FEI Bureau Unanimously Agrees Next Steps on United Arab Emirates Endurance Proposals

FEI.org
9 Jun 2015

The FEI Bureau has today welcomed a series of proposals for reform of the Endurance discipline in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but agreed unanimously that further information needs to be provided by the UAE National Federation before lifting of the provisional suspension can be considered. The FEI Bureau provisionally suspended the UAE National Federation in March of this year following an investigation by the FEI into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations in Endurance.

The Bureau gave a clear mandate to FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender to work with the relevant departments in FEI Headquarters and seek additional feedback from the FEI Bureau members, before requesting more concrete details on the proposals from the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF). The proposals were contained in a 10-page document, which was sent to the FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender on Friday 5 June.

The EEF proposals include:

• Creation of an EEF Endurance Committee of Enquiry to oversee full application of the rules;
• Involvement of the National Olympic Committee and National Anti-Doping Committee;
• Training and education of athletes, trainers, owners and officials;
• The possibility to ban organisers for non-compliance with the rules;
• Ensuring EEF national rules are fully in compliance with the FEI rules and regulations;
• Working more closely with the FEI, including welcoming FEI observers at EEF national events;
• Full cooperation with the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit inquiry into the duplication of results at a number of events in the country.

The EEF accepts that any breach of these commitments could result in the suspension being reinstated and the withdrawal of the 2016 FEI World Endurance Championships, which were allocated to the UAE in December 2014.

The EEF also detailed the new legislation that has been introduced in the UAE prohibiting the trade or use of banned substances in horse racing and equestrian sports in the country and the substantial fines that will be imposed for breaches.

The Bureau discussed the proposals in detail before reaching unanimous agreement that the Secretary General and FEI Headquarters should work together with the EEF to finalise the agreement between the two organisations. At that point, and only once the Bureau is completely satisfied that horse welfare will be ensured at all times, that FEI Rules and Regulations will be fully implemented and rigorously enforced, and that all pending issues have been addressed, the Bureau will vote on the lifting of the suspension.

“We welcome the proposed agreement of the UAE and see it as a very positive development that they are working to come to a solution”, the FEI President Ingmar De Vos said today. “The provisional suspension can only be lifted if there is a clear commitment to respect the rules before the Bureau can consider the lifting of the suspension. It is clear that more still needs to be done and we require some further work on the details, but their proposals are a very good start to work on the process for reinstatement.”

South Africa: Race the Wild Coast

Theride.co.za

In 2016 we launch Race the Wild Coast: a new breed of horse race. Riders, with a team of three horses, compete for victory over 350km of rugged paradise on the remote east coast of South Africa; navigating through this challenging wilderness, swimming rivers and keeping horses fit for vet checks in this complex multi stage race, will challenge the endurance of any horseback adventurer.

What:

• Total distance: 350 kilometres.

• A multi stage format including: dawn start and dusk cut-off, compulsory holds for tide affected river crossings and timed releases.

• Each rider has a team of 3 horses provided by a South African stud.

• There will be two horse changes at prescribed points: 123km and 209km into the race respectively.

• Each stage ends with a vet check for the horses (approximately every 40km). A rider may only continue without penalty if their horse passes the vet check.

• A recommended track with alternative routes or simply a stage destination, dependent on the terrain, will be provided on GPS to aid navigation. There will be no route markings on the ground.

• The race window is a total of 5 days with the organisers expecting the winner to finish early on the fourth day.

• This race will be a complex combination of endurance, horsemanship, navigation, strategy and what Mother Nature throws at you!


Where:

• The Wild Coast on the eastern seaboard of South Africa, from Port Edward to Kei Mouth.

• Competitors will be transferred from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and fly out of East London Airport at the conclusion of the race.


When:

• 19th – 27th October 2016.

• Pre-Race training 19th – 21st October. Race 22nd – 26th October. Depart 27th October.

• Competitors transfer from Durban to the start camp on the 19th of October for a race briefing followed on the 20th and 21st with meeting their horses and back up team, kit and tack testing, horse orientation (including practice swimming rivers) and team strategy discussions.

• The race starts at dawn on the 22nd of October with a five-day window to complete the race.

• There will be a prize giving and spectacular celebration on the evening of the 26th, and on the 27th our brave adventurers begin their journey homeward.


