Endurance Great Britain Announces New Board

Endurancegb.co.uk

26 November 2014

Endurance GB (EGB), the governing body for the sport of endurance riding in Great Britain, has announced its new and returning members of the EGB Board for 2014/15, including the re-election of John Hudson as EGB chairman.

The new Board was announced at the EGB AGM on Saturday 22nd November, with the highest number of EGB members on record participating in the vote for the elected team. The EGB Board for 2014/15 comprises 15 members, including Sue Box, Kerry Dawson, David Hirst, Harry Ingram and Jane Tennant being welcomed to the Board. John Hudson and Jo Claridge have both been re-elected.

As an accomplished rider, Sue Box has been involved in endurance for 16 years and is keen to encourage new EGB membership at all levels and riding ability. Kerry Dawson, from West Yorkshire, has a wide experience of endurance and wants to help improve the sport for everyone from grass-roots to international level. Businessman David Hirst has worked as a TS, FEI Steward and helper in endurance over the past 16 years, and crewed to international level. At 22, Harry Ingram is the youngest member of the Board and a vehement supporter of young riders. He served as Chair of the Young Rider committee in 2013 and having been involved in endurance for the past decade is keen to give something back to the sport he loves. Former rider Jane Tennant, mother of international rider Alex Tennant, is a life member of EGB and wants to help drive the expansion of the EGB membership. Re-elected member Jo Claridge has been part of the development of EGB from the outset and returns to the Board as Groups Chairman with a clear vision to further contribute to the growth and success of EGB.

Returning chairman John Hudson has been involved in endurance since 1988 and brings with him a wealth of experience in the sport. John recognises the potential for the growth of endurance and will continue to use his expertise to lead EGB and the sport for its members and for Great Britain.

John Hudson, EGB Board Chairman, said: “Each member of the Board shares the same passion for endurance and together we can actively work towards our strategy to enable more people and horses at all levels to enjoy the sport of endurance to the highest standard of excellence.”

The full EGB Board includes:

John Hudson, EGB Chairman
Pete Claridge, EGB Vice Chairman / Financial Director
Ann Dark, Company Secretary
Sue Box
Sue Broughton, Chair of International
Jo Claridge, Chair of Groups
Kerry Dawson, Chair of Technology
Brian Floyd Davis, Chair of Health & Safety
Jeni Gilbert, Chair Rides & Rules
Kevin Hawes
David Hirst
Harry Ingram
Constance Newbould, SERC Representative
Jane Tennant
Fiona Videla, Chair of PR & Marketing
Category :General

HM Queen Elizabeth II receives inaugural FEI Lifetime Achievement award

FEI.org

26 Nov 2014

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today became the first recipient of the FEI Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her leading role as supporter of equestrian sport throughout her reign as British monarch.

The award was presented to Her Majesty by FEI President HRH Princess Haya at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace this afternoon in the presence of former FEI President the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip, and Keith Taylor, Chairman of the British Equestrian Federation.

Horses featured in The Queen’s life from a very young age. She had her first riding lesson in the private riding school at Buckingham Palace Mews in January 1930, when she was just three years old and was given her first pony, the Shetland mare Peggy, by her grandfather King George V on her fourth birthday.

One of The Queen’s favourite horses was the mare Burmese, a present from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969 when they came to perform at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The Queen rode Burmese side-saddle for 18 years at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which celebrates the Sovereign’s birthday. The President’s Trophy, presented by Prince Philip for many years to the winning country in the FEI Nations Cup™ series, was a bronze of the Queen and Burmese.

In the Thoroughbred world, horses bred by The Queen have won more than 1,600 races, and, of the British Classics, only the Epsom Derby still eludes Her Majesty. She also breeds Shetland, Highland and Fell ponies to ensure the traditional bloodlines in these native breeds are preserved and enhanced.

