Bahrain to Organise an International Endurance Horse Ride on the Sidelines of the Royal Windsor Horse Show

BNA.bh

20/02/2013

London, Feb. 20. (BNA) – Bahrain is organising an international endurance horse ride on May 12 in the UK on the sidelines of the 2013 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The ride is one of a variety of equestrian competitions that will take place over four consecutive days in this year's festival, set to commence on May 8.

In this regard, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met show organisers Simon Brooks, Michael Shephard, Sarah Rutherford in London.
During the meeting, the show organizers presented Shaikh Nasser with details of the programmes and activities.

Shaikh Nasser said the Kingdom of Bahrain Ride will see the cream of endurance riders from Bahrain, the UK and other countries across the world competing it out for glory.

Shaikh Nasser affirmed Bahrain's keenness to be part of this wonderful festival, to be held at the private grounds of Windsor Castle and is patronised by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth.

The Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain also stressed on His Majesty King Hamad's directives to promote the civilisational and development achievement of Bahrain in international events.

On his part, Brooks expressed appreciation to Shaikh Nasser for his efforts in supporting equestrian sports in Bahrain, which had astonishing sporting achievements in the past years thanks to the continued backing of His Majesty King Hamad.

This year's show celebrates its 70th anniversary, having started in 1943 to raise money for the war effort.

The four-day festival has a wonderful mix of International Carriage Driving, Showing, Equestrian Displays and first class Jumping.

There are classes for the grass roots competitor right through to top international riders.

There are four arenas at Royal Windsor all with a full programme of national and grass roots show jumping as well as Military Services and Pony Club jumping competitions.

Royal Windsor is the first major event of the equestrian showing season. It has 117 showing classes with an additional 20 championships. Over 3,000 horses and ponies compete at Royal Windsor in very prestigious classes.

As for the RWHS British Riding Clubs Championships, it's a unique grass-roots competition offering both riding club and non riding club competitors the once in a life time chance to compete at Royal Windsor.

Qualifier rounds take place around the country throughout the year, with the finals and championships being held in the prestigious Castle Arena at Royal Windsor in 2013.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show hosts one of the most important driving events in the UK. The Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix includes an FEI World Cup Qualifier for the Four-In-Hand class.

Over 80 competitors from 18 nations take place in this event with the most popular phase; The Marathon taking place on May 11.

The President of the show will be His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who still takes an active part in the event.

WHQ

Young Endurance Rider competes in India

Equestrianteamgbr.co.uk

14/02/13

Bishop Burton College student, Amber Sole, 17, from Hessle, East Yorkshire, took part in a 60km endurance ride in Dilbrugarh, Assam, India on the 2nd February riding a borrowed horse from the local area.

The invitation to ride in the International Endurance Championship at Dibrugharh came in November from the Equestrian Federation of Assam and Amber was eligible to take part in the ride through her membership of Endurance GB, (the governing body of the sport of long distance riding in the UK).

Amber an experienced endurance rider was given a local horse on loan for the ride in Assam, a thoroughbred called Aurum.

The ride was set into three 20km loops around a tea plantation with a vetting between each loop. Amber explained, “When setting off I felt slightly nervous and apprehensive as I was riding a different horse to one of my own that I am used to. The terrain was flatter than I expected and very dusty. The route was well marked out and was set out with flags and many check points which was reassuring”.

Amber and Aurum passed the vetting between the first and second loops well. Amber went on to say, “After my vetting I had a 30 minute compulsory hold before I could set off again. The second loop went well and I made up time with my speed increasing from 15km per hour average on the first loop to to 16.5km per hour on the second one”.

All was going well for Amber and Aurum, they passed the second vet gate but they incurred problems on the final loop just 2km from the end of the ride. Amber said, “I wondered if Aurum had become lame on his left fore so I slowed down as I didn’t want to hurt him. As I came over the finish line, I got off and he seemed a bit sore. The vets confirmed this and Aurum failed the final vetting, so we were eliminated which was a shame”.

All was not lost for Amber though, as well as competing individually on the ride there was a team event too whereby each competitor was drawn into a team with other riders. The winners of the team event were decided by adding up the fastest times from the members of each team, Amber was teamed up with riders from Switzerland and South Africa who completed in very fast times and so despite the fact that Amber failed to complete the ride, her team took first prize.

