FEI Sports Forum Opens with Discussion on Future of WEG

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

April 27 2015

FEI Sports Forum 2015 opens with discussion on future of FEI World Equestrian Games™

The FEI President Ingmar De Vos welcomed 270 delegates representing the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Federations (NFs), riders’, trainers’, and organisers’ clubs, sponsors, experts, media, guests and FEI staff to the fourth FEI Sports Forum which opened this morning at the prestigious business school IMD in Lausanne (SUI).

“We are all here because we care about our sport,” De Vos said in his opening address. “We need to be open and honest about the challenges we are facing as a sport but more than that we need to be proactive and brave enough to consider changes that will address these challenges. I remember a quote from IOC President Thomas Bach who said “change or be changed.

“So it is absolutely not about change for the sake of change and by no means is there any desire to lose or replace the values and traditions of our sport. But we need to be open-minded to look at changes that can improve our sport and its legacy for the generations to come. What should be changed and how is why we are here today and I am grateful to each and everyone one of you for taking the time to participate in this Sports Forum,” he said.

Professor James Henderson, Dean of Programmes and Innovation at IMD welcomed participants to the renowned school. “It is a great honour to host you at the wonderful institution that is the IMD,” he said. He outlined the school’s mission of educating the world’s leaders to lead transformation journeys in times of turbulence and support others to embrace change in a spirit of dialogue, openness and transparency. Professor Henderson emphasised the importance of innovation and change and wished the delegates open, inspired and pioneering discussion...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/fei-sports-forum-opens-with-discussion-on-future-of-weg/?utm_source=EnewsApr27&utm_campaign=EnewsApr272015&utm_medium=email

Farlington’s Bedwin is youngest rider to complete Endurance Great Britain

WSCountytimes.co.uk - Full Article

27 April 2015

Farlington School’s Katie Bedwin has become the youngest person in the history of Endurance GB horse riding to complete a 100-mile event.

The 17-year-old and her horse Elayla travelled to Nottingham in preparation for the Haywood Oaks Endurance ride.

The pair and the three others in her class, had a mass racing start at 6am on the Saturday morning in the dark, their only light being head torches.

By the third vet gate, there was only Bedwin and one other extremely experienced combination left in the race...

Read more here:
http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/farlington-s-bedwin-is-youngest-rider-to-complete-endurance-gb-1-6711345

Good Lord!

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Blogs Straight-Up | April 23, 2015

Over the past couple of years, I have hammered on pretty annoyingly (to some) about the highly dubious objectivity of the FEI’s repeated use of Lord John Stevens and his company Quest in its investigations into various and sundry scandalous situations which have primarily involved Endurance. Well guess what. Turns out I had a point.

Two weeks ago, the British papers were all fat-kid-on-Smartie over the news that Lord Stevens is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/straight-up/good-lord/

New Zealand: 2015 Nationals dominated by Team Smith

NZEquestrian.org.nz

14 APRIL 2015

This year’s ESNZ Endurance National Champs was definitely an event to be proud of and to be inspired by. The spirit of cooperation and friendship radiated throughout the entire event. Having won the Junior/Young Rider National 160km title in 2013, the Senior North Island 160km title in 2014 and travelling to France with the NZ team for WEG, this year’s CEI 3* 160km Senior title was won by the deserving duo of Georgia Smith and Glenmore Vixen. At 18 Georgia becomes the youngest ever winner of the senior title. Second place went to Stu Wakeling and Tokopuhe Kaid.

The CEI 2* 120km was also a Smith/Wakeling double act. In his first year of riding as a senior Aaron Wakeling and Alshar Blue Chief comfortably took the senior title this year, followed by Georgia Smith on her second ride of the weekend, Aurora Australis.

Frank Aldridge and Mystica Bandito laid claim to the CEI 1* 100km event, with Murray Smith close behind on Glenmore Soprano in second place.

One of the events everyone turns out to watch is the CEN Intermediate Senior 60km Championship. This year’s worthy winner was Petra Paterson on Saamen Dance Away, nearly 40 minutes ahead of second place getter Brendon O’Neill on TC Manu.