As well as The Queen’s enduring love of racing, breeding and equestrian sport, the British Royal Family has a long history linked to the horse. The Duke of Edinburgh played polo until 1970 and then took up carriage driving the following year, and also played a key role in compiling rules for the international sport early in his 22-year tenure as FEI President. The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and two of The Queen’s grandsons, Princes William and Harry all play polo. The Queen also plays host to the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, which features international Jumping, Dressage and Driving, and where many of the Queen’s home-bred native ponies line out in the showing classes.

Equestrian sport celebrated 100 years in the Olympic Movement at London 2012, where The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips claimed team silver in Eventing. Zara Phillips won team and individual gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2006 and was also crowned European champion in 2005, following in the footsteps of her mother, The Princess Royal, who won the European title in 1971 on Doublet, a horse bred by the Queen out of one of Prince Philip’s polo ponies. Princess Anne, also a former FEI President, is an IOC Member and President of the British Olympic Association, and competed at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, the first member of the British Royal Family to compete at Olympic level.

The Queen’s cousin Margaret Rhodes, interviewed last year for a BBC documentary, The Queen: A Passion For Horses, believes that the importance of horses in The Queen’s life cannot be overestimated: “When she became Queen, she had to sacrifice an awful lot of emotions and thoughts of the future, but with horses it's another world in that it reduces you to just the person in relation to the animal, and you're not a Queen, you're just a human being.''

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is a life-long lover of horses who has inspired millions around the world and I am honoured to be able to present the first-ever FEI Lifetime Achievement award to Her Majesty on behalf of the FEI today”, HRH Princess Haya said after the presentation in The Queen’s audience room at Buckingham Palace. “She is a true horsewoman, who still rides whenever State business allows, and her knowledge of breeding and bloodlines is incredible. The bond between The Queen and horses is truly extraordinary and I can’t think of anyone more fitting to receive this very special FEI award in the Year of the Horse. I am very proud to be giving this award on behalf of the FEI family.”

“Horses have played such a huge part in the life of The Queen, and it is a family passion shared particularly with her husband and the two world-class champions in her daughter and granddaughter”, said Keith Taylor. “The Queen has an incredible in-depth knowledge of breeding, both Thoroughbreds and native ponies, and is patron of the British Horse Society, the Fell Pony Society, the Highland Pony Society, the Shire Horse Society, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. It’s impossible to think of the Royal Family without thinking of horses. We are truly blessed to have a sovereign who values the horse and its many types so highly.”

The FEI Lifetime Achievement award was created by Princess Haya in 2014, her final year as FEI President, to acknowledge an individual who has inspired generations across the global equestrian community. Recipients of this award are recommended by the FEI Executive Board, and the FEI Bureau was delighted that the first-ever award has gone to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The award is a stunning white gold and diamond brooch of nine interlinked horseshoes, created especially for today’s presentation, and mirroring the insignia of the FEI Awards.

The FEI Lifetime Achievement Award is part of this prestigious scheme, which was launched in 2009 to reward excellence, commitment, dedication and courage. Other global equestrian heroes will be honoured at a glittering Gala Dinner during the FEI General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan on 14 December. The shortlist of nominees and full information on the FEI Awards 2014 and past winners is available at www.feiawards.org.

FEI statement on investigation into 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships

2 Dec 2014
FEI.org

The FEI has announced today that, following completion of an in-depth investigation into allegations of a switch of horses for the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships in Euston Park (GBR), no legal action can be taken for procedural reasons and due to a lack of conclusive evidence.

Following receipt of the findings of the investigation last month, the FEI has now evaluated the legal and procedural aspects of the case and it has become clear that, under the rules applicable at the time of the incident in 2012, essential deadlines were missed. Without legal proceedings being initiated within the specified timelines and through the correct channels, the FEI is unable to proceed with the case.

“It is very disappointing that it took such a long time to come to this conclusion”, FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said, “but this thorough investigation has allowed us to identify some loopholes in our own procedures with regard to the identification of horses through microchips and documents such as FEI passports, recognition cards and duplicates. I have asked our Legal Department to look at our procedures to identify how we can avoid similar issues occurring in the future.”

