Australia: Second annual Homewood Endurance Ride

Winghamchronicle.com - Full Article

May 7 2015

THE quaint town of Killabakh saw the return of the Homewood Endurance Ride held over the Easter long weekend.

Since the ride's debut on the Anzac weekend in 2014, word had spread of the incredibly scenic property and parks and hospitality of the Kiwarrak Club and Colefax and Homewood families, attracting riders from as far as Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Sunshine Coast to name a few, with some campers arriving as early as Wednesday.

Float after float arrived with more than 150 people descending on Homewood Farm, inclusive of 104 riders with strappers and family in tow. Unfortunately, the stormy weather also flooded in and settled for the duration of the event, bogging up the ground and causing entire ride paths to be re-marked last minute...

Read more here:
http://www.winghamchronicle.com.au/story/3062567/second-annual-homewood-endurance-ride/#slide=9

Great Britain: Engaged Lincoln couple risk horrific saddle sores like this in the world's toughest horse race

Lincolnshireecho.co.uk - Full Article

By CJHall_LE | Posted: May 03, 2015

Experienced horsewoman Sarah Cooksey has persuaded her fiance Daniel Reeds to compete in the world's toughest horse race.

But novice Daniel would be forgiven for being hesitant about the 1,000-kilometre Mongol Derby - because he'll be riding a succession of semi-wild horses and risking serious injury.

The couple, who are engaged and live on Drury Lane in uphill Lincoln, also run the massive risk of horrific saddle sores which could severely hamper their chances of winning the event due to take place in August.

"It's in the Guinness Book of Records for being the world's longest horse race; travelling across 620 miles of Mongolian steppe," said Daniel, 34, who runs New Chapter Marketing and PR based in the city...

Read more: http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Engaged-Lincoln-couple-risk-saddle-sores-like/story-26435069-detail/story.html#ixzz3ZNOScgTD

Great Britain: Horse & Hound team to take part in Golden Horseshoe

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Amy Mathieson
5 May, 2015

A Horse & Hound team will be taking part in the Golden Horseshoe this year — in which is likely to be the final time the ride takes place.

The 2015 Golden Horseshoe (17-19 May) will be the 50th incarnation of the ride, but is likely to be the last on Exmoor as no one has stepped in to take over from the retiring organiser.

Ride organiser Barbara Wigley, 67, has been involved in the ride for more than 30 years and running it since 2007, but is stopping this year. The rest of her six-strong committee have said they are also giving up.

Showing, vet and point-to-point editor Aimi Clark, designer Emily Secrett, digital sub editor Rachael Hook and print sub editor Polly Bryan will be taking on the 23km pleasure ride challenge on Sunday 19 May.

Aimi will be riding her sister’s eventer, while the other three will be competing on borrowed horses.

“I’ve lived in Devon since I was 10 and always thought I should give the Golden Horseshoe a go, as it’s such a big deal and so close to home, but never have,” said Aimi...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horse-hound-team-to-take-part-in-golden-horseshoe-489383#T15MdvI4EPoLY0DD.99

World Champion Maria Alvarez Wins Spanish Championship

May 2 2015

Maria Alvarez Ponton, double World Endurance Champion (Malaysia 2008, Kentucky 2010), and double European Champion (Assisi 2009, Florac 2011) (all aboard Nobby), won the 2015 Spanish Endurance Championship in Bascara, Spain on Saturday, aboard Tarathata. Final time was 8:04.15.

Alex Luque finish second aboard Arai Polvorillo, coming in 16 seconds behind the winner. Cristina Yebra finished third, riding Girola de Quercus.

Ponton and Tarathata averaged 19.33 km/h over the course. 11 riders out of 32 starters completed the course.

For complete results, see:
http://www.endurancetiming.com/raids/Bascara_160_2015.PDF

France: Goachet Wins Rambouillet

On May 1 2015, in Rambouillet, France, Julien Goachet won the 160 km Rambouillet ride aboard Poly de Coat Frity, by just 4 seconds over second lace Gregoire Tilquin, riding Nafa de Bozouls. Riding time for the winner was 8:24.59.

Jean Philippe Frances finished third riding Tarzibus in 8:28.19.

15 riders completed the race out of 32 starters.

Complete results can be seen here:
http://www.atrm-systems.fr/index0esp.htm

'Quilty' returns to Hawkesbury for 50th

Theland.com.au - Full Article

ANDREW MARSHALL
29 Apr, 2015

THE world's biggest horse endurance ride has already attracted more than 450 nominations from around the world as riders prepare to mount up at midnight on June 5 to compete in the 50th Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

The 160-kilometre event is held annually over different courses around Australia, but returns to its origins in the Hawkesbury Valley north west of Sydney this year.

Riders and their horses from across Australia, the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa will start at Webbs Creek on the Hawkesbury River in a tribute to the popularity of the event and it first 26 starters in 1966...

Read more here:
http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/quilty-returns-to-hawkesbury-for-50th/2730624.aspx

American Endurance Ride Conference Maintains Support for FEI Position in UAE Suspension

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
AUBURN, California – April 30, 2015 – In March 2015, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Board of Directors formally requested that the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) remove the 2016 World Endurance Championship from Dubai to another venue or cancel the event altogether. The AERC also issued a statement of support when the FEI provisionally suspended the UAE National Federation on March 12, 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.
 
This week the AERC learned that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Federation has lodged a formal appeal to the FEI Tribunal against its provisional suspension from the FEI after a formal request to lift the suspension by the UAE was denied by the FEI Bureau.  In a statement FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender expressed disappointment that the UAE has chosen to lodge a formal appeal and pursue this matter legally.
 
AERC President Michael Campbell today reiterated the organization’s support of the FEI Secretary General, and joined her in expressing disappointment in the UAE by stating: “Our hope was that the suspension would encourage reflection and action from the UAE in the form of a change in behavior.  It is unfortunate that the UAE has taken legal action instead,” Campbell continued.  “We stand behind the FEI and believe that the sanctions are justified and necessary to ensure that horse welfare and fair play are restored to endurance competition in the UAE.”


About the AERC
In addition to promoting the sport of endurance riding, the AERC encourages the use, protection, and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historic significance. Many special events of four to six consecutive days take place over historic trails, such as the Pony Express Trail, the Outlaw Trail, the Chief Joseph Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trail. The founding ride of endurance riding, the Western States Trail Ride or Tevis Cup, covers 100 miles of the famous Western States and Immigrant Trails over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These rides promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations and foster an appreciation of our American heritage.
 
The American Endurance Ride Conference, established in 1972, is headquartered in Auburn, California, “The Endurance Capital of the World.” For more information please visit us at www.aerc.org.


Media Contact:
Candace FitzGerald

Dobbin Group

candace@dobbin-group.com

603-738-2788