“I really enjoyed the ride as it was something different. My favourite part had to be meeting all the people from the other countries and working as part of a team. Everyone was very approachable and welcoming - I’ve made many new friends. If given the chance I would love to do it again as it was a really good experience and also allowed me to see part of the world at the same time as I have never really travelled before”.

Amber is aiming for a place on the British under 21’s, Young Rider team in 2014.

Further information about Endurance riding can be found at www.endurancegb.co.uk

UAE: Mohammed Al Shafar rides Orman De Cardonne to win President’s Cup Endurance

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

February 16, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

February 16, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ One hundred and thirty-two riders started into the desert for the ultimate prize in the FEI 160km CEI*** President of the UAE Endurance Cup at Emirates International Endurance Village on Saturday morning (16 FEB).

In the end, it was the UAE’s Mohammed Al Shafar and the 11 yr old, Orman De Cardonne that took the winning prize in a ride time of 6:06:24, clocking an average speed of 26kph for the day. Hot on his heels for a close second was Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri riding Farak. The 13 yr old, Khalifa, has earned his riding talents at the heels of his father, multiple Champion and current European Endurance Champion, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=5963

Abu Dhabi: USA Young Riders Participate in Presidents Cup

February 17 2013

While the outcome of the Abu Dhabi Presidents Cup wasn't what the girls expected, the experience was everything and more.

With 132 starters, and with the winners finishing the FEI*** 160-km race in 6:07.08 at an average speed of 26.14 km/h, Jessica DiCamillo and Devan Horn concentrated on their own ride, concentrating on their objective of 16 mph (10 mi/h). Jessica rode DJB Black Al Badi (aka Diesel) owned by Darolyn Butler, and Devan Horn rode CJS Maverick owned by Ceci Butler and Jason Stasiuk.

It wasn't to be for Devan early in the ride: "Maverick and I unfortunately retired after 40 miles for a slight front end lameness, but we did such a good job while we were riding! Jessica and I were literally in last place and maintaining our goal of 10 mph."

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk also participated in the ride on a horse owned by Shaikha Madiya al-Maktoum, but it was not to be for Ceci either. Her horse was eliminated for lameness at gate 2.

The USA contingent of grooms and friends and parents had high hopes for Jessica and Diesel finishing, but the gelding was eliminated on metabolics at the next to last gate 5.

The eliminations didn't dampen their enthusiasm for this biggest ride in Abu Dhabi, which for the first time invited Young Riders from around the world. Devan said, "[Jessica and I] and all of our crew had an amazing time and such a wonderful experience here in Abu Dhabi. I'd like to thank all of our crew and everyone who helped us get here! I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to come over and ride!"

Abu Dhabi: Orman Du Cardon triumphs

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham Al Gizouli / 17 February 2013

Mohammed Ali Al Shafar, aboard Orman Du Cardon, landed the 160-km FEI HH The President Endurance Cup for Al Reeh Endurance Stables to drive home a brand new car plus the precious Gold Cup and the mouth-watering prize-money at the Al Wathba International Endurance Village here on Friday.

The winner covered the distance in 6 hours, 6 minutes and 24 seconds at an average speed of 26.20 km/hr.

The race was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and a number of Shaikhs and top officials...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/nationsports/2013/February/nationsports_February203.xml§ion=nationsports

UAE: Saudi rider aims high in ladies’ endurance ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

BY M. Satya Narayan, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
Published: 16:40 February 14, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Saudi Arabia’s Ayah Khalil Rafia is among the strong contingent of riders who will be taking part in Friday’s 100km Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Ayah, along with other lady riders from the UAE and other countries in the region — including some who are here for Saturday’s HH The President’s Cup — will be seen in action in Friday’s national ride.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: “The 100km ride will be run in four stages of 33km, 27km, 24km and 16km. The riders will vie for a share of the Dh350,000 on offer. The ride will get off to a mass start at 7am.”

