January 8 2015
Perhaps reflecting the efforts to bring about change for the better in endurance racing in the UAE, and heavily promoting “To Finish is to Win,” it was announced at the press conference for the CEI*** 160-km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup to be held in Dubai on Saturday, January 10, that every rider who completes the race will be awarded 100,000 Dirhams (approximately $27,000 U.S. dollars).
Kat Irvine, one of the Canadians participating in the ride on her mare Nightwind’s Savannah, commented, “It gives a whole new meaning to "To Finish is to Win" [fellow rider] Jess [Manness] says to me after the meeting. Once I had the hair on the back of my neck lay down, I realized that this, no doubt, was a gesture to show a change in attitude toward winning being the only thing.”
To follow the events of the race, see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2015MaktoumCup/
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Dubai: A Good Crew is Crucial to Success - Kat Irvine
From Kat Irvine’s journal of her adventure at the Al Maktoum Cup in Dubai
January 6 - It's 3:05 AM, Jan 6 here right now. I normally wake up for a few minutes at this time of the morning. Share a few thoughts with you and go back to sleep. This morning I woke up with the realization that the dream will take a different turn today. The crews will be landing 8:15 PM Jan 7. Hopefully they get through customs as fast as we did. If they don't it might be an hour or so for them to get through. Once they do they'll come directly to the Meydan Hotel. There is some confusion as to whether there will be arrangements to pick them up so today we'll have to find out for sure so at least we can have one of our drivers pick them up. It's a 20 minute drive from the airport to the hotel. They'll arrive just in time to settle in from their rooms, hopefully go back to sleep because Jan 8, two days before the race we'll have an impossible schedule starting with a meeting with the horses. Most of the crew have never met these horses.
This is going to be the test of a "professional" crew. Our crew people are already a unit as they've done this job together many times.
This will especially show up at the vet checks. The vet checks will be short, four of them from 35-40 minutes with one 50 minute one before the last loop. The riders will have no time to look after horses. When the horse comes over the timing line the crews will take over the horse and rider will be whisked away for a bit of a break.
Meanwhile the other crew members will have swarmed the horse, pulled off the saddle and cooled with gallons of cool, or even cold water depending on ambient temperatures, made sure heart rate is down and stable , taken to the vet, examined, trotted out for lameness, brought back to the rest area for a few minutes and 10 minutes before we are to leave, saddle the horse in time for us riders to leave on time.
This is where absolute trust of the crews come in. It's in the best interest of the rider to give up his horse and look after himself. It's in the best interest of the horse for the rider to look after himself. This is a hard thing to do on both counts.
The people we have chosen as crew are multitalented, educated and have had years of endurance experience. They know the drill, they know stresses can come from anywhere - from a cranky rider to mistake in paperwork. They are physically fit. Running after horses with a big water bottle in each hand requires some muscle and wind. They will have to deal with jet lag, moving in to new digs and getting to know our horses. They'll have to take the time to learn how our tack goes on, what our horses eat and their particular quirks. They'll have to move gear out to the crewing and rest areas and go to a couple of events where they will have to "dress nice". Someone will have to be well informed enough and eloquent enough to deal with press.
Yep, we have the dream team crew - we so hope to do you proud.
To see more of Kat’s adventures and the Al Maktoum Cup, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2015MaktoumCup/
January 6 - It's 3:05 AM, Jan 6 here right now. I normally wake up for a few minutes at this time of the morning. Share a few thoughts with you and go back to sleep. This morning I woke up with the realization that the dream will take a different turn today. The crews will be landing 8:15 PM Jan 7. Hopefully they get through customs as fast as we did. If they don't it might be an hour or so for them to get through. Once they do they'll come directly to the Meydan Hotel. There is some confusion as to whether there will be arrangements to pick them up so today we'll have to find out for sure so at least we can have one of our drivers pick them up. It's a 20 minute drive from the airport to the hotel. They'll arrive just in time to settle in from their rooms, hopefully go back to sleep because Jan 8, two days before the race we'll have an impossible schedule starting with a meeting with the horses. Most of the crew have never met these horses.
This is going to be the test of a "professional" crew. Our crew people are already a unit as they've done this job together many times.
This will especially show up at the vet checks. The vet checks will be short, four of them from 35-40 minutes with one 50 minute one before the last loop. The riders will have no time to look after horses. When the horse comes over the timing line the crews will take over the horse and rider will be whisked away for a bit of a break.
Meanwhile the other crew members will have swarmed the horse, pulled off the saddle and cooled with gallons of cool, or even cold water depending on ambient temperatures, made sure heart rate is down and stable , taken to the vet, examined, trotted out for lameness, brought back to the rest area for a few minutes and 10 minutes before we are to leave, saddle the horse in time for us riders to leave on time.
This is where absolute trust of the crews come in. It's in the best interest of the rider to give up his horse and look after himself. It's in the best interest of the horse for the rider to look after himself. This is a hard thing to do on both counts.
