Great Britain: Timeform lambast BHA over handling of Godolphin steroids scandal

Theguardian.com - Full Article

British Horseracing Authority urged to widen drug testing and seek greater control over vets

Tony Paley - theguardian.com
Tuesday 1 April 2014

British racing's rulers have come in for stinging criticism from the respected Timeform organisation over their handling of the Godolphin steroids scandal last year.

The comments are made in the latest edition of Timeform's Racehorses annual covering the 2013 Flat racing season and will make for uncomfortable reading for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Timeform argue that the damage caused by the Mahmood al-Zarooni case will take "years to repair" and call on the BHA to widen the scope of its drug testing and seek greater control over vets involved with racing stables. "Any sport that fails to police its doping problems with the utmost rigour pays a heavy price," they conclude...

Read more here:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/01/timeform-godolphin-steroids-scandal

AERC Takes Action As International Endurance Abuses Continue

Chronofhorse.com

Original article appeared in The Chronicle of the Horse

As the sport of endurance has grown more popular, so have the cheating and welfare issues, and the American riders want to protect the sport they helped create.

BY ERIN HARTY

This is a story of international intrigue, of power and influence, of drugs, cheating and preferential treatment.
It involves sheikhs, princesses and cowboys, viral Internet videos and lumbering bureaucracy.

It’s also the story of how the participants and enthusiasts of perhaps the most organic of all the international
equestrian sports—the pursuit of riding a horse as fast as you safely can from point A to point B across natural terrain—are trying to save the sport from its own success. This story begins in the deserts of the Middle East and ends in a conference room in Atlanta where people who share a common interest in endurance all agree there is a problem and are having a healthy debate about how to fix it.

Are you intrigued yet?

To follow this story, let’s start at the beginning...

Read full article:
Erin_Harty_Article_on_AERC_to_FEI_Motion.pdf

Australia: Endurance ride back by popular demand

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

The Neville Endurance Ride is back by popular demand.

On the 5th and 6th of April this beautiful and historical little town will be host to many horse and rider combinations all setting out to enjoy riding around the beautiful pine forests on sandy tracks, in great company.

Camping will be at the shady show ground with all general amenities, come kick back and enjoy some nice scenery.

The Lachlan Endurance Riders Club (LERC) have taken up the task with locals from the Blayney/Carcoar area in particular Marjorie Trudgett (who has put heart and soul into this event) Also to Di Luker who is Secretary and helped with tracks, etc. Together a strong and effective team is ready and prepared to welcome horses and riders to Neville...

Read more here:
http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/2179535/endurance-ride-back-by-popular-demand/?cs=594

New Zealand: Kiwis aim to make big impact at WEG 2014

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Mar 27, 2014

New Zealand Equestrian Sport’s High Performance leader Sarah Harris says it’s a “real shame” that the country won’t have a dressage rider at the upcoming FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games in France, but the discipline’s focus is now on the Rio 2016 Olympics and beyond.

Sole “A” squad rider Vanessa Way has retired her mount, KH Arvan, after the horse failed to bounce back as well as expected following an operation.

But Harris said the results from the young combinations at the recent Horse of the Year showed the sport had an exciting future...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/03/27/kiwis-aim-big-impact-weg-2014/#ixzz2xAp3MRU8

Scotland: Endurance riders in Penninghame Forest

Gallowaygazette.co.uk - Full Article

26 March 2014

Scottish Endurance Riding Club

Dumfries Branch

The above branch held a successful endurance ride in Penninghame and Glenrazie Woods recently.

Many thanks to the Forestry Commission at Newton Stewart for the use of these tracks and also for clearing all fallen trees in order for the riders to use the tracks. Also local residents for putting up with the horses and riders around their homes and sharing their walking areas for part of the day...

Read more here:
http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/endurance-riders-in-penninghame-forest-1-3353771

Australia: Harden Up Endurance ride evokes spirit of the bush

Hardenexpress.com.au - Full Article

March 25 2014

ENDURANCE horse riding evokes the spirit of the bush according to Fia Hasko-Stewart, the organiser of the Harden Up Endurance Ride and Carnival, which was held in town on the weekend.

She said long-distance riding was something that was common in earlier days and many country people spent hours in the saddle getting to their destinations.

Endurance riding was also about riders being able to 'listen' to their horses so they would how their horse was travelling and when to ease up...

Read more here:
http://www.hardenexpress.com.au/story/2166278/harden-up-endurance-ride-evokes-spirit-of-the-bush/?cs=12

UAE: Khloud Al Khoury claims glory at Endurance City

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham Al Gizouli / 21 March 2014

The brilliant rider covered the distance in 3hours,15 minutes and16 seconds at an average speed of 34.60km/ hour.

Qatar’s Khloud Al Khoury, on board SM Flow, landed the fifth edition of the Dubai Crown Prince Ride For Ladies, CEN 90km at the Seih Assalam Endurance City on Thursday.

The brilliant rider covered the distance in 3hours,15 minutes and16 seconds at an average speed of 34.60km/ hour...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/nationsports/2014/March/nationsports_March192.xml§ion=nationsports