Two-day race format proposed for WEG endurance

Future World Equestrian Games endurance champions could be decided in a two-day format, with competitors covering 100km each day.

The Endurance Technical Committee is putting the proposal to the endurance session at the FEI Sports Forum, being held in Lausanne, Switzerland, later this month.

The proposal involves ditching the single 160km race which has been used to decide the champion in favour of the two-day format.

The format would set the maximum number of combinations from each national federation at four, with the highest three counting for the team classification.

“The purpose of the format change … is to create a technical competition to test the skill and the fitness of the combination over a course that needs a strategic approach rather than reliance on speed alone to successfully complete,” the committee said.

“The two-day format would also allow greater exposure of the sport to the public and media.”

The mounted best-conditioned competition would assess the combination for fitness, soundness and agility of the combination in the same manner as they competed the event.

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Eternal Game

A football game goes on beyond a lovely tree in Orman Gardens in Cairo during the annual plant and garden show. 

WORLD MANIFESTO for the Future of Endurance

Wednesday April 15 2015

A website, world manifesto, and petition have been organized in support of the Emirates Equestrian Federation of the United Arab Emirates regarding their suspension from the FEI world governing body of horse sport on 12 March 2015.

The group of riders, trainers, grooms, breeders, horse owners, veterinary surgeons, farriers, organising committees, public agencies, private bodies and associations, assert that compliance with rules, fair play and safeguard of horse's welfare are the main principles on which their experience in endurance is based.

The manifesto states that the suspension of the UAE "leave an indelible mark on the history of endurance" and risk development on an international scale. The EEF has for many years, the mission statement claims, "helped promote the development and success of endurance throughout the world, bringing it to the fore through increased membership and contributing to its popularity in an ever increasing number of countries."

The EEF has brought advantages to the sport of endurance racing, including "the development of horse’s performances and for the quality, genealogy and number of foals born per year in terms of the breeding," and economic opportunities "which absolutely cannot be ignored." Already the suspension has "triggered a spiral that is affecting directly and irreparably tens of thousands of people, who very soon run the risk of finding themselves without employment."

With already over 400 signatures, this Manifesto will be presented to the FEI, urging them to review its position on the UAE suspension and consider the damage in "the development and expansion of endurance and its economic and financial consequences."

It further urges the FEI to look for a joint solution "with Emirates Equestrian Federation and all those involved in the sport in order to enforce the rules, the fair play and to safeguard the horse’s welfare."

The full manifesto can be seen and signed here:
http://www.futurendurance.com/

Change in WEG Format to be Discussed at FEI Sports Forum

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
April 15 2015

While "Olympic Agenda 2020" will be a major focus at the FEI Sports Forum 2015 on 27-28 April, 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland, the second day's session 6, "Endurance Future," is guaranteed to be a well-attended hot topic.

The Endurance Technical Committee will propose for discussion that the Endurance competition for the WEG change from a 160-km format to a 2 day, 100 km per day competition.

The purpose of the format change from a 1-day 160 km to a 2-day 100-km race is "to create a technical competition to test the skill and the fitness of the [horse and rider] over a course that needs a strategic approach rather than reliance on speed alone to successfully complete." Specific new qualifications would be required to qualify for the WEG to accommodate this change, including 2 day 100-km races for riders and for horses.

Additionally, Best Condition competition will be assessed under saddle to a prescribed test the day after the race is complete.

The Session 6 - Non-Olympic Sports Future (Endurance) session outline can be seen here:
http://www.fei.org/system/files/END%20Future_Session%206.pdf

Australia: Cup returns to the Hawkesbury

Hawkesburygazette.com.au - Full Article

By Stephanie Bates April 13, 2015

More than 400 horses and their riders set to tackle 160km in 24 hours will gather at Wisemans Ferry in June, marking 50 years since the inaugural Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Known as ‘The Quilty’, the endurance ride which attracts competitors from across the country and internationally, will be back on local soil after organisers campaigned for its return this year. It was supposed to be held in Victoria.

It’s considered a premier ride on the Australian endurance calendar and the national championships for the NSW Endurance Riders Association (NSWERA). Del Rio Resort will be the camp base (start and finish) for the ride which will wind through national park trails, rural roads and private properties.

Horse and rider are required to complete the set course in 24 hours from June 6-7. The ride starts at midnight.

One of the organisers, Ron Males said the ride came about 50 years ago when R.M. Williams and his mate Tom Quilty from Western Australia debated whether people could still ride long distances in one day. Quilty offered $1000 to make the gold cup for the first rider to do this...

Read more here:
http://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/3007896/cup-returns-to-the-hawkesbury/

No nukes please, we’re the FEI

Horsetalk.co.nz

Neil Clarkson | April 13, 2015


It seems that the world’s major powers have struck a deal with Iran over the future of its nuclear programme after lengthy talks in Lausanne.

There are still the details to be thrashed out, of course, but the negotiators seem cautiously optimistic.

One suspects these aren’t the toughest talks that will unfold in the Swiss city this year.

Up the road, staff in the Lausanne headquarters of the FEI face the joyous prospect of trying to strike some kind of accord with the United Arab Emirates Equestrian Federation over endurance.

It doesn’t look easy to me. The UAE federation had its FEI membership suspended last month over what the world governing body described as welfare concerns.

[Read more ...]

Great Britain: Crabbet Organisation celebrates success of West's endurance riders

Westernmorningnews.co.uk - Full Article

by Western Morning News | Posted: April 09, 2015

Members of the Crabbet Organisation came together recently to celebrate its first endurance awards for Crabbet or Crabbet-related Arabians who have competed with Endurance GB, SERC or the FEI during 2014.

The Compass Inn’s Orangery, near Badminton, Gloucestershire, was the chosen venue for the event, which also featured awards for young stock graded by the BEF at Futurity events.

A total of 40 members, including many from the South West, travelled from across the country to attend the event, which was generously supported by The Pure Feed Company, Ariat Europe, Brinicombe Equine, Verm-x, Blue Chip Feed, Horse Scout and West Kington Stud.

Jo Claridge, BEF advisor and SW Endurance GB chair, presented the BEF Futurity awards. Sylvan Illusion (Sylvan Magician/Illuniate) owned and bred by Diana Whittome received the 2014 Crabbet trophy for potential endurance horses after achieving an elite 9.01 score...

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Crabbet-Organisation-celebrates-success-West-s/story-26309166-detail/story.html#ixzz3WumrxSCE