The people we have chosen as crew are multitalented, educated and have had years of endurance experience. They know the drill, they know stresses can come from anywhere - from a cranky rider to mistake in paperwork. They are physically fit. Running after horses with a big water bottle in each hand requires some muscle and wind. They will have to deal with jet lag, moving in to new digs and getting to know our horses. They'll have to take the time to learn how our tack goes on, what our horses eat and their particular quirks. They'll have to move gear out to the crewing and rest areas and go to a couple of events where they will have to "dress nice". Someone will have to be well informed enough and eloquent enough to deal with press.
Yep, we have the dream team crew - we so hope to do you proud.
To see more of Kat’s adventures and the Al Maktoum Cup, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2015MaktoumCup/
Bahrain Royal endurance team to compete in Dubai challenge
BNA.bh - Full Article
January 8 2015
Dubai, Jan. 8. (BNA) -- Following directives from its Captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team will participate in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Race Challenge for a total distance of 160km.
The event, held in honour of Sheikh Mohammed, the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will be held in the Seeh Al Salam International Endurance Village on Saturday with the participation of a group of GCC and international riders...
Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/648818
January 8 2015
Dubai, Jan. 8. (BNA) -- Following directives from its Captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team will participate in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Race Challenge for a total distance of 160km.
The event, held in honour of Sheikh Mohammed, the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will be held in the Seeh Al Salam International Endurance Village on Saturday with the participation of a group of GCC and international riders...
Read more here:
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/648818
India: National Equestrian Endurance from Jan 9
Assamtribune.com
Our Bureau
DIBRUGARH, Jan 6 – The Equestrian Federation of Assam will be hosting the National Equestrian Championships, Endurance 2015 from January 9 to 11 here.
With the successful hosting of the events in the past, Dibrugarh is fast becoming a lead destination for Endurance in the country. The event will be held over a 60, 80 and 100 km for the senior category and 40 km for the juniors. The track for the championships will go through the picturesque tea estates, skirting the mighty Bhramaputra. The unique landscape of Upper Assam lends itself naturally as an ideal destination for the sport.
The event although hosted by the Equestrian Federation of Assam, is being held under the aegis of Equestrian Federation of India and all major National teams are likely to participate. This year’s meet will see the participation of more than 60 horse and rider teams. Also for the first time the event will witness a maximum participation in Endurance from the region, including a nine-member team from Assam Police.
For the Junior National championships we have confirmed entries from Assam Valley School Tezpur, DPS Numaligarh and Royal Global School, Guwahati. Over and above these, a strong contingent is expected from Manipur Equestrian Association. Meanwhile Siddhartha Sharma, secretary general, Equestrian Federation of Assam, thanked the Equestrian Federation of India for allotting these events to Assam, thereby providing opportunity for the riders from NE India to compete at the National level within the region.
Our Bureau
DIBRUGARH, Jan 6 – The Equestrian Federation of Assam will be hosting the National Equestrian Championships, Endurance 2015 from January 9 to 11 here.
With the successful hosting of the events in the past, Dibrugarh is fast becoming a lead destination for Endurance in the country. The event will be held over a 60, 80 and 100 km for the senior category and 40 km for the juniors. The track for the championships will go through the picturesque tea estates, skirting the mighty Bhramaputra. The unique landscape of Upper Assam lends itself naturally as an ideal destination for the sport.
The event although hosted by the Equestrian Federation of Assam, is being held under the aegis of Equestrian Federation of India and all major National teams are likely to participate. This year’s meet will see the participation of more than 60 horse and rider teams. Also for the first time the event will witness a maximum participation in Endurance from the region, including a nine-member team from Assam Police.
For the Junior National championships we have confirmed entries from Assam Valley School Tezpur, DPS Numaligarh and Royal Global School, Guwahati. Over and above these, a strong contingent is expected from Manipur Equestrian Association. Meanwhile Siddhartha Sharma, secretary general, Equestrian Federation of Assam, thanked the Equestrian Federation of India for allotting these events to Assam, thereby providing opportunity for the riders from NE India to compete at the National level within the region.
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Endurance GB members quit over sponsor controversy
Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article
Endurance GB votes to accept Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan backing
By Pippa Cuckson
9:29PM GMT 06 Jan 2015
Endurance GB is to accept a “blanket” sponsorship from Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan corporation, following an unprecedented members’ vote.
Debate has raged for months about the wisdom of allying the British national governing body with Dubai, where the Sheikh’s stables have been at the centre of doping and horse-injury scandals for more than a decade.
Voting in favour were 570 EGB members, with 405 against and 35 abstentions. This represents a 55.2 per cent turnout by a small membership organisation that is under-funded compared with show jumping, dressage and eventing. Already some “no” voters have taken to their members forum to announce they will not rejoin.
The three-year deal, for an undisclosed sum, covers EGB’s entire international calendar, the cost of new technology – required under new FEI rules directly aimed at combating types of rule-breaking such as horse-swaps and short cuts alleged to be common among Middle East riders – and training bursaries.
It also means the reinstatement of Euston Park, Suffolk, a ride venue long-leased by Sheikh Mohammed but closed in 2013 after media revelations about doping. It was at the Euston 2012 World Championships that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum jnr rode a horse under the false identification of Marmoog...
Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/11329077/Endurance-GB-members-quit-over-sponsor-controversy.html
Endurance GB votes to accept Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan backing
By Pippa Cuckson
9:29PM GMT 06 Jan 2015
Endurance GB is to accept a “blanket” sponsorship from Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan corporation, following an unprecedented members’ vote.
Debate has raged for months about the wisdom of allying the British national governing body with Dubai, where the Sheikh’s stables have been at the centre of doping and horse-injury scandals for more than a decade.
Voting in favour were 570 EGB members, with 405 against and 35 abstentions. This represents a 55.2 per cent turnout by a small membership organisation that is under-funded compared with show jumping, dressage and eventing. Already some “no” voters have taken to their members forum to announce they will not rejoin.
The three-year deal, for an undisclosed sum, covers EGB’s entire international calendar, the cost of new technology – required under new FEI rules directly aimed at combating types of rule-breaking such as horse-swaps and short cuts alleged to be common among Middle East riders – and training bursaries.
It also means the reinstatement of Euston Park, Suffolk, a ride venue long-leased by Sheikh Mohammed but closed in 2013 after media revelations about doping. It was at the Euston 2012 World Championships that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum jnr rode a horse under the false identification of Marmoog...
Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/11329077/Endurance-GB-members-quit-over-sponsor-controversy.html
Endurance Great Britain Accepts Meydan Sponsorship Package
Endurancegb.co.uk
Correction issued. Date of original blog posting:
January 6 2015
An Update from The Board of Endurance GB - (Published:06 January 2015)
A majority of Endurance GB’s Members have voted ‘Yes’ in the recent ballot regarding proceeding with a proposed sponsorship agreement with Meydan.
The overall turnout was 55.2% (1010 Members), with 56.4% (570) votes in favour of accepting the sponsorship, with 40.1% (405) against and 3.5% (35) abstentions.
The Board of EGB will therefore proceed to contract discussions with Meydan.
The proposed agreement, which offers benefits for all levels of the EGB Membership, will enhance EGB’s ability to realise its long term strategy and vision: to enable more people and horses at all levels to enjoy the sport of endurance to the highest standard of excellence.
John Hudson
Chairman EGB
Endurance GB Board
Category:General
Correction issued. Date of original blog posting:
January 6 2015
An Update from The Board of Endurance GB - (Published:06 January 2015)
A majority of Endurance GB’s Members have voted ‘Yes’ in the recent ballot regarding proceeding with a proposed sponsorship agreement with Meydan.
The overall turnout was 55.2% (1010 Members), with 56.4% (570) votes in favour of accepting the sponsorship, with 40.1% (405) against and 3.5% (35) abstentions.
The Board of EGB will therefore proceed to contract discussions with Meydan.
The proposed agreement, which offers benefits for all levels of the EGB Membership, will enhance EGB’s ability to realise its long term strategy and vision: to enable more people and horses at all levels to enjoy the sport of endurance to the highest standard of excellence.
John Hudson
Chairman EGB
Endurance GB Board
Category:General
Sunday, January 04, 2015
Three USA Riders to Participate in 160-km Al Maktoum Cup
January 4 2015
Three USA riders have been invited to ride in the 160-km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup in Dubai on January 10, 2015.
Melody Blittersdorf from Jeffersonville, Vermont, will ride her 10-year-old gelding Frankie Thunderheart. Willemena DeBoer from Hico, Texas, will ride her 9-year-old gelding Frisia Shaheen. Heather Reynolds of Dunellon, Florida, will be reunited with her old friend Riverwatch.
If you recall, the now-10-year-old gelding Riverwatch won the 2011 Tevis and Haggin Cups with Jeremy Reynolds aboard, then finished 36th in the 2012 World Endurance Championship in Great Britain with Heather aboard. Now owned by a stable in Dubai, he completed his second World Championship in France last year, finishing 22nd with Argentinean Josefina Chas.
Canadians Jessica Manness, riding her 13-year-old gelding Greater Glide, and Kat Irvine, riding her 16-year-old mare Nightwind’s Savannah, will also participate.
For more information, and a journal by Kat, and photos by several riders, and updates on the race see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2015MaktoumCup/
Three USA riders have been invited to ride in the 160-km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup in Dubai on January 10, 2015.
Melody Blittersdorf from Jeffersonville, Vermont, will ride her 10-year-old gelding Frankie Thunderheart. Willemena DeBoer from Hico, Texas, will ride her 9-year-old gelding Frisia Shaheen. Heather Reynolds of Dunellon, Florida, will be reunited with her old friend Riverwatch.
If you recall, the now-10-year-old gelding Riverwatch won the 2011 Tevis and Haggin Cups with Jeremy Reynolds aboard, then finished 36th in the 2012 World Endurance Championship in Great Britain with Heather aboard. Now owned by a stable in Dubai, he completed his second World Championship in France last year, finishing 22nd with Argentinean Josefina Chas.
Canadians Jessica Manness, riding her 13-year-old gelding Greater Glide, and Kat Irvine, riding her 16-year-old mare Nightwind’s Savannah, will also participate.
For more information, and a journal by Kat, and photos by several riders, and updates on the race see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2015MaktoumCup/
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