Ayah, who can’t take part in rides in her home country, is looking to improve on her previous best finish in the UAE of 11th and also make a statement for female sportspeople in the region...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/saudi-rider-aims-high-in-ladies-endurance-ride-1.1146417

France: Interview with Franck Tchavouchian, the Sheriff of the Games

JEMFEIAlltech2014-normandie.fr

2/8/2013

Interview with Franck Tchavouchian, the Sheriff of the Games

Franck Tchavouchian joined the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee in June 2012 as event security/health and safety manager. His job? To manage all security and safety related issues for the horses, the competitors and the 500,000 expected spectators during the World Equestrian Games fortnight. With twenty-five years of experience in sports event management, this will be Franck “the Sheriff of the Games” first equestrian event. He has in fact already worked at the Parc des Princes football stadium, the Stade de France – France’s national stadium, on the Dakar Rally, the Tour de France race and not forgetting the French Open. This will be yet one more great adventure …

When we start talking about security or safety issues, what exactly does that mean for a major sporting event like the the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy?

We’re talking about guaranteeing the safety and security of both people and property.

There are three major aspects to cover when it comes to the Games: 1) Security - that includes general and property guarding services, 2) Safety - preventative measures to protect people and property (e.g. fire risks), 3) Health and safety - security services don’t usually handle this third category but we’re breaking new ground here with the Games! This is also my first equestrian competition after twenty-five years of experience in sporting events…So this will be a first in more ways than one!



Bearing in mind the exceptional nature of our event, that’s to say ten disciplines in eight different sites, does this bring any specific security challenges?

Yes, of course! First of all, we will be in the global spotlight and it’s the first time this type of competition is being held in France. Then there are the expectations and long-term benefits (15 years) for the region of Normandy to consider and the FEI and sports directorate requirements... All these particular points mean that we can’t leave anything to chance!

And don’t forget, we have to manage ten different events, each with their own specific requirement. This means ten times more constraints for us to deal with compared to an event like the French Open - each equestrian discipline has its own regulations.

There will also be eight competition sites for us to handle, some of which are outdoor whilst others are indoor: the Caen exhibition park “Parc des Exposition”, the Zénith centre, Hippodrome de la Prairie racecourse, the D’Ornano Stadium, Le Pin National Stud, Sartilly, Deauville and St Lô.

We are therefore going to work very closely with the FEI and the different departments of the Organising Committee so that we can get everything ready for big day!



What will be 2013’s major tasks for your department?

We have three main tasks for 2013: 1) to identify each department’s needs 2) to issue calls for tenders and 3) to make a pre-selection of service providers who match our requirements.

We will have to take into account the specific demands of each discipline and each department to be able to identify all their needs properly. For example, the sports department will ask us to recruit staff to ensure public safety along the endurance course. It’s our role to understand and anticipate their requirements before deciding upon the type of person we need to call in (professionals or volunteers) and how to position these people along the course. As for the call for tenders, we’re not going to reinvent what’s already been done before: we’re going to base our strategy on what already happens at other major sporting events. We will then simply adapt it to the particular needs of our event.

The selection of service providers will be divided into three key areas: environment, place and expertise of each. Seeing as all three areas need to be managed differently (security, health and safety), it’s more than likely that we will go for several different service providers to guarantee the very best service. It will also be vital to anticipate law enforcement requirements. This does of course depend on the number of people expected at the event: we’re estimating about 500,000 over the course of two weeks!



You’ve still got 559 days to go before the event, but do you already know what type of security strategy needs implementing during the games in 2014? Or how you are going to safeguard the security of an expected 500,000 visitors?

Fortunately for us and thanks to our extensive experience, we can draw parallels with existing security, health & safety organisation at other events. As we see it, it’s a mix between what happens at the Parc des Princes football stadium, the Stade de France stadium, the Tour de France cycling race, the French Open and the FIFA World Cup™. We are basing our model on these events but as each event is unique we will be adapting it to the particularities of the World Equestrian Games.

For the moment, we have a basic strategy in mind but the more meetings we have, the more we have to reconsider and fine tune certain points. It’s therefore highly likely that the resources will be upped by 20% in the coming months. One thing’s for sure: we’re looking at everything in minute detail to make sure that nothing disturbs the event!



*About Franck Tchavouchian: twenty-five years of experience in major sports event management, with ten years at the head of his own security/health & safety consultancy created in 2002. In particular, Franck has overseen the Tour de France cycling race, the French Open and the Paris-Dakar Rally.