Middle Eastern countries boycott International Equestrian Federation conference on endurance racing

Footage of multiple rule breaches in a 120km ride in Bahrain has provoked outrage and renewed concerns that Middle Eastern countries are not embracing the clean-up of endurance racing.

The footage was revealed on social media as stakeholders from the region boycotted the global conference called to debate the crisis in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The conference was the latest stage of the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) strategy to address doping and horse injuries in the high speed version of endurance practised by Middle Eastern countries, where stables owned by Sheikh Mohammed have been at the centre of scandals highlighted in the past 12 months.

But none of their member federations was present to hear about drastic proposals primarily aimed at them.

Read more...

Endurance: “I believe that we need to stay as one sport”

The FEI says there is a broad consensus among endurance nations on the future direction for the sport, but views are mixed are whether there should be different rules for the more aggressive distance racing which finds favour in the Middle East.

Delegates from 23 countries have met in Lausanne, Switzerland, for a one-day endurance conference, where they showed strong support for most of the recommendations for reform proposed by the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG), formed after several FEI member nations voiced concern about welfare issues and the worrying number of drug infractions in horses centred on Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain – all members of FEI regional group 7.

Read more...

UAE teen bags Dh100,000 and 4X4 in Al Wathba Endurance Ride

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Ramona Ruiz
February 8, 2014

ABU DHABI // Sixteen-year-old Saeed Al Harbi beat a field of 141 horse riders to win this year’s Al Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride on Saturday.

The teenager, who was riding Rashka, scooped Dh100,000 and a Toyota Landcruiser after finishing first in the race held at the Emirates International Endurance Village.

“I’m so happy to win this race,” said Emirati Mr Al Harbi. “I will give the car to my brother Hamad, who is 20.”

Mr Al Harbi, who has been training for two years, covered the distance in four hours, 21 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 27.569kph to cross the finish line 47 seconds ahead of runner-up Rashid Al Baloushi...

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-teen-bags-dh100-000-and-4x4-in-al-wathba-endurance-ride#ixzz2sqFxK3cA

Sabrina Arnold tops FEI World Endurance Ranking for 2013

Germany's Sabrina Arnold top the standings for the Open Riders World Endurance Ranking for 2013. The UAE's Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri was second, with France's Virginie Atger in third. USA's Cheryl Van Deusen ranked sixth.

In the Open Combination World Endurance Ranking, Sweden's Maria Hagman-Eriksson and Al Tayar topped the list. Japan's Toshiaki Hirohashi and Lucky ranked second, with Uruguay's Miguel Meireles and EO Shadi third. Two USA riders ranked in the top ten, with Cheryl Van Deusen and EBS Regal Majjaan in fourth, and Melody Blittersdorf and Synthetic in fifth.

In the Junior/Young Rider division, Malaysia's Azizatul Asthma Dato' Haji Abdullah ranked first, with Uruguay's Maria Pereira in second and Joaquin Stirling in third. Three USA riders ranked in the top ten: Christina Kimery in sixth, McCamey Kimbler in seventh, and Taylor White in eighth.

In the Junior/Young Rider Combination World Endurance Ranking, Uruguay's Frederic Maidana and JQ Zarial ranked first, with USA's Taylor White and Hoover the Mover in second. Chile's Paula Llorens Clark was third.

India: Ahmedabad: Horse’s heartbeat key to entry in race say cops

DNAIndia.com - Full Article

February 7, 2014 - 22:57 IST | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
Abhishek Samuel

The upcoming Mahakali Ashwa Mela at Ambod is slated to be a decorated affair, with participation of as many as eight policemen from the state and 70 personnel from the Indian Army. These teams will ride alongside nearly 100 civilian equestrians from the country in the endurance race at the event, which kicks off on Sunday.

The eight participating cops from the state police include joint CP of special branch & additional director of anti-corruption bureau (ACB) Shamsher Singh along with mounted division police inspector LF Vasava and mounted PSI MS Barot among others. Singh, an avid equestrian, said that they have been training regularly and rigorously over the past fortnight for the event.

“A horse needs to be physically in tune with its rider and have the stamina to be able to finish the race. This has been our primary goal throughout the recent training. During the qualification round, the horse’s heartbeat is constantly monitored to see if it is normal. In case of high heartbeat, the horse may be disqualified for health reasons,” he explained.

As a cautionary tale of the heartbeat’s importance, one need only glance at the state police’s participation in the same event last year. Only one of the participating state police horses was cleared to race, while the rest were all disqualified due to high heartbeat...

Read more here:
http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-ahmedabad-horse-s-heartbeat-key-to-entry-in-race-say-cops-1960102

Bahrain: Riders set for Endurance Race Cup

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

February 08, 2014

BAHRAIN'S best riders will participate in HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Endurance Race Cup, which kicks-off at 7am today at Bahrain International Endurance Village.

The championship will comprise two race-categories, the 120 kilometer race (five stages, 30, 30, 24, 20, 16 km) and the 80 km qualifying race (three stages, 30, 30, 24 km).

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee president and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the organisers' efforts to ensure the success of the race, while he visited the veterinary examinations for participants' horses. The examinations were conducted by international experts at the village yesterday.

Shaikh Nasser said that the Royal Endurance team will be tough competitors for the title, wishing the best for the rest of the contenders...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=370185

Abu Dhabi: 120km Hamdan endurance ride set for Saturday

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Elite UAE riders to compete in Al Wathba race that boasts Dh1m prize fund
WAMPublished: 17:37 February 6, 2014

Abu Dhabi: The Hamdan Bin Rashid Festival 2014 Al Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride (120km) will take place from 7am on Saturday at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The race, which is run under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, will feature an elite group of riders from stables across the UAE

The prizes, whose value totals Dh1 million, will be distributed between the riders who complete the five stages of the race, as well as the award of a sports utility vehicle for the champion...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/120km-hamdan-endurance-ride-set-for-saturday-1.1287537