France Haras sires up for lease not sale

Bloodstock.racingpost.com - Full Article

BY ALASTAIR BOND 11:29AM 7 JUL 2014

NETWORK, the sire of Champion Chase hero Sprinter Sacre, will be available for lease – not for sale – following a change of heart by the French government.

It was announced in June that Network and his fellow French National Stud stallions were to be offered at the Arqana December Breeding-Stock Sale as part of a complete dispersal of the France Haras stock, but after negotiations between breeders’ representatives and minister for agriculture Stephane Le Foll, the state has decided to remain owner of the stallions but offer them for lease...

Read more here:
http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/france-haras-sires-up-for-lease-not-sale/1685440/top/

Italy: No investigation into endurance horse death

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

The Italian Horse Protection Association (IHPA) is “upset” that there will be no further investigation into death of a Maktoum-owned endurance horse after a ride last August.

The Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) — which IHPA first approached 9 months ago — has finally advised no federation rules were broken.

Sonny Richich of the IHPA asked both FISE and the state authorities to intervene after Django De Vere died in a clinic in Sardinia...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/no-investigation-into-endurance-death/#m9bJYO5v89xDV7L3.99

Disbanding the French National Stud

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

July 4, 2014
Pamela Burton

4 July 2014, France ~ The recent announcement of the sale to private parties of some of the last stallions from the historic French National Stud seemed like the final nail in the last horseshoe of a 300+ year-old model—that was working.

The continued sell-off of stallions from pedigrees that served the French Cavalry, won tournaments of endurance and stamina, were tested for speed and came out champions, and became the backbone of the breeding industry of France, has been cause for alarm in the French breeding industry.

In a last-minute effort to save the remaining horses, a proposal to the Minister of Agriculture has been made to continue the genetic legacy that has been nurtured for over three centuries. A group of top officials have penciled a recommendation that would not sell, but would lease stallions of the National Stud, leaving them under the ownership of the people of France. This proposal is on the table and is awaiting offers from qualified breeders, according to the French news agency...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2014/07/04/disbanding-the-french-national-stud/

2014 WEG: Volunteers' Meeting: a day full of surprises!

Normandy2014.com - Full Article

Friday 04 July 2014 - 08h40

Over 1,000 volunteers gathered on Saturday, June 28th in d'Ornano Stadium for the "volunteer's meeting" of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ™ 2014 in Normandy. And they were right, as the afternoon was pretty amazing!

To start the day, volunteers attended a presentation of their duties during the Games. The opportunity to recall the key role that each of them will have to play to make this seventh edition of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games a success.

Many other guests then made presentations based on four tables related to each of the values ​​of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ™ 2014 in Normandy - respect, openness, achievement, transmission. For each presentation, one or several guest speakers, and the crowd couldn't believe what was happening when both Pierre Durand and Nelson Pessoa, two legendary Jumping riders, appeared to talk about a value they know more than well: achievement !...

Read more here:
http://www.normandy2014.com/news/briefs/537/volunteers-meeting-a-day-full-of-surprises

Spain: Shortlist for the World Endurance Championship in Normandy (FRA).

July 1 2014

Riders shortlisted are:

- María Álvarez + QUALIF DU PONCELET

- Jordi Arboix + MYSTAIR DES AUBUS

- Javier Cervera + STRAWBLADE

- Ruth Comas + SUNIT DU COLOMBIER

- Robert Diez + ESPOIR DE BOZOULS

- Laia Muixi + VAINCRE KOSSACK

- Jaume Puntì + RAMSES DE LA ROTJA

- David Serrano + DOCTOR DEL RIERAL

- Ángel Soy + FOR XINXETA

- Cristina Yebra + GIROLA DE QUERCUS

Canada Awarded 2015 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships

Horse Sport July 3, 2014

Equine Canada and Endurance Canada are pleased to announce that the 2015 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships, a race 120km in length, will be held in Millbrook, ON, at Cayuse Creek Ranch.

The competition will be held in Ganaraska Forest, southern Ontario’s largest conservation area. The forest has over 11,000 acres of treed area and over 600 km of trails. The advantage of this venue is that there will be no public roads and only proven horse friendly private landowners. The course will be designed for mostly double track flat trails which will maximize the speeds for the horses and minimize any hazardous trail conditions.

“The Organizing Committee is looking forward to hosting this prestigious event at Cayuse Creek Ranch,” said Bob Coleman, the Championships’ organizer. “It will be an honour to have some of the best endurance horses and riders from North, Central and South America at this event here in Ontario.”

“This event will do much to promote this amazing equine sport, as well as highlight the athleticism of the Arabian horse, the breed of choice for endurance racing, but will also showcase the recreational and tourist attractions of the area,” continued Coleman. “The race will take place through the beautiful Ganaraska Forest, which I believe is the best venue in Ontario for endurance racing with its wide selection of trails – from flat, sandy and fast to narrow, technical ones. Roadwork is minimal on the course, which is important for safety reasons.”

The public is invited to spectate free of charge at the Pan American Endurance Championships, and will be tentatively held the week of July 6, 2015 to correspond with 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

Horse Sport, Canada

Australia: Life in the Saddle - Alywn Torenbeek

ABC.net/au - Full interview

Broadcast: 29/06/2014 12:17:17 PM
Reporter: Pip Courtney

In the bush, no-one likes a skite. But while modesty's an admirable trait, it's kept many with fascinating lives from writing their memoirs.

Alwyn Torenbeek's a good example. Despite an extraordinary life, it took years of badgering from his family before the 77-year-old retired drover agreed to put pen to paper.

At just 21, he was Australia's bronc-riding champion, known for his bravery, natural talent and cheeky showmanship. But his biography is about more than fame. There's adventure, tragedy, romance and mateship, and that indomitable bush trait, endurance.

An endurance riding camp has its own pace. There's plenty of time to catch up with mates and swap stories, some of them tall.

At Alwyn Torenbeek's camp, you're assured of a yarn or five.

Few in the camp realise this genial grandfather's tales aren't tall, they're true. But this old bloke is in three halls of fame - Rodeo, Stockman's and Equestrian...

Watch the video here:
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2014/s4035229.htm