Abu Dhabi: Argentinian jockey Sabrina rides Spaucay to victory in the Al Reef Cup

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

Hisham A Gizouli (Chief Reporter) / 1 February 2015

The race was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Abu Dhabi: Top Argentinian rider Sabrina Magali Mendiz, astride 11-year-old Part Arab gelding Spaucay, representing Al Reef Stables, made a smooth progress to land the Al Reef Cup CEN 120km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

UAE’s early leader Salem Hamad Malhoof, riding eight-year-old Anglo Arab gelding Du Bas Four, from Al Asafa 2 Endurance Stables, was relegated to second in the final loop and behind them came compatriot Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi onboard 10-year-old Unknown mare JJ Princess from the F3 Stables.

The race was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The race was held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and sponsored by the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The winner has covered the 120k distance in 4 hours, 12 minutes and 24 seconds at an average speed of 28,526 km/hour to lead by just six seconds ahead of the runner up...

Read more here:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/horseracing/2015/February/horseracing_February1.xml§ion=horseracing

FEI Endurance Forum in Costa Rica discusses new Endurance rules

FEI photo
FEI.org

30 Jan 2015

Over 64 delegates from FEI Group V attended an FEI Endurance Forum in Tilaran, Costa Rica on 23-25 January 2015, the first Forum following the introduction of the new Endurance rules on 1 August last year.


FEI Group V covers Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Athletes, officials including judges, technical delegates and veterinarians, as well as coaches and owners, gathered for the three-day Forum organised with the Costa Rica National Federation and Costa Rica Endurance Association to discuss Endurance across Central and South America and globally.

Key areas addressed included horse inspections, the field of play, anti-doping and veterinary rules, disqualification and the FEI Online Entry System, which gives access to over 100,000 international athletes through a single online platform.

At the end of the Forum, a one-hour Endurance ride was held to demonstrate the new rules in action.

“The FEI Endurance Forum was extremely productive in a region where Endurance enjoys huge success,” FEI Endurance Director Manuel Bandeira de Mello said.

“We’re now looking forward to rolling out our series of Endurance courses and seminars throughout 2015, as part of our plan to develop one of the FEI’s fastest-growing disciplines.”

FEI Clean Sport Updates

Read the whole banana

FEI CLEAN SPORT UPDATES - 23 January 2015
Table of Contents

Introduction to the changes in the Human and Equine Anti-Doping Rules
FEI Anti-Doping rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA)
WADA's Prohibited List (Humans)
FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMR)
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List
Supplements
New Worldwide FEI Equine and Human Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Program - Clarification

INTRODUCTION TO THE CHANGES IN THE HUMAN AND EQUINE ANTI-DOPING RULES

The World Anti-Doping Code 2015 has been substantially revised, resulting in a new version, effective 1 January 2015. To comply with the WADA Code, the FEI’s equine and human anti-doping rules have been significantly amended and approved by the FEI General Assembly. This FEI Update outlines the key changes made to the rules and some of the resulting practical implications. In addition, WADA has published a useful reference guide for Athletes and Athletes are encouraged to consult this.

More...

Great Britain: Teenager becomes youngest endurance champion

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Caroline Bankes
26 January, 2015

A 15-year-old girl has become the youngest rider to win Endurance GB’s (EGB) supreme champion trophy.

Hannah Maskell, from Buckinghamshire, won the trophy in her first competitive season — where riders race against each other over distances of no less than 80km.

The trophy is awarded to the horse and rider combination gaining the most points in all types of competitions run by EGB over the 2014 season, which runs from March until October.

Hannah’s successful season started with a win at her first 80km race in Brandon, Norfolk, on 27 April last year. She remained unbeaten in her next four races.

Last June, Hannah also won the young rider national title at Cirencester Park...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/youngest-rider-in-history-becomes-endurance-gb-champion-472195#TCDrYxrCDfi7wiR8.99

Qatar: Adventure lovers invited for Desert Caravan Challenge

Thepeninsularaqatar.com

January 23, 2015 - 4:18:33 am

DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is inviting adventure lovers to participate in the second edition of Desert Caravan Challenge aimed to revive the Arab tradition of camel riding.

QTA will arrange two camel caravans for a 12km endurance ride in Zekreet, west of Qatar for the challenge organised in partnership with Qatar Museums.

It is working to develop the tourism product by adding new creative elements every year. The caravan will be held in a different region each year. Last year’s challenge was held in Al Zubarah Fort.

Diversification of tourism products helps advance the National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 which aims to develop a mature and sustainable tourism sector.

“Our strategy seeks to build a modern and sustainable tourism sector capable of attracting tourists from all over the world,” said Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer, QTA.

“The event contributes to the realisation of this vision as it diversifies offerings and sheds light on Qatar as a world tourism destination with deep cultural roots. It also promotes prehistoric landmarks and showcases the beauty of the Qatari desert and nature.”

Al Ibrahim said he expects enthusiastic response from the public, noting that QTA built on the success of last year’s challenge which attracted hundreds.

Open to Qatari citizens and residents above 18, the caravan will be held on February 6-7. It will from outside the antiquated mosque in Zekreet (House of the Imam) and pass through the scenic desert sand to Zekreet Fort.

The caravan will stop for breaks near Richard Serra sculptures in Ras Brouq and the ruins of Zekreet village.

QTA will select 15 candidates for the first day and as many for the second day. The journey takes between four and five hours and ends at the same location.

During the journey, the participants experience Qatari hospitality in tents in the middle of the desert.

The event is free but the ride will be a gruelling test of endurance that only adults in good physical condition should consider registering.

It open to male and female participants, including those who have little or no camel-riding experience, as qualified trainers will accompany the participants.

Aspiring adventurers can register on www.qatartourism.gov.qa/dcc

The Peninsula

New Zealand: Champion endures to take out title with Barack Obama

NZHerald.co.nz - Full article

By Equestrian
8:08 AM Thursday Jan 22, 2015

LOCAL rider Jenny Champion came up trumps in the main event when the Wairarapa Endurance and CTR Club hosted the North Island endurance horse riding championships at Whareama.

It was a testing time for horse and rider with temperatures over the two days soaring into the 30s but they handled it well with no major mishaps being recorded. The high standard of vetting between loops was obviously a big help in that respect.

In what was a busy programme which attracted more than 100 entries, the Domhealth CEI three-star 160km championship took centre stage.

It started at 1am on Saturday morning and, after the completion of three loops, four combinations had made a significant break on the rest of the field - Masterton's Jenny Champion on Barack Obama...

Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503412&objectid=11390120

Bahrain: Preparations on for Shaikh Khalid Endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Article

January 22, 2015

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) continued preparations for the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Race Championship, which takes place on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance village.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed the need for outstanding preparations for the event in all aspects...

Read more here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=394431