Australia: Marathon effort at Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Festival

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

7th Apr 2015 5:00 AM

DESPITE wet weather threatening a wash out, the Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Carnival went ahead, ending with the marathon yesterday at Imbil Showgrounds.

After heavy rain on Thursday evening, Friday's 80km, 40km and Mini Marathon were cancelled.

Organiser Ken Moir said they were looking at a washout but the sun came out on Saturday to bring home remaining competitors.

The weather did dampen the event though, as of an expected 390 riders, only 150 competed...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/a-marathon-effort/2598382/

Great Britain: Walsall horse rider wins top title on one-eyed stallion

Walsalladvertiser.co.uk - Full Article

By Walsall Advertiser | Posted: April 05, 2015
By Lee Kettle

A HORSE rider from Walsall is jumping for joy after winning a top accolade with her one-eyed stallion who was originally destined for the slaughterhouse.

Julie Griffiths won the Sport Endurance National Championship on Cannon, a 16-year-old standardbred trotter.

The championship – which tests the fitness of horses and their riders – was awarded after the horse rider bettered around 60 other competitors.

Julie and Cannon both went through a series of competitive and pleasure rides over a period of 12 months, which were scored on points.

"It's been a long road but we've finally done it," said Julie, aged 47.

"We've been doing this for 10 years and it's something that has really got under my skin...

Read more: http://www.walsalladvertiser.co.uk/eyed-horse-wins-accolade-retirement/story-26270130-detail/story.html#ixzz3WXkujYqH

Valiant Boy Sbfar wins Darley Horse of the Year Award

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

UAE Endurance Team honored with the Best Spirit Award; endurance rider Marijke Visser from Netherlands earns Best Endurance Rider Award

April 5 2015

Los Angeles, California: Top French-bred Arabian horse Valiant Boy Sbfar was named the 2014 Horse of The Year at the 28th annual Darley USA Awards sponsored by the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival late on Friday.

Raced by Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the seven-year-old son of Darweesh was unbeaten in four US starts before finishing a close second in the $1m (Dh3.67) Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night on March 28.

Valiant Boy Sbfar also topped the Best Older Horse category, with Ms Dixie claiming the Best Older Mare trophy for Quarter Moon Ranch at a gala ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

RB So Rich claimed the three-year-old colts and geldings award for owner Garrett Ford, with Love To Dance winning the fillies’ equivalent for owner Mark K. Powell...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/valiant-boy-sbfar-wins-darley-horse-of-the-year-award-1.1485508

Australia: Imbil hosts endurance ride for best in country

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

4 April 2015

ENDURO: Endurance horse riders from across Australia have united at Imbil to participate in the annual Far-A-Way Easter Endurance Carnival this Easter.

Events ranging from 20km to 320km rides make the Easter Endurance Carnival an annual highlight for riders from across Australia.

Almost 400 competitors and their horses are camped at the Imbil Showgrounds, along with their support crews and families.

With the signature carnival event, the 320km marathon, spanning four days, an experienced team of equine veterinarians led by Luke Annetts will be working throughout the carnival to assess and ensure horses' fitness to continue in the competition...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/imbil-hosts-endurance-ride-for-best-in-country/2596033/

Endurance world champion at centre of rides scandal

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Pippa Cuckson
29 March, 2015

The reigning world champion Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (pictured top), is among a number of big names in Middle East endurance caught up in the “bogus” rides scandal.

The Crown Prince of Dubai is listed as taking part in one of the 13 rides under investigation by integrity services agency, Quest.

In addition, hundreds of horses from stables variously owned by Sheikh Hamdan and other members of the ruling families of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also implicated.

If the results are proved to have been falsified, the FEI faces an unprecedented exercise in mass disqualification. Asked about possible sanctions for the listed riders and owners, and also those who competed unqualified horses in longer distance rides, a FEI spokesman said: “We will need to wait for the conclusions of the investigation before deciding on the next steps...”

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/endurance-world-champion-at-centre-of-rides-scandal-479305#2vhpzbfUwHLKhztb.99

Australia's AERA Supports FEI Suspension of UAE

March 26 2015

In a statement issued on 26 March 2015, the Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) expressed solid support of the FEI's decision (26 February 2015) to suspend the remaining two FEI events scheduled to be held in the UAE, and to suspend the National Federation of the FEI (12 March 2015) for an indeterminate period due to major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations.

Additionally, the AERA requests that the FEI reconsiders holding the 2016 World Endurance Championships in Dubai.

Further, in support of the FEI's decision to suspend Emirati athletes from Endurance events, AERA will not permit Emirati athletes to enter AERA affiliated endurance events, including the 50th Tom Quilty to be held 6-7 June 2015.

And while the AERA will not deny Australian endurance riders participation in UAE-based National events, it requests that any AERA members "give careful and measured consideration to competing in the UAE under the current circumstances…"

The full letter can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/03.2015.AERALetter.jpg

Australia: Successful Wilga endurance ride

Donnybrookmail.com.au - Full Article

By LYN WILLETT March 26, 2015

THE twenty-fourth Wilga Endurance Ride was held on Saturday March 14.

52 Riders started after the forecast warnings of unfavourable weather, with 25 riders making the decision not to attend. Those who rode had perfect conditions, with rain holding off until after the event. The rain the night before was just enough to settle the dust and provide a beautiful aroma throughout the bush.

Riders travelled from as far as Badgingarra to Esperance for the first ride of the year. This year the Wilga Endurance Ride also had its first rider from Boyup Brook, with Melissa Waller completing the 25km social ride...

Read more here:
http://www.donnybrookmail.com.au/story/2971418/successful-wilga-endurance-ride-despite-weather-forecast/?cs=1193