UAE: Hamdan spearheads spectacular Emirati 1-2-3

Img credit: WAM
Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Crown Prince flies UAE flag high after winning Shaikh Mohammad Endurance Cup for second year


Published: January 9, 2016 Gulf News
Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer

Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, won the prestigious His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for the second year in succession on Saturday and then said he would launch his quest to win February’s HH The President of the UAE Cup.

Riding Ajayeb, a 15-year-old French-bred mare trained by Esmail Mohammad, Shaikh Hamdan led home a spectacular 1-2-3 finish for Emirati riders in the 160-kilometre CEI 3 Star ride which was contested by 227 top riders, representing an impressive 41 countries.

Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri, winner in 2012 and 2013, was denied his attempt to become the first rider to win the competition three times, when he finished runner-up.

Saeed Mohammad Khalifa Al Mehairi, winner of the 160km 3 Star HH President Cup last season, took third place.

“I am honoured and proud to win the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Cup for the second time,” Shaikh Hamdan told the Dubai Racing Channel. “It is one of the most prestigious rides on the endurance calendar and attracts some of the best riders in the world..."

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/hamdan-spearheads-spectacular-emirati-1-2-3-1.1650941#.VpEuD0RPfSg.twitter

New initiative to protect Dubai’s desert

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Meydan and Dubai Municipality programme will help preserve areas centred around endurance riding

Published: 18:47 January 7, 2016 Gulf News
Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer

Dubai: The Meydan Group will team up with Dubai Municipality in an ongoing programme to clean and preserve Dubai’s desert areas through a new environmental initiative named ‘My Arena, My Environment’ centred around the sport of endurance riding.

The focus is one of the many inter-related parts of the campaign that was developed and launched by Dubai Municipality in 2012.

To date, a large amount of debris, primarily plastic water bottles, have been removed from the vast desert in and around the Seih Assalam area and Al Qudra’s expansive cycling track route...

Read more here"
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/new-initiative-to-protect-dubai-s-desert-1.1650143

Four USA Riders to Contest HH Maktoum Cup in Dubai

January 8 2016

Among Saturday's entries in the 160-km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup in Dubai are American riders Heather and Jeremy Reynolds, Melody Blittersdorf, and Meg Sleeper.

Heather Reynolds will be aboard Bound for Honor (winners of the 2015 AHA Distance Nationals 50-mile Championship). Jeremy Reynolds will ride Danire. Blittersdorf will be riding CA Iceman, and Sleeper will be aboard her homebred Sirocco Rabia.

For more on entries and the ride coverage, see
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2016MaktoumCup/

Mongol Derby: Dressed to Ride

Horse-canada.com Blog - Full Story

Chase Endurance | January 7, 2016

Compression shorts, waterproof socks, good buff and fisherman’s waistcoat are some of the new items that have woven their way into my gear list (yes, horse backriding gear list).

The most recent advisory from the Mongol Derby Adventurists, in particular, a Derbyist guru, who goes by the name of Maggie, detailed her first training tip “Dressing for the Derby.” She described the normal items you think of when riding a horse such as a good lightweight helmet, strong but comfortable sports bra, breeches, riding gloves and appropriate footwear. However, I was surprised to hear that there is such a thing as waterproof socks, boots maybe, pants and jackets, but not socks. My local tack store was astonished as well and gave me the look – you know the one – maybe it is time to go back to dreamland.

Maggie spent quite a bit of time discussing underwear, finding the right fit, seamless, quick drying, breathable, easy to wash, padded, etc. and taking the time to ensure you have thoroughly tested it out. This was the sort of email that you wanted to read alone and only discuss with other Derbyists. I really don’t think my hunter/jumper friend who swears that “thongs really are comfortable” will be much help in this search...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/dressed-to-ride/

Northern Ireland: Volunteers rescue seriously injured rider lost in dense forest

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Ellie Hughes
7 January, 2016

A rider has credited a volunteer search and rescue team with saving her from potentially life-changing injuries after she fell from her horse during a 10-mile pleasure ride in Northern Ireland.

Charmaine Halliday (pictured above her daughter Megan before the accident) was taking part in a ride organised by the Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) in the Tollymore Forest, near Newcastle, on 3 January.

“There was around two miles left and I was cantering along when I lost my stirrup. I slid off the side because my saddle was so wet in the rain,” Charmaine told H&H.

“According to my daughter, Megan, who was riding behind me, I fell down the bank and hit some rocks and trees, but as I was knocked unconscious I don’t remember anything...”

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/charmaine-halliday-fall-tollymore-forest-rescue-522768#yBvwhLzJlh1fJXjL.99

UAE: Endurance riders to vie for unique new one metre high trophy

Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News Gulfnews.com - Full Article

London jewellers craft Wimbledon salvers, FA Cup and ICC trophies too

January 7, 2016 Gulf News
Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer

Dubai: Competitors in the ninth annual HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, presented by Longines on Saturday, will be vying for the honour to lift a unique trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the renowned 160km contest.

The trophy, created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London, stands one metre in height and weighs 20 kilograms.

It is topped by a three-dimensional horse and rider - the figure representing the victory by HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. in the 2012 FEI Longines World Endurance Championships held in Euston Park, England.

Shaikh Mohammad’s arm is raised overhead in victory and holds a single .32 carat diamond in his hand...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/endurance-riders-to-vie-for-unique-new-one-metre-high-trophy-1.1649934

Uneventful time for vets at recent UAE endurance gathering

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Horsetalk.co.nz | 7 January 2016

A four-star judge and technical delegate says only three horses required light medical treatment among the 242 who took part in three days of endurance racing in the United Arab Emirates recently.

François Kerboul provided an account of racing at Bouthieb. The first day, on December 31, saw the staging of a CEN 1* race over 90km for women. It attracted 59 competitors.

The veterinary facilities remained unused through the day, which had not happened since the beginning of endurance in the UAE, he said...

Read more: http://horsetalk.co.nz/2016/01/07/uneventful-time-vets-uae/#ixzz3wZfGJIuF