Australia: Lion-hearted enduro effort

Batemansbaypost.com - Full Article

By SAM STRONG June 19, 2015,

HEIDI Wade of East Lynne has turned in a marathon-effort to finish 17th at the 50th anniversary of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, a demanding 160-kilometre endurance horse riding race.

Wade, riding six-year-old pure Arabian Pevensey Prosecco in the heavyweight divison, was joined by fellow South Coast riders Roy Counsell aboard Espirit Sherwood in the middleweight division and Irene Adams on Shane D Survivor in the lightweight divison.

Unfortunately Counsell, who was aiming to finish his fifth Quilty, bowed out half-way through while Adams’ horse was declared lame after the fourth leg, with only 12 kilometres to go.

It was Wade’s first attempt at the world’s largest endurance ride – 340 riders set out at midnight amid torchlight - and there was plenty of hard work leading up to the competition.

Wade’s horse was just above minimum age and it had to have completed three 80-kilometre endurance rides previously.

“He is quite young to compete in this kind of endurance race but has proven to be an amazing horse,” Wade said.

“I am extremely proud of him and just to complete this ride is to win...

Read more here:
http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/3156060/lion-hearted-enduro-effort/?src=rss

FEI Appoints New Veterinary Director

FEI.org

18 Jun 2015

The FEI has appointed Göran Akerström (SWE) as FEI Veterinary Director. He takes up the post at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 1 September 2015.

Akerström comes from the Swedish Trotting Association, where he was Chief Veterinary Officer for five years. He has also been Head of the Equine Welfare department for the past two years. He was a member of the Swedish Trotting Association management team, advisor to the regulatory committee and collaborated closely with the Swedish Equestrian Federation and the Swedish Jockey Club.

He was previously veterinary inspector for the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Animal Welfare Agency, specialising in equine sports, welfare, disease control and horse transportation.

Akerström holds a master’s degree in veterinary science from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, where he later lectured, and was a member of the management team of the Department of Environment and Animal Health for five years.

He has also specialised in equine neonatal medicine as a private practitioner, competed in Jumping and Eventing, worked as a course designer and show manager, and was platoon leader and instructor for the Regiment of Halsingland during a 10-year career with the Swedish Army.

“Equestrian sport has been a major part of my life for 30 years,” Akerström said. “As with many people in the horse world, my passion for horses goes back to my childhood, and since then I have worked with horses directly, with organisations specialising in welfare and the growth of horse sport. I am now looking forward to helping the FEI move forward with its progressive work in horse movement, equine welfare and anti-doping.”

“Göran Akerström has unparalleled leadership, horse sport and horse welfare expertise,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender said. “We will be delighted to welcome him into the FEI and to the FEI Family when he joins us at Headquarters in September.”

New FEI rules will close loopholes for rule-breakers

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Horse & Hound
18 June, 2015

Horse & Hound has played a part in provoking drastic changes to the FEI’s legal processes, that will prevent future rule-breakers escaping punishment on legal technicalities.

H&H’s coverage of the endurance scandal has revealed significant loopholes in provisions for reporting of offences.

The successful protest against horse abuse at CEI Sakhir, Bahrain, lodged by H&H contributor Pippa Cuckson and former editor Lucy Higginson in March 2014, highlighted the impracticality of the deadline for reporting abuse within 30 minutes of a confirmed result.

H&H then led coverage of the Marmoog horse-swapping scandal. Pictures of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum riding the real and “fake” Marmoogs in 2012 were unearthed by Pippa Cuckson last year — 18 months too late to meet the previous deadline...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/fei-legal-processes-changed-endurance-scandal-498478#pYt8FxYumOlBxk5A.99

Australia: Riding back to where it all began

Cowraguardian.com.au - Full Article

June 17, 2015, midnight

Six members of the Lachlan Endurance riders Club travelled to Wisemans Ferry to compete in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup this year.

It was the 50th Anniversary ride and was taken back to where it all started back in 1966 in the Hawkesbury Valley of NSW.

The midnight start saw 342 riders from all over Australia and 12 international riders head out into the darkness of a very challenging course, which consisted of five legs all returning for veterinary inspections to each horse to make sure they are fit to continue.

The winner this year was young Ben Hudson from Mudgee riding for OSO Arabians of Albury on Cap Braveheart a seven year old purebred stallion, in a time of 10 hours and 16 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/3150825/riding-back-to-where-it-all-began/?cs=594

HRH Princess Haya honoured with 2015 Longines Ladies Award

FEI.org

16 Jun 2015

HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein, FEI President from 2006 to 2014, was awarded the prestigious Longines Ladies Award in a unique ceremony at Hampton Court Palace (GBR) last night.

Global horse sport industry leaders gathered on the eve of Royal Ascot in the historic Great Hall for the Longines Ladies Award, which celebrates the achievements of women who have consistently succeeded at the highest level within the horse world.

Princess Haya was honoured as the sole recipient of the 2015 Longines Ladies Award by the jury of Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), Nathalie Bélinguier, President of the International Federation of Gentleman and Lady Riders (FEGENTRI) and FEI President Ingmar De Vos.

Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President & Head of International Marketing at Longines, addressed the guests: “We are here to celebrate the extraordinary career of an exceptional, unique and elegant lady. An Olympian, a humanitarian, a United Nations’ Messenger of Peace, and former President of the International Equestrian Federation. Of course, I am speaking of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya.

