Australia: Valley endurance event falls victim to weather

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

12 March 2013

TWO months of extreme weather have forced organisers to postpone the 2013 Far A Way Easter Endurance Carnival in the Mary Valley.

The event committee made the announcement yesterday saying a new date would be advised for a rescheduled event.

"Unprecedented weather events this year and most recent rain events have significantly reduced the availability and compromised the safety of tracks throughout Imbil State Forest," a committee statement read.

"There is no guarantee that the forestry will be in a position to carry out significant repairs in time for competition...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/valley-endurance-event-falls-victim-to-weather/1787520/

France: The equine sector and the region of Normandy back the Games

Jemfeialltech2014-normandie.fr

11/03/2013

On Friday 3 March, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy Organising Committee brought together nearly 200 members of the Norman equine sector at the Lower Normandy Crédit Agricole Bank of Caen. The Committee was able to run through its plans for getting everyone to back the event just 18 months before the actual start of the Games.

Laurent Beauvais, president of the Normandie 2014 Organising Committee, along with Fabien Grobon – managing director, and representatives of the regional equestrian authorities (the Regional Equestrian Committee, the Lower Normandy Horse Industry Council, and the Hippolia Foundation for equine research and innovation) made the most of the occasion to review what had already been done and to prepare the major stages of the next 18 months. Those involved in the project were keen to highlight the importance of mobilising the support of the entire region in addition to the equine sector. The idea is to make this event a popular, sporting celebration so that the economic and social benefits for the region will be maximised for the coming 15 years.

« L'Elan des Jeux » (Run up to the Games) : a unifying regional project

As well as being a unique opportunity for Normandy to write a page in the history of top-level equestrian sport, hosting the Games is all part of a serious development strategy for the whole region. It is with this in mind that the call for project initiatives was launched by Luc Avril, the Lower Normandy Council territorial project manager. It is hoped that this will incite people to suggest their projects and to play an active part of the momentum that the Games will generate.

There are currently several thousand sports-related and cultural initiatives on the table, as well as social, non-profit and educational organisations that all stand to be rewarded and given official endorsement. These initiatives should promote Norman excellence, popularise both the event and equestrian activities and encourage an eco-friendly and innovative event.

All the Norman supporters wishing to get involved in the promotion of the Games and equestrian sports in Normandy, on a not-for-profit basis, have until 5 May 2013 to submit their candidature on the www.elandesjeux.fr website (French-only website). The results will be announced from June 2013 onwards.

A 15-year legacy: « Beyond the Games »

This mobilisation should create a long-lasting heritage and breathe new life into the region. Seventeen strategic projects all linked to the Games or to the Games’ partners are going to be set up. They should go towards creating a positive image of Normandy as a region full of vitality. These projects will concern infrastructure/land development, tourism, research, promoting Norman and French excellence in terms of equine research, economy etc They will give prominence to a whole set of values; values that are dear to the Norman people and for which they are proud of. They will be the ambassadors of a truly attractive region. ,

Now is the time to get everyone together for what will be an exceptional year. An expected 500,000 visitors will all be playing a part in the biggest equestrian competition in the world!

Check the official website « Elan des Jeux » www.elandesjeux.fr (French-only website) for further information concerning the territorial project and the call for initiatives.

Great Britain: Endurance GB to run 'Try before you buy' scheme again for 2013

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Madeleine Pitt

8 March, 2013

A scheme run by Endurance GB (EGB) to let people experience competitive endurance riding before becoming a full member of the organisation, will continue for the 2013 season following its success last year.
“Try before you buy” — which was started in 2011 — offers free registration for a horse and rider so they can take part in two competitive novice rides up to 40km before committing to membership.

“[The scheme] has become so popular we have decided to continue it for 2013,” said Endurance GB’s Jo Claridge.

“The number of people wanting to take up endurance riding is increasing all the time, making it one of the fastest growing equestrian disciplines...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/389/316151.html

Namibia: Anib Lodge hosts endurance ride

Namibian.com.na

By: STAFF REPORTER
07.03.13

THE Kalahari Endurance Riding Club held its annual endurance ride at Kalahari Anib Lodge on March 2.

Only one of the 29 horses entered for the event did not complete the 80km course.

For newcomer Charles Versfeld from South Africa it was his first endurance ride and he completed it successfully with the support and encouragement of his fellow riders. He was riding the 2011 African Championship winner Manna from Gawie Viljoen’s Zabubega Arabian stud at Keetmanshoop.

Pupils from the Keetmanshoop Private School also performed well in the event.

De Lange Kotze, the route marshal for the day, and Paul Brand, chairman of the Kalahari Endurance Riding Club, had high praise for the route preparation done by Jaco Visser of Kalahari Anib Lodge.

