Australia: Wagin riders put to the test

Waginargus.com.au - Full Story

By JAMES TAYLOR Feb. 26, 2014

LOCAL endurance riders have begun preparing following a decision to host famous Tom Quilty Gold Cup in Wagin later this year.

Announced last year, the premier horse ride will see riders flock to Wagin from around the world to take part in the event on October 3, 4 and 5.

Described by longtime Wagin endurance rider Anita Lunt as "the pinnacle of equine endurance", the event tests the mental and physical strength of horse and rider, requiring competitors to travel a distance of 160km within 24 hours.

Riders leave Friday night, pushing to complete the gruelling course before midnight on Saturday...

Read more here:
http://www.waginargus.com.au/story/2112865/wagin-riders-put-to-the-test/?cs=1665

Meydan Group to Sponsor 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

HORSE SPORT FEBRUARY 26, 2014
BY: HORSE-CANADA.COM

The Meydan Group has signed on to sponsor the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, which will be held August 23- September 7 in Normandy, France.

Malih Lahej Al Basti, vice-chairman of Meydan Group, said statement: “We are pleased to demonstrate [our passion for equestrian sports] through our role as an official sponsor of the Games. This is a prestigious competition that is truly international in its reach. The event provides Meydan with an excellent means to communicate our role in equine sports and highlights our exciting commercial ventures here in Dubai...”

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/meydan-group-to-sponsor-2014-alltech-fei-world-equestrian-games/

Changes in saddle at Godolphin to ensure Dubai operation’s firm hold

Thenational.ae - Full Article

Geoffrey Riddle
February 25, 2014

A Godolphin restructure was inevitable. From a small, elite band of equine talent when it started in 1992 under the guidance of Simon Crisford and Saeed bin Suroor, the international stable has mushroomed into an enterprise that spans the world.

The equine empire of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, goes beyond the Royal Blue silks of Godolphin, which have raced in more than 16 countries.

The huge Darley Australia operation and a blossoming presence in Japan is a growing aspect to Sheikh Mohammed’s global outlook.

The racing and breeding operation is without comparison and has moved to address the shortcomings exposed by last year’s Mahmoud Al Zarooni doping scandal...

Read more here:
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/changes-in-saddle-at-godolphin-to-ensure-dubai-operations-firm-hold

New Zealand Neurologic EHV-1: Seven Horses Euthanized

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Erica Larson, News Editor
Feb 10, 2014

New Zealand's first reported neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak has claimed several equine victims on the one affected property. As of Feb. 2, 13 horses on the property had been affected by neurologic EHV-1, Andre van Halderen, principal adviser for the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), told The Horse via e-mail received Feb. 7.

"Of the 13 horses, seven have been euthanized," he said. "The other affected horses are receiving supportive care..."

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33373/new-zealand-neurologic-ehv-1-seven-horses-euthanized?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=breeding&utm_campaign=02-16-2014

UAE to host World Military Endurance Championship

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won at inaugural event last year
Staff Report
Published: 18:41 February 24, 2014

Dubai: Leading military endurance riders from over 20 countries will vie for top honours in the second annual CISM World Military Endurance Championship, which will be held in Dubai next month.

The international event, sponsored by Meydan pillar partner International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) and organised by Meydan Group’s Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC) alongside the military sport body CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) and the UAE’s Ministry of Defence, will take place on March 6...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/uae-to-host-world-military-endurance-championship-1.1295289

Great Britain: Royal Windsor Horse Show secures series of prestigious international events for this year's show

Localberkshire.co.uk - Full Article

24 Feb 2014

THE biggest outdoor equestrian extravaganza in the country will become even bigger as it hosts a series of prestigious international events.

For the first time, Royal Windsor Horse Show has been granted prestigious Concours Hippique International (CHI) status meaning this year the event will feature three, international three-star rated jumping and dressage competitions attracting some of the top horseriders from around the world.

The five-day event will take place from May 14-18 in the grounds of Windsor Castle and will feature hundreds of competitions in showjumping, dressage, driving and endurance with the three-star rated Concours de Dressage International (CDI) and Concours de Saut International (CSI) competitions taking place on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings of the show promising to be a highlight...

Read more here:
http://www.localberkshire.co.uk/news/windsor/articles/2014/02/24/97984-royal-windsor-horse-show-secures-series-of-prestigious-international-events-for-this-years-show/#sthash.whCP4sAy.dpuf

2014 Normandy: Interview with Mathieu Collet, an orchestrator of the Games

Normandy2014.com - Full Article

Tuesday 18 February 2014 - 15h02

After multiple experiences working at some of the world’s greatest sporting events, Mathieu Collet joined the Organising Committee of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy on 19 June 2013 as Site Manager for the Exhibition Centre, the Zenith and the Games Village. His role is to coordinate the requests of the Committee’s different departments in order to ensure that the event takes place in the best possible conditions on these 3 sites. With 35,000 visitors predicted in the Village every day, and tens of thousands of spectators expected for the Vaulting and Reining events, Mathieu is a very busy man!

Mathieu, which events did you work at before joining the Games adventure?

At the beginning, I worked in classic corporate event planning. Then I dipped my feet into the world of sport at the Rugby World Cup in 2007. I was in charge of layout and fittings on the Cardiff site, and I really loved the atmosphere and excitement that prevailed within the Committee. So I continued in the same thread by working in volunteer recruitment and management for the opening and closing ceremonies of Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria, artists’ transport for the Asian Cup in Qatar (equivalent of the Euro), and entertainment for the Arab Games in 2011 (equivalent of the Mediterranean Games). In 2012, I worked as site manager for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, before working for the Taewando's Sports Operationsat the London Olympic Games in 2012...

Read more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/articles/269/interview-with-mathieu-collet-an-orchestrator-of-the-games