New Zealand: Smiths in frame for France

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

FAYE LOUGHER
20/06/2013

Following their success at the national endurance championships, Andrea and Georgia Smith have both been named in the endurance high-performance programme squads for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France.

The Smith family from Mangaweka did the trifecta at the national championships at Easter, with mother Andrea winning the CEI 3-Star 160km, daughter Georgia the CEI 3-Star Junior Youth 160km, and younger sister Brigitte the CEI 2-Star Junior Youth 123km. All three were also awarded best conditioned prizes for their horses.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) high performance director Sarah Harris said as far as she could determine, it is the first time a junior has been named in the senior squad and also the first time a mother and daughter had both been selected.

"They are at a very high level, they operate so professionally - the whole family really, from Murray through to Brigitte. It's a really exciting time for them as a family and also for the sport, to see some really talented riders coming through..."

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/8819258/Smiths-in-frame-for-France

Endurance doping: Time to draw a line in the desert sand?

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Neil Clarkson on Jun 20, 2013 in Equestrian Sports, News

People do not need to be rocket scientists to realise how easily a sport’s reputation can be damaged by drug scandals.

One only has to look at cycling to see how repeated and high-profile drug infractions can trash a reputation. Once lost, recovering that reputation can be a long and difficult process. The commercial damage can also be considerable, as sponsors tend to see little value in supporting a tarnished sport.

The sport of endurance is facing just such an uncomfortable truth: that if it does not start to make serious inroads into drug infractions in the Middle East, the sport’s reputation could well sustain lasting damage...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/06/20/endurance-doping-draw-line-in-sand/#axzz2XBCVY89W

Shaikh Nasser will lead today some of Bahrain's finest riders at 6th edition of Best Endurance Dillingen

BNA.bh - Full Article

6/22/2013

Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa today (JUNE 22) will lead some of Bahrain's finest riders at the sixth edition of the Best Endurance Dillingen 2013 in Germany.

The event, due to take place at the Military training area in Dilingen District, will see more than 60 riders from around the world vying for glory, including members of the Bahrain Royal Team.

This day-long festival consists of three races over 80 km, 120 km and 160 km, as the Bahraini team members are all lined up in all three rides.

The 160km ride will be divided into six stages, including 35km each for the first and second stages. The third and fourth will be over 25km each, while each of the remaining fifth and sixth stages will cover 20km.

Spearheading Bahrain in this ride will be Shaikh Nasser, along with Abdulrahman Al Saad, Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Yaqoub Al Hammadi, Hood Buchiri, Isa Al Hazza, Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Mohammed Al Khatry...

Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/566723

Omani Ghaleb Al Said rides high at Czech Republic Championship for Endurance

Omantribune.com - Full Article

PRAGUE An Omani rider did Sultanate proud by winning the Czech Republic International Championship for Endurance.

Riding Ostora (legend), HH Sayyid Loay Bin Ghaleb Al Said clinched the six-stage 160-kilometre race comfortably.

“I cannot describe my feeling when I saw the Sultanate flag being fluttered at such an international stage” Loay said after the race.

The recently-concluded race saw participation of riders from nations across the Europe.

The Omani rider said that the race was not an easy one as the topography of the track was very difficult and he also faced tough competition.

The race was held under the supervision of International Equestrian Federation. It is also one of the approved races to gain qualification for the Endurance World Cup, which will be held at Normandy City in France, next year.

The endurance race was held over as a six-stage competition testing the skills and technicalities of the rider.

The race was split into 27 kilometres, 27 kilometres, 33 kilometres, 27 kilometres, 27 kilometres and 18 kilometres.

Loay comes from the Al Said Stables for Equestrian and has brought laurels for the Sultanate by wining such a crown at a famed international platform...

Read more here:
http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=146911&heading=Sports

Spanish Shortlisted for the World Young Riders in Tarbes (FRANCE)

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

[google translate]

June 24 2013

Spanish Shortlisted for the Raid World YR / J

Today, Monday, the deadline for submission of entries registered in the Raid World Championship Junior / Young Riders. Ten pairs listed in Spanish, which will five representing our country on July 27 Ibos-Tarbes (France).

National coach Ignasi Casas, is scheduled to make two tests with these pairs before communicating the July 15 final list: the first on June 29 Casserres (Barcelona), the second, from 12 to 14 July, between the same locality and around Vic, coinciding with a test for shortlisted for the European Championships Absolute.

Shortlisted Spanish:

Guillermo González / “Camerupt”
Núria Serrabassa / “Casba”
María Ledesma / “Tra Druida”
Cristina Yebra / “Calzadilla”
Paula Muntala / “Amalee”
Ivet Pi / “Pink Floid”
Arnau Cabanas / “Djam Djou”
María Dulcet / “Lucero Miki”
Raquel Busquet / “Chester de Graells”
Agda Muixi / “Ourasi de Cassa”

Shaikh Hamdan wins endurance ride in Italy

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Congratulated by Nahyan after leading UAE clean sweep of podium positions

Staff Report — With inputs from WAM Published: 16:49 June 17, 2013

Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, won the 120 kilometre endurance ride held in Italy on Sunday.

Shaikh Hamdan led a 1-2-3 clean sweep for the UAE when he finished first on Qhashmyr On Hazel. Abdullah Al Ghanim Al Marri on Wozzeck At Thaal was second, while Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri on Dac Dayre was third.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, congratulated Shaikh Hamdan for his success against the top 80 European riders...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/shaikh-hamdan-wins-endurance-ride-in-italy-1.1198394

Great Britain: Grey Medlar still has plenty of horse power

Tavistock-today.co.uk - Full Article

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

STAYING power is a quality that West Devon endurance horse Grey Medlar has in spades and who at the age of 22 still remains as competitive as ever.

It is quite an age for any horse but Grey Medlar is still winning 50 mile endurance races and was the Endurance GB Supreme Champion when ridden by 18 year-old Abby Chisholm in 2012...

Read more here:
http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/sport.cfm?id=20278&headline=Grey%20Medlar%20still%20has%20plenty%20of%20horse%20power