Prior to receiving the final report, the FEI had already initiated a detailed review of its administrative processes, putting mechanisms in place that now provide much greater control over the registration and identification of horses. Further proposed changes to the Veterinary Regulations to improve traceability and accurate verification of horses’ identity will be voted on at next month’s FEI General Assembly.

The FEI is to conduct a full review of its legal system in 2015, including its rules and sanctions. Proposals for change will go to the FEI Bureau for consideration prior to being voted on by the National Federations at the 2015 FEI General Assembly.

New Zealand: Bulfin adds one more string to judging bow

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

02/12/2014
Peter Jones

Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club member Heidi Bulfin is now an internationally recognised judge.

Bulfin, who qualified as a national judge six years ago, was informed last week that she had been promoted to International (FEI) two-star Endurance Judge and two-star Technical Delegate (TD) - becoming the youngest FEI TD in New Zealand.

The new role means she can officiate at international endurance events, five of which are held in New Zealand each year.

Bulfin, 38, joined the Marlborough Endurance and Trail Riding Club in 2006, almost immediately being co-opted on to the committee. She has held every role over the past eight years, including treasurer, president for six years and now secretary.

To stage trail and endurance rides, of which the club hosts 10 a year, the club must have at least two officials in attendance, so Bulfin decided to give that side of her sport a go. She began as a national official in 2008 after completing a course in Christchurch...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/63736928/Bulfin-adds-one-more-string-to-judging-bow

Bahrain: Nasser bin Hamad crowns Al-Dossary as season-opening race champion

BNA/bh - Full Article

29/11/2014

Manama, Nov29(BNA) Ghazi Al Dossary from Al Raood Stable was crowned champion of the Season-Opening Endurance Race, held over a distance of 120km yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Honorary President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the prizes to the winners. BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa participated in the presentation ceremony along with BREEF Endurance Committee Head Shaikh Daej bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Al Dossary on his horse Mike trained by Shaikh Daej bin Salman succeeded in clinching first place after finishing the race in a total time of 04.56.35 hours with a speed of 24kph. He was followed by Hussain Nayef from N13 Stable team riding Ralia and trained by Ahmed Abdulla, who finished the race in a total time of 05.06 50 hours with a speed of 23kph. Third place was won by Paghat Sing from Al Raood Stables, finishing in a total time of 05.06.55 hours with a speed of 23kph.

UAE: Catalina Bastons wins Shaikha Fatima Endurance Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Aya Abdullah Reda Ishaq Ali secures best finish for UAE lady riders

Staff Report
Published: 19:55 November 29, 2014

Abu Dhabi: Argentina’s Catalina ‘Catita’ Bastons upstaged a strong field of over 100 riders to post an exciting victory in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

Riding the 10-year-old Moreno, trained by Abdullah Al Hammadi for the Al Reef Stables, Bastons completed the challenging 90-km CEN ride in a time of 2 hours 58 minutes 40 seconds.

Finishing second and only a second behind was Spain’s Laia Soria Pinol aboard KY Inefe while the UAE’s Aya Abdullah Reda Ishaq Ali clinched third placed with Oued El Kebir Larzac.

In fourth place was Spanish rider Nuria Figueiras Rifa on Vitamina II while Ireland’s Amy Louis on Terminator Te finished fifth...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/catalina-bastons-wins-shaikha-fatima-endurance-cup-1.1419834

2014 Brazilian Endurance Championships

The 24th annual Brazilian Endurance Championships will be held December 6, 2014 at the Brasilia Country Club, Brasilia. Events will be the 160-km CEI3* 160-km race, the CEIYJ 2* 122-km race, and the CEIYF 1* 80-km race. The Young Rider-Junior races will be observations for the Young Riders 2015 in Chile.

For more information see:
http://www.enduroonline.com.br/cbee2014.php