FEI Round Table Session Plan To Bolster Endurance

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

July 31, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

July 30, Lausanne ~ The July 24, 2013 round table session on the sport of Endurance, held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), ended with unanimous approval by attendees and full support for the strategy mapped out for the discipline by the FEI.

The 22 delegates – which included representatives from Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the European Equestrian Federation, the FEI Endurance Committee and FEI Headquarters – agreed that, globally, all efforts will be made to reduce the numbers of horses testing positive for prohibited substances and suffering injuries.

Following open discussion involving all parties, and agreement that the current rules – when fully implemented – already serve the sport well, the group recommended a plan of action for the FEI Bureau to consider, which includes:

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=7560

2013 Mongol Derby: Participants have Arrived in Ulaanbaatar

http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2013MongolDerby/

July 31 2013

Participants for the 2013 1000-km Mongol Derby have arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and will begin their race training August 1-3. The race begins August 4th across the Mongolian Steppe, and will last approximately 10 days.

USA Rider Devan Horn has posted updates from Ulaanbaatar:

July 31:
Mongol Day 2: Naran Tul and Bus Rides!

My second and last free day in the capitol started with a trip to Naran Tul, the local black market. This market is so large, it regularly hosts 60k people and sells everything you could possibly imagine. I spent hours there, occasionally meeting up with a couple of riders, and promptly getting lost in the rows of stalls. In the afternoon, I amused myself with more walking of the city, and riding the different busses. Bus fair is about 10 cents American, and a great way to learn and meet people. This evening, about ten of us met for drinks at the Ramada’s bar. The first day of Derby Training starts tomorrow! I find Ulaan Bator fascinating and exciting…but I am more than ready to start riding!!!

July 30
Day 1: The flight and the capitol!

My flight from Houston to Beijing was awesome, mostly because I got 3 seats in a row empty, so I shamelessly slept the whole way. I got held up in the Beijing Airport because I had to wait for the ticketing office to open, and then because security wanted to check my entire derby kit piece by piece (I assume to make sure I didn’t forget anything!). I could write a novel about Ulaanbator. Think 80’s industrial city, surrounded by a slum where every other house is actually a felt tent! Horses, cows, dogs, and birds weave through traffic and people even in the city’s heart. The dogs are smart-they look both ways before crossing the street and know that I am soft hearted/carrying beef jerky. I don’t think there are any traffic laws here at all. I hiked for about 4 hours today exploring the city and people watching. The food pretty much sucks-I’m going to have to stop sharing my jerky with the feral dogs!

July 28
Well, I'm sitting in the Houston Airport, about to say goodbye to US soil for the 3rd time this year. My parents and Scott drove me to the airport and turned me loose. I raised a little hell trying to get packed today-may or may not have committing a 3rd degree felony. I guess its a good thing I'm going to Mongolia! Great way to start my trip! I'm so freaking excited!!!

For updates on the Mongol Derby, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2013MongolDerby/

New Zealand: High Performance Appointments

NZEquestrian.org.nz

22/07/2013 1:46:56 p.m.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) announces the appointment of the following High Performance personnel effective immediately for a period to the end of December 2014:


Endurance - High Performance/WEG Chef d’Equipe – Tony Parsons
Tony Parsons brings a wealth of elite Endurance knowledge and experience to this role which will see him lead the campaign for the selected Endurance Team NZ rider/horse combinations that will compete at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games, enabling Team NZ to meet its performance targets and compete to the best of its ability. Tony will also become a member of the Endurance HP Panel. Tony, also ESNZ’s Veterinary General, has excellent experience at international Endurance events including as Olympic and WEG Team Vet for both Endurance and Eventing in the past.

Endurance - High Performance/WEG Vet – Nick Page
Nick Page has been successful in being reappointed to this role, which he has held since 2010. Nick is responsible for providing equine health leadership to the ESNZ Endurance HP Programme, squads and team members which will enable Team NZ to perform to their peak during training and at international competition including the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Nick sits as a member of Endurance HP Panel and has significant experience of elite Endurance through his equine clinical veterinary background, previous international team experience and frequent role as head of the veterinary commission at FEI rides in NZ.


Jumping – High Performance/WEG Chef d’Equipe – John Cottle
John Cottle has been appointed as the WEG Chef d’Equipe for Jumping and will lead the campaign for the selected Team NZ Jumping rider/horse combinations that will compete at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. John has a wealth of experience as a rider, coach and Chef d’Equipe to numerous NZ teams at international event over many years.

