FITS announces five riders selected for 2014 WEG

 Elite FITS riders to represent US, Canada at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
 
July 1, 2014, Portland, Oregon, USA — FITS, inventor of the most athletically advanced riding breech on the market, is proud to announce that five of FITS team of elite riders have been selected to represent the United States and Canada in the upcoming 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
 
Horse and rider combinations were selected based on a few criteria. These included their previous international experience, the horse and rider’s drive to win, and performance in the 2013/2014 competition season, with emphasis placed on dressage scores and cross country scores, among others.
 
Representing Canada at the World Equestrian Games are FITS riders: Hawley Bennett-Awad from Langley, British Columbia, with her mount Gin & Juice, a 2000 American Thoroughbred. She is joined by Selena O’Hanlon, from Kingston, Ontario and her 2003 Canadian Sport Horse gelding Foxwood High. Rounding out the third FITS rider representing Canada is Jessica Phoenix, from Cannington, Ontario, and her horse A Little Romance, a 2005 Canadian TB /Trakehner mare.
 
Not to be outdone, two FITS riders will be representing the United States at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Eventer Kim Severson, from Charlottesville, Virginia will take along her horse Fernhill Fearless, a 2000 Irish Sport Horse gelding. FITS endurance rider Meg Sleeper, from Frenchtown, New Jersey, along with her 14-year-old Arabian Mare Syrocco Reveille will represent the USA Endurance team.
 
Confirming the reputation for excellence and comfort that FITS has built over the years, the entire team USA Endurance at this year’s Alltech World Equestrian Games will be wearing Treads AS Lite breeches. The uniquely designed breeches with rubberized full seat ink dots optimizes a rider’s grip and stability in the saddle, an absolute must-have for long endurance racing.
 
“We are so proud of our elite FITS riders who will be competing at this year’s World Equestrian Games,” said Sheryl Rudolph, founder of FITS. “Seven women athletes were chosen for the two eventing teams, and we dress over half of them! We are also very happy to have fitted out the men and women on team USA Endurance with our Treads AS Lite breeches. We wish all of our FITS athletes good riding!”
 
With the exceptionally talented and dedicated FITS riders already world-renowned for their international eventing careers, this year’s WEG is sure to be one to watch.
 
For more information about FITS clothing, including their technically advanced breeches, please visit FITSriding.com.
 
ABOUT FITS
 
FITS (“Fun In The Saddle”) launched in 2005, bringing to market the original patented PerforMAX™ top-performance technical breech that continues to revolutionize the way riders connect with their saddle, their horse, and their riding experience. Today FITS has a well-deserved reputation as inventor of the most advanced athletic wear for the English rider, with a full range of exceptional performance clothing for year-round riding. FITS is sold widely throughout the USA, with growing availability in Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Holly Davis, Horsefly Group
770-674-4675  holly@horseflygroup.com

France: Lignieres CEI** 130 km

6/14/2014

The Royal Endurance Team of Bahrain dominated the CEI** 130 km ride at Lignieres, France on 14 June 2014.

Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa finished first aboard Raja du Roc'h in 5:32.46 for an average speed of 23.440 km/h. Following were Fahad Helal Mohammed Al Khatri on Pegase D'Altus in second place in 5:33.45, Jaafar Merza Abdulnabi Hassan on Presage de Crouz in third place in 5:33.46, and Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Zayed on Ramses El Quibi in fourth place in 5:33.47.

37 of 69 riders completed the course.

Photos by Osama Mohammed are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112590388649341553131/LignieresFranceCEI130Km6142014OsamaMohammedPhotos

2014 Nordic Baltic Championship

Nordic Baltic Championship in Froland, Norway – 28th June

by Leonard Liesens

This year it was Norway's turn to welcome the Nordic Baltic Championship, after Estonia last year. This championship gathers the Scandinavian (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland) and Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).

The Nordic Baltic is not only for endurance, as competitions of show jumping and dressage took place in the same province. The endurance event took place in the picturesque region of Froland, in the south of Norway ( enchanting lakes, rocks and forest).
The trail was challenging with gravel roads, forest pads and plenty of ups and downs. It hasn't rained in this part of Norway for weeks, so everything was dry as was the going in most of the course.

There were near fifty couple at the start of the two competitions: a CEI** of 120km for seniors and a CEI* of 80km for juniors.
Coached by the Belgian Leonard Liesens, the Norwegians clinched the gold medals in the two categories: juniors and seniors, team and individual. As the President (Per Anders Owren) and the Sport Manager of the Norwegian Federation were attending an endurance event for the first time, one couldn't dream about a better outcome for the day.

The CEI** was won by of one of the most experienced horse of Norway, Shah Nahim ridden by Vidar Ydstebo while the CEI*YR first place was won by Rita Eiesland riding Ka Piaget Virkku. Actually there were exactly the same horses winners as last year in Estonia.

Hunterdon riders make short list for World Equestrian Games team

By Lillian Shupe/Hunterdon County Democrat
July 01, 2014

Local equestrians are one step closer to going to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games later this summer.

Oldwick resident Sinead Halpin was named to the three-day eventing team. She will ride Manoir De Carneville Syndicate’s Manoir de Carneville. Halpin was a strong contender for the Olympic team two years ago but did not make the final cut.

Ballynoe Castle RM, a horse owned by Tewksbury Township residents Carl and Cassandra Segal, also made the team. He will be ridden by Buck Davidson.

Eventing has three phases — dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

Tewksbury Township native Doug Payne had his eye on a spot on the three-day eventing team but did not make the list. He and Halpin however, were named to the High Performance Summer/Fall Training Lists.

