Great Britain: Chance to tell the story of the fascinating life of Malvern businessman and former endurance horse racing champion with a passion for wildlife and art

Worcesternews.co.uk - Full Article

Cathy Anstey, Reporter / Tuesday 19 January 2016

AT THE age of 14 Derek Francis wanted to be a scientist. His mum wanted him to go to grammar school and his dad wanted him to join the family business.

Despite his keen interest in astronomy and zoology, he chose to work with his dad, a furniture maker in Malvern.

After starting an apprenticeship to learn about furniture and upholstery, Derek and his father decided to move into retail as they realised it was more profitable to sell furniture made by other people.

This was the start of the independent family-run furniture, beds and interiors business now known as Francis of Malvern, based in Malvern Link.

Derek’s job was delivering furniture, often on a hand cart he pushed to customers’ homes in Malvern. Now aged 91, he recalls: “It was a hard way of delivering a bedstead in Malvern.” He was, without doubt, very fit and strong in those days.

But despite focusing on a career in business, Derek did not lose interest in science, and particularly zoology. In the 1960s he went on an African safari, which reignited his passion for animals.

“I got hooked on wildlife and the whole idea and necessity of doing something to preserve wildlife. I have had a passionate interest in the subject ever since...

Read more here:
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14213762.Chance_to_tell_the_story_of_the_fascinating_life_of_Malvern_businessman_and_former_endurance_horse_racing_champion_with_a_passion_for_wildlife_and_art/

Epiphany 2: FEI Grasps the (UAE) Bou Thib Initiative. Yes, Really!

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | January 19, 2016

Well, I thought I’d never see it, but little pink porkers genuinely have sprouted wings.

The measures drawn up by Sheikh Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi to reform endurance at his Bou Thib venue gained massive credence in a short time, but did anyone seriously think the rest of the UAE would join him voluntarily in respect for the horse?

But now, in the wake of yet another chaotic death on Saturday, they might just have to, for something extraordinary has happened. The FEI has grown a pair of something that isn’t wings and wants all UAE rides to adopt similar measures to Bou Thib, to reduce the killer speeds.

Yes folks, it’s true. For all the FEI working groups, strategic planners, consultancy exercises, seminars, rule reviews, and no doubt hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of legal fees over the past two years to sort out the travesty in the UAE, the FEI has now resorted to a single page of commonsense from by a wise, genuinely horse-loving Sheikh...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/epiphany-2-fei-grasps-the-bou-thib-initiative-yes-really/

Canada: 2016 HCBC Horse Sport Symposium

Horsejournals.com - Full Article

Classical Training Exercises with Jec Aristotle Ballou

By HCBC

Jec Aristotle Ballou, author of the best-selling book 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse and Rider, will be presenting at Horse Council BC’s 2016 Horse Sport Symposium, February 6 to 7, 2016. The event, held at the indoor ring of Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, will offer riders and spectators an opportunity to learn first-hand from Ballou on a host of topics, including:

Conditioning through downtime: calisthenics
Exercises to create adjustability
Exercises to create looseness
Strengthening exercises
Rider refinement exercises
Introduction to Western dressage
Developing contact & “feel”
Exercises for symmetry & straightness
Exercises to create maneuverability
Improving the lope
Intro to collection

Ballou has trained and competed through the FEI levels, but has also competed in long distance trail riding, Ride & Tie, breed shows, and almost everything in between. She won three consecutive East Coast championships in distance riding, becoming the youngest rider in history to win the prestigious Vermont 100 Mile Competition. A proponent of interdisciplinary study, she serves as an advisor to the Western Dressage Association of America...

Read more here:
https://www.horsejournals.com/equinews/news/regional/2016-hcbc-horse-sport-symposium

FEI Celebrated in Creative Sports Awards

FEI.org

14 Jan 2016

The winners of the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards have been honoured in Dubai (UAE).
HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), FEI 2nd Vice President, member of the FEI Executive Board and President of FEI Regional Group VII, was awarded the Arab Administrator Award - Kingdom of Bahrain.

HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, FEI Honorary President and Goodwill Ambassador, was also honoured, taking the Local Sports Figure award in recognition of her outstanding work as FEI President during 2006 to 2014, and for establishing the FEI’s global sport development programme, FEI Solidarity.

FEI Solidarity, launched in 2011 and inspired by the Olympic Solidarity model, is focused 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.

The FEI was not the only International Federation to be recognised at the awards ceremony. The International Judo Federation, also with a base in the Olympic capital of Lausanne, was presented with the International Organisation Award for its efforts in bringing judo and its values to children in Syrian refugee camps.

“For the FEI, it is particularly gratifying to see FEI Solidarity recognised in the award to our Honorary President Princess Haya, and to see our 2nd Vice President Sheikh Khalid honoured. It is good to see their services and commitment to equestrian sport getting this recognition”, said Ingmar De Vos, FEI President and FEI Solidarity Chair. “Speaking on behalf of the international equestrian community, I would like to congratulate all the athletes, teams and sports institutions who put their hearts and souls into winning these awards. Sport is an essential part of our global society. The creativity we see in the sports industry is very exciting, with clear benefits to the communities we all live in and are looking to develop for future generations.”

A total of 180 entries were received for this seventh edition of the annual Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards, part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Global Initiatives focusing on humanitarian, social and developmental strategies.

UAE: Going the distance on 4 legs

Straitstimes.com - Full Article

Horses in Dubai endurance race enjoy royal treatment; discipline is FEI's fastest growing

January 17 2016
Jonathan Wong

They are subjected to strict medical checks throughout the gruelling race in the desert and have a team waiting to massage their feet and fetch buckets of cold water to refresh them, while electric fans are brought out to keep them cool during the intermittent breaks.

While this sounds like a typical scene from a marathon race involving elite athletes, there is one telling difference.

These competitors run on all fours. Meet the stars of the equine world of endurance racing.

Nothing is spared to keep these horses - mostly Arabian-bred and famed for their stamina and durability - comfortable and in the best physical shape, explained rider Prutiratr Serireongrith.

Volunteers line the dusty circuit with plastic bottles of water in hand, passing them to the riders who rarely take a sip but empty the contents onto their mounts to keep them hydrated.

"The horses are the No. 1 priority. No one really cares about us, the ones sitting on top," chuckled Prutiratr...

Read more here:
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/going-the-distance-on-4-legs

Bahrain: Nasser bin Hamad awards endurance race winners

BNA.bh - Full Article

16/01/2016

Manama, Jan.16 (BNA) HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee honoured the winners of Khalid bin Hamad 120KM Endurance Race in the presence of HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF).

Rashid Al Rowaiee from Al Zaeem Stables won the first place on the horse Trabic, finishing in 04:35:25 time with the speed of 26km/h. The second and third places went to Al Fateh Stables’ rider Raed Mahmoud and Al Asayel Stables’ Fahad Helal Al Khatery, who finished the race in 04:44:10 and 04:44:15, respectively and with the speed of 25km/h...

Read more here:
http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/706376

Great Britain: Golden Horseshoe saved but no ride in 2016

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Rachael Hook
11 January, 2016

The future of Britain’s most famous endurance ride has been secured thanks to the appointment of a new event organiser, but the ride will not go ahead this year.

Exmoor’s Golden Horseshoe celebrated its 50th anniversary last year (17-19 May), but the continuation of the event hung in the balance after its long-serving committee chose to step down.

The committee, headed by Barbara Wigley, was struggling to find a replacement team.

However, Mrs Wigley confirmed to H&H that a new organiser had stepped in and the ride is expected to continue in 2017.

“It’s not running this year, but we think it will run next year,” Mrs Wigley told H&H.

“I’m really pleased — it is a nice feeling. The person who is taking it on is getting a new committee together.”

Mrs Wigley said she will be able to confirm the name of the new organiser and further information on the future of the ride in March...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/golden-horseshoe-saved-but-no-ride-in-2016-523262#cpdZjv2Qlmo3TJZP.99