The James/Hamer team had a dramatic journey north from the South Island, but it didn’t affect Jorja James who completed her first CEI 3* 160km J/YR event on Glendaar Crystal Fire to claim the win and a buckle.

Team Smith was back in action with Brigitte Smith and Glenmore Titan winning the CEI 2* J/YR 120km Championship. Patricia Ireland ran a close second on Sayfwood Oshaarnna, and with this completion both girls gain Elite rider status.

Emma Mason and Tararua Mistalight were the ultimate come-back story this year, rounding out a great year with a win in the CEI 1* J/YR 100km championship. Rebecca MacPherson and Arahi Tahi also finished out a great year qualifying in second place.

This year there was also a junior presence in the CEN Intermediate Junior 60km, with Flossie Bleasdale and Makahiwi Guinevere taking the red ribbon.

Congratulations to all those who took part, and especially to those who earned their first Nationals buckle. Congratulations to those competing in their first Nationals.

Special congratulations to those who train and produce consistent results year after year. You are an inspiration to us all.

By Daryl Owen


CEI 3* 160km
1st Georgia Smith & Glenmore Vixen 9.13.27; 2nd Stuart Wakeling & Tokopuhe Kaid 9.36.36; 3rd Sarah Hamer & Glendaar Amira Fire 10.04.08; 4th Alison Higgins & MF Bab Al Shams 10.35.46; 5th Philip Graham & Rosewood Bashir 10.41.58; 6th Helen Graham & Sherwood Volos 10.41.59


CEI 3* JY 160km
1st Jorja James & Glendaar Crystal Fire 10.21.43


CEI 2* 120km
1st Aaron Wakeling & Alshar Blue Chief 7.02.33; 2nd Georgia Smith & Aurora Australis 7.15.88; 3rd Braden Cameron & Castlebar Elodie 7.53.53; 4th Henrikus Swart & Lexington Mystyque 7.53.54; Don Sagar & Wai Totara Moon Star 8.05.21; Kevin James & The Straight Shooter AHA 8.51.46


CEI 2* JY 120km
1st Brigitte Smith & Glenmore Titan 6.41.00; 2nd Patricia Ireland & Sayfwood Oshaarnna 6.42.10


CEI 1* 100km
1st Frank Aldridge & Mystica Bandito 7.01.14; 2nd Murray Smith & Glenmore Soprano 7.03.12; 3rd Lisa Southon & Tararua Yarah 7.03.28; 4th Teresa Birkett & Mariu Nero 7.37.19


CEI 1* JY 100km
1st Emma Mason & Tararua Mistalight 6.27.34; 2nd Rebecca MacPherson & Arahi Tahi 6.46.16


CEN Senior 60km
1st Petra Deacon & Saamen Dance Away 3.1752; 2nd Brendon O’Neill & TC Manu 3.55.50; 3rd Janette Rogers & Kedar Sarita 3.55.51; 4th Harry Prastiti & Aspen Hills Hope & Glory 4.25.10; 5th Caroline Lewin & Astek Nirvana 5.13.46


CEN Junior 60km
1st Flossie Bleasdale & Makahiwi Guinevere 5.05.14


CTR Intermediate
1st Murray Legg & Sundon The Wise One 91; 2nd Vera Williams & Quick Decision 94; 3rd LaDene Matson & Dangerous Liaison 107; 4th Sue Drinnan & AA Fancy Lady 122; 5th Tammy Peacocke & Ruby 141

UAE endurance appeal: Well, I guess we can rule out contrition

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | April 23, 2015

It was Kenny Rogers who sang the immortal words:
“You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em,
Know when to fold ‘em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run”.

The conversation in the famous song, The Gambler, occurs on a “train bound for nowhere”, which sounds a lot like the current state of endurance.

News emerged today about the decision of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to challenge its provisional suspension from the FEI, imposed over welfare issues in endurance.