Both made the “World Class” list, meaning the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) believes they possess the ability to be competitive anywhere in the world. They will participate in training sessions with US Eventing’s Chef d’Equipe, David O’Connor.

Dr. Meg Sleeper of Kingwood Township has been named to the “short list” for the endurance riding team by the USEF.

She is currently ranked third on the list aboard Syrocco Reveille, a 14-year-old Arabian mare. If something happens and that horse can’t compete, Sleeper’s other horse Syrocco Cadence, an 11-year-old Arabian mare, is the first alternate.

Sleeper was one of two riders who represented the United States at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games endurance test event last summer. The ride was held at Sartilly in Manche, France.

Endurance rides are generally 50 to 100 miles long. Horses go through several thorough veterinary exams before, during and after a race. Heart rates, respiration and temperatures are closely monitored. Only horses deemed fit to continue at each vet check are allowed to keep going.

The World Equestrian Games will be held Aug. 21 to Sept. 9 in Normandy, France.

Hunterton County Democrat

Horse endurance trail riders flock to Wyanet

6/26/2014
NewsTribune photo/Katlyn Rumbold

WYANET — What began as a way to give back to the horse industry five years ago has transformed into one of the most popular annual endurance horse races in North Central Illinois to date.
This weekend, June 27-29, horse enthusiasts will gather just northeast of Wyanet to take part in the sixth annual ‘My Back Yard’ horse ride co-managed by Lori Windows and Jennifer Allen, both of Bureau County.
‘My Back Yard’ is a weekend of trail rides and endurance races running through the scenic hills, creeks, timber and fields of the county. The event is open to all levels of horse riders.
“On Saturday, we offer a 50-mile endurance ride and a 25-mile limited-distance,” Windows said. “We also offer a 12.5-mile drive and a 12.5-mile novice ride.”
The 50-mile endurance ride will begin at about 5 a.m. followed by the 25-mile limited distance at 5:30 a.m. then the 12.5-mile novice ride after that, said Larry Allen, who is hosting the ride on parts of his land. “Every ride is open to everyone,” said Windows. But for somebody who hasn’t conditioned their horse frequently Allen advises,
“They might want to try the novice ride. Some people may think they’re ready for 25 miles, but haven’t done the proper conditioning.”
Distance riding is one of the few equestrian sports where beginners and longtime champions can compete on an even field, riding anywhere from 10 to 100 miles in a given race. It is a sport for everyone who loves horses and riding, regardless of age, breed of mount, and experience level.
“Distance riding is what we do,” emphasized Windows. She has ridden more than 40,000 miles in competition, having competed at all levels including the World Equestrian Games.
“We can’t have a sport if somebody doesn’t offer to manage rides,” Windows said. “It’s a lot of work, but I think anybody who rides and/or enjoys this sport should pay it back somehow. A lot of our help are other riders.”
Distance riding is also one of the only animal sports that animal rights groups accept, as the horse is and always will be the first priority. If the horse seems too hot or sore, it won’t compete, Allen said.
“Those are professional veterinarian opinions,” he said. “Not just someone off the street.”
In fact, while endurance racing, competitors are required to stop at designated “vet-checks” to make sure their horse is performing properly. If the vet finds something wrong, they’re required to stop.
Dr. Wes Elford will be the head veterinarian at this year’s race. Windows said he has been all over the world checking horses at both world and national championships.
Awards will be given to competitors placing first through sixth. Camping will be available for those staying throughout the weekend.

To ride or just help with the race, call co-manager Lori Windows at (815) 878-4555.
For directions, call host Larry Allen (815) 866-3565.

Illinois Valley News Tribune

Australia: Tahnaya Mercieca finishes in top 10 at the NSW junior endurance riding championships

Westernadvocate.com.au - Full Article

By SAM DEBENHAM June 26, 2014, 4 a.m.

Eglinton rider Tahnaya Mercieca has, for the second year in a row, finished in the top 10 at the NSW junior endurance riding championships which were held last weekend in Wisemans Ferry.

Mercieca, who is just 10 years old, was onboard her purebred Arabian Malleegrove Quaarma for nearly two-thirds of a day as she completed the 160-kilometre trek.

She was fifth for the junior division, taking a total of 18 hours, 23 minutes – minus a vetting time of 3h30m for a total ride time of just under 15 hours.

Her mum Michelle even went to the lengths of trying to talk her daughter out of competing given the wet and miserable conditions, but the youngster, who has been riding for five years, wouldn’t be deterred...

Read more here:
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/2376595/tahnaya-mercieca-finishes-in-top-10-at-the-nsw-junior-endurance-riding-championships/?cs=12

Australia: Taking on the (horse) world

Gleninnesexaminer.com.au - Full Article

Jennifer Annetts and Churinga Goldfire or one of Jennifer’s other endurance horses are a common sight riding along Red Range and Glen Legh Roads in the later afternoons and weekends, but this is no casual canter.

Jennifer has been selected in the five-rider team to represent Australia in the endurance event at the World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy, France in August, and she is in training to optimise her performance in the gruelling 160 kilometre one-day event.

The World Equestrian Games is the largest equestrian event in the world, celebrated every four years (alternating with the Olympic Games). Endurance is one of eight equestrian disciplines contested.

Jennifer was involved in Glen Innes Pony Club as a youngster but has gone on to specialise in endurance events, taking her (and her support crew including mum Trish) all over Australia. Endurance rides may vary from 80 to 160 kilometres over one day, and there are marathon rides of two days of 100km rides and the annual Shazada event of 80km on each of five consecutive days...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/2374802/taking-on-the-horse-world/?cs=420