France: Royal Endurance Team Captain lauds performance of Bahraini and Emirati riders

BNA.bh

25/5/2014

Paris, May 25 (BNA)-- Captain of Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the high performance of Bahraini horse riders in the 120-km held in Compiegne near Paris, in France. Nine Bahraini riders were among 144 contestants in the fray.

Shaikh Nasser said he was proud for the brilliant performance of his riders during the races in Compiegne. He pointed out that the team's participation in Compiegne championship followed their outstanding success in Windsor race, in Britain.

He described the 160-km and 120-km races as very enriching, emphasising their significance for future international competitions.

Shaikh Nasser noted the fierceness of this event in all its stages with some of the world's best riders in the fray, which added more excitement to the competition.

The Royal Team leader also congratulated riders from the UAE and other Arab countries which took part yesterday, and commended the efforts of their respective equestrian federations in the overall development of this traditional sport in the region.

He pointed out that he did not want to participate in the 120-km race to allow the Bahraini riders to benefit from the presence of the high number of competitors from all over the world and boost their self-reliance in such competitions.

The Royal Team Captain met the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and congratulated them on the leading places clinched by the Emirati riders.

France: Al Merri’s late charge seals UAE one-two

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Abdullah claims runner-up spot in 120km endurance race in France

Staff Report
Published: 20:39 May 25, 2014

Compiegne, France: Abdullah Ganem Al Merri on Quran El Ulm came up with a superb finish to win the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-sponsored Festival Mondial d’Endurance HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup ride in Compiegne, France, yesterday.

Completing a one-two triumph for the UAE was Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi on Laiza De Jalima, while French duo Marine Saignie on Qrafiq La Majorie and Ludovic Saroul on Magdan Solal were third and fourth. Another UAE rider, Ahmad Dahi Salem Al Muhairbi on Talik Ben Melfik, was fifth.

The HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup — named for sponsorship reasons but open to all riders — was run in four stages of 37km, 33.1km, 30.3km and 20.1km and a total of 121 horses started...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-merri-s-late-charge-seals-uae-one-two-1.1338405

France: Festival Mondial d’Endurance in Compiegne draws riders from 32 countries

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Event sponsored by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival

Staff Report
Published: 18:03 May 22, 2014

Dubai: Over 200 riders from 32 countries will vie for top honours in the 2014 edition of the Festival Mondial d’Endurance in Compiegne, France sponsored by the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

The overwhelming number of entries received for the event’s two feature rides ensures that it even surpasses the European Championship in terms of international participation.

A strong contingent representing the UAE will be seen in action in the 160-km CEI-O Three Star ride on Friday. The squad is led by Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hasher Bin Mohammad Thani Al Maktoum and Shaikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum.

This ride, which will act as a qualifier for the World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy in France from July 28, will be held over five stages of 39.4 kilometres, 36 kilometres, 34.4 kilometres, 30.3 kilometres and 20.1 kilometres each.

On Sunday, over 125 of the best lady riders will compete for the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup over 120km.
The event will also see classifications to decide the overall winners as well as the Nations Cup team toppers.
“We are delighted to be back here again and we thank His Highness Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation [FDF] and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for their support,” said Lara Sawaya, Director of the Shaikh Mansour Festival and Chairman of Ladies Racing at the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).
“It is a very busy period for the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival over the next fortnight.

“After the endurance rides here in France, the Festival will unveil the 5th edition of the World Arabian Racing Conference in London.

“Besides the three-day conference, an endurance ride and the two premier flat races [Newbury], the Festival will move to Sweden for the Stockholm leg on June 6.”

The HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society.

It is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Racing Post.

USEF Names Endurance Long List for 2014 World Equestrian Games

USEF has named 16 horse-and-rider combinations to the long list for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team

May 21, 2014 -- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named 16 endurance horse-and-athlete combinations to the Long List for 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. All combinations will be required to demonstrate continued preparation, soundness, and ability by attending one Fitness and Soundness Assessment. More information about these assessments will be available on USEF.org as it becomes available.

The following 16 combinations have named to the Long List (in alphabetical order):

Melody Blittersdorf (Jeffersonville, Vt.) with her own Synthetic
Synthetic is a 2000 Arabian gelding.

