing nearly an hour a head of her competition. This gives Andrea another “tick in the box” toward her 2014 WEG campaign.

2013 North Island Championships Results - Full detailed results will be available soon.

CEI 3* 160km
1st Andrea Smith & Glenmore Tariq 8.52.35
2nd Emma Armstrong & Blue Thunder Shimar 9.51.50
3rd Mark Tylee & Jacob 9.57.58

CEI 2* 120km
1st Rosemary Revelll & AA Mystic Charm 7.14.14
2nd Michael Wakeling & Tulsa 8.06.43
3rd Donna French 8.39.50

CEI 2* JY 120km
1st Georgia Smith & Glenmore Vixen 7.14.15
2nd Leanne Ireland & Alshar Blue Levi 8.06.42

CEI 1* 100km
1st Joanne Fowler & Makahiwi Kutaisi 5.51.35
2nd Cherry Brown & Samurai & I 5.52.04
3rd Amanda McConachy & Makahiwi Geneca 6.06.49

CEI 1* JY 100km
1st Emma Mason & Tararua Mistalight 5.56.26
2nd Brigitte Smith & Vigar Marissa 5.56.33
3rd Georgia Wakeling & Kedar Sarita 6.01.54

CEI 1* 80km Non Championship
1st Ross Berrett & Makahiwi Paris 4.59.33
2nd Robyn Kendrick & Playdough 4.59.43
3rd Rowena Tyler & Wyndyn Whlloh 5.00.08

CEI 1* JY 80km Non Championship
1st Bridgett James & Sayfwood Manzzoni 4.59.16
2nd Charlotte Berrett & Hampshire Park Zebedee 4.59.18
3rd Johanna Angermaier & Aspen Hills Ida 5.03.09

CEN 60km Senior
1st Petra Deacon & Saamen Dance Away 2.59.51
2nd Trevor Walton & Lotus Blue Moon 2.59.52
3rd Stephanie McLeod & Makahiwi Jericho 3.28.22

CEN 60km Junior
1st Georgia Smith & Aurora Australis 4.06.02

UAE: HH Sh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Featured in CNN Video

CNN
January 21, 2013

Endurance racing in the Dubai desert

Francesca Cumani embarks on a 4X4 vehicle to track the competitors' as they take up the challenge of long distance racing


http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=imi_t5#/video/sports/2013/01/21/winning-post-cumani-endurance-wrap.cnn

The FEI "Helmet Rule" at a Glance

THE FEI “HELMET RULE” AT A GLANCE

Starting 1 January 2013, the use of a properly fastened Protective Headgear will be mandatory while riding on the show grounds (article 140.1, General Regulations).

* This rule applies in all Disciplines

* “Protective Headgear” is defined as “appropriate helmet or Headgear that is in compliance with the applicable international testing standards” (Glossary, General Regulations).

* Failure to wear Protective Headgear where and when required after being notified to do so by an Official, shall result in a Yellow Warning Card, being issued to the Athlete.

In the field of play, the sports rules apply, and each Discipline has its own rule rules. See this page for details.

UAE: Jaume Punti and Maria Alvarez Featured in CNN Video

CNN
January 18, 2013

CNN's Francesca Cumani visits two endurance legends to find out more about the makings of a champion in the short video, "The Arabian horse: King of endurance". Featured are trainers Jaume Punti and multiple World and European Endurance Champions Maria Alvarez and Nobby, and the 2012 World Endurance Champion Intissar.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2013/01/18/winning-post-arabian-horses-endurance.cnn#/video/sports/2013/01/18/winning-post-arabian-horses-endurance.cnn

UAE: CNN films Dubai Endurance race

Digitalproductionme.com

by Chris Newbould on Jan 20, 2013

CNN has been filming in the region this month, when the documentary ‘Winning Post’ showcased an unusual race of 160 km, the HH Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, taking place at Dubai International Endurance City.

CNN's Francesca Cumani headed to the desert to meet with the horses, riders and trainers. With 40 percent of its registered riders being female, the sport is hugely popular amongst women. ‘Winning Post’ gathered with a small group of Emirati female riders and discussed the race as well as looking into how they took up the challenge of long distance racing.

2012 Round-the-World Endurance Riding Slideshow

January 17 2012

Leonard Liesens and Caroll Gatelier of Endurance-belgium have travelled around the world to experience the different flavors of endurance riding.

They created a slideshow showcasing these events from Europe, the USA, China, Russia, the UAE and Bahrain. It features several championships, including the Young Riders European Championship in Belgium, the European Championship in France, and the World Endurance Championship in Great Britain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KY-nE1EaVsE

UAE: Mohammed attends Endurance race

Gulftoday.ae

By Ahmed Tariq
January 20, 2013

DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed the sixth edition of the Endurance race championship (Cup Mohammed Bin Rashid capacity) held at the Dubai International Endurance, along with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of the Olympic Committee of Bahrain on Saturday.

Winners

Abdullah Ghanim Al Merri retained the title for the second time in a row, after clocking a time of 6:01:19 hours on “Blaine” from Nad Al Sheba stables, a difference of only one second from Saeed Ahmed Al Jaber Al Harbi, who came second on “Eclipse” of Stables team Fazza, while the third winner Italian Marco Sardo, clocked a time of 6:05:13.

For Abdullah Al Merri Cup champion the race came too hard at all levels especially the third stage in which his horse "Blaine" was nervous but he overcame this hurdle, getting better from one stage to another and making the final stage easier than the first four stages.

Merri followed the directions of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which had a positive impact on the progress gradually from the back where he started the race in 16th place.

He then climbed to eighth place before falling to ninth in the stage before last where he jumped back to the third place before attacking a lead in the final stage. The champion revealed that this race was the first win of “Blaine” who gave a good performance.

He continued, “I am trying to win the title for the third time next year, while my next goal is to participate in the Cup of His Highness the Head of State and compete for the title.”

Second-placed Saeed Al Harbi was pleased with his rise to the podium in the Cup Mohammed Bin Rashid Endurance Cup, explaining that before the start of the race he did not expect to achieve this accomplishment, especially with the horse “Eclipse” racing in the 120 kilometres. “It was the first time Eclipse ran in the 160 km race, so I did not expect to complete the race,” he said.

For Al Harbi the third stage was the most difficult because of the strong competition between the jockeys and the entry of a large number on the last leg of the race, but managed to continue with the convoy and won the second place, one second behind the champion.

“This is the best result for me this season and I hope to achieve more accomplishments in the upcoming races this season, highlighted by His Highness the President Cup state,” he said.

Mohammed Issa Alaill, Deputy Director General of Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “The race saw a wide participation of the elite riders in the world for endurance, but the high level and determination by the riders of the state reflects their eagerness to compete strongly to win the trophy.”

He added: “Today’s race is the longest and the highest rated in terms of agenda of the Dubai International Endurance International Union, and suited for historic wins.”