Australia: Quilty qualifying round is new event on Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Carnival in Mary Valley

Myshushinecoast.com.au

Endurance riders at the Easter carnival in the Mary Valley will get their last chance to qualify for the famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup National Championship event being held in Kilkivan this year.

The new feature event - a 160-kilometre “Tom Quilty Queensland Qualifier” was added to the Far A Way Easter Endurance Carnival, FAW president Geoff Fisher said.

“With the annual rotation of the Tom Quilty around Australia, it will be six years before Queensland riders again have the chance to compete in their own state,” Mr Fisher said.

Endurance horse riders from across Australia will join international competitors at Imbil this Easter to compete in a huge endurance riding program developed by event organiser, Far A Way Riders Association (FAW).

Events ranging from 20km to 320km see the Easter carnival as the annual highlight for many Queensland endurance riders and others from across Australia.

It is anticipated that more than 300 competitors and their horses will camp at the Imbil Showground over the holiday period along with their support crews and families. This event will add to the busy Easter weekend population of Imbil by more than 1000 people.

The signature Easter Endurance Carnival event is the 320km marathon spanning four days, and an experienced team of equine veterinarians headed up by Jon Fearnley, the 2013 Tom Quilty Gold Cup Head Veterinarian, will be working throughout the carnival to assess and ensure horses’ fitness to continue in the competition. Many competitors say that it is fortunate that riders are not given the same scrutiny.

First timers are encouraged to “come and try” in the 20km introduction event which Mr Fisher said provided a great opportunity for those who wish to give endurance a try as experienced pace riders provide support throughout the event.

Other events include a 120km mini-marathon event, two 80km Open events and two 40km training events.

Mary Valley locals figure highly on the national level with Kenilworth rider, Brook Sample, a six-time winner of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, including in Tasmania in 2012.

The Sample family will have four generations at the Easter Endurance Carnival. Peter Pike also a Kenilworth rider and longtime FAW committee member will again defend his record winning run in the 320km marathon event.

From its humble beginnings at Kenilworth in 1987, the Far A Way Riders Association has become a powerful force in Australian endurance.

Twice it has organised and hosted the Tom Quilty Gold Cup event, and has also hosted FEI internationally affiliated championship events at Imbil.

This year FAW is focusing on the Easter Endurance Carnival events, the Sparkler afternoon/evening event in September and a series of education and training days throughout the year.

Priceless Productions
21 February 2013

Bahrain: BREEF Ready for HM the King's Cup

BNA.bh

21/02/2013

Manama, Feb. 21. (BNA) – The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) has finalised all arrangements ahead of the King's Cup Endurance Ride Championship tomorrow.
The most prestigious and awaiting endurance ride of the season is set to take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and is over 120km.

It will be divided into five stages, commencing with 30km for the first stage. It will be followed by a similar 30km distance for the second, while each of the remaining three stages will be over 20km.

There's also a second race on Saturday, an 80km qualifying ride which is open for juniors. It comprises three stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages, and concludes with a 20-km stage.

The veterinary examination is scheduled for today from 3.30pm to 5pm at the veterinary area inside the village.

Examination will be conducted by a team of experienced veterinary commission, headed by Yassine Motemri of Tunisia. Foreign veterinary delegate is Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia.

Veterinarian members include Jean Marc of Belgium, Piotr Szpotanski and Wojciech Piekalkiewicz of Poland, Oman's Hadi Al Lawati and Khalid Al Ruziaiqi and India's C V Niranjan.

Other members are Zahid Rafiq of Pakistan, Bahrain's Ebrahim Yousif, Sab ah Al Kabie, Abu Obaidah Yacoob, Abdulrahman Abu Shook and Saudi Arabia's Hassan Hashim.

The treatment veterinarians are Fareeda Abdulrazq of Bahrain and Caonabo Melo of the Dominican Republic.

Maximum allowed weight for the rider is 75kg, including the saddle, for the 120km ride. The allowed weight for the 80km event participants is 70kg, also with the saddle.

The organising committee, headed by Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has formed the ground jury.

Denis Kevin Croke of Ireland was named President of Ground Jury, with Ghalib Al Alawi, Mahdi Al Kalati, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Ali Ghuloom being members.
Mohammed Dadulla is the foreign technical delegate, Haider Al Zubi is the chief steward and Abdulla Al Rumeihi was appointed race steward. Sudip Sankar is the show secretary.

Meanwhile, riders from Bahrain and the UAE resumed preparations yesterday as they hope to pull off an outstanding win tomorrow.

To be led by Royal Team captain Shaikh Nasser, Bahrain's riders are likely to face a stern challenge from their UAE counterparts.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Dubai Crown Prince, will be leading a strong field of UAE riders in tomorrow's big event. The UAE riders arrived yesterday and will be training and the endurance village today.

Breef endurance committee head Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa affirmed the federation readiness for the season's much-awaited endurance championship.

Shaikh Daij said he believes that the King's Cup ride will live up to the occasion, welcoming the UAE riders who have come from different stables to participate.

On his part, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Bahrain's Al Fateh Stable said the race promises to be a high-paced event and will unarguably produce one of the most exciting competition among some of the region's prominent riders.

WHQ

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