Air Force captain from Kansas to compete in 621-mile horse race in Mongolia

CJOnline.com - Full Article

Captain Tim Finley is riding in the Mongol Derby to raise awareness about the 22 veteran suicides that occur each day.

Posted: July 17, 2016

By Emma Fiander
emma.fiander@cjonline.com

Air Force captain Tim Finley, of Chapman, isn’t one to let life pass him by.

He also isn’t one for keeping quiet on issues that matter to him. Combine those traits and you get a man who is riding in the Mongol Derby to honor the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day.

On Aug. 4, Finley and approximately 40 others will start their race across 1,000 kilometers of Mongolian steppe. They will ride semi-wild horses, face bandits or packs of wild dogs, and rely solely on what they can carry and the hospitality of rural Mongolians to see them through the 10-day course.

It is the world’s most grueling horse race...

Read more here:
http://cjonline.com/news/2016-07-17/air-force-captain-kansas-compete-621-mile-horse-race-mongolia#

Canada: Bromont WEG: The Death Throes

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

July 14, 2016
by: Horse-Canada.com

To no one’s actual surprise, and the Canadian equestrian community’s profound disappointment, it is likely that the World Equestrian Games set for August 11-26, 2018, at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park are going to be cancelled after the Government of Canada informed the Organizing Committee that it won’t support the games.

A statement from the office of the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities read:

“On July 11, 2016 the 2018 World Equestrian Games Organizing Committee was informed that the Government of Canada will not be providing federal funds to support the hosting of the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

Through Sport Canada, the federal government is not in a position to support the hosting of the 2018 World Equestrian Games given the financial viability of this project. The event has an estimated budget of $100 million, of which approximately $66.6 million of overall revenue sources must be raised from the private sector. As of today, no private sector funds have been confirmed, nor has a deficit guarantor.

Federal funding was never committed for this event, we have continued to be clear of our requirements and expectations in our discussions with the 2018 WEG Organizing Committee.”

Although the cancellation is not yet official, it seems as though the monster event was doomed from the beginning, with an unrealistic budget, no support from the federal government, logistical problems surrounding traffic and accommodations, and a revolving door of CEOs and other top management that pointed to the turmoil within the organizing committee, COJEM...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/bromont-weg-the-death-throes/

Australia: The narrrowest of wins after 160km and 10 hours of racing

Sunshinecoastdaily.com.au - Full Article

16 Juuly 2016

EQUESTRIAN: While it was close, Ben Hudson successfully defended his national title on Saturday after completing the 160km ride in wet conditions at the 2016 National Endurance Championships.

Held at Sterling Crossing Endurance at Imbil, Hudson was aboard Cap Braveheart from and clocked a time of 10hrs15min30sec, while runner-up and local Kaylea Maher galloped in only three seconds behind.

“Ben had an excellent ride, especially considering riders rode in rain for most of the time which adds significantly to the effort needed to complete the course,” Matthew Sample, owner of Sterling Endurance Arabians and founder of the club, said...

Read more here:
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/the-narrrowest-of-wins-after-160km-and-10-hours-of/3062875/

Great Britain: Across Dartmoor with a da-da-dah drumbeat ringing in my ears

Dailymail.co.uk - Full Article

Across Dartmoor with a da-da-dah drumbeat ringing in my ears: A splendid weekend of West Country riding, on a 50-mile pony trek

• Dartmoor National Park is the most wild and pristine portion of Devon
• It adds up to 365 square miles of grassland - only two roads crossing it
• The Dartmoor Derby is a new 50-mile pony trek across the moorland

By KATE JOHNSON
PUBLISHED: 12 July 2016

Finding the right man is nearly as difficult as finding the right horse, says Lisa. I nod earnestly in agreement. Lisa is the warm, engaging wife of the farmer whose land we are camping on and, over perfectly pink roast lamb and red wine, we are having a lively chat about life and love and horses.

I'm here for the pilot of the Dartmoor Derby, which is taking place for the first time in September.
It is inspired by the Mongol Derby, an annual 1,000km endurance horse race based on Genghis Khan's postal route in 1224.

We are not racing and we are covering only 50 miles over two days - so it's a day shorter than the real Derby and not an endurance in any sense; instead, it's a great luxurious adventure.

We are divided into small groups, setting off from different locations on a mix of Arabs, hunters and American quarter horses. My group starts on the north-west side of the moor, heading south-west.

Dartmoor comprises 365 square miles and has only two roads crossing it, so it is wide open, safe and welcoming...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-3686940/Across-Dartmoor-da-da-dah-drumbeat-ringing-ears-splendid-weekend-West-Country-riding-50-mile-pony-trek.html#ixzz4EgBIwfD3

Australia: Imbil now home to purpose-built endurance centre

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

Arthur Gorrie | 15th Jul 2016

THE equestrian world has come to Imbil forest this weekend, to experience Australia's first purpose-built endurance riding centre.

