An Endurance Perspective In Europe

Easycare Blog - Full Article

November 30, 2015
by Christoph Schork

At the end of my blog from last month, On Tour Abroad, I promised a follow up blog covering my experience with endurance racing in Europe. So here it is. I had previously participated in endurance events in Germany, Australia and the Middle East, but had not entered any races in France and Spain. In October of 2015 I had the opportunity to ride at two FEI sanctioned events. I could combine these races this time with my Hoof Care Clinics which I conduct every year in Europe.

My first start was at the VIC** in Catalunya, just a few miles north of Barcelona. I had the pleasure of riding a horse of Jaume Punti Dachs, or short, Juma from the Juma Stable, a 14 year old bay gelding, Malik Kerrous.

The 120km, (75 Mile) race had 70+ entries, Juma Stable alone entered a total of 15 horses. The trail was a mix of hills, rocky trails, concrete and paved roads with stretches of softer footing. But for the most part the ground was hard. The pace is generally faster compared to endurance races in the USA. Typically the horses canter much more, trotting only when terrain demands it. Surprising is the fact that most horses are shod with steel shoes, and just about everybody uses clips as well...

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Regulated Endurance Rides in Abu Dhabi Support Responsible Riding

www.Horsereporter.com - Full Article

December 1 2015

Endurance Rule Change for Boudhieb Endurance

1 December 2015, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ For the remainder of 2015 and in advance of the Endurance season of 2016, His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has taken the state of affairs in Group 7 endurance racing extremely seriously, in particular in the UAE, and for some time has been in discussion with a number of people and bodies concerning the welfare of endurance horses and how to bring back respect for the horse and skill of the rider in successfully completing endurance competitions.

It is the considered opinion of HH Sheikh Sultan that speeds now reached in local endurance rides have exceeded the natural capacity of the average Arabian horse and that allowing speed, and therefore the culture of First past the post as the sole winning factor, has led to many problems.

Consequently, in his Boudhieb Endurance Village, run under the banner of Emirates Heritage Club, a number of new rules now being tested will apply for the remaining races of the season. These are designed to slow the speeds and make riders more responsible for how they ride and present and care for their horses in the races.

Chiefly they are as follows:...

Read the rest here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2015/12/01/regulated-endurance-rides-in-abu-dhabi-support-responsible-riding/

UAE: Khalifa wins N-Day Endurance Cup

Gulftoday.ae - Full Article

From Our Abu Dhabi Bureau
December 06, 2015

ABU DHABI: Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, astride Arabian mare Minute for the Al Wathba Stables, worked his way through to land the National Day Cup CEN 120km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

The winner covered the distance in 4 hours, 20 minutes and five seconds at an average speed of 17.683 km/ hour and finished just a fraction of a second ahead of the French contender Maeva Vaslentin, onboard Arabian gelding Zenith Des Pins from the Mubarak Al Arti Stables. Abdulla Ganim Al Marri was five seconds behind in third place onboard Quran Al Ulm, representing F3 Stables...

Read more here:
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/48191304-6e91-4bd3-a1da-595f0c8428b2.aspx

Abu Dhabi: Top riders eye big prizes at National Day Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Eleven 4WD cars on offer in prestigious 120km event

December 4, 2015
Staff Report

Abu Dhabi: Around 150 riders will be seen in action in the 120-km National Day Cup endurance ride held to mark the 44th UAE National Day.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the ADEC said. “The National Day Cup ride is very prestigious and a large number of top stars, both local and international, will be participating.”

“There will be 11 4WD cars on offer for the top 11 who successfully complete the 120-km ride which will be run in four stages of 40km, 35km, 25km and 20km,” he said...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/top-riders-eye-big-prizes-at-national-day-cup-1.1631566

Regulated Endurance Rides in Abu Dhabi Support Responsible Riding

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

December 1 2015

Endurance Rule Change for Boudhieb Endurance

1 December 2015, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ For the remainder of 2015 and in advance of the Endurance season of 2016, His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has taken the state of affairs in Group 7 endurance racing extremely seriously, in particular in the UAE, and for some time has been in discussion with a number of people and bodies concerning the welfare of endurance horses and how to bring back respect for the horse and skill of the rider in successfully completing endurance competitions.

It is the considered opinion of HH Sheikh Sultan that speeds now reached in local endurance rides have exceeded the natural capacity of the average Arabian horse and that allowing speed, and therefore the culture of First past the post as the sole winning factor, has led to many problems...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2015/12/01/regulated-endurance-rides-in-abu-dhabi-support-responsible-riding/

Ireland: Endurance ride at Cullinagh Stables

Munster-express.ie - Full Article

December 1 2015

After huge success last month at the annual Red Dragon Festival of Endurance at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, Wales, members of the Irish Long Distance Riding Association travelled to County Waterford on Sunday, 15th November to participate in the ILDRA’s End of Year Ride at Cullinagh Stables, Kilmeaden.

The Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) is the governing body for Endurance Riding in Ireland and it is affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland. There are two regional groups based in Ulster and Leinster.

The association organises endurance events throughout the country, many of which are ‘pleasure rides’. These rides normally cover distances of about eight miles and are open to members and non-members.

Competitive Trail Rides and Endurance Races are also regular features of the ILDRA calendar and these events cover distances of 50 miles and upwards.

Endurance riding is growing in popularity in Munster as was clearly evident from the large turnout at last week’s pleasure ride at Cullinagh Stables.

Participants from across the south followed pre-marked trails, taking them through woodland and along the River Dawn, flanked by historic sites such as the old cotton mill and chimney at Fairbrook, the Queen Anne Way and the Spa Fields at Gortnaclode...

Read more here:
http://www.munster-express.ie/sports/endurance-ride-at-cullinagh-stables/

South Africa: Horse exports to UAE boost Western Cape economy

BDLive.co.za - Full Article

BY BEKEZELA PHAKATHI, 30 NOVEMBER 2015

THE Western Cape horse export industry has received a major boost following the export of the largest consignment of horses from the province to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The development comes after Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde earlier this year led a Western Cape delegation to the Arabian Peninsula nation. Increasing the trade of horses between the two regions was noted as a key priority during Mr Winde’s official visit.

The horse export industry is worth over R200m to the provincial economy, but there is potential to grow it to R1bn if the right measures are in place, Mr Winde said on Monday...

Read more here:
http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/trade/2015/11/30/horse-exports-to-uae-boost-western-cape-economy