Spain: Jauma Punti Wins Gold Medal in European Championship Raid

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

[google translation]

September 16 2013

On the official website of the Catalan Federation of Equestrian, have published Jaume Punti triumph in the European Championship 2013 in Most Raid and the Silver Medal won by the Spanish team.

This is the news:

The Jaume Punti, new European champion RAID

The Catalan rider, Jaume Punti, has achieved Gold medal in the European Championships of RAID, which was held during this weekend in the Czech town of Most. In addition to the gold medal, the Spanish team also added the silver medal in a team of Jaume Punti, Laia Muixí and Javier Cervera.

The new European champion, competed on the back of Quran The Ulm, getting make the journey in a time of 7 hours, 42 minutes and 40 seconds, beating Jean-Philippe Frances Qrafik The Majorie and Kamila Kart with Raila des Sables, which finished second and third respectively. The also Catalan Laia Muixí, made a good tournament, finishing in eleventh place, while Javier Cervera, was ranked fourteenth.

For teams, the Gold Medal, would finally for the France, while Spain achieved the silver medal, while the bronze would be for the Italian team.

Source: FCH.
Greetings from Gabriel.

Royal Cavalry shines in Czech endurance race

Omantribune.com

MOST (Czech Republic) Rider Abdullah Bin Said Al Siyabi astride ‘Punjab’ of the Royal Cavalry, passed the stages of the Europe Open Endurance Championship, held at Most city in Czech Republic. The 160km race saw the participation of 91 riders from 23 countries.

The Royal Cavalry team for the event comprised of five riders, who qualified for the finals of the championship after passing international races, which were organised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

Brigadier Abdul Razaq Bin Abdul Qadir Al Shahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, said the participation of the Royal Cavalry at the finals of the Europe Open Endurance Championship is an achievement for the Royal Cavalry as the team was thoroughly prepared to continue its good show at various international events.

He added that six riders from the Royal Cavalry qualified for the World Endurance Championship 2014 to be held in France.

Major Sinan Bin Sulaiman Al Abri, head of the team, said the participation of the Royal Cavalry riders at the Europe Open Endurance Championship came after they passed international races, besides taking part in major European races, which will benefit the technical team to assess the level of the team before participating at the World Endurance Championship 2014.

Oman News Agency

Australia: Saddling up for Biggenden ride

Abc.net.au - Full Article

16 September 2013
By Ross Kay

In the middle of the bush, miles from anywhere, a track winds through the gum trees and rocky terrain around Biggenden.

Riders on horseback make their way through the course, intent on finishing with a fast time, but also cautious of not pushing the horses too hard.

This is the core idea behind endurance riding; finish the course, but look after the horse.
"Basically you're looking at taking your horses over a set distance and bringing the horse back in a healthy, fit condition," said Brett Wright...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/09/16/3849763.htm?site=widebay

Australia: Riders muster up strength for long trek

Examiner.com.au - Full Article

By PETER SANDERS Sept. 14, 2013

ENDURANCE riders from around the country competed at yesterday's North-East Equine Endurance Club Aayan Dubai 120-kilometre endurance ride.

Lebrina's Shannon Hill won in what organiser Carolyn Foley described as a ``very fast'' six hours and 38 minutes, from Alex Jones, of Queensland (7:28), and Ellie Maddick, of Railton (8:14).

Ms Foley said that Hill's winning time was a little over an hour more than some people had to take to complete an 80-kilometre ride...

Read more here:
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1776825/riders-muster-up-strength-for-long-trek/?cs=12

Spain's Jaume Punti is 2013 European Champion

September 14 2013

Adbulla Ghanim al Marri of the UAE has won the open division of the 160-km 2013 European Championship at Most, Czech Republic, riding Nikos in 6:41.53, at an average of 21.2 km/h. Finishing in second place 18 seconds later was the UAE's Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum, riding Yamamah (Kurrajong Concorde).

Finishing 3rd, and winning European gold, and the European Championship, were Spain's Jaume Punti Dachs, riding Quran el Ulm, in 6:42.28.

Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa of Bahrain finished 4th, riding Dhab, in 6:42.32.

For more coverage, photos and results, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/CzechRepublic/2013EuropeanChampionship/

FEI Endurance Strategic Planning Group Holds First Meeting

Thehorse.com

By Edited Press Release
SEP 12, 2013

The Endurance Strategic Planning Group, which was set up following a round table session at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 24, held its first meeting via teleconference on Sept. 10.

The group, chaired by Andrew Finding (GBR), consists of Brian Sheahan, BVSc, MACVSc, (AUS), chairman of the FEI Endurance Committee; Jean-Louis Leclerc (FRA); Saeed Al Tayer (UAE); Joe Mattingly (USA); and the FEI’s Ian Williams (endurance director) and Graeme Cooke, MA, Vet MB, MBA, MCIM, MRCVS, TD (veterinary director).

“Together we reviewed the FEI Bureau’s direction to us and considered the mission statement we have been given,” Finding said. “We have all agreed that we are comfortable with accepting that mission statement and working to achieve the objective which is to create an environment within which athletes compete in the spirit of fair play while horses compete in partnership with human athletes where at all times their welfare is of paramount concern. The mission statement says, ‘The strategic plan for endurance over the decade 2013-2023 will define a global rate of growth for the sport; growth that is manageable and effectively supervised by the FEI and (national federations). Increased levels of participation, more events and improved standards are to be encouraged where all (national federations), athletes, trainers, officials, and organizers adhere to and promote the highest 'Clean Sport' standards and meet the FEI Code of Conduct for the welfare of the horse.’

“This was a really good and positive meeting in which all members of the group provided valuable input with a determined commitment,” he continued. “Every member has undertaken to add detail in their area of special insight and knowledge over the next two weeks. We will review this work when we meet for our first face-to-face session in the first few days of October. Progressively through September and October we will develop the draft strategic 'plan in outline' which we will reveal at the endurance session which will take place on Nov. 6 in Montreux (Switzerland) in the framework of the FEI General Assembly. As we move through our work, Dr. Brian Sheahan and Ian Williams will be consulting the FEI Endurance Committee.”

Sheahan added, “I am very happy. We have already made a big step forward.”

Bahrain: Royal Team ready for European ride

Gulf-daily-news.com

September 13, 2013

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team is set to compete in the 2013 FEI Open European Championship, scheduled to take place tomorrow in Most, Czech Republic.

Leading the kingdom's riders will be Royal Endurance Team Captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa as well as Al Khalidiyah Stables leader Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The ride is 160 kilometres in distance and it will be divided into six stages. The first will be 31km, the second 25km, the third 35km, the fourth 31km, and the final two phases will each be 19km.

Around 90 participants are entered in the event representing 22 countries.

Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid both arrived at the venue yesterday. They went directly to undertaking their final preparations for the event, which is set to feature many of Europe's leading endurance riders plus many from across the GCC and the rest of the globe.

Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid both expressed their confidence in Bahrain's riders doing well in tomorrow's ride.

The team has recently been outstanding in their most recent participations across Europe, which included a fine showing in the territory of Normandy in France, where Bahraini ace Raed Mahmoud finished as the overall runner-up amongst an international field of competitors.

Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid added that the European ride can only be beneficial for the team as they continue to gear up for bigger global races, culminating with the world championships where they hope to be amongst the very best.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa is also in Most to attend the event. He said yesterday that the European championship is a great opportunity for Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team to showcase their abilities at a top-class event and wished the entire team, especially Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid, success in tomorrow's race.

The veterinary examination will take place today in Most, along with the other final preparations for the ride.