The appeal is a surprising move, and one that clearly disappoints the FEI...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/04/23/uae-endurance-appeal-rule-out-contrition/#ixzz3Y8rc63qH

UAE National Federation appeals suspension to FEI Tribunal

FEI.org

22 Apr 2015

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Federation has lodged a formal appeal to the FEI Tribunal against its provisional suspension from the FEI.

The FEI Bureau provisionally suspended the UAE National Federation on 12 March 2015 for an indeterminate period following an investigation by the FEI into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in the discipline of Endurance.

Prior to lodging its appeal, the UAE National Federation had sent a formal request asking the FEI Bureau to lift the suspension. The request was rejected by the FEI Bureau and, as a result, an official appeal has been lodged by the UAE National Federation.

The appeal process will be managed in accordance with Art. 165 Appeals of the FEI General Regulations and the Internal Regulations of the FEI Tribunal.‎

“It is disappointing that an appeal has been lodged and that the UAE National Federation has chosen to go down the legal route rather than seeking ways to solve the issues and make a lasting commitment to improving the welfare of the horse at Endurance events in which it is involved”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender said.

Explore Namibia on horseback with Ranch Rider

Easier.com

22 April 2015

Experience the raw beauty of Namibia on horseback and journey through an untamed landscape with riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider. Canter across the Namib, the world’s oldest desert; spy the majestic Fish River Canyon from atop your mount, encounter desert adapted elephant in Damaraland, and ride with oryx, ostrich and mountain zebra across one of the largest private nature reserves in Southern Africa.

Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments “We offer three to five day tailor-made riding holidays for intermediate riders or longer departures of up to 10 nights for the more experienced, but whatever your route, Namibia's rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains and open stretches of sand will present exciting challenges, each group covering 20-50 kms each day. Trained in endurance riding, you’ll be saddling up on a mixed herd of Arab, Haflinger and Trakehner ranch horses - these sure-footed steeds raised on this rough terrain.”

Having adapted to the sun-blistered plains of Damaraland, herds of elephant are encountered seasonally along the Huab and Ugab Rivers; rhino, oryx and springbok also inhabiting this ruggedly beautiful region. Additional highlights include, a sunset ride at Twyfelfontein, the World Heritage site home to ancient bushman paintings and horseback adventures along the remote Skeleton Coast - one of the most captivating, yet least visited places on the planet. 10 night Damara Elephant Ride from £3,975pp (two sharing) including all riding, accommodation (eight nights camping & two nights lodge based) all meals and drinks whilst camping, ground transfers and return transfers. Excludes return flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town and internal flight to Windhoek.

Journey across the Namib Desert on this challenging 440 km ride. Traverse the rugged terraces of the Kuiseb Canyon and Moon Valley's luna-esque landscape, a variety of wildlife including gemsbok, giraffe, mountain zebra and ostrich often spied en route. The Tinkas, Tumas and Welwitschia plains also feature on this exotic once-in-a-lifetime horseback holiday, the trail taking you from the Khomas Hochland mountains through to the Atlantic Ocean. 10 night Namib Desert Ride with from £3,670pp (two sharing) including all riding, accommodation (eight nights camping & two nights lodge based) all meals and drinks whilst camping, ground transfers and return transfers. Excludes return flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town and internal flight to Windhoek.

The first and last night of each ride is spent at either guest farms/houses or lodges, with riders camping out in two man tents for the majority of holiday.

Tony Daly, comments, “Most guests choose to sleep out under a blanket of stars and in this remote wilderness it is a truly unforgettable experience. You’ll also be treated to a taste of Southern Africa, the evening meals including potjies and braais cooked over an open fire.”

Ranch Rider offers add-on self-drives in Namibia, the country recently featured on ITV’s “Slow Train Through Africa,” the series hosted by comedian and presenter, Griff Rhys Jones. In Nambia, Jones visited The Africat Foundation and Etosha National Park, the country’s permier wildlife viewing destination. From £575pp (two sharing) including car hire and accommodation.

For more information, visit ranchrider.com.