“Many of us in the room have had the immeasurable pleasure of working alongside Princess Haya. Millions more people around the world will experience the positive impact she has had on equestrianism - the sport she loves, the sport we at Longines love - for generations to come.

“She has transformed the wealth and profile of the International Equestrian Federation. She has shown the same fearlessness in tackling controversial issues for the sport as she did as a rider. Her outstanding elegance as a competitor, a leader, and a woman working tirelessly for the good of equestrian sports is why Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the winner of the 2015 Longines Ladies Award.”

Princess Haya, who last December joined HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón (ESP), HRH The Princess Royal (GBR), and HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (GBR) as an FEI Honorary President, said she was humbled to receive the award in front of so many friends.

“It’s a massive honour to be the winner and the recipient of this award”, Princess Haya said. “I have so many people to thank and I accept this award on behalf of the many women who have helped me along the way, and of course the many men. The fact is that horses bring out the best in people and it’s all about working together. And Longines will always be the cement that unifies our two families of racing and horse sport.”

HRH Princess Haya received the 2015 Longines Ladies Award consisting of a Longines pocket watch: the Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Horses Trio 1911. The model that served as an inspiration for this 18-carat rose gold very limited edition is a Longines pocket timepiece dating from 1911 with a cleverly crafted background depicting a trio of horses. The heads of these three proud animals stand out against a background of delicately worked foliage.

"The Longines Ladies Award recognises the success and achievements of elegant women at the very highest level of the global horse sports industry," FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “HRH Princess Haya has had a profound and long lasting effect not only on equestrian sport and all those involved in it, but also on countless women outside the sport, who have been inspired by her determination, her strength and her integrity.

"The Longines Ladies Award is a wonderful tribute to her consummate sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the field and her ability to empower individuals and communities around the world. It is an honour for me, the FEI Family, and the many supporters around the world of Princess Haya's tireless dedication in supporting and growing equestrian sport worldwide to be a part of this celebration.”

Louis Romanet paid tribute to Princess Haya’s role in promoting collaboration at the top level of equestrian sports: “She was a very good and very elegant show jumping rider before becoming an outstanding President of the FEI for eight years. Princess Haya was elected as the first President of the International Horse Sports Confederation which we created together in 2014 as a formal vehicle of cooperation between the FEI and IFHA.”

“Princess Haya has a spirit of competition and excellence. She especially illustrates this in her elegance as a woman, the way in which she ran the FEI, which she directed marvellously well. Her noble way and her class have shown us this,” Nathalie Bélinguier said.



Solidarity in Sport

On behalf of the guests attending the Longines Ladies Award evening, Longines made a donation to FEI Solidarity, the FEI’s global sport development programme and brainchild of Princess Haya.

FEI Solidarity, which focuses on providing opportunities for the next generation of athletes, and all those working in equestrian communities around the world so that local structures can be established to develop the sport, was launched in 2011 and is inspired by the Olympic Solidarity model.

“As with Olympic Solidarity, FEI Solidarity now plays a fundamental role in the fabric of the FEI and the growth of equestrian sport around the world,” said Ingmar De Vos, who took over as Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee last December.

“FEI Solidarity was created by Princess Haya and, thanks to her brilliance, the FEI is now helping many global communities to pursue Olympic and Paralympic dreams. This is a living and highly successful legacy from Princess Haya, and we give heartfelt thanks to Longines, a major supporter of athletes around the world, for their donation tonight.”

The first Longines Ladies Awards were held in 2013, when a jury chaired by actor and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Simon Baker awarded prizes to Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Athina Onassis de Miranda and Sophie Thalmann at the famous Château de Chantilly (FRA) on the eve of the Prix de Diane Longines. Four leading women in the equestrian world, Sylvie Robert, Criquette Head-Maarek, Jing Li and Bo Derek were then honoured in 2014 by the jury that included Longines Ambassador of Elegance Kate Winslet.

New Zealand: Maxim says sponsorship will help him win the Mongol Derby

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

CHRISTOPHER REIVE
Last updated 16:23, June 15 2015

Maxim Van Lierde has taken his sponsorship from horse feed company MaxWin as an omen for success in one of the world's toughest horse races.

The former New Plymouth man is putting the final preparations in place for his race in the Mongol Derby – a 1000 kilometre race across the Mongolian Steppe in August.

Van Lierde, 25, son of New Plymouth sculptor Renate Verbrugge, has received sponsorship from Thailand-based horse feed company MaxWin, which will cover the majority of his expenses.

He sees MaxWin's support as a good omen because he intends going over there to win, just like the name of his sponsor suggests...

Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/69406775/Maxim-says-sponsorship-will-help-him-win-the-Mongol-Derby

Australia: Imbil rider takes third in Tom Quilty Gold Cup

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

11 June 2015

ENDURANCE: Imbil rider Kaylea Maher won the lightweight division at the Tom Quilty Gold Cup at the weekend in Hawkesbury, New South Wales, and placed third overall.

Maher, 29, has been endurance riding for about 16 years and has competed in six Quilty Cups, completing four and two placing first in her division.

She said compared with other Quilties, this year's was very exciting and created a rush of adrenaline...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/maher-third-in-quilty/2668289/