Doping Scandal Rocks Middle East Endurance

Chronofhorse.com - Full Article

May 21, 2013
By: Staff

Prominent European federations are pressuring the Fédération Equestre Internationale to “clean up” endurance riding in the Middle East, citing the high incidence of doping and equine fractures in the area.

The Swiss Equestrian Federation is currently in strong correspondence with the FEI—some of which has leaked onto the web—saying the “negative evolution” of endurance is so unacceptable a breakaway sport should be considered. Belgian officials have complained about “unimaginable proportions” of leg injuries, and the French are asking for a clean-up before the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in their country to avoid “a welfare scandal at a major event.”

And while the FEI is understood to have already taken stronger action, including directly appointing some of the officials at rides in the United Arab Emirates from the start of their next winter season, the Swiss remain dissatisfied with the FEI response and last week made further written demands...

Read more here:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/doping-scandal-rocks-middle-east-endurance

Ireland: Castleruddery

Enduranceridingireland.com - Full Story

Event: Castleruddery

Date: Sun May 19 2013

Mountains, valleys, forests and rivers - it's no wonder our prehistoric forebearers chose to settle here and raise the mysterious and timeless standing stone circle at Castleruddery. All was just as beautiful and mystical for the setting of the recent ILDRA endurance ride, organised superbly (as usual) by Sam Hawkins and his capable team of helpers, Larry O'Neill, Nicki Boud-Tighe, Emma McCarthy and Gillian Moody, with the veterinary expertise of Barbara Fonzo available to assess the horses competing.

Sam had marked a route which made great use of farmland and forest tracks, taking in Fauna and Mulrew forests with the farthest reaches of the trail stretching into Drumreagh at the back of Church Mountain. The tracks were in the best condition possible, with several stretches greatly improved from previous years and there can be few more delightful canter sections on endurance rides than those situated within the scenic Glen of Imaal - particularly on a sunny day! The route rode very well indeed with enough challenging terrain to make it a true 'endurance' test. In addition to the marvellous scenery (and to keep the horses on their toes!), riders caught frequent glimpses of wildlife, including deer and hare...

Read more here:
http://www.enduranceridingireland.com/endurance-riding-ildra-event-report.php?id=289

Dubai’s ruler bans steroids as horseracing scandal widens

FT.com - Full Article

By Simeon Kerr in Dubai and Roger Blitz in London
May 23, 2013

Dubai’s ruler has banned the use of steroids in the United Arab Emirates as he seeks to stem the widening doping scandal at his Godolphin stables.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE prime minister, said he had ordered the drafting, with immediate effect, of legislation criminalising the import, sale, purchase and use of anabolic steroids in all horse-related sports.

“Regrettably, one of my stables in Europe has recently fallen below the standards that I expect and will tolerate,” he said in a statement. “I have always believed in the integrity of horseracing...”

Read more here:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/72d37cb8-c3af-11e2-aa5b-00144feab7de.html#axzz2UDChgNrl

Top UAE riders in French endurance event

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Al Jahouri father and son will be among those to compete on Friday and Saturday

Staff Report
Published: 21:23 May 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Nearly 200 riders and teams from 22 nations will in action over the next two days in Compiegne, France, with the support of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Many of the UAE’s leading riders, including European Open champion Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and his son Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, who has won many rides in the UAE this season, will be representing the Al Wathba Stables, which are owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The UAE riders will be taking part in the 160km ride on Friday and the 160km ride and Nations Cup on Saturday...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/top-uae-riders-in-french-endurance-event-1.1187769

Great Britain: Atrocious weather fails to stop Golden Horseshoe endurance riders

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on May 22, 2013

If it had been a three-day-event, it probably would have been cancelled, but the endurance riders at last week’s Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor are made of sterner stuff.

The 180 competitive riders a rode through mud, wind and rain in the worse weather the famous event has experienced. But the poor weather failed to put a damper on the riders, and as one official put it, completing the event was “a triumph over adversity”...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/05/22/atrocious-weather-fails-stop-golden-horseshoe-endurance-riders/#.UZ6m3WRAQUI

Australia: Enduro Annetts wins again

Gleninnesexaminer.com.au - Full Article

May 23 2013

Glen Innes endurance horse rider Jenny Annetts has recently broken a record and won an event.

The NSW state horse endurance ride championships was held in Manilla, near Tamworth a few weeks back and Jenny won the gruelling 160km event in a great time of 11 hours and 23 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/1521554/enduro-annetts-wins-again/?cs=420

Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team is supporting a 120km Endurance Horse Ride

BNA.bh - Full Article

23/05/2013

Manama, May 23 (BNA) -- Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team is supporting a 120km Endurance Horse Ride, part of the Compiegne Festival Mondial d’Endurance, to be held on Sunday at Compiegne near Paris, in France.

Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead a group of prominent Bahraini riders in this two-day festival, which also includes a 160km ride, set to take place today.

Shaikh Nasser will be racing alongside Yaqoub Al Hammadi, Raed Mahmood, Mohammed Abdulsamad and Abdulrahman Al Saad this weekend.

Fresh from their participation in the recently-concluded Windsor Show in the UK, the Bahrain delegation moved to Compiegne, a commune in the Oise department in northern France, ahead of today’s event, which is sponsored by Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.

Bahrain team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan had reached the French capital ahead of the team delegation arrival to ensure the completion of all matters related to the team participation and ensure smooth organization of the 120km ride...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/562094