Willemina DeBoer (Hico, Texas) with her own Frisia Shaheen
Frisia Shaheen is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Lisanne Dorion (Williston, Fla.) with her own SH Sur Trad
SH Sur Trad is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

Valerie Kanavy (Fort Valley, Va.) with her own Just Gold
Just Gold is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Dr. Nicki Meuten (Zebulon, N.C.) and her own FYF Dutch
FYF Dutch is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

Ellen Olson (La Motte, Iowa) and Farzad Faryadi's Hot Desert Knight
Hot Desert Knight is a 2000 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Olson (La Motte, Iowa) and Amy Wallace-Whelan's Wallace Hill Shade
Wallace Hill Shade is a 2002 Half-Arabian gelding.

Martha Rattner (Paris, Ky.) and James Hay's Indepen
Indepen is a 2002 Arabian stallion.

Heather Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and her own Chanses
Chanses is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Heather Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Jeremy Reynold's RR Gold Dust Rising
RR Gold Dust Rising is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Heather Reynolds' Chanses
Chanses is a 2005 Arabian gelding.

Jeremy Reynolds (Dunnellon, Fla.) and his own RR Gold Dust Rising
RR Gold Dust Rising is a 2006 Arabian gelding.

Kelsey Russell (Williston, Fla.) and Valerie Kanavy's My Wild Irish Gold
My Wild Irish Gold is a 2003 Anglo Arab mare.

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Syrocco Cadence
Syrocco Cadence is a 2003 Arabian mare.

Dr. Margaret Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and her own Syrocco Reveille
Syrocco Reveille is a 2000 Arabian mare.

Amy Wallace-Whelan (Louisa, Ky.) and Dr. Nicki Meuten's FYF Dutch
FYF Dutch is a 2004 Arabian gelding.

The Selection Procedures for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Endurance Team can be found here: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allendurance/hpendurance.aspx.

Follow the U.S. Endurance Team here.
- See more at: http://www.equisearch.com/news/usef-names-endurance-long-list-for-2014-world-equestrian-games/#sthash.g8wk94lZ.dpuf

New Zealand: Tragedy an inspiration for mother

ODT.co.nz - Full Article

By Steve Hepburn on Wed, 21 May 2014

Susie Latta does not have to look hard for inspiration to help her endure a sport which takes up more than nine hours at a time.

Latta (44) has been selected in the New Zealand endurance riding team to compete at the World Equestrian Games in France in August.

The Nenthorn Valley farmer will make her international debut. Riders are required to cover a 160km course on one horse.

Latta is the mother of the late Dion Latta, a 15-year-old schoolboy who died after being trapped in a waterfall near Wanaka in early 2012.

On some chilly winter mornings, the thought of her late son motivated her to go out on her horse...

Read more here:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/303051/tragedy-inspiration-mother

New Zealand: Higgins has her eye on a podium finish at Games

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

20 May 2014

Alison Higgins almost gave up riding after losing the horse she took to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

But the 45-year-old sheep and beef farmer from Nelson, who also breeds horses, is back in the saddle and has been selected in the New Zealand endurance team to compete at the 2014 edition in France.

Higgins lost her horse Twynham El Omar at the 2013 national championships.

"I would have loved to take him to another WEG," said Higgins.

"When I lost him I didn't think I would ever sit on another horse again."

It took her four months to get back into riding, and she struggled in many ways.

But Northwinds Apollo (owned by Chris King) has given her a new lease on life...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/10068114/Higgins-has-her-eye-on-a-podium-finish-at-Games/

USA Endurance Riders look to compete at World Equestrian Games

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 19 2014
Pamela Burton

May 19, 2014, California ~ On April 20, USA Endurance hopefuls gathered at Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt, South Carolina, to take part in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team Selection Trial CEI2* 120km. The race was scheduled to take place April 19, but heavy downpours caused the race to be rescheduled to April 20 and run under a new format.

Under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross, 14 applicants for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games plus an additional three proxy riders riding in two groups headed out onto the three-loop trail which totaled 69.44km. Riders had to maintain a specified speed, use their GPS units, and work together as instructed. On April 21, all horses completed a post-event veterinary inspection.

Chef Ross was pleased with the results and the next step will decide the Nominated list by June 12...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2014/05/19/usa-endurance-riders-look-to-compete-at-world-equestrian-games/