The veterinarian Dr Iris Pack said she was impressed with the condition and fitness of the horses that took part in the ride.
The riders finished in the following order: 1,5km Juniors - Kaylain Visser on Asanib Schatina;

31,5km Senior Standard - Dgini Visser on Edel Delta (first), Jacqueline Nadler on Asanib Isis (second), and Jeanette Swart on Asanib Ismitta (third); 44,5km Juniors - Lizel Pretorius on Toney and Engela Louwrens on Coby;

44,5km Senior Standard - Zaryda Loubser on Que Pasa Sharaf, Elders Corporate on Forest, Reinolt Schurz on Tirat Natan, and Bart Steyl on Baladi;

64,5km Juniors - MJ Garbers on Jomarein Samir;

64,5km Senior Standard – Raymond Schierschmidt on Edl Agbahr Kader, Tobia Kruger on Que Pasa Aziz, and Gabriel van Wyk on Tir’at Jazz;

86,0km Juniors - Zanté Viljoen on Zabubega Shaker, Chané Viljoen on Zabubega Sharat, Philip Knupp on Jahan Sabiha and Jaedene Steenkamp on Zaridha;

86,0km Senior Liggewig - Agarob Matlatla on Kaya, Johannes Swartbooi on Brarab Manasse, Henning Steyn on Zabubega Marzouk, Josef Waters on Karan Shah, Frans van Wyk on Tirat Irex and Johannes Hakskeen on Sheikh Sabaah;
86,0km Senior Standard - Paul Brand on Xanadu, Gawie Viljoen on Zabubega Kahmad and Charles Versfeld on Zabubega Manna.

Australia: Horsing around in Imbil

News-mail.com.au - Full Article

6 March 2013

ENDURANCE horseriders in the Mary Valley will get their last chance to qualify for the famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup National Championship at the Easter carnival hosted in Imbil this year.

To qualify for the national championships held in Kilkivan competitors can participate in the new feature event, a 160km Tom Quilty Queensland Qualifier race, at the Easter carnival from March 28 to April 1.

Far-A-Way Riders 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."

Endurance horseriders from across Australia will join international competitors at Imbil this Easter to compete in a huge endurance riding program.

The carnival is developed by event organiser the Far-A-Way Riders Association.

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

Read more here:
http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/horsing-around-in-imbil/1780188/

February 2013 Arabian Horse Int'l

Arabianhorseintl.com

The February 2013 issue of Arabian Horse Int'l is out.

Stories feature Khalifa Al Jahouri: Champion of HH The President of the UAE Cup for JYR; 31st Brazilian National Arabian Horse Show: Endurance training and metabolic thresholds; and Meg Wade: Never Say Never.

See the full copy here:
http://www.arabianhorseintl.com/magazine/digital_magazine_fev_2013/

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser meets Simon Brooks - Ward

BNA.bh

05/03/2013

Manama, March 5 (BNA) -- Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met Simon Brooks-Ward, Event Director and Producer and discussed general procedures for Bahrain’s participation in the 2013 Royal Windsor Horse Show, to be held in the UK from May 8 to 12.
Bahrain is organising an international endurance horse ride on May 12 in the UK on the sidelines of the five-day show.

The ride is one of a variety of equestrian competitions that will take place over four consecutive days in this year's festival, which has a wonderful mix of International Carriage Driving, Showing, Equestrian Displays and first class Jumping.

During his meeting with Brooks-Ward, Shaikh Nasser emphaised that Bahrain’s taking part in this prestigious festival comes in compliance with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad to extend the kingdom’s active presence in international sporting events.
Shaikh Nasser added that the decision was also to highlight Bahrain’s development achievement in different areas, especially in sports, affirming that Bahrain has made a significant step in preparing for its participation in the festival.

The Supreme Council chairman noted that the Bahraini delegation will look to make the most of their presence in the UK during the four-day festival, by promoting Bahrain as one of the countries that featured a quantum leap in different areas.

Both parties also reviewed Bahrain’s preparations to organize the endurance ride on May 12, with several prominent riders from Bahrain and other countries expected to take part.

On his part, Brooks-Ward affirmed that the show organizing committee is keen to make Bahrain’s participation in the UK a very special experience, besides providing ideal conditions for the activities and programmes that will be organised by the Bahraini delegation during the race.

The meeting was also attended by Royal Court chief Abdulla Al Rumaihi, Royal Ceremonies head Khalifa Al Fadhala, Royal Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan and director of Shaikh Nasser Media and Information Centre Tawfeeq Al Salehi.

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

There are classes for the grass roots competitor right through to top international riders, besides 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.
EM
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.
One of the most important driving events in the UK - The Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix with an FEI World Cup Qualifier for the Four-In-Hand class – will also take place during the festival.
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.
EM