John has recently also been appointed by the Jumping Board as the Chef d’Equipe for the trans-Tasman senior and young rider tests in Melbourne in September. John will sit on the new Jumping High Performance Panel and have a direct involvement in the Jumping HP programme as well as the WEG campaign.



Endurance - HP Selectors – Kevin James & Tony Haywood
Kevin and Tony have been reappointed to their roles as the Endurance HP selectors, a position that they have both held for the last two years. The HP Endurance selector’s role is to effectively select Endurance HP Squads and Endurance HP Teams for international competitions (including WEG 2014).

New Zealand: Trails of Endurance

Times-age.co.nz - Full Article

Gerald Ford
30th Jul 2013 9:21 AM

MIDWEEK

Knowing your horse is the key to endurance riding, according to the president of the club responsible for an early season event at Clareville on Sunday.

Wairarapa Endurance and CTR Club held the early ride mainly to qualify young horses in the sport - before a rule change comes into force in August.

Thirty-one riders from as far north as Maramarua and Reporoa and across to Otaki came to participate.

Most of the riders and their horses - 19 of them, hit the road as early as 7am for the 40km ride - a frosty start to the day.

There were half-a-dozen riders each for the 25km category and the 15km fun ride.

President Shane Dougan said during the long training rides, "you really get to know your horse", and this becomes key during competitive events.

"You've got to read your horse; you've got to know when to back off and when to push - there are a lot of tactics involved."

However, Mr Dougan said that entry level in the sport "is very easy and anybody can have a try"...

Read more here:
http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/trails-of-endurance/1964036/

World Endurance Champion for Junior & Young Riders 120km won by UAE’s Kahlifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

July 28, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

Tarbes, France ~

New Champion in the Family

He made his father proud. The 2013 World Champion of the 92 horse field for the seventh running of the World Endurance Championship for Junior & Young riders was 14-year old, Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, who won the Gold Medal on Niac Armor in the ride time of 06:34. Young Khalifa had the best of coaches, his father, rider and horse trainer, Ali Khlafan Al Jahouri, reigning European Open Endurance Champion.

Especially of note for the win by this mare was that she is by the stallion, Fadasir, whose sire, Persik is an endurance legend, and especially well- known in this area of France. The twelve-year-old mare was bred by Olivier Yvon at Haras Les Chevaux d’Armor.

The senior Al Jahouri spoke to the press after the ride. “I am very happy to bring this horse back to France. This mare is very tough and I liked her from the first and we are lucky to have her. We try hard to keep her in good condition but it is very difficult in the desert as it is so hot…but finally it does seem we did a good job...”

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=7513

2013 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors

Barbara Miller/FEI Photo Horse-canada.com

HORSE SPORT JULY 29, 2013 | 0 COMMENTS
BY: FEI

Host nation France stormed to team gold at the FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 in Tarbes at the weekend (July 27th), with 14-year-old Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE) and Niac Armor clinching the individual title.

Riders, horses and crews from 28 nations were tested in hot and humid conditions at the venue in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the world-famous pilgrimage site of Lourdes, where July temperatures are usually a moderate 24ºC. On the day of this year’s Championships, they peaked at 34ºC – just four degrees below the highest recorded temperature in Tarbes, but thanks to good horse management and sensible riding there was close to a 60% completion rate.

Combinations from all continents
With each continent of the world represented in the quality field, there was no knowing who would finally clinch the sought after podium positions, when the 86 combinations crossed the start line at 6.30 on Saturday morning.

The track was made up of four loops with a wide variety of terrain and many challenges, all made even tougher by the soaring temperatures and humidity. On the 36.6 kilometre first loop, riders took advantage of the rolling track and cooler conditions to cover it at a good speed. Less than 3.5 minutes separated the top 30 horses at Vet Gate 1, with all athletes arriving within 30 minutes of the leaders.

The UAE made their intentions for the day clear with their five riders in the top six, and the UAE’s Khalifa Ali Khalfan al Jahouri headed into the second 30.5km loop in the lead having covered the initial stage at 19.58kph. But with a much tougher stage ahead of him, it remained to be seen if he could hold onto the advantage.

As the temperatures continued to rise, and on a hilly, stony track, 11 combinations failed to qualify for the third stage. The UAE continued to dominate, looking equally strong in the team competition, but with a number of other nations hot on their heels the competition was far from over.

