Great Britain: Chairman resigns from Endurance GB

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

29 May 2014

Endurance GB (EGB) has suffered its 2nd high-profile departure in 7 months with Karen Collier’s resignation as chairman.

The announcement came just days after H&H revealed the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) was negotiating with Saeed Al Tayer, chief executive of Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan corporation, about its renewed investment in the UK, prior to having demonstrated improvements in the conduct of the Middle Eastern sport that provoked last year’s scandals.

EGB did not participate in the initial discussions but was aware of them. Its spokesman declined to comment on whether the chairman’s decision was connected with this, and said: “Karen Collier has decided for a number of personal reasons that she is unable to continue and is leaving the Board.”

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/karen-collier-resigns-endurance-gb/#DhUpm2SDtbqymqXz.99

France: Thin endurance horse passed fit to race ‘horrifies’ riders

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

30 May 2014

Horse sport’s governing body has defended the inclusion of an exceptionally thin horse in the 160CEI at Compiègne, France, last week (23 May).

A photograph of the horse — described as “disturbing” by a leading equine welfare charity — was widely circulated on social media.

The FEI has not confirmed the horse’s identity, but it is understood to represent one of the Middle Eastern teams based in Europe for the summer.

The main outcry centred on a Facebook group for endurance specialists, who are familiar with the sport’s tough demands, but were “horrified” and “ashamed” by the horse’s appearance at the initial inspection.

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/thin-endurance-horse-passed-fit-race-horrifies-riders/#pfb1PXuOdkmo6CUM.99

New Zealand: Endurance seminar kicks off World Equestrian Games fundraising

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on May 27, 2014

Fundraising to get New Zealand’s endurance team to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games has started in earnest, with a seminar in Christchurch among the first of several events around the country.

More than 30 spectators attended Sunday’s seminar, a fundraiser for the New Zealand team which is sending five riders and their horses to France for the Games in Normandy later this year...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2014/05/27/endurance-seminar-weg-fundraising/#ixzz337C6u7gN

France: Skeletal images of endurance horse Shakla’s Sudden Impact sparks outrage in equestrian community

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

International Equestrian Federation told to tighten rules after pictures emerge of emaciated horse who was passed fit to compete at World Equestrian Games

By Pippa Cuckson
9:51PM BST 28 May 2014

The International Equestrian Federation is under increasing pressure to tighten its rules on endurance racing after controversial images emerged of a “skeletal” horse competing in a 100-mile race in France.

Vets have described the picture of Shakla’s Sudden Impact, from Bahrain, as “disgusting” while a leading horse welfare group called for a more rigorous enforcement of safety rules.

Shakla’s Sudden Impact was passed fit to race at Compiègne by the same judges who will officiate at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy in August.

The horse ran 46 miles before being withdrawn by vets, but the pictures which sparked the furore were taken before the start of the race...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/10861031/Skeletal-images-of-endurance-horse-Shaklas-Sudden-Impact-sparks-outrage-in-equestrian-community.html

France: Enduring Abuse

Equinerescuefrance.org - Full Article

Posted by Jenny on May 26, 2014

There’s yet more disturbing news coming out of the world of International Endurance.

On May 23, an emaciated horse was passed fit to compete at the initial vet check.

SHAKLA’S SUDDEN IMPACT, ridden by RAED MAHMOOD, was competing from the stables of the

ROYAL ENDURANCE TEAM of BAHRAIN.

This photo understandably began to go viral across the internet, including into the inbox of the President of Compiegne endurance, Christian Depuille.

The Courrier Picard wrote an article, I’ve put the translation of his response here;

“This is the first time we’ve had to address this type of criticism ,” he says. « The photo is taken in backlight. The light brings out the hips and the withers. But if you look at an Ethiopian marathon runner, you will find them equally thin! The horse in question is certainly not fat, but perhaps is naturally like that, and it has been prepared for the competition. In any case, I was at the veterinary control and did not noticed it.”

And Depuille insisted:
“All the horses are inspected before, during and after endurance races. If a veterinarian determines that an animal can no longer continue, he stops it...”

Read more here:
http://www.equinerescuefrance.org/2014/05/enduring-abuse-2/

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