Who:

• The adventure format of the race requires real horsemanship skills, experience riding long distances and competence in operating a GPS; the critical aid to navigating in this landscape.

• Riders will need to be physically fit, confident swimmers and be comfortable in the wilderness, alone and self sufficient.

• Riders must complete an application form, including details of their qualifications to compete in the race. Acceptance of applications will be at the discretion of the organisers.
Price:

• GBP4 250.00 or EUR5 950.00 or USD6 500.00 or ZAR79 000.00
• The price includes all food, accommodation, horses, support crew, tack and transfers (from pick up in Durban to drop off in East London).

For more information see
http://theride.co.za/the-race

Australia: Ben Hudson wins 50th anniversary of Tom Quilty endurance ride

ABC.net.au - Full Article

Cassie Hough and Mike Pritchard
June 8 2015

A little horse with a big heart has carried Ben Hudson from Mudgee in central New South Wales to his first win at the 50th Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance ride.

There were 348 riders from across the country entered in the 160-kilometre ride, which is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in the world.

This was Mr Hudson's fourth Tom Quilty ride, having improved quickly from retiring early due to vetting out at his first ride to coming second last year and going one better this year to take home the cup.

After some competitive riding out on the track, Mr Hudson was able to trot over the finish line in a time of 10 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds.

"I was over the moon. I couldn't believe the effort my horse put it, it was a pretty good feeling. I was overwhelmed by the people and the support at the finish line," he said...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-05/tom-quilty-endurance-horse-race/6528632

New Zealand: Hamilton woman given last minute chance to ride in the Mongol Derby

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

RACHEL THOMAS
Last updated 19:02, June 3 2015

A Hamilton woman has been given a last minute chance to take part in the world's longest horse race, but she needs a leg-up to get there.

Isabella Campbell made a late entry to the Mongol Derby, a 1000 km race across the wild Mongolian steppe following Genghis Khan's postal route. She found out she was accepted last week as one of 40 other riders from around the world.

"Generally just over half the people make it over the finish line, so making it over that finish line is a massive goal, it's basically my life dream..."

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/69062126/hamilton-woman-given-last-minute-chance-to-ride-in-the-mongol-derby

British endurance riders conquer Kings Forest

Horseandcountry.tv - Full Article

By Charlotte Ricca-Smith on 5th-Jun-2015

British Endurance riders swept the board at the CEI Kings Forest Endurance Event in Suffolk at the weekend (30-31 May).

'So proud'

Chris Wray and Takwenya won the CEI3* 160km (100 mile) event. Chris completed the course in a time of 9 hours, 51 minutes and 55 seconds. He was followed 20 minutes later by Fiona Griffiths, who took second place with Oliver Twist IV.
“Takwenya was absolutely great all day,” said Chris. “We trotted most of the ride, only cantering if she wanted a change of pace. But on the final loop we cantered more than the previous five loops put together – she just ate up the ground. Her trot-ups were amazing all day. I’m so proud of my wonderful mare...”

Read more here:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2015/06/05/british-endurance-riders-conquer-kings-forest

Format changes could be in place for WEG in 2018, says FEI president

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | 4 June 2015

Format changes in the key disciplines could be in place for the next World Equestrian Games, FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos says.

De Vos, who ended a New Zealand visit yesterday, provided a potential time-frame for the implementation of changes which the FEI hopes will result in tighter and easier-to-follow formats that are likely to win greater favour with broadcasters...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/06/04/format-changes-weg-2018-fei-president/#ixzz3cCBVYcsH

UAE: Khalifa issues law on horse racing

Emirates247.com - Full Article

Cabinet issues implementation regulations

By Wam
Published Monday, June 01, 2015

The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2015 to combat the trade or use of banned substances in horse racing and equestrian sports events in the UAE. The Cabinet has also issued the Implementing Regulations of the new law.

The law aims to protect legitimate competition in the sport and eliminate fraud while promoting the principle of sportsmanship. It will also encourage research on combatting banned materials in horse racing and equestrian events, help develop the detection process in order to maximise the effectiveness of preventive strategies and educate owners and professionals about the seriousness of the use of prohibited substances.

The new law is applicable in equestrian sports that include any local, regional and international contests or competition dedicated to horses, which include, without limitation, Endurance, Flat, training of horses, polo and events related to beauty...

Read more here:
http://www.emirates247.com/news/government/khalifa-issues-law-on-horse-racing-2015-06-01-1.592527