Loop 3 was considered the toughest of the day, measuring 32.1km, and in soaring temperatures (34ºC) and high humidity. The arrival into Vet Gate 3 saw a change in the leader. Quick presentation times were so influential throughout the day, and a speedy time here ensured that the sole Australian representatives, Erin Krahnen and Emily Jones TE, were first out on to the last loop, if only by a couple of seconds. The experienced 10-year-old grey mare, inched into the lead with just 21.1km to go on the final loop. Emily Jones TE is more often seen competing with Alexandra Toft (AUS) and the pair successfully completed last year’s Senior World Championships in Euston Park (GBR). Unfortunately for Toft, she had to withdraw her own mount from this year’s Championships prior to the event due to lameness and could only watch from the sidelines as her compatriot left on the final stage to battle for gold.

Final loop decider
The final loop was certainly competitive, with a front group of UAE horses setting a cracking pace. At this stage they still held top position in the team competition and, it seemed, were in line to take the individual honours too. Their dream however was not to be, however, when only one combination of the leading group passed the final vetting. Al Jahouri (UAE), who had been in the front running with Niac Armor from the very beginning, clinched the title, following in the footsteps of his father, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE), who took victory in the Open European Championships in Florac (FRA) in 2011. It must have felt like a home-coming for the winning horse, the talented grey mare Niac Armor, which started its international career in France some years ago.

The silver and bronze were still up for grabs and crowds waited excitedly at the finish line to see who would be claiming the next on the podium. The Dutch combination of Marijke Visser and her wonderfully consistent 10-year-old gelding Eomer took silver following a storming final loop at 23.4kph. This incredible pair finished 17th in the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2011 and stepped up to fourth in last year’s European Championships in Mont-le-Soie (BEL). With the 2013 medal now in the bag, and with one year left as a Young Rider, she must be wondering if that elusive gold medal is on the cards next year when the European Championships moves to Italy.

The final step on the podium was taken by Krahnen (AUS), whose mount Emily Jones TE also took the coveted Best Condition title. The pair held onto third despite Oriana Ricca (URU) with Talita Kumi 50 and Kelsey Russell (USA) on My Wild Irish Gold closing in on the final stages but ultimately, Ricca and Russell had to settle for fourth and fifth.

Déjà-vu for teams
The team competition was, as always, hotly fought and in the end saw a replica of the 2010 European Championship podium, with France scooping team gold yet again, followed some distance behind by Belgium (silver) and Spain (bronze).

The 2013 edition of the FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors saw the initiation of a new formula for the team competition. All Nations can now enter five athletes without the need to declare a team. The top three positions from the five count for the team score – but now medals are only medals are awarded to the three athletes whose scores have contributed to the final result.

It was a family affair for the home squad, as Roman and Morgane Lafaure came across the line in sixth and seventh, followed closely in ninth by compatriot Robin Cornely, ensuring that France remained supreme, and now holds both the European and World titles. Their total time of just 19:44:49 put them almost one hour ahead of Belgians (Olivia Antoine, Louna Schuiten and Raphael Van Cauter), who finished just 10 minutes ahead of bronze medallists Spain (Agda Muixi Crusellas, Cristina Yebra Altimiras and Yvette Pi Masnou).

FEI Endurance Director Ian Williams praised the management of the horses throughout the day and was very pleased with the level of the competition: “This Championship was technically challenging, both in terms of the track and the weather conditions we were faced with, but it was a real privilege to see the youth of our sport caring for their horses so well and producing such great results”.

Results
FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 – Teams: GOLD – France, 19:44:49 – Petra Cabirat (Roman Lafaure); Rhial Cabirat (Morgane Lafaure); Rusty James (Robin Cornely); SILVER – Belgium, 20:40:22 – Wigor ZA (Olivia Antoine), Nasrik de Rendpeine (Louna Schuiten), Okba de Chaussy (Raphael Van Cauter); BRONZE – Spain, 20:50:32 – Oursai de Oassa (Agda Muixi Crusellas), Calzadilla (Cristina Yebra Altimiras), Pink Floid (Yvette Pi Masnou).

FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2013 – Individuals: GOLD – Niac Armor (Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri) UAE, 06:00:34; SILVER – Eomer (Marijke Visser) NED, 06:13:05; BRONZE – Emily Jones TE (Erin Krahnen) AUS, 06:21:10.

2013 Junior Young Rider Best Condition to Australia's Emily Jones TE

7/28/2013

In addition to winning the individual bronze medal at the YRJ WEC,
Emily Jones TE, under Australia's Erin Krahnen, won the Best Condition Award in Tarbes, France yesterday. TE Emily Jones is bred and trained by Peter, Penny, and Ali Toft of Toft Endurance.

For more on the race see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2013JYRWEC/