The centre, headquarters of the newly formed Sterling Crossing Endurance Association, was a cow paddock only 12 weeks ago.

But it has been a big 12 weeks, club founder and endurance ride organiser Matthew Sample told The Gympie Times.

"We've spent millions," he said. "We've done a lot in a very short time."

"We've only employed local workers and tradies," he said.

"A lot of fertiliser," he explained as he spoke of the transformation he has overseen, to get the 59-hectare property up to scratch for the internationally accredited 2016 Equestrian Australian Endurance Championships...

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/imbil-is-home-to-purpose-built-endurance-centre/3062149/

Australia: Endurance is like ‘sharing adventure with your best friend’

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

Arthur Gorrie | 15th Jul 2016

"IT'S beautiful riding country," Matthew Sample's father Bob said as he surveyed the Sterling Crossing property and its forested mountain surroundings.

Bob helped pioneer endurance riding in the Imbil-Kenilworth area. He and his sons, Matthew and Brook, hold a total of 20 Tom Quilty Cup titles, the sport's most prestigious annual gold cup event, pioneered by RM Williams and Tom Quilty.

"I did the first one in 1970, near Kenilworth," he said.

"I've been doing it regularly in the area since 1987..."

Read more here:
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/endurance-riding-is-likesharing-adventure-with-you/3062167/

Great Britain: 160km is just not enough!

13 July 2016

Carri Ann Dark completes 240km at Kings Forest International Endurance Ride.

On Saturday 9th July, an international field of riders set off on the ultimate test of horse and rider, the CEI3* 160km (100 mile) endurance ride, across beautiful Suffolk countryside. Carri Ann Dark (25) riding 12yo gelding, Vavavoom, took an early lead in the gruelling ride, flying through the mandatory vet inspections at the end of each loop. Carri managed to maintain her lead in the class, although Swiss rider, Barbara Lissarrague aboard Ainhoa Arkiris, was hot on her tail and managed to close the gap significantly through the course of the day. Barbara's efforts were not quite enough to clinch victory as Carri put in an impressive last loop with a speed of 19.5kmph to finish with riding time of 09:52:45. Barbara crossed the line just minutes later with a total riding time of 09:57:35.

Carri's aim was simply to complete the ride and bag her championship qualification and was amazed to have come away with 1st place. Carri commented that "it was amazing to have Vavavoom back on top form after having nearly 18 months rest. We are so proud of him, it means the world to us". Her victory was not made easy with fluctuating weather conditions making the course challenging with some areas becoming slippy and others very hot and humid.

Most riders after completing 160km tend to take it easy the next day, a hot bath maybe, a leisurely stroll? Carri's steely mentality would not let her miss an opportunity to qualify one of her other young horses and rode Bey-Shamadahl in the 80km Graded Endurance Ride the next day. Another successful completion under her belt meant Carri had completed 240 competitive kilometres around Kings Forest!

In the CEI 2* 120km class two riders from the UAE; Rashid Mohamed Ibrahim Al Baloushi and Abdulla Saeed Bin Huzaim took 1st and 2nd place respectively. Just 15 minutes behind was British rider, Abigail Taylor riding Warrens Hill Elanzo who was just a length ahead of fellow rider, Chris Wray riding Takwenya in an exciting racing finish. Abigail commented that whilst she was "not expecting to have a racing finish I felt that he [Warrens Hill Elanzo] had plenty of fuel in the tank to go for it and he proved me right". Both horses are by the famous endurance sire Chatanz and were neck and neck right up to the line.

All three young riders in the CEIYJ 2* 120km class completed the competition within qualifying speed meaning they are now all qualified for young rider championships. Abigail Chisholm won the class aboard Abbi Tennant's Barik. So far the 120km completion had evaded Abigail, and she was delighted to have finally conquered this distance.

Overall the completion rate over the FEI classes was high at 64%. Ride organiser Di Luke believes that the course is one of the best in the country "the forest is so giving, there are lovely long stretches where you can just bowl along". She also added that the "water and ice out in the venue was a real benefit to everyone". Riders commented that the venue was superb and the added benefit of all classes having electronic timing was extremely well received. Di commented how she "loves the fact that a 16km pleasure rider uses the same tracks as the 160km3* riders". Both Meydan and Science Supplements must be thanked for their generous support of this international endurance event.

Detailed results available here - http://www.enduranceresults.info/endurance-team-styria/results-2016/

The CEI Kings Forest Event took place on the 8th, 9th and 10th of July 2016 and saw a host of both International and National competitions ranging from the CEI3* 160km, CEI2* 120km and CEI1* 80km distances right through to 16km Pleasure rides. This event is a major event on the 2016 Endurance GB Competitive Ride Calendar, organised by Dianne Luke and supported by local volunteers. Kindly sponsored by Science Supplements and Meydan.

Endurance GB - National Governing Body for competitive Endurance horse riding in Great Britain a member body of the BEF. Offering rides for non-members and members from pleasure rides to competitive rides www.endurancegb.co.uk